1 00:00:00,000 --> 00:00:04,960 Hey everyone, I'm Ryan, I'm one of the pastors here at Ocean Water. I'm stoked that you could be with us for today's Beach Talk. 2 00:00:04,960 --> 00:00:08,480 I love to help us understand every word of God that's in the world. 3 00:00:08,960 --> 00:00:14,120 We do these Beach Talks. Our objective is simple. It's always disciples making disciples. 4 00:00:14,120 --> 00:00:18,840 That's you and I helping people follow Jesus so that we can plant churches that plant churches 5 00:00:19,060 --> 00:00:24,620 so we can see God's kingdom be a grassroots thing all over the world. Now in 2021 our 6 00:00:24,620 --> 00:00:30,980 vision is to multiply from four churches in two countries to eight churches in four countries. 7 00:00:30,980 --> 00:00:33,540 This is a big vision. We need you to pray with us. 8 00:00:33,540 --> 00:00:39,540 We need you to give towards that and we want you to go on one of the four trips that we have planned this year. 9 00:00:39,540 --> 00:00:44,820 We have two to El Salvador in June. We have one to Indonesia in September. That trip is full and 10 00:00:45,140 --> 00:00:50,020 we have 18 people going on that and we have a trip for 12 people to Bangladesh in December. 11 00:00:50,020 --> 00:00:52,220 We'd love for you to help us install 12 00:00:52,220 --> 00:00:57,220 systems that turn Ocean Water like the water behind me into drinking water for people. 13 00:00:57,220 --> 00:01:00,820 We use that system to help plant a church in an area that doesn't have one. 14 00:01:00,820 --> 00:01:06,100 So I want you to be praying about this about how God might use you to accomplish his will. 15 00:01:06,100 --> 00:01:09,220 Now Matthew chapter 21 today opens up. It says, 16 00:01:09,220 --> 00:01:13,220 Now when they drew near to Jerusalem and came to Bethphage at the Mount of Olives, 17 00:01:13,220 --> 00:01:16,220 Jesus said to two disciples saying to them, 18 00:01:16,220 --> 00:01:21,220 Go into the village the opposite of you and immediately you'll find a donkey tide and a colt 19 00:01:21,220 --> 00:01:25,220 with her loose them and bring them to me and if anyone says anything to you, 20 00:01:25,220 --> 00:01:31,220 you shall say to them the Lord has need of this donkey and immediately he will send them. 21 00:01:31,220 --> 00:01:36,220 And this was done that it might be fulfilled of what was spoken by the prophets saying, 22 00:01:36,220 --> 00:01:42,220 Tell the daughter of Zion, behold your king is coming to you, lowly and sitting on a donkey. 23 00:01:42,220 --> 00:01:45,220 A colt, the fowl of a donkey. 24 00:01:45,220 --> 00:01:49,220 Now this is one of my favorite stories in the Bible because God used a donkey. 25 00:01:49,220 --> 00:01:54,220 Just like donkey Delema here. Now the disciples went and did as Jesus commanded them. 26 00:01:54,220 --> 00:01:58,220 Jesus knew that the religious leaders were going to arrest him and condemn him and mock him 27 00:01:58,220 --> 00:02:02,220 and scourge him and deliver him to the Romans for the crucifixion. 28 00:02:02,220 --> 00:02:07,220 Now he had yet found the courage. He found the courage to not only enter Jerusalem, 29 00:02:07,220 --> 00:02:10,220 but to enter in a public way as public way of possible. 30 00:02:10,220 --> 00:02:15,220 Then this contrast, the previous pattern of him suppressing his publicity. 31 00:02:15,220 --> 00:02:17,220 Remember Jesus was healing people, always telling people, 32 00:02:17,220 --> 00:02:20,220 shh, don't go tell anyone or you're going to be very kind of under the radar. 33 00:02:20,220 --> 00:02:24,220 Now he's very public. He's going to be crucified. 34 00:02:24,220 --> 00:02:27,220 He's going to take the sin of the world upon his shoulders. 35 00:02:27,220 --> 00:02:29,220 Now he says you'll find a donkey tied with the colt heard. 36 00:02:29,220 --> 00:02:32,220 Jesus would ride upon the younger of these animals. 37 00:02:32,220 --> 00:02:35,220 The colt, he told the disciples that they would find these animals 38 00:02:35,220 --> 00:02:38,220 and they instructed them to bring both of the animals. 39 00:02:38,220 --> 00:02:42,220 You see God always, God always provides wherever he guides. 40 00:02:42,220 --> 00:02:46,220 Even as something as simple as a donkey, transportation, God can provide. 