Welcome to the Weekend Sermon. I thank you for taking the time to read the posts this week. It is my hope and prayer that everyone is having a very good week.
The storms this week came very close to my house. Thanks be to God, there was no damage to my home and property. No one that I know of was hurt in any of the storms. I appreciate your prayers regarding this matter.
I am still trying to locate a job that will not be so stressful. So far, I just haven't found what I am looking for. Please pray that I will be able to find something that is suitable.
In prayer this week, please continue to pray for peace in this troubled world. Pray for peace in Syria, the Philippines, Iraq and South Sudan. Continue to pray for peace in Afghanistan as this country continues to experience war and violence. Pray for an end to terrorism and hate around the world.
I heard last week that there was some fairly serious flooding in Sri Lanka. Let us pray that those who were affected by this will receive the aid that they need.
On June 8, the people of Great Britain will go to the polls and elect a new parliament. Please pray that voters will have wisdom regarding this matter.
Also, please pray that people will respect and want to care for the environment. I was greatly distressed by the decision made by the US President this week. Hopefully, others will want to make this world a better place.
For our prayer focus countries this week, let us pray for the nations of Senegal and Uzbekistan. Pray that many in these nations will hear about the love of Jesus.
Today, we continue with our series of messages about the parables of Jesus. We will focus today on the parable of the two sons found in Matthew 21:28-32. This parable had a specific meaning for the time in which Jesus told it, and it continues to have an important meaning for those of us living today.
The parable goes like this. A man had two sons and he asked both of them to go and work in the vineyard. The first son said that he would go, but then he didn't. The second son said no, but later, he changed his mind and worked in the vineyard. Jesus asked which son did the will of the father. Of course it was the second. Then Jesus said that the tax collectors and the prostitutes were entering the kingdom before the religious leaders because they repented at the teaching of John the Baptist. However, the religious leaders heard and did not believe his message.
This parable had a specific message in Jesus day. First of all, God had chosen Israel from among all other nations of the world to be a light to the world. God wanted them to spread His message among others. However, when Jesus came to earth, the religious leaders were preaching a message of exclusion. They were not spreading the light. On top of that, they refused to recognize Jesus as the Messiah when He appeared among them.
On the other hand, those who had been excluded by the religious leaders, they were the ones who responded to the preaching of John the Baptist and they were the ones that recognized Jesus for who He really was. Those who turned to Jesus in repentance and faith would be the ones who would enter the eternal kingdom. The ones who heard the message but did not believe would not inherit the eternal Kingdom of the Lord.
So, what can we learn from this parable today. I think that there are at least a couple of applications. First of all, many people are like the first son. They say that they are willing to do the will of the Lord. However, they just go off and do what they want to do, and they do not do the will of the Lord or follow the teachings and the commandments of the Lord Jesus.
So often I've seen people make a profession of faith in the Lord, but their works do not demonstrate a true profession of faith. This is what James was speaking about when he said that faith without works is dead. He said show me your faith by your works.
On the other hand, there are people who are like the second son. They hear the word of the Lord and the message of salvation, but they at first do not believe. However, many later will come to faith in Jesus, and they will follow the Lord Jesus with all of their heart, soul, mind and strength.
Another application of this parable has to do with the church. The church has been given a mission by the Lord Jesus. The church is to spread the message of Jesus' love and help to make this world a better place and help people. However, many churches are not fulfilling this mission. They claim to follow Christ, but they have ceased to do much for Him. On the other hand, there are many churches where there is a fresh wind of the Spirit blowing. They are filled with a deep love of Jesus and they want to obey His commandments and teachings. They are honoring the way of the Lord.
Finally, this parable speaks to me about doing what the Lord had called me to do. I believe that the Lord has a will for each of us. It is up to us to surrender to the Lord's will. In this respect, we should not be like other son in the parable. We should hear the will of the Lord and then do it. We should say here am I Lord, send me.
I don't know what the Lord has called you to do in life. However, I do know that you will not be truly happy until you are doing what Jesus has called you to do. I hope that you will find a way to start doing what He has called you to do today.
Next week, we will continue our series in the parables of Jesus. On Monday, I will post the verses. I will have a book review on Wednesday. May God bless you all. Amen.
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