1. To download a copy of today’s lesson go to TheGoodTeacher.com and click on “Gospel Meetings”

2. Eleventh Hour Obedience Matthew 20:1-15 Prepared by Chris Reeves * Southside church of Christ Gospel Meeting * September 21, 2015

3. A bumper sticker reads…

4. Eleventh Hour Obedience This parable teaches some important lessons: 1) the need to work and sacrifice; 2) God keeps his word; 3) God’s will determines the reward; and, 4) the reward for obedience, early (Jew) or late (Gentile), is the same However, intentionally delaying obedience to the last minute is unwise Consider four reasons…

5. We Are Responsible Now Delaying obedience is unwise because we are responsible now Truth makes us responsible the moment it is revealed (Jn. 3:16-21, 36; 15:22-24; Acts 13:44-52; 18:6)

6. We Do Not Know Some Things Delaying obedience is unwise because we do not know when (if) we will die or when Jesus will return We may die or we may be alive when Jesus comes (1 Thess. 4:13ff) Jesus’ return will be unexpected (Mt. 24:44; 25:13; 1 Thess. 5:2; 2 Pet. 3:10)

7. We Can Become Hardened Delaying obedience is unwise because we can become hardened A “soft” (humble) attitude can become hardened with time (Acts 19:9; Heb. 3:18 – 4:7)

8. We Rob Ourselves of Good Delaying obedience is unwise because we rob ourselves of the good years of service to the Lord and others Little time left to be working good (Jn. 9:4), to be a light (Phil. 2:15), a teacher in the church (Acts 13:1), a servant for God (1 Thess. 1:9), an elder/deacon/preacher (1 Tim. 3-4), a Christian [spouse] (1 Pet. 3:7; 4:16), a real godly life (1 Tim. 4:8), etc.

9. Obey Now You must hear Jesus (2 Thess. 1:8) You must believe in Jesus (Jn. 20:31) You must turn to (repent) Jesus (Acts 20:21) You must confess Jesus (Rom. 10:9-10) You must put on (baptism) Jesus (Rom. 6:3) You must live godly in Jesus (2 Tim. 3:12)

10. Obey Now The erring Christian must repent and pray (Acts 8:20-24) The faithful Christian must grow (2 Pet. 1:5-9)

11. Obey Now Immediately (Acts 8:36; 16:33; 22:16) Now is the day of salvation (2 Cor. 6:2) No “convenient season” (Acts 24:25), no “almost” Christian (Acts 26:28)