Message Notes

INTERMEDIATE SUNDAY SCHOOL 29 SEPTEMBER 2024
STUDIES IN THE GOSPEL OF MATTHEW
Text: Matthew 21

Topic: Parable of the Two Sons

28 “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.

Matthew 21:28-32

INTRODUCTION

1. The Lord Jesus was harried by the chief priests and elders

2. They sought to hinder His ministry in many ways

a) They spoke evil against the Lord Jesus

b) They challenged His authority

c) They tried to dissuade people from believing in Him

3. The Lord Jesus had to deal with these problems

a) He gave a Parable

b) This was a word of admonition to the chief priests and elders

THE PARABLE OF TWO SONS

1. A father had two sons

2. He had a vineyard

3. He spoke to both sons

4. He sent them to work in his vineyard

a) The first son was disobedient outrightly

i) He refused to obey

ii) But he realised it was wrong and he went

b) The second son outwardly obedient

i) He said that he would obey his father

ii) But he did not go to the vineyard as he had promised

5. The question was raised

a) Which son did the will of the father?

b) The answer was obvious. The one who went to work in the vineyard

APPLICATION OF THE PARABLE

1. The second son

a) The chief priests and elders may be compared to the second son

b) On the surface, they appear to be obedient and faithful

c) In reality, they were not doing the will of God

2. The first son

a) The tax collectors and the harlots may be compared to first son

b) They were reluctant to do the will of God

c) But they regretted and now they have returned to God

THE KINGDOM OF GOD

1. The tax collectors and harlots

a) John the Baptiser preached a message of repentance

b) The tax collectors and harlots repented of their sins

i) They believed the message of John

ii) They entered into the kingdom of God

c) The chief priests and the elders

i) They saw what was happening

ii) but they did not repent

iii) They were not in the kingdom of God

RELEVANT LESSONS

1. Repentance from sin is of great importance

2. Rejecting the way of salvation is hazardous to the soul

3. The error of the chief priests and elders must not be repeated

4. The kingdom of God is open to all:

a) Who repent

b) Who receive the Lord Jesus as Saviour

c) The truly saved would seek to do the will of God