Thanks for listening to Pastor Jeremy share Sunday in Glendive.

Parable - a simple story used to illustrate a spiritual

lesson.

Matt 20:1-16 For the kingdom of heaven is like a landowner

who went out early in the morning to hire laborers for his

vineyard. Now when he had agreed with the laborers for a

denarius a day, he sent them into his vineyard. And he

went out about the third hour and saw others standing idle

in the marketplace, and said to them, ‘You also go into the

vineyard, and whatever is right I will give you.’ So they went.

 Again he went out about the sixth and the ninth hour, and

did likewise. And about the eleventh hour he went out and

found others standing idle, and said to them, ‘Why have you

been standing here idle all day?’ They said to him, ‘Because

no one hired us.’ He said to them, ‘You also go into the

vineyard, and whatever is right you will receive.’ “So when

evening had come, the owner of the vineyard said to his

steward, ‘Call the laborers and give them their wages,

beginning with the last to the first.’ And when those came

who were hired about the eleventh hour, they each received

a denarius. But when the first came, they supposed that

they would receive more; and they likewise received each a

denarius. And when they had received it, they

complained against the landowner, 12 saying, ‘These last

men have worked only one hour, and you made them equal

to us who have borne the burden and the heat of the day.’

But he answered one of them and said, ‘Friend, I am

doing you no wrong. Did you not agree with me for a

denarius? Take what is yours and go your way. I wish to

give to this last man the same as to you. Is it not lawful for

me to do what I wish with my own things? Or is your eye evil

because I am good?’ So the last will be first, and the first

last. For many are called, but few chosen.”

● Jesus is using parables and sharing things to show

people how the Kingdom of Light functions.

● This parable is sandwiched in between James and

John’s momma asking for special treatment and

Peter asking what’s in it for him because he left

everything and followed Jesus.

● This is a story of generosity and mercy.

○ The owner saw a need, was moved with

compassion, and used his resources to make

a difference.

○ This is a story of provision

○ Matt 6:33 seek first the kingdom of God and

His righteousness and all these things shall

be added to you

● This is also another warning to those who think

they are right with God because of their actions. A

warning against a “self-righteous” attitude that is

not welcomed in the kingdom of light.