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Matthew Chapter Twenty-One

 
Does Your Temple Need Cleaning? (21:12-14)
 
INTRODUCTION
 
1. Shortly after entering Jerusalem at the beginning of His final week,
 Jesus entered the temple - Mt 21:12-14
 a. Angered by the presence of the moneychangers and merchants, He
 drove them out
 b. He decried their turning the house of God into a den of thieves
 c. With the temple cleansed, He then healed blind and lame
 
2. Jesus had cleansed the temple before - Jn 2:13-17
 a. It was during the Passover, three years before
 b. Then He rebuked them for making the house of God a house of
 merchandise
 
3. In both cases, we see Jesus' anger for their misuse of the temple...
 a. Not that there was anything inherently wrong with buying and
 selling
 b. But it was not the proper place, or use of the temple
 
4. How about your temple?
 a. Is it being properly used? 
 b. Does it need cleaning?
 c. Are you aware that you even have a temple? 
 
[Yes, you do have a temple. As with the temple in Jerusalem, it is to
be used in the service and praise of God. If it is not, then it too
needs a cleaning! What am I talking about...?]
 
I. YOUR BODY IS A TEMPLE
 
 A. A TEMPLE FOR GOD TO INDWELL...
 1. Your physical body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who in you
 - 1 Co 6:19
 a. This "indwelling" refers to a special relationship between
 you and the Spirit
 1) By which God strengthens you - cf. Ep 3:16
 2) By whom we can deal with the power of sin - cf. Ro 8:
 11-13
 b. As Solomon recognized with the temple in Jerusalem, no
 physical dwelling can contain the omnipresent God - cf.
 2 Chr 6:18
 c. Such is true of the Spirit of God - cf. Psa 139:7-12
 d. Yet the uniqueness of the Spirit's presence in the life of
 a Christian is such that it is proper to speak of Him
 "indwelling" the Christian - cf. Ga 4:6
 2. What is said of the physical body, is also said of the church
 as a whole - 1 Co 3:16
 3. What is said of the church as a temple, is also true of the
 body - 1 Co 3:17
 a. Defile the temple of God, and you incur the wrath of God!
 b. For the temple is to be holy!
 
 B. A TEMPLE FOR DEVOTED SERVICE TO GOD...
 1. The temple of Jerusalem was to be a place of prayer - cf. Mt
 21:13; 2 Chr 6:19-21
 2. So your temple, including both body and mind, is to be devoted
 in service to God
 a. Your body is to be a living sacrifice - Ro 12:1; cf. Co 3:
 5-9
 b. Your mind is to be renewed, focused on things above - Ro
 12:2; cf. Co 3:1-2
 
 C. A TEMPLE THAT CAN BE ABUSED...
 1. We have seen how the temple in Jerusalem was abused
 a. A place designed for prayer, turned into a marketplace
 b. A place that need to be cleansed, once and again
 2. The same can be true of our temples...
 a. We can become guilty of setting our minds on earthly things
 1) We begin serving our bellies (fleshly appetites), rather
 than Jesus - Ph 3:18-19
 2) We find ourselves unable to abide by will of God - Ro 8:
 5-8
 b. We can begin offering our bodies to that which it does not
 belong
 1) Some which is inherently sinful - cf. 1 Co 6:13-18
 2) Other things (cares, riches, pleasures of life) which
 detract us from our true service and hinder our ability
 to serve God with our bodies - cf. Lk 8:14
 
[What is the condition of your temple? Perhaps you are in need of a
"major overhaul" (salvation). Perhaps you need some "spring cleaning"
(restoration and rededication). In either case, the principles for
cleaning are similar...]
 
