2. Matthew 21:28-32

3. IN MY MEMORY.

4. 1 Corinthians 16:1-2 [1] Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given orders to the churches of Galatia, so you must do also: [2] On the first day of the week let each one of you lay something aside, storing up as he may prosper, that there be no collections when I come.

6. The Two Sons

7. Mathew 21:28-32 "But what do you think
Mathew 21:28-32 "But what do you think? A man had two sons, and he came to the first and said, "Son, go, work today in my vineyard.’ 29 He answered and said, "I will not,' but afterward he regretted it and went. 30 Then he came to the second and said likewise. And he answered and said, "I go, sir,' but he did not go. 31 Which of the two did the will of his father?" They said to Him, "The first." Jesus said to them, "Assuredly, I say to you that tax collectors and harlots enter the kingdom of God before you. 32 For John came to you in the way of righteousness, and you did not believe him; but tax collectors and harlots believed him; and when you saw it, you did not afterward relent and believe him.

8. OBEDIENCE TO HIS WORD! THE PARABLE ITSELF IS QUITE SIMPLE
It is an account of a man with two sons and a vineyard…
The father tells his two sons to work in the vineyard…
a. The first son says he won't go, but later regretted it and went…
b. The second son said he would, but did not actually go…
OBEDIENCE TO HIS WORD!

9. Jesus explains the parable! "Who of the two did the will
of his father?"
"The first"

10. Jesus' reply to the religious leaders is then very direct.
31 “Assuredly, I say to you that tax collectors and harlots enter the kingdom of God before you.” 32 "For John came to you in the way of righteousness, and you did not believe him; but tax collectors and harlots believed him; and when you saw it, you did not afterward relent and believe him."

11. Luke 7: And when all the people heard Him, even the tax collectors justified God, having been baptized with the baptism of John. 30 But the Pharisees and lawyers rejected the will of God for themselves, not having been baptized by him.

12. APPLYING THE PARABLE TODAY
THE MAIN POINT OF THE PARABLE...
Is it not that we must be "doers" and not "hearers"?
"The lesson is this: “doing of the will of God is the most needful thing."

13. There Is Work to Be Done “Son, go, work today.”
God expects his children to work.
(1 Cor. 15:58).
There is worshiping to be done.
(Heb. 10:25; Acts 20:7; Acts 2:42).
There is teaching and preaching to be done.
(Acts 20:20; 2 Tim. 2:2).
There is other service to be rendered.
(Jas. 1:27; Matt. 25:41-43).
God expect His children to work today.
(John9:4; Heb.3:13).

14. Matthew 7:21-23
21"Not everyone who says to Me, "Lord, Lord,' shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. 22Many will say to Me in that day, "Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?' 23And then I will declare to them, "I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!'
Matthew 28:20 20 teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." Amen.

15. There Is a Proper Place to Work
“in my vineyard.”
Cannot do the Lord's work in another person's vineyard. (Matt. 15:9,13,14).
Catholicism.
Protestant denominationalism.
Secret religious orders.
Cannot do the Lord’s work by tampering with His vineyard.
(2 Tim.3:16,17).
Some try to fence in additional acreage (areas for work).
Additional institutions and arrangements.
Additional activities: social, recreational, etc.
Some try to modify existing areas of work to fit modern concepts.
Pervert various items of worship.
Solos and Choral singing in worship. (Eph. 5:19; Col. 3:16).

16. THIS LESSON IS SORELY NEEDED TODAY...
The doctrines of "cheap grace" and "easy believism”, has created a generation of "sayers" and not "doers"

17. “raise your hand, believe and you will be saved”
Many profess Jesus as Lord, but then don't do what He says.
Luke 6:46 "But why do you call Me "Lord, Lord,' and not do the things which I say?

18. “ I go, sir, but went not.” There Is a Commitment to Be Honored
It is not enough to promise to serve. (Jas. 1:22-25).
It is not enough to just take the first steps. (Heb. 5:12-6:1).
Becoming a Christian is the beginning, not the completion of our obedience.
Becoming a Christian puts us into a position to live a life of obedience. (Eph. 2:10).

19. Keeping the commandments of God is essential to salvation
Matthew 7:21-23…
Matthew 28:20…
John 14:15,21…
John 15:10,14…
1 Cor. 7:19…
1 John 2:3-4…
Not every one who says…
Teaching them to observe…
If you love me…
You are my friends if you do…
but keeping the commandments
if we keep His commandments.

20. What we must remember is this...
When we keep God's commandments, we in no way earn or merit salvation.
We simply do that which is our duty to do, and always remain "unprofitable servants" saved by grace.
Luke 17:10 NKJV[10] So likewise you, when you have done all those things which you are commanded, say, 'We are unprofitable servants. We have done what was our duty to do.'"
Titus 3:5-7 NKJV [5] not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit, [6] whom He poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior, [7] that having been justified by His grace we should become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.

21. Which of the two sons most likely
looks like you?
Let's be honest...
How many times have I said to the Lord: Yes Sir, I will go…but nothing?
Many are the ones who reject God because of pride. There are many who also want to obey God according to their whims, and not by what God has already commanded.
Many have even wanted to change his commandments, because of the simple fact that God’s commandments did not agree with their way of thinking.

22. There Is Opportunity for Repentance.
“he repented and went” (KJV)
A sinner does not have to remain a sinner. (2 Pet. 3:9)
A sinner outside the vineyard can repent and be baptized into his vineyard. (Acts2:38,41).
A sinner inside the vineyard can repent and be forgiven. Acts8:22
A penitent cannot repent and stay.

23. Could it be that today there are many people (even "tax collectors" and "harlots") who will enter the kingdom of God before many religious people do?
What kind of "son" are you? One who does the will of his Father? Or one who says he will, but in the end does not? How you respond to the commands of our Lord determines the difference...