WORKING IN THE VINEYARD

1. “For the kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out EARLY IN THE MORNING to HIRE LABOURERS FOR HIS VINEYARD.
2. Now when he had agreed with the labourers for a denarius a day, he sent them into his vineyard.
3. And he went out about the THIRD HOUR and saw others standing idle in the marketplace,
4. and said to them, ‘You also go into the vineyard, and whatever is right I will give you.’ So they went.
5. Again he went out about THE SIXTH and THE NINTH HOUR, and did likewise.
6. And about the ELEVENTH HOUR HOUR he went out and found others standing idle, and said to them, ‘Why have you been standing here idle all day?’
7. They said to him, ‘Because no one hired us.’ He said to them, ‘You also go into the vineyard, and whatever is right you will receive.’
8. “So when evening had come, the owner of the vineyard said to his steward, ‘Call the labourers and give them their wages, beginning with the last to the first.’
9. And when those came who were hired about the eleventh hour, they each received a denarius.
10. But when the first came, they supposed that they would receive more; and they likewise received each a denarius.
11. And when they had received it, they complained against the landowner,
12. saying, ‘These last men have worked only one hour, and you made them equal to us who have borne the burden and the heat of the day.’
13. But he answered one of them and said, ‘Friend, I am doing you no wrong. Did you not agree with me for a denarius?
14. Take what is yours and go your way. I wish to give to this last man the same as to you.
15. Is it not lawful for me to do what I wish with my own things? Or is your eye evil because I am good?’
16. SO THE LAST WILL BE FIRST, AND THE FIRST LAST. For many are called, but few chosen.”
    Matthew 20:1-16 (NKJV)

• Many who are first would be the last and those who are the last would be the first (Matthew 20:16).
CHRISTIANITY is a race! (Hebrews 12:1)

• Those who are the last now would be the first, hence the first now should take heed that their place might not be given to other people (Matthew 20:8-10).
  THE LESSONS:
• Salvation is one and it is equal! The wages in the parable talks about equal salvation that would be given to everyone who comes to God through the Lord Jesus Christ: "FOR “WHOEVER CALLS ON THE NAME OF THE LORD SHALL BE SAVED" (Romans 10:13). [Also see verse number 9 to 12 of that same chapter 10]
• Everyone who comes to Christ would receive the same salvation, nobody's salvation is of higher quality than that of another person.
  NO person can be more saved than Another! You are either saved or you are not. The presence of a gift, or its use, does not mean that one person has more saving faith than another (Romans 12:3).
• When the first, those who were hired early in the morning in the parable, received their wages, they grumbled and protested the decision of the landowner (Mathew 20:11).
• The owner of the vineyard chose to pay the same amount, both to those who were hired early in the morning and those who came about the eleventh hour, a full day wages for all (Matthew 20:9,10).
  GOD is Sovereign, He does whatever He PLEASES (Psalm 115:3; 135:6; Matthew 20:14).

• God’s vineyard.

• The essence of salvation is to grow in your relationship with God, and afterwards become a worker in His vineyard.
• No one is permitted to be idle in God’s vineyard. You are saved to serve!
• Every Christian, born-again believer, must be involved in God’s Business: "So he called ten of his servants, delivered to them ten minas, and said to them, ‘DO BUSINESS TILL I COME' " (Luke 19:13 NKJV).
• The Business of the Kingdom is about the expansion of the Kingdom of God on earth.
• It is expected of you to win souls for the Kingdom of God.
• You are to be part of Kingdom building, through the works you do in your local church, and the winning of the perishing souls.

• The Work in God’s vineyard—the House of God.

• You either go out as an individual or join hands with other brethren to win souls and nurture them in the church.
• The nurturing aspect is as important as the winning of the souls.
• It is your duty and responsibility as a Believer, Christian, to look after your brothers and sisters in Christ: "Let each of you look out NOT only for his [her] own interests, BUT ALSO FOR THE INTERESTS OF OTHERS" (Philippians 2:4).
  WHEN you attend Church meetings, you should not think of yourself alone, but also about other brethren in the Church.
• Christianity is about Caring, you care for others by showing or expressing love to them: "OWE NO ONE ANYTHING EXCEPT TO LOVE ONE ANOTHER, for he who loves another has fulfilled the law" (Romans 13:8).
  ALSO see Romans 5:5; 1 Corinthians 12:25
• If you fail in the area of being your brother's or sister’s keeper, you may not get God’s attention for whatever you want from Him: "Those who SHUT their ears to the cries of the poor WILL BE IGNORED IN THEIR OWN TIME OF NEED" (Proverbs 21:13 NLT).
• Believers should not be Need conscious, your orientation should be about watching after your brothers and sisters in the Lord (1 Corinthians 12:25).
• In this Kingdom, God’s Kingdom, Love is Supreme, and has to be expressed (1 John 3:16-18).

• Wages

• There are rewards on earth and in heaven for every work done on earth: "For we must all appear and be revealed as we are before the judgment seat of Christ, SO THAT EACH ONE MAY RECEIVE [his pay] ACCORDING TO WHAT HE HAS DONE IN THE BODY, WHETHER GOOD OR EVIL [considering what his purpose and motive have been, and what he has achieved, been busy with, and given himself and his attention to accomplishing]" (2 Corinthians 5:10 Amplified, Classic).
• There is a pay day for every assignment.
• God is just and fair, He will not owe anyone (Romans 2:11).
• If you worked for Him, laboured in His vineyard, you will surely be paid (Hebrews 6:10).

• The First becoming the last!

• God has no permanent Friend, but permanent interest.
• The day you stop having interest in His Kingdom, He also would stop having interest in you and your affairs: "If we endure, we shall also reign with Him. IF WE DENY HIM, HE ALSO WILL DENY US" (2 Timothy 2:12).
• You command attention by seeking the Kingdom of God first, before other things (Matthew 6:33; Luke 12:31).
• If your goal is God’s Kingdom, His vineyard, and other related things; material things that you might need shall be given to you without any sweat.
• When the Kingdom assignment has no meaning to you, it does not move you; then your matter might not move God as well.
• God's Kingdom and vineyard are the ultimate.
  THE reason for your living as a Believer is all about the Kingdom, God’s vineyard (1 Peter 4:1-4; Galatians 2:20; 2 Corinthians 5:15).
• The wages is determined by God and He will pay every worker according to their works.

• You will not fail in Jesus' name.
Peace!