The grace of God
Preaching
Lectionary Preaching Workbook
Series V, Cycle A
BRIEF COMMENTARY ON THE LESSONS
Lesson 1: Exodus 16:2--15 (C)
In the hardships of the wilderness, the people complain to Moses. They protest about the lack of food, as they remember the plentiful and well--seasoned fare they enjoyed in Egypt. The Lord hears their murmuring and sends quails in the evening and manna in the morning. Most likely, the manna was a fine, honeydew like excretion of insects that feed on twigs of the tamarisk tree. The term ''manna'' is interpreted by the question: ''What is it?''
Lesson 1: Isaiah 55:6--9 (RC, L)
As the prophet anticipates the coming restoration of the nation, he issues a call for the people of God to repent and put their trust in God's grace and mercy. They should not presume on God's goodness through further delay. The door of opportunity was now wide open and they are invited to enter. ''Seek the Lord while he may be found ....''
Lesson 1: Jonah 3:10-4:11 (E)
Jonah is angry when the Ninevites repent and God withholds destruction. He parks himself under a broom tree to see what would become of the city. When the tree is wilted by a hot wind, God uses this as a parable of forgiveness and mercy. Jonah mourned the loss of a tree he did not grow; should God have pity on this great city?
Lesson 2: Philippians 1:21--30 (C); Philippians 1:20--24, 27 (RC); Philippians 1:21--27 (E); Philippians 1:1--5 (6--11) 19--27 (L)
This is the first of four lessons based on Philippians, which provides the preacher with an opportunity to preach a series on one complete book of the Bible. Paul writes from prison in Ephesus. He is extremely fond of this church and begins his letter by expressing his appreciation for their partnership in the gospel. His life hangs in the balance. He doesn't know if he is going to be executed or set free. He is torn between wanting to die and be with the Lord and wanting to live so that he might continue to minister to the churches. He concludes that discussion by asserting that he is confident that he will live and come to them again. In the meantime, they were to lead lives worthy of the gospel, united in faith and spirit.
Gospel: Matthew 20:1--16 (C, RC, E, L)
This passage is commonly referred to as the parable of the Laborers in the Vineyard. In this parable, Jesus makes a strong statement about the grace and mercy of God. Workers are
293
hired as day laborers at the crack of dawn and at various intervals throughout the day, the last laborers are being hired an hour before quitting time. When those who were hired last are paid the denarius, the customary daily wage for a laborer, those hired at the beginning of the day think they will be paid more, since they worked longer. They grumble when they too are paid the same wage as those last hired. It isn't fair, they cry, that you have made these equal to us; we have toiled all day and they have worked only an hour. The owner of the vineyard asserts his right to be generous. After all, he paid them all what he said he would. In so doing, Jesus draws a radical distinction between the way this world is expected to operate and the way that God operates. In this world, we have a right to a fair wage but the kingdom of God is an undeserved gift.
Psalm Of The Day
Psalm 105:1--6, 37--45 (C) - ''O give thanks unto the Lord, for he is good'' (v. 1).
Psalm 145:2--3, 8--9, 17--18 (RC, E) - ''The Lord is gracious and merciful'' (v. 8).
Psalm 27:1--9 (L) - ''The Lord is my light and my salvation ...'' (v. 1).
Prayer Of The Day
God of grace and glory, we thank you that you do not reward us according to our deserving, but favor us with the gift of forgiveness and mercy. Give us a new heart that we might not grumble at the extravagance of your grace but rather rejoice. We pray in the saving name of Jesus, our Lord and Savior. Amen.
THEOLOGICAL REFLECTION ON THE LESSONS
Lesson 1: Exodus 16:2--15
Give us our daily bread. Buffeted by the hardships of the wilderness experience, the Israelites waxed nostalgic about the fleshpots and the abundance of bread in Egypt. God heard their complaint and gave them the manna. They had to pick it up off the ground each morning, enough for that day (v. 4). This ties in the fourth commandment in the Lord's Prayer. Christ taught us to pray for that which we need now, not to ask for a storehouse of bread. God wants us to trust in him for our needs and not in the things of the earth that we have stored away.
