12:59:13 Recording in progress.
12:59:16 Hi, and welcome to week two.
12:59:19 of our classes for Jesus and His Parables.
12:59:26 On this.
12:59:29 day that God has blessed us with.
12:59:32 I pray that you will get
12:59:34 Exactly what you need by.
12:59:37 Viewing this parable,
12:59:39 And then it can bring processes in your life that.
13:00:01 Recording in progress.
13:00:03 Hi, and welcome to Jesus and His Parables. This is week two.
13:00:08 of our class.
13:00:10 our class that you are auditing.
13:00:13 Uh, concerning.
13:00:15 Jesus and his parables, and we're going to introduce to you more and more new things.
13:00:20 I pray that will change your life and your lifestyle.
13:00:24 This is a great end.
13:00:26 and unique parable, one that really brings to the forefront.
13:00:31 how we should behave and the things that
13:00:34 We say and the things that we do when we make commitments to one another. So, let's get right into it.
13:00:41 This parable is about two sons.
13:00:46 Uh, it comes out of the book of Matthew,
13:00:49 21 chapter 21,
13:00:51 Versus 28 through 32.
13:00:55 For this assignment, I want you to read
13:00:59 About this parable.
13:01:01 And then take some notes, so that when we discuss it in a few weeks, you will understand and see.
13:01:08 How you can take this parable,
13:01:11 and apply it to your life.
13:01:13 And those that are around you.
13:01:16 and just view how people will sometimes make commitment, as well as
13:01:21 We make commitments sometimes and may not do exactly what we, what we ask. Even the commitments that we make to Jesus.
13:01:29 When we say, Jesus, I know you gave me this assignment.
13:01:33 But I know I promise to do it, Jesus, but I simply
13:01:38 Can't do it. Um, we don't always go back and talk to Jesus about it.
13:01:44 Or we may make commitments to people that we know, and we never go back to them and say,
13:01:49 I really can't do it. So, let's look at this parable.
13:01:55 and see how it can change the way we handle things that we say.
13:01:59 This is how the parable goes.
13:02:02 What do you think?
13:02:05 That's the first line it says, what do you think?
13:02:08 A man had two sons, and he went to the first and said, son,
13:02:14 Go and work in the vineyard today.
13:02:17 And he answered. The son answered.
13:02:20 I will not. But afterwards, he changed his mind and went.
13:02:27 And he went to the other side, this is the father,
13:02:30 went to the other son and said the same thing.
13:02:34 Any answer. I go, sir.
13:02:38 but did not go.
13:02:41 Which of the two did the will of his father?
13:02:46 They said the first. Jesus said to them, so if they said the first,
13:02:52 There's some people that are answering this, and we'll get further into that in a few minutes.
13:02:58 Truly, I say to you, the tax collectors
13:03:01 And the prostitutes.
13:03:04 go into the kingdom of God before you.
13:03:07 For John came to you in the way of righteousness,
13:03:11 And you did not believe him.
13:03:14 But the tax collector and the prostitutes believed him,
13:03:19 And even when you saw it, you did not afterwards chains.
13:03:24 Your mind and believe Him.
13:03:28 Oh my goodness, take a few moments and just ponder.
13:03:32 over what Jesus is saying right now.
13:03:36 Well, some years ago I chose to.
13:03:42 Do this parable in a teaching, and I also did it in a sermon.
13:03:47 So, I'm gonna try to give you a mixture of this.
13:03:52 And explain to you.
13:03:55 how this parable should affect your life, even right now.
13:04:01 I chose to title
13:04:03 this parable.
13:04:05 The sons.
13:04:07 Because it's been many years that I have researched.
13:04:11 What this parable actually should do for somebody, if they truly
13:04:16 are following Jesus Christ.
13:04:18 and want to do His will.
13:04:20 So I feel that this is a meaningful way, the way that I'm going to present it to you,
13:04:26 To understand and explore.
13:04:29 Uh, the parable of the two sons and is found in Matthew.
13:04:34 Chapter 21, again, verse 28 through 32.
13:04:40 Now, I previously said I share this message in a sermon, and
13:04:45 a Bible study many years ago. So it is my hope
13:04:49 that you understand the message of this parable deeply and see how it applies to your life.
13:04:56 By obeying Jesus, listen to me now, by obeying Jesus,
13:05:01 And following His plans and desires,
13:05:05 You can experience a full and joyful way of living.
13:05:10 Most importantly, what I.
13:05:12 private you get from the explanation and me examining this.
13:05:18 parable with you.
13:05:20 I want you to be encouraged to keep your promises and follow through
13:05:26 on what you agree to do.
13:05:28 Especially to God, rather than make commitments without following through.
13:05:32 Because when you promise God you're gonna do something, He knows what you're gonna do.
13:05:38 Sometimes he lets you go ahead and get away with what you're promising to show you who you are.
13:05:44 Okay, let's do this thing.
13:05:47 Communicating clearly and concisely is essential.
13:05:52 When explaining the Word of God.
13:05:55 A receptive mindset is necessary.
13:05:58 to process new information effectively.
13:06:01 Jesus articulated many of His teachings in various ways.
13:06:07 Keeping the core message.
13:06:10 clear to his audience, no matter who they were,
13:06:13 Nonetheless, the fundamental message remained consistent. He didn't change.
13:06:20 from one thing to another.
13:06:21 So most of us are familiar with the parable of the prodigal son and his storyline. We've heard that for many, many years in our life.
13:06:30 It's one of the most famous stories.
13:06:33 in world history.
13:06:35 This is another story, or parable that I'm going to talk to you about.
13:06:41 Where Jesus talks about two sons, and it has a striking similarity
13:06:46 To the story of the prodigal Son.
13:06:50 This story, or this parable, only appears
13:06:55 In one gospel, and that's the gospel of Matthew.
13:06:59 So the basic meaning of this parable is easy, really, to understand.
13:07:05 The father represents God, okay? Put that down in your notes.
13:07:12 And God has a vineyard.
