For sermons and additional resources, visit STBARTS.COM.AU

A STING IN THE TALE (WEEK 1: LOOK WHO’S BELIEVING!) SMALL GROUP DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

CONNECT (from last week): As we being Lent this week, sometimes people give something up (or take something on) to be reminded of all that God has done in Christ (and grow in relationship with God). Is there anything like this that could be helpful to you this Lent?

WARM-UP Questions 1. In what ways is the Gospel such surprising news?

READ Matthew 21:1-17 2. What are the two different responses to Jesus? Who is Jesus identified as? 3. What is the response of the city? Why is this still an important question today?

READ Matthew 21:23-27 4. What were the religious hierarchy really asking of Jesus? Why were they unwilling to ask him outright if

he as the Messiah?

READ Matthew 21:28-32 5. When you first hear the story of the two sons, how do you react? Do you identify with one son more

than the other? Why do you think that is the case? 6. How is this good news for people with ‘rough’ records? Who does that include? 7. Why would the listeners of the parable find it so shocking? Who are the religious people compared to? 8. What’s the ultimate difference between the first son (the tax collectors and prostitutes) and the second

son (the religious hierarchy)? How can we fall into the same trap as the religious people? 9. How can we avoid falling into the same trap as the religious people? 10. What does it truly mean to repent and believe? How do we do this? 11. What was it like for you to welcome the gift of God’s grace into your life? How do we ensure that we’re

not closed off to Jesus confronting and challenging us? 12. What are some practical ways that we can share the grace of God with other people?

APPLY (to this week): What difference has God’s grace made to you and your treatment of other people around you?

PRAY: Almighty Lord, we thank you for your phenomenal gift of grace! Please help us to not resist your grace, but embrace it in totality. Please help us to daily repent and believe, leading others in love to do the same.. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

For sermons and additional resources, visit STBARTS.COM.AU

A STING IN THE TALE (WEEK 1: LOOK WHO’S BELIEVING) GOING DEEPER RESOURCES & SUGGESTIONS

Each week we provide additional resources that help to go deeper with whatever series we’re currently focusing on as a church. Resources could include recommended books, articles, online

sermons, courses, or videos. These are optional extras! Please don’t feel under pressure to look at every resource, but consider what could be useful to.

Talks & Other Audio • AUDIO/VIDEO: “A Man had Two Sons” A great talk by Dick Lucas on the Parable: http://www.st-

helens.org.uk/resources/media-library/src/talk/52517/title/a-man-had-two-sons • AUDIO: “Outrageous Actions” – A lunchtime Bible Talk from Jago Wynne, All Souls Langham Place:

http://www.allsouls.org/Media/AllMedia.aspx

Study Guide for Lent • BOOK: For Lent this year we have developed a Lenten Guide looking at some of the final stories of

Jesus. You can download a PDF copy here: http://stbarts.com.au/2017/02/20/lenten-study-guide-a-sting-in-the-tale-download-or-order/

Articles and Other Reading (Recommended Last Week) • BOOK: “The Parables of Jesus” by William Barclay. https://www.bookdepository.com/The-

Parables-of-Jesus-William-Barclay/9780664258283?ref=grid-view • BOOK: “Interpreting the Parables” by Craig Blomberg.

https://www.bookdepository.com/Interpreting-the-Parables-Craig-L-Blomberg/9781844745760?ref=grid-view

• Commentary: Freely available commentary on Matthew 21:28-32: http://thirdmill.org/articles/kno_chamblin/NT.Chamblin.Matt.21.28-46.pdf

• ARTICLE: “What is the key to bearing fruit as a Christian” – A helpful article about bearing fruit: https://www.gotquestions.org/bearing-fruit.html

• ARTICLE: “The necessity of bearing fruit (Matthew 21:18-46)” – Some helpful context on this week’s passage and next week’s: https://bible.org/seriespage/31-necessity-bearing-fruit-matthew-2118-46

