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Series A – Fifteenth Sunday After Pentecost – Sunday, September 21, 2014 | Pr. Chris Rosebrough

Welcome to the Teaching Ministry of Kongsvinger Lutheran Church. Kongsvinger is a beacon for the Gospel of Jesus Christ and is located on the plains of Northwestern Minnesota. We proclaim Christ and Him crucified for our sins and salvation by grace through faith alone, and now, here’s a message from Pastor Chris Rosebrough:

Time Stamp	Transcript
0:28	the holy Gospel According to Saint
0:30	Matthew chapter 20 verses 1 through 16.
0:35	foreign
0:37	for the Kingdom of Heaven is like a
0:39	landowner who went out early in the
0:41	morning to hire men to work in his
0:43	Vineyard
0:44	he agreed to pay them a Denarius for the
0:46	day and sent them into his Vineyard
0:47	about the third hour he went out and saw
0:50	others standing in the marketplace doing
0:51	nothing he told them you also go and
0:54	work in my Vineyard and I will pay you
0:56	whatever is right
0:57	so they went he went out again about the
1:00	sixth hour in the ninth hour and did the
1:01	same thing and about the 11th hour he
1:04	went out and found still others standing
1:06	around he asked them why have you been
1:09	standing here all day doing nothing
1:12	because no one’s hired us they answered
1:14	he said to them you also go and work in
1:17	my Vineyard and when the evening came
1:19	the owner of the vineyard said to his
1:21	Foreman call the workers and pay them
1:24	their wages beginning with the last ones
1:26	hired and going on to the first the
1:28	workers who were hired about the 11th
1:31	Hour came and each received a Denarius
1:33	so when those who were hired first they
1:36	expected to receive more but each one of
1:39	them also received a Denarius when they
1:41	received it they began to Grumble
1:43	against the landowner these men who were
1:46	hired last worked only one hour they
1:49	said and you have made them equal to us
1:52	who have borne the burden of the work
1:54	and the Heat of the day
1:55	but he answered one of them friend
1:58	I’m not being unfair to you you didn’t
2:01	you agree to work for Daenerys take your
2:03	pay and go I want to give the man who
2:06	was hired last the same as I gave you
2:08	don’t I have the right to do what I want
2:10	with my own money or are you envious
2:12	because I am generous so the last will
2:16	be first and the first will be last this
2:19	is the gospel of the Lord
2:21	there
2:24	in the name of Jesus
2:26	all right so the last will be first and
2:29	the first will be last I don’t know
2:30	about you but that phrase has always
2:32	confused me
2:33	I don’t get it I I having studied for
2:37	this sermon translated it from the Greek
2:39	I still wanted it’s still one of these
2:41	things that I’m having a hard time with
2:43	and there’s a reason why the reason why
2:46	is because this goes against everything
2:49	that is the desires of my sinful nature
2:53	we think here on Earth and this is how
2:57	it works you work hard you get ahead you
3:01	work hard you’re better than the next
3:03	guy you work hard you have power over
3:07	the next guy
3:08	your status is all locked up in those
3:11	things right
3:13	but here Jesus flips everything on its
3:15	head and says the last will be first and
3:17	the first will be last and he says this
3:19	is what the Kingdom of Heaven is like
3:22	and you just go really really really
3:26	the answer is yeah really yeah and I
3:28	struggle with this
3:30	so let’s
3:32	talk about this text by putting it back
3:35	in context and you’ll notice I there’s
3:37	certain things I say over and over again
3:39	one of the things I say is the three
3:41	rules for sound biblical exegesis are
3:44	context context and context so this is
3:49	one of those passages if you notice a
3:51	lectionary here we skipped ahead a
3:53	couple of chapters you know in and this
3:55	is the assigned reading but in order to
3:57	understand what’s going on in this text
3:59	regarding the first being last and last
4:01	being first we actually have to go back
4:02	into chapter 19. spend a little bit of
4:05	time there and then move forward so
4:07	we’ll be done about one o’clock this
4:09	afternoon
4:10	no I’m joking I’m joking it’s really two
4:13	o’clock anyway okay so we’re gonna start
4:16	at verse 16. and we’re going to take a
4:19	look at the bigger context here because
4:21	this this Parable shows up you notice
4:24	the first word in chapter 20 is four