13:07:14 Okay? They are working in the vineyard, and that working in the vineyard represents
13:07:21 doing God's will. Put that down in your notes.
13:07:24 And the two sons represents two different responses.
13:07:30 to God's Word.
13:07:32 You got it? So the first one says no when he's asked to do something, but.
13:07:40 After a parent says and does.
13:07:43 say yes.
13:07:45 The second son says, yes, immediately.
13:07:50 But does know. You'll get that in a minute.
13:07:54 The first son is to be commended over the second son, because
13:07:59 As we might say, actions speak louder than words.
13:08:04 are stated negatively, saying the right thing without doing the right thing counts for nothing.
13:08:11 You got that point. If you didn't rewind again and put your.
13:08:17 meet our mold on slow so you can hear me talking slow.
13:08:21 So, on the level that the parable
13:08:24 is really trying to make a message to you,
13:08:28 is to right now, I want you to give yourself
13:08:33 permission to do a heart check.
13:08:36 about whether or not you keep your word.
13:08:40 To God, when you say you're gonna do something, and that's all you do. You say you're gonna do it. Okay, alright.
13:08:47 Some might see this as the shortest.
13:08:50 recorded sermon that I've ever done. But guess what? It wasn't. It was one of the long ones, because I did.
13:08:58 An explanation.
13:09:00 and are teaching and doing this sermon. So that's why I said I'm gonna do both. I'm gonna do a sermon, and I'm gonna do the teaching involving that sermon, because you know what?
13:09:09 If you're doing a sermon and there's no teaching and no one gets anything that will change your life out of the sermon,
13:09:16 Guess what? You just did a great speech.
13:09:20 So, I want you to acknowledge the views, and what I want to do, I want to take you a little deeper,
13:09:26 than just giving you exactly what I just said a few minutes ago about what.
13:09:31 Who represents what? That's good information, but I want to go beneath the surface and use some other scripture.
13:09:40 and bring to you what this parable is saying.
13:09:44 Basically, it spread throughout the Bible.
13:09:48 Basic information before leaving Earth.
13:09:51 The masses goes beyond simple life lessons like action speaks louder than words, or a son,
13:09:57 You must follow through on your commitments. It goes beyond that.
13:10:02 In fact, Jesus' statement is quite provocative and challenges the shortcomings
13:10:09 of the Israelites' religion. Okay, now you know who the audience is.
13:10:14 If this seems like a broad description,
13:10:17 It is. It's at least draws attention to the failure
13:10:23 of the Israelite leaders and their religious practices.
13:10:27 Jesus was always debating with them about this.
13:10:31 So these leaders, by explanation and their religion,
13:10:37 Hadn't been a point where they quite lived up.
13:10:40 to what they were hoping it to be,
13:10:43 Because they only highlighted certain things in their religion.
13:10:48 And they never took a fresh start. It's like having an old.
13:10:53 a heart that's not working right, and then all of a sudden, you got a heart transplant. That's what's going on here. Some people's hearts need to be transplanted.
13:11:03 So to grasp the significance of this parable and Jesus' full message, it helps to understand our place
13:11:13 in the Gospel of Matthew. If you don't understand
13:11:17 What you're reading when you are looking at a parable, you've got to go back, in other words, and research
13:11:25 What is going on during that time?
13:11:28 And then compare it to what is happening in your life right now. So, I invite you to follow the story.
13:11:35 as it appears in Matthew chapter 21.
13:11:39 Remember, history plays a vital role in
13:11:43 Any situation that you have, especially.
13:11:46 when understanding why someone.
13:11:49 Says what they do, how they say it, why they say it, and when they say it.
13:11:55 All to help humanity grow and improve, particularly in their spiritual journey. You got to know where people are coming from,
13:12:04 When they make a decision about whatever they say and whatever they do, and however they respond.
13:12:11 Did you get that point right there?
13:12:14 The book of Matthew.
13:12:16 28 chapters and as we researched Matthew 21 and we reach Matthew 21 in our Bibles,
13:12:24 Before we get to the rest of Matthew, we've got to find ourselves.
13:12:31 Where or what is happening in Matthew 21?
13:12:35 It is the last week of Jesus' earthly life.
13:12:40 Didn't know that, did you?
13:12:42 He was studying the pearl. But in order to understand the parable, you gotta understand why Jesus is saying some things that he's saying, because he's giving me take
13:12:53 A long vacation.
13:12:56 Because he's going to come back. Okay.
13:12:58 If you read the Bible, as many believers do, you know Jesus will be resurrected,
13:13:04 resurrected, and live on afterwards. Your… our God is not dead.
13:13:09 Jesus is not dead. He's just in.
13:13:12 His father's abode and his abode, and he's preparing a place for me and you. You gotta understand that, so that we don't… we don't… those of us that are Christian believers,
13:13:22 Don't serve a dead God. Our God is alive.
13:13:26 So last, this is the last week.
13:13:30 of Jesus' life.
13:13:32 It's before it goes to the cross.
13:13:35 And there are some empty tomb, so he rises.
13:13:39 And it's a significant journey that you need to understand there when you're looking at this parable.
13:13:44 And and the spirit subtly reminds me to just not dive.
13:13:50 Really too deep in that because it might confuse you and get you.
13:13:55 Uh, so I'mma just do a little bit.
13:13:57 The timeline of Holy Week,
13:14:00 can be very complex, but it generally looks like this. There's Palm Sunday, which is quite clear.
13:14:07 Palm Sunday occurred on Sunday.
13:14:10 That's when the worshippers start to shout, Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
13:14:16 Hosanna to the highest,
13:14:18 Now, if you look at verse 9, we're in Matthew 21 now.
13:14:25 The crow went ahead of him,
13:14:27 began to shout, and when he entered Jerusalem, everyone was stirred up and asking,
13:14:33 Who is this?
13:14:35 Usually, we call this a triumphant embryo. You should know what I'm talking about right now.
13:14:41 So technically, it's more like a triumphant.