• ARTICLE: “The Parable of the Two Sons” – Some concise notes to help you as you study this passage: http://helpmewithbiblestudy.org/2JesusChrist/ParableKOGrejectTwoSons.aspx

• ARTICLE: “Parable of the Two Sons” – An article about this parable’s application to our Theology of Work: https://www.theologyofwork.org/new-testament/matthew/living-in-the-new-kingdom-matthew-18-25/parable-of-the-two-sons-matthew-2128-32/

Talk 1/6 (Following Jesus): 05/03/17 “Look Who’s Believing!” by the Rev’d Adam Lowe

Bible Passage: Matthew 21:28-32

INTRODUCTION \\ INTRODUCTION TO SERIES

This morning we begin a brand new series, in the lead-up to Easter, as we prepare to celebrate the phenomenal news of Jesus’ death and resurrection.

• We’re exploring six stories that Jesus shares, from his entry into Jerusalem, in chapter 21 in Matthew’s Gospel, right up to,the passion narrative in chapter 26, which begins with the plot to kill Jesus.

• These are provocative, often controversial stories, that rattle those who hear them, including us, as we’re challenged to see and accept who Jesus really is.

• We’re coming to the pointy-end of Matthew’s Gospel, with everything honing in and directing us to the reality: that Jesus is the Messiah, he’s God’s appointed King and Saviour. He’s the way through which his Kingdom is bursting into the world, and he’s also the way through which people become members of that Kingdom.

• This is the unfolding story of how grace and Jesus come together in the cross, and just how unsettling this news is for some people to hear and receive.

• We’ll see that very clearly today in the ‘Parable of the Two Sons’, but first we’ve got to know something of the story so far.

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STORY SO FAR \\ ESCALATING TENSION WITH JESUS AT HEART

Up to Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem, he’s been travelling around healing and teaching, and whilst there’s been tension with the religious leaders, they’ve tolerated him.

• But now, two key events that happen just prior to the parable, push that relationship to breaking-point.

• First, Jesus enters into Jerusalem on a donkey. That might sound like the most unthreatening thing you’ve ever heard, but as Jesus enters Jerusalem, to the shouts of ‘Hosanna’, which means ‘SAVE NOW!’, he’s fulfilling prophecy (cf. Isaiah 62:11 and Zechariah 9:9) and demonstrating that he is entering into Jerusalem as God’s appointed King.

• They identify him with the royal title, Son of David, and people are noticing…

10 When Jesus entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred and asked, “Who is this?”

• And then, if that doesn’t increase the tension enough, upon entering Jerusalem, Jesus goes immediately to the Temple and creates an enormous commotion, turning over the tables of money lenders, accusing the hierarchy of turning the place into a den of robbers,

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healing the blind and lame, whilst children shout ‘Hosanna to the Son of David’.

• People are wondering, who does this guy think he is? The chief priests and teachers of the Law are indignant. They’re wondering, by what authority does he think that he’s doing this.

• Heart-of-hearts, they know that the only person who would have the sort of authority, an authority greater than the chief priests themselves, is the Messiah.

• So they wouldn’t just be wondering ambiguously, who does this guy think he is,but actually, so, you think you’re the Messiah, do you?!? //

• Jesus knows their hearts. He knows what really lies beneath their questions, and so he shares a trio of parables, that not only point to his true identity, but challenge them to respond to God’s invitation.

• That’s why after all their questioning, Jesus simply says: what do you think? (v.28) • And he’s asking us the same thing. What do you think about who I am? • How we answer is critical, because what we discover in the parable is that: • It’s our RESPONSE to Jesus that matters;

It’s through REPENTANCE not our RECORD; and It’s only through GRACE that we’re saved.

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#1 RESPONSE IS WHAT MATTERS \\ VERSES 28-31a

So first, it’s our response to Jesus that matters.

“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.’ “‘I will not,’ he answered, but later he changed his mind and went. “Then the father went to the other son and said the same thing. He answered, ‘I will, sir,’ but he did not go. “Which of the two did what his father wanted?”