Bread from heaven or of the earth? There are those who view the passing through the Red Sea and the provision of the manna as a natural phenomenon (see the Brief Commentary On The Lessons). The Bible clearly describes it as supernatural. Yet the Lord is God of both the natural and the supernatural. He designed the laws of nature and uses them to provide for his people. Viewed in this light, the store--bought bread we place on our table is also the bread from heaven. Instead of trying to demythologize the Bible, so as to make it palatable to moderns, we should be about the task of re--sacralizing the things of the earth.
Lesson 1: Isaiah 55:6--9
Window of opportunity. The prophet invites the people to 'seek the Lord while he may be found, call upon him while he is near.'' This is not to suggest that there are times when God capriciously removes himself from our presence but there are times in our lives when, due to circumstances, a window of opportunity is opened for us to enter into the nearer presence of God. It's not that God is any closer but that we are more open to his presence. It may be an unhappy event, such as death or divorce, or a time of joy, such as a wedding or the birth of a baby. We need to take advantage of those windows of opportunity to let the Spirit enter our lives.
A time of turning. Isaiah invites the captives to ''return to the Lord, that he may have mercy on them.'' The captives were about to be released. God had turned to his people in mercy; they are invited to also return to their God. When is it a time of turning? Anytime, but especially right now. Now is the acceptable time. This is the day of salvation. Today is all that we have. Tomorrow is only a promise.
294
Awesome God. Isaiah points out that God's thoughts and ways are far above and beyond our own. Though the Lord invites his people to draw near, he is still an awesome, holy God. We dare not approach the Lord with back--slapping familiarity but with reverence and respect. This sense of God's holiness is needed to produce a proper attitude of humility.
Lesson 1: Jonah 3:10-4:11
Begrudging God's goodness. Jonah was angry that his mission was successful and that the people of Nineveh repented. He wanted them to roast in the caldron of God's judgment. Jonah is resentful at God's softness toward sinners. It's obvious that he thought that they didn't deserve it, and he was right. They didn't deserve it! What he failed to see was his own sin, his disobedience of God, his unloving and judgmental attitude. His blindness to his own need of God's grace made him begrudging of God's goodness to others.
Lesson 2: Philippians 1:19--30
An exalted body. So very many people are preoccupied with their body image, some pathologically. Anorexics and bulimics look at their emaciated images and see disgustingly fat people. So, they starve themselves. Millions have bought into the myth that happiness comes when you attain the exalted body beautiful. Paul's aim was not to exalt his body but to exalt Christ in and through his body.
One life to live. Paul states that, for him, to live is Christ (v. 21). What if you were to put a piece of paper in the bulletin of a typical church and ask the people to complete this phrase: ''To live is ______________''? What responses would you likely get? To live is to golf? To fish? To travel? To be rich? To eat? I doubt seriously if many people would respond as Paul did: ''To live is Christ.'' Do we merely give lip service to serving Christ while seeking happiness through self--fulfillment? The saying may seem trite, but it's true: ''One life to live, will soon be past, only what's done for Christ will last.''
Living and dying. The apostle expresses his unsinkable faith in a kernel fashion in verse 21, when he says: ''For me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.'' If the average church member were honest, she might turn this around: To live is gain and to die is Christ. That is, we devote our lives to personal gain, knowing that we must one day leave these things behind. In death, we hope to gain Christ, his righteousness, his salvation and his victory over death.
Euthanasia. ''Euthanasia'' means ''good death.'' Paul speaks of death as something good, a profit. Most of us do not think of death in positive terms. We conceive of it as an end or a defeat. Only when our faith and hope in Christ is alive and well we can conceive of death as good. Because of Christ's victory, death is not a defeat; it is a victory, a good death.