13:14:45 We want to look at it different. We want to look at it smart.
13:14:50 As seen in other parts of the gospel, even before Jesus reaches the city, he, meaning Jesus,
13:14:57 weeps over Jerusalem because he understands they might not fully realize who he is.
13:15:04 He knows he's going to suffer.
13:15:06 He knows he's gonna die, and that the city doesn't quite get it.
13:15:12 Neither did his disciples.
13:15:14 They should…
13:15:16 Get some help in their understanding. Well, later on, they will get more help.
13:15:21 To understand who Jesus really was.
13:15:25 So to clear up some misunderstanding.
13:15:28 And to really share what is going on during Holy Week,
13:15:33 We need to…
13:15:35 understand that the crowd
13:15:37 is somewhat of a little bit of a pickle crowd, as we would say.
13:15:41 But here's the truth.
13:15:44 On Sunday, they shot at Hosanna. Look at it, follow me now.
13:15:48 And by Good Friday, they were calling for his, meaning Jesus, crucifixion.
13:15:54 So you… that's why I call them fickle.
13:15:57 People can indeed be quite changeable and quite fickle.
13:16:03 Oh, it's true that people can be fickle, just like I keep saying it over and over again, because sometimes we can be fickle.
13:16:11 But those are also not the important thing I want you to remember here.
13:16:17 At one time, short time there shot on Hosanna.
13:16:23 Bless is he who comes in the name of God. And the next time there is Shiloh.
13:16:29 That's fine.
13:16:31 Toulouse account. Jesus' disciples are told to stop praising Him,
13:16:36 But it responds that if you don't, even the stones would cry out.
13:16:42 In that context, the term disciples refers not only to his 12 main followers,
13:16:49 but also to our larger group of people, including those who gathered for the Feast of the Pilgrims from Galilee.
13:16:57 Jesus, who hails from Galilee and not we do know that he was from Galilee.
13:17:04 Jesus!
13:17:06 is going on a journey.
13:17:08 He's celebrating with some of his followers and pilgrimages,
13:17:13 From around the region.
13:17:16 As he approaches Jerusalem, the city abuzz with excitement and questions like,
13:17:21 Who is this? Sparkled by the crowd, which is influenced by the religious leaders
13:17:26 who would later shout crucify him on Good Friday.
13:17:31 Follow me now. Pay close attention.
13:17:35 On Palm Sunday, as he approaches Jerusalem, he feels deeply compassionate.
13:17:42 And sheds tears for the city.
13:17:45 That evening, he makes his way back and forth between Jerusalem and Bethany.
13:17:51 A charming little village just about 2 miles.
13:17:55 Away is roughly about 30 to 45 minute walk and since.
13:17:59 He had friends there, he quite naturally
13:18:03 would be one that would have a smaller group of disciples,
13:18:08 that often stayed with him,
13:18:10 In Bethany. Then at night they would head back to Jerusalem, creating a peaceful rhythm
13:18:16 to their day, okay? So, I want you to keep following me now. Don't get lost and don't get bored.
13:18:24 Let's take a minute and go and look at verse 17.
13:18:27 Of that same chapter, which says, and leaving them,
13:18:32 He went out of the city to Bethany and lodged there.
13:18:37 It might seem a little confusing here in Matthew's account, because as you see in chapter 21, 12-13,
13:18:43 There's a cleansing of the temple followed by healing at the temple, and then the crowd saying,
13:18:50 Hosanna to the son of David, along with their indignation.
13:18:55 Then Jesus goes through probably not as strictly chronological order,
13:18:59 This doesn't mean the Bible made a mistake. Rather, many authors, especially in ancient times, organized their stories
13:19:08 Thematically, so whatever theme that they were dealing with at the time, that's what they put.
13:19:13 in the Bible. So, not every verse is meant to follow exactly after the previous one.
13:19:19 You've got to do some research to understand that. So verse 17 likely relates to the day after the initial.
13:19:28 events in Jerusalem with Jesus going to Bethany, then on Monday, he returns to Jerusalem and enters the temple. You got it?
13:19:38 Alright, if you want to stop right there, you can do it and go back and look at the store and see
13:19:44 if this teacher is correct in the way that she's teaching you.
13:19:49 In chapter 21, verse 23,
13:19:52 We see Jesus entering the temple again.
13:19:56 He cursed the victory, and then cleared the temple. Oh, that has something to do.
13:20:02 with this parable that I've assigned to you.
13:20:05 Remember, he enters the temple?
13:20:09 He cursed the frigtree prior,
13:20:11 And then he clears the temple.
13:20:13 He then returns to Bethany with his disciples on Tuesday.
13:20:18 He visits Jerusalem once more.
13:20:21 The first day in Jerusalem,
13:20:24 Palm Sunday, after which he goes to Bethany.
13:20:28 I'm recounting it so you can…
13:20:31 Can really get it inside you.
13:20:33 The next day, Monday, is probably the day he clears the temple,
13:20:38 And curses the fig tree, which serves as a parable by itself. Okay, I'll show you that in a minute.
13:20:46 On Tuesday, he returns to the temple again and describes in verse 23,
13:20:53 Their entire stretch from chapter 21, 20, verse 23,
13:20:58 to the end of chapter 25 is very busy. So during this time, Jesus shares parables
13:21:05 and had some conflicts with religious leader, some he provokes intentionally,
13:21:11 and prepares to deliver the Olivet Discourse. Okay, keep following me.
13:21:16 If you turn several chapters farther,
13:21:21 to chapter 26 and look at verse 1, you see Jesus finishing all these teachings and telling his disciple.
13:21:30 You know that after 2 days, the Passover is coming.
13:21:35 That's the Passover meal Jesus will be sharing during the Last Supper,
13:21:40 On Thursday would certainly make sense in this timeline.
13:21:45 Now, here.
13:21:47 What we are really studying,
13:21:49 We are on Tuesday, looking at chapter 21, 23 to 25.