II. WHAT YOU NEED TO BE CLEANSED
 
 A. THE PRESENCE OF CHRIST...
 1. Jesus is an expert at "temple-cleansing"!
 2. Even more so, when it comes to cleansing the temples of our
 bodies and spirits
 a. He knows that it must occur from the inside out - cf. Mt 
 23:25-27
 b. He died, that He might purify us - Ti 2:11-14
  c. His blood is the cleansing power to purify us from all sin
 - 1 Jn 1:7
 3. How do we ensure the presence of Christ in our "temples"?
 a. Through faith - Ep 3:17
 b. Through obedience - Jn 14:21,23; 1 Pe 1:22
 4. For the non-Christian, such faith and obedience includes
 baptism
 a. For baptism unites us with Christ, that the body of sin
 might be destroyed - Ro 6:3-4
 b. For in baptism we put on Christ - Ga 3:27
 5. For the Christian in need of cleansing, faithful obedience
 includes repentance and prayer - cf. Ac 8:22
 a. Repentance, as Christ counseled the Laodiceans - Rev 3:
 14-19
 b. Prayer, through which the Lord is allowed back into our
 hearts - Rev 3:20
 
 B. THE POWER OF CHRIST...
 1. Jesus exercised strength to overturn the tables and drive out
 the merchants
 2. Even more so, does He offer strength for the Christian
 a. Without Him, we can do nothing - Jn 15:4-5
 b. With Him, we can do everything - Ph 4:13
 3. Thus we need to stand strong "in the power of His might" - Ep
 6:10; Co 1:11; cf. Isa 40:29-31; 41:10
 
 C. OUR PARTICIPATION WITH CHRIST...
 1. While we are dependent upon Christ for our cleansing, we 
 cannot sit by idly
 a. We must "cleanse ourselves" - 2 Co 7:1
 b. We must "pursue holiness" - He 12:14
 2. This involves both "putting off" and "putting on" things in
 our life
 a. As counseled by James - Ja 1:21
 b. As instructed by Peter - 1 Pe 2:1-2
 c. As commanded by Paul - Ep 4:22-32; Co 3:8-14
 3. Our cleansing will be greatly facilitated by what we allow in
 our minds
 a. For things that are worthy of praise and virtue will ensure
 God's presence in our lives - Ph 4:8-9
 b. Our transformation will take place as our minds are renewed
 - Ro 12:1-2
 
CONCLUSION
 
1. In what condition is your "temple"?
 a. Is it a place where God, Jesus, and the Spirit can reside?
 b. Is your body and mind "a place of prayer", one that brings glory
 to God?
 -- Or have you allowed the mundane things of life to so preoccupy
 your "temple" that it is not what God intended, a place that is
 common and profane?
 
2. If your temple needs cleaning, then look to Jesus...
 a. Only He can provide the cleansing you need
 b. But He also provides power for godly living
 
3. But be careful that you do not just let Jesus clean your temple
 and nothing else...
 a. For cleansing without replacement can make thing worse - cf. Mt
 12:43-45
 b. Therefore we must fill our "temples" with prayer, praise, virtue,
 and godliness
 c. Otherwise our "temples" will soon be filled with idols
 
Do not forget the words of the apostle Paul:
 
 "And what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For you are
 the temple of the living God."
 
 "As God has said: `I will dwell in them And walk among them. I 
 will be their God, And they shall be My people.' Therefore `Come
 out from among them And be separate, says the Lord. Do not touch
 what is unclean, And I will receive you. I will be a Father to
 you, And you shall be My sons and daughters, Says the LORD
 Almighty.'"
 
 "Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse 
 ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting
 holiness in the fear of God."
 (2 Co 6:16-7:1)
 
Are you participating with Christ in your cleansing, and perfecting
holiness in the fear of God?

