Video to come.
Morning Message Text: Matthew 21: 23-32
The Authority of Jesus Questioned
23 Jesus entered the temple courts, and, while he was teaching, the chief priests and the elders of the people came to him. “By what authority are you doing these things?” they asked. “And who gave you this authority?”
24 Jesus replied, “I will also ask you one question. If you answer me, I will tell you by what authority I am doing these things.
25 John’s baptism—where did it come from? Was it from heaven, or of human origin?”They discussed it among themselves and said, “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ he will ask, ‘Then why didn’t you believe him?’
26 But if we say, ‘Of human origin’—we are afraid of the people, for they all hold that John was a prophet.”
27 So they answered Jesus, “We don’t know.” Then he said, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I am doing these things.
The Parable of the Two Sons
28 “What do you think? There was a man who had two sons. He went to the first and said, ‘Son, go and work today in the vineyard.’
29 “ ‘I will not,’ he answered, but later he changed his mind and went.
30 “Then the father went to the other son and said the same thing. He answered, ‘I will, sir,’ but he did not go.
31 “Which of the two did what his father wanted?” “The first,” they answered. Jesus said to them, “Truly I tell you, the tax collectors and the prostitutes are entering the kingdom of God ahead of you.
32 For John came to you to show you the way of righteousness, and you did not believe him, but the tax collectors and the prostitutes did. And even after you saw this, you did not repent and believe him.
Morning Message:
As I started to prepare this message a lot of things ran through my mind, and I realized that I have lived a very blessed life. God has blessed me with a wonderful family and given me the wonderful privilege of sharing in some of the most special moments of their lives. How many grandfathers get to preside over the wedding of their granddaughter and baptize their grandchildren, experience the blessing of a great grandchild, and now baptize her. (I had to stop here and just say, thank you Lord, I don’t deserve such blessings). I guess no one deserves the love of God, but He loves us no matter what.
Coaching my children and grandchildren in softball and baseball came to mind as I read today’s scripture, and the sermon title popped into my head. “Following through.” When young children are learning to play softball or baseball there is a simple lesson that they need to be reminded of over and over again: follow through. You can hit a ball and even get on base by just reaching your bat out and making contact, but if you want to really be a hitter you must swing all the way through. If you are a pitcher you can learn to throw the ball over the plate, but if you want any velocity on the ball and you want to get hitters out, you can’t hold back and play it safe, you have to follow through. To some this comes naturally, others learn how, some never quite get there.
Today is a special day in the church. Yes, it is the day of Romee’s baptism, but it is also EVANGELISM SUNDAY. I should ask for the elders to lock the doors because the mention of evangelism usually makes people nervous and looking for ways to escape. I promise you I will not make this painful. Have you ever noticed that sometimes authority goes to people’s heads. This was the case with the chief priests and elders with Jesus, He was teaching people God’s word, instructing them on the way of the kingdom. You would think that the leaders would be thankful and appreciate His help. After all He was doing what they should have been doing; picking up the slack while they walked around acting high and mighty. These so called spiritual leaders had made vows to God to follow His ways and guide the people, but they weren’t following through.
So instead of criticizing them right away, Jesus asks them an important question. He was putting them on the spot but also giving them the opportunity to correct what they did wrong. All they had to do is confess that John the Baptist was doing God’s will and admit that they just missed it. They couldn’t. Their pride wouldn’t allow them to accept Jesus. If they were to accept Him now they would have to admit that they were wrong, repent of the err of their ways and confess Jesus. Their choice was to say nothing. People make the same mistake today. They have decided that their way of life is right, and when the opportunity comes, when the Holy Spirit speaks to their heart, they do nothing because they can’t admit they were wrong. I hope that no one here today rejects that voice.
Okay, there are these two sons, and their father makes the same request of both of them. God calls every human being. How do we respond? Most times what I see is a generally positive response to God and the church; I don’t encounter many atheists. The answer people give is, “Yes, I believe in God” and many believe in Jesus. They believe that Christianity is the right way to go. They, when asked, even call themselves Christian. Do you know what’s missing? The follow through. If you are not walking the walk, the talk will get you nowhere. Here is another way that I have heard it put, “The road to hell is paved with good intentions.”
Okay, that’s my first responsibility today: to call you to Christ. It is important to handle our salvation first, before we talk about baptism, because you must be one to raise one. That’s not a quote, that’s what I hear God speaking into my life today. I take commitments seriously and vows before God should never be taken lightly. Listen to these baptism questions again. Parents, do you desire that your child be baptized? Relying on God’s grace, do you promise to live the Christian faith, and to teach that faith to your child? If your answer is, I do; follow through. Your answer does not matter unless you are following through. God will help you and guide you, but following through is up to you.
Don’t worry, I’m going to hand out God’s charge to everyone today. Godparents: Do you promise, through prayer and example, to support and encourage this child to be a faithful Christian? Walk the walk then encourage her to do the same. Follow through on your commitment.
Congregation! Oh no, now he is talking to all of us. Yes, if you are sitting here today, you are the congregation. Do you promise to guide and nurture this child by word, the things you say and teach her, and by deed, the way you live your life and live out your faith, with love and prayer, encouraging her to know and follow Christ and to be faithful: a faithful member of his church? If you answer in the affirmative, then what must you do? Follow through.
Let me just finish with this. None of what I just said to you is meant to burden you. I only call your attention to God’s ways because the world will try to pull you in every direction but God’s. We serve a loving God who forgives when we fall short and picks us up when we do fall. Remember the most quoted verse in the Bible and realize how much God loves every one of His children. “For God so loved the world,” including every one of you, “That he gave his one and only Son, Jesus, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.” God does all the heavy lifting; all we have to do is follow through.
In Christ’s Love and Peace,
Pastor Bob
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