Matthew 21:28-32 But what think you? A certain man had two sons; and he came to the first, and said, Son, go work to day in my vineyard.… 1. Our Lord does not intend to approve of the conduct of the first son in every respect, "I will not." True there was no hypocrisy about him; still he was disobedient with all his frankness. Some seem to imagine they will be forgiven for being sinners because they have never pretended to be saints. Is a man less the enemy of God because he is outspoken? 2. That our Lord does not approve of this son's conduct as a whole, as if it were the only proper way of meeting God's commune! It was well that he repented; but would have been better if he had not refused. It is best to save the reflection of a wasted past. 3. Our Lord does not design to condemn the making of a promise to God when that is done sincerely and performed earnestly. I. The NATURE OF THE COMMAND WHICH GOD MAKES ON EVERY ONE TO WHOM THE GOSPEL CALLS. "Go work," etc. 1. The test of sincerity is in deeds. Words are valuable only as the expression of an inward spirit. Works are the manifestation of our love to God; not the means of procuring His love for us. 2. The peculiar nature of the work by which our love and life are to be manifested, "Go work in my vineyard." Cultivate all the fruits of the Spirit. 3. The promptitude of the obedience which is required — "to-day." 4. The tender nature of the appeal which God makes" son." Sonship is not incompatible with service. It only transmutes that service into joy. II. THE DANGER OF MAKING AN INSINCERE CONFESSION OF GOD. To the chief priests and scribes our Lord said, "The publicans and harlots go into the kingdom before you." Their difficulties were subjective. The insincere state of soul makes it harder for priests to enter the kingdom of heaven than for harlots to repent of their sins. Besides self-complacency which is produced by insincerity, there is also a hardening influence connected with it. It dims the moral perceptions. III. IN THIS PARABLE CHRIST MEANT TO ENCOURAGE SINNERS OF THE VILEST DESCRIPTION TO REPENT AND BELIEVE THE GOSPEL. "The publicans and harlots enter the kingdom." "Let the wicked forsake his way," etc. (W. M. Taylor, D. D.) Parallel Verses KJV: But what think ye? A certain man had two sons; and he came to the first, and said, Son, go work to day in my vineyard. |
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