41 00:02:46,220 --> 00:02:52,220 Jesus deliberately worked to fill this prophecy, especially the prophecy of Daniel, 42 00:02:52,220 --> 00:02:58,220 which many feel Jesus fulfilled on the exact day of his triumph and entry into this town. 43 00:02:58,220 --> 00:03:02,220 Now Jesus came to Jerusalem in humility, yet with dignity. 44 00:03:02,220 --> 00:03:07,220 There's a difference. Instead of coming upon a horse as a conquering general, 45 00:03:07,220 --> 00:03:10,220 he came on a colt as was custom for royalty. 46 00:03:10,220 --> 00:03:13,220 He came to Jerusalem as the Prince of Peace. 47 00:03:13,220 --> 00:03:20,220 Adam Clark points out that the sentry into Jerusalem has been termed the triumph of Christ. 48 00:03:20,220 --> 00:03:28,220 It was indeed the triumph of humility over pride and over grandeur, over influence. 49 00:03:28,220 --> 00:03:31,220 Now look at verse 7. They brought the donkey and the colt. 50 00:03:31,220 --> 00:03:34,220 They laid their clothes on him and set him on them. 51 00:03:34,220 --> 00:03:37,220 And a very great multitude spread their clothes on the road. 52 00:03:37,220 --> 00:03:41,220 Others cut down branches from the trees and spread them on the road. 53 00:03:41,220 --> 00:03:46,220 Then the multitudes who went before and those who followed cried out saying, 54 00:03:46,220 --> 00:03:53,220 Hosanna to the son of David. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. 55 00:03:53,220 --> 00:03:55,220 Hosanna in the highest. 56 00:03:55,220 --> 00:04:01,220 Now when he had come into Jerusalem, all the city was moved saying, now who is this? 57 00:04:01,220 --> 00:04:07,220 So the multitude said, well this is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth of Galilee. 58 00:04:07,220 --> 00:04:08,220 What is happening here? 59 00:04:08,220 --> 00:04:11,220 All of this was done to honor Jesus as a great, 60 00:04:11,220 --> 00:04:16,220 triumphant person coming into Jerusalem in the season of the Passover. 61 00:04:16,220 --> 00:04:19,220 Now it says, Hosanna to the son of David. 62 00:04:19,220 --> 00:04:23,220 This was an open messianic adoration of Jesus Christ. 63 00:04:23,220 --> 00:04:25,220 They looked at Jesus for salvation. 64 00:04:25,220 --> 00:04:30,220 Hosanna means save now and was addressed to kings as in 2 Samuel and 2 Kings. 65 00:04:30,220 --> 00:04:35,220 They asked Jesus the titles appropriate for the Messiah. 66 00:04:35,220 --> 00:04:38,220 Now this was interesting for those who could understand what's happening. 67 00:04:38,220 --> 00:04:40,220 He came in the name of the Lord. 68 00:04:40,220 --> 00:04:43,220 Now Jesus receives and indeed encouraged this worship. 69 00:04:43,220 --> 00:04:48,220 Again, because this was because this was the day that the Lord has made, 70 00:04:48,220 --> 00:04:51,220 the day when the Messiah came as savior to Jerusalem 71 00:04:51,220 --> 00:04:54,220 in fulfillment of Daniel's prophecy in the Old Testament. 72 00:04:54,220 --> 00:04:59,220 So D.A. Carson points out that Hosanna transliterates the Hebrew expression 73 00:04:59,220 --> 00:05:05,220 that was originally a cry that meant save in time to become an indication, 74 00:05:05,220 --> 00:05:07,220 a blessing and even an acclamation. 75 00:05:07,220 --> 00:05:10,220 The people praise God in the highest heavens for sending the Messiah. 76 00:05:10,220 --> 00:05:15,220 If Hosanna retains some of its original force, they cry to him for deliverance. 77 00:05:15,220 --> 00:05:17,220 It was like a shout of deliverance. 78 00:05:17,220 --> 00:05:21,220 Jesus also showed that he wasn't afraid of the chief priests and the Pharisees. 79 00:05:21,220 --> 00:05:24,220 Remember the last couple chapters, we've been seeing this conflict 80 00:05:24,220 --> 00:05:28,220 between Jesus and the Pharisees and it's been ratcheting up every chapter. 81 00:05:28,220 --> 00:05:30,220 It's going to come to a head here when they crucify him. 82 00:05:30,220 --> 00:05:33,220 Now it was here before he entered the city that he took over, 83 00:05:33,220 --> 00:05:38,220 that he looked over the city and wept knowing that Jesus would come upon Jerusalem 84 00:05:38,220 --> 00:05:39,220 for what they were about to do. 85 00:05:39,220 --> 00:05:43,220 Now this continues the earlier identification of Jesus with Nazareth. 86 00:05:43,220 --> 00:05:47,220 Now it would sound strange to many, especially in the religious establishment, 87 00:05:47,220 --> 00:05:51,220 that a prophet would come from the obscure and unnoted city of Nazareth. 