What Are You Really Saying?

Series: What He Said: The Parables of Jesus #26 Exegetical Idea: Obedience to God’s will is demonstrated not in verbal promises but in real repentance and faithful action. Homiletical Idea: True obedience to God is shown not in what we say but in what we do. Big Idea: God is calling us to a life of repentance and action—not lip service, but faithful obedience to His will.

Matthew 21:28–32 ESV

28 “What do you think? A man had two sons. And he went to the first and said, ‘Son, go and work in the vineyard today.’ 29 And he answered, ‘I will not,’ but afterward he changed his mind and went. 30 And he went to the other son and said the same. And he answered, ‘I go, sir,’ but did not go. 31 Which of the two did the will of his father?” They said, “The first.” Jesus said to them, “Truly, I say to you, the tax collectors and the prostitutes go into the kingdom of God before you. 32 For John came to you in the way of righteousness, and you did not believe him, but the tax collectors and the prostitutes believed him. And even when you saw it, you did not afterward change your minds and believe him.

Introduction

We all know somebody who talks a good game—but when it’s time to show up, they disappear. Maybe they say they’ll help you move, but don’t show up with a truck. Maybe they say they’ll pray for you, but forget before they even leave the room. Maybe they say they love you, but don’t treat you like you matter.

Jesus tells a short parable today—but don’t let its length fool you. It hits hard. Two sons. One says “no,” but later obeys. The other says “yes,” but never shows up.

This parable was directed right at the religious leaders who questioned Jesus' authority. They had all the right titles, all the right robes, all the right words—but their lives didn’t line up. Jesus is showing us: talk is cheap—obedience costs.

The question today is not What did you say? but What did you do?

Let’s look at the first lesson in the text

Don’t Just Say It—Live It (vv.28-29)

Verse 29 – “I will not,” but afterward he changed his mind and went.

Jesus opens the parable with a moment that would’ve shocked His audience: a son who says to his father, “I will not.” That was disrespect on a whole other level. In Jesus’ day, that kind of answer wasn’t just frowned upon—it was shameful, a public embarrassment, and considered a violation of God’s law.

Under the Fifth Commandment—“Honor your father and your mother”—a son was expected to obey. Saying “no” to your father was a rejection of authority and a disruption of the household’s honor. According to Deuteronomy 21, a rebellious son who persistently disobeyed could even be brought before the elders and punished severely. While executions were rare in Jesus' day, the cultural weight of dishonoring one’s father was real and heavy.

So when the first son says, “I will not,” the listeners would’ve gasped. He’s rebellious, disgraceful, shameful.

But then—Jesus says—he changed his mind. The Greek word is metamelomai, which means regret or remorse. This son didn’t just feel bad—he repented. And he didn’t stop with a feeling—he followed through with faithful action.

That son, the one who started wrong, ended up right.

Illustration: It’s like a child who slams the door and storms off after being told to do chores—but later, convicted, comes back quietly and gets it done. The action redeems the attitude.

Application:

Maybe you’ve told God “no” in your past. No to your calling. No to obedience. No to your assignment.

But today, the Spirit is stirring up repentance—and repentance that leads to action still honors God.

It’s not how you started—it’s whether you’re willing to get up and go now.

James 5:12 ESV

But above all, my brothers, do not swear, either by heaven or by earth or by any other oath, but let your “yes” be yes and your “no” be no, so that you may not fall under condemnation.

Transition: But now Jesus flips the lens. There's another son—one who looks respectful on the surface but reveals a deeper disobedience underneath. Here is what we learn secondly:

Don’t Just Talk It—Walk It (v.30)

Matthew 21:30 ESV

And he went to the other son and said the same. And he answered, ‘I go, sir,’ but did not go.

Verse 30 – “I go, sir,” but did not go.

This second son sounds respectful. He calls his father “sir.” He gives a nice, polished answer. But when it came time to get up and go to work, he never showed up.

This is the danger of empty religion—where our mouths move, but our lives don’t.

Jesus compares this son to the scribes and Pharisees—the religious crowd. They had the lingo, they had the lineage, they had the Law—but they didn’t have love, obedience, or humility.

