WEBVTT

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 I had the privilege of being on his ordination council a couple years ago and have gotten to know him and see his love for the Lord and love just serving him.

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! And so we've asked Brother Barry to come this morning and share with you what God has laid upon his heart here for us.

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 Like Pastor Smith said, my name is John Barry. It is an honor to be here.

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 And like you said, he was on my ordination council.

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 Probably one of the harder pastors to ask questions.

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 I'm not going to hold that against him, but anyways.

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 This morning, we're going to be over in Matthew chapter 21.

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 So we're going to go ahead and turn there.

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 I just wanted that to be great.

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 We're looking at talk is cheap and obedience is costly.

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 As we open this morning, there's a story of a father who shared something that happened when his son David was about five years old.

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 They attended a church where it was customary for the preacher to invite children to the front of the church for a brief message just for the children.

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 And on one particular morning, the pastor brought out a smoke detector and asked the children if anyone knew what it meant when that alarm goes off.

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 Without hesitation, David shot his hand into the air and said, it means dad is cooking dinner tonight.

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 You know, dads, they seem to be the punchline of a lot of jokes.

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 But not to be left out, a mother once asked her young son, why do you always do what your grandmother tells you, but you always argue with me?

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 Without missing a beat, he answered, well, that's because grandma does not tell me as much as you do.

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 And it's funny because there's a lot of truth behind that.

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 You know, we naturally, we resist being told what to do.

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 Whether it's parents, it's teachers, employers, or even God himself, our sinful nature does not like authority.

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 And for years, television shows, movies, commercials, they have increasingly portrayed fathers and mothers and other authority figures as incompetent, clueless, useless, unnecessary.

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 They're often the object of ridicule rather than respect.

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 And instead of being shown as wise leaders, they're depicted as obstacles that you should overcome or they're jokes to just endure.

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 And whether intentional or not, those repeated messages, they shape the way that society and the way that people think.

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 Respect for authority, it has steadily eroded in our culture, not just in the home, but in schools, in the workplace, in government, and even in churches today.

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 You know, we live in a day when many people, they don't want anyone telling them what to do.

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 Independence, it is celebrated.

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 Submission is criticized.

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 Obedience is often viewed as a weakness.

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 In this attitude, it's not a new one.

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 By the time we come to Matthew chapter 21, the religious leaders, they are openly challenging the authority of Jesus Christ.

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 Rather than just submitting to him, they are questioning him.

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 And in response, Jesus tells a simple parable about a father giving instruction to his two sons.

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 And on the surface, it just seems like a story, a parable about a family.

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 But in reality, it's a story about authority, obedience, and the difference between saying the right thing and actually doing the right thing.

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 And as we look at our section of scripture this morning, the issue in this parable, it isn't whether these sons knew what their father wanted.

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 Both of them knew what their father wanted them to do.

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 The issue was whether they are going to obey the father.

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 And that's still the question that God asks every one of us still today.

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 So if you haven't already, please turn over to Matthew 21.

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 We're going to look at verses 28 through 32 this morning.

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 It says,

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 But what think he?

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 A certain man had two sons.

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 And he came to the first and said,

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 Son, go work today in my vineyard.

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 But he answered and said,

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 I will not.

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 But afterward he repented and went.

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 And he came to the second and he said,

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 Likewise.

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 And he answered and said,

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 I go, sir, and went not.

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 Whether of them twain did the will of his father.

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 They sent him the first.

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 Jesus saith unto them,

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 Verily I say unto you that the publicans and the harlots go into the kingdom of God before you.

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 For John came unto you in the way of righteousness,

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 and he believed him not.

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 But the publicans and the harlots believed him.

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 And ye, when ye had seen it,

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 repented not afterward that ye might believe him.

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 So this parable,

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 it's not nearly as well known as, say,

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 the prodigal son or the good Samaritan,

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 but it packs a lot in these few verses.

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 It's short,

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 and it is relatively easy to understand.

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 But before we jump into

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 tearing this section of Scripture apart

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 and looking at what it has for us today,

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 we need to put the text in context

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 and see what's going on here, okay?

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 So it's now the last week

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 of Jesus' life here on earth,

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 and the religious leaders,

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 they're having kind of a final face-off

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 with Christ.

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 In particular,

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 they're challenging his authority.

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 Matthew chapter 21,

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 it begins with Jesus making his triumphal entry

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 into Jerusalem in verses 1 through 11.

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 Then you get to verses 12 through 17,

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 we have the story of him clearing out

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 the money changers from the temple.

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 In verse 15 here,

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 it tells us that the chief priests

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 and scribes,

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 they become displeased with him.

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 In the Greek,

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 the word displeased,

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 it's agoneteo,

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 and it means they were moved to indignation,

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 filled with anger,

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 annoyance,

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 or outrage,

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 sparked by something perceived as unfair,

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 unjust,

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 or unworthy,

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 and they are filled with this

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 when they see the wonderful things

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 that Christ has done.

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 In verse 15,

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 it also says,

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 and when they saw the children

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 crying in the temple

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 and saying,

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 Hosanna to the Son of David.

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 Now,

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 on the next morning,

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 in verses 18 through 22,

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 Jesus,

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 he curses the fig tree

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 and he enters into the temple again.

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 And while he is teaching here,

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 the religious leaders,

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 they challenge him

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 by asking him,

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 where does your authority come from?

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 And in verse 23,

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 it says,

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 by what authority

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 doest thou these things?

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 And who gave thee this authority?

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 And as Jesus often does

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 when dealing with these religious leaders,

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 he has said,

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 he asks them a question.

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 Let's look at verses 24 and 25.

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 And Jesus answered and said unto them,

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 I also ask you one thing,

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 which if you tell me,

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 I am likewise

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 will tell you

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 by what authority

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 I do these things.

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 The baptism of John,

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 whence was it?

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 From heaven or of men?

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 Now,

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 these religious leaders,

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 they are afraid

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 to give an answer

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 because the scriptures say

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 that they reasoned in themselves

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 that essentially Christ

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 has them stuck

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 in a lose-lose question.

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 Let's read the rest of verse 25.

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 And they reasoned with themselves,

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 saying,

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 if we shall say from heaven,

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 he will say unto us,

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 why did you not believe him?

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 But if we shall say of men,

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 we fear the people,

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 for all hold John as a prophet.

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 So they respond in verse 27

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 by saying,

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 we cannot tell.

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 All right?

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 Then Jesus says,

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 neither tell I you

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 by what authority

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 I do these things.

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 And verse 28,

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 it introduces our parable

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 for today.

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 And it begins

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 with another question

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 directed to these

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 religious leaders.

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 But what think he?

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 So we're going to look closely

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 at this parable

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 to discover

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 that what we do

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 is more important

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 than what we say

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 we will do.

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 So we're going to see

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 two contrasts here,

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 all right?

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 Two contrasts,

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 and we have

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 the first contrast,

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 we're going to look at

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 the very first son.

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 The father,

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 he has some work

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 that he needs done.

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 So he goes

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 to the first son

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 and says,

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 son,

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 go work today

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 in my vineyard.

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 I believe that there's

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 kind of a tenderness here

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 of the father

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 as he calls his boy son.

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 The father,

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 he loves his son

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 and uses an intimate term

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 here of endearment

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 that reveals

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 that he has a desire

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 for a close relationship.

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 This command,

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 it does carry with it,

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 though,

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 both authority

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 and affection.

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 He's not a tyrant,

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 authoritarian figure,

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 but he does tell his son,

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 go work.

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 This is a reasonable request

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 because there is work

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 to be done

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 and a child needs

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 to learn how to work.

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 And it's urgent,

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 go work today,

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 all right?

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 He doesn't say,

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 hey,

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 tomorrow go work

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 or,

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 hey,

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 when you can fit this

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 into your schedule,

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 go work.

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 And he says,

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 go work today.

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 And notice that the first son,

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 he answers abruptly

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 and very abrasively,

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 I will not.

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 Now,

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 I don't know about you,

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 but if my father said,

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 go work,

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 I said,

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 I will not,

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 I'd have to duck

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 because there'd probably

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 be a fist or two coming.

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 And pastor,

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 you know my father,

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 you know,

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 that fist is coming.

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 I mean,

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 I will not,

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 I'm not going to do this.

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 Now,

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 this is kind of a similar attitude

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 of the people in Jeremiah 44,

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 16,

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 when the prophet Jeremiah

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 is bringing judgment.

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 This is coming

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 and the people

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 in Jeremiah 44,

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 16 says,

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 as for the word

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 that thou hast spoken unto us

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 in the name of the Lord,

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 we will not hearken unto thee.

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 I will not.

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 After thinking about it

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 for a while,

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 though,

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 the son,

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 as you continue on in scriptures,

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 is afterward,

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 he repented

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 and went.

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 And the word repented here

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 means to care afterwards.

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 That is regret.

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 This son,

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 maybe he's thinking

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 about what he said,

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 maybe the way he said it,

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 what he did.

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 We see that he changes his mind

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 and he heads out

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 to the vineyard to work.

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 His change of mind,

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 it led to a change

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 in his manner.

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 Perhaps he regretted

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 his bad attitude.

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 Perhaps he regrets

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 the way that he talked

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 to his father.

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 Maybe he realized,

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 you know,

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 my father,

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 he loves me.

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 My father cares for me.

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 Maybe it's breaking through

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 his hard heart

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 that his father loves him.

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 We don't really know

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 exactly what happened,

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 but we do know

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 that he went

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 and he worked in the vineyard.

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 But now let's look

00:10:36.379 --> 00:10:37.500
 at a second son here.

00:10:38.159 --> 00:10:38.959
 The second son

00:10:38.959 --> 00:10:40.759
 is given the same command.

00:10:41.240 --> 00:10:41.559
 Son,

00:10:41.679 --> 00:10:42.199
 go and work.

00:10:42.259 --> 00:10:42.599
 The Bible says,

00:10:42.659 --> 00:10:42.860
 it says,

00:10:42.959 --> 00:10:43.439
 and likewise.

00:10:44.059 --> 00:10:44.439
 Son,

00:10:44.559 --> 00:10:45.419
 go and work today.

00:10:46.500 --> 00:10:47.519
 But instead of responding

00:10:47.519 --> 00:10:48.459
 disrespectfully,

00:10:48.639 --> 00:10:50.099
 he replies to his father,

00:10:50.379 --> 00:10:51.279
 I go, sir.

00:10:51.719 --> 00:10:52.059
 Verse 30,

00:10:52.139 --> 00:10:52.759
 he came to the second

00:10:52.759 --> 00:10:53.559
 and said likewise.

00:10:53.819 --> 00:10:54.799
 And he answered and said,

00:10:54.919 --> 00:10:56.299
 I go, sir.

00:10:56.979 --> 00:10:58.199
 On the surface,

00:10:58.899 --> 00:11:00.120
 this son is compliant.

00:11:00.120 --> 00:11:01.679
 He is respectful.

00:11:02.360 --> 00:11:03.959
 But we quickly realize

00:11:03.959 --> 00:11:05.799
 that he's just saying

00:11:05.799 --> 00:11:07.279
 what he thinks his dad

00:11:07.279 --> 00:11:08.579
 wants to hear.

00:11:09.139 --> 00:11:10.419
 He had no intention

00:11:10.419 --> 00:11:11.079
 of obeying

00:11:11.079 --> 00:11:12.319
 because we continue on.

00:11:12.719 --> 00:11:13.479
 And he answered,

00:11:13.579 --> 00:11:13.659
 said,

00:11:13.719 --> 00:11:14.360
 I go, sir,

00:11:14.519 --> 00:11:16.639
 and went not.

00:11:17.360 --> 00:11:18.740
 Failing to go

00:11:18.740 --> 00:11:21.000
 after promising to go

00:11:21.000 --> 00:11:22.679
 was actually worse

00:11:22.679 --> 00:11:24.120
 than refusing outright

00:11:24.120 --> 00:11:25.700
 because he had not only

00:11:25.700 --> 00:11:27.120
 disobeyed his father,

00:11:27.500 --> 00:11:28.539
 but he has also lied

00:11:28.539 --> 00:11:29.360
 to his father.

00:11:30.100 --> 00:11:31.320
 He called his dad, sir,

00:11:31.419 --> 00:11:32.580
 unlike the other brother

00:11:32.580 --> 00:11:33.419
 who just flat out said,

00:11:33.519 --> 00:11:34.779
 no, I'm not doing this.

00:11:35.460 --> 00:11:36.559
 Looking good

00:11:36.559 --> 00:11:37.519
 was more important

00:11:37.519 --> 00:11:39.519
 than doing good

00:11:39.519 --> 00:11:40.679
 to this second son.

00:11:41.159 --> 00:11:42.019
 The first son says,

00:11:42.120 --> 00:11:42.879
 I will not,

00:11:42.980 --> 00:11:43.559
 but he did.

00:11:43.899 --> 00:11:44.960
 The second son says,

00:11:45.039 --> 00:11:45.899
 I will go,

00:11:46.360 --> 00:11:47.240
 but he did not.

00:11:47.840 --> 00:11:48.500
 That reminds me

00:11:48.500 --> 00:11:49.159
 of an illustration,

00:11:49.299 --> 00:11:49.759
 but also something

00:11:49.759 --> 00:11:51.240
 I know every single person

00:11:51.240 --> 00:11:52.080
 here has probably done

00:11:52.080 --> 00:11:52.740
 at one time

00:11:52.740 --> 00:11:54.120
 in one way or another.

00:11:54.720 --> 00:11:55.860
 Derek was a strong-willed,

00:11:56.019 --> 00:11:57.200
 rebellious third grader

00:11:57.200 --> 00:11:58.460
 who was always getting

00:11:58.460 --> 00:11:59.759
 in trouble with his teacher.

00:12:00.680 --> 00:12:01.080
 One day,

00:12:01.139 --> 00:12:01.799
 he could not stay

00:12:01.799 --> 00:12:02.419
 in his seat

00:12:02.419 --> 00:12:03.659
 and was constantly

00:12:03.659 --> 00:12:04.399
 standing up

00:12:04.399 --> 00:12:05.580
 and walking around.

00:12:06.060 --> 00:12:07.600
 After numerous warnings

00:12:07.600 --> 00:12:08.180
 and threats,

00:12:08.500 --> 00:12:09.940
 the teacher finally told him

00:12:09.940 --> 00:12:11.419
 that if he didn't sit down,

00:12:11.740 --> 00:12:12.259
 he would not get

00:12:12.259 --> 00:12:12.960
 to go to recess.

00:12:13.919 --> 00:12:14.899
 Derek slumped down

00:12:14.899 --> 00:12:15.600
 into his seat.

00:12:16.259 --> 00:12:17.159
 The teacher walked

00:12:17.159 --> 00:12:17.639
 over and said,

00:12:17.759 --> 00:12:18.600
 thank you for listening

00:12:18.600 --> 00:12:19.740
 to me and sitting down.

00:12:20.639 --> 00:12:21.860
 Derek replied to the teacher,

00:12:22.219 --> 00:12:23.559
 I may be sitting down

00:12:23.559 --> 00:12:24.360
 on the outside,

00:12:24.759 --> 00:12:26.219
 but I'm standing up

00:12:26.219 --> 00:12:27.039
 on the inside.

00:12:28.100 --> 00:12:29.399
 These two sons

00:12:29.399 --> 00:12:31.719
 have two very different attitudes,

00:12:32.319 --> 00:12:33.199
 different answers,

00:12:33.439 --> 00:12:34.600
 different actions.

00:12:35.139 --> 00:12:36.079
 The first son,

00:12:36.419 --> 00:12:38.579
 though initially strong-willed,

00:12:39.019 --> 00:12:40.219
 he does go and work.

00:12:40.819 --> 00:12:42.259
 He was rebellious,

00:12:42.259 --> 00:12:43.559
 but he repented.

00:12:44.259 --> 00:12:45.179
 The second son,

00:12:45.299 --> 00:12:46.919
 he talked a good game,

00:12:47.159 --> 00:12:48.399
 but he just stayed.

00:12:48.500 --> 00:12:49.719
 He laid around the house.

00:12:50.139 --> 00:12:51.500
 He could talk the talk,

00:12:51.799 --> 00:12:53.459
 but he did not walk the walk.

00:12:54.179 --> 00:12:55.899
 So then Jesus asked a question

00:12:55.899 --> 00:12:57.000
 with an obvious answer

00:12:57.000 --> 00:12:57.879
 in verse 31.

00:12:58.899 --> 00:13:00.279
 Whether them twain

00:13:00.279 --> 00:13:01.980
 did the will of his father.

00:13:02.980 --> 00:13:04.759
 I'm sure these religious leaders,

00:13:04.959 --> 00:13:06.799
 they didn't really want to answer

00:13:06.799 --> 00:13:08.240
 because they would be

00:13:08.240 --> 00:13:09.659
 essentially condemning themselves,

00:13:09.799 --> 00:13:11.299
 but they say unto him,

00:13:11.299 --> 00:13:12.399
 the first.

00:13:12.639 --> 00:13:14.019
 These religious leaders,

00:13:14.120 --> 00:13:15.279
 they were always looking

00:13:15.279 --> 00:13:16.959
 for another question

00:13:16.959 --> 00:13:19.599
 that they thought would trap Jesus

00:13:19.599 --> 00:13:21.979
 and undermine his authority.

00:13:22.719 --> 00:13:24.000
 Yet every attempt

00:13:24.000 --> 00:13:25.919
 always backfired on them.

00:13:26.339 --> 00:13:27.579
 Jesus consistently

00:13:27.579 --> 00:13:29.439
 turned their own questions

00:13:29.439 --> 00:13:30.719
 against them,

00:13:31.059 --> 00:13:32.679
 exposing their hypocrisy

00:13:32.679 --> 00:13:34.479
 and leaving them speechless.

00:13:34.480 --> 00:13:36.899
 And instead of trapping Christ,

00:13:37.080 --> 00:13:38.100
 they always ended up

00:13:38.100 --> 00:13:39.300
 trapping themselves.

00:13:39.879 --> 00:13:40.460
 You would think

00:13:40.460 --> 00:13:42.620
 after so many failed attempts,

00:13:42.980 --> 00:13:43.680
 they would have finally

00:13:43.680 --> 00:13:44.860
 had just stopped.

00:13:45.159 --> 00:13:46.700
 Every time we try this,

00:13:46.940 --> 00:13:48.399
 it fires back on us.

00:13:48.899 --> 00:13:50.000
 But pride is a way

00:13:50.000 --> 00:13:50.899
 of convincing people

00:13:50.899 --> 00:13:53.580
 that they can outsmart God.

00:13:54.019 --> 00:13:55.500
 So looking at these two sons,

00:13:55.580 --> 00:13:56.659
 now we got to look at the point

00:13:56.659 --> 00:13:57.980
 of the parable here, okay?

00:13:58.600 --> 00:14:00.060
 There are really two different groups

00:14:00.060 --> 00:14:02.460
 represented by this parable.

00:14:02.460 --> 00:14:04.780
 Okay, let's look at verse 31.

00:14:05.360 --> 00:14:06.540
 Jesus saith unto them,

00:14:07.000 --> 00:14:07.980
 Verily I say unto you

00:14:07.980 --> 00:14:08.920
 that the publicans

00:14:08.920 --> 00:14:09.620
 and the harlots

00:14:09.620 --> 00:14:10.860
 go into the kingdom of God

00:14:10.860 --> 00:14:12.120
 before you.

00:14:12.879 --> 00:14:13.960
 So first, let's look at

00:14:13.960 --> 00:14:15.980
 the rebellious who repent.

00:14:16.780 --> 00:14:17.840
 Now, according to

00:14:17.840 --> 00:14:18.980
 the religious leaders

00:14:18.980 --> 00:14:20.960
 and their beliefs,

00:14:21.420 --> 00:14:22.700
 they believe that the publicans,

00:14:22.759 --> 00:14:24.000
 which would be tax collectors

00:14:24.000 --> 00:14:26.200
 and harlots, prostitutes,

00:14:26.400 --> 00:14:27.639
 they would have no part

00:14:27.639 --> 00:14:28.860
 in the kingdom of God.

00:14:29.639 --> 00:14:31.080
 Jesus could not have chosen

00:14:31.080 --> 00:14:34.500
 a much more offensive comparison

00:14:34.500 --> 00:14:36.900
 by saying that they will pass

00:14:36.900 --> 00:14:37.840
 the religious leaders

00:14:37.840 --> 00:14:39.300
 on the way to heaven.

00:14:39.900 --> 00:14:40.720
 The publicans,

00:14:40.800 --> 00:14:42.160
 they were viewed as traitors.

00:14:42.600 --> 00:14:44.280
 They were viewed as corrupt

00:14:44.280 --> 00:14:46.520
 because they worked with Rome.

00:14:46.980 --> 00:14:48.520
 And these publicans,

00:14:48.560 --> 00:14:50.180
 they made a living

00:14:50.180 --> 00:14:51.879
 skimming off the top

00:14:51.879 --> 00:14:53.720
 and cheating the people.

00:14:54.280 --> 00:14:55.200
 While harlots,

00:14:55.300 --> 00:14:57.560
 they were seen as morally unclean

00:14:57.559 --> 00:14:59.219
 and outside the bounds

00:14:59.219 --> 00:15:00.879
 of respectable society.

00:15:02.319 --> 00:15:03.319
 To the religious leaders,

00:15:03.539 --> 00:15:05.419
 neither of these two groups

00:15:05.419 --> 00:15:06.699
 were acceptable.

00:15:07.379 --> 00:15:09.079
 They were seen as the outcasts.

00:15:09.439 --> 00:15:11.319
 They were seen as the lowest rung

00:15:11.319 --> 00:15:13.239
 on the social ladder,

00:15:13.659 --> 00:15:14.979
 also the spiritual ladder.

00:15:15.379 --> 00:15:16.239
 God wants nothing to do

00:15:16.239 --> 00:15:17.059
 with these people.

00:15:17.939 --> 00:15:18.739
 But a quick side note,

00:15:18.839 --> 00:15:20.479
 I personally would not be surprised

00:15:20.479 --> 00:15:21.639
 at all if some of these

00:15:21.639 --> 00:15:22.579
 religious leaders

00:15:22.579 --> 00:15:24.459
 were making some extra money

00:15:24.459 --> 00:15:25.019
 on the side

00:15:25.019 --> 00:15:26.159
 with some of these publicans.

00:15:26.600 --> 00:15:28.379
 I would definitely not be surprised

00:15:28.379 --> 00:15:29.419
 if some of these religious leaders

00:15:29.419 --> 00:15:31.100
 knew some harlots

00:15:31.100 --> 00:15:32.799
 on a first-name basis.

00:15:33.480 --> 00:15:34.799
 But aren't you glad, though,

00:15:34.899 --> 00:15:36.960
 that no matter what you have done

00:15:36.960 --> 00:15:39.120
 or how long you have done it,

00:15:39.340 --> 00:15:40.759
 God's grace is available

00:15:40.759 --> 00:15:42.259
 to the worst of sinners?

00:15:43.240 --> 00:15:44.799
 Sinners like publicans.

00:15:45.220 --> 00:15:47.000
 For instance, Matthew and Zacchaeus

00:15:47.000 --> 00:15:48.039
 and prostitutes,

00:15:48.120 --> 00:15:49.519
 they responded to Christ

00:15:49.519 --> 00:15:51.019
 throughout his ministry.

00:15:51.579 --> 00:15:53.059
 I love what Paul said about himself

00:15:53.059 --> 00:15:54.539
 in 1 Timothy 1.15.