Is It From Heaven Or From Men? (21:23-27)
 
INTRODUCTION
 
1. While teaching in the temple, Jesus was confronted by the chief
 priests and elders...
 a. They questioned His authority to teach - Mt 21:23
 b. Jesus saw through their hypocrisy, and challenged them regarding
 the authority behind the baptism of John - Mt 21:24-25a
 c. Since they would not be honest in their answer, Jesus refused to
 answer their question - Mt 21:25b-27
 
2. In the process of exposing their hypocrisy, Jesus revealed an
 important principle regarding authority in matters of religion...
 a. All religious practices must come from one of two sources
 b. They come either from heaven, or from men - Mt 23:25
 
3. What Jesus asked regarding John's baptism, could be asked of many
 religious practices...
 a. Infant baptism
 b. Sprinkling or pouring instead of immersion
 c. Denominationalism, a clergy-laity distinction
 d. The impossibility of apostasy, observing the Sabbath
 e. Instrumental music, burning of incense, etc., in our worship
 -- Are such practices from heaven, or from men?
 
[In this study, we shall consider how one can know whether a particular
religious practice is from heaven, or from man...]
 
I. TO BE FROM HEAVEN
 
 A. IT MUST COME FROM JESUS...
 1. For He has been given all authority - Mt 28:18
 2. Both in heaven and on earth
 -- Certainly if Jesus commanded it, it is from heaven!
 
 B. IT MUST COME THROUGH HIS APOSTLES...
 1. For Jesus delegated His authority to His apostles - Jn 13:20
 2. They serve as His official ambassadors - 2 Co 5:20
 3. To ensure their reliability, Jesus promised the Spirit to
 remind them of what He taught, and to guide them into all the
 truth - Jn 14:26; 16:12-13
 4. This is why the church continued steadfastly in the apostles'
 doctrine - Ac 2:42; 1 Co 14:37; 1 Th 2:13
 -- If the apostles of Christ taught it, it is from heaven!
 
 C. IT MUST COME ONLY FROM THE APOSTLES...
 1. The apostles were given, and proclaimed, the whole counsel of 
 God - Ac 20:27
 2. They were given all things that pertain to life and godliness
 - 2 Pe 1:3
 3. The faith revealed through them was delivered once for all
 (lit., one time for all times) - Ju 3
 -- There is no need for modern day revelations, for in the
 Scriptures we have all that is needed to be "complete, 
 thoroughly equipped for every good work" (2 Ti 3:16-17)
 
[If a religious practice can be found to be taught by Jesus or His
apostles, then it is truly from heaven! Religious practices that are
from men, however, might come from a variety of sources...]
 
II. IT IS FROM MAN
 
 A. IF BASED SOLELY UPON WHAT THE MAJORITY THINKS...
 1. Many people will accept whatever most people think about 
 something 
 2. Yet Jesus warned against following the majority - Mt 7:13-14
 3. If you had followed the majority...
 a. In Noah's day, you would have perished in the flood
 b. In Joshua's day, you would have perished in the wilderness
 -- What the majority believes or does is not likely to be from
 heaven, but from men!
 
 B. IF BASED SOLELY UPON WHAT PARENTS TAUGHT US...
 1. Some believe "If it was good enough for Mom and Dad, it is
 good enough for me."
 2. As much as we may love and respect our parents, Christ must
 come first - Mt 10:37
 3. If every generation had simply followed their parents, then we
 who are Gentiles would likely still be idol-worshippers and 
 polytheistic!
 -- Let us honor our parents, not by following them blindly, but
 by applying principles they themselves likely taught us, such
 as seek to do the right thing, obey God, etc. 
 
 C. IF BASED SOLELY UPON WHAT PREACHERS TELL US...
 1. It is common for people to place their trust in their
 "preacher," "priest," or "pastor"
 2. They reason that surely these "men of God" could not be wrong
 or lead them astray
 a. Yet Paul warned of how we can easily be misled - cf. 2 Co
 11:13-15
 b. And Jesus warned about the "blind leading the blind" - Mt
 15:12-14
 3. Our attitude needs to be like that of the Bereans, who
 carefully examined Paul's teachings in light of the Scriptures
 - Ac 17:11
 -- What a preacher teaches is only as good as the authority
  behind it; unless we wish to be led astray, we have the 
 responsibility to ask "Is it from God, or men?"
 
