[1] “The kingdom of heaven is like a man who owned land. He went out early in the morning to hire workers for his vineyard. [2] He agreed to give them the usual pay for a day’s work. Then he sent them into his vineyard. [3] “About nine o’clock in the morning he went out again. He saw others standing in the market doing nothing. . [4] He told them, ‘You also go and work in my vineyard. I’ll pay you what is right.’ [5] So they went. “He went out again about noon and at three o’clock and did the same thing.
[6] About five o’clock 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 spoke to the person who was in charge of the workers. He said, ‘Call the workers and give them their pay. Begin with the last ones I hired. Then go on to the first ones.’
[9] “The workers who were hired about five o’clock came. Each received the usual day’s pay. [10] So when those who were hired first came, they expected to receive more. But each of them also received the usual day’s pay.
[11] When they received it, they began to complain about the owner. [12] ‘These people who were hired last worked only one hour,’ they said. ‘You have paid them the same as us. We have done most of the work and have been in the hot sun all day.’ ’ [13] “The owner answered one of them. ‘Friend,’ he said, ‘I’m being fair to you. Didn’t you agree to work for the usual day’s pay? [14] Take your money and go. I want to give the one I hired last the same pay I gave you. [15] Don’t I have the right to do what I want with my own money? Do you feel cheated because I gave so freely to the others?’
[16] “So those who are last will be first. And those who are first will be last.” [17] Jesus was going up to Jerusalem. On the way, he took his 12 disciples to one side to talk to them. [18] “We are going up to Jerusalem,” he said. “The Son of Man will be handed over to the chief priests and the teachers of the law. They will sentence him to death. [19] Then they will hand him over to the Gentiles. The people will make fun of him and whip him. They will nail him to a cross. On the third day, he will rise from the dead!”
1. Doing nothing verse 3-2
2. Doing something.
3. Jesus spoke of His death and resurrection Verse 19
1. Doing nothing verse 3-4
“About nine o’clock in the morning he went out again. He saw others standing in the market doing nothing. 4 He told them, ‘You also go and work in my vineyard. I’ll pay you what is right.’
• When a person was not working in “His vineyard,” he judged it as “doing nothing.”
• “His vineyard” represents service to Him.
• “The Marketplace” represents the world
• There are many things happening in the marketplace, but if you are not working in His vineyard, you are doing nothing that pertains to your purpose or has eternal significance.
Nothing is more important than working in His vineyard.
• Things we can do in the vineyard are many, they include:
Telling people about Jesus
Serving in the church
Praying for people, nations, church, pastor and other Christians.
Question 1
• What have you been doing or can you do in His Vineyard?
• Any testimonies?
2. Doing something.
A. early in the morning
B. 9:00 a.m.
C. 12:00 a.m.
D. 3:00 p.m.
E. 5:00 p.m.
payment began at 6pm.
• The first team — who started early (9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.) — expected to receive more than those who came at 5:00 p.m.
[12] ‘These people who were hired last worked only one hour,’ they said. ‘You have paid them the same as us. We have done most of the work and have been in the hot sun all day.’
God expects every generation to do something.
In church history, the “hot sun” can represent times of great persecution.
• Foxe's Book of Martyrs
• Acts of the Apostles (the Book of Acts)
We do not know when Jesus will return, but we must always be ready.
Perhaps we are in the 3:00 p.m. or the 5:00 p.m. hour.
• We might not be the first to begin the race of the church, but God still wants us to work in His vineyard.
• He will reward us.
• You may not be in full-time ministry, but every effort will be rewarded — whether through prayer, service, or sharing the gospel.
Question 2
• How can we easily share the gospel or invite people to church?
•
3. Jesus spoke of his death and resurrection
[19] Then they will hand him over to the Gentiles. The people will make fun of him and whip him. They will nail him to a cross. On the third day, he will rise from the dead!”
Question 3
God can speak to us about the future?
-Any experience?
God can speak to us about the future through;
A. His Word.
• If you are Lazy, you will be poor.
• His second coming.
B. through the Holy spirit
• In prayer. Visions
Conclusion
We are the body of Christ — the hands and feet that God has on earth.
Among all that we do in life and in the marketplace, let us also labour for the Lord through:
• Prayer
• Telling people about Him
• Serving others
