The Question of Obedience
Notes
Transcript
Introduction:
Aesop’s Fables is a famous book of stories that are designed to teach moral lessons.
Parables also seek to use an earthly story with a heavenly meaning to teach spiritual truths.
Just like with Aesop, we are looking for the main idea in a parable to teach the lesson, but there are also some parables that have characters that represent real life groups of people as well.
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.
Pray
This morning, our first two points are going to come from what Matthew Henry says about the text.
There were those who proved better than they promised, and there were those who promised better than they proved.
There are a few things we need to recognize that are common between both sons
Both have the same Father
Both were called to work
Notice that we are called to work today.
We are not to wait around for when we feel like working
We have an urgent mission to be about
4 We must work the works of him who sent me while it is day; night is coming, when no one can work.
16 making the best use of the time, because the days are evil.
Are you making the best use of your time?
I know that many times I find myself feeling this verse because I feel I have wasted time.
1. Those Who Prove Better Than They Promise (vv.28-29)
1. Those Who Prove Better Than They Promise (vv.28-29)
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.
The first son flat out refuses to obey
It shocks us - sons were expected to help out
It was not like in our culture where sons can get away with loafing and living off their parents
It shows us the corrupt nature of mankind
Henry
Some love their ease better and will not work
Some would rather work in their own field rather than their father’s
First son represents the tax collectors and prostitutes
Tax Collectors
Hide betrayed their people to get rich and have influence with Rome
Exhorted the people
Prostitutes
Lived in a state of moral uncleanness
Hardened consciences to allow them to continue in sin
Both are living in a perpetual state of disobedience
What is a real definition of obedience?
Delayed disobedience is better than flat out rebellion, but it is still disobedience
Doing what you are told to do, when you are told to do it, with a right heart attitude
Speak to the kids about this: a promise with a warning
Speak to the parents about this: demand it and earn it
The first son had a change of mind
You might start out on the wrong track, but you don’t have to stay there
Repent and obey - obedience is the fruit of repentance
Consider: How kind is our Heavenly Father to forgive us. How many of you if your son had given you the business and told you he flat out would not obey would then go on to forgive him and act like nothing ever happened?
Most of us would have our child fit for dentures and they would have to fit the back of the head because we would have slapped them teeth around sideways if he talked to us like this.
But God is not like us. God’s mercy is great and His forgiveness is complete. He never brings up our sins again and the more we sin, the more grace He pours out.
Don’t confuse this with a license to sin, but know that you are never out of reach of God’s love.
But now we need to consider the second son. He represents another type of person.
2. Those Who Promise Better Than They Prove (v.30)
2. Those Who Promise Better Than They Prove (v.30)
30 And he went to the other son and said the same. And he answered, ‘I go, sir,’ but did not go.
How many claim great things for God and would say they love the Lord, but they don’t do what He says?
Jesus said in Luke 6:46: “Why do you call me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do what I tell you?”
Second son represents the religious leaders
They seem better on the outside, but on the inside are dead men. They are whitewashed tombs.
Matthew Henry: “Buds and blossoms are not fruit.”
They have the outward form of disobedience but they have no real intention of obeying
They want everyone to think they obey, but they really don’t have a heart of obedience
This is the state of so many in the church today
They may come to church and Bible study. They may have intellectual knowledge of the Bible and can win in Bible Trivia Night, but they have no real relationship with Jesus
Their prayer life is a list of requests, but they don’t listen to God
They read their Bibles (if they do it) but they don’t meditate on it to obey it. They want to check a box.
They might even sign up to serve somewhere in the church, but it is to be seen by others and not to give with no strings attached.
There is another way besides either of these two.
You could simply obey when you are told.
No one is perfect and at some level we have fallen into the role of one of these two sons, but there is another son present that is not mentioned.
Jesus is the Beloved Son with whom the Father is well pleased.
3. A Word of Warning and Wisdom (vv.31-32)
3. A Word of Warning and Wisdom (vv.31-32)
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.
Jesus questions the Pharisees and the answer is obvious
However, in answering, they condemn themselves
Jesus goes back to the the question about John the Baptist again and declares that John came to them as a righteous and devout man declaring to them the way and they would not listen to him.
However, the tax collectors and the prostitutes heard his word and repented
Do you realize how shocking of a statement this was for Jesus to publicly say in front of everyone that the worst people in society would enter the Kingdom of God before the so-called religious elite?
But what about you?
Conclusion
Do you simply pay lip service to Christ, or does your belief translate to actions?
Have you:
Come to realize that we are all one of the two sons. We all disobey and deserve the punishment of God for our sins.
We all start off on the wrong path and must hear the message to repent.
Realize that delayed obedience is better than no obedience.
This morning, you have an opportunity to turn things around.
You might look at yourself like a Pharisee and think that you are better than you really are.
Or, you might also look at yourself like a tax collector and sinner and know how bad you’ve lived. Perhaps you even think there is no hope for you.
Remember that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. We are not loved less now that we are saved. God’s love for you does not grow cold with disappointment in you.
Ezekiel spoke of the type of forgiveness that is ours in Christ.
21 “But if a wicked person turns away from all his sins that he has committed and keeps all my statutes and does what is just and right, he shall surely live; he shall not die.
22 None of the transgressions that he has committed shall be remembered against him; for the righteousness that he has done he shall live.
You may be a disobedient son. If so, know that God does not want you to stay where you are either. You need to heed the warning and turn back to the Lord, either for the first time, or the 70th times 7th.
God is waiting for you; what are you waiting for?