88 00:05:51,220 --> 00:05:56,220 Isn't it interesting that God often uses people from places 89 00:05:56,220 --> 00:05:59,220 that we don't approve of? 90 00:05:59,220 --> 00:06:02,220 This is exactly what is happening here. 91 00:06:02,220 --> 00:06:05,220 They thought, how could Jesus come from Nazareth? 92 00:06:05,220 --> 00:06:07,220 How can the Savior come from Nazareth? 93 00:06:07,220 --> 00:06:09,220 Now later on in the chapter it says, 94 00:06:09,220 --> 00:06:11,220 it is written my house will be called a house of prayer, 95 00:06:11,220 --> 00:06:13,220 but you've made it a den of thieves. 96 00:06:13,220 --> 00:06:16,220 Now the purpose of this was to drive out the merchants, 97 00:06:16,220 --> 00:06:18,220 who in cooperation with the priests, 98 00:06:18,220 --> 00:06:22,220 they cheated the visitors to Jerusalem by forcing them to purchase 99 00:06:22,220 --> 00:06:27,220 approved sacrificial animals and currencies at high prices. 100 00:06:27,220 --> 00:06:32,220 They had taken the temple of God and turned it into a tax refund. 101 00:06:32,220 --> 00:06:37,220 Now William Barclay notes that the wages and the currencies 102 00:06:37,220 --> 00:06:41,220 were almost 20 times more expensive here. 103 00:06:41,220 --> 00:06:46,220 Now Jesus' anger was against those who bought as well as those who sold. 104 00:06:46,220 --> 00:06:48,220 Now everyone was on the hook here. 105 00:06:48,220 --> 00:06:51,220 Jesus said he overturns the tables in the temple 106 00:06:51,220 --> 00:06:55,220 because Jesus wanted his house to be a house of prayer, 107 00:06:55,220 --> 00:06:59,220 not a house of profit for his people, 108 00:06:59,220 --> 00:07:00,220 a house of prayer for his people. 109 00:07:00,220 --> 00:07:03,220 Now the merchants were operating in the outer courts of the temple, 110 00:07:03,220 --> 00:07:06,220 the only area where Gentiles would come to pray. 111 00:07:06,220 --> 00:07:08,220 Therefore the place of prayer was made into a marketplace 112 00:07:08,220 --> 00:07:10,220 and a dishonest one is that. 113 00:07:10,220 --> 00:07:12,220 That's why he calls it a den of thieves. 114 00:07:12,220 --> 00:07:14,220 He said, it is not written that my house would be called 115 00:07:14,220 --> 00:07:17,220 a house of prayer for all nations? 116 00:07:17,220 --> 00:07:21,220 Now this was what Isaiah had pointed out 117 00:07:21,220 --> 00:07:25,220 and Jesus demanded that the temple be a place for all of the nations to pray 118 00:07:25,220 --> 00:07:29,220 because it being a place where all nations will pray 119 00:07:29,220 --> 00:07:31,220 symbolizes how heaven will be, 120 00:07:31,220 --> 00:07:34,220 a place where all nations will be represented. 121 00:07:34,220 --> 00:07:36,220 Now look at 21 verse 14, 122 00:07:36,220 --> 00:07:41,220 Then the blind and the lame came to him in the temple and he healed them. 123 00:07:41,220 --> 00:07:45,220 Now the bold action of Jesus when he drove out the merchants 124 00:07:45,220 --> 00:07:47,220 and money changers from the temple courts 125 00:07:47,220 --> 00:07:51,220 did not discourage the needy from coming to him. 126 00:07:51,220 --> 00:07:56,220 You see, the blind and the lame were restricted to the court of the Gentiles. 127 00:07:56,220 --> 00:08:01,220 They could not go closer to the temple and could not go to the altar to sacrifice. 128 00:08:01,220 --> 00:08:05,220 After purging the court of the Gentiles of merchants and robbers, 129 00:08:05,220 --> 00:08:10,220 Jesus then ministered to the outcasts who congregated there. 130 00:08:10,220 --> 00:08:14,220 Just like Jesus ministers to the outcasts now in our world. 131 00:08:14,220 --> 00:08:17,220 Now after driving the money changers and the merchants out, 132 00:08:17,220 --> 00:08:21,220 Jesus didn't establish the society for the perfect people. 133 00:08:21,220 --> 00:08:24,220 He got back to the business of what he was about, 134 00:08:24,220 --> 00:08:27,220 helping the hurting. 135 00:08:27,220 --> 00:08:28,220 There's a lesson here. 136 00:08:28,220 --> 00:08:31,220 He drove the money out and he helped the people that were hurting. 