Gospel: Matthew 20:1--16
Working without a contract. The workers that the farmer hired at the crack of dawn had an informal contract. They agreed to work the day for the usual daily wage, a denarius. Those hired later in the day were merely told: ''You go into the vineyard and I will pay you what is right.'' He didn't promise any certain amount, only that he would be fair. Those hired later were working without a contract. Their employment was strictly a matter of trust. At the end of the day, those hired last were paid first. They were given the denarius. When those hired early in the morning saw this, they were very distraught. They didn't think it fair that those who worked less got the same pay as those who worked all day. When we relate to God through contract, we get what we have coming, but when we trust in God's grace, we get far more than what we deserve. God rewards those who trust him.
Receiving what doesn't belong to you. When those hired early in the day complained, the owner told them to take what belonged to them and go. ''I choose to give to these last the same as I give to you.'' It takes a humble person to rejoice in the neighbor's good fortune. Those who have this begrudging attitude are living under law, rather than grace.
295
Losers are winners. The world rewards her winners: those who excel, triumph or bully their way to the top. Jesus lifted up the poor, the meek and the merciful as the real winners. Those who the world rewards as being the first shall be last in the kingdom and those whom the world regards as the dregs will be the first to inherit the crown of glory.
PREACHING APPROACHES WITH ILLUSTRATIONS
Lesson 1: Exodus 16:2--15
Sermon Title: A Complaining Congregation
Sermon Angle: Moses and Aaron had their hands full. The people were not happy with their leadership. The old days seemed golden compared to the present hardships. Moses took their complaints to the Lord and he answered their complaints by bringing them food. Many congregations have faced similar situations. The leadership needs to hear those complaints and then take it to the Lord in prayer. If there is a valid need, God will supply it.
Lesson 1: Isaiah 55:6--9
Sermon Title: Seek And Find
Sermon Angle: Children enjoy playing Hide and Seek. God doesn't play games with us but he does invite us to engage in a 'seek and find'' operation. The prophet invites the people to 'seek the Lord while he can be found ...'' (v. 6). It's just another way of saying seek the Lord now. God is now near. We have no assurance that we'll even be here tomorrow. We dare not take God's presence for granted. If we seek him now, while we are able, while we have the inclination, we are sure to find him. As Christians, we know that the way to find God is through faith in Christ. We need to urge our people to accept God's gracious offer.
Lesson 1: Jonah 3:10-4:11
Sermon Title: When Is It Right To Be Angry?
Sermon Angle: Twice God poses the question to Jonah. Is it right for you to be angry? (vv. 4, 9). The first time God posed the question was after the Lord relented from his threatened punishment. The second time occurred when the Lord destroyed Jonah's shade tree. In the first instance, Jonah becomes incensed with God because of his mercy and forgiveness, even to the undeserving (v. 2). In the second instance, he waxes angry about a personal affliction. Resentment because of God's mercy on the Gentile Ninevites is totally unworthy a child of God. When something we value is taken away, it is quite natural to be angry, at least, at first. Nevertheless, even here, anger must yield to acceptance if we are to be sound in body and spirit. A third kind of anger, directed toward injustice, can be creative if it forces us to take corrective measures.
Lesson 2: Philippians 1:19--30
Sermon Title: A Labor Of Love
Sermon Angle: Paul doesn't know which he prefers, to die and be with the Lord or a life of fruitful labor in God's vineyard (v. 22). Fruitful labor is what makes life worthwhile: to know that our efforts fashioned through Christ are coming to fruition. Not only is the work of the pastor, evangelist or teacher fruitful labor but, also that of the clerk, salesperson and the bricklayer, when their work is an expression of their commitment to Christ.
