GREAT EXPECTATIONS

JONAH 3:1-11; PHIL. 1:21-30; MATT. 20:1-16

INTRODUCTION

A) GOD’S GENEROSITY 

In the first reading (Jonah 3: 1 – 11), God reveals His generosity in two ways: 

1. Giving Prophet Jonah the second chance to take the word to the people of Nineveh. 

“Then the word of the LORD came to Jonah the second time, saying, “Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and call out against it the message that I tell you.” So Jonah arose and went to Nineveh, according to the word of the LORD” (Jonah 3: 1 – 3).

As believers in Christ Jesus, we also fall into sin and disobey the word and commandments of God. But God always demonstrates His generosity to us by cautioning us, correcting us and restoring us to our faith. Let us not take the generosity of God for granted and continue to live in sin and disobedience. Let us arise and walk in obedience to the word of God as Jonah did this time. 

2. Also through the word, God gave the wicked city of Nineveh another chance to repent; and they did. The bible says that when:

“When the word reached the king of Nineveh, he arose from his throne, removed his robe, covered himself with sackcloth, and sat in ashes. And he issued a proclamation and published through Nineveh, “By the decree of the king and his nobles: Let neither man nor beast, herd nor flock, taste anything. Let them not feed or drink water, but let man and beast be covered with sackcloth, and let them call out mightily to God. Let everyone turn from his evil way and from the violence that is in his hands. Who knows? God may turn and relent and turn from his fierce anger, so that we may not perish” (Jonah 3: 6 – 9).

For those who have not accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as your Saviour and have been living in sin; fornication, adultery, corruption, lying, etc. God’s generosity is available if you will repent of your sins and call upon the Lord in prayer as the people of Nineveh did. 

Because of God’s generosity, He does not want any person to perish; He does not take delight in the death and destruction of sinners. No matter how awful your sins maybe, God is ready to forgive you if you will repent. For the bible says that: 

“When God saw what they did, how they turned from their evil way, God relented of the disaster that he had said he would do to them, and he did not do it” (Jonah 3:10).

B. THE PURPOSE OF GOD’S GENEROSITY

The purpose of God’s generosity is that we will be able to live in such a way that dying becomes gain for us. Not every lifestyle leads to a gainful death. But Apostle Paul tells us in the second reading (Phil. 1: 21 – 30) that:

“For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain” (Phil. 1:21). God’s generosity is to give you New Life in Jesus Christ which will lead to a gainful death; a death that leads to eternal life with God in heaven.  

Do you have this new life in Jesus Christ and the assurance of eternal life with God? That is God’s ultimate generosity for you, take hold of it now.  

C. WHAT MAKES US BEGRUDGE GOD’S GENEROSITY

In the third reading (Matt. 20: 1 – 16), Jesus gave a parable to explain the nature of the kingdom of God. He said; A master of a house who went out to heir labourers for his vineyard. The first groups were hired in the first hour (6.00am) having agreed on the daily wage. But at the third hour (9.00am), sixth hour (12.00 noon), ninth hour (3.00pm) and even the eleventh hour (5.00pm); the house owner hired other workers and brought them into the vineyard to work. 

The bible says, “And when evening came, the owner of the vineyard said to his foreman, ‘Call the labourers and pay them their wages, beginning with the last, up to the first.’ And when those hired about the eleventh hour came, each of them received a denarius. Now when those hired first came, they thought they would receive more, but each of them also received a denarius. And on receiving it they grumbled at the master of the house,” (Matt. 20: 8 – 11). 

Then the Bible says, the house owner asked them: “Am I not allowed to do what I choose with what belongs to me? Or do you begrudge my generosity?” (Matt. 20: 15)

In the thinking of the workers who were hired first, the workers who were hired last did not deserve the ‘denarius’. And if they got that, then they should get something higher, although the agreement with them was to be paid a ‘denarius’. 

This is the human problem that makes us begrudge God and struggle with our faith. We do not accept the word of God as it is, but we come to God with our own expectations that are usually not founded on His word. Let’s look at a few reasons why we begrudge God. 

(i) Wrong expectations based on human calculations and analysis:  The first workers thought that if these ones were hired at 5.00pm and worked only for one hour and have received a denarius, then we will definitely have more. They had forgotten the agreement and contract. In similar ways, we usually think that having served the Lord and being in the Church for several years, we should be given some opportunities and favours. Therefore we turn to grumble against God when other people receive some blessings that we are seeking to have. This one just joined the church and has gotten married; look at how brother B is prospering in his work; this one has gotten a new car, built a house, etc. etc. Instead of praying for God’s will for our lives, we compare ourselves to others and grumble against God. 

(ii) Entitlement mentality: the first workers thought they should be entitled to more. We sometimes think we deserve and should have some things in life and not other people.  I should have gotten the promotion and that chance, not him/her.

(iii) Poor attitude and output in life: Many times our expectations do not match up with our attitude and output in life. We want the best things in life, yet we do not put in the planning, training and the diligent work required to realise it. We want money but we are lazy at work; we are only praying and wishing for a helper to provide the things we need. I get worried when I hear and see people praying for God to bring them their ‘helpers’. As a child of God you are called to be a blessing and a helper to others, and not to sit down waiting for someone to help you. There is too much laziness in the house of God. 

Conclusion

We need to understand that, God never makes mistakes. He is a sovereign God and has every right to do what He wants for each of His children. We do not determine what He should do or should not do. But He is a graciously generous God. He has good plans for us here on earth through Christ Jesus and an ultimate and an ultimate life with Him in heaven. So let our life for Christ and die gainfully. Don’t take the generosity of God for granted because there is a day of reckoning and judgment. 

LET US PRAY!!!

SHALOM ALEICHEM...