137 00:08:31,220 --> 00:08:33,220 Now look at verse 15, 138 00:08:33,220 --> 00:08:36,220 When the chief priests and scribes saw that the wonderful things that he did 139 00:08:36,220 --> 00:08:38,220 and the children crying out in the temple, 140 00:08:38,220 --> 00:08:40,220 saying, Hosanna to the son of David, 141 00:08:40,220 --> 00:08:42,220 they were indignant and said to him, 142 00:08:42,220 --> 00:08:44,220 Did you hear what these are saying? 143 00:08:44,220 --> 00:08:46,220 And Jesus said to them, 144 00:08:46,220 --> 00:08:51,220 Yes, have you never read out of the mouth of babes and nursing infants, 145 00:08:51,220 --> 00:08:53,220 you have perfected praise. 146 00:08:53,220 --> 00:08:57,220 Then he left them and went out and out of the city of Tabithany, 147 00:08:57,220 --> 00:08:58,220 he was lodged there. 148 00:08:58,220 --> 00:09:02,220 Now this was their response to the wonderful things that he did 149 00:09:02,220 --> 00:09:06,220 and to the praise of his children for Jesus in the temple courts. 150 00:09:06,220 --> 00:09:09,220 The hypocrisy of the religious leaders is evident. 151 00:09:09,220 --> 00:09:13,220 Greed and theft in the temple didn't bother them, 152 00:09:13,220 --> 00:09:16,220 but praise did Jesus did. 153 00:09:16,220 --> 00:09:17,220 Isn't that ironic? 154 00:09:17,220 --> 00:09:22,220 Now this reminds us that children can have a real relationship with God in spiritual life, 155 00:09:22,220 --> 00:09:25,220 yet they will still be children, won't they? 156 00:09:25,220 --> 00:09:27,220 Now did you hear what these are saying? 157 00:09:27,220 --> 00:09:31,220 Jesus answered this question from the chief priests and scribes. 158 00:09:31,220 --> 00:09:32,220 The answer was clear. 159 00:09:32,220 --> 00:09:35,220 Yes, he had heard what these were saying 160 00:09:35,220 --> 00:09:39,220 and it was perfected praise in the ears of God. 161 00:09:39,220 --> 00:09:41,220 Now at the time of the Passover, 162 00:09:41,220 --> 00:09:44,220 thousands and thousands of pilgrims crowded into Jerusalem. 163 00:09:44,220 --> 00:09:48,220 It was common for some to stay in the surrounding villages 164 00:09:48,220 --> 00:09:51,220 and Bethany was close by, so it's a common practice. 165 00:09:51,220 --> 00:09:53,220 Now look at verse 18, 166 00:09:53,220 --> 00:09:55,220 Now in the morning, as he returned to the city, 167 00:09:55,220 --> 00:09:58,220 he was hungry and seeing a fig tree by the road, 168 00:09:58,220 --> 00:10:01,220 he came to it, found nothing on it but leaves, 169 00:10:01,220 --> 00:10:05,220 and said to it, let no fruit grow on you ever again. 170 00:10:05,220 --> 00:10:07,220 Immediately the fig tree withered away. 171 00:10:07,220 --> 00:10:09,220 What's happening here? 172 00:10:09,220 --> 00:10:11,220 This seems like a weird thing. 173 00:10:11,220 --> 00:10:14,220 Well, some wonder why Jesus would be hungry in the morning, 174 00:10:14,220 --> 00:10:16,220 leaving the home of Martha and Mary. 175 00:10:16,220 --> 00:10:19,220 Charles Spurgeon speculated it was because he woke up early 176 00:10:19,220 --> 00:10:23,220 to have time with God, forgot to eat his breakfast. 177 00:10:23,220 --> 00:10:25,220 Highly likely. 178 00:10:25,220 --> 00:10:29,220 Now in a dramatic way, Jesus performed one of his few destructive miracles. 179 00:10:29,220 --> 00:10:33,220 He cursed a fig tree to wither away. 180 00:10:33,220 --> 00:10:38,220 Now it's worth noting that the two destructive miracles of Jesus, 181 00:10:38,220 --> 00:10:42,220 this and the events that ended in the destruction of the herd of the pigs, 182 00:10:42,220 --> 00:10:44,220 remember that when we talked about it in Matthew 8? 183 00:10:44,220 --> 00:10:48,220 He cast the demoniac spirits into the pigs and they ran off. 184 00:10:48,220 --> 00:10:50,220 They weren't directed at people though. 185 00:10:50,220 --> 00:10:53,220 This explains why Jesus did this destructive miracle. 186 00:10:53,220 --> 00:10:56,220 Essentially the tree was a picture of false advertising, 187 00:10:56,220 --> 00:10:57,220 having leaves but no figs. 188 00:10:57,220 --> 00:11:00,220 This should not be the case with those particular fig trees, 189 00:11:00,220 --> 00:11:04,220 which customarily bear figs like us. 190 00:11:04,220 --> 00:11:06,220 We're supposed to bear fruit. 191 00:11:06,220 --> 00:11:07,220 Now look at verse 20. 