The Blessing of a Life Long Faith | Matthew 20:1-2

[00:00:00] We'll Truth Daily. This is Daily Truths with Dave Ahlman. It is a blessing to know Jesus early in life. And I know for many of you that's been the case. Today we look at Matthew 20 verses 1 and 2. For the kingdom of heaven is like a master of a house

[00:00:45] who went out early in the morning to hire laborers for his vineyard. After agreeing with the laborers for a dinner area today, he sent them into his vineyard. Now this was a very common practice back then

[00:00:58] where a master had a vineyard, he had a large house and he had to hire people to harvest the grapes in the fall. And so he'd go out and he'd hire people sometimes early in the morning, sometimes midday, sometimes later in the day.

[00:01:10] But he needed the help. And usually when he found someone that was willing to do it, especially early in the morning listening to this, they would negotiate the pay. And when the pay was agreeable to both parties, both the master and the worker, they would say,

[00:01:25] that's a deal. They maybe shake hands on it and then they'd say together, let's get to work. Okay, what's the application of this? The master is God. The laborer is you and me.

[00:01:38] And the vineyard is the church. Here's the deal for many of us very early in life. God brought us to faith by the power of the Holy Spirit so that we confess the name of Jesus.

[00:01:52] We're incorporated into the family of God and started living for the Lord Jesus Christ. We believed and started living for the Lord. Where did we do that? We probably got involved in a church. Our faith was nurtured there and strengthened there.

[00:02:07] We were continued to be pointed to the Lord Jesus Christ, his Savior, Lord, Redeemer and King. And then as a result of that, we started using our gifts and talents to serve the Lord in the local congregation.

[00:02:20] This is the way it's supposed to be. Let me reiterate, God is the master. We are the laborers and the church is vineyard. The church by the power of the Holy Spirit cultivates and nurtures our faith.

[00:02:34] And then as a result of that, we say, how can I serve you Lord Jesus? So here's the incredible thing. For many of us who are listening to my words today, this has been our lot in life, from almost all our lives. And that is a blessing.

[00:02:51] But we're saved, not by our works. We're saved, not by our service, not by our labor in the vineyard. We're saved by grace, receive through faith in Jesus Christ alone. That's when we became Christians.

[00:03:07] And then we say, Lord Jesus, I'm going to serve you the rest of my days. So here's the thing, if you've been a Christian for a long time, thank the Lord. If you've been a Christian for a short time, thank the Lord.

[00:03:19] And as we dig into this parable, you're going to see it really doesn't matter whether you've been a believer for a long time or a believer for a short time, the goal is the same thing. He eternal life through faith in Christ.

[00:03:33] I don't know about you, but I thank the Lord that I'm a believer. And when I look at how chaotic our world is and how misdirected and purposeless our world is for 67 years, I've had direction and purpose and hope and security in Christ.

[00:03:51] And many of you have as well since very early in your life that is a blessing. A lot of times I hear people say, you know, I wish I would have known what it was like, not to know Jesus, then I might appreciate the grace of God more.

[00:04:08] Well, that may be true, but don't don't envy that. People that sow their wild oats and were far away from the kingdom of God and did all kinds of things dictated by their own sinful nature, they will tell you

[00:04:21] there's so glad now that they're believers and they wish they would have become believers way earlier in life. For many of us we've been believers almost all our lives. Thanks be to God.

[00:04:33] And here's your take on point tonight when you say your prayers, thank the Lord for bringing you to faith in most of your cases.

[00:04:41] Are listening to me now, for bringing you to faith a long time ago and his word and his sacrament has nurtured and solidified your faith all these years. And that is a blessing of God.

[00:04:56] Have a great day in the Lord Jesus Christ and that is today's Daily Truth. Thank you for tuning in to Daily Truths with Dave Almond. Master Dave Almond is the pastor of Mount Holt Church in Boulder, Colorado. If you feel led, would you consider giving to this ministry?

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