September 23-25, 2023 Pastor Timothy J. Spaude Text: Matthew 20:1-16 (EHV) “GOD’S WORK, GOD’S WAY!

 

PENTECOST 17

September 23-25, 2023

Pastor Timothy J. Spaude

Text: Matthew 20:1-16 (EHV)

 

“GOD’S WORK, GOD’S WAY!

 

          Last week and for the next few weeks in the Gospel lessons from Matthew Jesus teaches us things using stories. Important things we need to know about life as citizens in God’s kingdom. Last week he made clear the importance of ongoing forgiveness of others as we need ongoing forgiveness from God. This week’s story focuses our attention on work in God’s kingdom. You will notice that the workers and the owner have decidedly different perspectives. See if you can pick them out.

 

Matthew 20:1-16 (EHV) “Indeed the kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out early in the morning to hire workers for his vineyard. ²After agreeing to pay the workers a denarius for the day, he sent them into his vineyard. ³He also went out about the third hour and saw others standing unemployed in the marketplace. ⁴To these he said, ‘You also go into the vineyard, and I will give you whatever is right.’ So they went. ⁵Again he went out about the sixth and the ninth hour and did the same thing. ⁶When he went out about the eleventh hour, he found others standing unemployed. He said to them, ‘Why have you stood here all day unemployed?’ ⁷“They said to him, ‘Because no one hired us.’ “He told them, ‘You also go into the vineyard.’ ⁸When it was evening, the owner of the vineyard said to his foreman, ‘Call the workers and pay them their wages, starting with the last group and ending with the first.’ ⁹“When those who were hired around the eleventh hour came, they each received a denarius. ¹⁰When those who were hired first came, they thought they would receive more. But they each received a denarius too. ¹¹After they received it, they began to grumble against the landowner: ¹²‘Those who were last worked one hour, and you made them equal to us who have endured the burden of the day and the scorching heat!’ ¹³“But he answered one of them, ‘Friend, I am doing you no wrong. Did you not make an agreement with me for a denarius? ¹⁴Take what is yours and go. I want to give to the last one hired the same as I also gave to you. ¹⁵Can’t I do what I want with my own money? Or are you envious because I am generous?’ ¹⁶In the same way, the last will be first, and the first, last.”

 

          Like most of Jesus’ stories called parables, this one is not hard to picture as it relates to real life. First there is the workers’ perspective. We have all probably been at a point some time in life, or will be, where there is a job you really want to have. You hope for it. You pray for it. You go for it. You get it! You are filled with a sense of joy, pride, happiness and satisfaction. You understand the privilege of getting this job. Day laborers in Jesus’ time had that times 10. Each workday they left home and kissed their wife on the cheek. “Pray for me, honey.” It was an important prayer. His goal for the day would be to earn enough to buy food for his family for the next day. No job. No food. They waited in the marketplace where the landowners who had work would look for day laborers. “Pick me! Pick me! Please!” went the silent prayers. “You, come with me.” Privilege! Relief. A denarius. Food for my family.

          But they weren’t all that different from us. The joy and privilege of being chosen for a job can wear off when you start looking at your fellow workers. They don’t work as hard as I do. They are so incompetent. Why are people always asking me to do more? There are 15 other people in this department. I bet she gets paid more than I do. We’ve all thought it and/or said it many times so say it with me. “That’s not fair!” Here’s how that came out in the parable. “When those who were hired first came, they thought they would receive more. But they each received a denarius too. ¹¹After they received it, they began to grumble against the landowner: ¹²‘Those who were last worked one hour, and you made them equal to us who have endured the burden of the day and the scorching heat!’” The workers’ perspective is very normal. It is the common way of thinking and works in the workplace. I put more time in, I do more, I am more competent, I deserve to be paid more. That’s what’s fair.

          The owner in Jesus’ parable takes a decidedly different approach. He picks workers at the beginning of the workday, 3 hours in, 6 hours in, 9 hours in and with only one left to go! And for all of us whiners and complainers who actually think we work hard and long I hope you noticed this is a 12 hour workday, 6 days a week. We soft American need to replace our whining and complaining with thankfulness to God that we get to live when we do. But I digress. It comes to the end of the day. Back then you did not wait two weeks for a paycheck. You got paid at the end of each day because you needed that money just to stay alive for the next. The owner hands out the pay beginning with those whose workday was shortest to those whose workday is the longest. Everybody got the same! A denarius. Join me in speaking for the 12 hour workers. “That’s not fair!” “Hold on,” says the owner.

          “But he answered one of them, ‘Friend, I am doing you no wrong. Did you not make an agreement with me for a denarius? ¹⁴Take what is yours and go. I want to give to the last one hired the same as I also gave to you. ¹⁵Can’t I do what I want with my own money? Or are you envious because I am generous?” Ooh! Now the truth comes out. The complaining workers got exactly what they had agreed to work for. That’s fair. The owner of the money is the one who gets to decide where it goes. That’s fair. Now remember the times. When Joseph and Judah and Joachim left their homes that morning their prayer was to earn enough to provide food for their families. One hour, three hours, half a day’s work won’t get very much. The owner was being kind and while these first hired workers hid their hearts behind their own concept of fairness, they showed they did not have love for others. They weren’t thinking about the other workers who would now be able to feed their families. They were only thinking of themselves.