00:15:54.539 --> 00:15:56.579
 He had persecuted Christians

00:15:56.579 --> 00:15:58.000
 and put them to death.

00:15:58.759 --> 00:16:00.319
 You might think,

00:16:00.419 --> 00:16:01.539
 hey, that disqualifies him.

00:16:01.639 --> 00:16:02.959
 He was killing Christians.

00:16:03.299 --> 00:16:04.679
 But he writes these words right here.

00:16:05.079 --> 00:16:06.519
 This is a faithful saying

00:16:06.519 --> 00:16:08.299
 and worthy of all exception,

00:16:08.959 --> 00:16:11.079
 that Christ Jesus came into the world

00:16:11.079 --> 00:16:12.000
 to save sinners

00:16:12.000 --> 00:16:13.899
 of whom I am chief.

00:16:14.579 --> 00:16:16.120
 God uses the example

00:16:16.120 --> 00:16:17.719
 of the most extreme sinners

00:16:17.719 --> 00:16:19.379
 that we can think of

00:16:19.379 --> 00:16:20.959
 to show that his grace

00:16:20.959 --> 00:16:22.699
 covers all of our sins.

00:16:22.700 --> 00:16:25.540
 Just listen to Mark 2.16-17,

00:16:25.860 --> 00:16:26.800
 a section of Scripture

00:16:26.800 --> 00:16:28.080
 where we see the Pharisees,

00:16:28.180 --> 00:16:28.960
 publicans, and sinners

00:16:28.960 --> 00:16:30.480
 being referenced again.

00:16:30.480 --> 00:16:32.700
 And when the scribes and Pharisees

00:16:32.700 --> 00:16:34.300
 saw him eat with publicans

00:16:34.300 --> 00:16:34.800
 and sinners,

00:16:35.300 --> 00:16:36.279
 they said unto his disciples,

00:16:36.379 --> 00:16:37.519
 how is it that he eateth

00:16:37.519 --> 00:16:38.620
 and drinketh with publicans

00:16:38.620 --> 00:16:39.139
 and sinners?

00:16:39.659 --> 00:16:40.820
 When Jesus heard it,

00:16:40.960 --> 00:16:42.080
 he saith unto them,

00:16:42.519 --> 00:16:43.460
 they that are whole

00:16:43.460 --> 00:16:44.740
 have no need of the physician,

00:16:45.100 --> 00:16:46.259
 but they that are sick.

00:16:46.519 --> 00:16:48.279
 I came not to call the righteous,

00:16:48.800 --> 00:16:50.259
 but sinners to repentance.

00:16:51.139 --> 00:16:52.879
 If you feel like a failure today

00:16:52.879 --> 00:16:54.879
 because of maybe poor choices

00:16:54.879 --> 00:16:55.659
 you've made

00:16:55.659 --> 00:16:57.360
 or sinful actions,

00:16:57.360 --> 00:16:59.440
 and you've convinced yourself

00:16:59.440 --> 00:17:01.399
 that God could never

00:17:01.399 --> 00:17:03.539
 want anything to do with you,

00:17:03.980 --> 00:17:05.900
 here is the good news.

00:17:06.259 --> 00:17:07.420
 You are exactly

00:17:07.420 --> 00:17:08.640
 the kind of person

00:17:08.640 --> 00:17:09.980
 that Jesus came to save.

00:17:10.620 --> 00:17:11.519
 The kingdom of God

00:17:11.519 --> 00:17:12.740
 is open to all

00:17:12.740 --> 00:17:14.940
 who repent and believe.

00:17:15.200 --> 00:17:16.539
 And if you've been doing

00:17:16.539 --> 00:17:17.940
 the wrong way

00:17:17.940 --> 00:17:19.400
 for a long time,

00:17:19.980 --> 00:17:21.579
 it's not late to repent today.

00:17:22.220 --> 00:17:23.500
 No matter how far

00:17:23.500 --> 00:17:24.420
 that you have wandered

00:17:24.420 --> 00:17:25.539
 or how long

00:17:25.539 --> 00:17:26.960
 you have resisted him,

00:17:27.539 --> 00:17:28.380
 God is a God

00:17:28.380 --> 00:17:29.320
 of second chances.

00:17:29.960 --> 00:17:31.539
 If you'll come to him today,

00:17:31.860 --> 00:17:33.360
 he'll gladly accept you.

00:17:33.880 --> 00:17:36.320
 A man was told

00:17:36.320 --> 00:17:37.300
 how he spent years

00:17:37.300 --> 00:17:39.519
 arguing against Christianity online.

00:17:39.880 --> 00:17:40.840
 He would jump

00:17:40.840 --> 00:17:41.980
 into comment sections,

00:17:42.400 --> 00:17:43.180
 mock believers,

00:17:43.380 --> 00:17:44.140
 twist scripture,

00:17:44.680 --> 00:17:45.340
 pride himself

00:17:45.340 --> 00:17:47.519
 on winning debates online.

00:17:48.019 --> 00:17:48.500
 One night

00:17:48.500 --> 00:17:49.440
 after a long argument,

00:17:49.600 --> 00:17:50.500
 someone simply replied

00:17:50.500 --> 00:17:51.340
 with a verse and said,

00:17:51.640 --> 00:17:52.580
 I just want you to know

00:17:52.580 --> 00:17:53.960
 that I am praying for you.

00:17:54.420 --> 00:17:56.140
 The man couldn't shake that.

00:17:56.640 --> 00:17:57.660
 That night he opened a Bible,

00:17:57.860 --> 00:17:59.180
 not to learn from it,

00:17:59.259 --> 00:18:00.580
 but I'm going to finally

00:18:00.580 --> 00:18:01.740
 prove it wrong.

00:18:02.360 --> 00:18:03.480
 But the more he read,

00:18:03.660 --> 00:18:04.500
 the more unsettled

00:18:04.500 --> 00:18:05.320
 the man became.

00:18:05.779 --> 00:18:06.340
 Weeks later,

00:18:06.440 --> 00:18:07.440
 that same man

00:18:07.440 --> 00:18:08.759
 who once mocked scripture

00:18:08.759 --> 00:18:10.180
 was sitting in a church service,

00:18:10.320 --> 00:18:11.039
 Bible open,

00:18:11.480 --> 00:18:12.460
 tears in his eyes

00:18:12.460 --> 00:18:13.580
 because the word

00:18:13.580 --> 00:18:14.420
 that he had tried

00:18:14.420 --> 00:18:15.240
 to tear down

00:18:15.240 --> 00:18:16.560
 and broken through

00:18:16.560 --> 00:18:18.500
 finally has broken through

00:18:18.500 --> 00:18:19.120
 to this man.

00:18:19.600 --> 00:18:20.380
 There's a woman

00:18:20.380 --> 00:18:21.360
 who shared how

00:18:21.360 --> 00:18:22.259
 she used to

00:18:22.259 --> 00:18:23.340
 roll her eyes

00:18:23.339 --> 00:18:24.220
 anytime anyone

00:18:24.220 --> 00:18:24.980
 would talk about

00:18:24.980 --> 00:18:25.659
 their faith.

00:18:26.220 --> 00:18:27.019
 If a co-worker

00:18:27.019 --> 00:18:27.899
 mentioned church,

00:18:28.359 --> 00:18:29.000
 she'd just quickly

00:18:29.000 --> 00:18:29.919
 change the subject

00:18:29.919 --> 00:18:30.819
 or make a joke.

00:18:31.299 --> 00:18:32.240
 But after walking

00:18:32.240 --> 00:18:33.319
 through a personal crisis,

00:18:33.319 --> 00:18:34.359
 she found herself

00:18:34.359 --> 00:18:35.259
 remembering things

00:18:35.259 --> 00:18:36.339
 that she had once

00:18:36.339 --> 00:18:37.179
 just dismissed.

00:18:38.099 --> 00:18:39.039
 One evening alone

00:18:39.039 --> 00:18:39.599
 in her home,

00:18:39.879 --> 00:18:41.099
 she searched for a Bible

00:18:41.099 --> 00:18:41.859
 that she had been given

00:18:41.859 --> 00:18:42.679
 years earlier.

00:18:43.339 --> 00:18:43.939
 Sitting there,

00:18:44.179 --> 00:18:45.399
 she began to read.

00:18:45.759 --> 00:18:46.799
 And for the first time,

00:18:47.019 --> 00:18:47.859
 she wasn't reading

00:18:47.859 --> 00:18:48.500
 to criticize,

00:18:48.899 --> 00:18:50.179
 but to understand.

00:18:50.180 --> 00:18:51.779
 And before long,

00:18:52.000 --> 00:18:52.740
 the one who had

00:18:52.740 --> 00:18:54.340
 just brushed it off

00:18:54.340 --> 00:18:56.160
 was finally on her knees

00:18:56.160 --> 00:18:58.420
 asking God for mercy.

00:18:58.940 --> 00:18:59.720
 Now those might just be

00:18:59.720 --> 00:19:01.700
 some generalized illustrations,

00:19:02.120 --> 00:19:02.640
 but I've heard

00:19:02.640 --> 00:19:04.019
 many stories like that.

00:19:04.380 --> 00:19:05.740
 But those stories

00:19:05.740 --> 00:19:06.940
 reflect the reality

00:19:06.940 --> 00:19:07.720
 of what God

00:19:07.720 --> 00:19:09.220
 is still doing today.

00:19:10.360 --> 00:19:11.400
 For instance,

00:19:11.640 --> 00:19:13.080
 here at Plains Baptist Church,

00:19:13.220 --> 00:19:14.720
 I'm sure you have seen

00:19:14.720 --> 00:19:16.440
 people from every kind

00:19:16.440 --> 00:19:17.140
 of background

00:19:17.140 --> 00:19:18.500
 who have been saved

00:19:18.500 --> 00:19:20.039
 by faith in Jesus Christ.

00:19:20.660 --> 00:19:21.960
 You've probably witnessed

00:19:21.960 --> 00:19:22.359
 people here

00:19:22.359 --> 00:19:23.240
 who have come to Christ,

00:19:23.619 --> 00:19:24.819
 followed Him in baptism.

00:19:25.279 --> 00:19:26.740
 You support missionaries

00:19:26.740 --> 00:19:27.880
 who could tell you

00:19:27.880 --> 00:19:29.220
 story after story

00:19:29.220 --> 00:19:30.319
 of souls being saved,

00:19:30.440 --> 00:19:31.500
 lives being transformed,

00:19:31.799 --> 00:19:33.279
 and churches planted

00:19:33.279 --> 00:19:34.220
 around the world.

00:19:34.579 --> 00:19:35.559
 And all of that

00:19:35.559 --> 00:19:36.640
 is a living proof

00:19:36.640 --> 00:19:37.559
 that God's mercy

00:19:37.559 --> 00:19:38.119
 and grace

00:19:38.119 --> 00:19:39.400
 are not reserved

00:19:39.400 --> 00:19:41.440
 for a few religious elite.

00:19:42.000 --> 00:19:43.160
 They are freely offered

00:19:43.160 --> 00:19:44.700
 to all who come to Him

00:19:44.700 --> 00:19:46.099
 in genuine repentance

00:19:46.099 --> 00:19:47.619
 and in faith.

00:19:48.500 --> 00:19:49.679
 The beauty of God's grace

00:19:49.679 --> 00:19:50.579
 is on full display

00:19:50.579 --> 00:19:52.059
 in Ezekiel chapter 18,

00:19:52.399 --> 00:19:53.819
 21 through 23.

00:19:54.339 --> 00:19:55.239
 But if the wicked

00:19:55.239 --> 00:19:57.159
 will turn from all his sins

00:19:57.159 --> 00:19:58.279
 that he hath committed

00:19:58.279 --> 00:20:00.519
 and keep all my statutes

00:20:00.519 --> 00:20:01.819
 and do that which is lawful

00:20:01.819 --> 00:20:02.199
 and right,

00:20:02.479 --> 00:20:03.639
 he shall surely live,

00:20:03.779 --> 00:20:04.799
 he shall not die.

00:20:05.139 --> 00:20:06.559
 All his transgressions

00:20:06.559 --> 00:20:07.459
 that he hath committed,

00:20:07.899 --> 00:20:08.879
 they shall not be mentioned

00:20:08.879 --> 00:20:09.519
 unto him.

00:20:09.799 --> 00:20:10.779
 In his righteousness

00:20:10.779 --> 00:20:11.559
 they hath done,

00:20:11.879 --> 00:20:12.799
 he shall live.

00:20:13.079 --> 00:20:14.839
 Have I any pleasure at all

00:20:14.839 --> 00:20:16.219
 that the wicked should die,

00:20:16.399 --> 00:20:17.399
 saith the Lord God?

00:20:17.400 --> 00:20:19.600
 And not that he should return

00:20:19.600 --> 00:20:20.860
 from his ways and live?

00:20:21.400 --> 00:20:23.420
 The gospel is a story

00:20:23.420 --> 00:20:25.420
 of God turning sinners

00:20:25.420 --> 00:20:27.900
 into the redeemed children of God.

00:20:28.220 --> 00:20:30.500
 After giving a long list of sins,

00:20:30.880 --> 00:20:32.060
 Paul reminds believers

00:20:32.060 --> 00:20:33.440
 that their past

00:20:33.440 --> 00:20:34.780
 does not define them

00:20:34.780 --> 00:20:37.540
 in 1 Corinthians 6, verse 11.

00:20:37.740 --> 00:20:38.640
 Because it says,

00:20:39.180 --> 00:20:40.940
 and such were some of you,

00:20:41.640 --> 00:20:42.540
 but ye are washed,

00:20:42.820 --> 00:20:44.100
 but ye are sanctified,

00:20:44.360 --> 00:20:45.560
 but ye are justified

00:20:45.559 --> 00:20:46.779
 in the name of the Lord Jesus

00:20:46.779 --> 00:20:49.399
 and by the Spirit of our God.

00:20:49.839 --> 00:20:51.839
 The rebellious who repent

00:20:51.839 --> 00:20:53.539
 are the first group

00:20:53.539 --> 00:20:54.559
 that's represented here

00:20:54.559 --> 00:20:55.240
 in this parable.

00:20:55.759 --> 00:20:56.639
 But now let's take a look

00:20:56.639 --> 00:20:58.059
 at that second group

00:20:58.059 --> 00:20:58.700
 that's represented.

00:20:58.839 --> 00:20:59.799
 We have the religious

00:20:59.799 --> 00:21:01.179
 who rebel.

00:21:02.259 --> 00:21:03.139
 The first son,

00:21:03.339 --> 00:21:04.879
 he rebelled initially,

00:21:05.339 --> 00:21:07.579
 but the second son's response,

00:21:07.579 --> 00:21:08.199
 response,

00:21:08.299 --> 00:21:09.639
 it was just completely empty.

00:21:10.559 --> 00:21:11.720
 What we do

00:21:11.720 --> 00:21:12.720
 is more important

00:21:12.720 --> 00:21:13.679
 than what we say

00:21:13.679 --> 00:21:14.819
 we're going to do.

00:21:15.579 --> 00:21:16.319
 The religious,

00:21:17.000 --> 00:21:18.480
 they know the right reply.

00:21:19.119 --> 00:21:20.619
 They know what to say,

00:21:20.759 --> 00:21:21.439
 what to do,

00:21:21.699 --> 00:21:22.759
 but their lives

00:21:22.759 --> 00:21:23.799
 don't match up

00:21:23.799 --> 00:21:24.480
 with their lips

00:21:24.480 --> 00:21:25.799
 because their walk

00:21:25.799 --> 00:21:26.699
 is not connected

00:21:26.699 --> 00:21:28.220
 with their talk.

00:21:28.659 --> 00:21:30.000
 Listen to what Jesus said

00:21:30.000 --> 00:21:31.740
 in Matthew 15, verse 8,

00:21:31.960 --> 00:21:32.779
 which is really just a quote

00:21:32.779 --> 00:21:34.299
 from Isaiah 29, 13.

00:21:34.980 --> 00:21:36.279
 This people draweth nigh

00:21:36.279 --> 00:21:37.519
 unto me with their mouth

00:21:37.519 --> 00:21:38.680
 and honoreth me

00:21:38.680 --> 00:21:39.460
 with their lips,

00:21:39.920 --> 00:21:40.579
 but their heart

00:21:40.579 --> 00:21:41.660
 is far from me.

00:21:42.279 --> 00:21:43.700
 Jesus even calls them out

00:21:43.700 --> 00:21:44.680
 in Matthew 23,

00:21:45.119 --> 00:21:46.119
 2 through 3,

00:21:46.299 --> 00:21:46.619
 saying,

00:21:47.440 --> 00:21:48.559
 The scribes and Pharisees

00:21:48.559 --> 00:21:49.660
 sit in Moses' seat.

00:21:50.319 --> 00:21:50.960
 All therefore,

00:21:51.119 --> 00:21:53.579
 whatsoever they bid you observe,

00:21:53.879 --> 00:21:54.799
 that observe and do.

00:21:55.359 --> 00:21:56.399
 But do not ye

00:21:56.399 --> 00:21:57.539
 after their works,

00:21:57.899 --> 00:21:59.980
 for they say and do not.

00:22:00.579 --> 00:22:02.579
 The majority of Christians today

00:22:02.579 --> 00:22:04.319
 they know what to say.

00:22:04.740 --> 00:22:06.839
 They know all the Christian lingo,

00:22:07.460 --> 00:22:08.779
 but they would rather play

00:22:08.779 --> 00:22:09.379
 than pray.

00:22:09.559 --> 00:22:11.899
 They would rather get than give.

00:22:11.899 --> 00:22:13.659
 They would rather be entertained

00:22:13.659 --> 00:22:15.439
 than exercise their gifts.

00:22:15.699 --> 00:22:16.960
 They would rather wine

00:22:16.960 --> 00:22:18.839
 than work in the Father's vineyard.

00:22:19.579 --> 00:22:19.939
 Friends,

00:22:20.019 --> 00:22:22.359
 it's not your religious reputation,

00:22:22.740 --> 00:22:23.859
 but it's your repentance

00:22:23.859 --> 00:22:24.839
 that matters.

00:22:25.480 --> 00:22:26.619
 Here's some tough questions

00:22:26.619 --> 00:22:28.259
 that we should really ask ourselves.

00:22:28.899 --> 00:22:30.699
 How many times have I sung words

00:22:30.699 --> 00:22:32.279
 that speak of obedience

00:22:32.279 --> 00:22:34.839
 and yet I did nothing to act

00:22:34.839 --> 00:22:36.180
 on that which I professed?

00:22:36.480 --> 00:22:38.619
 How many times have I promised

00:22:38.619 --> 00:22:39.759
 to pray for someone,

00:22:40.079 --> 00:22:41.059
 but I didn't do it?

00:22:41.480 --> 00:22:43.359
 How many times have I asked God

00:22:43.359 --> 00:22:44.379
 to lead me

00:22:44.379 --> 00:22:46.160
 and I just ignored His leading?

00:22:46.660 --> 00:22:48.519
 How many times have I told the Lord

00:22:48.519 --> 00:22:50.160
 that I would serve Him

00:22:50.160 --> 00:22:51.359
 when times are tough,

00:22:51.920 --> 00:22:53.240
 only to forget about Him

00:22:53.240 --> 00:22:54.299
 when times got better?

00:22:55.059 --> 00:22:57.099
 Listen to Matthew 21, 32.

00:22:57.099 --> 00:22:58.939
 For John came unto you

00:22:58.939 --> 00:22:59.899
 in the way of righteousness,

00:23:00.379 --> 00:23:01.899
 and ye believed Him not,

00:23:02.299 --> 00:23:03.839
 but the publicans and harlots

00:23:03.839 --> 00:23:04.740
 believed Him.

00:23:05.419 --> 00:23:06.219
 The religious,

00:23:06.599 --> 00:23:08.500
 they refused to believe

00:23:08.500 --> 00:23:09.740
 John the Baptist and repent.

00:23:10.619 --> 00:23:12.379
 The rebellious, on the other hand,

00:23:13.179 --> 00:23:14.839
 they heard what John had to say

00:23:14.839 --> 00:23:15.939
 and they were repenting.

00:23:16.500 --> 00:23:17.679
 Jesus then points out

00:23:17.679 --> 00:23:19.219
 that these religious leaders,

00:23:19.679 --> 00:23:21.500
 they should have been moved to action

00:23:21.500 --> 00:23:23.480
 by watching the transformation

00:23:23.480 --> 00:23:24.839
 that took place in the lives

00:23:24.839 --> 00:23:25.639
 of the rebellious,

00:23:26.000 --> 00:23:27.639
 but they remained unrepentant.

00:23:27.679 --> 00:23:29.339
 They wanted nothing to do with it.

00:23:29.740 --> 00:23:30.379
 So we read this

00:23:30.379 --> 00:23:32.639
 in the last part of Matthew 21, 32.

00:23:33.279 --> 00:23:35.459
 And ye, when ye had seen it,

00:23:35.919 --> 00:23:37.339
 repented not afterward

00:23:37.339 --> 00:23:39.679
 that ye might believe Him.

00:23:40.659 --> 00:23:41.359
 When we,

00:23:42.339 --> 00:23:44.959
 so this morning we took time,

00:23:45.000 --> 00:23:46.059
 we looked at these two sons

00:23:46.059 --> 00:23:46.980
 here in this parable.

00:23:47.480 --> 00:23:49.779
 We looked at the two groups of people

00:23:49.779 --> 00:23:50.839
 that they represent.

00:23:51.659 --> 00:23:52.259
 What we're going to do now

00:23:52.259 --> 00:23:53.339
 is we're going to take some time

00:23:53.339 --> 00:23:54.619
 and we're going to focus

00:23:54.619 --> 00:23:56.419
 on the Father in this parable

00:23:56.419 --> 00:23:59.139
 who represents our Heavenly Father.

00:23:59.220 --> 00:24:00.359
 It's really the Father's focus

00:24:00.359 --> 00:24:01.839
 and there's, I think,

00:24:01.899 --> 00:24:03.299
 five things we're going to look at

00:24:03.299 --> 00:24:04.259
 fairly quickly.

00:24:04.899 --> 00:24:05.899
 But here are some truths

00:24:05.899 --> 00:24:07.319
 that come to mind about the Father.

00:24:08.019 --> 00:24:09.759
 One, the Father is fond of you.

00:24:10.279 --> 00:24:11.179
 If you're a Christian,

00:24:11.259 --> 00:24:12.699
 He calls you son or daughter.

00:24:13.259 --> 00:24:15.259
 If you doubt God's love for you,

00:24:15.659 --> 00:24:17.059
 listen to these words

00:24:17.059 --> 00:24:18.679
 from Zephaniah 3, 17.

00:24:18.679 --> 00:24:20.559
 The Lord thy God

00:24:20.559 --> 00:24:21.959
 in the midst of thee is mighty.

00:24:21.960 --> 00:24:23.079
 He will save.

00:24:23.460 --> 00:24:25.299
 He will rejoice over thee with joy.

00:24:25.519 --> 00:24:27.160
 He will rest in His love.

00:24:27.500 --> 00:24:29.980
 He will joy over thee with singing.

00:24:30.620 --> 00:24:32.759
 The Father loves you.

00:24:33.539 --> 00:24:36.059
 Second, the Father's will

00:24:36.059 --> 00:24:37.460
 is that we work.

00:24:38.039 --> 00:24:40.039
 There is much to do in His vineyard

00:24:40.039 --> 00:24:42.120
 and we don't really have the option

00:24:42.120 --> 00:24:43.700
 of opting out.