4:26	four the Kingdom of Heaven it’s like
4:28	this well that means there’s something
4:30	going on in the context so if you have
4:31	your Pew Bible Matthew chapter 19 I’ll
4:33	start at verse 16 and we’re going to
4:35	hear a very familiar passage now a man
4:38	came up to Jesus and asked teacher what
4:41	good thing must I do to get eternal life
4:49	bad question okay now a little bit of a
4:53	note here you’ll notice in the gospel of
4:55	Matthew if you were to actually go and
4:56	read it and kind of search for this
4:57	everybody who was a true disciple of
4:59	Jesus always refers to Jesus as what
5:02	Lord
5:05	this guy comes to Jesus and he calls him
5:08	teacher
5:09	teacher this is kind of a weird thing
5:11	about Matthew’s gospel and this is this
5:13	kind of sets this up a little bit here
5:15	this guy is coming to Jesus and treating
5:17	him as if he’s like a teacher of the law
5:21	What do teachers of the law do when you
5:23	ask them questions they point you to the
5:26	law Jesus kind of rebuffs this guy a
5:29	little bit but goes ahead and plays
5:31	along and hit in kind of like round one
5:33	of this of this exchange it says all
5:36	right fine you want to treat me like I’m
5:37	a teacher and I’m not Lord okay fine I’m
5:40	going to answer as a teacher and you’re
5:42	not going to be satisfied because the
5:43	question itself there’s a major problem
5:44	what must get what good thing must I do
5:48	to get eternal life
5:50	guy wants some kind of assurance of
5:52	Salvation eternal life and he’s looking
5:53	to himself and the things he’s doing for
5:55	this for this assurance well that’s no
5:57	place to look but so Jesus plays along
5:59	and says why do you ask me about what is
6:01	good Jesus replied there’s only one who
6:04	is good
6:05	if you want to enter life obey the
6:07	Commandments
6:08	well the guy’s not satisfied with this
6:11	answer
6:12	yeah any old teacher of the law can give
6:15	me that answer so he fires back round
6:18	two well which ones the man inquired
6:22	so Jesus replied all right do not murder
6:24	do not commit adultery do not steal do
6:26	not give false testimony honor your
6:28	father mother love your neighbor as
6:30	yourself
6:33	now notice something about that list
6:36	those are all second table of the Ten
6:39	Commandments Ten Commandments has two
6:41	tables table Numero Uno has to do with
6:45	ours standing before God you will have
6:47	no other gods before me honor you know
6:49	remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy
6:51	right okay do not take to the name of
6:53	the Lord your God in vain these are the
6:55	Commandments regarding God
6:57	now the ones do not murder do not steal
7:00	do not commit adultery that’s how we
7:02	treat each other love God love neighbor
7:04	in this first list that Jesus rattles
7:07	off to this young man
7:09	Jesus goes with all second table stuff
7:12	how we treat each other
7:15	the guy’s still not satisfied with this
7:17	answer all of these I’ve kept the young
7:20	man said what does what do I still lack
7:24	I don’t I’ve already been doing all of
7:26	that come on Jesus give me an answer
7:28	that is useful here you see the problem
7:31	is is that
7:32	he’s come to Jesus as teacher not Jesus
7:35	Lord
7:36	so Jesus goes ahead at this point even
7:39	though the guy has come to him and is
7:40	treating him as if he’s just any old
7:42	teacher Jesus now is going to start
7:44	acting as Lord
7:46	Jesus knows this guy’s problem his
7:48	problem is that he is an idolater
7:52	and here’s what it says Jesus answered
7:55	all right if you want to be perfect
7:57	go sell your possessions give it to the
8:00	poor and you will have treasure in
8:01	heaven and then come follow me
8:05	to follow Jesus is to acknowledge Him as
8:08	Lord not teacher right
8:12	and by the way this is not some general
8:14	command if you want to be a Christian
8:16	that means you have to go and sell all
8:17	your possessions and give it to the poor
8:19	that’s yeah that’s not what this text is
8:21	saying and this particular guy’s case
8:24	Jesus is getting to the heart of the
8:26	matter the heart of the matter is is
8:27	that this man loves his money
8:29	he loves his wealth he loves his
8:31	possessions the one who has a lot of
8:34	money
8:35	well he’s often tempted tempted to
8:38	believe that he’s self-sufficient but
8:40	Jesus says the greatest in the Kingdom
8:41	of Heaven are the little ones the little
8:43	children the ones who only receive so
