Where Is the Fairness?


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September 24, 2017. Pastor Penny preaches today on the Parable of the Workers in the Vineyard, from Matthew 20. Sometimes life doesn’t feel fair. We might try to be the best Christians, the best family members, the best citizens. So shouldn’t we be rewarded more than people who don’t? If the reward is the same no matter what we do, where is the fairness? But if we step back and look at our lives through God’s eyes, we realize that we’ve already received the reward. We have a calling, a purpose. God sought us out to bless us and empower us to be a blessing to others.

*** [Keywords: 2017 African American Christ Lutheran Church God does things that are not fair God doesn’t remove them God finds us God is like the landowner God sends the rain on the just and the unjust alike Google Maps I own two guns Jesus earned reward Jesus won Kingdom of God Matthew 20:1-16 Parable helps us Parable of the Generous Employer Parable of the Laborers in the Vineyard Parable of the Workers in the Vineyard Pastor Penny Holste Peter the disciple Protestant work ethic Stockley trial aerial view of home all the responsibilities in life already received it angry approach this story arrogant be a blessing to others best Christians we can be best citizens best family members better off bless us and empower us bothered by story called them friends cars caucasian change of heart character in story child we hold closeup view compared themselves comparing never brings us joy completely at the mercy confidence constantly notice couldn’t see it criminal all his life dangerous day laborers death bed decision of the landowner deserve die painful death difficult unfair world dish we wash dismiss this story doesn’t feel fair don’t know how to stop don’t want to suggest down to earth drastically cut drudgery drug dealer early risers email we send equal pay for equal work everyone is cared for everything he does everything looks different fair salary feed their families feel it isn’t fair feel pretty satisfied felt so much better finds them fisherman food stamps forget about unfairness friend excels gathered his friends get what we really need gives us a gift gives us what we need go home going to get gun good Christians grace of Christ greed heavy lifting honest how fair is it iPhone X if the reward is the same no matter what you do injustice invite you over for dinner jobs joyfully latecomers level playing field life full of love lifted up to new life like your house little dot makes them an offer makes us bitter making messes means minorities neighbor’s house no different no economic usefulness no job no land not what we deserve office one who loves it our homes own home paper we write pay someone perfectly happy pleasure of God preferential hiring prevalence of guns in city privilege purpose racism reason for being remodeled resentful respond to armed robbery reward of eternal life reward was already given to them roof over their heads salvation same problem with God same wage satellite view saved school seeing the whole city seeking us out selfishness sermon shouldn’t there be something more for us side by side with Christ slaves something extra start with same opportunities sufferings take on new meaning tax collectors than for people who don’t the big picture there at the break of dawn thief on the cross through the eyes to be saved today you will be with me in paradise trapped trees tricky story try to be unavoidable unfairness verdict very poor wage way we look at the story we have a calling we talk we’ve given up everything to follow you were no different what is our reward where is the fairness where is the justice whole new light why don’t I succeed wish I had the money with us in this challenging life women word we speak work hard worked all day worked for only one hour working within it works all day in the heat you should only be paid if you work zoom out]