          Now Jesus is not trying to change the way companies and businesses do their hiring practices or how they pay their workers. Remember this is a parable, an earthly story that has a spiritual meaning, meant to teach believers what life is like as a citizen of the kingdom of God. So, what’s the point? God’s work, God’s way. Two main points. First is that being a part of the kingdom of God and getting to “work” for Jesus is a privilege. Did you notice the reason the owner hired the workers? They were standing unemployed.  There is no, “he needed more workers so…” He had mercy on them. They needed Him. He did not need them. But He did love them and care for them and so He chose them. So too is your place in the kingdom of God and my place in the kingdom of God. He doesn’t need us. We need Him. In fact, if we want to play the fair game with God, what must He give us? What we’ve earned of course! And the wages of sin is death. I was reminded of that a few weeks ago when we sang “Rock of Ages, Cleft for me.” Let me remind you of verse 3. “Nothing in my hand I bring, simply to thy cross I cling; naked, come to thee for dress, helpless, look to thee for grace; foul, I to the fountain fly; wash me, Savior, or I die.” Do you believe that? That we are members of the kingdom of God is a privilege. It flows from God’s love and is possible only because of the life and death of our Savior Jesus. God’s work, God’s way is the way of grace and mercy.

          That takes us to the second main point. That we get “paid” is an astounding display of God’s grace. Jesus’ story is about being a member of God’s kingdom. We get to work for God now by being witnesses for our Lord Jesus. We get to work for God now by carefully striving to live our lives for God’s glory. Our “pay” is heaven. An eternity in the glorious presence of God where there is joy evermore and we will be co-heirs with Christ whatever that means however that can be true. Joy. Happiness. Love. Unity with each other, all believers and the Lord. A brand new heaven and brand new earth. It is impossible for us to earn or deserve that so God gives it us freely by grace through Jesus. And that is why we are just as happy that our generous God gives that gift to people like the thief on the cross as we are for those who have lived their whole lives with that truth. God’s work, God’s way highlights the beauty of God’s grace where we who know we are last because of our sins are put first in the kingdom of God while those who think they are first because of all they do become last. It’s God’s Work, so it’s God’s way! Amen.

          Brian, you are among the very few believers in Christ who not only get “paid” in eternity but also are getting paid right now. You are a called worker which means that for the past 25 years people have paid you to do what most other believers are expected to do without pay: be in God’s word daily, proclaim, teach it, be a witness. So for the past 25 years you have had extra reasons to rejoice that it is God’s work, God’s way because you understand the extra privilege you have. By God’s grace you were chosen for God’s family. By God’s grace you get to be a full time worker in one of His churches. By God’s grace you will get “paid.” Jesus said, “Store up for yourselves treasures in heaven.” Those treasures are people who believe in Jesus. For the past 25 years you’ve had the chance to proclaim Christ to lots of students. That’s a lot of treasure. 25 more? Amen.

September 2-4, 2023 Pastor Timothy J. Spaude Text: Romans 8:18-25 (EHV) “IT’S ALL WORTH IT!”

 

PENTECOST

September 2-4, 2023

Pastor Timothy J. Spaude

Text: Romans 8:18-25 (EHV)

 

“IT’S ALL WORTH IT!”

1.     Suffering

2.     Groaning

3.     Waiting

 

          Is it worth it? Sometimes the answer is yes. On a recent vacation my daughter and I were hiking to see some waterfalls. The hike was getting long. No waterfalls. We met some people coming back. “Is it worth it?” we asked. “Oh yes, you will not be disappointed,” was the response. And we were not. The beautiful falls God created were worth the sore feet and temporary shortness of breath. Sometimes the answer is No. Is it worth it? One more drink and a drunk driving ticket. No, that’s not worth it. The word of God we are looking at comes from Romans chapter 8. I hope all of you have that bookmarked in your Bibles. It is filled with comfort and encouragement for all seasons of life. This section hits head on the truth that life is not always easy for followers of Christ. We experience suffering, groaning, waiting. So, is it worth it? Is it worth to pick up your cross and follow Christ?

