“Through the Looking Glass” The Kingdom of Heaven as seen through the parables of Jesus

“For now we see through a glass…” – I Cor. 13:12

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“Maximum Wage”

Workers in the Vineyard: Matthew 20:1-16

20 ¹ For the kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out early in the morning to hire workers for his vineyard. ² He agreed to pay them a denarius for the day and sent them into his vineyard. ³ About nine in the morning he went out and saw others standing in the marketplace doing nothing. ⁴ He told them, “You also go and work in my vineyard, and I will pay you whatever is right.” ⁵ So they went. He went out again about noon and about three in the afternoon and did the same thing. ⁶ About five in the afternoon he went out and found still others standing around. He asked them, “Why have you been standing here all day long doing nothing?” ⁷ “Because no one has hired us,” they answered. He said to them, “You also go and work in my vineyard.” ⁸ When evening came, the owner of the vineyard said to his foreman, “Call the workers and pay them their wages, beginning with the last ones hired and going on to the first.” ⁹ The workers who were hired about five in the afternoon came and each received a denarius. ¹⁰ So when those came who were hired first, they expected to receive more. But each one of them also received a denarius. ¹¹ When they received it, they began to grumble against the landowner. ¹² “These who were hired last worked only one hour,” they said, “and you have made them equal to us who have borne the burden of the work and the heat of the day.” ¹³ But he answered one of them, “I am not being unfair to you, friend. Didn’t you agree to work for a denarius? ¹⁴ Take your pay and go. I want to give the one who was hired last the same as I gave you. ¹⁵ Don’t I have the right to do what I want with my own money? Or are you envious because I am generous?” ¹⁶ So the last will be first, and the first will be last.

 

MAXIMUM PAY!

• GOD’S DAILY PROVISION

Genesis 8:22 created seasons/natural, powerful replenishment

Exodus 16:11-12 P.M. meat (quail) & A.M. bread (manna)… you will know that I am the Lord…

Philippians 4:19 according to his riches in glory

Matthew 6:26 birds… feeds them… you worth more

MAXIMUM BENEFITS!

• GOD’S DAILY PRESENCE

Genesis 3:8 Lord walked in garden with them

Exodus 33:14 My presence shall go with you (“ark of the presence”), and I will give you rest

Psalm 16:11 make known the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy

I John 4:12 God abides in us… His love is perfected in us.

Hebrews 13:5 free from love of money / content / never leave nor forsake

Matthew 28:20 teaching them to obey… with you always

MAXIMUM FULFILLMENT!

• GOD’S DAILY PRODUCTIVITY

II Peter 1:3 granted us everything for life and godliness

I Corinthians 15:54-58 death swallowed up in victory… labor not in vain

II Timothy 4: 6-8  poured out… good fight… finished the race

MAXIMUM RETIREMENT PACKAGE!

• GOD’S ETERNAL “PENSION”

II Timothy 4:6-8 poured out… fought good fight… crown of righteousness

Matthew 5:11-12 Blessed… persecuted… great is your reward

I Corinthians 2:7-9 no eye has seen, no ear heard, no mind imagined…

Philippians 3:20-21 transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body

Revelation 21:4  no more death, mourning, crying, pain… former passed

“Whoever has ears, let them hear.” – Matthew 11:15