 D. IF BASED SOLELY UPON CREEDS AND TRADITIONS OF MEN...
 1. This is where the denominations really get most of their
 authority
 a. E.g., for such things as infant baptism, pouring or 
 sprinkling instead of immersion
 b. E.g, for such things as denominationalism, once saved 
 always saved
 2. Indeed, adherence to the creeds of men is what produces 
 denominations
 a. Accept the Bible only, and you become a Christian only
 b. Accept some man-made creed or tradition, and you become
 something else!
 1) Accept the Book of Mormon, and you become a Mormon
 2) Accept papal authority, and you become a Roman Catholic
 3) Accept the Lutheran Catechism, and you become a Lutheran
 3. Creeds are really not even necessary...
 a. If they say more than what the Bible says, they say too
 much
 b. If they say less than what the Bible says, they say too
 little
 c. If they say exactly what the Bible says, then why not let
 the Bible be our creed book?
 -- The fact is creeds are filled with the traditions and commands
 of men, many of which conflict with and displace the commands
 of God! - cf. Mk 7:6-9
 
 E. IF BASED SOLELY UPON WHAT YOUR CONSCIENCE TELLS YOU...
 1. "Let your conscience be your guide" is the motto of many
 2. But our conscience cannot always be reliable
 a. Paul had served God with a good conscience throughout his
 life - Ac 23:1
 b. Even at a time when he was persecuting Christians! - cf. Ac
  26:9-11
 3. Our conscience is like a clock, which works properly if set
 correctly
 4. Once our conscience has been "set" by the "apostles' doctrine"
 then it can be a good guide
 -- Unless what your conscience is telling you can be confirmed by
 the Word of God, then what you believe is from man, not God!
 
 F. IF BASED SOLELY UPON WHAT IS HUMAN WISDOM...
 1. Many believe that through their own wisdom they can determine
 right and wrong
 a. If it makes sense to them, they reason it must be true
 b. If it doesn't make sense, they won't accept it
 2. But God's thoughts and ways are not always our own - cf. Isa
 55:8-9
 3. In fact, God has chosen to save man in a manner specifically
 designed to confound those who depend solely upon human wisdom
 - cf. 1 Co 1:18-29
 4. For us to know God's will, it was necessary for Him to reveal
 it to us - 1 Co 2:9-12
 a. This He has done through His Spirit-inspired apostles 
 b. Who in turn shared it with us through their writings - Ep
 3:1-5
 -- Appeal to human reason to justify a certain practice, and it
 will likely be from man, not God!
 
 G. IF BASED SOLELY UPON FEELINGS...
 1. This is often the "standard of authority" for many people
 a. Who go by whatever "feels right"
 b. Who place stock in a religion "better felt than told"
 2. Yet the Bible declares the danger of trusting in "feelings"
 a. "There is a way which seems right to a man, But its end is
 the way of death." - Pr 14:12
 b. "He who trusts in his own heart is a fool..." - Pr 28:26
 c. "O LORD, I know the way of man is not in himself; It is not
  in man who walks to direct his own steps." - Jer 10:23
 -- It should be evident that any religious practice or doctrine
 based upon "feelings" alone is from man, not God!
 