00:24:43.980 --> 00:24:45.279
 Hey, I don't want to do this.

00:24:45.799 --> 00:24:48.000
 A person who claims to follow Christ

00:24:48.000 --> 00:24:50.319
 but refuses to serve others

00:24:50.319 --> 00:24:52.099
 is living a contradiction.

00:24:52.900 --> 00:24:53.819
 1 Peter 4, 10.

00:24:54.180 --> 00:24:56.720
 As every man hath received the gift,

00:24:57.200 --> 00:24:59.619
 even so minister the same one to another

00:24:59.619 --> 00:25:02.619
 as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.

00:25:03.519 --> 00:25:04.259
 And maybe you're sitting there

00:25:04.259 --> 00:25:04.920
 thinking to yourself,

00:25:05.059 --> 00:25:07.339
 well, I don't know how to serve.

00:25:07.619 --> 00:25:09.299
 I don't know where to serve.

00:25:09.559 --> 00:25:11.140
 I don't know what it means to serve.

00:25:11.140 --> 00:25:13.440
 Just go talk to Pastor Smith.

00:25:13.540 --> 00:25:14.460
 I guarantee you,

00:25:14.500 --> 00:25:17.180
 he can find somewhere for you to serve.

00:25:18.100 --> 00:25:18.320
 All right?

00:25:18.440 --> 00:25:19.860
 Our third thing about the Father is

00:25:19.860 --> 00:25:20.340
 the Father,

00:25:20.720 --> 00:25:22.800
 He expects immediate obedience.

00:25:23.660 --> 00:25:25.140
 He wants us to work today.

00:25:26.180 --> 00:25:26.700
 Remember that parable?

00:25:26.780 --> 00:25:27.920
 He told both sons,

00:25:28.240 --> 00:25:29.420
 go work today.

00:25:29.780 --> 00:25:30.560
 Not tomorrow,

00:25:30.720 --> 00:25:31.520
 not next week,

00:25:31.620 --> 00:25:32.940
 not when it feels right to you.

00:25:33.300 --> 00:25:33.820
 Today.

00:25:34.780 --> 00:25:34.920
 Right?

00:25:35.080 --> 00:25:36.120
 Delayed obedience,

00:25:36.119 --> 00:25:38.319
 it's really just disobedience.

00:25:38.839 --> 00:25:39.879
 Hebrews 3, 15.

00:25:40.279 --> 00:25:41.279
 While it is said,

00:25:41.779 --> 00:25:43.519
 today if you will hear His voice,

00:25:43.979 --> 00:25:45.119
 harden not your hearts.

00:25:45.939 --> 00:25:47.939
 What we do is more important

00:25:47.939 --> 00:25:50.039
 than what we say we will do.

00:25:50.579 --> 00:25:53.719
 If you've never accepted Christ as your Savior,

00:25:54.339 --> 00:25:56.019
 today is the day to say yes to God.

00:25:56.319 --> 00:25:57.479
 2 Corinthians 6, 2 says,

00:25:57.599 --> 00:25:59.739
 behold, now is the accepted time.

00:26:00.079 --> 00:26:02.939
 Behold, now is the day of salvation.

00:26:02.939 --> 00:26:04.119
 Not tomorrow.

00:26:04.119 --> 00:26:06.539
 But also, if you're a believer

00:26:06.539 --> 00:26:08.299
 and you've quit working,

00:26:08.539 --> 00:26:08.959
 you know,

00:26:09.079 --> 00:26:10.539
 I've heard all the excuses.

00:26:10.659 --> 00:26:11.219
 I'm tired.

00:26:11.359 --> 00:26:12.159
 I'm worn out.

00:26:12.659 --> 00:26:12.899
 You know,

00:26:12.959 --> 00:26:15.899
 someone says something mean to me at church.

00:26:16.139 --> 00:26:17.439
 I've heard all of them.

00:26:18.099 --> 00:26:19.579
 If you've quit working, though,

00:26:19.619 --> 00:26:21.339
 it's time to get back to work.

00:26:21.839 --> 00:26:23.000
 Proverbs 27, 1.

00:26:23.399 --> 00:26:25.399
 Boast not thyself of tomorrow,

00:26:25.959 --> 00:26:28.599
 for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth.

00:26:29.019 --> 00:26:31.079
 James 4, 13 through 17 says,

00:26:31.079 --> 00:26:32.359
 go to now,

00:26:32.639 --> 00:26:33.219
 ye that say,

00:26:33.220 --> 00:26:34.720
 today or tomorrow,

00:26:34.900 --> 00:26:35.759
 we will give and,

00:26:36.140 --> 00:26:38.240
 we will go into such a city

00:26:38.240 --> 00:26:39.339
 and continue there a year

00:26:39.339 --> 00:26:41.440
 and buy and sell and get gain.

00:26:41.940 --> 00:26:42.180
 Whereas,

00:26:42.579 --> 00:26:44.880
 ye know not what shall be on the morrow.

00:26:45.240 --> 00:26:46.140
 For what is your life?

00:26:46.180 --> 00:26:47.100
 It is even a vapor

00:26:47.100 --> 00:26:48.720
 that appears for a little time

00:26:48.720 --> 00:26:49.819
 and then vanisheth away.

00:26:50.400 --> 00:26:51.640
 For that ye ought to say,

00:26:51.779 --> 00:26:52.600
 if the Lord will,

00:26:52.900 --> 00:26:54.759
 we shall live and do this or that.

00:26:55.200 --> 00:26:55.799
 But now,

00:26:55.960 --> 00:26:57.860
 ye rejoice in your boastings.

00:26:58.220 --> 00:26:59.579
 All such rejoicing is evil.

00:26:59.579 --> 00:27:00.419
 Therefore,

00:27:00.639 --> 00:27:02.299
 to him that knoweth to do good

00:27:02.299 --> 00:27:03.740
 and doeth it not,

00:27:04.339 --> 00:27:06.259
 to him it is sin.

00:27:06.599 --> 00:27:08.839
 We are supposed to do it immediately

00:27:08.839 --> 00:27:10.379
 and the Father expects it.

00:27:11.139 --> 00:27:11.639
 Fourth,

00:27:12.000 --> 00:27:13.220
 the Father is gracious

00:27:13.220 --> 00:27:14.960
 even when we don't go.

00:27:15.539 --> 00:27:17.799
 He loves to redeem failures.

00:27:18.299 --> 00:27:19.059
 This book

00:27:19.059 --> 00:27:21.059
 is full of failures

00:27:21.059 --> 00:27:24.019
 and he loves to use

00:27:24.019 --> 00:27:25.059
 and redeem failures.

00:27:25.059 --> 00:27:26.500
 2 Peter 3.9 says

00:27:26.500 --> 00:27:27.259
 that he will wait

00:27:27.259 --> 00:27:28.200
 until we repent.

00:27:28.659 --> 00:27:29.559
 The Lord is not slack

00:27:29.559 --> 00:27:30.500
 concerning his promise

00:27:30.500 --> 00:27:32.099
 as some men count slackness,

00:27:32.440 --> 00:27:34.639
 but is long suffering to usward,

00:27:34.899 --> 00:27:36.559
 not willing that any should perish,

00:27:36.919 --> 00:27:38.019
 but that all should come

00:27:38.019 --> 00:27:39.079
 to repentance.

00:27:39.919 --> 00:27:40.299
 Fifth,

00:27:40.559 --> 00:27:42.679
 the Father desires repentance

00:27:42.679 --> 00:27:45.359
 more than self-righteous

00:27:45.359 --> 00:27:47.419
 religious ritualism.

00:27:47.960 --> 00:27:49.399
 1 Samuel 15.22,

00:27:49.460 --> 00:27:50.179
 and Samuel said,

00:27:50.619 --> 00:27:51.519
 hath the Lord

00:27:51.519 --> 00:27:52.279
 as great delight

00:27:52.279 --> 00:27:53.059
 in burnt offerings

00:27:53.059 --> 00:27:53.940
 and sacrifices

00:27:53.940 --> 00:27:55.360
 as in obeying

00:27:55.360 --> 00:27:56.420
 the voice of the Lord?

00:27:57.120 --> 00:27:57.700
 Behold,

00:27:58.019 --> 00:27:59.600
 to obey is better

00:27:59.600 --> 00:28:00.559
 than sacrifice

00:28:00.559 --> 00:28:02.000
 and to hearken

00:28:02.000 --> 00:28:04.259
 than the fat of the rams.

00:28:04.900 --> 00:28:06.100
 God is not looking

00:28:06.100 --> 00:28:08.059
 for polished religion

00:28:08.059 --> 00:28:09.380
 while the heart

00:28:09.380 --> 00:28:10.460
 stays hardened

00:28:10.460 --> 00:28:11.380
 and stubborn.

00:28:11.980 --> 00:28:12.920
 He would rather see

00:28:12.920 --> 00:28:14.900
 a sinner humble themselves

00:28:14.900 --> 00:28:15.600
 in repentance

00:28:15.600 --> 00:28:16.720
 and obedience

00:28:16.720 --> 00:28:18.080
 than watch someone

00:28:18.080 --> 00:28:19.100
 go through all these

00:28:19.100 --> 00:28:21.299
 impressive religious motions

00:28:21.299 --> 00:28:23.340
 without any true submission.

00:28:23.940 --> 00:28:25.340
 real repentance

00:28:25.340 --> 00:28:26.779
 is not measured

00:28:26.779 --> 00:28:28.259
 by what we say

00:28:28.259 --> 00:28:29.580
 or how religious

00:28:29.580 --> 00:28:30.640
 we may appear,

00:28:31.120 --> 00:28:32.720
 but it's by a heart

00:28:32.720 --> 00:28:33.460
 that bows

00:28:33.460 --> 00:28:34.660
 to the Father's will.

00:28:35.480 --> 00:28:36.660
 What we do

00:28:36.660 --> 00:28:37.660
 is more important

00:28:37.660 --> 00:28:39.000
 than what we say

00:28:39.000 --> 00:28:39.759
 we're going to do.

00:28:40.160 --> 00:28:41.059
 And even though

00:28:41.059 --> 00:28:41.779
 the main point

00:28:41.779 --> 00:28:42.580
 of this parable

00:28:42.580 --> 00:28:43.860
 has to do with

00:28:43.860 --> 00:28:44.519
 our relationship

00:28:44.519 --> 00:28:45.460
 with our Heavenly Father,

00:28:45.799 --> 00:28:46.920
 I believe that also

00:28:46.920 --> 00:28:47.920
 that we can draw

00:28:47.920 --> 00:28:49.620
 out six parenting principles

00:28:49.620 --> 00:28:51.519
 from this story also.

00:28:51.519 --> 00:28:52.139
 Once again,

00:28:52.180 --> 00:28:53.240
 it's a small parable,

00:28:53.379 --> 00:28:54.019
 but it's filled

00:28:54.019 --> 00:28:55.980
 with so much for us.

00:28:56.019 --> 00:28:56.519
 Let's look at some

00:28:56.519 --> 00:28:57.319
 parenting principles

00:28:57.319 --> 00:28:58.079
 this morning.

00:28:58.779 --> 00:28:59.740
 Now, believe it or not,

00:29:00.379 --> 00:29:01.839
 first century parents

00:29:01.839 --> 00:29:02.980
 were faced with

00:29:02.980 --> 00:29:04.420
 many of the same things

00:29:04.420 --> 00:29:05.680
 that parents face today.

00:29:06.079 --> 00:29:07.259
 And as parents,

00:29:07.319 --> 00:29:08.139
 we need to put

00:29:08.139 --> 00:29:08.980
 these principles

00:29:08.980 --> 00:29:10.519
 into practice.

00:29:11.059 --> 00:29:11.599
 First,

00:29:12.160 --> 00:29:13.200
 talk tenderly

00:29:13.200 --> 00:29:14.039
 to your children.

00:29:14.519 --> 00:29:15.460
 The father,

00:29:15.579 --> 00:29:17.079
 he used the affectionate term

00:29:17.079 --> 00:29:17.740
 son

00:29:17.740 --> 00:29:18.920
 when he addresses

00:29:18.920 --> 00:29:19.599
 his boys.

00:29:19.599 --> 00:29:20.759
 You know,

00:29:20.799 --> 00:29:21.379
 it hurts me

00:29:21.379 --> 00:29:22.699
 to hear some of the things

00:29:22.699 --> 00:29:23.859
 that parents say

00:29:23.859 --> 00:29:24.699
 to their children.

00:29:25.659 --> 00:29:26.459
 My wife Rachel's here.

00:29:26.480 --> 00:29:27.319
 We have three daughters

00:29:27.319 --> 00:29:27.859
 that are down

00:29:27.859 --> 00:29:29.579
 with the children right now,

00:29:29.639 --> 00:29:30.839
 but there's many times

00:29:30.839 --> 00:29:31.679
 I'll text her and be like,

00:29:32.299 --> 00:29:33.439
 I'll be out with the girls

00:29:33.439 --> 00:29:33.939
 doing something.

00:29:34.039 --> 00:29:35.139
 I'll hear a father,

00:29:35.179 --> 00:29:35.879
 especially father,

00:29:36.019 --> 00:29:36.659
 say some things

00:29:36.659 --> 00:29:37.019
 to their kids.

00:29:37.099 --> 00:29:37.439
 I'll text her like,

00:29:37.500 --> 00:29:38.199
 can you believe

00:29:38.199 --> 00:29:39.639
 this father just said this

00:29:39.639 --> 00:29:40.379
 to their child?

00:29:40.859 --> 00:29:42.339
 And it hurts hearing

00:29:42.339 --> 00:29:43.379
 how these parents

00:29:43.379 --> 00:29:44.559
 talk to their children.

00:29:45.219 --> 00:29:45.619
 Parents,

00:29:45.759 --> 00:29:47.139
 and specifically fathers,

00:29:47.439 --> 00:29:48.259
 we have a

00:29:48.259 --> 00:29:50.460
 heavy responsibility

00:29:50.460 --> 00:29:52.079
 to not do anything

00:29:52.079 --> 00:29:52.900
 that would cause

00:29:52.900 --> 00:29:54.440
 our children to despair.

00:29:55.059 --> 00:29:55.980
 Ephesians 6, 4,

00:29:56.279 --> 00:29:57.259
 and ye fathers,

00:29:57.660 --> 00:29:59.200
 provoke not your children

00:29:59.200 --> 00:29:59.920
 to wrath,

00:30:00.299 --> 00:30:01.299
 but bring them up

00:30:01.299 --> 00:30:01.920
 in the nurture

00:30:01.920 --> 00:30:03.220
 and admonition

00:30:03.220 --> 00:30:04.400
 of the Lord.

00:30:05.240 --> 00:30:05.519
 Now,

00:30:05.559 --> 00:30:06.359
 I'll admit that

00:30:06.359 --> 00:30:08.379
 this is something

00:30:08.379 --> 00:30:08.900
 that, you know,

00:30:08.980 --> 00:30:09.440
 maybe sometimes

00:30:09.440 --> 00:30:10.720
 I can struggle with.

00:30:11.180 --> 00:30:11.359
 You know,

00:30:11.879 --> 00:30:12.700
 sometimes I just try

00:30:12.700 --> 00:30:14.480
 to just brush it off

00:30:14.480 --> 00:30:14.759
 by saying,

00:30:14.799 --> 00:30:15.200
 you know what,

00:30:15.200 --> 00:30:17.960
 I grew up as a boy,

00:30:18.160 --> 00:30:18.960
 raised as a boy,

00:30:19.080 --> 00:30:19.220
 you know,

00:30:19.519 --> 00:30:20.700
 that mindset of,

00:30:20.980 --> 00:30:21.039
 hey,

00:30:21.100 --> 00:30:21.940
 I'm going to push you

00:30:21.940 --> 00:30:22.940
 as hard as I can,

00:30:23.279 --> 00:30:23.980
 no blood,

00:30:24.120 --> 00:30:24.660
 no foul,

00:30:24.980 --> 00:30:25.640
 be tough,

00:30:25.799 --> 00:30:26.400
 man up.

00:30:27.059 --> 00:30:27.500
 I'm not saying

00:30:27.500 --> 00:30:28.380
 I didn't like that.

00:30:28.480 --> 00:30:29.640
 I thoroughly enjoyed it.

00:30:29.660 --> 00:30:30.200
 It made me into

00:30:30.200 --> 00:30:30.900
 who I am today.

00:30:31.240 --> 00:30:32.380
 And I appreciated

00:30:32.380 --> 00:30:33.740
 the way that I was raised.

00:30:34.160 --> 00:30:35.080
 And it worked very well.

00:30:35.120 --> 00:30:36.120
 But it is something

00:30:36.120 --> 00:30:37.799
 that I try to do better at,

00:30:38.080 --> 00:30:39.259
 especially with having

00:30:39.259 --> 00:30:40.880
 three little daughters.

00:30:41.420 --> 00:30:42.819
 It's to be tender

00:30:42.819 --> 00:30:43.840
 with my children.

00:30:43.839 --> 00:30:45.220
 Now, that doesn't mean

00:30:45.220 --> 00:30:46.039
 to be effeminate.

00:30:46.139 --> 00:30:46.419
 It doesn't mean

00:30:46.419 --> 00:30:47.339
 to be weak,

00:30:47.720 --> 00:30:48.759
 but to be tender

00:30:48.759 --> 00:30:50.539
 so that they won't resent

00:30:50.539 --> 00:30:51.579
 me as a father

00:30:51.579 --> 00:30:53.339
 and in turn resent

00:30:53.339 --> 00:30:54.519
 their heavenly father.

00:30:55.079 --> 00:30:55.819
 So we need to talk

00:30:55.819 --> 00:30:56.659
 tenderly to our children.

00:30:56.839 --> 00:30:57.139
 Second,

00:30:57.959 --> 00:30:59.419
 lovingly lead your family.

00:31:00.119 --> 00:31:00.799
 Now, I recognize

00:31:00.799 --> 00:31:01.839
 that many fathers

00:31:01.839 --> 00:31:02.839
 have fallen short

00:31:02.839 --> 00:31:03.419
 in this area.

00:31:05.199 --> 00:31:06.259
 And as a result,

00:31:06.720 --> 00:31:07.679
 there are many mothers

00:31:07.679 --> 00:31:08.579
 that have stepped in

00:31:08.579 --> 00:31:09.619
 to fill that gap.

00:31:10.159 --> 00:31:11.839
 And I am deeply thankful

00:31:11.839 --> 00:31:13.019
 for those godly mothers

00:31:13.019 --> 00:31:14.200
 and those grandmothers

00:31:14.200 --> 00:31:15.559
 who have stepped up

00:31:15.559 --> 00:31:16.759
 and they have embraced

00:31:16.759 --> 00:31:18.940
 that responsibility.

00:31:20.240 --> 00:31:21.299
 And we see a wonderful

00:31:21.299 --> 00:31:22.119
 example of this

00:31:22.119 --> 00:31:23.539
 in 2 Timothy 1.5

00:31:23.539 --> 00:31:24.599
 where Paul speaks

00:31:24.599 --> 00:31:25.900
 of Lois and Eunice,

00:31:26.299 --> 00:31:26.980
 a grandmother

00:31:26.980 --> 00:31:27.599
 and a mother

00:31:27.599 --> 00:31:29.180
 whose sincere faith

00:31:29.180 --> 00:31:30.740
 was passed on to Timothy

00:31:30.740 --> 00:31:32.259
 and helped shape him

00:31:32.259 --> 00:31:34.160
 from a very young age.

00:31:34.700 --> 00:31:35.980
 But I want fathers

00:31:35.980 --> 00:31:37.299
 to hear this very clearly.

00:31:38.160 --> 00:31:39.859
 You are the God-ordained

00:31:39.859 --> 00:31:40.740
 head of your home.

00:31:40.740 --> 00:31:42.319
 And God has given you

00:31:42.319 --> 00:31:43.180
 the responsibility

00:31:43.180 --> 00:31:45.180
 to bring up your children

00:31:45.180 --> 00:31:46.000
 in the training

00:31:46.000 --> 00:31:46.819
 and the instruction

00:31:46.819 --> 00:31:47.640
 of the Lord.

00:31:48.359 --> 00:31:49.460
 Mothers and grandmothers,

00:31:49.599 --> 00:31:51.200
 they may help fill that gap

00:31:51.200 --> 00:31:53.799
 and I and we thank God

00:31:53.799 --> 00:31:54.500
 for them.

00:31:55.440 --> 00:31:57.460
 But fathers must not surrender

00:31:57.460 --> 00:31:58.460
 the role that God

00:31:58.460 --> 00:31:59.200
 has given them.

00:31:59.620 --> 00:32:00.519
 You are called

00:32:00.519 --> 00:32:02.039
 to lead your family

00:32:02.039 --> 00:32:03.500
 as God intended.

00:32:04.440 --> 00:32:04.859
 Three,

00:32:05.519 --> 00:32:06.319
 you need to raise

00:32:06.319 --> 00:32:07.500
 your kids to work.

00:32:07.500 --> 00:32:09.740
 The father in this parable

00:32:09.740 --> 00:32:10.740
 had every right

00:32:10.740 --> 00:32:11.339
 to give work

00:32:11.339 --> 00:32:12.059
 to his sons.

00:32:12.880 --> 00:32:13.759
 We are a culture

00:32:13.759 --> 00:32:15.440
 that's kind of turning

00:32:15.440 --> 00:32:15.960
 into a culture

00:32:15.960 --> 00:32:16.859
 of laziness

00:32:16.859 --> 00:32:17.700
 and entitlement

00:32:17.700 --> 00:32:19.240
 where many feel like

00:32:19.240 --> 00:32:20.339
 everyone else

00:32:20.339 --> 00:32:21.619
 owes me something.

00:32:22.500 --> 00:32:23.940
 Chores are a good thing.

00:32:24.039 --> 00:32:25.400
 Lamentations 3.27,

00:32:25.799 --> 00:32:27.099
 it is good for a man

00:32:27.099 --> 00:32:28.299
 that he bear the yoke

00:32:28.299 --> 00:32:29.319
 in his youth.

00:32:30.039 --> 00:32:31.680
 Work teaches responsibility,

00:32:32.519 --> 00:32:33.119
 discipline,

00:32:33.619 --> 00:32:34.160
 perseverance,

00:32:34.160 --> 00:32:35.580
 and also service

00:32:35.580 --> 00:32:36.340
 to others.

00:32:36.900 --> 00:32:38.279
 A child who never

00:32:38.279 --> 00:32:39.380
 learns to work

00:32:39.380 --> 00:32:40.700
 often will grow

00:32:40.700 --> 00:32:41.400
 into an adult

00:32:41.400 --> 00:32:42.220
 who expects life

00:32:42.220 --> 00:32:43.500
 to revolve around them.

00:32:44.519 --> 00:32:44.880
 Parents,

00:32:45.200 --> 00:32:46.779
 parents do their children

00:32:46.779 --> 00:32:47.500
 no favors

00:32:47.500 --> 00:32:48.360
 by removing

00:32:48.360 --> 00:32:49.080
 every burden,

00:32:49.220 --> 00:32:50.140
 every responsibility

00:32:50.140 --> 00:32:51.800
 and every expectation

00:32:51.800 --> 00:32:53.060
 from their children.