Outline:
1. Paul didn't know whether life or death were preferable
- death meant being with Christ but life meant productive work
2. What is fruitful labor?
- labor begun and ended in Christ
- labor offered in love
- labor which produces disciples not merely profits
296
Gospel: Matthew 20:1--16
Sermon Title: Receiving What Doesn't Belong To You
Sermon Angle: Consult the Theological Reflections On The Lessons
Outline:
1. Those hired at the beginning got what belonged to them (the wage)
2. Those hired toward the end of the shift got what didn't belong to them (a gift of grace)
3. We too have received a salvation and reward we have not earned
Sermon Title: No Seniority Perks In Heaven
Sermon Angle: Those hired last were paid first at the end of the day and they were paid the same as those who labored through the heat of the day. It doesn't seem fair and it isn't fair: it's God's grace. It's what someone has dubbed the ''unjust goodness of God.'' No seniority perks. It's no way to run a business, but it's God's way of doing things.
Outline:
1. The world awards, based on merit and position
- those who have gone the furthest with the most wins
2. The kingdom of God is based on grace - all are equal
Sermon Title: Sour Grapes
Sermon Angle: Those hired at the beginning of the day complained about the injustice of the latecomers receiving the same as they. They were sour grapes in the Lord's vineyard. The church still has to contend with sour grape members who expect to be rewarded for everything they do and are jealous of their fellow church members. Sour grapes need to be reminded of God's graciousness and not allowed to set the teeth of the church on edge.
The Gospel lesson has far more to do with the grace of God than wages. Nevertheless, we need to remember that the world of business and industry operates more under the banner of law and justice than grace. While the Lord gives us what we do not deserve, earthly wages ought to be fair and equitable. Many are calling for the end to affirmative action, yet, studies show that the gap in wages between black/Latino male workers and white male workers, all other factors being equal, has not narrowed in the last ten years. Black men, with a college education, earn $3,500 a year less than white men with a college education. Black men with post--graduate degrees earn $150 a week less than their white counterparts. (Gleaned from an article in the March 29, 1995, Omaha World Herald, ''Who Is a Minority? America Finds No Easy Answer.'')
Christians need to work for justice, on the one hand, so that all people receive justice and fairness; while, on the other hand, we dispense God's grace in the arena of our relationships, giving others what they do not deserve.
297
Lesson 1: Exodus 16:2--15 (C)
In the hardships of the wilderness, the people complain to Moses. They protest about the lack of food, as they remember the plentiful and well--seasoned fare they enjoyed in Egypt. The Lord hears their murmuring and sends quails in the evening and manna in the morning. Most likely, the manna was a fine, honeydew like excretion of insects that feed on twigs of the tamarisk tree. The term ''manna'' is interpreted by the question: ''What is it?''
Lesson 1: Isaiah 55:6--9 (RC, L)
As the prophet anticipates the coming restoration of the nation, he issues a call for the people of God to repent and put their trust in God's grace and mercy. They should not presume on God's goodness through further delay. The door of opportunity was now wide open and they are invited to enter. ''Seek the Lord while he may be found ....''
Lesson 1: Jonah 3:10-4:11 (E)
Jonah is angry when the Ninevites repent and God withholds destruction. He parks himself under a broom tree to see what would become of the city. When the tree is wilted by a hot wind, God uses this as a parable of forgiveness and mercy. Jonah mourned the loss of a tree he did not grow; should God have pity on this great city?
Lesson 2: Philippians 1:21--30 (C); Philippians 1:20--24, 27 (RC); Philippians 1:21--27 (E); Philippians 1:1--5 (6--11) 19--27 (L)
This is the first of four lessons based on Philippians, which provides the preacher with an opportunity to preach a series on one complete book of the Bible. Paul writes from prison in Ephesus. He is extremely fond of this church and begins his letter by expressing his appreciation for their partnership in the gospel. His life hangs in the balance. He doesn't know if he is going to be executed or set free. He is torn between wanting to die and be with the Lord and wanting to live so that he might continue to minister to the churches. He concludes that discussion by asserting that he is confident that he will live and come to them again. In the meantime, they were to lead lives worthy of the gospel, united in faith and spirit.
