370. MAT 21:28. ON WORKING IN GOD’S VINEYARD
Mat_21:28. On Working in God’s Vineyard
"Son, go, work today in my vineyard."’97Mat_21:28.
Among the various metaphors by which the church and kingdom of Christ are represented, none is more common or more beautifully expressive than that of a vineyard. Read over the following passage, Isa_5:1. Then see Mat_21:33. Now, in the act of conversion, the believer is transplanted out of the desert of the world, into the vineyard of the church. He is cut off from the wild olive, and engrafted into Christ, the true and living vine. In this change, God contemplates the salvation of the individual; but besides this, he also contemplates the improvement of his church, and the diffusion of his truth. While he invites souls to come to him to be saved, he also invites them to dedicate their entire selves to his glory, that "whether they eat or drink, or whatever they do," &c. He says to all of them, "Go, work today in my vineyard." Practical Christianity is working for God. Let me, then, endeavor to illustrate this proposition. We notice,
I. That all Believers are called to work for God.
II. The Spirit in which this Work should be conducted.
And,
III. The Motives by which it may be enforced.
I. That all Believers are called to work for God.
The work of personal religion is not that to which we now allude. That is included in those express injunctions, "Give diligence," &c.; "Work out your own salvation," &c. Now, the work we refer to will be best illustrated by looking at some of the figurative descriptions given of the church of Christ. The church of Christ is likened,
1. To an army.
Every Christian is a soldier of the cross; every soldier is interested in this war every one the same enemies; every on in danger; every one must fight. This command belongs to each, from the greatest to the least. "Fight the good," &c. "War a good," &c. Now, this army is to make aggressive movements, &c.: to push the conquests of Christ onwards; to subdue the nations to Jesus, the world to his cross. It is not enough for each soldier to try to secure himself, he must be concerned for the prosperity of the whole, &c. The church is likened,
2. To the human body.
This is fully set forth by the apostle, 1Co_12:7, &c. Now, every member, and muscle, and nerve has its proper function, and each contributes to the welfare of the whole. Then, in the text, the church is likened,
3. To a vineyard.
Those engaged to go into it, are expressly engaged to work. A proprietor never dreams of engaging persons, merely to eat of the fruits of the vineyard, or to be indolent in it, but to work; and when God calls and engages the soul, it is expressly to work in his vineyard. The parable of the talents clearly teaches the same momentous truths. "We are to show forth his praises who hath called us," &c. Let us, then, notice,
II. The Spirit in which this Work should be conducted.
In preparing to work for Christ, we should consider,
1. The talents which God has committed to us.
If all must work, all must have some ability, some qualification. Some have the talent of eloquence to plead for Christ; some of intelligence to devise, &c.; some of strength to work, &c.; some have time; others influence; others wealth, &c. We should consider how important to be in our right place.
2. The sphere in which Providence has placed us.
It is obvious all cannot occupy the same sphere. Some are designed to go forth into the wide world, &c. Now, there are three spheres which are open to every Christian.
(1) The Church. All may minister to the edifying or comforting of the Church. All may devotedly labor for her peace and pray for her prosperity The Church has various departments of duty, &c. Opportunities of beneficence.
(2) The Family. Every Christian family ought to be a nursery for the church. You are to teach the way of salvation to your children. Educate them in the way of piety. Here, Christian mothers have a most important sphere of labor. Here you may work for God most effectually.
(3) The neighborhood in which you live. Now, your lights are to shine here especially. You can exercise your influence, present your example, give the kindly invitation, send the instructive tract, &c.; you can try to bring them to Jesus. Then, consider,
3. The spirit in which you are to prosecute this work.
(1) It must be in the spirit of cheerful delight. God would not have creeping things offered in sacrifice. God will not have the service of constraint, &c.; it must be voluntary and cheerful; we must run in the way of God’s commandments; we must delight in the law of the Lord; we must serve him as affectionate children, not as unwilling slaves.
(2) It must be in the spirit of holy constancy. Instant in season, and out of season. The racer stays not till he has touched the goal; the warrior till the battle is ended. Having put our hands, &c.; having professed Christ, we must hold fast, &c.; having received the Lord Jesus Christ, we must walk in him. Now, we must work, though we may be maligned and persecuted, &c. "Be faithful even unto death."
(3) It must be in the spirit of deep humility. In religion there must be no boasting, no self-glorying. Philosophers and men of literature may boast if they please, not so the Christian. Before you boast, prove that you have done more than your duty; prove that the Lord has not rewarded you abundantly; prove that you have given the Lord aught but what he has first given you. See Paul, "less than the least," &c. How unbecoming is self-importance and arrogance in religion! After all we are unprofitable servants.
(4) It must be in the spirit of grateful love to Jesus. I am Christ’s servant; I must not act to please myself or fellow men, but Christ. Any other motive than this, will render it unacceptable to God; whatever we do, we must do it in the name of Jesus.
(5) It must be done in the spirit of promptitude and attention. "To-day." To-day has its demands and opportunities and facilities, and they will never, never return. Every day of indolence is a day of which God is robbed; a day wherein we have lost the comfort arising from obedience, and accompanying reward at the last day. "Whatever thine hand findeth to do," &c. Resolutions, and plans, and desires, will not avail with God. The day must nave its work, for the night cometh, &c. Now, let us consider,
III. The Motives by which it may be enforced.
Here I shall confine myself to three particulars,
1. The motive of obligation.
Now, this obligation is twofold; love and authority. Christ says, "Ye are my friends," &c. "If ye love me," &c., see Mar_3:31. We must love Christ, both as King and Priest.
2. The motive of our personal well-being.
We cannot thrive in religion without the Divine blessing; this we shall receive in the way of duty. Our peace, our improvement, and all, depends upon our Christian diligence and devotedness. Spiritual indolence will cause our souls to be like the field of the sluggard. Our talents must flow, or a stagnant lake is produced; our energies must be laid out, or they will rust; our faculties must be employed, or they will be paralyzed, &c.
3. The motive of our final safety.
We must all be judged according to our works. Let me refer you to the case of the unprofitable servant, Mat_25:24, &c. Mark, his sin was unprofitableness, not infidelity, not profanity, &c, Joh_5:28, "Done good," &c. Those who die in the Lord, "their works must follow them."
Application
Should not the subject,
1. Fill each of us with shame and confusion of face? How little we have done for Christ, and for the extension of his kingdom 2. Let it stir us up to increased earnest ness in our Christian duties.
3. Invite those who are without, to enter Christ’s vineyard, &c
Autor: JABEZ BURNS