The Parable of the Laborers in the Vineyard
Categories: Sermon Outlines, Textual Sermon OutlinesDate written: October 6th, 2007
Scripture ref: Matthew 20:1-16
SUBJECT: Salvation
TITLE: The Parable of Laborers in the Vineyard
PROPOSITION: In this passage we find 1) A Hiring, 2) A Payment, 3) A Complaint, 4) A Response 5) An Interpretation.
OBJECTIVE: To understand what the expression, “The first shall be last and the last shall be first” means.
INTRODUCTION:
1. Read: Matthew 20:1-16
2. About the Text:
1) These verses tie in with Matthew 19:16-30.
2) There was a rich man who wanted to be saved.
3) Jesus told him to keep the commandments.
4) He said that he had.
5) Jesus told him that if he desired to be perfect to sell all he has, give it to the poor, and follow him.
6) He went away sorrowful because he had much wealth.
7) Jesus used this man as an illustration of how difficult it is for the rich to enter heaven.
8) Nevertheless, it was still possible.
9) Peter was proud of himself that he had left all and followed Jesus and he wanted to know what he would get for it (verse 27).
10) The disciples desired positions of power and place in the coming kingdom (see Matthew 20:21ff).
11) Jesus revealed what would be received in verses 28-29 for those who followed him.
a. Sit on twelve thrones judging the twelve tribes.
b. Shall receive 100 fold.
c. Shall inherit eternal life.
12) But Jesus also mentioned some conditions.
a. Must follow him.
b. Must forsake all that one has.
c. The first would be last and the last first.
13) This last statement is what Jesus explains in the parable of the laborers in the vineyard.
14) This parable is concerning “the kingdom of heaven.”
15) Jesus is teaching us in this parable some truths regarding God’s kingdom.
3. Ref. to S, T, P, O, and A.
DISCUSSION: In this passage we find
I. A Hiring
1. The employer.
1) He is a householder/landowner.
2) An owner of a vineyard.
3) He has the authority to hire.
4) He has the authority to set the wages.
5) The Jewish day started at sunrise and ended at sunset (Genesis 1:5, etc.).
2. The first hiring.
1) He went out early in the morning (roughly 6 AM).
2) He found workers.
3) He agreed with them for a penny a day.
3. The second hiring.
1) He goes out in the third hour of the day (9 AM).
2) He sees some standing idle in the marketplace.
3) He hires them for the same price.
4. The third hiring.
1) This was the sixth hour of the day (noon).
2) He hires more.
5. The fourth hiring.
1) The ninth hour of the day (3 PM).
2) More are hired.
6. The fifth hiring.
1) The 11th hour of the day (5 PM).
2) He asks why they are standing idle.
3) They answer that no one has hired us.
4) He hires them and sends them to work.
II. A Payment
1. The laborers are called.
1) At evening (end of daylight); end of the work day.
2) This is the time of settlement (Leviticus 19:13).
3) The owner instructs the steward to call the laborers.
4) He instructs him to pay them.
5) They are to be paid from the last unto the first.
2. The payment.
1) Those hired at the eleventh hour received a penny, denarius.
2) The first supposed that they should receive more.
3) They also received a penny, denarius.
4) Some think this was the pay for a day’s labor.
5) This would be about $20 U.S. today in bread.
6) A minimum wage earner today makes about $41 a day.
7) The Spanish word “dinero” comes from the denarius.
III. A Complaint
1. Those who worked the whole day complained.
2. Their complaint was against the owner.
3. They said that the ones paid first were hired at the 11th hour.
4. They said that they had been made equal to the ones hired at the first of the day.
5. They said that they had borne the burden and heat of the day.
IV. An Answer
1. The owner answered one of them.
1) Was this the leader?
2) Did he respond to each one individually?
3) Evidently the message was heard by all of the complainants.
2. He addressed him as “friend.”
1) The owner did not consider this one his enemy.
2) He offered a kind response.
3. He tells him to take what is his; he paid him.
4. He also says that he will pay the last the same as the first.
5. He reasons that it is lawful for him to do with his business as he wishes.
6. He asks, “Is your eye evil (envious) because I am good?”
V. An Interpretation
1. Jesus says, “So the last shall be first, and the first last: for many be called, but few chosen” (Matthew 20:16); this is the main point of the parable.
2. What is this parable teaching?
3. Common interpretation.
1) The owner is God the Father.
2) The vineyard is His kingdom.
3) The workers are the citizens of the kingdom, Christians (Ephesians 2:19).
4) The day is this life.
5) Some suggest the steward is Jesus.
6) The payment is what the citizens of the kingdom will receive when this life is over.
7) Those who were hired early on are those who became Christians early in life.
8) Those who were hired late are those who became Christians late in life.
4. Special interpretation.
1) Jews were the ones who were hired first.
2) Gentiles hired last.
3) Gentiles would become the largest of the inheritors in the kingdom.
4) God can divvy out the blessings of the kingdom as he sees fit.
5) See Romans 9:14-24.
Lessons:
1. Longevity of service does not merit greater reward (Luke 17:10, John 3:16, Ephesians 2:8-10).
2. The same rewards that were promised to Peter would be given to all (see Matthew 19:28-29).
3. Complaining against God doesn’t work (1 Corinthians 10:10, Philippians 2:14).
4. We should not be envious that others are saved latter in life (Ezekiel 18:32, 2 Peter 3:9).
5. We should rejoice for those who are saved always (Luke 15:7).
6. God’s attitude toward all is friendly; we are the ones who make God our enemy (Isaiah 59:2).
7. God has the right to do with His possessions as He so desires (Romans 9:14-24).
8. God is faithful with His promises. All received what they were promised (1 Corinthians 1:9, Hebrews 10:23).
9. God is not unrighteous (Hebrews 6:10).
10. Many are called but few are chosen (Matthew 22:14).
Questions:
1. What is the background to this parable?
2. What is Jesus’ explaining in this parable?
3. Who is the employer?
4. How many hirings did he have?
5. When was the first hiring?
6. What did he promise to pay?
7. When was the last hiring?
8. When did the Jewish day start and end?
9. When did the law command that workers be paid?
10. How much was a denarius?
11. Who complained?
12. Against whom did they complain?
13. What was their complaint?
14. Did they receive their wages?
15. How did the Owner address one of the complainers?
16. What was the Owner’s reasoning?
17. What does this parable teach?
18. What additional lessons do we learn from this parable?