Jeff Robison The “New” Math of God’s Grace! (1) Matthew 20:1-16

Wednesday October 15 6:00 burgers and dogs provided you bring sides Devotional and Fall Family Feast Youth Portable Open House

(DELIVERED!!!)  Smiles Boxes (Nicaragua) (DELIVERED!!!)  Spouse Abuse Center (ongoing)  Cans for Children at Mt. Dora (Sept.14 – Dec. 14)  Walk for Life – November 1  Angel Tree (at risk kids) November Neighbors Count!!!!

“Community Counts” January 10 & 17

 New Math  Common Core “New Math”

“Old Fashion” Way ~ Answer The “New” Way 32-12=___ = = = =32 20 ~ answer

Enter Now the Enter Now the Spiritual Arena of Spiritual Arena of The “New” Math The “New” Math of God’s Grace! of God’s Grace!

Example #1 Now the tax collectors and sinners were all gathering around to hear Jesus. But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law muttered, “This man welcomes sinners and eats with them. Luke 15:1,2 1 2

Example #1 Then Jesus told them this parable: “Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Doesn’t he leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it? Luke 15:3,4 3 4

Example #1 And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders and goes home. Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.’ Luke 15:5,6 5 6

Example #1 I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent. Luke 15:7 7

Six days before the Passover, Jesus came to Bethany, where Lazarus lived, whom Jesus had raised from the dead. Here a dinner was given in Jesus’ honor. Martha served, while Lazarus was among those reclining at the table with him. Example #2 John 12:1,2 2 1

Then Mary took about a pint of pure nard, an expensive perfume; she poured it on Jesus’ feet and wiped his feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume. Example #2 John 12:3 3

But one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, who was later to betray him, objected, “Why wasn’t this perfume sold and the money given to the poor? It was worth a year’s wages. Example #2 John 12:4,5 4 5

He did not say this because he cared about the poor but because he was a thief; as keeper of the money bag, he used to help himself to what was put into it. Example #2 John 12:6 6

“Leave her alone,” Jesus replied. “It was intended that she should save this perfume for the day of my burial. You will always have the poor among you, but you will not always have me.” Example #2 John 12:7,8 7 8

Example #3 Jesus sat down opposite the place where the offerings were put and watched the crowd putting their money into the temple treasury. Many rich people threw in large amounts. Mark 12:41 41

Example #3 But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth only a few cents. Mark 12:42 42

Example #3 Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, “Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything – all she had to live on.” Mark 12:43,

Example #4 Matthew 20:1-16

 What?  Grumble! ‘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. Vs. 12

 No economic sense  “Economy of Grace” – can in no way be compared “Economy of the World System”

 Grace is not about finishing first or last; calculating wages “But he answered one of them, ‘I am not being unfair to you, friend. Didn’t you agree to work for a denarius?” Vs. 13

Take your pay and go. I want to give the one who was hired last the same as I gave you. Don’t I have the right to do what I want with my own money? Or are you envious because I am generous?’ Vs. 14,15

If we aren’t careful we risk missing the story’s point… “That God dispenses Grace not wages. None of us get paid according to merit, Philip Yancey, Amazing p. 55

for none of us comes close to satisfying God requirements of a perfect life. If paid on the basis of fairness, we would all end up in hell.” Philip Yancey, Amazing p. 55

“In the words of Robert Capon, “If the world could have been saved by good bookkeeping, it would have been saved by Moses, not Jesus.” “In the words of Robert Capon, “If the world could have been saved by good bookkeeping, it would have been saved by Moses, not Jesus.” Philip Yancey, Amazing p. 56

Grace cannot be reduced to generally accepted accounting principles. In the bottom line realm of ungrace, some workers deserve more than others but in the realm of grace the word “DESERVE” does not even apply. Yancey, Amazing p. 56

In a world of “ungrace” we from early in our lives are bombarded with the Phrases of success – achievement

 The early bird gets the ______  No ____ No ____

 No such thing as a ___ _____  Demand your ____

 You ___ what you _____ for!  I ____ for what I ____

 I want people to ___ what they___, nothing _____ nothing _____

…and yet in the economy of God’s grace I hear the whisper… You _______ punishment you _______ forgiveness!!

 Jacob  Rahab  David  Woman at the well

 Woman caught in adultery  Zacchaeus  Saul/Paul

For I am the least of the apostles and do not even deserve to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. Apostle Paul speaks of Himself… I Corinthians 15:9 9

But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace to me was not without effect. No, I worked harder than all of them-yet not I, but the grace of God that was with me. I Corinthians 15:10 10

Whether, then, it is I or they, this is what we preach, and this is what you believed. I Corinthians 15:11 11

I Timothy 1:13-17

At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another. Apostle Paul speaks to us Titus 3:3

But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, Apostle Paul speaks to us Titus 3:4,5 4 5

whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life. Apostle Paul speaks to us Titus 3:6,7 6 7

Jesus kingdom calls us to another way, one that depends “Not” on our performance but “His”! We do not “achieve” but we “receive” the gift and it “transforms” our lives!

1. Chose your favorite “grace passage and read it daily” 2. Journal on what it means and how it transforms your life This week:

3. After reading, journaling say a prayer of “Thanksgiving” This week:

4. Pick your favorite grace song listen to it; sing it; be moved by it! This week:

5. Practice “grace” to at least one person this week! This week: