Understanding God’s Grace July 12

Think About It What are some situations when children cry “Not fair”? What about adults? When do we declare, “Not fair”? Jesus knew that someday people would question God’s fairness. God wants to provide salvation to all people Jesus tells the Parable of the Vineyard Workers to illustrate the issue of God’s grace

Many Opportunities After Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans many who wanted work would gather at the entrance to Lowes or Home Depot – when contractors came to buy materials they hoped to get hired – listen for a similar situation in Jesus day

Listen for workers being hired Matthew 20:1-7 (NIV) "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.

Listen for workers being hired [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.

Listen for workers being hired 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.'

Many Opportunities What wages were agreed upon by the landowner and his first hired hands? At what additional times did the landowner go and hire workers? What wage was agreed upon between the landowner and these additional workers?

Many Opportunities Day Laborers – Gathered at market place – Waited for someone to hire them – Survived on daily wage of 1 denarius – If not hired early, waited for another opportunity – If hired late, still glad for a chance to work even a few hours

Many Opportunities Why do you think the landowner went back to hire more workers so many times? Vineyard Factoids – Work in vineyard is constant – Includes pruning, hoeing, harvesting – Harvest must be completed as quickly as possible – Harvest in August, September Temperatures in the 90’s or higher

Many Opportunities Recall that Jesus prefaces the parable with the phrase “The Kingdom of Heaven is like..” What do you think the land owner’s wanting everyone to work would imply?

Listen to events that you might consider to be “not fair.” Matthew 20:8-15 (NIV) "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.

Listen to events that you might consider to be “not fair.” 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.'

Listen to events that you might consider to be “not fair.” [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?'

The Same Salvation What did the landowner tell his foreman at the end of the day? What was the wage scale given to each of the groups hired at different times? If you had started at 6:00am, how would you have felt as you saw the late comers get a full day’s wage?

The Same Salvation So, how did the workers respond to the landowner’s system of payment? What rationale did the landowner give for his actions?

The Same Salvation It is easy to relate to the feelings of the workers. How, then, is this story like our salvation experience? Jesus said the story had to do with the “Kingdom of God.” How would you answer the argument that God isn’t fair in the way He forgives?

Listen for what this verse has to do with God’s love. Matthew 20:16 (NIV) "So the last will be first, and the first will be last."

Equality in God’s Kingdom What do you think this verse communicates about God’s love, grace, and salvation? How does it make you feel to know that heaven will include ex-murderers, former child molesters, and people who put their trust in Christ only minutes before death? What would happen if God gave each of us what we deserve?

Equality in God’s Kingdom How can focusing on God’s grace in our lives keep us from becoming jealous of others? How does understanding God’s grace and mercy help you to accept that all believers are equal in His Kingdom? What about God’s grace after we are believers. How is God’s grace applied when He calls us to serve Him, to minister to others?

Application Compare this parable to your life – Think about how old you were when you were saved – Consider those who are older or younger than you were then – God is pursuing them also – Communicate the Gospel message to people no matter what their age

Application Enumerate some of the blessings you have received in the years since you have become a believer – Think about what words of encouragement you could offer someone who is just beginning to serve God – Invest time in mentoring new believers – Help them discover the blessings of working in God’s harvest field

Application In what way can you say thank you to God every day this week for his amazing grace in your life? – Each day this week thank God for His blessings to you which you don’t deserve – Let’s start by singing together a verse of “Amazing Grace”

Amazing Grace Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound, That saved a wretch like me.... I once was lost but now am found, Was blind, but now, I see. When we've been here ten thousand years... bright shining as the sun. We've no less days to sing God's praise... then when we've first begun

Understanding God’s Grace July 12