Parable of the Laborers in the Vineyard New Testament Teach of Me February 22, 2009

Items of Business This week: Parable of the Laborers in the Vineyard Matthew 20 Next Week: Resurrection JS-Matthew; Matthew Meal announced by Friday February 27 Guest speaker

1.What 2 things does Jesus foretell about himself in Matthew 20? 2.How much did the householder agree to pay the laborers? 3.In what hour did he first go out and give work to the idle? 4.What disability did the two men have whom Jesus healed (end of Matt 20)? 5.The mother of [extra credit]s children wanted her sons to sit on the right and left hand of Christ in His kingdom. How did Jesus prove this was impossible to happen? Quiz

Matthew 20 Parable in Matthew 20:1-16 What is the context? Where can we look for context? previous chapters or verses (Matt 19)

Matthew 19 Matthew 19: Questions: How may I have eternal life? What do I still lack to obtain eternal life? Give all earthly treasures up for heavenly v24 easier for a camel to go through the eye of needle, than rich man enter the kingdom of God

Matthew 19 Matthew 19:25, 28-29…disciples were surprised Question: (v25) Who then can be saved? Christs answer: (v28-29) Honor Him and receive one-hundred fold that of your efforts

Matthew 19 To whom is this parable directed to? (v.27) Peter A rebuke against entitlement and self- righteousness I worked harder, I deserve more.

Matthew This difficult parable is closely linked with what goes before, and can only be understood in connection with it. It rebukes the spirit of Peter's enquiry, "We have left all and followed thee; what shall we have?" The Twelve through Peter had demanded a superlatively great reward, because they had been called first and had labored longest.

Matthew Such a reward had been promised them, should they prove worthy of it, though at the same time it was darkly hinted, that some outside the apostolic circle would prove in the end more worthy than some of the apostles. Bruce R. McConkie, DNTC 1:560-61

Matthew 20 What is this parable about? 1. It is a rebuke against the spirit of entitlement! 2. More important – it is an in- depth teaching about the Saviors grace and mercy!

Matthew 20 Important Symbols: 1. Lord of the Vineyard Christ 2. Laborers in the Vineyard Those who join the Church 3. The Penny Eternal Life – why??? small and simple means are great things brought to pass…

Matthew 20 Important Symbols: 3. The Penny Eternal Life – why??? small and simple means are great things brought to pass… They all worked, but at different times 11 th hournot always their fault they didnt know about the church

Matthew 20 Related scriptures with grace / mercy: 2 Nephi 25:23 2 Nephi 2:3 Who brings salvation? What is the value of ? = 8 Christs Graceusexaltation 8 Moroni 7:5-7, Moroni 10:32, Omni 1:26, 2 Nephi 25:23

Atonement and Grace Use it while you are sick (all the time because we are not perfect) To doctor: sorry I cannot take this medicine until I get better because I am not worthy of medicine. Dont give up His gift to you! = 8 Christs Graceusexaltation

Matthew 20 Notice of Christ describes the reward: v.4 right v.13 I do the no wrong v.15 lawful How can this be lawful? Not violate spiritual law of justice

Notice the bad attitudes…v We say that people are proud of being rich, or clever, or good looking, but they are not. They are proud of being richer, or cleverer, or better-looking than others. If every one else became equally rich, or clever, or good-looking there would be nothing to be proud about.

Pride gets no pleasure out of having something, only out of having more of it than the next man....It is the comparison that makes you proud: the pleasure of being above the rest. Once the element of competition has gone, pride has gone. C.S. Lewis. Mere Christianity, p Notice the bad attitudes…v It is not enough just to be a laborer/member Why?

Notice the good attitudes…v Some Christians carry their religion on their backs. It is a packet of beliefs and practices which they must bear. At times it grows heavy and they would willingly lay it down, but that would mean a break with old traditions, so they shoulder it again. But real Christians do not carry their religion, their religion carries them. It is not weight; it is wings.