192 00:11:07,220 --> 00:11:09,220 When the disciples saw it, they marveled, saying, 193 00:11:09,220 --> 00:11:11,220 How did the fig tree wither away so soon? 194 00:11:11,220 --> 00:11:12,220 Jesus answered and said to them, 195 00:11:12,220 --> 00:11:16,220 And surely I say to you, if you have faith and do not doubt, 196 00:11:16,220 --> 00:11:19,220 you will not only do what was done to the fig tree, 197 00:11:19,220 --> 00:11:21,220 but if you say to this mountain, 198 00:11:21,220 --> 00:11:25,220 be removed and cast into the sea, 199 00:11:25,220 --> 00:11:27,220 the ocean behind me, it will be done. 200 00:11:27,220 --> 00:11:32,220 Whatever things you ask in prayer, believing you will receive. 201 00:11:32,220 --> 00:11:37,220 Now Jesus explained that this miracle was really the result of prayer made in faith. 202 00:11:37,220 --> 00:11:39,220 If you have faith and do not doubt, 203 00:11:39,220 --> 00:11:44,220 he then encouraged his marveling disciples to have this kind of faith, 204 00:11:44,220 --> 00:11:47,220 trusting that God would hear them also. 205 00:11:47,220 --> 00:11:51,220 Now the promise of God's answer to the prayer of faith 206 00:11:51,220 --> 00:11:54,220 was made to the disciples, not to the multitude. 207 00:11:54,220 --> 00:11:58,220 This is a promise to those who are following Jesus. 208 00:11:58,220 --> 00:12:01,220 You must get the benefit if you're a follower. 209 00:12:01,220 --> 00:12:04,220 Now verse 23, now when he came into the temple, 210 00:12:04,220 --> 00:12:07,220 the chief priests and the elders and the people confronted him, 211 00:12:07,220 --> 00:12:09,220 and as he was teaching, he said, 212 00:12:09,220 --> 00:12:11,220 By what authority do you do these things? 213 00:12:11,220 --> 00:12:13,220 And who gave you this authority? 214 00:12:13,220 --> 00:12:15,220 But Jesus answered and said to them, 215 00:12:15,220 --> 00:12:19,220 I also ask you one thing, which of you will tell me? 216 00:12:19,220 --> 00:12:22,220 I likewise will tell you by what authority I do these things. 217 00:12:22,220 --> 00:12:25,220 The baptism of John, where was it from? 218 00:12:25,220 --> 00:12:27,220 Was it from heaven or was it from men? 219 00:12:27,220 --> 00:12:30,220 And they reasoned amongst themselves saying, 220 00:12:30,220 --> 00:12:32,220 Well, if we say from heaven, he'll say to us, 221 00:12:32,220 --> 00:12:34,220 Well, why then didn't you believe him? 222 00:12:34,220 --> 00:12:39,220 But if we say from men, we will fear the multitude for all count John as a prophet. 223 00:12:39,220 --> 00:12:41,220 So they answered Jesus and said, 224 00:12:41,220 --> 00:12:43,220 We don't know. 225 00:12:43,220 --> 00:12:45,220 And he said to them, 226 00:12:45,220 --> 00:12:48,220 Neither will I tell you by what authority I do these things. 227 00:12:48,220 --> 00:12:52,220 So Jesus again had one upped the religious people. 228 00:12:52,220 --> 00:12:54,220 Now, in his previous visit on the day before, 229 00:12:54,220 --> 00:12:58,220 Jesus drove out the money changers and the merchants from the temple courts. 230 00:12:58,220 --> 00:13:00,220 Now he's returned there to teach, 231 00:13:00,220 --> 00:13:03,220 unafraid of the religious leaders at all. 232 00:13:03,220 --> 00:13:07,220 Now, the religious leaders raised the question of Jesus's authority, 233 00:13:07,220 --> 00:13:12,220 and he answered by raising the question of their competence to judge such an issue. 234 00:13:12,220 --> 00:13:13,220 Savage. 235 00:13:13,220 --> 00:13:16,220 Now, their ability to judge John the Baptist in his ministry 236 00:13:16,220 --> 00:13:20,220 was a measure of their ability to judge Jesus as well. 237 00:13:20,220 --> 00:13:25,220 They answered only after carefully calculating the political consequences of each answer. 238 00:13:25,220 --> 00:13:29,220 They didn't seem interested in answering the question honestly, only cleverly. 239 00:13:29,220 --> 00:13:33,220 Now, this showed that they were more interested in opinions of the multitudes 240 00:13:33,220 --> 00:13:35,220 than the opinions of God. 241 00:13:35,220 --> 00:13:39,220 That, my friend, is a trap. 242 00:13:39,220 --> 00:13:43,220 Jesus kindly and compassionately met the needs of the hurting multitude, 243 00:13:43,220 --> 00:13:45,220 as demonstrated in Matthew 21, 244 00:13:45,220 --> 00:13:49,220 where Jesus didn't show so much patience with those who arrogantly question him 245 00:13:49,220 --> 00:13:51,220 and hope to trap him in his own words. 246 00:13:51,220 --> 00:13:53,220 Jesus never fell into their trap. 247 00:13:53,220 --> 00:13:54,220 Now look at verse 28, 248 00:13:54,220 --> 00:13:56,220 But what do you think? 