The answer to that question seems pretty obvious!

• If you had two children and asked one to go and do the washing up, and they refused,but then they went and did it on their own volition, you’d be pretty happy!

• And if the other child, who charmingly told you that they would do it when asked, perhaps just to look good at the time, but actually never did it, you’d be pretty cross!

• So which of the two did what the father wanted? • Well, it’s obvious! The child who said ‘no’, but then changed their mind. // • In the ancient world this whole scenario is even more dramatic, because in traditional

cultures, the rudeness with which the first child responds is unimaginable.

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• If a Father were to ask a child to do something, then they would have probably gone to the younger son first. Younger sons would work for the older ones.

• But in that culture, it would have been completely unacceptable to say ‘no’, the question is closer to a command, obedience would be the only proper response.

• Meanwhile the older son, the one who would have been entrusted with so much, the one who would inherit the lion share of the estate, the one who says they will do it, fails to follow through with action.

• He wants to look good;He responds to his dad ever so politely, “Yes, I will sir” - same word for ‘lord’, but he’s all talk, and no action.

• The son’s heart does not match his lips. That’s obvious for everyone to see. Even the religious hierarchy, when they’re asked that question, ‘who did what the father wanted’, then know it’s the first. That’s what they say. • But what they don’t quite get of course, is that Jesus is talking about them. • Jesus is saying, you might think you’re close to God,

you might say that with your lips,but how you are responding to me says something else.

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• You want to look godly, but you don’t want to look to God.

• At some level, they must have recognised that Jesus is talking about them, but just in case, Jesus joins the dots for them…

Jesus said to them, “Truly I tell you, the tax collectors and the prostitutes are entering the kingdom of God ahead of you. 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. (vv.31a-32)

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#2 REPENTANCE NOT RECORD \\ VERSES 31b-32

See, what Jesus is saying, that when it comes to responding to him, it’s about repentance not your record.

• This is getting incredibly personal. • Saying, do you see all of these people around me.

Prostitutes, tax collectors, all of these surprising people, people who are widely held in disrepute?

• Well they’re like the first son, who said no, but now have turned to me. • But you, to the religious elite, who have been given a place of privilege,

you’ve been given the Law, given assent to it, have not obeyed, nor listened to the messengers who have been sent to you.

• You’re like the second son who says yes, but has no intent to follow through. • You say you want God’s will, but your hearts are far from me;

you’re looking very religious, but you’re really just going through the motions. • And because of that, the very people you despise, but who have repented,

are going on into the Kingdom ahead of you.

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The religious elite would have been furious!

• They’d be thinking, are you serious Jesus, are you out of your mind!? • Prostitutes are unclean and sinful, exploiting their bodies for gain;

Tax collectors are collaborators with Rome, using their power to exploit fellow Jews. • But we’re doing everything right.

We don’t rip people off, we don’t sell our bodies. • But Jesus is challenging them to see that they’re missing the point.

it’s not about how good or bad you are, it’s not about a righteous record, it’s about repentant heart.

• The only thing that separates the two groups, is repentance.Not their social standing, not their past, but repentance. //

• The word ‘REPENT’ means to do an about face, to change one’s mind…not in a flippant way but in a way that recognises our wrongdoing, in a way that recognises who really is the boss.

• And note, that’s exactly what the first son did in the parable, in v.29:

“‘I will not,’ he answered, but later he changed his mind and went. (v.29)

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Jesus is saying to the religious people: you’ve refused to repent and believe.

• They were more interested in looking right, then being set right with God. • And now, despite all of the prophecy pointing to Jesus;

despite John having pointed to Jesus;despite the tax collectors and prostitutes repenting and believing;despite Jesus standing in their midst and showing them that he is the Messiah,they refuse to turn to him. //

• Presumably, it was some of those religious establishment right there, who would be the ones that would help orchestrate his trial and crucifixion. //

• But in this moment, as they look God himself in the eye, they have the opportunity to repent:to change their mind, to put their agenda aside, and chase after Jesus’ instead, but we can only assume that most of them do not.

