“For the kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out early in the morning to hire laborers for his vineyard. 2 Now when he had agreed with the laborers for a denarius a day, he sent them into his vineyard. 3 And he went out about the third hour and saw others standing idle in the marketplace, 4 and said to them, ‘You also go into the vineyard, and whatever is right I will give you.’ So they went. 5 Again he went out about the sixth and the ninth hour, and did likewise. 6 And about the eleventh hour he went out and found others standing idle, and said to them, ‘Why have you been standing here idle all day?’ 7 They said to him, ‘Because no one hired us.’ He said to them, ‘You also go into the vineyard, and whatever is right you will receive.’ 8 So when evening had come, the owner of the vineyard said to his steward, ‘Call the laborers and give them their wages, beginning with the last to the first.’ 9 And when those came who were hired about the eleventh hour, they each received a denarius. 10 But when the first came, they supposed that they would receive more; and they likewise received each a denarius. 11 And when they had received it, they [c]complained against the landowner, 12 saying, ‘These last men have worked only one hour, and you made them equal to us who have borne the burden and the heat of the day.’ 13 But he answered one of them and said, ‘Friend, I am doing you no wrong. Did you not agree with me for a denarius? 14 Take what is yours and go your way. I wish to give to this last man the same as to you. 15 Is it not lawful for me to do what I wish with my own things? Or is your eye evil because I am good?’ 16 So the last will be first, and the first last. For many are called, but few chosen.” Matthew 20:1-16 NKJV
Father God,
We love to sing about Your faithfulness, Your answer to prayer, Your overwhelming generosity. Your willingness to forgive. When I first became a Christian it was interspersed with apologies for my bad language till I got rid of the habit. I still lapse mostly if I slip trip or hurt myself. There were no lightening bolts and You knew my weaknesses and the things I still struggle with. I am overwhelmingly grateful for Jesus and the gift of grace and forgiveness to me and It is the one thing I want to give t others.
someone once asked me if it was fair that a murderer should find Christ and get to heaven on his deathbed? Why should the last be first and the first last? I remembered what Jesus said to Simon about the two debtors. The one who had been forgiven more being more grateful. (Luke 7:47). If we truly know what it is to be a child of God we would not need to push to the front. What joy to see You do not leave anyone out, you invite them in. Salvation is not measured it is full for all. Our years of service are not what saves us. And God knows the repentant heart.
How much more joy over one sinner who repents, even in heaven (Luke 15:7), even at the last minute. I cannot hold jealousy or resentment in my heart because it pushes You out. So help me be generous. Joy in hearing others come to You whoever they are, where ever they are and whatever they have done. Some may have to prove they are truly changed, trustworthy, and are being transformed. We need to be safe and church needs to be a safe place in these troubled times.
In Jesus name we pray, Amen.
Worship Saturday 7th November 2026
That moment from Jesus a pardon receives. We don’t have to earn it, pay for it or be a good person to receive it. Thank God, I believed and He took me as I was.
To God be the glory, great things He hath done,
so loved He the world that He gave us His Son,
who yielded His life an atonement for sin,
and opened the life-gate that all may go in.
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, let the earth hear His voice!
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, let the people rejoice!
O come to the Father through Jesus the Son,
and give Him the glory, great things He hath done.
2 O perfect redemption, the purchase of blood,
to ev’ry believer the promise of God;
the vilest offender who truly believes,
that moment from Jesus a pardon receives.
3 Great things He hath taught us, great things He hath done,
and great our rejoicing through Jesus the Son;
but purer, and higher, and greater will be
our wonder, our transport, when Jesus we see.
Lyrics: Fanny Crosby