Bible Reading
Luke 17:7-10 And which of you, having a servant plowing or tending sheep, will say to him when he has come in from the field, ‘Come at once and sit down to eat’? But will he not rather say to him, ‘Prepare something for my supper, and gird yourself and serve me till I have eaten and drunk, and afterward you will eat and drink’? Does he thank that servant because he did the things that were commanded him? I think not. So likewise you, when you have done all those things which you are commanded, say, ‘We are unprofitable servants. We have done what was our duty to do.’”
[59:01]Matthew 20:1-16 For the kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out early in the morning to hire laborers for his vineyard. Now when he had agreed with the laborers for a denarius a day, he sent them into his vineyard. And he went out about the third hour and saw others standing idle in the marketplace, and said to them, ‘You also go into the vineyard, and whatever is right I will give you.’ So they went. Again he went out about the sixth and the ninth hour, and did likewise. 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?’ 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.’ 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.’ And when those came who were hired about the eleventh hour, they each received a denarius. But when the first came, they supposed that they would receive more; and they likewise received each a denarius. And when they had received it, they complained against the landowner, 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.’ But he answered one of them and said, ‘Friend, I am doing you no wrong. Did you not agree with me for a denarius? Take what is yours and go your way. I wish to give to this last man the same as to you. Is it not lawful for me to do what I wish with my own things? Or is your eye evil because I am good?’ So the last will be first, and the first last. For many are called, but few chosen.
[49:33]Mark 2:1-12 And again He entered Capernaum after some days, and it was heard that He was in the house. Immediately many gathered together, so that there was no longer room to receive them, not even near the door. And He preached the word to them. Then they came to Him, bringing a paralytic who was carried by four men. And when they could not come near Him because of the crowd, they uncovered the roof where He was. So when they had broken through, they let down the bed on which the paralytic was lying. When Jesus saw their faith, He said to the paralytic, “Son, your sins are forgiven you.” And some of the scribes were sitting there and reasoning in their hearts, “Why does this Man speak blasphemies like this? Who can forgive sins but God alone?” But immediately, when Jesus perceived in His spirit that they reasoned thus within themselves, He said to them, “Why do you reason about these things in your hearts? Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, ‘Your sins are forgiven you,’ or to say, ‘Arise, take up your bed and walk’? But that you may know that the Son of Man has power on earth to forgive sins”—He said to the paralytic, “I say to you, arise, take up your bed, and go to your house.” Immediately he arose, took up the bed, and went out in the presence of them all, so that all were amazed and glorified God, saying, “We never saw anything like this!”
[23:48]1 Chronicles 29:14 But who am I, and who are my people, That we should be able to offer so willingly as this? For all things come from You, And of Your own we have given You.
[42:04]Acts 4:23-31 And being let go, they went to their own companions and reported all that the chief priests and elders had said to them. So when they heard that, they raised their voice to God with one accord and said: “Lord, You are God, who made heaven and earth and the sea, and all that is in them, who by the mouth of Your servant David have said: ‘Why did the nations rage, And the people plot vain things? The kings of the earth took their stand, And the rulers were gathered together Against the Lord and against His Christ.’ For truly against Your holy Servant Jesus, whom You anointed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles and the people of Israel, were gathered together to do whatever Your hand and Your purpose determined before to be done. Now, Lord, look on their threats, and grant to Your servants that with all boldness they may speak Your word, by stretching out Your hand to heal, and that signs and wonders may be done through the name of Your holy Servant Jesus.” And when they had prayed, the place where they were assembled together was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the word of God with boldness.
[31:50]Observation questions
- In Mark 2, what obstacles stood between the paralyzed man and Jesus, and what did his four friends do rather than leave him outside?
- In Acts 4, where did Peter and John go after they were threatened, and what did the believers ask God to give them?
- What did David say was the true source of the people’s ability to give, and what does that show about the way he viewed their possessions? [42:04]
- In Matthew 20, what did the early workers expect when they saw the late workers receive a denarius, and how did the landowner answer their complaint? [52:13]
Interpretation questions
- Why is it important that Jesus saw the faith of the friends in Mark 2? What does this show about how a gathered church can help someone whose faith is weak? [24:12]
- In Matthew 20, why did the workers who labored all day lose their joy even though the landowner gave them exactly what he had promised?
- What does Jesus mean when He says, “We are unprofitable servants”? How does understanding this as “servants to whom no favor is owed” protect a believer from trying to put God in debt? [01:05:28]
- How does the truth that believers are “not their own” change the question from “What do I deserve?” to “What does Christ desire?” [01:12:51]
Application questions
- Is there someone who has been carrying a burden, drifting from faith, or feeling confused who needs friends to help bring them near to Jesus? What could that look like this week—an invitation, a call, prayer, a meal, or simply staying close? [24:19]
- The early believers went to their own company when threats came. When pressure, disappointment, or fear hits, is the first instinct to withdraw or to move toward faithful believers? What is one practical way to stay connected? [31:29]
- God may not shake a building, but He wants to shake old thoughts, old words, and old desires out of His people. What old pattern from “yesterday” needs to be released so there is room to live in the light of Christ’s new way? [32:35]
- Giving declares that God—not a job, the economy, education, or personal hustle—is the provider. In what area of finances, possessions, time, or ability is there a struggle to trust God as the owner and provider? [44:35]
- Comparison can make someone resent the grace, favor, or opportunities another person receives. Where has comparison been stealing joy lately, and what would it look like to return attention to the assignment God has given? [55:33]
- Serving can become difficult when recognition is expected. Is there an area of service, family responsibility, generosity, or work where discouragement comes because no one seems to notice? How can worth be rooted again in Christ rather than human applause? [01:15:57]
- Grace makes willing obedience a privilege because Christ gave Himself for His people. What specific duty may the Lord be placing in front of each person right now: forgiveness, serving, giving, caring for someone, sharing faith, or putting away an unhealthy habit? [01:20:27]
