Sermon Notes

Grace From A Gracious God

“For the LORD God is a sun and shield; the LORD will give grace and glory; no good thing will He withhold from them that walk uprightly.” Psalms 84:11 NKJV

We sing a song about the Marvelous Grace of our Loving Lord, grace that exceeds our sin and our guilt; Amazing Grace which saved a wretch like me; and Too Me Free Grace Has been Accorded, though I deserved it not. Saving grace is not something we can earn or work for, it is a free gift- a costly gift, from a gracious God. However, grace can not benefit you until you are desperate enough to receive it from Him.

Read: Matthew 20:1-16

I. The Day Begins

v.1,2 laborers are needed- it’s harvest time

v.3-7 an unemployment need was met- some without hope

v.8-10 the payment is given as promised

v.11,12 the complaints of equal and fair employment begin

v.13-15 they were asked, “didn’t you agree?”

Ephesians 6:6-9 not looking to please man, but God

v,16 the lesson is; in heaven, there is no difference or partiality

II. Application For Today

a) grace reminds us that God’s favor is a real gift

* is it taken for granted?

* can we demand grace from God ?

* do we expect to receive more favor ?

* NO ! then that would be wages and not grace!

* the only wage God promises is found in Romans 6:23

b) Grace keeps us from looking down on ourselves as worthless

* you are not inferior to anyone or less important to God

* this story is all about God’s compassion for us regardless

* yes we are unworthy- but not worthless!

III. His Grace Makes Us Equal

Romans 12:3 it’s by His grace were are saved in the first place

v.12 their complaining made them like we were, dissatisfied & jealous

* grace offers a fresh start in our life to serve Him

Matthew 19:28-30 We will be rewarded for our service to Him

John 6:35, 37b His promise is to sustain us in the heat of the day