 H. IF BASED SOLELY UPON THE OLD TESTAMENT...
 1. People will sometimes resort to the O. T. to provide authority
 for some practice
 a. When they can't find authority for it in the teachings of
 Christ and/or His apostles
 b. For example, a clergy-laity system, burning of incense and
 use of instrumental music in worship, keeping the Sabbath,
 etc.
 2. But the O.T. was designed to be temporary, to fulfill a 
 specific purpose and as a covenant has been replaced by the
 New Covenant (i.e., the New Testament)
 a. It was given because of transgressions, till Christ should
 come - Ga 3:19
 b. For those under the Law (Israel), it was a tutor
 1) A tutor designed to lead them to Christ - Ga 3:24
  2) A tutor that has been taken away - Ga 3:25
 c. When those who were under the Law came to Christ...
 1) They became dead to the Law - Ro 7:4
 2) They were delivered from the Law - Ro 7:6
 d. As prophesied by Jeremiah, God has made a "new covenant" to
 replace the "first covenant" which is now obsolete - He 8:
 7-13
 3. In handling the issue of circumcision, the apostles 
 demonstrated that one cannot use the O.T. to teach something
 which they did not command
 a. Some sought to enforce circumcision and the Law upon 
 Gentile believers - Ac 15:1,6
 b. But the apostles, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit,
 were able to defuse the problem by simply stating they
 themselves "gave no such commandment" - Ac 15:22-29
 4. This is not to say the O.T. is not of value to Christians...
 a. It was written for our learning, to provide patience,
 comfort, and hope - Ro 15:4
 b. It was written for our admonition, that we not make similar
 mistakes - 1 Co 10:6,11
 c. We just can't use it to enjoin religious practices upon
 others which the apostles' themselves did not teach!
 
CONCLUSION
 
1. Do we want to avoid being led astray?
 a. By "blind leaders of the blind"? - cf. Mt 15:14
 b. By "false teachers...who will secretly bring in destructive
 heresies"? - cf. 2 Pe 2:1
 
2. Then we need to know how to ascertain whether a religious doctrine
 or practice...
 a. Is from God or from men
 b. Is based upon what the apostles of Christ taught, or some other
 "authority"
 
3. The solution is simple, but requires effort on our part...
 a. We must "continue steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine" - Ac
 2:42
 b. We must "search the scriptures daily" - Ac 17:11
 
Only then can we be sure that what we believe or someone teaches is
truly from God, and not from man!

The Two Sons (Mt 21:28-32)
 
INTRODUCTION
 
1. As seen in the last two parables, Jesus often responded to questions
 from His disciples with a parable
 a. Cf. "The Unmerciful Servant" (Mt 18:21-35), in reply to a 
 question about forgiveness
 b. Cf. "The Laborers In The Vineyard" (Mt 20:1-16), in reply to a
 question about what disciples would receive who have given up all
 to follow Jesus
 
2. He also used parables in replying to some of the challenges by those
 who opposed Him
 a. During His final week in Jerusalem, He was challenged by 
 religious leaders - Mt 21:23-27
 b. In response, He told three parables...
 1) "The Two Sons" - Mt 21:28-32
 2) "The Wicked Vinedressers" - Mt 21:33-46
 3) "The Wedding Feast" - Mt 22:1-14
 
[In this lesson, we shall focus our attention on the parable of "The
Two Sons" (Mt 21:28-32), looking first at...]
 
I. THE PARABLE AND ITS EXPLANATION
 
 A. THE PARABLE ITSELF IS QUITE SIMPLE...
 1. It is an account of a man with two sons and a vineyard
 2. The father tells his two sons to work in the vineyard
 a. The first son says he won't go, but later regretted it and
 went
 b. The second son said he would, but did not actually go
 
 B. JESUS EXPLAINS THE PARABLE...
 1. He begins with a question: "Who of the two did the will of 
 his father?"
 2. The answer is obvious, and the religious leaders reply "The 
 first"
 3. Jesus' reply to the religious leaders is then very direct
 a. "Assuredly, I say to you that tax collectors and harlots 
 enter the kingdom of God before you."
 b. "For John came to you in the way of righteousness, and you
 did not believe him; but tax collectors and harlots 
 believed him; and when you saw it, you did not afterward 
 relent and believe him."
 4. Jesus was applying this parable to the religious leaders of 
 His day
 a. They were like the second son, who said he would go, but 
 didn't
 b. Whereas those tax collectors and harlots who repented at 
 the preaching of John were like the first son, who first 
 said no, but then went
 5. It must have been a shock to hear Jesus tell them that those
 despised by the Jews would enter the kingdom of God before 
 their religious leaders!
 6. But as Luke records in his gospel...
 a. The tax collectors (and others) who accepted John's baptism
 "justified God"
 b. Whereas those religious leaders who were not baptized 
 "rejected the counsel of God for themselves" - Lk 7:29-30
 
