Obedience or Rebellion | Matthew 21:28-32

Scripture

• Matthew 21:28–32

About this sermon

Introduction: The chief priests and elders have demanded an account from Jesus. “By what authority do you do these things?” Who gave Him the right to do things He does? His teaching. His actions. By what authority does He explain these things? Although He has ALREADY answered this question just six months before (John 7), He is willing to answer again, but only if THEY ARE WILLING TO ANSWER HIS QUESTION FIRST. How do they explain the ministry of John the Baptist? Was John sent from God? Was His message true? WHY WOULD JESUS RAISE THE QUESTION OF JOHN? He raises the question because, in truth, THIS IS THE ANSWER to their question. If you get John right, then you have your answer about Jesus, because John told you who Jesus was and is. THEY RECOGNIZED THAT THEY WERE CAUGHT IN A VICE. If they acknowledged John’s authority, they would incriminate themselves. If they publicly rejected John’s ministry, they would lose credibility with the crowds. THEY REFUSED TO ANSWER. JESUS REFUSED TO ANSWER. And yet, in Christ’s perfect wisdom, THE ANSWER WAS PLAIN. The wisdom of Jesus demonstrated the authority of Jesus. They were meeting with a wisdom they could not conquer. In fact, this will reach a climax in the 22nd chapter. ESV Matthew 22:41 Now while the Pharisees were gathered together, Jesus asked them a question, 42 saying, "What do you think about the Christ? Whose son is he?" They said to him, "The son of David." 43 He said to them, "How is it then that David, in the Spirit, calls him Lord, saying, 44 "'The Lord said to my Lord, "Sit at my right hand, until I put your enemies under your feet"'? 45 If then David calls him Lord, how is he his son?" 46 And no one was able to answer him a word, nor from that day did anyone dare to ask him any more questions. But here Jesus goes a step further. THESE MEN WERE MEETING WITH THEIR CREATOR AND THEIR JUDGE. And if anyone wondered about His authority, He is about to demonstrate it by giving voice to their character and to their destiny. JESUS PRONOUNCES THEIR SPIRITUAL CONDITION AND THEIR RELATIONSHIP TO THE KINGDOM OF GOD WITH A SERIES OF PARABLES. And the first parable is about two sons. • A QUESTION ABOUT OBEDIENCE (vs.28-31a) This parable addresses a question already operating in the minds of the religious leaders. “If we say, ‘From Heaven,’ He will say to us, ‘Then why did you not believe him?” (vs.25). To believe John was to take action. To believe John was to bring forth fruits in keeping with repentance. To believe John was to submit to a baptism that spoke of that repentance. TO BELIEVE JOHN WAS TO OBEY, and the religious leaders knew that they had not believed him. And because John’s message WAS ABOUT JESUS, the question here is really about a response to the gospel. THE GOSPEL MESSAGE CALLS FOR OBEDIENCE. THAT OBEDIENCE IS FAITH — BELIEVE. ESV 2 Thessalonians 1:7 and to grant relief to you who are afflicted as well as to us, when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with his mighty angels 8 in flaming fire, inflicting vengeance on those who do not know God and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. ESV 1 Peter 4:17 For it is time for judgment to begin at the household of God; and if it begins with us, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God? That obedient response to the gospel (a faith response) goes on evidencing itself in the lives of those who have genuine faith. They are characterized by a faith that obeys the truth. ESV Romans 2:1 Therefore you have no excuse, O man, every one of you who judges. For in passing judgment on another you condemn yourself, because you, the judge, practice the very same things. 2 We know that the judgment of God rightly falls on those who practice such things. 3 Do you suppose, O man-- you who judge those who practice such things and yet do them yourself-- that you will escape the judgment of God? 4 Or do you presume on the riches of his kindness and forbearance and patience, not knowing that God's kindness is meant to lead you to repentance? 5 But because of your hard and impenitent heart you are storing up wrath for yourself on the day of wrath when God's righteous judgment will be revealed. 6 He will render to each one according to his works: 7 to those who by patience in well-doing seek for glory and honor and immortality, he will give eternal life; 8 but for those who are self-seeking and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, there will be wrath and fury. 9 There will be tribulation and distress for every human being who does evil, the Jew first and also the Greek, 10 but glory and honor and peace for everyone who does good, the Jew first and also the Greek. 11 For God shows no partiality. 12 For all who have sinned without the law will also perish without the law, and all who have sinned under the law will be judged by the law. 13 For it is not the hearers of the law who are righteous before God, but the doers of the law who will be justified.

Topics

• Obedience