13:21:55 So, when we explore
13:21:57 two different moments involving Jesus, one where he takes the initiative and another where he responds to the religious leaders in Jerusalem,
13:22:05 Let's start at verse 23.
13:22:08 As he enters the temple, the chief priest
13:22:12 And elders approached him.
13:22:15 They asked, by what authority
13:22:18 Are you doing these things?
13:22:21 This marks the second major confrontation.
13:22:24 This marks what Jesus really wants to get their attention about.
13:22:29 So what these things are, they are referring to.
13:22:34 What are they referring to? It's slightly related to how Jesus entered Jerusalem
13:22:39 with confidence. He entered in a certain way. He didn't just slide on in there, he entered a certain way. Remember, I said that people were doing some shouting, and it was a buzz.
13:22:51 All in the city, like his own… he was an internet city like it was.
13:22:58 his own city, and guess what? It was.
13:23:02 That is one thing that you might understand about this parable, also.
13:23:06 And recognize that Jesus is the real Messiah.
13:23:11 However, when they question, how do you get off, that's really what he's saying in today's language,
13:23:19 You know, I'm doing these things that you're doing, Jesus.
13:23:23 They finally are referring to the previous day's events. See, some people
13:23:29 When they talk to you or ask you certain questions,
13:23:33 They're not really talking about what you're doing at the moment. They may be talking about something you did in the past,
13:23:38 And they just want to know the answer to it, because they being nosy, or they being curious, or they trying to shut you up because you may be doing… let me go on, uh, here.
13:23:49 A little bit further, so I won't be wasting your time.
13:23:53 Get off doing these things that mainly refer to the previous day events, the cleansing of the temple, so let's go a little bit further here.
13:24:00 Stick with me, everyone. Keep following along.
13:24:05 Conflict number one is Jesus cleansing the temple. I'm still talking about the parable of the two sons.
13:24:13 Conflict. I'm trying to lead you up to this.
13:24:19 conflict
13:24:20 Number one is Jesus cleansing the temple.
13:24:24 Jesus, you must realize, aiming for a confrontation.
13:24:30 He's coming into somebody else's
13:24:33 Let's say house.
13:24:35 And he's doing something that, to them, he ain't got no business doing.
13:24:40 Jesus was upset in a godly way.
13:24:44 You have made this, which is a house of prayer, and to a den of robbers.
13:24:50 Now you, you cannot imagine Jesus. I know you can't, being shock and flying off and
13:24:57 And having a bit of rage, turning over, uh, things in the temple.
13:25:02 And his temper flaring up, and getting the best of him. No, that's not how Jesus operates. See, mankind is put it in that way.
13:25:12 Because they don't know exactly how Jesus truly is. They don't believe that even when He's upset, He ain't got to do all that kind of stuff that we do.
13:25:22 as human beings. So Jesus handles and operates differently than the way we do.
13:25:31 His reflection of what was going on
13:25:34 In the temple and his anger that he was high was showing them that you cannot desecrate the house of God, would you say?
13:25:45 You're going to worship.
13:25:47 and do things and cheat people out of what?
13:25:51 They are using to put in as a sacrifice,
13:25:56 in their worship. Okay, let me go a little bit deeper with that.
13:25:59 Jesus does not enter the temple.
13:26:02 Blustered and frustrated to see people exchanging money.
13:26:06 Then flip over the tables. That's not what he did.
13:26:09 No, he deliberately entered the temple.
13:26:14 a fight, or what we call a fight, or argument.
13:26:17 He wants to show him something.
13:26:20 What was wrong in the temple?
13:26:22 Was that it needed to be cleansed.
13:26:25 That's what is called. Flipping over the tables, turning over the seat, cleansing the temple is what was going on. This, I believe, gets to the heart of Jesus' critique.
13:26:38 Of the religion as they were fulfilling it. See, some people make up the way they want to worship Jesus.
13:26:46 You can't come to Jesus any kind of way. You've got to come to Him in the way
13:26:51 But he asked you to come to Him.
13:26:54 You see by examining this situation, the Israelite religion
13:26:59 had become fancy.
13:27:01 But not fruitful. Watch me right here? It had become fancy.
13:27:08 But not fruitful. Now, why do I say that? Because that's what Jesus does when he curses
13:27:16 The big tree! Oh, yes he did.
13:27:20 This was very deliberate.
13:27:22 You see, if you're following along in your Bible,
13:27:26 That there is a head and above, and if you look at your Bible, if it's a King James Bible, it's gonna be a head and above there.
13:27:34 It says Jesus curses the fig tree.
13:27:37 We still, verse 13,
13:27:39 in the chapter that we are studying, and I'm not gonna keep saying what chapter, because you should be following along in your Bible as I'm teaching you.
13:27:49 He comes to this tree.
13:27:52 And he says the tree is green.
13:27:55 It's got green leaves on it.
13:27:57 It looks nice, so if it's got.
13:28:02 Me and his green.
13:28:03 That mean it's got life, then it's got to have some fruit on it.
13:28:07 But, with a closer inspection,
13:28:11 There's no fix.
13:28:12 There's no fruit. Oh, we're still dealing with these two sons parable.
13:28:18 So the heart of the Jewish faith had changed quite a bit.
13:28:23 Without Jesus at the core,
13:28:27 It's lost what makes the difference for your faith.
13:28:33 to be, I guess, meaningful in some way.
13:28:37 Jesus explains this by comparing it to a fig tree.
13:28:41 that seems promising,
13:28:43 But bears no fruit, much like the temple and sacrifices which, while
13:28:49 They look grand in appearance,
13:28:51 often lead to real spiritual growth.
13:28:54 Well, do we know anything about that in churches today?
13:28:58 Unfortunately, this deal
13:29:01 those on this very day. Many churches may look beautiful on the outside,
13:29:07 But might like authentic validity and fruitfulness on the inside.
13:29:13 Sometimes this emptiness comes from focusing more on religious routines,
13:29:19 That I'm truly heartfelt faith. Okay, do you need to take a breather right there?
13:29:24 And understand what I'm talking about?