Gospel: Matthew 20:1--16 (C, RC, E, L)
This passage is commonly referred to as the parable of the Laborers in the Vineyard. In this parable, Jesus makes a strong statement about the grace and mercy of God. Workers are
293
hired as day laborers at the crack of dawn and at various intervals throughout the day, the last laborers are being hired an hour before quitting time. When those who were hired last are paid the denarius, the customary daily wage for a laborer, those hired at the beginning of the day think they will be paid more, since they worked longer. They grumble when they too are paid the same wage as those last hired. It isn't fair, they cry, that you have made these equal to us; we have toiled all day and they have worked only an hour. The owner of the vineyard asserts his right to be generous. After all, he paid them all what he said he would. In so doing, Jesus draws a radical distinction between the way this world is expected to operate and the way that God operates. In this world, we have a right to a fair wage but the kingdom of God is an undeserved gift.
Psalm Of The Day
Psalm 105:1--6, 37--45 (C) - ''O give thanks unto the Lord, for he is good'' (v. 1).
Psalm 145:2--3, 8--9, 17--18 (RC, E) - ''The Lord is gracious and merciful'' (v. 8).
Psalm 27:1--9 (L) - ''The Lord is my light and my salvation ...'' (v. 1).
Prayer Of The Day
God of grace and glory, we thank you that you do not reward us according to our deserving, but favor us with the gift of forgiveness and mercy. Give us a new heart that we might not grumble at the extravagance of your grace but rather rejoice. We pray in the saving name of Jesus, our Lord and Savior. Amen.
THEOLOGICAL REFLECTION ON THE LESSONS
Lesson 1: Exodus 16:2--15
Give us our daily bread. Buffeted by the hardships of the wilderness experience, the Israelites waxed nostalgic about the fleshpots and the abundance of bread in Egypt. God heard their complaint and gave them the manna. They had to pick it up off the ground each morning, enough for that day (v. 4). This ties in the fourth commandment in the Lord's Prayer. Christ taught us to pray for that which we need now, not to ask for a storehouse of bread. God wants us to trust in him for our needs and not in the things of the earth that we have stored away.
Bread from heaven or of the earth? There are those who view the passing through the Red Sea and the provision of the manna as a natural phenomenon (see the Brief Commentary On The Lessons). The Bible clearly describes it as supernatural. Yet the Lord is God of both the natural and the supernatural. He designed the laws of nature and uses them to provide for his people. Viewed in this light, the store--bought bread we place on our table is also the bread from heaven. Instead of trying to demythologize the Bible, so as to make it palatable to moderns, we should be about the task of re--sacralizing the things of the earth.
Lesson 1: Isaiah 55:6--9
Window of opportunity. The prophet invites the people to 'seek the Lord while he may be found, call upon him while he is near.'' This is not to suggest that there are times when God capriciously removes himself from our presence but there are times in our lives when, due to circumstances, a window of opportunity is opened for us to enter into the nearer presence of God. It's not that God is any closer but that we are more open to his presence. It may be an unhappy event, such as death or divorce, or a time of joy, such as a wedding or the birth of a baby. We need to take advantage of those windows of opportunity to let the Spirit enter our lives.
A time of turning. Isaiah invites the captives to ''return to the Lord, that he may have mercy on them.'' The captives were about to be released. God had turned to his people in mercy; they are invited to also return to their God. When is it a time of turning? Anytime, but especially right now. Now is the acceptable time. This is the day of salvation. Today is all that we have. Tomorrow is only a promise.
294
Awesome God. Isaiah points out that God's thoughts and ways are far above and beyond our own. Though the Lord invites his people to draw near, he is still an awesome, holy God. We dare not approach the Lord with back--slapping familiarity but with reverence and respect. This sense of God's holiness is needed to produce a proper attitude of humility.
