Post Sunday June 28 2009

“And about the eleventh hour he went out and found others standing idle,…” Matthew 20:6

The heart and actions of God absolutely amaze me. The heart and actions of God absolutely humble me. The heart and actions of God absolutely wreck me. The heart and actions of God absolutely inspire me. Why? Because…

What business owner, what employee in their right and sound mind goes out looking for more help at the last hour with the intentions of giving that person who they happen to find the full benefits of a full day? Only God would do and be something like that. Thank God that He in His right and sound mind came looking and continues to come looking during the 11th hours of our lives.

Does God leave any doubt that He greatly desires and that it is His wish (see Matthew 20:14-15) that we all be reunited with Him within His Kingdom? Here we find Him the True Landowner leaving His comfy air conditioned office going out to see if there are any others lost and without work. When He finds them instead of taking advantage of their clear neediness (they aren’t working thus aren’t being paid thus unable to care for themselves or families so they would likely accept anything including being poorly treated and poorly paid) He tells them to come and then pays them beyond measure, beyond what they actually labored for. God’s grace is willing to give us what we are incapable of providing ourselves, which is eternal reconciliation with Himself, eternal forgiveness, lives beyond measure and an eternal purpose for our lives. These eternal things are gifts that are available to each one of us.

As we begin to fully realize that we are serving within this Kingdom of Grace our lives will begin to be taken over by this grace: “so that as sin reigned in death, even so grace might reign through righteousness to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” Romans 5:21

As we turn our lives over to follow the True Landowner and to labor for Him this grace will provide us the power to live the changed life that our hearts all so greatly desire. The power to talk right, walk right, give right, think right and just flat out live right. Think about it a moment doesn’t your work environment normally transform you to act and behave in the manner that your business requires? If not typically you do not work there long….Laboring within His Kingdom you are clearly aware that you are there by His gift of Grace (that gift came about by the selfless sacrifice of Christ, Romans 6:23, Philippians 2:5-11) and that while you labor, the One you labor for is out and about looking for more laborers to join you! That mindset and passion will begin to overcome you and become you if you are fully awake when you show up for work each morning!

That means He isn’t giving up on that impossible family member or friend that seemingly will never accept His grace and love. That means He isn’t giving up on the fact that, Oh well, I guess so and so is going to have to work hard all day every day because I can’t afford to hire anyone else to help them. Even during the most unlikely times, the 11th hours, the end of the work day He is still out looking for those that are in need of grace. He is truly an amazing God.

By His gift of grace you have been reunited with Him and Jesus is preparing a place for you in heaven! (John 14:2-3) – Don’t fear you aren’t laboring for nothing!

By His gift of grace you have been given His Holy Spirit to help keep you on the right track, to convict you when you do sin on the job, to guide you when you are lost in your work, He is there to develop you! (John 16) – Don’t fear even when you mess up He has provided you with a way to improve upon your mistakes instead of wallow in them! “the Lord your God turned the curse into a blessing for you, because the Lord your God loves you.” Deuteronomy 23:6

By His gift of grace He promises to complete the work He has begun in you! (Philippians 1:6) – Don’t fear the more complete products you may see around you, for you are a work in progress that will not be shut down by economic depression!

By His gift of grace you will learn more and more each day about who He is and when you do, you will never, ever, ever want to work for another boss in your life. It is a learning process….. “that they may hear and that they may LEARN(emphasis mine) to fear the Lord your God and carefully observe all the words of this law.” Deuteronomy 31:12

His grace is truly amazing as the song is sung. Accept the gift and use the gift…you will never regret it.

Questions to Ask Yourself:

1. Have I accepted the true grace, Jesus Christ, from the true landowner, God Himself?

2. Am I willing to share in God’s wishes of going out at 5pm, typically my winding down time and instead continue to seek those in need of His amazing Grace?

Pastor e