13:29:26 and relate to what I'm talking about, because it's very sad to see what is going on this day and time.
13:29:33 Year 2026.
13:29:36 Many cities across the triad and Triangle of North Carolina, where we live at,
13:29:41 And especially in our own neighborhoods, you got all these beautiful churches, it seems like on every corner and in between.
13:29:48 But they're empty, they might have 5 or 6 people, and they're not vibrant like they used to be.
13:29:55 Because guess what? Sometimes when prosperity is great,
13:30:00 in life, the spiritual aspect.
13:30:04 and prosperity of that goes down.
13:30:08 These churches that I'm talking about, which might be stunning on the outside, look architecturally, traditionally,
13:30:15 Liturgies and beautiful music, perhaps even meaningful elements within them, have food banks and all that kind of stuff, can still feel spiritually lifeless.
13:30:26 Sometimes they are filled with formal rituals, grand organs, hymns,
13:30:32 Clergy dressed in robes, all rich with history and beauty, yet lacking real spiritual life. Can you identify what I'm saying? Still talking about the two sons.
13:30:44 relate one with the other. On the other hand, some churches may focus on more
13:30:50 of entertainment or production, emphasizing spectacles over genuine spiritual connection. And they don't want you to connect spiritually. They just want you to go out and have a feel-good time and remember about Brother Joe's shopping so much that his toothpaste fell off his head.
13:31:07 You remember that morning, you remember anything that the preacher said on the preaching moment.
13:31:14 If I love, some of us might appear very devout.
13:31:18 No, and the right words to say, wearing the right appropriate clothes for Saturday manner or Saturday worship, or Sunday worship, whatever way you do it. We even plan our outfit for the worship service during the week, because we want to look grand when we step up in there. We want all eyes on us.
13:31:39 We ain't thinking about Jesus, however!
13:31:43 Jesus isn't just interested in the outward appearance like green leaves.
13:31:49 He desires bigs, meaning general fruit, and the results of eating that general genuine fruit. Do you hear me what I'm saying to you?
13:32:00 Jesus was really upset seeing people.
13:32:03 Perhaps being tickled and calling the place.
13:32:07 A den of robbers.
13:32:10 He probably felt that the busy,
13:32:12 Market scene was making a mockery of what was truly
13:32:16 Important. But it wasn't just about money changing hands.
13:32:20 This had been going on for.
13:32:23 For many years for a while.
13:32:26 Because of the court of Gentiles, you gotta go back and study that.
13:32:29 Who is the court of Gentiles?
13:32:31 Worshippers traveled.
13:32:33 From far away and and they needed an animal sacrifice and that's why.
13:32:39 The money changes was there, they were selling sacrifices.
13:32:43 Animals, since these people that had journeyed,
13:32:47 Were not able to take the animals on the journey with him.
13:32:51 So the issue wasn't buying.
13:32:54 the animals, but it was the entire setup.
13:32:58 And how it shifted the house of prayer to a place focused on making money.
13:33:04 See, they were gouging people.
13:33:07 that had been on a long journey, and because people took the long journey.
13:33:12 They upped the price of the animal.
13:33:15 Then the regular price, because they knew they didn't have any other choice. Can y'all follow me what I'm saying here?
13:33:21 So, at its core,
13:33:23 This deliberate confrontation stemmed from Jesus' concern
13:33:28 that the temple had shifted people's reliance
13:33:32 from true faith to presumption.
13:33:36 Get that?
13:33:38 Jeremiah the prophet includes a meaningful passage where God's people face consequences.
13:33:44 Jeremiah describes how they claim. This is what he says. You say the Lord
13:33:50 The temple. The temple, implying they believe the temple's presence shields them from punishment,
13:33:58 Like saying, we have an organ, a choir, we got crews, whatever we trust in, instead of God. This is what people are doing today.
13:34:08 Like they did back then. So to dip the temple became a symbol of false security.
13:34:14 Oh, I just want to get married in the, in the.
13:34:18 uh, church house. It's gonna make a difference if I get married in a church house than getting married in my grandma's house, or what difference it makes if you're getting married for the right reason. Oh, I just pulled that out the air. I'll go with that thought.
13:34:32 Well, all these things, the creeds, confessions, hymns,
13:34:35 Buildings, deeds, and heritages.
13:34:38 are good and important. I'm not saying they are not.
13:34:41 They should never replace our trust in the gospel. This is what I'm trying to say to you.
13:34:48 When our confidence rests on anything else, it becomes a form
13:34:53 of false religion. We're not supposed to be doing anything false or dealing with it. If we are in the house and we know it's against God, then we need to leave the house.
13:35:07 This was true for many Jewish people,
13:35:10 Back then, at that time.
13:35:12 So Jesus challenges the very heart
13:35:16 of Israel's religion, because it was a desperate need.
13:35:21 of renewal that they needed. So, as we read in Ezekiel,
13:35:26 It's about removing that heart and feeling stone hard, and replacing it with soft, receptive one. We're still in
13:35:37 The two sons parables.
13:35:40 tree that Jesus cursed.
13:35:42 was going to wither, not from the top, but from its roots.
13:35:47 Just since he says, this temple will be torn down stone by stone,
13:35:52 Because a new temple is here. Who's that new temple? That temple is Jesus Christ.
13:35:58 He's got to be in your temple. The new temple is the body of Christ. Who's that body of Christ?
13:36:05 It's called the bride of Christ.
13:36:08 Which is why we supposed to be the church.
13:36:13 We belong to Him. He started.
13:36:16 and are calling living stones within that temple, okay?
13:36:21 Did I lose you right there? Hope not. Go back and research it.
13:36:26 Jesus… I'm getting ready to tell you.
13:36:29 Jesus is transforming the idea of the temple, so it's no longer a physical building,
13:36:35 The dwelling place of the Holy Spirit, the heart of God's religion, and the essence of what it means,
13:36:41 To be his people, but instead is centered on a person.
13:36:46 Got it?
