It Is Never Too Late for Grace
Summary of the Message
God’s economy is not based on human effort but is instead entirely fueled by divine
grace. In the provocative Parable of the Workers in the Vineyard, Jesus shows God
gracious generosity to those who need him and respond to his call to the kingdom. This
is particularly encouraging for those who feel that God’s grace has passed them by.
Jesus makes clear that far from that, grace is for those who most don’t deserve it &
think they have missed it. Grace is sweetest when it surprises those who think there is
no hope.
God’s economy is not based on human effort but is instead entirely fueled by divine
grace. In the provocative Parable of the Workers in the Vineyard, Jesus shows God
gracious generosity to those who need him and respond to his call to the kingdom. This
is particularly encouraging for those who feel that God’s grace has passed them by.
Jesus makes clear that far from that, grace is for those who most don’t deserve it &
think they have missed it. Grace is sweetest when it surprises those who think there is
no hope.
Key Sermon Points
1. Meet the Landowner
The Landowner in the parable represents the character and posture of God toward
those who need his generosity. The landowner takes the initiative in offering himself
to address the workers’ needs. He demonstrates to us the sovereignty of God but
also shows that God’s sovereignty is governed by his goodness, especially to the
needy.
2. Meet the early, proactive, and gifted workers
These represent those who are responsible and responsive. They are ready and
hard workers who demonstrate true human virtue. They are understandably proud of
their gritty character, but it also has caused them to think themselves deserving &
worthy, and to look down on those who have not worked as hard or as well as they
did.
3. Meet the late workers
These are the “last to be hired and first to be fired” type workers. They were
obviously unimpressive because no one had hired them, and yet even when he
could not get the most value from them, they were hired by the Landowner. It’s
important to note that their problem is not their laziness, if anything it is simply their
weakness. In them, Jesus is saying don’t worry about what has been lost, and that
conviction over the past is not meant to trigger regret, only a response.
4. Everybody all together
The Landowner’s generosity extends beyond hiring the late workers, but paying
them the same as all the workers, including the first hired. This does not devalue
early response, but in God’s economy, it places the value on a genuine response to
God’s call whenever it occurs. This underscores that God is less concerned about
quantity but values the quality of committed faith. This is confusing to those who are
early and eager responders, but if we all saw our true need and that all we have is of
grace, we would rejoice in the Lord’s generosity in all its expressions.
5. Application
not feel inadequate due to past inaction or even failure but embrace God’s call
before us today.
grace is always available to those who need it. If we have failed to trust Christ, all
of that can change right now. Today is the day of God’s salvation, choose to
follow Christ today.
1. Meet the Landowner
The Landowner in the parable represents the character and posture of God toward
those who need his generosity. The landowner takes the initiative in offering himself
to address the workers’ needs. He demonstrates to us the sovereignty of God but
also shows that God’s sovereignty is governed by his goodness, especially to the
needy.
2. Meet the early, proactive, and gifted workers
These represent those who are responsible and responsive. They are ready and
hard workers who demonstrate true human virtue. They are understandably proud of
their gritty character, but it also has caused them to think themselves deserving &
worthy, and to look down on those who have not worked as hard or as well as they
did.
3. Meet the late workers
These are the “last to be hired and first to be fired” type workers. They were
obviously unimpressive because no one had hired them, and yet even when he
could not get the most value from them, they were hired by the Landowner. It’s
important to note that their problem is not their laziness, if anything it is simply their
weakness. In them, Jesus is saying don’t worry about what has been lost, and that
conviction over the past is not meant to trigger regret, only a response.
4. Everybody all together
The Landowner’s generosity extends beyond hiring the late workers, but paying
them the same as all the workers, including the first hired. This does not devalue
early response, but in God’s economy, it places the value on a genuine response to
God’s call whenever it occurs. This underscores that God is less concerned about
quantity but values the quality of committed faith. This is confusing to those who are
early and eager responders, but if we all saw our true need and that all we have is of
grace, we would rejoice in the Lord’s generosity in all its expressions.
5. Application
- The Lord is no longer concerned about what I have not done for him and his
not feel inadequate due to past inaction or even failure but embrace God’s call
before us today.
- The parable is not meant for our motivation in serving the kingdom, though it can
grace is always available to those who need it. If we have failed to trust Christ, all
of that can change right now. Today is the day of God’s salvation, choose to
follow Christ today.
Discussion Questions
- As you consider God’s grace to the undeserving, even the guilty, how might we
sometimes find that difficult? How can we get past the difficulty so we can rejoice in
it? - Have you experienced God’s gracious generosity? Are you willing to share a brief
testimony with your brothers and sisters about that generosity? - How can we take this principle of grace and make it a core part of our church culture
so it can be the experience of all the members of our fellowship? - How can we take this principle of grace and use as fuel for evangelism?
Posted in Grow & Discern
Follow Us
To guide people to Christ so they will know him and be changed into his likeness.
Recent
Archive
2024
February
July
No Comments