It lifts them up, it sees them over hard places, it makes the universe seem friendly, life purposeful, hope real, sacrifice worthwhile. It sets them free from fear, futility, discouragement, and sinthe great enslavers of mens souls. You can know a real Christian, when you see him, by his buoyancy. L. Tom Perry, Ensign, Nov. 1999, 77; quoting Harry Emerson Fosdick, Twelve Tests of Character [1923], 87–88 Notice the good attitudes…v.10-12

Trials in our lives I never said it would be easy, I only said it would be worth it Jesus never said this! He said life is easy! But how can it be? Matt 11:29, John 5:12 His yoke and burden is easy When He is part of the equation = 8 Grace and easy burden sufficient for all

Jewish traditions…. How can we apply what we see, even if we do not practice the same things? Are their traditions wicked? Attitude towards work and others

Attitude defines character Take what you know. Improve it. Expand it. LIVE it. Doctrine of Inclusion, not Exclusion

Elder Ballard General Conference October 2001 There are some of our members who may fail to reach out with friendly smiles, warm handshakes, and loving service to all of their neighbors. At the same time, there may be those who move into our neighborhoods who are not of our faith who come with negative preconceptions about the Church and its members. Surely good neighbors should put forth every effort to understand each other and to be kind to one another regardless of religion, nationality, race, or culture.

Elder Ballard General Conference October 2001 Occasionally I hear of members offending those of other faiths by overlooking them and leaving them out. This can occur especially in communities where our members are the majority. I have heard about narrow-minded parents who tell children that they cannot play with a particular child in the neighborhood simply because his or her family does not belong to our Church. This kind of behavior is not in keeping with the teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ. I cannot comprehend why any member of our Church would allow these kinds of things to happen.

Elder Ballard General Conference October 2001 That is our doctrinea doctrine of inclusion. That is what we believe. That is what we have been taught. Of all people on this earth, we should be the most loving, the kindest, and the most tolerant because of that doctrine. Inclusion, not Exclusion

Why Does this happen? Study done in 2005 What doctrines or beliefs are offensive Most offensive? Doctrine of One True Church Do we believe in this doctrine?

The Only True Church… And also those to whom these commandments were given, might have a power to lay the foundation of this b church, and to bring it forth out of obscurity and out of c darkness, the only true and living d church upon the face of the whole earth, with which I, the Lord, am well e pleased, f speaking unto the church collectively and not individually. D&C 1:30

Two Churches Only… Behold there are save two churches only; the one is the church of the Lamb of God, and the other is the church of the devil; wherefore, whoso belongeth not to the church of the Lamb of God belongeth to that great church, which is the mother of abominations; and she is the whore of all the earth. 1 Nephi 14:10

Two Churches Only… Wherefore, he that fighteth against Zion, both Jew and Gentile, both bond and free, both male and female, shall perish; for they are they who are the whore of all the earth; for they who are not for me are against me, saith our God. 2 Nephi 10:16

So, Which Church Do You Belong To? There are only two categories in the realm of religion: religion that will save and religion that wont. The former is the church of the Lamb, and the latter, no matter how well intentioned, is a counterfeit. In the historical sense, though, only one entity can be the great and abominable church. Well-intentioned churches would thus not qualify as the mother of abominations. They do not slay the saints of God nor seek to control civil governments nor pursue wealth, luxury, and sexual immorality. Stephen E. Robinson, Ensign, Jan 1988, 37

So, Which Church Do You Belong To? Individual orientation to the Church of the Lamb or to the great and abominable church is not by membership but by loyalty. Just as there Latter-day Saints who belong to the great and abominable church because of their loyalty to Satan and his life- style, so there are members of other churches who belong to the Lamb because of their loyalty to him and his life-style. Membership is based more on who has your heart than on who has your records. Stephen E. Robinson, Ensign, Jan 1988, 37

The Church of the LambThe Church of the Devil The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