8:46	the guy the young man heard this and he
8:48	went away sad because he had great
8:50	wealth then Jesus said to his disciples
8:53	here’s the fun part I tell you it is
8:55	hard for rich man to enter the kingdom
8:57	of heaven
8:58	again I tell you it’s easier for a camel
9:00	to go through the eye of a needle than
9:01	for a rich man to enter the kingdom of
9:03	heaven
9:04	and when the disciples heard this they
9:06	were greatly astonished and asked well
9:07	who then can be saved
9:10	notice this statement on the part of
9:12	Jesus that it’s difficult for a rich man
9:14	to enter the Kingdom of Heaven is
9:15	causing their theology that they are
9:19	assuming to be challenged
9:21	I mean doesn’t it make sense you do good
9:24	things God says oh good boy here’s some
9:27	more stars on your star chart and I’m
9:29	going to reward you with riches here on
9:31	Earth so the most holy and Pious Among
9:35	Us are those who are wealthy right
9:40	that’s how people think is it not
9:45	is that not how we sometimes pray we
9:48	find ourselves in financial distress oh
9:51	Lord I promise if you rescue me from
9:54	this
9:55	I promise I’ll pray three times no okay
9:58	two and a half okay I’ll pray at least
10:00	once a day
10:02	right isn’t this how that we’re bargain
10:03	with God
10:06	we take a look at our current search
10:08	circumstances we find ourselves in
10:10	financial need and we start bargaining
10:11	with our piety
10:13	we’re all guilty of this
10:15	I know I am
10:18	so the disciples hear Jesus saying that
10:20	it’s it’s easier for a camel to go
10:22	through the eye of a needle which is not
10:24	going to happen
10:25	then for a rich man to enter the kingdom
10:27	of God
10:28	who then can be saved Jesus looked at
10:29	them and said with man this is
10:31	impossible
10:32	but With God all things are possible pay
10:35	attention to this with man this is
10:36	impossible what’s impossible
10:40	it’s impossible for a man to save
10:42	himself
10:43	who then can be saved with man it’s
10:45	impossible
10:48	you can’t save yourself by your good
10:49	works period
10:52	you think that somehow your
10:55	prayers your Bible reading your tithing
10:59	your offerings the time you spent
11:02	engaging in social justice helping
11:05	people if that you believe that your
11:07	those things earn you salvation
11:12	you are in
11:13	deep kimchi
11:16	right
11:17	with man it’s impossible you cannot save
11:20	yourself by your good works but With God
11:23	all things are possible so Peter
11:25	answered him and now we’re starting to
11:26	get into the greater context we’re
11:28	starting to transition here now into uh
11:30	our text
11:32	Peter answered well Lord we’ve left
11:34	everything to follow you what then will
11:36	there be for us
11:37	now Jesus’s answer is twofold
11:41	he affirms the fact that Peter and them
11:45	have left things to follow Jesus and he
11:49	then also provides a warning and don’t
11:51	think for a second that this makes you
11:53	better than other people is what is is
11:55	what’s going on here so Jesus said
11:57	here’s his affirmation I tell you the
11:59	truth at the renewal of all things when
12:01	the son of man sits on his glorious
12:03	Throne you who have followed me will
12:06	also sit on the twelve Thrones judging
12:07	the 12 tribes of Israel everyone who has
12:10	left houses or brothers or sisters or
12:13	father or mother or children or fields
12:15	for my sake will receive a hundred times
12:18	as much and will inherit
12:20	eternal life important verb there
12:22	inherit
12:25	doesn’t say earn it says inherit
12:29	when you inherit something is it because
12:32	you’ve earned it or because somebody has
12:35	gifted it to you
12:37	it’s because they’ve gifted it to you
12:39	right an inheritance is something that’s
12:41	given as a gift upon the death of The
12:44	Giver
12:45	okay and notice eternal life is an
12:47	inheritance it is not a wage a wage is
12:51	something you earn an inheritance is
12:53	something that is given so if eternal
12:56	life is an inheritance who died that we
12:59	can inherit such an amazing thing
13:01	Jesus
13:03	it’s Jesus so when you pay attention to
13:05	the details of what’s going on here you
13:07	begin to say okay I know I’m starting to
13:08	get it
13:09	so let me read this again here’s the
13:12	positive side positive side everyone who
13:15	has left houses or brothers or sisters
13:17	or father or mother or children from my
