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Eleventh Hour Obedience. Matthew 20:1-16. A bumper sticker reads…. Eleventh Hour Obedience.
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Eleventh Hour Obedience Matthew 20:1-16
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…
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)
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)
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)
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.
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)
Obey Now • The erring Christian must repent and pray (Acts 8:20-24) • The faithful Christian must grow (2 Pet. 1:5-9)
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)