The Parable of The Seat of Honor

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                                                The Parable of the seat of Honor                            
Opening Prayer
Father God, again we gather to study the teachings of Your Son our Lord Jesus. We pray that you will open our hearts and minds to your word, and help us to garner from this study these things that you would have us learn. We pray a blessing for those of our group who cannot be here tonight, we miss them and pray for their well being. Bless us now as we enter into this study. Amen

                                                        The scripture reading
Luk 14:7  Now he told a parable to those who were invited, when he noticed how they chose the places of honor, saying to them, 8  "When you are invited by someone to a wedding feast, do not sit down in a place of honor, lest someone more distinguished than you be invited by him, 9  and he who invited you both will come and say to you, 'Give your place to this person,' and then you will begin with shame to take the lowest place. 10  But when you are invited, go and sit in the lowest place, so that when your host comes he may say to you, 'Friend, move up higher.' Then you will be honored in the presence of all who sit at table with you. 11  For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted." 12  He said also to the man who had invited him, "When you give a dinner or a banquet, do not invite your friends or your brothers or your relatives or rich neighbors, lest they also invite you in return and you be repaid.13  But when you give a feast, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind,  14  and you will be blessed, because they cannot repay you. For you will be repaid at the resurrection of the just." 15  When one of those who reclined at table with him heard these things, he said to him, "Blessed is everyone who will eat bread in the kingdom of God!"
        In these verses we see the historical development of the plan of salvation. (1) Prophetic announcement represented by the first invitation. (2) Second The assumption that one is chosen over another, when all are equally called. (3) Then as Christ explains, the extension of the invitation to the hitherto uninvited lesser guests, the Gentiles.
       Humility is a grace within the reach of every true Christian. Not everyone has the resources, time or opportunities for working directly for Christ. We don’t all have gifts of speech and knowledge for preaching and teaching. But everyone can demonstrate his commitment to Christ by his humility. What gifts we have surely must include humility.

Q.1 What reason is given as to why Jesus spoke this parable?
Q,2 What does Jesus mean by saying we should not exalt ourselves?
Q.3 How is that done in our world today
Q.4 What in your opinion makes humility different from our other gifts of the Spirit?

                                   How is one tempted?
Luke 14:7  Now he told a parable to those who were invited, when he noticed how they chose the places of honor, saying to them,8"When you are invited by someone to a wedding feast, do not sit down in a place of honor, lest someone more distinguished than you be invited by him, 9  and he who invited you both will come and say to you, 'Give your place to this person,' and then you will begin with shame to take the lowest place.




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Jesus has noticed one obvious trait that seems to go along with the self righteous Pharisees who are driven more by their social status and the details of the law than by their grace and humility. They were each one seeking the place of honor. This was simply responding to a need that all of us have for recognition and the feeling of self worth. Those are natural instincts, and are just two of the several Spiritual Gifts that God gives to us
But there are drawbacks to allowing these instincts to direct our lives, our daily routines, our social behavior, even our worship. Jesus considered these guests to be among those who were seeking recognition, more for self gratification and the selfish desire to appear important among their peers. Our world is filled with many who are like that, and Jesus saw that in these Pharisees. This parable tells us that we are to be humble in our place among our peers.

Q.1 Why is humility so important to a Christian? Can we not be self motivators, self made, proud and successful, and still enter our salvation?
Q.2 How is it that we can come to the end of our days, thinking that we can be anything other than who we really are? Are there those who think otherwise?
Q.3 What, if any, of your actions today relate to how you wish to be remembered?
Q.4 What is the thing that drives one to want success, fame and fortune?
Q.5 During Jesus’ forty days in the wilderness, Jesus was tempted by Satan in 3 ways, What were those temptations? Read Matthew 4:3-10
Q.6 And for what purpose did Satan offer these temptations to Jesus?

                                         The proper attitude                                  
       10. But when you are invited, go and sit in the lowest place, so that when your host comes he may say to you, 'Friend, move up higher.' Then you will be honored in the presence of all who sit at table with you. 11  For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted."

      It is quite useless to attempt to be humble with one of our peer group unless in our heart we are really humble with God. So if you are humble, and allow that you speak charitably to all those within your sphere of influence, there is the chance that you will attain a place of greater influence by having a Christian influence with your humility
Sympathy is power, but there is no sympathy where there is self. Self must step back and give way to a more humble and sympathetic view. There are times in our day to day living where we take issue with certain things or events, where our actions prove to be abrasive rather than diffusive, Where discretion would have been better served had we remained silent, and humbled ourselves. Everyone has experienced such times, we should learn from our mistakes and let humility guide our actions, words, and deeds

Q.1 What are the instances in your day to day living that sometimes try your humility?
Q.2 What is there about being humble that does not sit well with some people?
Q.3 Are there times in your life, when you are more humble? when might that be?




                                                                                                                                                        Pg.3
                                                   
                                                          Be Charitable
12 He said also to the man who had invited him, "When you give a dinner or a banquet, do not invite your friends or your brothers or your relatives or rich neighbors, lest they also invite you in return and you be repaid.13  But when you give a feast, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind,  14  and you will be blessed, because they cannot repay you. For you will be repaid at the resurrection of the just."

Jesus is telling us that we are not to be so exclusive as to overlook some who might be more appreciative of such things, The question is one not at all of social fellowship, but one of graciousness  and of the objects to which our charity should be devoted. When you would lavish time and resources, says Christ, let the lavishing be not for your own personal gratification, but for the blessing of others.
But the admonition of the text reaches beyond social gatherings, it applies generally to the habit of laying out freely, profusely, and graciously, in order to comfort, profit, or draw attention to ourselves, and exhorts us instead to confine such laying out to generous and benevolent projects—to the work of giving pleasure, of rendering service, of communicating good, which is the very principle and Spirit of Him who, when He poured out His soul unto death, did it to bring us to God.

