Sermon Notes
Scripture: Matthew 20:1-16
“Parable of the Workers in the Vineyard”

1. Kingdom of God is totally different from what we know and understand. (Matthew 20:1-2)
2. Jesus came to turn our world, our values and our understanding of concepts upside-down.
3. The least of us is treated (in love) the same as the best/most. Question: Should God bless people based upon His values or ours? (Matthew 20:15)
4. Unaligned people will grumble and resent God and His value system; it’s not fair!(Matthew 20:12)
5. We are to be satisfied with what God has blessed us with (perfect peace). (Matthew 20:13-14)
6. The last will be first and the first will be last; upside-down thinking. (Matthew 20:16)
7. Who’s value system will we follow for our eternal destination? God’s or man’s? If we’re concerned only with fairness, do we realize that in fairness we all deserve Hell?

1. Godly decisions are made in an atmosphere of joy, unity and alignment with God.
2. All decisions should be viewed and celebrated as moving forward, as growth and improvement by God.
3. Good leadership/ decision making decides in favor of God before self.
4. Good leadership/ decision making sometimes postpones decisions.
5. All decision making should be submitted to God for approval.
6. Once God approves the decision, immediately be obedient and follow through.
7. Be strong in your faith and look for God’s signs, fruit, guidance and course correction.
8. Always follow God’s word, will and way before and after decision making.
9. Be patient as you evaluate your progress; don’t second guess yourself.
10. Be confident and faithful with all your actions; failure is not an end result but a new beginning!

We are all to be leaders and decision makers in obedience to God’s callings and commands, but none of us will make the correct for our life, family, home, church, children, loved ones or spiritual journey unless we are truly obedient to God’s word, will and way. Wherever you currently are, no matter what you’ve done, no matter what has happened to you, you have a loving God that wants to be in a relationship with you. Put away your pride, throw away your baggage and fall down on your knees; put God first in your life and watch the miracles and blessings flow.

1. David brought together 30,000 “chosen men”.

   (2 Samuel 6:1)

2. Decision: To bring the ark of God to Jerusalem.

   (2 Samuel 6:2-4)

3. David and the whole house of Israel celebrated his decisions.

   (2 Samuel 6:5)

4. Bad decision: Oxen stumbled, Uzzah tries to steady the cart and is punished with death. Why?

   (2 Samuel 6:6-7)

5. Decision: David decides to be angry with God over Uzzah’s death and leaves the ark with Obed-Edom the Gittite. David misses God’s blessing and another was blessed.

   (2 Samuel 9-12)

6. Decision: David, who’s course was corrected by God and is now  realigned with God, makes the decision to get the ark and people respond with joy, celebration and sacrifice.

   (2 Samuel 6:12-13)

7. Because they were realigned with God they made good decisions, celebrated and received blessings.

   (2 Samuel 6:14-15)

“Somewhere around 50% of all decisions you make will be wrong. An intimate walk with God can help you lower this dreadful percentage.” –John Maxwell

Good decisions respect the power of God. Samuel teaches us:

1. Good decisions are made in an atmosphere of joy, unity and alignment with God.
2. All decisions should be celebrated as moving forward, growth, improvement by God.
3. Good leadership (decision making) decides in favor of God before self.
4. Good leadership sometimes postpones decision making.
5. All decision making by true Christian leaders is submitted to God and then obeyed.

Every leader is a futurist making decisions for today based upon the vision for tomorrow. In the midst of amazing victory or crushing despair, the true Christian leader relies exclusively upon the Bible’s great truths. Any true motivation for believing in the future is hidden in God’s continuing faithfulness and only revealed through His word, will and way.

Only in obedience do we come to truly know His word and teachings and begin to trust in them! If we do not study God’s word, we will not make good decisions. Hebrews 13:8 teaches that Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow. We can count on His faithfulness only if we know His teachings, commands and callings in total obedience, trust and faith.

So make your decisions, grow and develop in relationship to God’s word, will and way and watch the blessings flow as you celebrate the most High Lord.

