Heaven is our Reward

• 1^st – Get to work… vs. 1-7
  • 1^st – Kingdom Parable… vs. 1
    • For the kingdom of heaven is like!
    • The phrase the Kingdom of heaven is LIKE [ὁμοιόω] – is used 11x in the book of Matthew…
    • We call them the Kingdom PARABLES – used by Jesus to describe the CHURCH…
    • PARABLES [παραβολή] – are simple STORIES with a deeper SPIRITUAL meaning…
    • These STORIES were commonly used by Jesus in His ministry [over THIRTY]
    • But do NOT forget the reason for PARABLES was the HIDE the truth!
    • Matthew 13:13 – “I speak to them in parables – because seeing they do not see – and hearing they do not hear – nor do they understand!”
    • This is why PARABLES are some of the most DIFFICULT passages in the Bible to interpret…
    • Unless Jesus gives us the EXPLANATION [like the Seed and Sower]
    • Then we do NOT know for certain what a PARABLE means – they HIDE the truth…
    • But we can get a good idea by following the CONTEXT of what Jesus is talking about…
    • As this is a Kingdom PARABLE – He is talking about believers [church]
    • And they key phrase that opens and closes the PARABLE – is the LAST shall be FIRST…
    • Tell us this PARABLE is likely about who is GREAT in the KINGDOM!
  • 2^nd – Early risers… vs. 1-2
    • Early morning… vs. 1
      • A Landowner who went out early in the morning to hire laborers!
      • A man [ἄνθρωπος] who was the MASTER [δεσπότης] over His house [οἶκος]
      • Went out EARLY in the morning [πρωΐ] – the word suggests around 6am…
      • He went to HIRE men to work to work for Him all day!
      • We are planning on taking out the grass in front of our house…
      • We want to replace it with a rock bed [cut down on maintenance and water]
      • We will HIRE some men to do the work – in the MORNING…
      • Because it would make no sense to HIRE them in the AFTERNOON…
      • We want to make the most of their TIME – and our MONEY!
    • The Vineyard… vs. 1
      • For His vineyard!
      • VINEYARD [ἀμπελών] – this is the FIRST time the word is used in the NT…
      • But the imagery is one that is used OFTEN throughout the Bible!
      • Israel is described as the VINEYARD of the LORD – Isaiah 5:1
      • Jesus would likewise use the VINEYARD to describe Israel – Matthew 21:33
      • But Jesus would also use the VINE as a picture of our relationship to Him!
      • John 15:1 – “I am the true vine – and My Father is the vinedresser.”
      • All of which confirms to us this PARABLE is talking about the people of God!
    • Days wage… vs. 2
      • When He had agreed with the laborers for a denarius a day He sent them into his vineyard!
      • When the Mater and the laborers had AGREED on their salary…
      • AGREED [συμφωνέω] – they were in HARMONY on how much they should be paid…
      • DENARIUS [δηνάριον] – the name of ROMAN currency [we would say peso]
      • Therefore – the AMOUNT is not given – but it was STANDARD days wage…
      • Then the Master SENT [ἀποστέλλω] them into His VINEYARD!
      • Before someone agrees to WORK – we have to set the SALARY…
      • Are they working HOURLY – DAILY – or it is going to be a contract for the whole job [salary]
      • Only once both parties AGREE on the SALARY can the work begin!
      • John 20:21 – “As the Father has sent [ἀποστέλλω] Me – I also send you.”
      • When God calls us – He puts us to WORK…
      • He SENDS [ἀποστέλλω] us into a world [field] that needs to hear about the GOSPEL…
      • What is the SALARY we agree upon for the WORK that we are sent to do – a CROWN!
      • II Timothy 4:8 – “There is laid up for me the crown of righteousness.”
  • 3^rd – Late comers… vs. 3-7
    • Not about the money… vs. 3-4
      • He went out about the third hour and saw others standing idle in the marketplace and said:
      • You also go into the vineyard and whatever is right I will give you. So they went!
      • The MASTER went out later in the morning [3^rd hour] – around 9am…
      • He saw DIFFERENT men [ἄλλος] – who were NOT working [ἀργούς]
      • He COMMANDED [imperative] them to also GO and work in the VINEYARD…
      • And what was RIGHT [δίκαιος] he would GIVE them [future]
      • There is NO mention of HOW much He would pay them – just what was RIGHT!
      • I heard the story of a Pastor who wanted a FIVE year contract to start working…
      • There is a WORD for that – but it is not PASTOR – it is a HIRELING!
      • John 10:13 – “The hireling… does not care about the sheep.”
      • The emphasis on working for God is NOT on what we will receive…
      • It is on the importance of the WORK that needs to be DONE…
      • God promises that He will take care of ALL our needs – Matthew 6:33
      • But our focus should NOT be on the REWARD – it should be on the people…
      • We go out in the HARVEST because the world is going to HELL – and we have the ANSWER!
