But God, That's Not Fair | Jerry Flowers | Sermon Notes — Hello Pastor

Sermon Notes

But God, That's Not Fair

Time of Celebration Ministries Church • Feb 2, 2025 • 56 min

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Take this message with you through a journey of Scripture, reflection, and prayer.

Summary

In this message on Jesus's Parable of the Workers in the Vineyard from Matthew 20, Pastor Jerry Flowers addresses the subtle sin of entitlement. He explains that human standards of fairness would leave everyone spiritually bankrupt and eternally separated from God, whereas God's divine justice and sovereign grace provide righteousness through Christ. By replacing comparison and envy with constant gratitude, believers can learn to marvel at God's generosity and remain steadfast through life's unexpected circumstances.

Themes

Entitlement vs. GratitudeThe Justice and Grace of GodDivine GenerositySpiritual Literacy and MaturityProcessing Pain and Disappointment

Pastor's Points

1.

Constant gratitude kills entitlement.

2.

Gratitude magnifies the have.

3.

Gratitude is patience's workout plan.

4.

He didn't have to call you.

5.

Everything besides hell and death is a blessing.

Key Points

1.
Constant gratitude kills entitlement and keeps humility alive in a believer's heart.
2.
Gratitude magnifies what you already have, whereas entitlement focuses on what others possess and demands equal outcome.
3.
Gratitude acts as a workout plan for patience, giving believers the strength to appreciate every season God places them in.
4.
God did not have to call or draw us into His kingdom; being included in His work is entirely an unearned privilege of grace.
5.
Everything a believer possesses or experiences—other than hell and spiritual death—is an undeserved blessing from God.
6.
Fairness means everyone gets what they deserve (damnation), but God operates in perfect justice, providing salvation through Christ.
7.
Envy and resentment toward another person's blessings are fundamentally grievances against God's sovereign generosity.
8.
Unprocessed pain caused by a lack of biblical literacy traps spiritual maturity in transit and leaves believers vulnerable to deception.

Sermon Moments

“Biblical Christianity seems radical to those who compromise, extreme to the casual, and like doing too much to those who want the title without the fruit.”

“When you lack biblical literacy and don't understand that God is just, unprocessed pain keeps your spiritual growth stuck in transit.”

“Sometimes the aftermath of obedience is painful, but trusting God when you don't have a clue what He is doing is essential.”

“Fair primarily means even, while just primarily means right.”

“When you get envious over what God is doing in someone else's life, you are not upset at that person—you are upset that God is generous.”

“Entitlement is a parent, and it has four children: depression, anger, envy, and amnesia.”

“A heart of entitlement grumbles; a heart of gratitude marvels.”

“What separates humility from entitlement is gratitude. Entitlement is cancer to gratitude.”

This Week

Develop a daily practice of intentional, constant thanksgiving to root out hidden entitlement in your heart.

Shift your mental focus from what you lack or desire to magnifying the blessings God has already provided.

Actively choose to celebrate God's generosity when others around you receive promotions, answers to prayer, or favor.

Reframe painful seasons or unanswered prayers through biblical literacy, trusting that God is just even when His timing feels unclear.

Exercise patience in your current life stage, allowing gratitude to slow you down and cultivate spiritual contentment.

Refuse to evaluate your spiritual standing through comparison with others, remembering that salvation is entirely by grace.

Forgive individuals who have hurt you—even without an apology—to prevent past pain from wasting present time and growth.

Remember This

God is perfectly just and wildly generous; when we replace entitlement with constant gratitude, we stop complaining about human fairness and start marveling at His grace.

A Challenge for You

Forgive us for being so entitled, thinking that because we pray, worship, or seek Your face, You owe us. Help us to give You glory and honor, and may we always marvel at the unbelievable reality that You chose to call us into Your kingdom.

These are personal sermon notes shared to help you remember the message — not a replacement for Scripture, your church, or your pastors.