Edna Lister created this sermon outline for May 28, 1944, and also used it June 7, 1935. Scriptures: Matthew 20:1-16 and Romans 13:10.

Time and space are irrelevant to God. Yet the human finite mind requires the twelve-hour clock and twenty-four-hour day to provide a sequence to experiences.

Every hour has its meaning. One o'clock represents individual understanding. Two o'clock represents the Light's purity.

Three o'clock symbolizes gracious expression. Four o'clock signifies charity in service.

Five o'clock represents sincere obedience to God's law. Six o'clock means forgiveness and to create, selflessness in creation. Seven o'clock illustrates gratitude and praise. Eight o'clock signifies power through faith.

Nine o'clock represents empathy and compassion. Ten o'clock signifies tolerance.

Eleven o'clock symbolizes Wisdom. Twelve o'clock represents love and justice.

Love worketh no ill to his neighbor: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law. – Romans 13:10.

The minute hand on God's clock is love. The second hand is selflessness, balance, and common sense, so very important.

In this parable, Jesus likened the kingdom of heaven to a householder, and his laborers in the vineyard. At the first hour, when the householder hired the first crew, so much work lay ahead, twelve hours' worth.

He hired additional crews at the third, sixth, ninth and eleventh hours, promising that if they served him in his vineyard, he would pay them "whatsoever is right."

All the laborers he hired were just standing around, waiting for work. Yet, why stand idle during any hour? When Love, Wisdom and Selflessness are looking for workers, it's always the right time.

The owner of the vineyard told his foreman, "Call the laborers, and give them their hire, beginning from the last unto the first." – Matthew 20:8. The first worker hired is paid the same as all the rest. The last come first, the first come last.

When the first hired workers realized that the men hired later were receiving the same wages, they rebelled. Yet the vineyard owner said, "So the last shall be first, and the first last: for many be called, but few chosen." – Matthew 20:16.

Some souls labor long, but never learn. The workers hired in the first hour had never learned understanding.

Those hired in the third hour had never learned graciousness. The men hired in the sixth hour had never learned forgiveness.

The workers hired at the ninth hour had never learned sympathy and compassion. Finally, the men hired at the eleventh hour had never learned wisdom or justice.

Love fulfills the law, now. No matter what time it is, the hour is now. God's timing is the timing of love.

World religion is about God, but is not God. Christianity is about Jesus, but is not Jesus.