• Despite all the evidence, their hearts were just too hard. • They don’t want anyone to interfere with their lives, not even God. • And Jesus is saying to them: you’ve refused to repent and believe.

I wonder if we can ever be like that with God?

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• Despite all the claims of who Jesus is. Despite all of the evidence of who Jesus is. That we’re just so offended by the notion that he would have a claim on our lives, we’re just so offended by the notion that he is judge over our lives, that our hearts become hard, and we simply refuse to turn to him.

Of course that’s not just a challenge for those who have never turned to God.

• Remember, Jesus is speaking to the ones who were the religious establishment. Presumably they didn’t start off following God with such hard hearts. Presumably they started off by saying “I will, Lord”, but now they have drifted away.

• Instead of turning outwardly to God, they’ve turned inwardly to themselves.

• The point is, if we find ourselves distant from God, we are free to come back to him not based on our record, but by simply repenting and believing, trusting, in Jesus.

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#3 IT’S ONLY THROUGH GOD’S GRACE \\ THE CROSS

It doesn’t matter what you’ve done, how far you think you’ve gone, how much you think you haven’t followed through with the “I will”, anyone can come back to God through repentance, because it’s all possible through grace. • Grace is a gift - it’s unmerited - it just needs to be received. • If God’s Kingdom was based on merit, no one could get in.

But because God’s Kingdom is based on grace, the doors are open for all who repent. • And if you think differently, then you will end up the religious people. • Can you see what happened?

They were so caught up in themselves, They were so caught up in their righteous works, that the idea that others - whom they deemed morally inferior - could enter the Kingdom ahead of them nonetheless, offended them.

• They had invested all of this energy into being righteous, and they guarded that position fiercely, that had to, because they thought their salvation depended on it.

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• There’s a very logical and natural progression here… If you reject grace, then you become your own saviour. And the moment you become your own saviour, you can’t help but become judge of everyone else.

• You can’t help but look down your nose at everyone else, because you’re so desperate to establish some certainty and security.

• Your religiosity, the very thing that is meant to point to God, takes away from God. • But when you rely on what Jesus has done, instead of what you've done,

you get to swap the insecurity of our performance, for the security of God’s love. • And then you can’t help but look longingly on other people,

because you've realised that actually we’re all in the same boat, and there’s only one answer: and his name is Jesus.

As we look to Easter, we need to let the consequences of grace really sink in to our lives.

• God loves you, not because of anything you’ve done, not because of anything you haven’t done, he just loves you. And that changes everything.

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CONCLUSION \\ REPENT & BELIEVE

A couple of weeks ago it was Valentines Day, and no doubt millions of people were saying ‘I love you’ to a special person. But can you imagine for a moment, if I were to go to Bettrys and say, “I love you because you cook beautiful dinners, or because of your extraordinary beauty, or because of your phenomenal patience”.

• Kind of sounds sweet at one level, but actually this could be crushing! • There’s little security, because very quickly she could hear this as,

“I love you, so long as cook beautiful dinners…” And all of a sudden you think that the other person’s love is conditional, it’s dependent upon your performance review, and that’s no way to live.

• All of those things may have been part of the occasion leading to love, but their not why I love her. I love her because I love her.

• Then how much greater it is with God, who loves us because he loves us. Who loves us perfectly, and has done everything to draw us back to him, even at the cost of his only Son.

• And here God’s Son stands, before the very people who will send him to the cross, and he’s about to show them just how far he’ll go for them.

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• You’re going to send me to the cross, but I love you so much, that I’ll do it. • I won’t resist it, I’ll embrace it,

Now stop resisting me, and embrace me. • What do you think? • Who do you think did what the Father wanted? • The one who said no, but then repented,

or the one who said yes, but never followed through? • Don’t head towards Easter without responding to Jesus.

Don’t head towards Easter by trying to do it on your own. • Look to Jesus,

Repent and believe, receive his gift of grace.

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