1. We can only speak true wisdom to thee spiritually mature. (1 Corinthians 2:6)
2. No wisdom imparted to this age because they will not hear. (1 Corinthians 2:6)
3. We speak of God’s secret wisdom destined for glory. (1 Corinthians 2:7)
4. Those in power do not understand God’s teachings. (1 Corinthians 2:8)
5. God has revealed His word and teachings to us by His Spirit.(1 Corinthians 2:10)
6. The Spirit reaches all things even the deep things of God. (1 Corinthians 2:10)
7. You cannot know someone without knowing their Spirit. (1 Corinthians 2:11)
8. We have not received the spirit of the world but the Spirit of God. (1 Corinthians 2:12)
9. We are not to speak secular words but God’s Spiritual words. (1 Corinthians 2:13)
10. People without God’s Spirit cannot understand these words. (1 Corinthians 2:14)
11. The Spiritual man is called to make judgments. (1 Corinthians 2:15)
12. We are given the mind of Christ to make these judgments. (1 Corinthians 2:16)

Contrary to popular beliefs, the Bible calls us to judge ourselves, others ,lifestyles, actions and the secular world. We are given God’s wisdom so our intent must always be to help, correct, redirect, encourage, guide, teach and lead all we meet to the Lord; NOT to be judgmental.

Supportive Scriptures

1. Matthew 7:1-5
2. Mathew 12:39-42
3. Luke 7:43
4. Luke 9:22-23
5. John 5:30
6. John 7:23-24
7. Acts 4:19
8. Acts 23:3
9. Acts 24:10-16
10. Acts 15:19
11. Psalm 51:4
12. Romans 2:1-3
13. Romans 12:3
14. Deuteronomy 1:17
15. 2 Chronicles 9:6
16. Proverbs 24:23
17. Isaiah 16:5
18. 1 Corinthians 4:2-5
19. 1 Corinthians 5:12-13
20. 1 Corinthians 10:15
21. 1 Corinthians 11:13
22. 1 Corinthians 11:29-32
23. James 3:1
24. 1 Peter 4:16-18

We are called to be accountable and in Christian love and wisdom to judge ourselves and each other so that repentance is always at hand and our faith is real and validated by our fruit.

True Christianity is not some theoretical belief system that we control or use for our benefit when needed. True Christianity is action-filled faith, full of fruit, for all to judge, all to see and all to follow. Nothing gets in the way; nothing comes before Christ because we are His creation and desire more than anything to follow His teachings. In our fruit is the reality of faith, and the bible calls us to judge that fruit and faith.

Easter Service 2012

41. To secure our resurrection from the dead. (Romans 8:11)
42. To disarm the rulers and authorities.  (Colossians 2:14-15)
43. To unleash the power of God in the Gospel. (1 Corinthians 1:18)
44. To destroy the hostility between races. (Ephesians 2:14-16)
45. To ransom people from every tribe, language, people and nation. (Revelation 5:9)
46. To gather all His sheep from around the world. (John 10:16)
47. To rescue us from final judgment.  (Hebrews 9:28)
48. To gain His joy and ours. (Hebrews 12:2)
49. So that He would be crowned with glory and honor. (Philippians 2:7-9)
50. To show that the worst evil is meant by God for good. (Acts 4:27-28)

In the wake of all we have learned in this study of Jesus and his obedience to God’s salvation plan, how will we celebrate Easter this year? Secular or Spiritual? Will you grow closer to God and accept His gifts of grace and mercy or be indifferent and reject your eternal future?

31. So that we would die to the law and bear fruit for God. (Romans 7:4)
32. To enable us to live for Christ and not ourselves. (2 Corinthians 5:15)
33. To make His cross the ground of all our boasting. (Galatians 6:14)
34. To enable us to live by faith in Him. (Galatians 2:20)
35. To give marriage it’s deepest meaning. (Ephesians 5:25)
36. To create a people passionate for good works. (Titus 2:14)
37. To call us to follow His example of lowliness and costly living. (Philippians 2:5-8)
38. To create a band of crucified followers. (Matthew 10:38)
39. To free us from bondage to the fear of death. (Hebrews 2:14-15)
40. So that we would be with Him immediately after death. (1 Thessalonians 5:10)

Which reason caught your eye this week? Which Bible passage touched your heart the most? This Easter, let us all come to Christ and celebrate as God would have us; rejoice in His salvation plan.