Parable of Two Sons
The Story - "An Interwoven Gospel" • Sermon • Submitted
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· 16 viewsOur actions should back up our words
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Authority questioned, part II
Authority questioned, part II
Jesus is going to do a series of three parables that are going to continue to answer the question about Jesus authority.
Today; Mt21:28-32 - parable of obedience
Today
Then; Mt21:33-46 - parable of faithfulness
Finally, Mt22:1-14 - parable of bridegroom
In the previous section (Mt21:23-27) we saw the LOrd turn the tables on the questions from the Jewish authority (Chief priests, elders and scribes) (v.23) and backed them into a corner. Today he will continue with the line of attack, or maybe you can say a line of direct revelation and opportunity.
another way to look at these three parables we will see (below keep it as One slide)
Claiming to do God’s will, but really being disobedient (vv.28-32)
Abuse and persecution (vv.33-46)
Refusing to accept Gods gracious gift (22:1-14)
From exposure to the failure to the message of the kingdom being open to all is what we will see, not just hidden within the parable, but clearly stated.
Open Story book and your bible
What do see, what do you notice, what sticks out to you?
The Story
The Story
With this section starting with “but” we can see it is the link between the previous section (challenging the authority of Jesus) and our section today.
“What do you think” is a term used to engage the listener to engage their mind in solving a problem. -
An interesting point also is that this story is only found in Matthew, so now if you have your bibles open there to Mt21, lets look at it.
Who are the characters in the story? - man and two sons
What were the instructions given? - go work today in my vineyard
What were the verbal responses given? - First son, I will not, second son, I will
What were the actions done? - first son regretted and went; second son did not do what he said.
Jesus will disclose the people here in a moment, but before we get there, I think we can glean more.
What kind of people do you see here? - people whose profession is more than their practice - does our profession and practice line up with each other?
The interpretation
The interpretation
31 “Which of the two did the will of his father?” They said, “The first.” Jesus said to them, “Truly I say to you that the tax collectors and prostitutes will get 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 prostitutes did believe him; and you, seeing this, did not even feel remorse afterward so as to believe him.
What was the question Jesus asked in (v.31)?
What was their response (v.31)?
Who is he speaking to (hint look back v.23)?
We need to understand that neither of the son’s had it right did they? One did not keep his word, the other was rebellious against the father. One commentator likened a 3rd son here, that one being Jesus who was sent to the field and did what He did for the glory of the Father. (take some time to develop on this)
Staying in (v.31) what did Jesus say? Jesus is telling the Chief priests, the elders and the scribes that it is the unlikely ones, the sinners in their eyes that will enter the kingdom of God.
Now the story continues to build for without a doubt Jesus is speaking of them and calling them out, and in (v.32) He tells them why.
Why did Jesus call them out (v.32)? - Because they did not believe! they had the truth, they had the law, they had the evidence in history; they had the word of prophesy which they should see fulfilled in Christ. Yet they did not believe.
There is another reason too (v.32); what is it? They felt no remorse, no guilt, no shame, no repentance. Why? Because they had no faith and their works though religious would not, could not save them.
Profession must match performance
There are many who will profess the name of Jesus but will not enter the kingdom of God.
21 “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter.
Now let’s expand on this some more
32 “For John came to you in the way of righteousness and you did not believe him; but the tax collectors and prostitutes did believe him; and you, seeing this, did not even feel remorse afterward so as to believe him.
Mt21:32
How did John come?
What was their response?
What was the response of tax collectors . . . ?
The religious folks did not recognize that John’s message, John’s baptism was from heaven
24 Jesus said to them, “I will also ask you one thing, which if you tell Me, I will also tell you by what authority I do these things. 25 “The baptism of John was from what source, from heaven or from men?” And they began reasoning among themselves, saying, “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ He will say to us, ‘Then why did you not believe him?’
27 And answering Jesus, they said, “We do not know.” He also said to them, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I do these things.
So going back let me point out a few scriptures
1 Now in those days John the Baptist came, preaching in the wilderness of Judea, saying, 2 “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”
3 For this is the one referred to by Isaiah the prophet when he said, “The voice of one crying in the wilderness, ‘Make ready the way of the Lord, Make His paths straight!’ ”
Mt3:
11 “As for me, I baptize you with water for repentance, but He who is coming after me is mightier than I, and I am not fit to remove His sandals; He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.
Mt3:11
They, the religious, did not see the fulfillment of Isaiah. Just like people today are shown the truth of the Word, given the gospel of hope but don’t respond. We still need to sow, keep sowing, and the Lord will add to the numbers daily those being saved (ref: Act2:47)
This is one of 10 parables that shows God’s mercy for sinners. It show JEsus mission
10 “For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost.”
The others are
Lk10
The physician (Mt9:12) - not the healthy who need a physician it is it the sick.
The debtors (Lk7:41-43) forgave both debtors a debt they could not pay.
The guests (Mt22:1-10) invited guests did not come, but the ones on the hi-ways and by-ways did
The prodigal (Lk15:11-32)
The lost sheep (Mt18:12-14) - the rejoicing in heaven over one that is lost that is found
The lost drachma (Lk15:8-10) joy in the presence of the angels over a sinner who repents
The good employer (Mt20:1-15) - God is not partial he offers generously to all.
The Pharisee and the publican (Lk18:9-14) God is not concerned with class, but with heart.
finally, the Father and child (Mt7:9-11) IF we know how to give good, think what the Father in heaven wants to do, wants to give.
John Stott said “A man can easily spoil a good thing by the way he does it.”
The FIrst son did the right thing, but not with the right heart. we need to do the right thing with the right heart.
The Christian way, the right way, is by the way of performance more than promise and the true mark of the Christian is obedience graciously and courteously given.