Jeremy Utley - Many Who Are First Will Be Last

Jeremy UtleySeptember 27, 201717mWatch on YouTube

Speaker: Jeremy Utley Title: Many Who Are First Will Be Last Date: 09-24-2017 Our Goal as Christians is this: To be an exact reflection of Jesus, the Son of God (Romans 8:29) We do this individually by growing in purity in our personal lives (1 John 3:2-3) We do this corporately by becoming fully functioning members of a local Church (Ephesians 4:11-16)

Summary

The sermon warns against two dangerous attitudes in the Christian life: believing God doesn't love you, and conversely, believing you deserve favor because of your longevity or effort. Drawing from the parable of the laborers in the vineyard, the speaker emphasizes that those who are established in faith can become complacent, thinking they deserve more reward than others. The central message is to remain humble and recognize that God's grace is freely given, regardless of how long one has been following Him.

Outline

The message in plain words, in the order it unfolds. Select a time to jump the video to that moment.

Guarding against two different spiritual dangersThe Christian life has a narrow path with dangerous cliffs on both sides depending on where a believer is in their walk.

The early danger: doubting that God loves usNew believers are often familiar with their past sin and struggle to believe that God could truly love them.

The mature danger: assuming we deserve to be lovedAs believers grow and serve, a subtle pride creeps in, making them think there is something inherently lovable or deserving in them.

What does the parable of the laborers in the vineyard teach us?Jesus tells the story of workers hired at different times who all receive the same wage, illustrating the danger of the first thinking they deserve more.

Danger one: Record-keepingBelievers who have served for a long time become mindful of their service, carrying an attitude that tracks all the work they have done.

Danger two: ComparisonAlongside record-keeping, mature believers often compare their own burdens and efforts with what others have done or received.

The elder brother in Luke 15 shares the same attitudeLike the early laborers, the elder brother keeps a strict record of his obedience and bitterly compares himself to his returning prodigal brother.

Why did Jesus tell this parable?The parable was given in direct response to Peter asking what the disciples would get because they had left everything to follow Him.

Warning against despising God's compassion on othersIf Jesus warned Peter against this attitude, we are in even greater danger of forgetting our own purification and resenting God's generosity to others.

Always remain a debtor, never a deserverBelievers must never slip into a deserver mentality; instead, our amazement must always rest entirely on what Christ has done for us.

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Jeremy Utley - Many Who Are First Will Be Last

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