But Lord, That’s Not Fair!

But Lord, That’s Not Fair!
Pastor Terry Wilcox

Matthew 20:1-15

This parable follows Peter’s question in Matthew 19:27
A “worldview” cries not fair.
A “Kingdom view” sees that the benefits of the Kingdom of God are   for all who embrace the  of the King.

This parable addresses Peter’s question and the complaint of the Pharisees regarding Jesus’ acceptance of tax collectors and prostitutes.

In Matthew 20:13 Jesus uses “friend’ one of three times in Matthew, each one referring to someone in the wrong.

Dr. Lloyd Ogilvie named his book on Jesus’ parables, Autobiography of God.
The characters: landowner =                                workers = those invited by the owner

Three Observations About the “Owner”

1. The Owner chooses the workers – Matthew 20:1, 3, 5-6
   Ephesians 1:4-5
   a. The parable is not about our salvation

   A prevailing, pernicious, and persistent falsehood promoted by the purveyor of lies is that people earn salvation.

   b. This parable is about the right  in service.

   Two categories of workers: 
   Those with a and those without.

   Ephesians 6:6
   Recall Peter’s question in Matthew 19:27 – “What then will be for us?”

   The landowner was generous. What is your attitude toward his generosity to those who join the team later?

2. This parable shouts the unmerited love of God.

   God’s love presents us with a two-sided conflict to our natural thinking:

   a. God loves me regardless of what I have done.
   “I’ve only worked a short time, and they worked all day.”
   God’s grace is not compatible with our idea of .

   b. We deserve more than they do.
       Even though the landowner fulfilled their contract,  they were dissatisfied.

       I Corinthians 4:5

3. with the Lord is the ultimate reward.
   Recall two or three of your fondest experiences. Now answer this question:
   

   a. Life in this world is measured by the .
   Those who come into His Kingdom early in the day have more joyous experiences with God than those who come in later in the day.

   b. God’s gracious gift of eternity renders our earthly concerns with rankings meaningless.
       Matthew 20:16

       Genesis 15:1

Personal Notes