Primary Text: Matthew 20:1-34; Luke 19:1-10
Memory Verse: “And whoever desires to be first among you, let him be your slave—just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.” Matthew 20:27-28
Introduction:
Do we rely entirely and absolutely on God? Total faith is impossible for us without a true understanding of the person and character of God. But by special revelation, (the power of God’s word), perfect faith is imparted to the human heart. Paul wrote in Romans 10:17: “So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” The apostle also wrote in Ephesians 2:8-9: “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.” God’s work of grace on the behalf of saving men, and the quality of genuine faith which secures our salvation is completely the gift of God. There is not a single aspect of salvation for which man can rightly credit himself. Salvation, grace, and faith, and the love of God which made it possible, are all a divine gift. But we must go even further with faith than this.
The way we plan our lives, set our priorities, order our days, and engage in life’s many activities both small and great are all to be accomplished by faith in God. How we live our lives makes a profound difference in promoting God’s kingdom. Pride and selfishness are natural enemies of serving God, and the old human nature is steeped with an abundance of both. Christ must dwell within our hearts if we are to have the daily, overcoming power to defeat our corrupt natures. Seeking more of His indwelling Spirit, keeping our hearts sensitive and pliable to the Master, is vital to spiritual victory. No life of faith and power is an accident.
Seeking God must become our daily passion! The author of Hebrews wrote concerning faith: “But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.” (Hebrews 11:6). The key word here is “diligently.” It means that all else is set aside. To seek Him with diligence is to make Him our first priority. We should stop and ask ourselves: Is knowing, serving, and loving Jesus Christ the first thing in my life?
Studying the Word
Lesson Study
- Examine the employment strategy of the master of the vineyard in Jesus’ parable of Matthew 20:1-7. What difference was there in the hiring of the second and third groups from the first?
- Discuss the joy of knowing that God uses laborers to build and promote the kingdom of God. John 4:34-37; 1 Corinthians 15:58
- When the master of the vineyard paid his workers, what problem did those hired early in the morning have? Matthew 20:8-16 What were the important points of this parable?
- How specific was Jesus in sharing about His trial, death, and resurrection with His closest disciples? Matthew 20:17-19; Mark 10:32-34; Luke 18:31-34
- What important details were involved in the self-seeking of James and John? Matthew 20:20-24; Mark 10:35-41
- What truth did Jesus reveal to them through this situation? Matthew 20:25-28; Mark 10:42-45
- Describe the unique faith of Bartimaeus. Matthew 20:29-34; Mark 10:46-52; Luke 18:35-43
- What can be learned about the way of salvation from Jesus’ encounter with Zaccheus? Luke 19:1-10