The First Shall be Last

Contract or Consecration. Matthew 19:16-30, Matthew 20:1-16

I: The Rich Young Ruler.
1. “There came one running and kneeling.” Openly not ashamed, humbled himself.
2. “Good Master.” A right conception of Christ. There is none good but God. This was probably what he meant.
3. “What shall I do?” I’m willing to bargain.
4. He went away grieved.
a. Jesus was not out to make bargains.
b. How many churches would have been thrilled to accept him!
c. Peter must have been disappointed because of what he say (but he thought and thought).
5. Jesus said “It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle …”

II: “So we have Left All, and Have Followed Thee.”
1. The rich young ruler got what he wanted most.
2. Now Peter was counting the cost and asking about the reward. James and John and others like them. Annias and Sapphira.
3. What will I profit if I serve God?
4. “Many that are first shall be last, and the last shall be first.” Matthew 19:30

III: For the Kingdom of Heaven is like…:
1. Went out early in the morning to hire.
2. Agreed with the laborers, A contract.
3. He hired others, “I will pay you a fair wage.”
4. The one with the contract were unhappy.
5. The reward was to those who left the pay to Him.
6. The return of the President of the USA from a hunting trip to Africa. The return of an old missionary and his wife. “My son you aren’t home yet!” “Gentlemen, being a deacon is a thankless job; no one ever thanks me.” If we look for a contract, we may be very unhappy.