Illustration: This is the person who says they’ll give to the Vision80 Campaign but never turns in the pledge. The one who signs up for ministry but never shows up to serve. They mean well, but God isn’t looking for meaning well—He’s looking for meaningful obedience.

Application:

It’s easy to say yes to God in church. But do we still say yes when He calls us to forgive? To tithe? To lead? To witness?

What is your life saying about your “yes”?

Church, God is calling us not just to be hearers of the word—but doers also (James 1:22).

James 1:22 ESV

But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.

Transition: So how does God view these two responses? Jesus doesn’t leave us guessing.

Let Repentance Lead to Action (vv.31-32)

Matthew 21:31–32 ESV

Which of the two did the will of his father?” They said, “The first.” Jesus said to them, “Truly, I say to you, the tax collectors and the prostitutes go into the kingdom of God before you. For John came to you in the way of righteousness, and you did not believe him, but the tax collectors and the prostitutes believed him. And even when you saw it, you did not afterward change your minds and believe him.

Verse 31 – “Truly, I say to you, the tax collectors and the prostitutes go into the kingdom of God before you.”

Now Jesus is really pressing this parable to the heart. He turns to the religious leaders and says: “The people you’ve rejected... are getting in ahead of you.” That’s a scandalous statement. Let’s not soften it—let’s understand the weight of what He’s saying.

Cultural Context: Why tax collectors?

In Jesus’ day, tax collectors were despised—not just disliked, but hated.

They were Jewish by blood, but worked for the Roman Empire, collecting taxes from their own people.

That made them traitors—turncoats who funded Rome’s oppression of Israel.

But it got worse: they were also corrupt, often overcharging and pocketing the extra. They were extortioners in religious robes.

They were banned from synagogues, considered ritually unclean, and lumped in with prostitutes and Gentiles. Their presence was shameful; their profession, sinful.

So when Jesus says, “The tax collectors and prostitutes are entering the Kingdom ahead of you,” He’s not just giving a rebuke—He’s flipping the religious world upside down. These “sinners” said no to God with their lives—but then heard John the Baptist, repented, and obeyed. Their hearts changed, and their actions followed.

Meanwhile, the religious elite—those who wore the robes, quoted the Scriptures, prayed the long prayers—said yes with their lips, but refused to enter the field of obedience.

Illustration

It’s like somebody you’d written off as too far gone... but now they’re leading a ministry. Or someone who once lived a scandalous life but now has a heart for service and a hunger for God. They once said “no,” but they’re now saying “yes” with their feet.

Application

Don’t count anybody out—especially yourself.

You may have lived like a tax collector in your past—taking, cheating, running—but God still has room in His Kingdom for repentant hearts.

Repentance is the road to obedience. And repentance is not just about feeling sorry—it’s about walking different.

Jesus is calling us to action: not verbal agreement, not delayed promises, but a life that says, “Yes, Lord—I’ll go.”

Vision80 Connection: That’s the call for us, too. Not just pledges and plans—but participation. Not just promises—but performance. We say we believe in unity, in building God’s house, in reaching the community—but will we obey?

Conclusion:

Which son are you?

Are you the one who said no, but deep down, you know God’s pulling on your heart to obey?

Or are you the one who said yes—but your actions haven’t followed?

God’s not looking for empty words. He’s looking for real repentance and action. And no matter what your answer has been in the past—He’s giving you another chance today.

Strong Black Preacher Close (Hoop)

Can I tell you about a Son who didn’t just say “yes”—but He went?

He didn’t just say, “I’ll go”—He wrapped Himself in flesh. He didn’t just promise—He performed. He walked the dusty roads of Galilee. He healed the sick, raised the dead, and fed the hungry. And when the time came for the hardest obedience… He didn’t back down! He said, “Not My will, but Thine be done!”

He went—up Golgotha’s hill. He went—down into a borrowed tomb. But early Sunday morning—He got up! With all power in His hands!

And now He’s calling you—to stop talking about it and start living it. To repent. To believe. To obey.

Because if Jesus gave it all, Surely we can give Him our “yes”—not just in words, But in worship… Not just in feelings, But in faithfulness… Not just in church, But in how we live when we leave!

Let the church say—YES, LORD!