Sunday 20 September 2020

it is god’s prerogative, not ours,

Today is designated a Day of Prayer for Church Development. This can have different meanings for different people Some may think of things such as increasing membership, developing the physical plant, enhancing the quality of worship experiences, developing projects and programs to fund ministries. These all have their places in the life and development of the church.

Today however, I want us to view church development in terms of service in accordance with what I call God’s divine prerogative

In chapter 19 of the gospel according to Matthew, we read that Jesus was approached by a rich young man who asked what he needed to do to get eternal life. Jesus replied that he should obey the commandments. When he asked which ones, Jesus pointed him to the commandments which speak to interpersonal relationships, loving one’s neighbor are oneself. The man affirmed that he had be keeping them, but he also recognized that there was something missing. Jesus then told him, go sell what you have and give to the poor, then come and follow him. Saddened by this, the man left.

After that encounter Jesus turned to the disciples and told them that it was easier for a camel to go through a needles eye that for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. Peter, always quick to speak, pointed out to Jesus that the disciples had left everything behind to become his followers. So, He asked Jesus what will there be for us? what are we going to gain? .what will be our reward.?

A familiar question heard often in this world, even in the church at times, where some people think more about what they can get and not much of what they have to offer. What is the deal?

This is the context in which Jesus told the parable of the workers in the vineyard, A parable that teaches about the value of serving God and His Kingdom.

In the parable the landlord went out early in the morning and hired men to work in his vineyard for an agreed wage. Later that morning he went again and found others doing nothing in the marketplace. After that he went out on three other occasions during the day and found men not working, with one group even saying that no one wanted to hire them. On each occasion, he asked the men to work in the vineyard.

We are aware that in this highly competitive world, employers prefer offering employment to those who are academically qualified or who possess certain skill sets that would benefit their businesses endeavors. As we look at the parable, it would be reasonable to conclude that some of the men who were found doing nothing lacked either academic qualifications or required skills. It could also be assumed that some just did not want to work. But the landlord did not seem to be concerned about qualification or skills. He knew that each one had something to contribute to the work to which he called them.

Jesus is making the point that God accepts those who respond to his call, even with our limitations. He is teaching that God can as mold and fashion each to be able to do what he requires of us.

There are opportunities for every member of the faith community, our churches and congregations to participate in the growth and development of the work through service no matter how insignificant it may seem. . When God calls and as we respond, he already knows what we can do and so, he uses each of us according to the gifts with which he has bestowed upon us. Gifts to be used to touch the lives of those around with God’s love, grace and mercy.

As we live through these trying and uncertain times, we are called to serve the needs of the vulnerable, those who must be quarantined, those who need to be comforted at the loss of loved ones, remembering Jesus’ teaching that we should, hospitable to the stranger and clothes the naked, visit the sick and imprisoned. He said: ‘Truly I tell feed the hungry, give drink to the thirsty, be you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’

Our service, my Brother and Sisters must be more that than knowing what we are called to do, it is doing what is expected of us as workers in the vineyard. What is more, we live in a technologically advanced age, which makes it easier in many some respects. A phone call, a zoom visit. Now we even worship via Zoom, Facebook and other media platforms. Tool to be used by workers in God’s vineyard.

Let us also remember that when we answer the call to serve, it is not for God’s benefit, but it is to serve as His instruments to minister to His people in their various situations and circumstances. Our service must demonstrate God’s love and be reflective of his offer of salvation to all people. It must be service that brings others to know and experience the presence of God in everyday experiences, giving a sense of being and worth into lives of all people.

As we hear the call to this ministry, the call to work in and for the church, the body of Christ. .Like Isaiah, “let us say Here am I, send me”. Here am I, use me

HOWEVER, there are some who will be like Jonah when God calls. Jonah tried to run away rather than obey the call to go to Nineveh. He felt that the people were unworthy of God’s love and perhaps beyond redemption because of the reputation of being from a wicked city. But that was not call for Jonah to make. It was for God’s to make that determination. God’s prerogative. What he required of Jonah as he requires of us was and still is total obedience.

The story tells that after a severe storm, Jonah eventually went to Nineveh where dramatic changes took place in the lives of the people and that was pleasing to God who had compassion on them and did not carry out his threat to destroy the city.

One would think that Jonah would have been happy, instead he became angry and complained to bitterly to God. This is not what I expected. So angry was he that he asked to God take his life. Jonah did not recognize that it was God’s prerogative to pardon, to show compassion and to forgive, Not his. So, God asked Jonah Do you have the right to be angry? Do we have the right to be upset when others receive their blessings because we may think they do not deserve to be blessed by God?

My brothers and sisters as we serve God and His church, we should not believe that anyone is beyond the grace and mercy of God. His ways are not like man’s. As he shows his love and mercy for others, we ought to rejoice with them and for them. Remember Jesus said: “heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to”
When by our service we bring others into the kingdom of God we are developing the church.

Finally, the measure of reward for service is God's prerogative not ours

In the parable, the landowner was specific with the first workers in agreeing to pay them for the day. But there was no amount specified for the others who were hired later in the day. When they received their wages, those who were hired first and worked longer hours complained that were paid the same as those who work fewer hours.

But the landowner said, I am not being unfair, you got paid what was agreed, further he had the right to do what he wished with his own money.

Back to the question asked by Peter, one that some church workers, called to labor in the vineyard might be tempted to ask: what will there be for us?

We may be able to bargain for wages and salaries, working conditions when seeking employment. We may have unions negotiating the deals. But, when in the service of God, the terms and conditions are not up for negotiation.

It does not matter at what stage we entire into his service. What matters is our faithfulness in all that we do, and God who is gracious and merciful will reward each one accordingly. Who are we to question how God dispenses grace and mercy? He is compassionate and merciful God. It is His prerogative.

AMEN.