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There are two, slightly different sermons on this page...

20 1 "For the kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out early in the morning to hire men to work in his vineyard. 2 He agreed to pay them a denarius for the day and sent them into his vineyard. 3 "About the third hour he went out and saw others standing in the marketplace doing nothing. 4 He told them, `You also go and work in my vineyard, and I will pay you whatever is right.' 5 So they went. "He went out again about the sixth hour and the ninth hour and did the same thing. 6 About the eleventh hour he went out and found still others standing around. He asked them, `Why have you been standing here all day long doing nothing?' 7" `Because no one has hired us,' they answered. "He said to them, `You also go and work in my vineyard.' 8 "When evening came, the owner of the vineyard said to his foreman, `Call the workers and pay them their wages, beginning with the last ones hired and going on to the first.' 9 "The workers who were hired about the eleventh hour came and each received a denarius. 10 So when those came who were hired first, they expected to receive more. But each one of them also received a denarius. 11 When they received it, they began to grumble against the landowner. 12 `These men who were hired last worked only one hour,' they said, `and you have made them equal to us who have borne the burden of the work and the heat of the day.' 13 "But he answered one of them, `Friend, I am not being unfair to you. Didn't you agree to work for a denarius? 14 Take your pay and go. I want to give the man who was hired last the same as I gave you. 15 Don't I have the right to do what I want with my own money? Or are you envious because I am generous?' 16 "So the last will be first, and the first will be last."

Year A Trinity 17/Proper 20 - 18/9/05 : Matthew 20:1-16

The other day I was leaving school with Chloe and she wanted to go back to get a drink of water. I said she couldn't and that she could have a drink when she got home. She said the familiar words, "It's not fair". I replied that life isn't fair. I guess every parent is familiar with the plea, 'It's not fair'. What this really means is 'I'm not getting what I want !' or 'I'm jealous of someone else'.

When you think about it, it is wonderful that life isn't fair, because we would then only get what we deserve. God actually gives us much more than we deserve and this is grace. I define grace as "undeserved favour".

Jesus uses a common day story to draw in his listeners, and intrigue them about how God works. Some workers complain 'It's not fair'. They were actually jealous because the owner of the vineyard was being generous to someone else.

In its original setting, the main point of this parable the sovereign graciousness and generosity of God extended to "latecomers" (the poor and the outcasts of society) into God's kingdom. It is addressed to the grumblers (v. 11) who just cannot handle this amazing expression of God's grace. They almost certainly represent the religious leaders who opposed Jesus.

The "kingdom of heaven" refers to the rule of God in someone's life.

In Jesus' day casual labourers waited in the market place for employment. The working day started at 6 a.m. The landowner agreed to pay the workers a penny, denarius, a normal days wages for a Roman soldier, which was more than a normal labourer. So, from the start the owner is being generous to those who work all day.

Then at 9 a.m. the landowner recruited more workers. He agreed to pay "Whatever is right".

Also at noon and three p.m.

At 5 p.m. there is only one hour to go before the working day ends and he hires the last group.

At 6 p.m. It was customary to pay the days wages. Because farm workers were poor, the law of Moses required that they be paid at the end of each day (cf. Lev 19:13; Dt 24:14-15). The landowner could have paid those who had worked all day first. Yet no parable then !

Those who were employed last get paid first and get a full day's wages ! Not unfair - first get what they were promised. But generous and considerate. After all, the last labourers would have the same financial needs as the first. It was just unfortunate that they were not picked earlier. God's generosity is received in full by all who respond to him.

Another point that we should not lose sight of is that serving Jesus is not without its rewards in itself. Jesus said that he had come that we may have life in abundance. Therefore, if someone comes to know Jesus later in their life they will have missed out on so much. Yes, they will receive the same eternal rewards as someone who has known and served Jesus for a longer period. But they will not have known God in their life and all the blessings that this brings. So, to use the parable, the act of labouring is not without benefits in itself, never mind the rewards. I was out of work due to ill health after a road accident. I remember being bored and unfulfilled because I had little to do than slowly recover and build up my fitness by walking. When we have some ''work' to do, in its wider sense, this will keep us busy, bring fulfilment and allow us to grow. As we continue in our Christian life we need to keep on serving so we can exercise our faith, grow in it, and bring glory to God. As part of our life and witness we may be able to help others into God's kingdom.

The great violinist, Nicolo Paganini, willed his marvellous violin to Genoa, the city of his birth, but only on condition that the instrument never be played upon. It was an unfortunate stipulation, for it is a property of wood that as long as it is used and handled, it shows little wear. As soon as it is discarded, it begins to decay. The exquisite, mellow-toned violin has become worm-eaten in its beautiful case, valueless except as a relic. The decaying instrument is a reminder that a life withdrawn from all service to others loses its meaning.