13:36:48 God really cares about having Jesus at the heart of any religion.
13:36:53 Even if a religion does some good and helps people become decent human beings,
13:36:58 It still isn't complete with that Jesus at its core.
13:37:02 We are grateful for God's common grace, but without Jesus as the center,
13:37:08 Such a religion isn't truly true!
13:37:11 That's the first conflict. Jesus goes into the temple and have to deal with.
13:37:19 The second conflict happens right after that.
13:37:23 Bringing us back to verse 23. Jesus enters the temple on Tuesday, the next day.
13:37:30 The chief priests and the elders, seeing him,
13:37:34 Our teaching asks, what gives? By what authority are you doing these things?
13:37:38 You're not a priest. You haven't been approved by the Sanhedrin. Look at this thing here.
13:37:44 You're not a noble family. You didn't come from one.
13:37:47 You're from somebody, a nobody, really, who comes from Nazareth.
13:37:53 think you are pulling off such a stunt yesterday, talking about turning over the tables in the temple.
13:37:59 Now, okay, that's a fair question.
13:38:02 It's not natural to wonder what authority Jesus.
13:38:06 You know, or I shouldn't say it's not natural, it is natural to wonder what a thorough did.
13:38:11 Jesus has to… that he had to overturn the tables and crack a whip in the middle of the Passover week.
13:38:18 That's where we are here.
13:38:22 We're in the holiest place.
13:38:24 in Jerusalem, in this storyline.
13:38:26 But unfortunately, it's not a genuine question that they should have asked.
13:38:33 It's born out of anger.
13:38:36 See, sometimes we ask questions, not because
13:38:40 If an authentic question, it's just because whatever somebody's doing has made us angry, so you want to know, well, what makes them
13:38:49 are no more than you know. Okay, so Jesus responds in a way that confuses them, much like officials who fear
13:38:56 They might lose face or position. Nobody wants opposition
13:39:02 are trying to be a show off as some people would say.
13:39:06 So, they end up answering,
13:39:09 We do not know. So when Jesus comes back on them,
13:39:17 Just asking, "Why don't they just ask?
13:39:21 what they really think.
13:39:23 See, it's called a fishing mechanism. When somebody come up to you.
13:39:28 And trying to get information from you about something, whether it's spiritual or non-spiritual.
13:39:34 And they start way over in left field to get what they really want the ass.
13:39:39 You should have enough discerning.
13:39:43 Our discernment about you to know that they are just pitching. Let me go on with this parable right now.
13:39:50 Big question Jesus about his authority.
13:39:54 It wasn't a genuine inquiry, but more like a challenge.
13:39:59 It's a way to assert.
13:40:01 He was so weird.
13:40:04 Jesus cleverly.
13:40:07 turns the situation around figuratively, since he had already done so literally,
13:40:13 and ask them about John's baptism. In other words, he
13:40:19 Change the subject!
13:40:21 inquires about its origin and authority, that is, John.
13:40:27 The Baptist. The religious leader understanding the dilemma quickly convened and said,
13:40:33 Let's think this over carefully.
13:40:36 They realized that if they claim John's ministry wasn't from heaven,
13:40:41 They're losing support of the people who have John in high regard, especially since
13:40:46 He was a miner. So, conversely, admitting it was from heaven would make them look bad for not aligning with John.
13:40:54 Unsure what to do, they finally decide to avoid the issue altogether, in which they are approaching Jesus with what authority he comes, because when Jesus asks them about what authority did John the Baptist
13:41:08 Uh, they had some people in the audience that really knew John the Baptist, and really believed in John the Baptist, and those religious leaders
13:41:17 did not want to entertain that. So they said, we got to think this over, and we'll just pass. We don't want to know what authority you have.
13:41:26 And the reason why that was because they were hoping they would avoid
13:41:31 The angry disposition of the followers at that time,
13:41:36 And they're conscious, so, and Jesus states.
13:41:39 If you do not answer my question,
13:41:41 I will not answer yours. See, you got the… when you want to really get somebody in their gander,
13:41:50 Just put their question.
13:41:52 write back to them and say it in another way so to make them think about what they are asking.
13:42:01 And whether they want to answer or not.
13:42:05 I put Jesus in this manner did not respond to their inquiry. His question was not merely a
13:42:12 Cattle track, rather, is served as an answer itself, because what Jesus implied
13:42:16 With his answer clarified father,
13:42:20 in the parable is that his authority is instringably linked to John's authority. John the Baptist came from the crying in the wilderness that there was somebody else coming.
13:42:33 Um, what his shoelaces, what even.
13:42:37 I couldn't even be tired by me. Y'all understand what I'm saying. So Jesus is telling them that if.
13:42:41 They decide who John is.
13:42:44 They can understand their authority behind these actions.
13:42:47 That's why Jesus posed the question. He's asking them what they think about John, whether he came from heaven or was the one to prepare
13:42:58 The way of the Lord, who is Jesus. He's the Lord. If that's the case,
13:43:02 Then they must recognize Jesus as the Messiah. Y'all get Jesus' method right there. He is the son of David.
13:43:11 And if he is the Messiah, then he would have every right to do as he pleased,
13:43:17 Because he is the King, and that was his territory, which was the temple.
13:43:22 Y'all get it?
13:43:25 John truly experienced baptism by water and mentioned one comes after me whose sandal
13:43:31 I'm not fit to tithe when Jesus will baptize you with the Spirit. If John was great, then Jesus is greater. If John had a ministry from heaven, then Jesus might very well be the Son of God coming down from heaven.
13:43:48 That's probably why they avoided
13:43:50 Answering the question. See, there's always someone in the crowd, even leaders.
13:43:56 that knows the truth, but they got to stick with the good old boys, okay.
13:44:01 This parable of the two sons continues.
13:44:06 That ongoing discussion.
13:44:10 It all started on Monday.
13:44:12 When he intentionally challenged a religious leader
13:44:17 By clearing out the temple. Alright, man, you gotta remember the parable of the fig tree.
13:44:23 Along with this.
