## Tale of Two Sons

## Matthew 21:23-32

There is a special relationship between a father and his son. That relationship grows stronger as it develops properly. There is a desire for the son to do the will of the father. But there are times, especially in cases where the son is immature, that rebellion surfaces.

I have first hand experience on both sides of this, having been a son and a father as well. As a son, I certainly was not without my share of rebellion, and as a father I experienced this from my sons. However, when the relationship is right ? the son desires to please his father and be obedient to him. Jesus draws on this principle for the basis of one of His teaching parables. Of course, no greater example of this right relationship can be found than the one which exists between God the Father and God the Son.

Matthew 21:28-32

I. The Father's Command. v28

"… A certain man had two sons; and he came to the first, and said, Son…"

A. Basis for the Father's Claim: 'Son'

1. There were plenty of individuals who could have been hired for wages to work for the father.

a. There has never been a shortage of people who are ready to labor, as long as they get something in return.

b. There are many today who have joined the ranks of the unemployed: not because there isn't enough work, but because there isn't enough money.

2. BUT: love ought to constrain a son to work with no thought to what he may or may not get out of it.

3. Paul said, "The love of Christ constraineth us" or compels us to serve Him.

4. If we are sons of God, then surely our Father has first claim:

a. on our time

b. on our strength

c. on our substance

B. Desire of the Father's Heart: 'Work'

"A certain man had two sons; and he came to the first, and said, Son, go work…"

1. It must sadden the Father greatly to see so much work to be done and so many of as sons doing nothing.

2. Work is:

a. Pleasing to the Father

b. Good for the vineyard

c. And profitable for the son

Mt 9:37-38 Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few; Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest.

3. Clearly, the work is important to the Father.

C. Urgency of the Father's Request: "Today'

"… A certain man had two sons; and he came to the first, and said, Son, go work to day…"

1. The time for serving the Lord is always now.

2. Some younger son may say, "Wait till I get a little more experience"

3. Some older son may say, "It isn't worth my while now, it is too late for me to do anything of significance."

4. But Jesus said, Work for 'the night cometh, when no man can work' (Jn.9:4)

II. The Sons' Answers. v29?30

A. A Decided Refusal: "I will not"

1. This reply reveals a spirit of selfish indifference to the Father's desire.

2. It is sad to say, but that same indifferent and selfish spirit is found among many of God's sons today.

a. They couldn't care less that millions of souls are perishing…

b. That they are grieving their Father's heart with their selfish attitudes

c. That they are only concerned with their own plans and purposes.

3. This reply betrays a heart in open rebellion.

a. A life opposed to the Father's will and out of sympathy with the Father's purpose.

b. It reveals that there is something very wrong with the Father?Son relationship.

B. A Ready Consent: "I Go Sir"

1. Notice the respect that is presented here. 'I go sir'.

a. He obviously had a great reverence for his father.

b. He seemed to be ready to go at that very moment.

2. His immediate decision and prompt reply is an example to all sons.

3. We should respond in such a manner when called upon by our Father do complete some task.

4. BUT: There is often a vast difference between one's profession and their actions.

5. Notice that Jesus asked, 'whether of them twain did the Father's will?'

6. He did not ask which of them had the loudest profession or which response sounded the best.

III. The Sons' Actions.

A. One Repented and Obeyed.

1. Repentance always precedes the doing of the will of God.

2. Repentance is a change of mind that always results in a change of direction.

3. Jesus said, "Except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish"

a. You cannot separate repentance from true faith.

b. When one comes to God in faith, they have a heart of repentance.

c. Anything else would be a sham.

d. James reminds us that we show our faith by our obedience to the Father's command.

4. Initially he was rebellious and selfish, but 'afterward he repented'.

5. Notice that it was only after he repented that he could do the will of the Father.

6. Too many today are trying "their best", but "our best" isn't good enough.

7. Jesus said, "Ye must be born again"

B. The Other Promised but Neglected.

1. It sounded good didn't it?

2. He was so willing to say he would go, but he was all talk and no walk.

3. He may have fooled someone who was nearby and heard his response, but he didn't fool the Father.

4. God isn't impressed by our good intentions or our loud declarations.

Mr 7:6 He answered and said unto them, Well hath Esaias prophesied of you hypocrites, as it is written, This people honoureth me with their lips, but their heart is far from me.

Mt 7:21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. The Application:

Jesus applied this parable to those religious leaders of the day. They talked about serving God, but in reality they served themselves. This morning I would like to make two applications of this parable.

1. For those who have never accepted Jesus Christ, for those who have never come by faith to Jesus for salvation: Do not be deceived.

a. Jesus is the only Way to eternal life.

"Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved…"

b. We are saved by God's grace through faith in the finished work of Jesus on Calvary.

c. There is no other way…Come to Jesus today.

d. Are we neglecting or obeying?

2. For those who profess to be born again, realize that God isn't interested in how often we tell Him or others that we will serve Him…

Ec 5:4, "When thou vowest a vow unto God, defer not to pay it; for he hath no pleasure in fools: pay that which thou hast vowed."

a. God is looking for our obedience to His command not lip service!

"…Son go work today in my vineyard"

b. Are we neglecting or obeying?

c. Are we telling Him 'that we will go and work for Him' and then not doing it?

d. The Father has commanded us to go.

e. What is our response today?