13:18	namesake will receive a hundred times as
13:21	much and will inherit not because
13:23	they’ve done these things but the
13:25	inheritance is a gift they will inherit
13:27	eternal life but many who are first will
13:29	be last and many who are last will be
13:31	first so we’re dealing with the person
13:33	who thinks he’s better than others
13:34	because he’s working so hard right so
13:38	now we get into our text for the Kingdom
13:40	of Heaven is like you see how it all
13:42	works together now this is all of the
13:44	thoughts hinge together the Kingdom of
13:46	Heaven is like a landowner who went out
13:47	early in the morning to hire men to work
13:49	in his Vineyard he agreed to pay them a
13:52	Denarius for the day and sent them into
13:53	his Vineyard now the way Jesus tells
13:56	this story there’s kind of like a
13:57	tension that builds up I’ll kind of
13:59	point it out so about the third hour he
14:01	went out and saw others standing in the
14:03	marketplace doing nothing he told them
14:04	you also go and work in my Vineyard and
14:06	I will pay you whatever is right he
14:08	doesn’t say how much he’s going to pay
14:09	pay them well we don’t know so you know
14:13	you go out into the third hour
14:14	hire these other guys he hasn’t said how
14:16	much he’s going to pay them so then he
14:18	went out again sixth hour ninth hour did
14:20	the same thing about the 11th Hour okay
14:22	with an hour left to work before the sun
14:24	goes down
14:26	he went out and found still others
14:28	standing around he asked them why have
14:31	you been standing here all day long
14:32	doing nothing
14:34	well because no one’s hired us they
14:36	asked and answered he said to them you
14:38	also go into my Vineyard has he said how
14:40	much he’s going to pay him
14:41	nope not a thing hasn’t said and so
14:45	that’s kind of the big mystery ah okay
14:47	there’s the setup there’s the tension
14:50	so when evening came the owner of the
14:52	vineyard said to his Foreman call the
14:55	workers pay them their wages beginning
14:56	with the last ones hired and going on to
14:59	the first
15:01	so the workers who were hired about the
15:03	11th Hour these last guys who barely put
15:06	in any work at all
15:09	huh
15:10	they came and each received a Denarius
15:14	what they’re getting a whole day’s wage
15:18	and these guys were sitting around doing
15:21	nothing all day long and then they just
15:24	happened to have this guy so graciously
15:27	call them in and he pays really
15:32	wow
15:34	okay so when those who were hired first
15:37	they expected to receive more
15:42	why
15:46	I’m better than the guy who came in at
15:49	the 11th hour because of what I’ve done
15:53	I’m better I’ve worked harder I’ve
15:56	earned more that’s the thought this is
15:59	how we think so when those who were
16:01	hired first they expected to receive
16:03	more but each one of them also received
16:05	a Denarius
16:07	and when they received it they began to
16:09	Grumble against the landowner not a good
16:12	thing because who’s the landowner in
16:14	this parable
16:15	it’s God
16:17	uh-huh
16:20	and here’s the rub these men who were
16:23	hired last worked only one hour they
16:27	said and you’ve made them equal to us
16:31	right
16:34	exactly
16:36	that’s the thing about Grace is it makes
16:39	us all equals
16:42	for by Grace you have been saved through
16:45	faith and this is not of yourselves it
16:47	is the gift of God
16:50	so that no man May boast Ephesians 2 8-9
16:54	says right
16:56	if it’s a gift you can’t boast see even
17:00	the Denarius and his real sense here is
17:02	a gift God just graciously gives out
17:05	salvation he’s so gracious merciful kind
17:10	extravagantly so
17:12	friend of mine in the ministry he says
17:14	God is promiscuously gracious it’s an
17:17	interesting way of putting it right
17:19	and you know what those who think that
17:21	they are better than others because of
17:23	how much work they’ve done they’re
17:25	looking around and saying oh I’m better
17:27	than him got her beat by a mile God’s
17:30	got to love me more than that person
17:33	yeah Jesus said no not at all
17:37	in fact Jesus is making even the one who
17:41	confesses Christ on their deathbed equal
17:44	to the one who has been in The Faith
17:47	from the time of their youth
17:51	is this not the scandal of the Cross
17:53	where Jesus is hanging being crucified
17:55	and one of the guys one of the robbers
17:58	on one side is keeping up abuses against
