Are you a 6 a.m. person or a 5 p.m. person?
Pastor Eddy Alemon, General Secretary for the Reformed Church in America, was our guest speaker on April 23. He taught from one of the parables in Matthew that speaks to the Kingdom of Heaven.
Pastor Eddy mentioned the RCA is 400 years old and very multi-ethnic. Most of the current growth is in Spanish speaking cultures. He emphasized that in a divided culture such as the one in which we live, that it is important to stay focused on the core message of Jesus and the Gospel and not on our differences. He views his calling as the equipper of the saints, not really as a denomination member or a title. He invited us into considering how NONE of us are given what we deserve in the Kingdom of God, but we are given what we need.
INVITATION: You are invited into the study this week regarding the unfair generosity of God. How do YOU feel about God's unfairness regarding His grace given? Do you grumble and feel entitled? Do you feel like you are an "equipper" in the Kingdom? How are you involved in the equipping of saints these days? Or, are you more involved in divisiveness and/or grumbling?
MONDAY: John 13:34-35: "By this others will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another." Pastor David Watson writes in "Fear No Evil" about a time God showed him that any 'love' for him meant nothing unless he was able to love from his heart his brother or sister in Christ. "As the Lord put various names into my mind I began to write letters to about twelve people asking for forgiveness for hurting them, for still being inwardly angry against them - or whatever. It was the most painful pruning and purging I can remember in my entire Christian life. But fruitful! Already some replies to my letters have reduced me to tears!" As you consider this verse and this writing, are there people who come to mind you need to forgive? Do you feel nudged to write a note or call them? How might you move forward with a more pure and unadulterated love for others? How would you pray for God to help you? Remember, we cannot do this on our own and we don't have to!
TUESDAY: Matthew 20:1-2: In ancient Israel, a workday was from 6 a.m. until 6 p.m. The land owner went out looking for workers. God is often called "the hound of heaven." A popular worship song is how God comes "running after" each of us. How might God be pursuing you right now? Are you paying attention? Are you responding?
WEDNESDAY: Matthew 20:3-7: The different workers came to the vineyard at different times of the day. We all come to Jesus at different times in our lives. How do you identify yourself in your journey with Jesus? Are you an early arriver, or did you come to know Jesus in the waning, late hours? Pastor Eddy mentioned he considers himself a 5 p.m. arriver because he was not raised in a home that attended church or pursued Jesus. He came to the Lord at age 16. Maybe you came even later in life? How do you feel about EVERYONE getting the grace they don't deserve....not just the "early arrivers?"
THURSDAY: Matthew 20:8-13: How would you feel if you were one of the first workers to be hired? Imagine your excitement when you see the latecomers receive a generous reward, and then your frustration when you receive the same amount. Now place yourself in the position of the latecomers: How do you feel receiving your reward and then hearing the early arrivals complain and grumble about how you have been treated? Next put yourself in the position of the landowner: What goes through your mind as some of the workers protest your policies? Notice the wording in verse 12 about "you have made them equal to us." This is about more than wages. This is about status. How important is status in your life? How does it play out in your relationship within the Body of Christ?
FRIDAY: Luke 15:28-32: As you consider these verses about the older brother in the story of the prodigal son, how does status and entitlement come into play? The older son "was always with" the father and resented someone coming to the father late. How do you feel about the seemingly unfair generosity of God upon the younger brother?
SATURDAY: Matthew 20:14-16: The Kingdom of God is often called the "upside down kingdom." One of the primary reasons is because of verse 16 about the first being last and the last being first. Perhaps some questions to take into prayer this week are these: Where do I expend my greatest effort and energy? Is it to dominate and gain control, or is it to love and serve others? What is more important to me and how I align my life: taking charge or meeting needs? Do I prefer to act in secret or do I have a burning desire to be recognized?