13:44:25 Then on Tuesday.
13:44:27 While teaching in the temple, they questioned his authority because they were upset with him.
13:44:31 And didn't answer his question. In response, he shares this parable
13:44:37 To what they were already wondering.
13:44:40 We're not sure.
13:44:43 If it was immediately after wars,
13:44:45 It could have been later on that day, but at some point, he delivers this parable.
13:44:51 The parable of the two sons.
13:44:54 The religious elite are like the second son.
13:44:59 The second son who said,
13:45:01 I woke up.
13:45:03 You know how it is. Somebody, some leader ask you in church.
13:45:07 And to do something, I'll give you an assignment, you say, sure, I have to.
13:45:14 This sunset, I will go.
13:45:18 I have the ESV translates it to sir.
13:45:24 It's sort of snap to attention, yes, salute Father. I love you.
13:45:29 And this is why I'm saying yes, that I'm going. That's what we do when we.
13:45:35 Tell the pastor or the apostle or prophet that will do something that.
13:45:41 God has told them to tell you to do, and you just say, yes, I'm gonna do it.
13:45:46 But you don't do nothing.
13:45:49 Just as soon as you say it, you already in your mind are contributing and saying, I am not going to do that.
13:45:57 So Jesus asked, which of these sons did the will of God?
13:46:03 And the chief priests and the elders
13:46:07 Can see it.
13:46:09 Already.
13:46:10 Well, obviously it's not the one who smile, somebody says.
13:46:15 I will do it, and did nothing. It's the one who actually ate the food and cleansed the room.
13:46:23 Jesus says to Himself,
13:46:25 Got him.
13:46:27 This reminds me also of the parable.
13:46:30 Nathan, the prophet shared with David after his sin with Bathsheba.
13:46:34 It's about the rich man who steals the only lamb, and David.
13:46:39 Upset says, how dare he? Nathan then says, you are the man.
13:46:44 And David realized his own wrongdoing.
13:46:48 Jesus explained, I started to interject that, so go back to the Old Testament, and you can see some things in there.
13:46:56 where Jesus uses the prophet to give
13:46:59 Uh, those that are the kings, a lesson.
13:47:03 Before, you know, I don't like this thing that they've done, but you doing the same thing.
13:47:09 Save it, says Nathan.
13:47:10 You answered correct, addressing the chief priest, this is what Jesus is doing.
13:47:16 And elders, and then notes. It's the son who worked in the vineyard that did his father's will.
13:47:23 Congratulations to the tax collectors and prostitutes.
13:47:28 They are entering the kingdom ahead of you!
13:47:32 Some of you might see yourselves in this sun.
13:47:36 You live without scandal.
13:47:38 seen religious outwardly.
13:47:40 And never complaining about church or faith.
13:47:43 You might be the kind of young man, or young woman, or old man, or old woman that parents dream
13:47:50 to have been the parent of you. You are a great child, and you are a great child.
13:47:57 Ah, as you go grew as an adult.
13:48:01 The picture Jesus has here is of this obedient son, much like the feed tree,
13:48:08 that appeared lush and healthy, attract external comparison
13:48:15 to the tax collectors and the prostitutes.
13:48:18 You've heard this before.
13:48:21 Where these groups represent people viewed as deeply sinister tax collectors and as cheats and swindlers working with Romans and prostitutes,
13:48:30 As those who sell themselves sexually for money, in their eyes, in your eyes, they are the most despicable
13:48:38 People and dirty people that there are.
13:48:41 I mean carefully, I want you to clarify and I want to clarify
13:48:47 Jesus' message isn't about anyone entering the kingdom just because
13:48:52 They are an outsider.
13:48:53 The real key here is repentance.
13:48:57 In order for you to get on the inside, so you can get into the kingdom of God,
13:49:03 It's you got to repent.
13:49:05 Except for what? Repent from the sins
13:49:08 That you do daily, every moment.
13:49:12 set of omission and co-mission.
13:49:15 I wonder why I say that. It's because the word repentance isn't directly shown in our English transition.
13:49:24 of Jesus.
13:49:25 is trying to say and emphasizing in a way, is how we see John. This is what he's trying to say to these people.
13:49:34 Remember the previous question was about John's ministry?
13:49:37 Tell me about John's work. Jesus then responds in verse 32, saying,
13:49:43 John came to you in the way of righteousness,
13:49:46 That's the righteous answer. John's ministry.
13:49:50 was from God, aligned with God's righteousness. But here's the challenge.
13:49:56 The people didn't believe John, except for tax collectors,
13:50:01 That's who believe, John, and the prostitutes who did.
13:50:06 So don't misinterpret what Jesus as a spiritual God, or I am saying this isn't about a vague, inclusive message that somewhere is in the kingdom just because they different or disliked. That is not what I'm saying. What Jesus is clearly saying is that even these dirty,
13:50:26 and prostitutes believed in John, and John's message was about righteousness.
13:50:32 Now, do you remember what John was really coming about?
13:50:37 Pause for a minute.
13:50:41 The very thing.
13:50:42 And the first thing we read in Matthew's Gospel, Matthew chapter 3 about John.
13:50:48 In those days.
13:50:50 John the Baptist came preaching in the wilderness of Judea.
13:50:55 Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.
13:50:58 I didn't say the kingdom of God. I said, Kingdom of Heaven is at hand. That's why Jesus says the tax collectors and the prostitutes
13:51:06 I'll get into the kingdom ahead of you, because they believe John.
13:51:11 What was John's message? Well…
13:51:13 It was about coming, the coming of the Messiah. And the first
13:51:18 saying it was about the need to get rid… to get yourself rid of all your spiritual films
13:51:26 that you think is about worshiping Jesus, and you haven't even received that the Messiah is yet to come.
13:51:33 It was a message of repentance.
13:51:37 He came back passing as a sign of repentance, washing away that dirt so that the tax collectors, the prostitutes, the dirty sinners are like the first sign
13:51:48 are in this parable of the two sons was living a life, and the father says, go!
