Dr Tom Hover
March 8, 2026
Matthew 21:23 thru 22:14 / Jeremiah 18:1-1
The Trinity Parables / God’s Cure For Broken Vessels
AM
The Trinity Parables
The Two Sons Part One
Matthew 21:23 thru 22:14
Overview To The Three Part Sermon Series:
In Matthew 21:23 thru 22:14 Jesus gives Three Parables
A. The Two Sons Matthew 21:23–32 They Rejected The Father.
B. The Vineyard Matthew 21:33–46 They Rejected The Son.
C. The Wedding Matthew 22:1–14 They Rejected The Spirit.
THE PARABLE OF THE TWO SINNING SONS
Matthew 21:28-32 Introduction: The Parable of the Two Sons is the basic story is of a man with two sons who told them to go work in the vineyard. The first son refused, but later obeyed and went. The second son initially expressed obedience, but actually disobeyed and refused to work in the vineyard. The son who ultimately did the will of his father was the first son because he eventually obeyed. Jesus then likens the first son to tax collectors and prostitutes—the outcasts of Jewish society—because they believed John the Baptist and accepted “the way of righteousness” (v. 32), in spite of their initial disobedience to the Law. This first parable especially exposes the hypocrisy of the critics of Christ. Let dig deep into this Parable:
I. The Sons Were Given Same Command!
A. The Command For The Sons Matthew 21:28 “...Son, go work to day in my vineyard.”,
Matthew 21:30 “...I go, sir: and went not.”, John 9:4, II Corinthians 6:2, II Thessalonians 3:10
II. The Sons And Their Conduct
Matthew 21:29-30
A. The Conduct Of The First Son.
First, His Refusal. “I will not” Matthew 21:29
Second, His Repentance. “Afterward he repented, and went”
1. His repentance did not come immediately.
2. His repentance implies that he was sorry.
3. His repentance was immediately followed by work.
B. The Conduct Of The Second Son.
First, His Dishonesty. “I go, sir, and went not” Matthew 21:30
Second, His Deference. “Sir” Matthew 21:30
Third, His Disobedience. “Went not” Matthew 21:30
Luke 6:46 And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?
III. The Sons In Contrast Matthew 21:31-32
After telling the parable, Christ compared the conduct of the two sons in order to expose the evil of these religious leaders who were His constant critics.
A. The Cross-Questioning In The Comparing.
“Whether of them twain did the will of his father?” Matthew 21:31
B. The Commendation In The Comparing. Matthew 21:31
“...Verily I say unto you, That the publicans and the harlots go into the kingdom of God before you.”
1. The Compassion In The Comparing. “Before you” Matthew 21:31
The compassion is in the fact that Christ did not say, “Instead of you.” Hence, He still left the door open for His critics to repent.
2. The Condemnation In The Comparing. Matthew 21:32
First, The Excellence Of John’s Ministry. Matthew 21:32
“For John came unto you in the way of righteousness, and ye believed him not:...” John’s ministry was a holy ministry.
Second, The Example Of Repentance. Matthew 21:32
“...the publicans and the harlots believed him: and ye, when ye had seen it, repented not....” The religious leaders saw great sinners repenting. There was plenty of example to encourage them to repent. But they would not repent; therefore, they are condemned greatly for their unbelief.
Conclusion: Which brother are we like?
1. Do not be too ready to say, “I will;” mean it first and then say it.
2. Cultivate courtesy, and before refusing a reasonable request be sure that you have good reasons for refusing.
3. Look upon this little parable as a picture of our Heavenly Father’s, call.
To every son He says, “Go work in My vineyard,” and He says, Do it “to-day.”
Is Your Name “I will,” or “I won’t?”
PM
God’s Cure For Broken Vessels
Main Scripture Text: Jeremiah 18:1-10; Jeremiah 19
Introduction: The Bible speaks, here, of the work that the potter did upon his wheels, in: Jeremiah 18:2-3
Let’s look at things in our text Word of God.
I. The Vessel Made
Jeremiah 18:6, Job 10:9, Isaiah 55:8-9, Psalm 103:7, Numbers 21:8-9, Romans 8:28
II. A Vessel Marred Jeremiah 18:4
III. The Vessel Mended
Jeremiah 18:4, Jeremiah 18:6-10
God can mend a broken life, if you'll give Him all the pieces. Just turn it over to Him. Just say, "Here it is, Lord." EXAMPLES: Jacob(Genesis 35), Jonah (Jonah 1:2, 3:1), Simon Peter,Samson (Judges 16),
IV. A Vessel Mutilated
Jeremiah 18:1-2, Jeremiah 19:10-11
In front of every unsaved man there is a deadline, and if he crosses that deadline, he is just as doomed, just as damned, as though the iron gates of Hell had shut closed behind him. In front of every life there is a deadline.
There is a time, I know not when; there's a place, I know not where,
That marks the destiny of men to heaven or despair.
There's a line by us not seen that crosses every path;
It is the hidden boundary between God's mercy and God's wrath. (Alexander, Joseph Addison).
Why did God do that? Well, we don't have to guess. Read : Jeremiah 19:15 “The hardened neck” II Thessalonians 2:10-12
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