I once had the privilege of helping someone in their sixties come to a saving knowledge of Jesus. This person spoke of the joy, peace and companionship they had discovered through their relationship with God and that they no longer felt lonely. This is the reward we receive in this life. They also had an assurance that their relationship with God would last forever, something we can all know for ourselves through Jesus.

There was a newspaper story some years back of a man who sold his asphalt company for $422 million. That was not the reason for the story, but it became a story worthy of newspaper attention when he gave $128 million to his workers. For those with pensions he gave $2000 a year for each year worked and for those without pension he gave between $1 million and $2 million depending on years of service.

As you might expect the workers were overjoyed. In a very self-effacing manner he said he wanted to share some of his good fortune with those workers who had been loyal for so many years. This man is certainly not typical. This is not good business practice. It is at best off-beat and quirky. Such generosity does not come natural to many people.

The main point of this parable is not just that everyone in God's kingdom will get the same reward but that this reward depends upon his generosity, his undeserved favour to us. Jesus' story makes little economic sense, which was his point exactly. He is giving a parable about grace, God's undeserved favour. You and I cannot calculate the grace of God like you can a day's wages. We receive it as a gift from God, not as something we work hard to earn. The person who comes to God at the end of life, like the robber on the cross, enjoys the same ultimate benefits as someone who follows God from early childhood. Jealousy of someone else's "unfair" rewards should not take the joy from our own. My own reaction when I see someone come to faith is to share in their joy, not to be jealous. God has enough love and grace for everyone.

We have a generous God ! He is rich in many things. He loves to give good gifts to those whom he has chosen to follow him. We see God's generosity to us ultimately in him giving his only son to die for us on the cross.

Let us go from here grateful to God for His unwarranted generosity to us.

In response to His love and generosity let us do everything that we can to serve Him and to live the life that he wants us to. This includes sharing his love with others because he has enough to go around everyone. We are called to live and witness for him whether we have been labouring for a short while, or for a longer period.

A man dies and goes to heaven. Of course, St. Peter meets him at the Pearly Gates. St. Peter say's, "Here's how it works. You need 100 points to make it into heaven. You tell me all the good things you've done, and I give you a certain number of points for each item, depending on how good it was. When you reach 100 points, you get in." Okay, " the man says, "I was married to the same women for 50 years and never cheated on her, even in my heart." That's wonderful," says St. Peter, "that's worth three points." Three points?" He says. "Well, I attended church all my life and supported its ministry with my tithe and service." Terrific!" say's St. Peter. "That's certainly worth a point." "One point? Well I started a soup kitchen in my city and worked in a shelter for homeless veterans." Fantastic, that's good for two more points," he says. "Two points!" The man cries. "At this rate the only way to get into heaven is by the grace of God!" St. Peter smiled. "There's your 100 points! Come on in!"

This passage is about the grace or undeserved favour of God.

1] It is available to everyone and anyone.

2] It reminds us that grace is given and not earned.

3] It reminds us that we are valuable to and loved by God. We are not worthless, whenever we have been picked.

4] It tells us that we are all equal in God's sight. So there is no need to feel proud, jealous or inadequate. There is also no room for grumbling!

How can we respond to God's grace?

a) Accept it, if you haven't already.

b) Be grateful, if you have accepted it. We didn't deserve it. It is a gift.

c) Share grace with our family, friends, colleagues, neighbours. Even when it seems unfair!

Before I close each of you will be handed a sermon questionnaire ( see below ). Can you please keep it face down until I ask you to turn it around. Perhaps it might tell us who has been listening to my sermon or perhaps who has got a good memory.

( Once sheets have been handed out ask them to turn over. They will find that each question has the correct answer next to it! )

None of you would have got all of the answers right, but you have all scored 100%. The reason that you got this is because the creator of the test took it for you. You have just experienced grace.

PRAY

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Here is the text of the questionnaire, get people to take it home to help them remember the sermon!

Sermon Questionnaire 18th September 2005

What passage was the sermon on?

Matthew 20:1-16

How did I define grace?

As "undeserved favour".

What time did the working day start at in Jesus' day?

6 a.m.

When did it finish?

6 pm.

What happened then?

Wages were paid out.

What two Old Testament books stipulated this had to happen?

Deuteronomy 24:14-15 and Leviticus 19:13.

Which violinist willed his marvellous violin to Genoa, the city of his birth,

Nicolo Paganini

How much did the asphalt millionaire sell his business for?

$422m

How much did he give away?

