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Sermon Series: We are currently going through a sermon series in the Gospel of Matthew. Today, we’re talking about a moment where Jesus teaches us an important lesson on God’s grace.
Laborers in the Vineyard
20 “For the kingdom of heaven is like a master of a house who went out early in the morning to hire laborers for his vineyard. 2 After agreeing with the laborers for a denarius[a] a day, he sent them into his vineyard. 3 And going out about the third hour he saw others standing idle in the marketplace, 4 and to them he said, ‘You go into the vineyard too, and whatever is right I will give you.’ 5 So they went. Going out again about the sixth hour and the ninth hour, he did the same. 6 And about the eleventh hour he went out and found others standing. And he said to them, ‘Why do you stand here idle all day?’ 7 They said to him, ‘Because no one has hired us.’ He said to them, ‘You go into the vineyard too.’ 8 And when evening came, the owner of the vineyard said to his foreman, ‘Call the laborers and pay them their wages, beginning with the last, up to the first.’ 9 And when those hired about the eleventh hour came, each of them received a denarius. 10 Now when those hired first came, they thought they would receive more, but each of them also received a denarius. 11 And on receiving it they grumbled at the master of the house, 12 saying, ‘These last worked only one hour, and you have made them equal to us who have borne the burden of the day and the scorching heat.’ 13 But he replied to one of them, ‘Friend, I am doing you no wrong. Did you not agree with me for a denarius? 14 Take what belongs to you and go. I choose to give to this last worker as I give to you. 15 Am I not allowed to do what I choose with what belongs to me? Or do you begrudge my generosity?’[b] 16 So the last will be first, and the first last.”
God’s grace is so good. But oftentimes, when we sing, talk, or think about God’s grace, it’s only about God’s grace towards ourselves. It’s nice to think about the grace He has towards us, but we don’t always think of it as a good thing when it comes to other people receiving His grace. Today, we’re looking at a part of God’s Word, where Jesus talks about others receiving God’s grace, and our tendency to have mixed feelings about it.
Realize this about God’s Grace:
- It’s not fair … and that’s a good thing!
Matt. 20:8-10, Eph. 2:8-9, Rom. 3:23, 6:23
2. God is constantly seeking to give all people His grace
Matt. 20:2-7, 2 Pet. 3:9, 1 Tim. 2:4, 1 John 2:2, Rom. 6:1-2
3. God’s grace is sovereign
Matt. 20:14-15, Is. 55:6-9, Ps. 115:3, Prov. 19:21
How can we avoid becoming upset by His grace?
- Consider your own sin, and where you would be without God’s grace
Matt. 20:2, Rom. 3:23, 6:23, Eph. 2:1-3
2. Ruminate on your own relationship with God
Matt. 20:13-14, John 10:10, 17:3, Micah 6:8, Rom. 6:14
3. Realize God’s sovereignty and justice
Matt. 20:15, Rom. 12:18-21, Is. 30:18, Ps. 33:5
Reflecting on God’s Word
Getting Started
- Take some time to read over Matthew 20:1-16 and pray.
- Have you ever read or heard about this before? What stood out to you as we were talking about it?
- What surprised you as we talked about it?
- What thoughts might have been going through Jesus’ disciples’ minds when they heard Jesus giving this parable?
- When your
- When you think about grace, what comes to mind?
- Have you ever felt like God’s grace is unfair?
Diving In
- Be honest: who / which kind of person do you have a difficult time understanding why God would offer His grace to them? Read 2 Peter 3:9, 1 Tim. 2:4, and 1 John 2:2. How would remembering that God wants a saving relationship with everyone help you to have a better attitude?
- God is sovereign, and we don’t always understand why He does what He does. Read Is. 55:6-9, Ps. 115:3, Prov. 19:21, Rom. 12:18-21, Is. 30:18, and Ps. 33:5. How do these verses help you to grapple through not understanding God?
- Read Matt. 20:13-14, John 10:10, 17:3, Micah 6:8, and Rom. 6:14. How would focusing on the life that God has for you help you to avoid having a bad attitude towards others receiving God’s grace?
Applying the Scripture
What are your biggest takeaways from this passage of God’s Word?
- What practical step(s) do you need to implement in your life to apply what God has taught you in this passage of Scripture?
- How would applying this affect your life and your relationship with the Lord?
- Who can you ask to keep you accountable to applying this to your life?
Small Group Guide:
Open with prayer.
Go around and give everyone a chance to share about how the past week has been. What’s one highlight? What’s one lowlight?
If your small group has talked about it before, feel free to use this time to hold people accountable to what they’ve asked to be held accountable for previously, and go through the “missional” part of this discussion guide.
Prayer Time:
Pray for each other in your small group to be faithful take the step(s) that you shared above. Pray for each other and the interactions that they have with those who don’t know Jesus. Pray that God would soften the people’s hearts to what He has for them. Pray that God would give everyone opportunities to share the Gospel.
Staying Missional:
Share spiritual/missional conversations you’ve had where you live, work, and play:
Who did you have a conversation with that took a spiritual/missional turn this week?
What questions did you ask to discover where God is at work in their life, even if they are not aware?
How were you able to share your story of life change or how you have experienced Jesus?
How can you be intentional this week with people where you live, work, and play to have spiritual/missional conversations if the opportunity arises?
Who in your life do you think could be discipleable or open to spiritual/missional conversations?
What’s next?
Discuss the next step for your small group. When will we gather again and what purpose will it fulfill?