Lesson 1: Jonah 3:10-4:11
Begrudging God's goodness. Jonah was angry that his mission was successful and that the people of Nineveh repented. He wanted them to roast in the caldron of God's judgment. Jonah is resentful at God's softness toward sinners. It's obvious that he thought that they didn't deserve it, and he was right. They didn't deserve it! What he failed to see was his own sin, his disobedience of God, his unloving and judgmental attitude. His blindness to his own need of God's grace made him begrudging of God's goodness to others.
Lesson 2: Philippians 1:19--30
An exalted body. So very many people are preoccupied with their body image, some pathologically. Anorexics and bulimics look at their emaciated images and see disgustingly fat people. So, they starve themselves. Millions have bought into the myth that happiness comes when you attain the exalted body beautiful. Paul's aim was not to exalt his body but to exalt Christ in and through his body.
One life to live. Paul states that, for him, to live is Christ (v. 21). What if you were to put a piece of paper in the bulletin of a typical church and ask the people to complete this phrase: ''To live is ______________''? What responses would you likely get? To live is to golf? To fish? To travel? To be rich? To eat? I doubt seriously if many people would respond as Paul did: ''To live is Christ.'' Do we merely give lip service to serving Christ while seeking happiness through self--fulfillment? The saying may seem trite, but it's true: ''One life to live, will soon be past, only what's done for Christ will last.''
Living and dying. The apostle expresses his unsinkable faith in a kernel fashion in verse 21, when he says: ''For me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.'' If the average church member were honest, she might turn this around: To live is gain and to die is Christ. That is, we devote our lives to personal gain, knowing that we must one day leave these things behind. In death, we hope to gain Christ, his righteousness, his salvation and his victory over death.
Euthanasia. ''Euthanasia'' means ''good death.'' Paul speaks of death as something good, a profit. Most of us do not think of death in positive terms. We conceive of it as an end or a defeat. Only when our faith and hope in Christ is alive and well we can conceive of death as good. Because of Christ's victory, death is not a defeat; it is a victory, a good death.
Gospel: Matthew 20:1--16
Working without a contract. The workers that the farmer hired at the crack of dawn had an informal contract. They agreed to work the day for the usual daily wage, a denarius. Those hired later in the day were merely told: ''You go into the vineyard and I will pay you what is right.'' He didn't promise any certain amount, only that he would be fair. Those hired later were working without a contract. Their employment was strictly a matter of trust. At the end of the day, those hired last were paid first. They were given the denarius. When those hired early in the morning saw this, they were very distraught. They didn't think it fair that those who worked less got the same pay as those who worked all day. When we relate to God through contract, we get what we have coming, but when we trust in God's grace, we get far more than what we deserve. God rewards those who trust him.
Receiving what doesn't belong to you. When those hired early in the day complained, the owner told them to take what belonged to them and go. ''I choose to give to these last the same as I give to you.'' It takes a humble person to rejoice in the neighbor's good fortune. Those who have this begrudging attitude are living under law, rather than grace.
295
Losers are winners. The world rewards her winners: those who excel, triumph or bully their way to the top. Jesus lifted up the poor, the meek and the merciful as the real winners. Those who the world rewards as being the first shall be last in the kingdom and those whom the world regards as the dregs will be the first to inherit the crown of glory.
PREACHING APPROACHES WITH ILLUSTRATIONS
Lesson 1: Exodus 16:2--15
Sermon Title: A Complaining Congregation
Sermon Angle: Moses and Aaron had their hands full. The people were not happy with their leadership. The old days seemed golden compared to the present hardships. Moses took their complaints to the Lord and he answered their complaints by bringing them food. Many congregations have faced similar situations. The leadership needs to hear those complaints and then take it to the Lord in prayer. If there is a valid need, God will supply it.
Lesson 1: Isaiah 55:6--9
Sermon Title: Seek And Find
Sermon Angle: Children enjoy playing Hide and Seek. God doesn't play games with us but he does invite us to engage in a 'seek and find'' operation. The prophet invites the people to 'seek the Lord while he can be found ...'' (v. 6). It's just another way of saying seek the Lord now. God is now near. We have no assurance that we'll even be here tomorrow. We dare not take God's presence for granted. If we seek him now, while we are able, while we have the inclination, we are sure to find him. As Christians, we know that the way to find God is through faith in Christ. We need to urge our people to accept God's gracious offer.