First Presidency Statement Based upon ancient and modern revelation, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints gladly teaches and declares the Christian doctrine that all men and women are brothers and sisters, not only by blood relationship from common mortal progenitors but also as literal spirit children of an Eternal Father. The great religious leaders of the world such as Mohammed, Confucius, and the Reformers, as well as philosophers including Socrates, Plato, and others, received a portion of Gods light. 15 February 1978

First Presidency Statement Moral truths were given to them by God to enlighten whole nations and to bring a higher level of understanding to individuals. …Consistent with these truths, we believe that God has given and will give to all peoples sufficient knowledge to help them on their way to eternal salvation, either in this life or in the life to come. We also declare that the gospel of Jesus Christ, restored to His Church in our day, provides the only way to a mortal life of happiness and a fulness of joy forever. 15 February 1978 Modern Technology and church

Technology and the Church ff

Elder Dallin H. Oaks The Masters reward in the Final Judgment will not be based on how long we have labored in the vineyard. We do not obtain our heavenly reward by punching a time clock. What is essential is that our labors in the workplace of the Lord have caused us to become something. For some of us, this requires a longer time than for others. What is important in the end is what we have become by our labors. General Conference October 2000

Elder Dallin H. Oaks Many who come in the eleventh hour have been refined and prepared by the Lord in ways other than formal employment in the vineyard. These workers are like the prepared dry mix to which it is only necessary to add waterthe perfecting ordinance of baptism and the gift of the Holy Ghost. With that additioneven in the eleventh hourthese workers are in the same state of development and qualified to receive the same reward as those who have labored long in the vineyard. General Conference October 2000

D&C 35:3-5 Behold, verily, verily, I say unto my servant Sidney, I have looked upon thee and thy works. I have heard thy prayers, and prepared thee for a greater work. Thou art blessed, for thou shalt do great things. Behold thou wast sent forth, even as John, to prepare the way before me, and before Elijah which should come, and thou knewest it not. Thou didst baptize [without authority] by water unto repentance, but they received not the Holy Ghost.

Ezra Taft Benson God, the Father of us all, uses the men of the earth, especially good men, to accomplish his purposes. It has been true in the past, it is true today, it will be true in the future. Ensign July 1972

Orson F. Whitney Perhaps the Lord needs such men on the outside of His Church to help it along. They are among its auxiliaries, and can do more good for the cause where the Lord has placed them, than anywhere else. Hence, some are drawn into the fold and receive a testimony of the truth; while others remain unconverted … the beauties and glories of the gospel being veiled temporarily from their view, for a wise purpose. The Lord will open their eyes in His own due time. God is using more than one people for the accomplishment of His great and marvelous work. The Latter- day Saints cannot do it all. It is too vast, too arduous for any one people. … We have no quarrel with the Gentiles. They are our partners in a certain sense. General Conference April 1928

Church of Lamb VS Church of Devil You can be charitable and good, but baptized later in life. Sometimes they were prepared in other ways and are only missing the temple ordinances required

The Church of the LambThe Church of the Devil The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints The Church of the Firstborn Church of Firstborn How can we be a part of it?

Consider… What is the point of being good if someone can be baptized right before dying and be saved? This parable rebukes entitlement, but what really is in it for us now?

Consider… Many are called but few are chosen Why are they not chosen? Priesthood is essential for ALL We can repent and return, but can never return to receive the blessings we could have had, had we been righteousness during those difficult times D&C 121:34-36

Elder Ballard General Conference October 2001 Get to know your neighbors. Learn about their families, their work, their views. Get together with them, if they are willing, and do so without being pushy and without any ulterior motives. Friendship should never be offered as a means to an end; it can and should be an end unto itself. Let us cultivate meaningful relationships of mutual trust and understanding with people from different backgrounds and beliefs.

For Your Growth… Dont put off those things you can do now which could improve your lives. Misery is not His light. Take time to help those who have made unrighteous decisions, because you never know what God has in store for them, no matter their current circumstance As for yourself and choices…Jacob 6:12 O be wise, what can I say more?