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lesson 12 PARABLES ON OBEDIENCE 2 Builders Mt 7:24-27; Lk 6:46-492 Sons Mt 21:28-32 I. Background
to the Parables 1. Context a.
Jesus told
this story/teaching to His disciples and the multitude at the conclusion of
the “sermon on the mount,” which was primarily a discussion of
righteousness (life in the kingdom), Mt 5:20. b.
The parable
of the 2 sons was told primarily to the chief priests and elders in the
temple during the last week of Jesus’ ministry, Mt 21:23, following their
“test” of Him. 2. Definitions/Cultural Insights a. Authority:
the right to do lead/teach… It was frequently an issue between the leaders
and Jesus, Mk 2:7, 16, 24... II.
Understanding the Parables 1. Jesus taught… as a
summary and application to the “sermon” that there are 2 kinds of people: a.
Those that
hear and obey/act upon what He says.
They are called wise, because their lives have a solid foundation - the words of Jesus, Mt
7:24-25. b.
Those that
hear and do not obey/act upon the words of Jesus. They are called foolish, because their lives have an unstable foundation, which cannot endure
the “storms of life,” Mt 7:26-27. 2. Jesus taught… what true
obedience was. a. The
son who said, “I will” and then did not was not obedient. This represents
most of the chief priests and elders, Mt 21:32. c.
The son who
said, I will not” and then regretted it and did what the father asked
represents the tax-gatherers and harlots, Mt 21:31. III. Consideration and Application of the Parables 1. When Jesus Speaks… listen In each parable, even before
the people obeyed or disobeyed, they listened. As the one who is God’s final spokesman, Heb 1:1-4, with words of life, Jn 6:63, we
should be committed to carefully listening to Jesus. Who do listen to most - Jesus, the preacher, the news, your friends…? When their words are different from
Christ’s - who will you listen to? 2. When You Hear Jesus… just do it (obey) It may seem like obedience is
hard, but to obey is best; after all who knows what’s best for you, the
Creator or the created? James also challenges us to hear and do
God’s will, Js 2:22. Why would you
choose not to obey - it’s too hard, you look foolish…?
But think about where disobedience leads - to instability and eventually,
destruction, Mt 7:27. 3. Great Blessings… are for the obedient Jesus
referred to stability in the storms of life, James promised that when we obey
we are blessed, Js 1:25. In fact -
Jesus is the author of salvation for those who
obey Him, Heb 5:8-9. Could there be
any greater blessing than eternal salvation?
Is there anything on earth that compares to
the blessings Christ offers the faithfully obedient? Are not riches, power, prestige…
all temporary compared to the eternal nature of salvation in Christ, 1
Pet 1:3-9? What are the most
important commands to obey, perhaps love God, love people, live by repentant, obedient,
working faith… Mt 22:37-39; Acts 2:38; Js 2:14-17… 4. The Disobedient… can become obedient The
“obedient” or “faithful” are those who do the right thing, even if they first
disobey. Those who hear, experience remorse (sorrow to repentance, 2 Cor 7:9), believe and obey are the
“righteous,” not those who say the right things, but in real life disobey God. Are
you saying “Yes” to God, and disobeying, or when you disobey, do you
experience remorse and in faith, obey? One leads
to life, the other to death, 2 Cor 7:10-11. IV. Memory
Verses - Mt 7:24-25 |