18:01	Jesus and what does the one guy say
18:04	knock it off we’re getting what we
18:07	deserve
18:08	this man has done nothing wrong nothing
18:12	and then he says to Jesus Lord remember
18:14	me when you come into your kingdom
18:19	now this guy just confessed he was
18:22	getting what he deserved he was a thief
18:25	spent his entire life sinning got caught
18:29	and now was being executed for his
18:31	crimes
18:32	doesn’t he deserve to go to hell
18:35	yep
18:36	he sure does so do I
18:39	so do you
18:41	but what does Jesus say to this one he
18:43	says Lord remember me when you come into
18:45	your kingdom Jesus says truly truly I
18:47	tell you today will be with me in
18:49	Paradise
18:51	did he earn it what good work could he
18:54	possibly do while being nailed to a
18:55	cross to earn salvation
18:58	nothing
18:59	he didn’t earn it at all
19:01	Christ has made the thief on the cross
19:03	equal
19:04	to even the apostles
19:07	that’s the scandal of it I remember
19:09	years ago I used to work at focus on the
19:11	family and um Ted Bundy remember Ted
19:15	Bundy the serial killer it was a
19:17	horrible story but uh he went on trial
19:20	he defended himself and ultimately lost
19:22	and they put him on death row remember
19:23	all of that and then James Dobson went
19:25	and met with him and I remember about
19:26	that time people were talking about Ted
19:28	Bundy and the guy confessed faith in
19:31	Christ before he was executed
19:34	and a friend of mine you know we were
19:37	talking and he said you know this is one
19:39	of the things that bugs me about
19:41	Christianity
19:42	do you really believe Ted Bundy’s in
19:44	heaven I said well
19:47	confessed Christ he believed that he was
19:49	forgiven by what Christ did on the cross
19:52	died for the sins of the world why
19:54	couldn’t Ted Bundy be in heaven
19:57	well see that’s the thing that bugs me I
19:59	mean you just go and you know live like
20:03	you know the devil and then at the last
20:06	second he brought to repentance and you
20:08	believe in Jesus and you’re in
20:11	yeah that’s kind of the scandal of all
20:13	of it isn’t it
20:15	now don’t think for a second I’m saying
20:18	well just go ahead and wait until you’re
20:19	on your deathbed and then and then come
20:22	see me or call me up and we’ll pray a
20:24	prayer and get you in real quick
20:26	no today is the day of salvation for all
20:29	of us right but Christ be in his
20:31	gracious Mercy has made it so that
20:34	there’s no way for any of us to boast
20:36	the one who thinks he is first will be
20:39	made last
20:41	all of us come into the Kingdom of
20:43	Heaven as beggars
20:44	spiritually poor bankrupt we’ve got
20:47	nothing but Jesus because of his grace
20:49	and mercy and love towards us he
20:52	forgives us so that the last will be
20:54	first and the first will be last and who
20:56	was the one who was treated as the last
20:59	Jesus
21:01	he was the one who was the one treated
21:03	like the last one
21:05	he was beaten scourged whipped for our
21:09	transgressions had his clothes strip
21:11	from him
21:12	beaten with a cat of nine tails right
21:16	goes to the Cross God made him to be sin
21:19	who knew no sin so that we might be the
21:21	righteousness of God this is the gospel
21:24	the one who became the least and the
21:26	greatest servant of all God has now
21:29	exalted and he now is the first king of
21:31	kings and Lord of lords
21:33	so if you think the Kingdom of Heaven is
21:34	all about you and what you do you don’t
21:36	understand it the last will be first the
21:37	first will be last
21:39	you get it the economy of the kingdom is
21:41	not like anything here on Earth and I’m
21:44	so thankful for that because it’s good
21:46	news because even my piety fails yours
21:51	does too
21:53	my prayers fail at times Temptations I
21:56	give into
21:57	I can’t say that I’m the most productive
21:59	worker in the kingdom of heaven and
22:01	neither can you
22:02	and yet God in his graciousness at the
22:05	end of the day on the day of judgment
22:06	will pay us all the same wage
22:09	eternal life in him because it’s a gift
22:11	not something we earn it’s an
22:14	inheritance given to us because the one
22:16	who is the one who’s giving it to us
22:18	he’s died that’s Jesus Christ so the
22:21	last will be first the first will be
22:23	last and this is truly good news in the
22:26	name of Jesus Amen
22:28	[Music]

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