$128m

How many points did the man need to get into heaven?

100

How many points did he get for attending church all his life and supporting it's ministry with his tithe and service?

One.

What four points did I make about the grace of God?

1] It is available to everyone and anyone.

2] It reminds us that grace is given and not earned.

3] It reminds us that we are valuable to and loved by God. We are not worthless, whenever we have been picked.

4] It tells us that we are all equal in God's sight. So there is no need to feel proud, jealous or inadequate. There is also no room for grumbling!

What three responses did I suggest we could make to God's grace?

a) Accept it, if you haven't already.

b) Be grateful, if you have accepted it. We didn't deserve it. It is a gift.

c) Share grace with our family, friends, colleagues, neighbours. Even when it seems unfair!

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Here are some additional illustrations...

An old proverb says:

When we get what we deserve, that is justice.

When we don't get what we deserve, that is mercy.

When we get what we don't deserve, that is grace.

After serving as a missionary for forty years in Africa, Henry C. Morrison became sick and had to return to America. As the great ocean liner docked in New York Harbour there was a great crowd gathered to welcome home another passenger on that boat. Morrison watched as President Teddy Roosevelt received a grand welcome home party after his African Safari.

Resentment seized Henry Morrsion and he turned to God in anger, "I have come back home after all this time and service to the church and there is no one, not even one person here to welcome me home." Then a still small voice came to Morrison and said, "You're not home yet."

There was once a large prosperous church in London England that had three mission churches under its care. On the first Sunday of the New Year all four churches would gathered together for a combined Communion service. On one such occasion the pastor saw a former burglar kneeling beside the very judge who had sent him to jail where he had served seven years. After his release this burglar had been converted and became a Christian worker. After the service, walking home together the judge said to the pastor "Did you notice who was kneeling beside me at the Communion rail?" The pastor replied, "Yes, but I didn't know that you noticed." The two walked along in silence for a few more moments, and then the judge said, "What a miracle of grace." The pastor nodded in agreement. "Yes, what a marvelous miracle of grace." Then the judge asked, "But to whom do you refer?" And the pastor said, "Why, to the conversion of that convict." To this the judge said, "But I was not referring to him. I was thinking of myself." The pastor, surprised, replied: "You were thinking of yourself? I don't understand."

"Yes, it did not cost that burglar much to get converted. He had nothing but a history of crime, and when he saw Jesus as his Savior he knew there was salvation and hope and joy for him. And he knew how much he needed that help. But look at me. I was taught from earliest infancy to live as a gentleman; that I was to say my prayers, go to church, take Communion and so on. I went through Oxford, took my degrees, was called to the bar and eventually became a judge. Pastor, nothing but the grace of God could have caused me to admit that I was a sinner on level with that burglar. It took much more grace to forgive me for all my pride and self deception, to get me to admit that I was no better in the eyes of God than that convict that I sent to prison."

Yes, the wondrous grace of God can be difficult to understand at times. But then, we don't need to understand it, we just need to receive it. And then we will understand how truly gracious God has been. That is the way it is in the kingdom of God. To live in the stunning, scandalous grace of God that is his gift to us. To live alongside others with the same amazing grace poured out to them, that is the priveledge of being the children of God's kingdom. To offer this scandalous gift to those in need of such grace, is the mission of the church. To celebrate together, both high and low, first and last, that glorious, scandalous grace of God is our true worship!

Anthony de Mello tells this story. The kingdom of God is like two brothers who were called by God to give up all they had and serve humanity.

The older brother responded to the call generously, though he had to wrench his heart from his family and the girl he loved and dreamed of marrying. He eventually went of to a distant land where he spent himself in the service of the poorest of the poor. A persecution arose in that country and he was arrested, falsely accused, tortured and put to death.

And the Lord said to him, "Well done, good and faithful servant! You gave a thousand talents' worth of service. I shall now give you a billion, billion talents' worth of reward. Enter into the joy of your Lord."

The younger boy's response to the call was less than generous. He decided to ignore it and go ahead and marry the girl he loved. He enjoyed a happy married life, his business prospered, and he became famous and rich. Occasionally he would give alms to the poor.

And when it was his turn to die the Lord said to him, "Well done, good and faithful servant! You have given me ten talents' worth of service. I shall give you a billion, billion talents' worth of reward. Enter into the joy of your Lord!

The older brother was surprised when he heard that his brother was to get the same reward as he. And he was pleased. He said, "Lord, knowing this as I do, if I were born and live my life again, I would still do exactly what I did for you."

An old proverb says:

When we get what we deserve, that is justice.

When we don't get what we deserve, that is mercy.

When we get what we don't deserve, that is grace.

