Matthew 20:1-16 For the kingdom of heaven is like to a man that is an householder… I. GRACE, IN ITS MOVEMENTS TOWARD MAN. 1. There is the constitution of a vineyard (Isaiah 5:1-7). 2. Having constituted a vineyard, the next movement of Divine grace is to call and engage men as labourers in it. 3. Divine grace purposes to make active servants and labourers of men. Toil does not save men without effort; a variety of work. 4. Nor is it a bootless service to which grace calls men. The householder has wages for every labourer. Godliness is profitable (1 Timothy 4:8). II. THY CONDUCT OF MEN TOWARDS IT. All were idlers at the commencement; man has endowments for work which ought to be employed. Some prefer idleness and continue in it. Many have entered the vineyard, but are not all satisfactory labourers. Some however are good and faithful servants. 1. Let us learn to admire the glorious beneficence of God. 2. There is something for us to do. 3. Let us move forward and see how it will be with us when the bustle of this world is over, and the Lord of the vineyard sends His steward to settle up our earthly accounts. (J. A. Seiss, D. D.) Parallel Verses KJV: For the kingdom of heaven is like unto a man that is an householder, which went out early in the morning to hire labourers into his vineyard. |
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