[Jesus will have more to say concerning these religious leaders in His
next two parables, but what important lesson can we draw from this 
parable for us today?}
 
II. APPLYING THE PARABLE TODAY
 
 A. THE MAIN POINT OF THE PARABLE...
 1. Is it not that we must be "doers" and not "sayers"?
 2. As Hendriksen says in his commentary: "That lesson is, of 
 course, this: the doing of the will of God is the one thing
 needful."
 3. Jesus emphasized this truth on other occasions as well:
 a. In His Sermon on the Mount - Mt 7:21-27
 b. In giving The Great Commission before His ascension to 
 heaven - Mt 28:20
  4. As John Stott wrote: "Greatness in the kingdom of God is 
 measured in terms of obedience." (Authentic Christianity)
 
 B. THIS LESSON IS ONE SORELY NEEDED TODAY...
 1. The doctrines of "cheap grace" and "easy believism" have 
  created a generation of "sayers" and not "doers"
 a. Many profess Jesus as Lord, but then don't do what He says
 - cf. Lk 6:46
 b. They are like the second son, who says he will do the
 father's will, but doesn't
  2. Misunderstanding the doctrine of "salvation by grace through
 faith", many people have concluded that requiring obedience to
 God's command is "legalism" or "salvation by works of merit"
 a. Yet nothing could be further from the truth!
 b. Keeping the commandments of God is essential to salvation 
 - Mt 7:21-23; 28:20; Jn 14:15,21,23; 15:10,14; 1 Co 7:19;
 1 Jn 2:3-4
 3. What we must remember is this...
 a. When we keep God's commandments, we in no way earn or merit
 salvation
 b. We simply do that which is our duty to do, and always 
 remain "unprofitable servants" saved by grace - cf. Lk 17:
 10; Ti 3:4-7
 c. Yet, we still "should be careful to maintain good works"! 
 - Ti 3:1,8,14
 
CONCLUSION
 
1. Remember that it was the "religious leaders" in Jesus' day...
 a. Who "rejected the counsel of God for themselves" in not accepting
 John's teaching for the need for repentance and baptism
 b. Who likely believed that they had good "theological grounds" for
 not heeding the simple commands of God given through His 
 preachers
 
2. In similar fashion, many "religious leaders" of our day...
 a. Reject the clear teaching of Christ and His apostles concerning
 the commands to repent and be baptized - cf. Mk 16:15-16; Ac 2:38
 b. They reject the "counsel of God for themselves" based upon
 "theological grounds"
 -- When the common man who reads without preconceived notions has no
 problem understanding what the Scriptures teach on the subject
 
3. Could it be that today there are many people (even "tax collectors"
 and "harlots") who will enter the kingdom of God before many 
 religious people do?
 
What kind of "son" are you? One who does the will of his Father? Or 
one who says he will, but in the end does not? How you respond to the
commands of our Lord determines the difference...

The Wicked Vinedressers (Mt 21:33-46)
 
INTRODUCTION
 
1. As we saw in our last study, Jesus often used parables to reply to
 those who opposed Him
 
2. In the parable of "The Two Sons" (Mt 21:28-32), Jesus responded to
 those who had rejected John the Baptist
 
3. But in the parable of "The Wicked Vinedressers" (Mt 21:33-46), Jesus
 vividly describes the sinfulness of those religious leaders who were
 rejecting the very Son of God!
 
[Let's begin with a reading of the parable and Jesus' follow-up 
comments (READ). This is one parable in which Jesus' meaning and 
purpose is very evident...]
 