      • Romans 10:14 – “How shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard?”
    • Laborers are few… vs. 5
      • Again he went out about the sixth and the ninth hour and did likewise!
      • AGAIN [πάλιν] – the MASTER went out at NOON [6^th hour] – around 12pm…
      • Then He went a FOURTH time in the afternoon [9^th hour] – around 3pm…
      • He kept going back – because He did NOT have enough LABORERS!
      • If we are working on a BIG project – that is on a TIGHT timeline…
      • And we see that we do NOT have enough people to FINISH on time…
      • The easy solution is to go and HIRE more people to get the work done!
      • Matthew 9:37 – “Then The harvest truly is plentiful – but the laborers are few.”
      • There are TWO time limits that we have in our efforts to reach the LOST…
      • FIRST – people only live so many years [70+] – and then they are JUDGED – Hebrews 9:27
      • SECOND – Jesus is coming SOON to JUDGE the world – Revelation 19:11
      • Therefore – we NEED a LOT of people out there sharing the Gospel NOW…
      • Because there is NO guarantee that people can choose to follow Jesus TOMORROW!
      • II Corinthians 6:2 – “Indeed the right time is now. Today is the day of salvation.” [NLT]
    • Get to work… vs. 6-7
      • 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!
      • One FINAL time the MASTER went out in the LATE afternoon [11^th hour] – around 5pm…
      • He found DIFFERENT men [ἄλλος] who were still NOT working [ἀργούς]
      • When He asked them – WHY were they just standing around ALL day…
      • They told Him because NO one had hired them [not true]
      • The MASTER commanded [imperative] them to GO in the VINEYARD…
      • And what was RIGHT [δίκαιος] they would RECEIVE [future]!
      • If these man had been in the market ALL day – they had seen others GO…
      • They had heard the command SEVERAL times before – and NOT obeyed…
      • But the MASTER did not care – it was NOT too late for them to get to WORK!
      • We all have received the commission – Jesus is calling us to GO…
      • Even if we have NEVER listened before – it is NOT too late…
      • He wants to use us – SEND us out into His VINEYARD – to take part in the HARVEST…
      • Nothing else in this life is MORE important that where people go for ETERNITY…
      • We cannot take MONEY – CARS – POSSESSIONS with us to heaven…
      • But we can take PEOPLE who come to know Jesus – so lets GO!
      • Matthew 28:19 – “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations.”

• 2^nd – Our Reward… vs. 8-16
  • 1^st – Last to First… vs. 8-10
    • Wages… vs. 8
      • 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!
      • When the EVENING [ὄψιος] had come – around 6pm…
      • The MASTER [κύριος] told His MANAGER [ἐπίτροπος]
      • He was to CALL [imperative] the LABORERS – and give them their REWARD [μισθός]
      • BUT – he was to START with the LAST [5pm] and finish with the FIRST [6am]
      • Once someone gets their SALARY – it is typical to leave…
      • By reversing the order – those who had worked the MOST [12 hours] saw everyone else paid…
      • This was NOT an accident – it is the POINT of the PARABLE!
    • One hour… vs. 9
      • When those came who were hired about the eleventh hour – they each received a denarius!
      • Those who had ONLY worked for ONE hour – from 5pm [11^th hour] to 6pm…
      • Each received a DENARIUS [δηνάριον] – a FULL days wage…
      • They were NOT told this before – but they were PAID as if they had worked a FULL 12 hours!
    • All day… vs. 10
      • When the first came they supposed that they would receive more.
      • And they likewise received each a denarius!
      • When it came to those who had worked from the FIRST [πρῶτος] part of the day…
      • They ASSUMED they would be PAID more for WORKING more…
      • ASSUMED [νομίζω] – it was the common custom [as it still is today]
      • But they also ONLY received a DENARIUS [δηνάριον] – a days wage!
    • Casting Crowns…
      • I Corinthians 12:13 – “If anyones work… endures – he will receive a reward [μισθός].”
      • There is a common teaching that we will receive REWARDS [μισθός] in heaven…
      • All our WORK for the Lord on earth will be TESTED by FIRE…
      • Any SELFISH motive will be wood – hay – and stubble [burns up in the FIRE]
      • Any PURE motive will be gold – silver – and jewels [does NOT burn]
      • Then at Bema seat of Christ – we will receive REWARDS – II Corinthians 5:10
      • And we can then throw the REWARDS [crowns] at the feet of Jesus – Revelation 4:10
      • But this PARABLE seems to suggest that is NOT the case…
      • The person who has been SERVING Jesus their WHOLE life – receives the SAME reward…
      • As the person who has only been SERVING Jesus for an HOUR! 
  • 2^nd – Complaining… vs. 11-12
    • When they had received it they complained against the Landowner 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!
