tprim47

The Prophecy Revealed In Matthew

Lesson Forty-Seven: by turtle (Christina Farris)

It seems to be a normal attribute to want more then your share. One’s eyes are often bigger then the belly. In fact I can remember as a little girl wanting to
be able to eat as much spaghetti as my father, however I never could consume that much. It is not that His portion was extra size, it was normal helping,
but I was only five and I loved spaghetti, even to the point that when I knew we were having spaghetti I would sing On Top of Spaghetti All Covered
With Cheese I Lost My Poor Meatball When Someone Sneeze, probably driving my poor mom nuts. Often our eyes are bigger then our stomach’s. And
with this in mind one can grasp what it would be like to see heaven and all God’s glory. Is it enough to just want salvation for eternity, or do you want
more of the prize. Do you want to hold one of them gold bricks in heaven and say it is yours. The crowns we earn in our life journey on earth will be laid
at Christ’s feet. From the beginning of time to even now the same salvation plan as been declared. We are to obey God’s word. Yet it only takes belief in
God to be saved, and belief in Christ to have eternal life with God. Christ being the word that became flesh. Word being God. All we have to do is
believe God. Yet in our own stupidity we doubt God. Moses had a burning bush but was afraid to obey God and go and speak to the Egyptians. Yet
Moses went and Aaron spoke for Moses. Like a relay team. Moses not inheriting the promise land because he failed to obey God when he struck the
rock, yet because of His faith in God, he received eternal life. Most of Moses’ life was in obedience to God, however it was faith to save him through
eternity. Faith demonstrated by leading people into the wilderness toward the promise land instructing them to obey God and knowing that some followed
him and not God.

Today’s passage comes from Matthew 20, and it talks about those that will be first to enter the kingdom of heaven and those who will be last. Each and
all receiving the same reward. Not more then anyone else. Each and everyone of us commanded to share the truth of God and His Word and yet many
do so for profit and gain. However there are many labors that preach and teach for free. The gift of God has always been free, however God will reward
all that work for Him. Our payment the same, salvation.

Matthew 20:1-16 KJV
(1) 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.
(2) And when he had agreed with the labourers for a penny a day, he sent them into his vineyard.
(3) And he went out about the third hour, and saw others standing idle in the marketplace,
(4) And said unto them; Go ye also into the vineyard, and whatsoever is right I will give you. And they went their way.
(5) Again he went out about the sixth and ninth hour, and did likewise.
(6) And about the eleventh hour he went out, and found others standing idle, and saith unto them, Why stand ye here all the day idle?
(7) They say unto him, Because no man hath hired us. He saith unto them, Go ye also into the vineyard; and whatsoever is right, that shall ye receive.
(8) So when even was come, the lord of the vineyard saith unto his steward, Call the labourers, and give them their hire, beginning from the last unto the
first.
(9) And when they came that were hired about the eleventh hour, they received every man a penny.
(10) But when the first came, they supposed that they should have received more; and they likewise received every man a penny.
(11) And when they had received it, they murmured against the goodman of the house,
(12) Saying, These last have wrought but one hour, and thou hast made them equal unto us, which have borne the burden and heat of the day.
(13) But he answered one of them, and said, Friend, I do thee no wrong: didst not thou agree with me for a penny?
(14) Take that thine is, and go thy way: I will give unto this last, even as unto thee.
(15) Is it not lawful for me to do what I will with mine own? Is thine eye evil, because I am good?
(16) So the last shall be first, and the first last: for many be called, but few chosen.

In the real world one who starts a job earlier then someone else is paid more and before the one that came in last. However in God’s kingdom we all are
paid the same price. Each of us have a journey through life and each of us are equal or the same to God, except when it comes to believing and obeying.
Not all who obey believe and not all that believe obey. God is very clear who will not be in His kingdom. One can receive forgiveness if one repents and
chooses to live for God. I mentioned last week Christ understand that we all disobey God. However He does expect better of us that have His Spirit
indwelling in us. He desires us to live Holy lives. He giving us the ability to obey Him.

The price of follow Jesus is the same reward.