00:32:53.940 --> 00:32:55.560
 Sometimes love,

00:32:55.680 --> 00:32:56.279
 it looks like

00:32:56.279 --> 00:32:57.160
 handing a child

00:32:57.160 --> 00:32:57.720
 a broom,

00:32:58.240 --> 00:32:59.120
 giving them a job

00:32:59.120 --> 00:32:59.540
 to do

00:32:59.540 --> 00:33:00.460
 and teaching them

00:33:00.460 --> 00:33:01.420
 you need to finish

00:33:01.420 --> 00:33:02.640
 what you have started.

00:33:02.640 --> 00:33:04.920
 So raise your children

00:33:04.920 --> 00:33:05.840
 to work.

00:33:06.040 --> 00:33:06.320
 Fourth,

00:33:07.020 --> 00:33:07.700
 teach your children

00:33:07.700 --> 00:33:08.420
 to respect those

00:33:08.420 --> 00:33:09.080
 in authority.

00:33:10.000 --> 00:33:11.000
 The second son,

00:33:11.259 --> 00:33:12.340
 he does address

00:33:12.340 --> 00:33:12.940
 his father

00:33:12.940 --> 00:33:13.840
 with respect.

00:33:14.480 --> 00:33:15.140
 We have to

00:33:15.140 --> 00:33:16.300
 help our children

00:33:16.300 --> 00:33:17.580
 learn how to do this

00:33:17.580 --> 00:33:18.920
 by having them

00:33:18.920 --> 00:33:19.560
 use titles like

00:33:19.560 --> 00:33:20.580
 Mr.,

00:33:20.580 --> 00:33:21.240
 Mrs.,

00:33:21.240 --> 00:33:21.720
 Sir,

00:33:21.960 --> 00:33:22.460
 Ma'am.

00:33:23.300 --> 00:33:23.480
 You know,

00:33:23.520 --> 00:33:24.140
 a little please,

00:33:24.259 --> 00:33:25.100
 a little thank you.

00:33:25.340 --> 00:33:26.200
 It can go

00:33:26.200 --> 00:33:27.940
 a long way.

00:33:28.800 --> 00:33:29.620
 But respect

00:33:29.620 --> 00:33:31.320
 doesn't just magically

00:33:31.320 --> 00:33:32.300
 appear in children.

00:33:32.640 --> 00:33:34.060
 It has to be taught.

00:33:34.320 --> 00:33:36.000
 It has to be practiced.

00:33:36.880 --> 00:33:37.360
 And the way

00:33:37.360 --> 00:33:38.160
 children learn

00:33:38.160 --> 00:33:39.200
 to speak to parents,

00:33:39.560 --> 00:33:40.420
 speak to grandparents,

00:33:40.700 --> 00:33:41.100
 teachers,

00:33:41.500 --> 00:33:42.340
 other adults,

00:33:42.440 --> 00:33:43.400
 authority figures

00:33:43.400 --> 00:33:45.180
 will usually carry over

00:33:45.180 --> 00:33:46.140
 into the rest

00:33:46.140 --> 00:33:46.980
 of their life.

00:33:47.720 --> 00:33:48.300
 Those things,

00:33:48.580 --> 00:33:50.460
 it might seem small,

00:33:51.460 --> 00:33:52.680
 but it does matter.

00:33:53.280 --> 00:33:54.240
 Simple manners

00:33:54.240 --> 00:33:55.240
 and respectful speech

00:33:55.240 --> 00:33:55.980
 that help fight

00:33:55.980 --> 00:33:57.620
 against the selfishness

00:33:57.620 --> 00:33:58.680
 and entitlement

00:33:58.680 --> 00:33:59.900
 that are so common

00:33:59.900 --> 00:34:00.940
 in our culture today.

00:34:01.900 --> 00:34:02.380
 Five,

00:34:02.600 --> 00:34:04.299
 expect immediate obedience

00:34:04.299 --> 00:34:05.380
 from your children.

00:34:06.160 --> 00:34:06.860
 Too many parents

00:34:06.860 --> 00:34:08.019
 are lax in this area.

00:34:08.320 --> 00:34:08.960
 But we see the father,

00:34:09.079 --> 00:34:09.320
 he says,

00:34:09.659 --> 00:34:11.019
 go work today.

00:34:11.480 --> 00:34:12.440
 Not tomorrow,

00:34:12.700 --> 00:34:13.599
 not when it works out

00:34:13.599 --> 00:34:14.119
 in your schedule,

00:34:14.220 --> 00:34:15.360
 not when you can fit it in.

00:34:15.820 --> 00:34:16.720
 He tells his sons,

00:34:17.139 --> 00:34:17.579
 today.

00:34:18.460 --> 00:34:19.740
 Children have an obligation

00:34:19.740 --> 00:34:20.820
 to obey,

00:34:21.179 --> 00:34:22.220
 and we must insist

00:34:22.220 --> 00:34:22.940
 that they do.

00:34:23.280 --> 00:34:24.079
 Ephesians 6,

00:34:24.139 --> 00:34:24.880
 1-3 says,

00:34:24.980 --> 00:34:25.340
 children,

00:34:25.820 --> 00:34:26.840
 obey your parents

00:34:26.840 --> 00:34:27.260
 and the Lord

00:34:27.260 --> 00:34:28.320
 for this is right.

00:34:28.820 --> 00:34:29.800
 Honor thy father

00:34:29.800 --> 00:34:30.320
 and mother,

00:34:31.180 --> 00:34:32.500
 which is the first commandment

00:34:32.500 --> 00:34:33.160
 with promise,

00:34:33.700 --> 00:34:35.280
 that it may be well with thee

00:34:35.280 --> 00:34:36.700
 and thou mayest live

00:34:36.700 --> 00:34:37.760
 long on the earth.

00:34:38.640 --> 00:34:40.840
 Obedience is not optional

00:34:40.840 --> 00:34:41.620
 in the home.

00:34:41.940 --> 00:34:43.640
 It is commanded by God.

00:34:44.240 --> 00:34:45.160
 And parents are not

00:34:45.160 --> 00:34:45.980
 helping their children

00:34:45.980 --> 00:34:48.320
 by allowing constant defiance,

00:34:49.019 --> 00:34:49.519
 disrespect,

00:34:49.940 --> 00:34:50.640
 or rebellion

00:34:50.640 --> 00:34:51.960
 to go unchecked.

00:34:52.740 --> 00:34:54.019
 One of the loving things

00:34:54.019 --> 00:34:54.840
 a parent can do

00:34:54.840 --> 00:34:56.200
 is to teach a child

00:34:56.200 --> 00:34:57.400
 to obey authority

00:34:57.400 --> 00:34:59.039
 while they are young.

00:34:59.460 --> 00:35:00.460
 Because a child

00:35:00.460 --> 00:35:03.059
 who never learns obedience

00:35:03.059 --> 00:35:04.380
 at home

00:35:04.380 --> 00:35:05.820
 is often going to struggle

00:35:05.820 --> 00:35:07.120
 with authority elsewhere

00:35:07.120 --> 00:35:08.740
 as they grow older.

00:35:09.200 --> 00:35:10.000
 Then we have our last

00:35:10.000 --> 00:35:10.920
 parenting principle,

00:35:11.620 --> 00:35:12.420
 don't despair

00:35:12.420 --> 00:35:13.120
 in the face

00:35:13.120 --> 00:35:14.220
 of disobedience.

00:35:14.980 --> 00:35:15.940
 Now some of you,

00:35:16.360 --> 00:35:17.200
 maybe right now,

00:35:17.260 --> 00:35:17.780
 have children

00:35:17.780 --> 00:35:18.680
 who are rebelling,

00:35:19.200 --> 00:35:20.539
 who are disobeying

00:35:20.539 --> 00:35:21.360
 right now.

00:35:21.840 --> 00:35:23.039
 Don't lose heart.

00:35:23.039 --> 00:35:24.179
 Keep praying,

00:35:24.739 --> 00:35:26.420
 keep loving on them,

00:35:26.579 --> 00:35:27.659
 keep praying for them,

00:35:27.880 --> 00:35:28.840
 and keep holding

00:35:28.840 --> 00:35:30.019
 on to hope

00:35:30.019 --> 00:35:30.860
 that your prodigal

00:35:30.860 --> 00:35:32.599
 will return soon.

00:35:33.079 --> 00:35:34.380
 In this parable here,

00:35:34.779 --> 00:35:35.500
 the first son,

00:35:35.739 --> 00:35:37.380
 he was openly defiant.

00:35:38.279 --> 00:35:39.019
 And we do see that eventually

00:35:39.019 --> 00:35:40.099
 he does repent

00:35:40.099 --> 00:35:41.460
 and he does obey.

00:35:42.139 --> 00:35:43.119
 The second son,

00:35:43.460 --> 00:35:44.460
 he looked compliant

00:35:44.460 --> 00:35:45.460
 on the outside,

00:35:46.059 --> 00:35:46.940
 but inwardly,

00:35:47.099 --> 00:35:48.039
 he was stubborn.

00:35:48.320 --> 00:35:49.199
 He was unwilling.

00:35:50.119 --> 00:35:51.179
 This reminds us

00:35:51.179 --> 00:35:52.340
 that parents

00:35:52.340 --> 00:35:53.240
 cannot always see

00:35:53.240 --> 00:35:54.579
 everything going on

00:35:54.579 --> 00:35:55.600
 in a child's heart,

00:35:56.039 --> 00:35:57.460
 especially immediately.

00:35:57.800 --> 00:35:59.260
 And God is still able

00:35:59.260 --> 00:36:00.079
 to work in ways

00:36:00.079 --> 00:36:02.019
 that we cannot see.

00:36:02.820 --> 00:36:03.780
 Now while I didn't

00:36:03.780 --> 00:36:04.780
 always practice

00:36:04.780 --> 00:36:05.900
 immediate obedience

00:36:05.900 --> 00:36:06.680
 growing up,

00:36:06.900 --> 00:36:08.240
 I'm thankful for everything

00:36:08.240 --> 00:36:09.740
 that my father taught me.

00:36:10.460 --> 00:36:11.500
 I watched my father

00:36:11.500 --> 00:36:12.559
 constantly.

00:36:13.300 --> 00:36:14.480
 I spent

00:36:14.480 --> 00:36:16.400
 probably more time

00:36:16.400 --> 00:36:16.720
 with him

00:36:16.720 --> 00:36:17.680
 than probably anyone

00:36:17.680 --> 00:36:19.680
 on earth right now.

00:36:20.079 --> 00:36:20.940
 No one has spent

00:36:20.940 --> 00:36:21.860
 more time with him.

00:36:22.740 --> 00:36:23.800
 Even now,

00:36:24.179 --> 00:36:25.300
 I'll say or do

00:36:25.300 --> 00:36:25.980
 some things around

00:36:25.980 --> 00:36:26.539
 the house

00:36:26.539 --> 00:36:27.700
 and my wife

00:36:27.700 --> 00:36:28.500
 or sometimes my daughters

00:36:28.500 --> 00:36:29.200
 will laugh at me

00:36:29.200 --> 00:36:29.480
 and say,

00:36:29.780 --> 00:36:30.940
 that sounds like grandpa

00:36:30.940 --> 00:36:32.720
 or grandpa does that.

00:36:33.480 --> 00:36:34.300
 But what they don't realize

00:36:34.300 --> 00:36:35.519
 is that many of those things

00:36:35.519 --> 00:36:36.039
 that I've learned

00:36:36.039 --> 00:36:37.099
 from my father

00:36:37.099 --> 00:36:38.480
 are things that he learned

00:36:38.480 --> 00:36:39.480
 from his father.

00:36:40.079 --> 00:36:41.119
 And that's a reminder

00:36:41.119 --> 00:36:42.179
 that the investment

00:36:42.179 --> 00:36:43.280
 parents make

00:36:43.280 --> 00:36:44.240
 in their children

00:36:44.240 --> 00:36:45.920
 often can show up

00:36:45.920 --> 00:36:47.420
 years later.