    • When those who had worked ALL day received their REWARD [μισθός]
    • They COMPLAINED [imperfect] – because they did NOT think it was RIGHT [δίκαιος]
    • The MASTER had made those who ONLY worked ONE hour [in the cool afternoon]
    • EQUAL [ἴσος] to them – who had worked ALL through the HEAT of the day!
    • If someone lives their whole life in SIN – rejecting Jesus…
    • Only to at the LAST moment – repent and confess Jesus…
    • We would NOT argue that they can be SAVED – because it is by GRACE – Ephesians 2:8
    • Yet we would NOT think they deserve the same REWARD as Billy Graham!
    • Ephesians 2:9 – “Not of works – lest anyone should boast.”
    • We tend to forget the second half of this verse – it is NOT about our WORKS…
    • Thinking that we EARN rewards [crowns] by what we do – brings PRIDE…
    • Thinking we are BETTER because of what WE have done for the Lord…
    • Either leads to spiritual self-righteousness – or spiritual inferiority…
    • Yet when we get to HEAVEN – we will NOT be boasting…
    • We are NOT going to be talking about how much WE did for God…
    • We are going to be WORSHIPING because of how much GOD did [grace] for us!
  • 3^rd – Crown of Life… vs. 13-15
    • The Salary… vs. 13-14
      • 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!
      • Jesus answered ONE of them – a very PERSONAL response…
      • FRIEND [ἑταῖρος] – only used FOUR times in the NT [never in a good way]
      • Used when a man came to the WEDDING dressed in the wrong clothes – Matthew 22:12
      • Used when Judas came and kissed Jesus at His BETRAYAL – Matthew 26:50
      • The MASTER had done NO wrong – they had AGREED [συμφωνέω] on the reward [δηνάριον]
      • Therefore – TAKE [imperative] what is yours and GO [imperative] away!
    • The Wish… vs. 14-15
      • 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?
      • The Master DESIRES [present] – to give the LAST [ἔσχατος] the same as the FIRST [πρῶτος]
      • And it is LAWFUL [indicative] for the Master to do what He wants [θέλω] with His people!
      • I Peter 5:4 – “[We] will receive the crown of glory that does not fade away.”
      • The reward we receive from the Lord is a CROWN [στέφανος]
      • But note when the word CROWN is mentioned in the Bible [concerning rewards]
      • I Corinthians 9:25 – II Timothy 4:8 – James 1:12 – I Peter 5:4 – Revelation 2:10
      • It is always SINGULAR [not crowns] – meaning there is only ONE…
      • And the CROWN is always followed a DESCRIPTION…
      • Eternal CROWN – CROWN of Righteousness – CROWN of Life – and CROWN of Glory…
      • Suggesting that the one CROWN we receive is just eternal life!
      • Whether we are saved young or old – our reward is HEAVEN…
      • Whether we were the greatest Apostle – or only saved a day – HEAVEN…
      • Because it is just the DESIRE of our Father that we all are SAVED – II Peter 3:9
    • Evil eye… vs. 15
      • Or is your eye evil because I am good?
      • Just because the EYE of this man thought [indicative] it was EVIL [πονηρός]
      • Did not mean he was right – because the Master is GOOD [ἐγὼ ἀγαθός εἰμι]
      • I admit to struggling with the teaching about REWARDS…
      • Not just because the word CROWN is always SINGULAR [in context] in the Bible…
      • And the ONLY mention of throwing CROWNS is the 24 ELDERS [church?] – Revelation 4:10
      • But because it seems to come from the WRONG motive…
      • We do NOT go out to share the GOOD news because we will receive a REWARD…
      • We do out to share the REWARD – we go and tell others about Jesus!
  • 4^th – Many called… vs. 16
    • Last and First…
      • So the last will be first – and the first last!
      • Which bring us back to how Jesus opened the PARABLE – Matthew 19:30
      • In the KINGDOM of Heaven – the LAST [ἔσχατος] will be FIRST [πρῶτος]
      • Because God does NOT look at what we have done for Him…
      • Heaven is all about worshiping Jesus because of what He did for us…
      • And EVERYONE who puts their faith in Jesus – will receive THE reward [μισθός]!
    • Few chosen…
      • For many are called – but few chosen!
      • Because Jesus calls MANY [πολύς] to be saved…
      • Yet there are FEW [ὀλίγος] who are CHOSEN [ἐκλεκτός]
      • A statement that causes unnecessary confusion – YES – God does choose those who are saved…
      • But we are CHOSEN – by the FOREKNOWLEDGE of God – Romans 8:29
      • God is ETERNAL – meaning He has no beginning or end – Revelation 1:8
      • And God sees ALL of time – from Genesis to Revelation all at once – Isaiah 46:10 
      • Since God sees EVERYTHING – He knows exactly who will CHOOSE Jesus…
      • He then CHOOSES – those who He knows will CHOOSE Him…
    • If we WANT to go to HEAVEN – all we have to do – is CHOOSE Jesus…
    • And whether we are the FIRST or the LAST to CHOOSE – we will have our REWARD!