Pastor Josh takes a detour from Colossians to address a deeply personal and spiritually vital topic: servanthood vs. entitlement, drawn from Jesus’ parable in Matthew 20:1–16, where laborers are hired at different times but receive equal pay.
He emphasizes that entitlement is a deeply ingrained, human tendency that opposes the heart of Christ and undermines true Kingdom greatness. This message has been a long-term personal theme for Pastor Josh and is foundational to building a healthy, gospel-centered church culture.
Key Themes & Lessons:
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The Problem of Entitlement:
- Entitlement says, “I deserve more.”
- It manifests in how we respond when we don’t get what we think we deserve.
- It’s rooted in self-focus and pride, not grace or service.
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Three Attitudes of Entitlement:
- “I deserve more than I was promised.”
- “I have a right to complain about my circumstances.”
- “I deserve more because I did more.”
- These attitudes were seen in the early workers who complained about equal pay, even though they received exactly what was agreed upon.
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Three Attitudes to Combat Entitlement:
- Gratitude that God always keeps His promises.
- Trust that God always gives what is right.
- Recognition that the problem is with our perception, not God’s goodness.
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The Parable’s Point:
- God’s grace is not about fairness by human standards—it’s about generosity.
- Whether you come early or late to faith, all receive the same gift: grace and eternal life.
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Real Servanthood:
- True greatness in God’s Kingdom comes from becoming the servant of all.
- Jesus modeled this by laying down His rights and serving others—even unto death.
- The church must reflect this servant-hearted culture to reach the community effectively.
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Application:
- Root out entitlement by remembering the grace you’ve received.
- Stop comparing, stop complaining, and start serving.
- See others through the lens of Christ—not through the lens of what you think you deserve.
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Final Challenge:
- Examine your heart. Do you have an “evil eye”—a self-centered perspective?
- Let Christ form a servant heart in you so that the church can be a beacon of grace and humility in a world full of self-interest.
