\u00a0<\/p>\n
Shalom,<\/strong><\/p>\n May the Lord help us daily to grow in understanding His mighty power (Ephesians 1:18\u201319, ESV).<\/p>\n There was a time Jesus told the religious leaders that they were deceived<\/p>\n Matthew 22:29, ESV).<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cbecause you know neither the Scriptures nor the power of God\u201d<\/em> .<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n One of the most overlooked expressions of God\u2019s power is His freedom to reward people beyond what they seem to deserve, simply because they entered His vineyard.<\/p>\n In Matthew 20:1\u201316 (NIV), Jesus gives the parable of the landowner who hired laborers at different hours of the day. Some worked from dawn, others from mid-morning, others from noon, and some came as late as 5 p.m. right before sunset.<\/p>\n The astonishing part is that each group received the same wage<\/em>. Those who worked all day complained, but the master responded:<\/p>\n Matthew 20:13\u201315 (NKJV)<\/strong> This parable shows several theological truths:<\/p>\n Grace is not a salary; it is a gift.<\/p>\n \u201cI will have mercy on whom I have mercy\u2026 So then it depends not on human will or exertion, but on God, who has mercy.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n The workers hired at 5 p.m. barely worked an hour, but the master valued their willingness to serve, not their hours.<\/p>\n This echoes Jesus\u2019 promise to the thief on the cross: \u201cToday you will be with me in paradise.\u201d<\/em> What seems \u201cunfair\u201d to us is often an expression of God\u2019s generous grace.<\/p>\n Jesus promised His apostles:<\/p>\n Matthew 19:27\u201328 (NIV)<\/strong> This is true. But the same Jesus says to all believers<\/em>:<\/p>\n Revelation 3:21 (ESV)<\/strong> This means:<\/p>\n The apostles received a unique role in judging Israel.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n But all faithful believers<\/em> can receive positions of honor in God\u2019s eternal kingdom.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n Not because we worked longer, harder, or earlier\u2014but because God is free to elevate whom He chooses.<\/p>\n This reflects the principle in<\/p>\n 1 Samuel 2:7\u20138 (ESV): God is not limited by your background, your age, or your past.<\/p>\n Maybe you feel late\u2014perhaps older in years or newly converted. You may wonder:<\/p>\n \u201cWhat reward can I possibly receive now?\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n Scripture answers:<\/p>\n Joel 2:25 (NKJV)<\/strong> God can restore wasted years in a moment.<\/p>\n Even if you entered the vineyard at the eleventh hour, God knows how to multiply your faithfulness. The thief on the cross lived only a few minutes as a believer yet received eternal glory.<\/p>\n What matters is not when<\/em> you came, but that you came<\/em>\u2014and that you serve faithfully now.<\/p>\n You may feel inadequate, unworthy, or too sinful from your past. But God is not looking for perfect people\u2014He is looking for willing people.<\/p>\n 2 Corinthians 8:12 (ESV)<\/strong> The landowner never rewarded the idle\u2014only those who went<\/em> when they were called.<\/p>\n So if you are saved:<\/p>\n Do something for the kingdom.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Share the gospel.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Pray for others.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Support God\u2019s work.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Use your gifts\u2014even if small.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n God rewards faithfulness<\/strong>, not fame<\/strong>.<\/p>\n The door of grace is still open, but not forever.<\/p>\n Hebrews 9:27 (NKJV)<\/strong> The world is nearing its end; we are living in the final moments of history. Jesus is coming soon.<\/p>\n 1 Thessalonians 4:16\u201317 (NIV)<\/strong> speaks of the soon-coming rapture of the church.<\/p>\n If you die in sin today, whose presence will you enter? But Jesus invites you now:<\/p>\n Matthew 11:28 (ESV)<\/strong> Repent. Believe in Christ. Be baptized biblically (Acts 2:38, NKJV). Walk in newness of life (Romans 6:4).<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Revelation 22:12\u201313 (ESV)<\/strong> God rewards faithfully. Shalom.<\/strong><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n\n
This warning was not only for the Pharisees\u2014it is for us as well. Many believers struggle not because God is weak, but because we have not learned to trust His power, His generosity, and His sovereignty.<\/p>\n
\nTHE PARABLE OF THE WORKERS: A GOD WHO REWARDS BEYOND MERIT<\/strong><\/h1>\n
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\u201cFriend, I am doing you no wrong\u2026 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?\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n1. God is sovereign in dispensing grace.<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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Romans 9:15\u201316 (ESV):<\/p>\n2. God delights in rewarding even the latecomers.<\/strong><\/h3>\n
Luke 23:43 (ESV)<\/strong> \u2013<\/p>\n\n
He entered the vineyard at the very last hour\u2014but received the same eternal life.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n3. Human fairness is not divine fairness.<\/strong><\/h3>\n
\nGOD MAY REWARD YOU LIKE THE APOSTLES\u2014NOT BECAUSE YOU DESERVE IT, BUT BECAUSE HE IS GOOD<\/strong><\/h1>\n
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\u201cYou who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n
\u201cTo the one who conquers I will grant to sit with me on my throne\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n
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\u201cThe LORD makes poor and makes rich\u2026 He lifts the poor from the dust\u2026 to make them sit with princes and inherit a seat of honor.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\nYOU ARE NOT TOO LATE FOR GOD<\/strong><\/h1>\n
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\u201cI will restore to you the years that the locust has eaten.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n
\nSTOP FEELING DISQUALIFIED\u2014YOUR PART IS TO SERVE; GOD\u2019S PART IS TO REWARD<\/strong><\/h1>\n
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\u201cFor if the readiness is there, it is acceptable\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n
TO THOSE STILL OUTSIDE OF CHRIST<\/strong><\/h1>\n
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\u201cIt is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n
There are only two destinations\u2014Heaven or hell.<\/p>\n\n
\u201cCome to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n
\nTHE FINAL PROMISE<\/strong><\/h1>\n
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\u201cBehold, I am coming soon, bringing my recompense with me, to repay each one for what he has done.
I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n
God rewards generously.
God rewards sovereignly.
And God rewards beyond what we deserve.<\/p>\n