00:36:47.420 --> 00:36:49.400
 sometimes the lessons

00:36:49.400 --> 00:36:50.320
 that you teach,

00:36:50.599 --> 00:36:51.220
 the example

00:36:51.220 --> 00:36:52.320
 that you set,

00:36:52.519 --> 00:36:53.260
 and the values

00:36:53.260 --> 00:36:54.320
 that you model

00:36:54.320 --> 00:36:55.780
 take root deeper

00:36:55.780 --> 00:36:56.980
 than you realize

00:36:56.980 --> 00:36:57.920
 at the time.

00:36:58.840 --> 00:36:59.659
 Now in closing,

00:37:00.180 --> 00:37:01.200
 this parable

00:37:01.200 --> 00:37:01.860
 leaves us

00:37:01.860 --> 00:37:02.940
 with a simple

00:37:02.940 --> 00:37:05.119
 but searching truth.

00:37:05.880 --> 00:37:07.340
 God is not impressed

00:37:07.340 --> 00:37:08.340
 with what we say

00:37:08.340 --> 00:37:09.039
 we will do.

00:37:09.539 --> 00:37:10.800
 He is looking at

00:37:10.800 --> 00:37:11.720
 what we are actually

00:37:11.720 --> 00:37:12.639
 going to do.

00:37:13.220 --> 00:37:14.119
 That first son

00:37:14.119 --> 00:37:15.680
 got off to a terrible start.

00:37:15.679 --> 00:37:17.279
 I will not.

00:37:18.039 --> 00:37:19.199
 But he finishes well.

00:37:19.940 --> 00:37:20.879
 The second son,

00:37:21.199 --> 00:37:22.199
 he sounded right.

00:37:22.359 --> 00:37:23.379
 He looked right.

00:37:23.579 --> 00:37:24.679
 He spoke right.

00:37:25.119 --> 00:37:26.419
 But he never obeyed.

00:37:27.179 --> 00:37:27.759
 And that's where

00:37:27.759 --> 00:37:28.819
 this lands us.

00:37:29.419 --> 00:37:30.139
 It's possible

00:37:30.139 --> 00:37:31.159
 to sit in church

00:37:31.159 --> 00:37:32.919
 to say the right things,

00:37:33.259 --> 00:37:34.819
 to nod at the right moments,

00:37:35.139 --> 00:37:35.919
 to aim in

00:37:35.919 --> 00:37:36.859
 at all the messages,

00:37:37.159 --> 00:37:38.739
 and even intend

00:37:38.739 --> 00:37:39.980
 to obey someday,

00:37:40.619 --> 00:37:41.299
 yet never really

00:37:41.299 --> 00:37:42.639
 step into the vineyard.

00:37:43.579 --> 00:37:44.699
 Talk is cheap,

00:37:44.699 --> 00:37:45.799
 but obedience

00:37:45.799 --> 00:37:47.719
 will cost you something.

00:37:48.299 --> 00:37:49.039
 It's going to cost you

00:37:49.039 --> 00:37:49.719
 your pride,

00:37:50.559 --> 00:37:51.379
 but pride costs you

00:37:51.379 --> 00:37:52.039
 your comfort,

00:37:52.619 --> 00:37:53.099
 and it's probably

00:37:53.099 --> 00:37:53.679
 going to cost you

00:37:53.679 --> 00:37:54.399
 your plans,

00:37:54.639 --> 00:37:56.039
 but it is always

00:37:56.039 --> 00:37:57.799
 worth it in the end.

00:37:58.719 --> 00:37:59.159
 I'm going to ask

00:37:59.159 --> 00:37:59.839
 that you stand

00:37:59.839 --> 00:38:00.980
 and that every head

00:38:00.980 --> 00:38:01.399
 be bowed

00:38:01.399 --> 00:38:02.379
 and every eye closed.

00:38:02.939 --> 00:38:03.439
 I'm going to ask

00:38:03.439 --> 00:38:04.679
 musicians to come forward.

00:38:05.179 --> 00:38:06.059
 And before I hand

00:38:06.059 --> 00:38:06.960
 this invitation time

00:38:06.960 --> 00:38:07.839
 over to Pastor Smith,

00:38:07.879 --> 00:38:08.579
 I want to leave you

00:38:08.579 --> 00:38:09.019
 with this.

00:38:09.099 --> 00:38:09.679
 Maybe today

00:38:09.679 --> 00:38:11.319
 you see yourself

00:38:11.319 --> 00:38:12.500
 in that first son.

00:38:12.500 --> 00:38:14.039
 You've said no

00:38:14.039 --> 00:38:15.300
 to God in the past.

00:38:15.679 --> 00:38:16.699
 You have resisted.

00:38:16.960 --> 00:38:17.719
 You have delayed

00:38:17.719 --> 00:38:19.179
 or you've walked

00:38:19.179 --> 00:38:20.179
 your own way.

00:38:20.840 --> 00:38:21.659
 Here's the good news.

00:38:21.760 --> 00:38:22.760
 As long as there is

00:38:22.760 --> 00:38:24.239
 breath in your lungs,

00:38:24.800 --> 00:38:25.619
 there's still time

00:38:25.619 --> 00:38:26.219
 to repent.

00:38:26.559 --> 00:38:27.760
 There's still time to go.

00:38:28.699 --> 00:38:29.280
 The Father,

00:38:29.460 --> 00:38:30.639
 He is still calling.

00:38:31.039 --> 00:38:31.659
 The vineyard,

00:38:31.780 --> 00:38:32.719
 it is still there

00:38:32.719 --> 00:38:33.659
 and His grace

00:38:33.659 --> 00:38:34.480
 is still available

00:38:34.480 --> 00:38:35.139
 to you.

00:38:35.659 --> 00:38:36.500
 Don't let your

00:38:36.500 --> 00:38:37.420
 past rebellion

00:38:37.420 --> 00:38:38.199
 convince you

00:38:38.199 --> 00:38:39.480
 that it's too late

00:38:39.480 --> 00:38:40.780
 because it's not.

00:38:40.780 --> 00:38:42.260
 A changed mind

00:38:42.260 --> 00:38:43.600
 that leads to a changed life

00:38:43.600 --> 00:38:44.760
 is exactly

00:38:44.760 --> 00:38:46.360
 what God desires.

00:38:46.880 --> 00:38:47.960
 Or maybe if you're honest

00:38:47.960 --> 00:38:48.600
 this morning,

00:38:48.760 --> 00:38:49.640
 you're more like

00:38:49.640 --> 00:38:50.720
 that second son.

00:38:51.500 --> 00:38:52.180
 You have said

00:38:52.180 --> 00:38:53.100
 all the right things.

00:38:53.480 --> 00:38:54.660
 You look the part.

00:38:55.320 --> 00:38:56.100
 But deep down,

00:38:56.580 --> 00:38:57.500
 there's been little

00:38:57.500 --> 00:38:58.440
 real obedience.

00:38:59.340 --> 00:39:00.620
 There's no real surrender.

00:39:00.940 --> 00:39:01.860
 There's never really

00:39:01.860 --> 00:39:03.120
 been follow through.

00:39:03.820 --> 00:39:04.240
 Today,

00:39:04.380 --> 00:39:05.380
 the invitation is clear.

00:39:05.740 --> 00:39:07.320
 Stop just saying yes

00:39:07.320 --> 00:39:09.440
 and start actually living it.

00:39:09.440 --> 00:39:11.179
 The Father is calling you

00:39:11.179 --> 00:39:12.820
 to act today.

00:39:13.340 --> 00:39:14.460
 If you need salvation

00:39:14.460 --> 00:39:14.920
 this morning,

00:39:15.059 --> 00:39:15.280
 come.

00:39:15.480 --> 00:39:16.519
 If you need to repent,

00:39:16.860 --> 00:39:17.179
 come.

00:39:17.380 --> 00:39:18.900
 If you need to get back

00:39:18.900 --> 00:39:20.260
 to working in the vineyard,

00:39:20.599 --> 00:39:21.059
 come.

00:39:21.579 --> 00:39:22.639
 Don't leave here today

00:39:22.639 --> 00:39:24.059
 just being a hearer only.

00:39:24.460 --> 00:39:26.179
 Be a doer of the Word.

00:39:26.700 --> 00:39:27.519
 It's not enough

00:39:27.519 --> 00:39:28.599
 to nod our heads

00:39:28.599 --> 00:39:29.380
 in agreement

00:39:29.380 --> 00:39:30.740
 if we never put

00:39:30.740 --> 00:39:31.460
 God's truth

00:39:31.460 --> 00:39:32.320
 into practice.

00:39:32.940 --> 00:39:34.420
 Real faith is revealed

00:39:34.420 --> 00:39:35.320
 not merely

00:39:35.320 --> 00:39:36.400
 by what we say,

00:39:36.960 --> 00:39:37.920
 but how we live

00:39:37.920 --> 00:39:38.920
 and how we obey.

00:39:39.440 --> 00:39:40.380
 Because in the end,

00:39:40.440 --> 00:39:41.300
 it's not the one

00:39:41.300 --> 00:39:41.680
 who says,

00:39:41.860 --> 00:39:42.900
 I go, sir,

00:39:42.980 --> 00:39:44.099
 who pleases the Father.

00:39:44.860 --> 00:39:45.619
 It's the one

00:39:45.619 --> 00:39:46.659
 who actually goes.

00:39:46.940 --> 00:39:48.000
 So as we're about

00:39:48.000 --> 00:39:48.599
 to enter this time

00:39:48.599 --> 00:39:49.200
 of invitation,

00:39:49.800 --> 00:39:51.099
 now will be your time

00:39:51.099 --> 00:39:52.260
 to respond to the Lord's leading.

00:39:52.400 --> 00:39:52.780
 Let's pray.

00:39:52.840 --> 00:39:53.240
 Dear God,

00:39:53.659 --> 00:39:54.240
 thank you for this message

00:39:54.240 --> 00:39:54.940
 this morning, God,

00:39:54.960 --> 00:39:55.400
 in the parable

00:39:55.400 --> 00:39:57.720
 of the two contrasting people.

00:39:57.800 --> 00:39:57.880
 God,

00:39:57.900 --> 00:40:00.039
 we have the rebellious,

00:40:00.619 --> 00:40:02.079
 but we have the religious, God.

00:40:02.840 --> 00:40:03.360
 God, I'm sure

00:40:03.360 --> 00:40:03.639
 there's probably

00:40:03.639 --> 00:40:04.460
 someone here today, God,

00:40:04.460 --> 00:40:05.200
 that they're struggling.

00:40:05.599 --> 00:40:05.920
 God, they're like,

00:40:05.920 --> 00:40:07.139
 I know all the right things

00:40:07.139 --> 00:40:07.380
 to say.

00:40:07.460 --> 00:40:08.240
 I know how to act.

00:40:08.539 --> 00:40:09.260
 I know how to make everyone

00:40:09.260 --> 00:40:10.860
 think I am something

00:40:10.860 --> 00:40:11.460
 that I'm not,

00:40:11.500 --> 00:40:12.280
 and they're struggling

00:40:12.280 --> 00:40:13.139
 this morning, God.

00:40:13.460 --> 00:40:13.760
 God, I pray,

00:40:13.880 --> 00:40:15.500
 give them the power

00:40:15.500 --> 00:40:16.559
 to come forward, God,

00:40:16.619 --> 00:40:18.760
 and to lay that burden down,

00:40:18.980 --> 00:40:20.019
 to seek after you,

00:40:20.260 --> 00:40:20.500
 to, God,

00:40:20.559 --> 00:40:22.280
 not just be a hearer

00:40:22.280 --> 00:40:22.740
 of the word,

00:40:22.780 --> 00:40:24.000
 but to be a doer also.

00:40:24.500 --> 00:40:25.559
 In Jesus' name I pray.

00:40:25.760 --> 00:40:26.119
 Amen.

00:40:26.119 --> 00:40:26.340
 Amen.