March 8, 2026

It’s all about grace

Preacher:
Series:
Passage: Matthew 19:27-20:16
Service Type:

Introduction

  • Matt 20
  • Example of employment
    • The principle of equality?
  • A parable from Jesus about a days wage
    • All workers received the same wage despite their hours
    • They felt aggreived
  • Why does Jesus teach this?
    • Jesus is not stating that workers should not be paid a fair wage
    • He is using an illustration to teach about the kingdom of heaven
  • The kingdom is all about grace
    • From beginning to end
    • None of us deserve any reward
    • We have all fallen short of God’s glory
    • It is not about merit but God’s kindness
    • We should not be angry at the blessings other Christian’s receive
  • Overview:
    • The Context
    • Application

The Context

  • Before the parable:
    • A man asks Jesus how to inherit eternal life – Jesus pinpoints his covetousness
    • There is a teaching on riches
    • Peter then asks what reward the apostles will receive for forsaking all?
      • Jesus answers this – including that they will inherit eternal life
    • v30 – emphasised at the end of Jesus parable (v16)
      • All rewards will be of grace
  • Looking at the parable
    • Different people work different durations
    • At payment time – the normal convention is upended
    • People become offended
    • We do not have control over other people
    • Do not have an "evil eye" / be jealous over kindness
    • The last first and the first last
  • What the parable does not mean
    • Not an allegory: different groups of believers throughout time from Adam to Noah, from Noah to Moses, from Moses onwards
    • Not teaching there are no rewards for those who work in the kingdom (Rev 22:12, 2 Cor 5:10, parable of the talents)
      • Any rewards given are of God’s grace
    • It is not meant to encourage eleventh hour convers ions / to put off salvation – example
    • The Jewish nation and the Gentiles
  • To understand the parable, see the context
    • "For" 20:1 answering Peter 19:27-30

Application

  • Encouragement
    • You can be saved at any time – example
    • The last first and the first last
      • God favours the humble and the lowly
      • Matt 21:31-32
  • A grumbling and complaining spirit does not belong
    • An unhappy/jealous Christian is a contradiction in terms
    • A sour and bitter Christian is a very sad thing
  • God is sovereign
    • Salvation is all of God
  • Grace should lead us to the cross
    • We have forgiveness of sins in Christ

The kingdom of God is all about grace

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