THE LORD OF THE VINEYARD

SCRIPTURE PASSAGE

Matthew 21:33-46, Mark 12:1-12, and Luke 20:9-19

PURPOSE STATEMENT

To reveal that because God is sovereign, patient, gracious, and just—as shown in the parable of the vineyard—His people must honor His ownership, bear fruit worthy of His investment, and live with urgency in light of His coming judgment.

INTRODUCTION

I’d like for you to take the Word of God with me, please, and turn to Matthew 21:33-46, Mark 12:1-12, and Luke 20:9-19.

Of all the parables of Jesus this is one that is very easy to understand. Jesus summarized the entire Old Testament into one parable, which we read this evening. This parable reveals the reason the Lord has turned His attention to the church and away from Israel for the current time. This parable, though directed as Israel is a strong warning for us as the church.

As we reads this parable, I want us to understand who our God is, based upon what is revealed, and then identify what He expects from us.

Read Matthew 21:33-46, Mark 12:1-12, and Luke 20:9-19.

Living in the Church Age we have the advantage of seeing world history through the eyes of the Word of God. We understand that when the Messiah of the world, Jesus, came that Israel rejected Him. God’s Word reads in John 1:11-13,

John 1:11–13 KJV 1900

11 He came unto his own, and his own received him not. 12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: 13 Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.

Throughout the Old Testament you see this parabolic picture revealed before your eyes. Every prophet of God was not primarily concerned with condemnation and judgment. Instead, they were calling the children of Israel back to God, to help them see who God truly was and what He expected. However, Israel refused to receive each servant pr prophet. Instead of receiving them and repenting, they dug in and abused each servant.

Finally, God sends Jesus to them, His only begotten and beloved Son. And again, the abused, mistreated, and ultimately killed Him refusing to allow God to rule over them.

At this point in Jesus’ ministry, Israel as a whole has rejected Jesus, and as a result God has turned His attention to building the church through Jesus. The church, a special group of people that is neither Jew nor Gentile, bond nor free, male nor female, but one in Jesus Christ has now been given the commission to continue to work of the Lord in the world today.

What Jesus does in this parable is help Israel see what is about to transpire. Jesus prophesies of His death and the reason for it, which is Israel’s desire to rule their own lives and not submit to God’s way. This is the struggle with all people. There is within the old sinful nature of mankind the desire to be his own ruler. And in a beautiful picturesque way, Jesus reveals two truths which we are to learn. He reveals who God is and what He expects. Let’s look at these truths tonight.

KNOW THE GOD WE SERVE

First of all, Jesus reveals who God is. We need to know the God we serve. I find eight character traits of God in this parable.

HE IS SOVEREIGN

We find that God is sovereign. God is the owner of the vineyard, which is a picture of the world. God is the one who is in control.

HE IS GOOD AND GENEROUS

I also find that God is good and generous. It is God who planted the vineyard, guarded it with a hedge, dug the winepress for enjoyment for us, built a tower for protection.

He then lent the vineyard which He prepared to husbandman. The use of the word husbandman guides us to know that God made sure the keepers of the vineyard knew how to care for the vineyard and get it to produce well.

HE IS PATIENT

We also discover how God is patient. He knew the vineyard would take time to produce fruit and so He waited. He waited for the time of the fruit to draw near, before He sent His servants to the husbandmen in order to receive from the fruits of the vineyard.

HE IS LONG-SUFFERING

But what He found was shocking. The husbandman took the servants, beat them, stoned them, and killed them. And through it all, God is long-suffering. God sent servants, and then sent more servants, and again sent more servants.

HE IS GRACIOUS

Connected to His patience, but even more amazing is how we see God is gracious. After sending so many of His servants, the Lord of the vineyard send His only begotten Son and declared in verse 37,

Matthew 21:37 KJV 1900

37 …They will reverence my son.

Only to find His servants murdered the son knowing it was Him so that they could seize on the inheritance.

HE IS JUST

Yet, we learn more about our God. Oh yes, all of what we’ve discovered is true, but we find He is also just. The chief priests and Pharisees rightly understand that God will miserably destroy those wicked men.