I. THE MEANING OF THE PARABLE
 
 A. THE VARIOUS ITEMS OF THE PARABLE ARE EVIDENT...
 1. The vineyard immediately brings to mind Israel
 a. The figure of a vineyard referring to Israel was well-known
 - cf. Isa 5:1-7
 b. But here it is not Israel as a nation per se...
 1) Rather, "the special advantages and opportunities which
 were given to the people as the chosen seed" (W.M. 
 Taylor, The Parables of Our Saviour)
 2) For later Jesus explains the vineyard (or kingdom of
 God) "will be given to a nation producing its fruit" -
 cf. Mt 21:43
 2. The landowner who planted the vineyard is God
 3. The wicked vinedressers represents Israel's leaders - cf. Mt
 21:45
 a. Their chief priests, scribes, elders, and all their
 followers
 b. Therefore, the physical nation of Israel as a whole
 4. The servants who were sent in behalf of the landowner
 represents the prophets
 a. As a nation, Israel rejected many of her prophets - cf. 
 2 Chr 36:15-16
 b. Note the plaintive cry of Jesus over Jerusalem later on 
 - Mt 23:37
 5. The landowner's son is Jesus Christ Himself
 
 B. THE SUCCEEDING QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS REVEAL JESUS' INTENT...
 1. Which was to help them see why God would be just
 a. In bringing condemnation upon Israel
 b. In giving the blessings of Israel to those more deserving 
 - cf. Mt 21:43
 2. Indeed, their rejection of Jesus had been foretold in the 
 Scriptures - Mt 21:42; cf. Ps 118:22,23
 a. The "builders" were the religious leaders of the nation
 b. The "stone" which they rejected was Christ
 c. Yet, this stone would be made a "chief cornerstone" by God
 Himself
 1) In which God would build a something "new "
 2) I.e., the church in which both Jew and Gentile were
  fellow citizens of the household of God- cf. Ep 2:19-20
 3. In elaborating on "the stone which the builders rejected", 
 Jesus reveals the terrible consequence for those who reject it
 - Mt 21:44
 a. Another way of saying it is anyone who opposes Christ is 
 destined to fall, even be "pulverized"
 b. The same was said of those who would not trust in the Lord
 in Isaiah's day - cf. Isa 8:13-15
 
[The main lesson of this parable can be summarized in the words of Ps 
2:12...
 
 "Kiss (i.e., pay homage to) the Son, lest He be angry,
 And you perish in the way,
 When His wrath is kindled but a little.
 "Blessed are all those who put their trust in Him."
 
So obvious was Jesus' meaning and intent in telling this parable, that
the religious leaders' would have arrested Him at that moment had it 
not been for the people (Mt 21:45-46).
 
What application can we make for ourselves from this parable? Is there
a lesson for us today that can be drawn...?]
 
II. AN APPLICATION OF THE PARABLE
 
 A. FIRST, NOTE THAT GOD OFTEN BESTOWS WONDERFUL PRIVILEGES...
 1. This He had done with the nation of Israel
 a. Like a precious vineyard, God planted Israel in Canaan
 b. He blessed the nation with laws, priests, prophets, and 
 other special privileges
 c. He eventually sent His only begotten Son as their Messiah
 2. How about us today?
 a. Have we not received wonderful privileges from God?
 b. We enjoy free access to the Word of God, and the freedom to
 worship without fear of persecution; many in the world do
 not
 c. We are blessed to hear things that prophets, kings, and 
 saints of old desired to hear and were not able - cf. Mt
 13:16-17
 
 B. SECOND, NOTE HOW PEOPLE OFTEN MAKE BAD USE OF THEIR PRIVILEGES...
 1. The history of Israel as a nation established by God
 a. They consistently murmured against God in the wilderness
 b. They turned away from God time and again during the period
 of the Judges
 c. They persecuted His prophets, and eventually rejected His 
 own Son
 2. What about us today?
 a. We have blessings given to us through Christ
   &nb