13:51:53 And the tax collectors and the prostitutes fold their arms and say, no way, get lost. No, no, I ain't gonna do that, Dad.
13:52:02 I'm gonna do what I want. I'm gonna live my life. What the first son said to the father shook him.
13:52:12 perhaps not used to that at all are. Our children may not be so as strictly respectful every moment of the day, but it was an unheard thing for
13:52:22 The Jews back then, and especially in 1st century, that a son would say to his father, like he did in verse 29,
13:52:31 I ain't gonna go, or I will not go.
13:52:35 That behavior is considered rude in any country at any time. When you tell a parent what you not gonna do.
13:52:43 Yes, especially with shocking back then.
13:52:45 So for your father who is in the first century, had almost complete authority over you as a child, telling your son to go into the vineyard
13:52:56 and get some grapes, then hearing him say, no.
13:53:00 I will not work in the vineyard, Father.
13:53:03 would be quite upsetting.
13:53:05 This is the similar thing to the tax collector, or the prostitute going their own way.
13:53:12 The parable of the two sons is similar to the other parable about the prodigal son who goes out and squanders his inheritance, often
13:53:22 own prostitutes getting this thing here, until he finally comes to his senses.
13:53:26 See, you've got to come, when you come to your senses, even though you say no to Jesus,
13:53:33 And then, change your mind. That's what Jesus loves. But when you say yes to Jesus,
13:53:40 and do nothing about what you commit to do. Oh my god, that's the parable.
13:53:46 Do you see the same language in verse 29?
13:53:49 I will not, but afterwards, he changed his mind.
13:53:54 He otherwise said he repented. This is what he said.
13:53:58 The first son was living for himself,
13:54:02 And didn't want to listen to his father, but he changed his mind. Look at this thing here.
13:54:08 And the chief priests and the elders recognized, obviously, that that's what counts.
13:54:15 That's the son who actually went and worked.
13:54:19 There, the other son, the one who shines
13:54:23 So bright, up really nicely. Uh, you can dust them off. He looks good.
13:54:29 I'm gonna pick him to do everything.
13:54:31 That son did the religious thing. Maybe some of you do the religious thing.
13:54:37 Maybe, at a time in my life, I did the religious thing.
13:54:41 But at a point, the Holy Spirit.
13:54:45 And I turned around. I did the things that I was supposed to do. All those things that
13:54:51 I said, and you said that we will do because we love you, Jesus.
13:54:55 Guess what? We will do our best to follow what he wants to do. That's what this parable is saying. Hey, you can start out bad,
13:55:06 That you can turn out, you can chat, turn around, change your mind, repent, and be in good standings.
13:55:12 But these leaders saw themselves as righteous.
13:55:17 More or less, are you a righteous moralist?
13:55:20 They didn't actually go into the vineyard to work.
13:55:23 And it's important to remember that doing good deeds doesn't necessarily mean you're following God's will.
13:55:30 You better hear what I'm saying to you.
13:55:33 As John the Baptist emphasized, God's will to repent and believe.
13:55:38 is what he's looking for. So Jesus compares them to the fig tree.
13:55:42 With no fruit looking good on the outside, but lacking the true qualities that matter.
13:55:48 He points out, if you look closely at this temple religion,
13:55:54 You will see it doesn't truly satisfy him.
13:55:57 Remember, Jesus…
13:55:59 knows us better than we know ourself, even better than
13:56:03 uh, the reflection that we give to other peace.
13:56:06 people. The priests and the elders.
13:56:09 Thought they understood themselves and Jesus.
13:56:14 tells them, you don't really see.
13:56:17 You're blind. If you have eyes to see.
13:56:21 You truly would recognize that you're just wearing a mask.
13:56:27 So, like the son who promised to go, but they… but then didn't go.
13:56:33 He needed to turn around and repent.
13:56:36 That's the one thing many people today, even those who love Christianity,
13:56:43 Christian influence.
13:56:45 And I'm talking about the Western civilization, they found it difficult to do.
13:56:49 They don't want to turn away once they learn the truth,
13:56:52 They want to be with Encry. Well,
13:56:55 Yeah, sometimes you… look, not sometimes, all the time, you got to walk this journey by yourself.
13:57:02 We live in a time today.
13:57:05 Where there is significant culture change.
13:57:08 Every single day, many of the developments that we see, they carry positive energy.
13:57:15 Over the last few years, more people are speaking out publicly against
13:57:19 Things that they see wrong like men and women.
13:57:22 Um, me and being able to go into the women's locker room and women being able to go into the men's locker room, that ain't the way it's supposed to be.
13:57:30 We see people speaking about
13:57:34 how they should support Christianity, rather than going with the way of the world. That ain't a way, we didn't have to use to do that, but the world has gone so much to the left, and not following what's right, you've got to stand up and say, son.
13:57:48 So if you and I.
13:57:52 admire figures in the news.
13:57:54 Those in Hollywood, those on television, those in the media, and we think that that's the way we should go?
13:58:03 Going that way. You will not have a place in the kingdom of heaven.
13:58:09 You're in the kingdom of God right now.
13:58:14 But guess what?
13:58:18 The parable of the two sons.
13:58:20 Show what you need to do.
13:58:23 So, today, what I need for you to do is to understand.
13:58:29 What song?
13:58:30 Do you want to follow?
13:58:32 The one with the capital S, the capital O, the capital N,
13:58:37 or the one that has that little S, little O, little n.
13:58:42 The parable of the two sons.
13:58:47 Did you get it?
13:58:50 I'm hoping to see it.
13:58:53 As I enjoyed mixing the teaching and the sermon.
13:58:57 Preparation, and I hope you got it. Listen to it again, relate it to your life.
13:59:03 And then we'll go to the next parable.
13:59:08 Which would be online.
13:59:10 By next Monday, or maybe Monday after that.
13:59:14 But you'll get a new stress.
13:59:17 And your syllabus.
13:59:19 Every week.
13:59:20 Until we see each other again.