Too often people presume upon God’s goodness and grace supposing He will never mete out justice. Yet, understanding the whole of the Bible, we know the truth. God is just. Though He is longsuffering, He will not ignore wrongdoing.

HE IS FAITHFUL TO HIS PURPOSE

Next, we find our God is faithful to His purpose. He does not get frustrated or quit. Instead, He lets out the vineyard to others who will be faithful. This is where we find the church entering in to the picture.

God’s goal and purpose of reclaiming the world and using it for His glory will not be undone, no matter how wicked people become.

HE EXALTS HIS SON

Lastly, we find God exalts His Son. Jesus finalizes the teaching by reminding the Pharisees of the Scriptures about the cornerstone, which is a picture of Jesus, and how it was rejected by some, but has now become the headstone. Jesus quotes from Psalm 118:22-23. We read of this exaltation in Philippians 2:9-11,

Philippians 2:9–11 KJV 1900

9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: 10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; 11 And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

LIVE AS THE SERVANTS HE EXPECTS

While this knowledge is important, understanding how to live as the servants this God expects is even more important for us. Look at five truths to live by in this parable.

ACKNOWLEDGE HIS OWNERSHIP

First of all, if we are going to live as the servants He expects, then we must acknowledge His ownership over all things. Everything we have is God’s. Psalm 50:10 reveals this truth:

Psalm 50:10 KJV 1900

10 For every beast of the forest is mine, And the cattle upon a thousand hills.

Everything we possess is because He has graciously provided it for us. In 1 Chronicles 29, David prepares Israel to receive Solomon as King. As part of this, David prays and acknowledges God. We read in verse 14,

1 Chronicles 29:14 KJV 1900

14 But who am I, and what is my people, that we should be able to offer so willingly after this sort? for all things come of thee, and of thine own have we given thee.

Nothing we have is our own. Our time, our resources, our relationships, even our opportunities belong to Him. We are the tenants. We are the husbandmen. We are the stewards of all God has so bountifully provided. We need to live our lives in such as way that we constantly acknowledge this.

BEAR FRUIT WORTHY OF HIS INVESTMENT

Because of this we need to bear fruit worthy of His investment. God has blessed us with all spiritual blessings. He lavishly provides for all our needs. And know that God expects a return on His investment. This isn’t the only parable with this truth revealed. In Luke 13:6-9 we read,

Luke 13:6–9 KJV 1900

6 He spake also this parable; A certain man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard; and he came and sought fruit thereon, and found none. 7 Then said he unto the dresser of his vineyard, Behold, these three years I come seeking fruit on this fig tree, and find none: cut it down; why cumbereth it the ground? 8 And he answering said unto him, Lord, let it alone this year also, till I shall dig about it, and dung it: 9 And if it bear fruit, well: and if not, then after that thou shalt cut it down.

The certain man searches for fruit on this tree when there should have been some, but finds none. While there is more to the parable, the true of God expecting something on His investment is revealed.

Additionally, God has commanded you and I to lay up treasure in heaven where moth and rust does not corrupt and thieves do not break through or steal.

And then we come to 1 Corinthians 3 and find how we are to build our lives with the materials God expects and not worthless materials knowing that one day we will give an account of our lives, and receive the rewards done in our body.

Finally, we come to 1 Corinthians 12 and discover how God has given each of us spiritual gifts to use for His kingdom and glory. We come behind no one and nothing. We lack nothing. We have been given so much.

Oh my friends, let me implore you to bear fruit worthy of the investment God has made in you.

DON’T ABUSE HIS PATIENCE

We find a third truth about what our Lord expects, which is this: Don’t abuse God’s patience. Yes, God is patient with us, bot don’t ever presume upon it and abuse that patience.

I just mentioned the Judgment Seat of Christ revealed in 1 Corinthians 3. That judgment is not for sin, but for service. Some people think because we are guaranteed eternal life, that we can waste away this life. This type of thinking is opposed to God’s way of doing things.