          Is the suffering worth it? The Apostle Paul wrote this. “For I conclude that our sufferings at the present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is going to be revealed to us. ¹⁹In fact, creation is waiting with eager longing for the sons of God to be revealed. ²⁰For creation was subjected to futility, not by its own will, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in the hope ²¹that even creation itself will be set free from slavery to corruption, in order to share in the glorious freedom of the children of God.” For the followers of Christ life is filled with sufferings. We have the hurts, heartaches and problems common to all people living in the sin filled world. Following Christ does not give you immunity to cancer, Alzheimer’s and Parkinsons. It does not give you a get out of sickness free card or guarantee no broken bones, or broken relationships. Our world is ruined by sin. Our bodies are ruined by sin. We will have those sufferings and the extra suffering that comes with the hurt when we don’t understand why God allows certain things. Following Christ does not divorce proof your marriage or make your kids act like angels. It does not protect you from mean girls in high school. We are sinners living with sinners and some sins other people do hurt us, deeply, and the hurt can hurt more as you understand God could end those hurts, but He doesn’t. Deliberately following Christ in your life brings more suffering. We get extra when the society you live in is not Christian In case you have not noticed our society is turning more and more anti-Christian. Every sin is to be welcomed and tolerated but calling something God says is wrong sinful, well now, we can’t tolerate that. Watch the way the media treats churches, schools, individuals who make moral stand based on what God says. Sufferings are coming. Followers of Christ also feel the angst of the personal struggles against our own sin. Guilt and shame are not fun. The unbeliever does not have that. We do. Suffering. Is it worth it?

          Groaning. Is it worth it? “For we know that all of creation is groaning with birth pains right up to the present time. ²³And not only creation, but also we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly while we eagerly await our adoption as sons, the redemption of our body.” Here and in the previous section Paul reminded us we are not alone in suffering, groaning and waiting. He pictured the rest of Creation like a person. Creation suffers because it does not work like it’s supposed to. God’s original plan for creation was never to let it be destructive with winds whipping fires and hurricanes and viruses making people sick. Just like we don’t like the sin that comes from us, Creation doesn’t like being destructive. And it groans. “No, not again! This is not what God created me to do! When will it end?” We groan too. Now there are different kinds of groaning we do. “All right students, tomorrow we will have test.” Groan! “Yes, you can play your video game, after you clean your room.” Groan! If you’ve ever heard a Mr. Kasten dad joke. Groan! That’s not the groaning we have to do as believers. Kids on bikes in hit and run accidents. Another senseless shooting. Dirty politicians getting away with it. Another hit to the family finances. Loved ones dying too soon. People who want to go to heaven hanging on. Another drug overdose. God blasphemed and kicked out of our nation and God does nothing about it. We groan. How long O Lord? Is it worth it?

          And then there is the waiting.  “Indeed, it was for this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is not hope, because who hopes for what he already sees? ²⁵But if we hope for something we do not see, we eagerly wait for it with patient endurance.” “The waiting is the hardest part,” an old rocker crooned in a song that probably is not about something good. But in many ways, he’s right. Waiting is hard. You wait when something is out of your control. You wait when there is nothing that you can do to change the situation. Think of waiting for Christmas when you are kid, a medical test result for an adult. It’s all out of your hands meaning it is in God’s hands which we know is a good thing but…there’s a little Veruca Salt from Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory in all of us. “I want it and I want it now!” But God says wait. There will be justice. When? Wait. Those who make your lives miserable for following me will pay. When? Wait. Your broken heart will stop hurting. I will give you peace. When? Wait. Your body will work the way it’s supposed to. When? Wait. Satan won’t get away with it. Evil will not triumph. Every knee will bow and every tongue will confess Jesus Christ as Lord. When? Wait. All of this waiting for what we do not have and do not see. Is it worth it?

          Snowflakes. Might seem an odd thing to mention in the midst of a hot sunny weekend and on the heels or a hotter more humid one. But I’m not talking about the snowflakes that fall from the sky and we want at least for Christmas! In modern usage calling someone a snowflake means they are overly sensitive and will melt when the heat is on. Satan wants you to be a spiritual snowflake. He wants you to look at your sufferings that God could take away and does not melt your love for God. Satan wants you to let your groaning at the unfairness of it all and your community and country turning its back on God and you and God does nothing about it, to melt in your faith, to give up, be hopeless and ultimately turn against your God who loves you. But God’s Good News for you is you are no snowflake. You are not going to give up because you know the suffering, the groaning, the waiting, it’s all worth it!

How do we know? We keep our eyes on Jesus. In the book of Hebrews we are told to keep our eyes fixed on Jesus who “…for the joy set before him endured the cross scorning its shame.” (Hebrews 12:2) Suffering. Groaning. Waiting. That’s Jesus on the cross paying for our sin. If ever someone would be justified in giving up, giving in to the Devil’s temptation to take the easy way out. But He didn’t. It was worth it to Him. Joy was set before Him, the joy of winning us for God, the joy of having us with Him in heaven. It was all worth it to Him to have you. And that’s why we consider our suffering and groaning and waiting worth it. Glory is coming! “For I conclude that our sufferings at the present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is going to be revealed to us.” Creation is looking  “to share in the glorious freedom of the children of God.” Twice Paul reminded us we are “eagerly waiting.” Heaven. It’s better than a waterfall. It’s better than a baby. It’s better than we can imagine. Just take the happiest you have felt, the best you have physically felt, the closest to God you have ever felt multiply it times a billion and you are far short of how great it will be. The Lord Jesus will make everything new. A new heaven and a new earth. New relationships and new bodies. And the Devil thinks were going to snowflake on that? No. Whatever we have to put up with to faithfully follow Christ, it’s all worth it! Because He is. Amen.