There was a newspaper story some years back of a man who sold his asphalt company for $422 million. That was not the reason for the story, but it became a story worthy of newspaper attention when he gave $128 million to his workers. For those with pensions he gave $2000/year for each year worked and for those without pension he gave between $1 million and $2 million depending on years of service.

As you might expect the workers were overjoyed. They were not simply without a job, they were set for life. In a very self-effacing manner he said he wanted to share some of his good fortune with those workers who had been loyal for so many years.

Aesop had a fable about two eagles, one envious of the other because the

other could soar higher and more elegantly than he could. So the envious

eagle would pluck his strongest feathers from his own body and shoot them as

arrows, trying to wound or kill the other eagle. It was his own undoing,

however. He could not hit the high flying eagle, and he was eventually

grounded by his lack of feathers. Envy destroyed the eagle.

While on a trip to Switzerland, an America businessman was watching a Swiss clockmaker carving the case of an ornate cuckoo clock. As the businessman watched the clockmaker carve out the case, he was astounded at his slow rate of progress. The businessman finally said, "My good man, you'll never make much money that way." "Sir," the clockmaker replied, "I'm not making money, I'm making cuckoo clocks."

Notice the difference in the two men's goals. The businessman was after the pay check and the clock maker was after the joy of a job well done.

When a person works an eight-hour day and receives a fair day's pay for his time, that is a wage. When a person competes with an opponent and receives a trophy for his performance, that is a prize. When a person receives appropriate recognition for his long service or high achievements, that is an award. But when a person is not capable of earning a wage, can win no prize, and deserves no award--yet receives such a gift anyway--that is a good picture of God's unmerited favor. This is what we mean when we talk about the grace of God.

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Trinity 17/Proper 20 - 22/9/02 6 p.m. Matthew 20:1-16

I guess every parent is familiar with the plea, 'It's not fair'. What this really means is 'I'm not getting what I want !' or 'I'm jealous of someone else'.

This parable occurs only in Matthew's Gospel. In its original setting, its main point seems to be the sovereign graciousness and generosity of God extended to "latecomers" (the poor and the outcasts of society) into God's kingdom. It is addressed to the grumblers (v. 11) who just cannot handle this amazing expression of God's grace. They almost certainly represent the religious leaders who opposed Jesus.

The "kingdom of heaven" refers to the rule of God in someone's life.

In Jesus' day casual labourers waited in the market place for employment. The working day started at 6 a.m. The landowner agreed to pay the workers a penny, denarius, a normal days wages. A Roman soldier also received one denarius a day.

Then at 9 a.m. the landowner recruited more workers. He agreed to pay "Whatever is right".

Also at noon and three p.m.

At 5 p.m. there is only one hour to go before the working day ends and he hires the last group.

Those who were employed last get paid first and get a full day's wages ! Not unfair - first get what they were promised. But generous. After all, last labourers would have the same financial needs as the first. It was just unfortunate that they were not picked earlier. God's generosity is received by all who respond to him.

I once had the privilege of helping someone in their sixties come to a saving knowledge of Jesus. This person spoke of the joy, peace and companionship they had discovered through their relationship with God and that they no longer felt lonely. They also had an assurance that their relationship with God would last forever.

We have a generous God ! He is rich in many things. He loves to give good gifts to those who he has chosen to follow him. We see God's generosity to us ultimately in him giving his only son to die for us on the cross.

Let us go from here grateful to God for His unwarranted generosity to us.

Robert De Moor, In "The Banner" : "Back in Ontario when the apples ripened. Mom would sit all seven of us down, Dad included, with pans and paring knives until the mountain of fruit was reduced to neat rows of filled canning jars. She never bothered keeping track of how many we did, though the younger ones undoubtedly proved more of a nuisance than a help: cut fingers, squabbles over who got which pan, apple core fights. But when the job was done, the reward for everyone was the same: the largest chocolate-dipped cone money could buy. A stickler might argue it wasn't quite fair since the older ones actually peeled apples. But I can't remember anyone complaining about it.

A family understands it operates under a different set of norms than a courtroom. In fact, when the store ran out of ice cream and my younger brother had to make do with a Popsicle, we felt sorry for him despite his lack of productivity (he'd eaten all the apples he'd peeled that day - both of them). God wants all his children to enjoy the complete fullness of eternal life. No true child of God wants it any other way."

We can all look forward to the day that we will receive the generous gift that God has waiting for us through Jesus. Life in heaven when we will be in His presence serving and glorifying Him for ever with all the other believers from history. There will be no more suffering, mourning and dying, because we will all have new, perfect resurrection bodies and be like Jesus.

PRAY

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