Cornerstone or Crushing Stone? (66)

Matthew Week 66 – Cornerstone or Crushing Stone?

Matthew 21:33-46

November 1, 2020

INTRO

Welcome back to Matthew!

Chapter 21…

Entry into Jerusalem Cleansed the Temple Cursed the Fig Tree Priests Challenged His Authority Parable of 2 Sons… Work Vineyards… 1 “no”-> then yes; 1 “yes” -> then no

Today: Another Parable!

Soren Kierkegaard

– a Danish philosopher, the father of existentialism, and self-described religious poet – once said, “There are two ways to be fooled. One is to

believe what isn’t true; The other is to refuse to accept what is true.”

And we’re guilty of this, aren’t we?

When have you believed something that wasn’t true, only to later discover that you were wrong?

- Believed my grandfather was shot and killed in a traffic stop

- Discovered he was actually shot by a man who’s wife he was having an affair with

What truth did you at one time refuse to accept, only to eventually discover that you were wrong? - Told by many people that one day I would be a pastor & preacher – I said NO WAY!

- Well… here I am, and have been for nearly 13 years!

The truth can be hard to know sometimes.

More often, it is just HARD TO ACCEPT!

• The religious leaders in Jesus’s day were enjoyed the status of “God’s Chosen”…

• It was really hard for them to see the truth that they had failed to represent God to the people of Israel…

• And they simply refused to accept Jesus for who He really was…

** PRAY **

1 – Israel’s History as God Sees It

à Matthew 21:33-41

• Master = God

• Vineyard = Nation of Israel

• Tenants = Religious Leaders of Israel

• Servants = Prophets

• Son = Jesus

v. 33: God provided everything for the vineyard

– fence – to assure growth;

– winepress – equipment to get the work done;

– tower – assurance & security for the tenants;

God created this world for US to ENJOY God entrusted His vineyard to tenants

– God puts His trust in people

– God gives freedom to people

God set us as CARETAKERS of His creation

v. 34-35: Tenants rebelled against God

– Fruit was expected

– Accountability came

– Tenants refused to pay

We REBEL against God

v. 36: God is longsuffering and patient – Even when His Servants are mistreated by ignorant or evil Tenants

God PATIENTLY WAITS for us to accept Him as Lord

v. 37-39: God sent His Son, Jesus

– Jesus claimed to be God’s Son

– Tenants saw and recognized the Son

– Tenants plotted His death

– Tenants planned to seize His inheritance

– Tenants murdered the Son

God SENT US Jesus, but many of us REJECT Him

v. 40-41: God will judge the Tenants

– The owner of the vineyard is coming

– He will destroy the wicket Tenants

– He will give His vineyard to other Tenants God will DELIVER JUSTICE for our rejection of Jesus

2 – The 3 Claims of Jesus

à Matthew 21:42-44

Jesus made 3 claims in the parable:

1) Jesus is the Cornerstone

à Psalm 118:22-23

Cornerstone Definition:

- A stone uniting two masonry walls at an intersection.

- Something that is essential, indispensable, or basic.

- The chief foundation on which something is constructed or developed.

2) God will turn from Israel to others

3) Those who reject Jesus will be crushed

We have a choice:

Jesus will either be the CORNERSTONE of our lives, or He will be the CRUSHING

STONE of our judgment

3 – The Results of the Parable

à Matthew 21:45-46 The priests & Pharisees heard Jesus and understood.

They were too hard-hearted to accept Him.

They plotted to arrest & kill him, but they were afraid of the crowds.

The priests had allowed their religious status – and all the power it brought them – to become the Cornerstone of their lives

Even when this was made evident to them – Like the famous Kierkegaard quote, they “refused to accept the truth” -- And they were fooled. And they were fools.

CLOSING

You and I have a big question we need to ask ourselves: What am I choosing to be the Cornerstone of my life? There are many good things to have as a part of our lives:

- Family - Food

- Relationships - Art

- Things we enjoy - Entertainment having - Conversation

Only 1 thing can be the Cornerstone of your life!

- Experiences

- Travel

- Daily habits

Jesus will either be the Cornerstone of our lives, or He will be the Crushing Stone of our judgment The most essential, indispensable thing in my life is…

The chief foundation on which my life is developed is…