249 00:13:56,220 --> 00:13:59,220 A man had two sons, and he came to the first and said, 250 00:13:59,220 --> 00:14:02,220 Son, go to work today in my vineyard. 251 00:14:02,220 --> 00:14:04,220 And he answered and said, I will not. 252 00:14:04,220 --> 00:14:06,220 But afterward he regretted it and went. 253 00:14:06,220 --> 00:14:09,220 Then he came to the second and said likewise. 254 00:14:09,220 --> 00:14:12,220 And he answered and said, Well, I'll go. 255 00:14:12,220 --> 00:14:13,220 But he did not go. 256 00:14:13,220 --> 00:14:15,220 And these two did the will of the Father. 257 00:14:15,220 --> 00:14:17,220 Now they said to him the first. 258 00:14:17,220 --> 00:14:24,220 Jesus said, Assuredly, I say to you that tax collectors and harlots 259 00:14:24,220 --> 00:14:27,220 enter the kingdom of God before you do. 260 00:14:27,220 --> 00:14:31,220 For John came to you in the way of righteousness, and you did not believe him. 261 00:14:31,220 --> 00:14:36,220 But tax collectors and harlots believed me, and you never saw it. 262 00:14:36,220 --> 00:14:40,220 You did not afterward relent and believe me. 263 00:14:40,220 --> 00:14:44,220 Well, this parable shows us two different kinds of sons. 264 00:14:44,220 --> 00:14:46,220 They were in the same house, 265 00:14:46,220 --> 00:14:51,220 and we could say that the Father had a right to the services of both of his sons. 266 00:14:51,220 --> 00:14:55,220 Perhaps they wished that the Father would just leave them alone, but he didn't. 267 00:14:55,220 --> 00:15:01,220 Now it was good and right for his Father to expect that his sons would work for them. 268 00:15:01,220 --> 00:15:02,220 That's normal in that time. 269 00:15:02,220 --> 00:15:08,220 Now there's much to see in the simple words of the Father to the Son here. 270 00:15:08,220 --> 00:15:09,220 Now let's look at those. 271 00:15:09,220 --> 00:15:12,220 Now the Father spoke to his son individually. 272 00:15:12,220 --> 00:15:18,220 He didn't speak to his sons together, though they had the same invitation that was given to both sons. 273 00:15:18,220 --> 00:15:20,220 He came to the second and said likewise. 274 00:15:20,220 --> 00:15:24,220 It was an individual call to work, like God calls us to work for him. 275 00:15:24,220 --> 00:15:29,220 Now the Father appealed to him first as a son, knowing he was the son of his father, 276 00:15:29,220 --> 00:15:33,220 should have made him willing to do his will, just like with us. 277 00:15:33,220 --> 00:15:40,220 The Father asked the Son to work, to participate together in the family business. 278 00:15:40,220 --> 00:15:46,220 Yet it was work and not play, just like we do God's work in God's family, through God's family. 279 00:15:46,220 --> 00:15:50,220 The Father asked the Son to work today, not in some distant time. 280 00:15:50,220 --> 00:15:54,220 God asked us to work for him now, not in the future, right now. 281 00:15:54,220 --> 00:15:59,220 The Father asked the Son to work in his vineyard, to do his work his way, 282 00:15:59,220 --> 00:16:01,220 and that it should have mattered to his Son. 283 00:16:01,220 --> 00:16:03,220 But the Son refused to work for his father. 284 00:16:03,220 --> 00:16:07,220 He didn't want to bend to the Father's will, just like we struggle in our will with God. 285 00:16:07,220 --> 00:16:12,220 Yet later he regretted it and went. He spoke wrong, but did right. 286 00:16:12,220 --> 00:16:16,220 Now the second son said the right thing, and he said it with respect, 287 00:16:16,220 --> 00:16:19,220 but he did not do what his Father asked. 288 00:16:19,220 --> 00:16:25,220 A lot of people say, yo, yeah, God, I'll do that, but they don't, and God then calls them on that. 289 00:16:25,220 --> 00:16:28,220 Now there are many church people today that imitate the second son. 290 00:16:28,220 --> 00:16:31,220 They would admit that the Word of God is true. 291 00:16:31,220 --> 00:16:36,220 They intend to get serious and someday far off. 292 00:16:36,220 --> 00:16:40,220 Now they talk about doing the Lord's work, but they don't. 293 00:16:40,220 --> 00:16:48,220 Now they keep up the external appearances of religion, but their heart is not right with God. 294 00:16:48,220 --> 00:16:53,220 Think about that. They think that words and promises are enough. 295 00:16:53,220 --> 00:16:57,220 Now this is dangerous because it is lying to the Holy Spirit. 