Matthew 20:17-24 KJV
(17) And Jesus going up to Jerusalem took the twelve disciples apart in the way, and said unto them,
(18) Behold, we go up to Jerusalem; and the Son of man shall be betrayed unto the chief priests and unto the scribes, and they shall condemn him to
death,
(19) And shall deliver him to the Gentiles to mock, and to scourge, and to crucify him: and the third day he shall rise again.
(20) Then came to him the mother of Zebedee's children with her sons, worshipping him, and desiring a certain thing of him.
(21) And he said unto her, What wilt thou? She saith unto him, Grant that these my two sons may sit, the one on thy right hand, and the other on the left,
in thy kingdom.
(22) But Jesus answered and said, Ye know not what ye ask. Are ye able to drink of the cup that I shall drink of, and to be baptized with the baptism
that I am baptized with? They say unto him, We are able.
(23) And he saith unto them, Ye shall drink indeed of my cup, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with: but to sit on my right hand, and
on my left, is not mine to give, but it shall be given to them for whom it is prepared of my Father.
(24) And when the ten heard it, they were moved with indignation against the two brethren.

Being a child of God means one is going to face opposition to the Word of God. Christ spoke the word of God to the people and with speaking and
teaching the people, He was in opposition to the government. The government understood things from a practical point of view and not from a spiritual
point of view. Government’s unless the leaders believe in God will not understand the spiritual aspects to faith. America we are guaranteed our right to
freedom of religion, however our freedom of religion is sometimes stifled by those that do not understand. Our faith should never interfere with our ability
to work, and live. It is okay if atheist chooses not to agree with me about God, but do not take away my freedom to worship and believe. As long as my
work does not interfere with my faith and my faith does not interfere with my work. If I wear a symbol of my faith and someone says amen, then I am in
agreement with that person and can speak about my faith without interfering with my work. If a person ask me about my faith in the workplace I have the
freedom to speak, but i do not have the freedom to force someone to listen to me.

Why is there persecution in our land, it is because people are afraid of what it means to have faith. No it is because the world does nto understand people
of faith. That is okay. We will keep loving the world and not all their deeds. If we do not stand under the liberty that God and our country provides then
we fail to community the value of our faith. To obey government even governments that in opposition of our faith in Christ is not to deny God. May we
stand on the freedom of our faith. May we stand on the freedom of Christ and God, living our lives even if those around us do not agree. Our enemy in
America is not our government though it sometimes feels like it if people in the government are in opposition to our faith in God. However our government
has to obey the law of the land. Otherwise it is in opposition to our constitutional rights.

Daniel was thrown into the lions den for praying to God. Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego found himself thrown in the fiery furnace for not bowing to
the king and these stories are found in Daniel. Faith and freedom is something all people will fight if they understand it.

However Christ called his people to humble servants. Daniel and Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego though all had positions in government, they also
were all humble servants. Christ called us to be servants to others.

Matthew 20:25-34 KJV
(25) But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Ye know that the princes of the Gentiles exercise dominion over them, and they that are great exercise
authority upon them.
(26) But it shall not be so among you: but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister;
(27) And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant:
(28) Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.
(29) And as they departed from Jericho, a great multitude followed him.
(30) And, behold, two blind men sitting by the way side, when they heard that Jesus passed by, cried out, saying, Have mercy on us, O Lord, thou Son
of David.
(31) And the multitude rebuked them, because they should hold their peace: but they cried the more, saying, Have mercy on us, O Lord, thou Son of
David.
(32) And Jesus stood still, and called them, and said, What will ye that I shall do unto you?
(33) They say unto him, Lord, that our eyes may be opened.
(34) So Jesus had compassion on them, and touched their eyes: and immediately their eyes received sight, and they followed him.

Christ served even those that were consider unworthy to be helped. That is what love is, that is what is to be a minister. Not all can do it. I be truthful
there are times even I get in hurry, however Christ is the example that one should follow. To live for Christ is to live for in service to God and our
fellowman, it does not mean we can not have rank in leadership positions. However what we do with where God puts us we need to use it for His glory
and honor.