ILLUSTRATION: In Acts 5 a couple, Ananias and Sapphira abused God’s patience. There, they lied about the value of land they sold. It wasn’t about the value of the land, but their heart attitude toward the church and their desire to be seen as more. God ended their lives.

Our lives are but a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away. We do not know what a day may bring forth. Therefore, live for Jesus everyday, don’t abuse His patience.

HONOR HIS SON ABOVE ALL

To keep us bearing fruit worthy of His investment and not abusing His patience, we need to honor God’s Son above all. Take a moment and bask in the goodness of God by sending His only begotten Son for your sin debt. Beyond that, take a moment and realize that you have been grafted in to God’s family. Take a moment and realize that it wasn’t because of anything you did or could do, but all because of God wanting to bless you.

Then, with that new found appreciation, give praise and honor and glory to the Son of God, our Savior, Jesus Christ.

Right before the Tribulation begins there will be a massive celebration in Heaven, Revelation 5 reveals this. A search was conducted in heaven to find anyone worthy to open the seals upon the title deed to earth, this massive and important scroll which God had. Noone could be found worthy to open gthe scroll, until Jesus stepped out, the Lion of the tribe of Judah came forth. All of a suddon the entire host of heaven begins singing. We read in Revelation 5:9-10,

Revelation 5:9–10 KJV 1900

9 And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation; 10 And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth.

Jesus reminds us of the importance of honoring Him above all else. We read in Matthew 10:37-38,

Matthew 10:37–38 KJV 1900

37 He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. 38 And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me.

We honor the Son in how we leave each day and how we obey our Savior’s wishes. Jesus said in John 14:15,

John 14:15 KJV 1900

15 If ye love me, keep my commandments.

Honoring Christ is not merely about giving Him praise, it’s also about giving Him priority in every decision, every relationship, and every act of obedience.

TAKE HIS WARNING SERIOUSLY

Lastly, we need to remember to take His warning seriously. It has already been revealed that God will accomplish His plan with or without us, but when we read in verse 44 the consequences for not submitting to Jesus, it ought to concern us.

Matthew 21:44 KJV 1900

44 And whosoever shall fall on this stone shall be broken: but on whomsoever it shall fall, it will grind him to powder.

Now, if you belong to Jesus and you have received the free gift of eternal life, then you don’t have to worry about being ground to powder. You humbled yourself and fell upon stone. Yes, your life was broken, but God made you new. One day, according to 2 Corinthians 5:10,

2 Corinthians 5:10 KJV 1900

10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.

We need to take His work seriously. If high time we get up and live for Jesus every moment. This doesn’t mean quit your job and go door to door each day, but it does mean to use each day, each relationship, each opportunity to Him. We are reminded in Colossians 3:23,

Colossians 3:23 KJV 1900

23 And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men;

Whether you’re at work, home, school, or in the grocery line, your life is a platform for His glory. Every conversation is an opportunity to reflect His love. Every task is a chance to say, ‘This is for Jesus.

CONCLUSION

Jesus’ parable of the Lord of the Vineyard is not merely a history lesson; it is a mirror held up to every one of us. As God’s people, we have been given all things richly to enjoy and all things deeply to steward. We know who our God is: He is sovereign, good, patient, gracious, and just. And knowing His character, we are called to respond with faithfulness.

This story reminds us of a simple truth: God expects fruit. He expects His people to live in such a way that the return on His investment is undeniable. He has provided everything. He has waited patiently. He has even sent His own Son.

The tragedy in this parable wasn't the lack of ability on the tenants’ part; it was their refusal to submit. And beloved, how often does that same spirit grip our own hearts?

Let me ask: Are you acknowledging God’s ownership? Are you bearing fruit with what He’s given you? Are you honoring His Son in all things? Or have you forgotten that one day you will give an account?

Don’t miss this: God is still seeking fruit from His vineyard today. And though He is patient, His patience is not an invitation to complacency. It is an invitation to holy urgency.

So let us resolve today, by God’s grace, to live as the servants He expects. To labor in His vineyard. To honor His Son. And to take His warning seriously. One day, the Owner will return. May He find us faithful.