296 00:16:57,220 --> 00:17:01,220 It's dangerous because it hardens the conscience. 297 00:17:01,220 --> 00:17:08,220 The point of the parable is clear. What matters is living for God, not saying the right words. 298 00:17:08,220 --> 00:17:12,220 The religious leaders were good at talking righteous talk, 299 00:17:12,220 --> 00:17:20,220 but their stubborn, unrepentant hearts showed that repentant sinners would enter the kingdom before they would. 300 00:17:20,220 --> 00:17:23,220 Look at verse 33. Here another parable. 301 00:17:23,220 --> 00:17:28,220 There was a certain landowner who planted a vineyard and set a hedge around it, dug a winepress in it, 302 00:17:28,220 --> 00:17:32,220 and built a tower, and he leased it to the vinedressers and went into the far country. 303 00:17:32,220 --> 00:17:38,220 Then the vintage time drew near, and he sent his servants to the vinedressers, 304 00:17:38,220 --> 00:17:45,220 that they might receive its fruit, and the vinedressers took the servants, beat one, killed one, stoned the other. 305 00:17:45,220 --> 00:17:50,220 Again, he sent other servants, more than the first, and they did likewise to them. 306 00:17:50,220 --> 00:17:55,220 The last of these sons he sent to them, saying, They will respect my son. 307 00:17:55,220 --> 00:17:59,220 But when the vinedressers saw the son, they said among themselves, 308 00:17:59,220 --> 00:18:05,220 This is the heir, come let us kill him, and seize his inheritance. 309 00:18:05,220 --> 00:18:08,220 So they took him and cast him out from the vineyard and killed him. 310 00:18:08,220 --> 00:18:13,220 Therefore, when the owner of the vineyard comes, what will he do to the vinedressers? 311 00:18:13,220 --> 00:18:20,220 They said to him, I will destroy those wicked men miserably and lease his vineyard to other vinedressers, 312 00:18:20,220 --> 00:18:24,220 who will render him to the fruits in their season. 313 00:18:24,220 --> 00:18:25,220 So what's happening here? 314 00:18:25,220 --> 00:18:32,220 Well, Jesus told of a landowner who prepared his vineyard carefully and hired men to manage it, the vinedressers. 315 00:18:32,220 --> 00:18:39,220 Now, the men were supposed to manage his vineyard, but they mistreated and killed the messengers sent by the landowner. 316 00:18:39,220 --> 00:18:45,220 Finally, he sent his son and they killed him and they foolishly believed that they could take control of the vineyard. 317 00:18:45,220 --> 00:18:52,220 But the response of the landowner was not to yield to the vinedressers, but to judge and destroy them. 318 00:18:52,220 --> 00:18:59,220 Now, Jesus portrayed the madness of the chief priests and the elders who plotted to kill the father's son, 319 00:18:59,220 --> 00:19:02,220 sent to the rebellious leaders of Israel. 320 00:19:02,220 --> 00:19:04,220 He put them on blast. 321 00:19:04,220 --> 00:19:07,220 Now, the message of this parable was totally clear. 322 00:19:07,220 --> 00:19:12,220 With this answer, the chief priests and elders understood what the wicked servants deserve. 323 00:19:12,220 --> 00:19:16,220 Truly, those who rebel against their master from this deserve judgment. 324 00:19:16,220 --> 00:19:21,220 Now, they knew the owner of the vineyard had the right to expect the fruits of their seasons. 325 00:19:21,220 --> 00:19:27,220 In the same way, God looked for fruit from Israel's leadership, but found very little. 326 00:19:27,220 --> 00:19:36,220 Now, the leaders of Israel were so corrupt, God was transferring leadership from others specifically to the apostles 327 00:19:36,220 --> 00:19:41,220 and then to the Jew and Gentile church that they would then lead. 328 00:19:41,220 --> 00:19:43,220 Now, look at verse 42. Jesus said to them, 329 00:19:43,220 --> 00:19:50,220 Have you never read in the scriptures the stone which the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone? 330 00:19:50,220 --> 00:19:56,220 Now, this was the Lord's doing and it's marvelous in our eyes. 331 00:19:56,220 --> 00:20:03,220 Therefore, I say to you, the kingdom of God will be taken from you and given to the nation bearing the fruits of it. 332 00:20:03,220 --> 00:20:11,220 And whoever falls on this stone will be broken, but on whomever it falls, it will grind them to powder. 