Good evening.  Tonight we come one step closer to the end of our series “The Parables of Jesus.”  Jesus was often challenged by those who opposed Him.  That is one of the reasons He used parables.  During His final week in Jerusalem, the elders and the chief priests questioned Christ’s authority to teach and to do the mighty works that He was accomplishing.

In His reply to this questioning, Jesus spoke 3 parables: The 2 Sons in Matthew 21 starting in verse 28, The Wicked Vinedressers in Matthew 21 starting in verse 33, and The Wedding Feast in Matthew 22 verse 1.  Over the next few weeks we will be examining each of these parables, and then wrapping this series up with 2 final parables.  This week though, we will take a look at the parable of The 2 Sons.

Before we move on, let’s start with a word of prayer.

As children, can you remember what kind of workers you were?

How often did your parents have to yell or remind you to do your work?

Well, as we examine this parable tonight, we take a look at 2 brothers, and their work ethic.  Let’s start by taking a look at the questioning of Jesus’ authority.  Turn with me to Matthew 21:23-27.  Again, this is a time when Jesus was in Jerusalem and had His authority questioned.  It is what led up to the parable of the 2 sons.  Matthew 21:23-27 says, “1”

When it comes right down to it, whose opinion do you care about most, God’s or other people’s?  Why?

Okay, now we know what led up to the parable, now let’s go ahead and read the parable.  It is in Matthew 21:28-32.  It is the parable of the 2 sons.  Here in Matthew 21:28-32 it says, “1”

What links this parable to verses 23-27 that we looked at a moment ago?

In this parable, what was the father’s request?

What does each son say and do about their father’s request?

How do you suppose the religious leaders felt about this story?

Well, Jesus was applying this parable to the religious leaders in Jerusalem.  They were like the second son, who said yes he would go to work, but then did not.  The tax collectors and the prostitutes who repented at the preaching of John were like the first son, who said no at first, but then later changed his mind and went into the vineyard to work.

Could I get someone to read Luke 7:29-30 for me please?

You see, the religious leaders said they would do things, but they weren’t actually doing anything for God.  In this parable, God is the father, and the sons are all of us, Sinners.  The second son says I will do what you want me to, but doesn’t follow through.  The first son though totally disregarded the request of the father.  However, notice that the father doesn’t punish the first son, but gives him time to change.

God is the same way with us, we may say no to Him, but with that He doesn’t punish us or write us off, He gives us time to change.  It may not be a long time, but He gives us plenty of time to make a change and obey Him.

So what do you think the main point from this parable is?

Well, I think that the main point that Jesus is trying to get across is that members of the Kingdom of Heaven are to be doers, and not just hearers.  The religious leaders in Jesus day were hearers only, they did not respond by doing anything good for God.  In James 1:22 it says, “But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.”

These religious leaders were deceiving themselves.  They listened, but they did not do, yet they thought they were doing well because they listened.

In the sermon on the mount Jesus taught the importance of doing the will of the Father.  In Matthew 7:21 Jesus said, “Not everyone who says to me, “Lord, Lord” will enter Kingdom of Heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in Heaven.”

You can call Jesus whatever you want to call Him, but what are you doing for Him.  This is where the rubber meets the road.  You can say all you want to say, and hear the message, but what are you doing with that message.  Is it going in one ear and out the other, or are you doing what God has commanded you to do.

Jesus repeated this same thought in the Great Commission.  Matthew 28:19-20 says, “2”

Go and make disciple, live lives that are transformed.  Be transformed to be more like Christ.  Be doers of the word, not hearers only.  This is a lesson that is badly needed today in our churches and in our world.

You see, many people confess Jesus Christ with their mouth, but they deny Him with their life.  Luke 6:46 simply says, “But why do you call me “Lord, Lord,” and not do the things which is say?”  Why?  Now that is a killer question.  Why do people confess Christ with their mouths, yet deny Him in every other aspect of their lives?  Why do you think that is?

Well, in Ephesians 2:8-9 it says, “3”

A misunderstanding of the doctrine of salvation by grace through faith has lead many people to conclude that requiring obedience to God’s commandments is legalism or salvation by works.  However, nothing could be further from the truth.  You see, loyalty goes beyond words, loyalty is found and measured through actions.

Let’s look and see what Jesus had to say in the Gospel of John.

Could I get someone to look up John 14:15?  (keep commandments)

Someone read John 14:21 please?  (keep commands and I will come to you)

How about John 14:23?  (keep my word)

Someone get John 15:10 for us please?   (keep commandments)

And finally, John 15:14?   (do what I command)

We must remember that when we keep God’s commandments, we in no way earn our salvation.  Make sure you hear that part, we in no way earn our salvation.  We are simply doing what is our duty to do.  In Luke 17:5-10, Jesus taught His apostles the parable of the Unprofitable Servants.  It is about a servant doing the will of his master and it ends with these words, “We are unprofitable servants.  We have done what was our duty to do.”

Well, this is the way that Jesus expects us to keep His commands.  Not as a way of getting something, but because it is our duty.  At times in life it may not be easy, but it is still expected of us.  If Jesus is our Lord or our Master, then we will do what we are told, not as a matter of getting what we want, but because it is our duty.

We should be careful to follow the words of Paul in Titus 3:8 as our guide.  Titus 3:8 says, “4”

Maintain good works.  It may be hard, but it is expected and it is our duty to God.  As we close this evening, remember that it was the religious leaders in Jesus’ day who rejected Him.  They did not listen to the preaching of John, nor did they listen to the words of Christ.  No doubt they thought that they were doing what was right, but they were not.  They were hearers only and not doers.

Before we close, which son in this story can you relate to the most?  Think about that, and make any changes that you need to in your life so that you are a doer of the word and not just a hearer.

Here is a closing thought: Could it be that there will be people who are considered not so nice who will enter into Heaven, while many religious people will not?

There will be 2 surprises in Heaven I think.  Those who are there, and those who are not there.  Which one will you be?  Go out this week and be doers or the word and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.

Let’s Pray