Lesson 1: Jonah 3:10-4:11
Sermon Title: When Is It Right To Be Angry?
Sermon Angle: Twice God poses the question to Jonah. Is it right for you to be angry? (vv. 4, 9). The first time God posed the question was after the Lord relented from his threatened punishment. The second time occurred when the Lord destroyed Jonah's shade tree. In the first instance, Jonah becomes incensed with God because of his mercy and forgiveness, even to the undeserving (v. 2). In the second instance, he waxes angry about a personal affliction. Resentment because of God's mercy on the Gentile Ninevites is totally unworthy a child of God. When something we value is taken away, it is quite natural to be angry, at least, at first. Nevertheless, even here, anger must yield to acceptance if we are to be sound in body and spirit. A third kind of anger, directed toward injustice, can be creative if it forces us to take corrective measures.
Lesson 2: Philippians 1:19--30
Sermon Title: A Labor Of Love
Sermon Angle: Paul doesn't know which he prefers, to die and be with the Lord or a life of fruitful labor in God's vineyard (v. 22). Fruitful labor is what makes life worthwhile: to know that our efforts fashioned through Christ are coming to fruition. Not only is the work of the pastor, evangelist or teacher fruitful labor but, also that of the clerk, salesperson and the bricklayer, when their work is an expression of their commitment to Christ.
Outline:
1. Paul didn't know whether life or death were preferable
- death meant being with Christ but life meant productive work
2. What is fruitful labor?
- labor begun and ended in Christ
- labor offered in love
- labor which produces disciples not merely profits
296
Gospel: Matthew 20:1--16
Sermon Title: Receiving What Doesn't Belong To You
Sermon Angle: Consult the Theological Reflections On The Lessons
Outline:
1. Those hired at the beginning got what belonged to them (the wage)
2. Those hired toward the end of the shift got what didn't belong to them (a gift of grace)
3. We too have received a salvation and reward we have not earned
Sermon Title: No Seniority Perks In Heaven
Sermon Angle: Those hired last were paid first at the end of the day and they were paid the same as those who labored through the heat of the day. It doesn't seem fair and it isn't fair: it's God's grace. It's what someone has dubbed the ''unjust goodness of God.'' No seniority perks. It's no way to run a business, but it's God's way of doing things.
Outline:
1. The world awards, based on merit and position
- those who have gone the furthest with the most wins
2. The kingdom of God is based on grace - all are equal
Sermon Title: Sour Grapes
Sermon Angle: Those hired at the beginning of the day complained about the injustice of the latecomers receiving the same as they. They were sour grapes in the Lord's vineyard. The church still has to contend with sour grape members who expect to be rewarded for everything they do and are jealous of their fellow church members. Sour grapes need to be reminded of God's graciousness and not allowed to set the teeth of the church on edge.
The Gospel lesson has far more to do with the grace of God than wages. Nevertheless, we need to remember that the world of business and industry operates more under the banner of law and justice than grace. While the Lord gives us what we do not deserve, earthly wages ought to be fair and equitable. Many are calling for the end to affirmative action, yet, studies show that the gap in wages between black/Latino male workers and white male workers, all other factors being equal, has not narrowed in the last ten years. Black men, with a college education, earn $3,500 a year less than white men with a college education. Black men with post--graduate degrees earn $150 a week less than their white counterparts. (Gleaned from an article in the March 29, 1995, Omaha World Herald, ''Who Is a Minority? America Finds No Easy Answer.'')
Christians need to work for justice, on the one hand, so that all people receive justice and fairness; while, on the other hand, we dispense God's grace in the arena of our relationships, giving others what they do not deserve.
297