333 00:20:11,220 --> 00:20:18,220 Now, when the chief priests and the Pharisees heard his parables, they perceived that he was talking about them. 334 00:20:18,220 --> 00:20:24,220 But when they sought to lay hands on him, they feared the multitudes because they took him for a prophet. 335 00:20:24,220 --> 00:20:33,220 Now, the manner of speaking, this manner of speaking to the chief priests and elders of Israel must have made him really angry. 336 00:20:33,220 --> 00:20:39,220 Jesus speaks to the leading theologians of Israel and asked them if they've ever read their Bible. 337 00:20:39,220 --> 00:20:44,220 He put them on blast straight up. 338 00:20:44,220 --> 00:20:48,220 And he reminded them of the rejection of him and the coming judgment. 339 00:20:48,220 --> 00:20:56,220 Now, though they reject him, Jesus was the chief cornerstone fulfilling this promise of Psalm 118. 340 00:20:56,220 --> 00:21:01,220 Like a painting from a great master, Jesus is not on trial. Those who look at him are. 341 00:21:01,220 --> 00:21:07,220 These leaders are rejected. Jesus had to hear the eventual consequences of their rejection. 342 00:21:07,220 --> 00:21:15,220 Now, clearly, Jesus claimed to be the rejected stone of Psalm 118 that God appointed to become the chief cornerstone. 343 00:21:15,220 --> 00:21:27,220 He is also the stone of Isaiah that people would stumble over, the foundation stone and precious cornerstone of Isaiah 28 and the stone of Daniel 2 that destroys the world in rebellion to God. 344 00:21:27,220 --> 00:21:32,220 Now, the kingdom of God will be taken from you and given to a nation bearing the fruits of it. 345 00:21:32,220 --> 00:21:44,220 Jesus warned the religious leaders that if they continued the rejection of God and his Messiah, they could expect that God would pass the leadership of his work on to other people. 346 00:21:44,220 --> 00:21:53,220 God wants to use us, but we have to choose it. And if we pass, God will pass over us and he will use someone else. 347 00:21:53,220 --> 00:22:01,220 That is a reminder of the humility that we need in our life every day so that God doesn't choose to go use someone else. 348 00:22:01,220 --> 00:22:03,220 We want him to use our lives. That takes humility. 349 00:22:03,220 --> 00:22:13,220 So instead of repenting, the religious leaders responded with anger and continued to increase the greatness of their sin in rejecting Jesus. 350 00:22:13,220 --> 00:22:16,220 Now, this wraps up our time in Matthew 21 today. 351 00:22:16,220 --> 00:22:22,220 I want you to think about what God was talking to you about through his word today. 352 00:22:22,220 --> 00:22:28,220 Sometimes we need to hit reset in our lives, sometimes stopping some things, sometimes starting some things. 353 00:22:28,220 --> 00:22:31,220 Prayer is a chance to think about all of that. 354 00:22:31,220 --> 00:22:33,220 And why don't we pray together right now? 355 00:22:33,220 --> 00:22:36,220 Just say, God, would you help me to change my life? 356 00:22:36,220 --> 00:22:44,220 Help me to stop the things I need to stop, start good habits to follow you closely and walk in a loving relationship with you every day. 357 00:22:44,220 --> 00:22:49,220 And if I need to hit reset, would you help me to start over in my life today and to follow you? 358 00:22:49,220 --> 00:22:56,220 And I ask for your help with all of this in Jesus name. Amen. 359 00:22:56,220 --> 00:23:00,220 Now, last part of today, we want to want to give as part of our worship. 360 00:23:00,220 --> 00:23:06,220 Giving is what God does. The Bible says, for God so loved the world that he gave. 361 00:23:06,220 --> 00:23:13,220 Giving is part of our worship, just like giving God's son was part of his giving to us. 362 00:23:13,220 --> 00:23:15,220 And that's what we do as a church. We give. 363 00:23:15,220 --> 00:23:21,220 Now, right now, we've managed to plant four churches. We want to plant a lot more. That takes funding. 364 00:23:21,220 --> 00:23:29,220 We want you to step up, be a part of what God's doing, help people get their water from the ocean, help us love others, help us plant churches. 365 00:23:29,220 --> 00:23:34,220 Help us be the hands and feet of Jesus and spread the love and the gospel of the Lord. 366 00:23:34,220 --> 00:23:40,220 Now, how can you do that? You can go on our website at Oceanwater.com and you can click give there. 367 00:23:40,220 --> 00:23:59,220 Make that a part of your worship. And as always, have a beautiful day.