Q.1 What should be a Christians approach to social gatherings?
Q.2 What are some of the worthy causes that we can support as a social group?
Q.3 Do you feel that some of our social events compare to what Jesus is telling his host?

                                      Who is entitled?
15 When one of those who reclined at table with him heard these things, he said to him, "Blessed is everyone who will eat bread in the Kingdom of God”.

We do not know how Jesus felt about this man, he did not say about him one way or the other. We can presume him to be a Pharisee, or just another guest, and either way his words are true, and it is to be desired that we are blessed enough to “eat bread in the Kingdom of God”.
If this man was truthful and humble then surely he will be thought to be included in his statement, and would be invited to “eat bread in the Kingdom of God”.
If however this man was presuming that because of his birth or that he was Jewish, or a Pharisee, and deserved to be one who will eat bread in the Kingdom of God. It then could be said of him that he was making a presumption that he was entitled, and felt that he deserved it by his birthright or because of his social status, or his rank as a Pharisee. Jesus answers him with another parable, about wedding guests who were not included.

Q.1 What are some suppositions one might make about being Christian?
Q.2 What are some circumstances where ones worthiness might come into question?
Q.3 What does humility mean to you in reference to this study.
Q.4 What does the word “entitlement” mean to you?
Q.5 Jesus words were spoken to those at the feast for their benefit. What are his words to us from this parable?

                                   

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Scripture Verses
Matthew 4:3-10  The tempter came to him and said, "If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread." 4  Jesus answered, "It is written: 'Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.'" 5  Then the devil took him to the holy city and had him stand on the highest point of the temple.
Mat 4:6  "If you are the Son of God," he said, "throw yourself down. For it is written: "'He will command his angels concerning you, and they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.'" 7  Jesus answered him, "It is also written: 'Do not put the Lord your God to the test.'" 8  Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. 9  "All this I will give you," he said, "if you will bow down and worship me." 10  Jesus said to him, "Away from me, Satan! For it is written: 'Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.'"

                                                               Meditation
Who wants to be last?  Isn't it only natural to desire respect and esteem from others?  Jesus' parable of the guests invited to the marriage feast probes our motives for seeking honor and position.  Self-promotion is most often achieved at the expense of others!  Jesus' parable reinforces the teaching of Proverbs: Do not put yourself forward in the king's presence or stand in the place of the great; for it is better to be told, "Come up here," than to be put lower in the presence of the prince (Prov. 25:6-7).  
What is true humility and why should we make it a characteristic mark of our life and action?  True humility is not feeling bad about yourself, or having a low opinion of yourself, or thinking of yourself as inferior to others. True humility frees us from preoccupation with ourselves, whereas a low self-opinion tends to focus our attention on ourselves.  Humility is truth in self-understanding and truth in action. Viewing ourselves truthfully, with sober judgment. It means seeing ourselves the way God sees us (Psalm 139:1- 4). A humble person makes a realistic assessment of himself without illusion or pretense to be something they are not.  One regards oneself neither smaller nor larger than they truly are. True humility frees us to be ourselves and to avoid despair and pride.  A humble person does not have to wear a mask or put on a facade in order to look good to others who do not know who they really are.  They are not swayed by accidentals, such as fame, reputation, success, or failure.
Humility is the foundation of all the other virtues because it enables us to see and judge correctly. Humility leads to knowledge, honesty, realism, strength, and dedication to give ourselves to something greater than ourselves.  Humility frees us to love and serve others selflessly, for their sake, rather than our own.  Paul the Apostles, gives us the  greatest example and model of humility is the person of Jesus Christ, who emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, ...who humbled himself and became obedient unto death, even death on a cross (Phil. 2:7-8).   The Lord gives grace to those who seek him humbly.  Do you want to be a servant as Jesus served?

Closing prayer, "Lord Jesus, you became a servant for our sake to set us free from selfishness, fear, and conceit.  Help us to be humble as you are humble and to love freely and graciously all whom you call to serve. Be with those of our friends and loved ones who need your healing touch.______________ We pray that your tender loving mercies will give healing, comfort and peace to those we have named, and others of our acquaintance who need your healing touch. " Bless us now as we go our separate ways, in Jesus name we pray Amen.

The Parable of The Talents, Part Two of Two

                                           The Parable of The Talents, Part two                                               Pg.1
                      We resume this study with the closing page of last weeks study 

Last week we stopped at “How to Express responsibility. So far we have covered only two verses of the parable of the talents. Tonight we will cover the remaining verses . We were told that each of the servants were given a certain amount to invest. We understand that the parable is about doing the prudent thing with our talents, and that is called “making do with what one has been given”. Taking those resources that we have been given and putting them to good use for our Master.

Opening Prayer: God our Father, we ask Your blessing on our study tonight, and ask that we take from it that which You have purposed for our use in growing Your Kingdom. We pray that you will judge us not on the results, of our efforts, but on our willingness to use those talents which  you have given to us for that purpose. Be with those of our group who cannot be here tonight. We ask that you share our blessing with them. And we pray that You will make a blessing for those of us and our friends and loved ones who need your healing touch.  We pray that You will Join with us now as we study Your Word. In Jesus Name we pray, AMEN.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          
                                                How to express responsibility
16 He who had received the five talents went at once and traded with them; and he made five talents more. 17 So also, he who had the two talents made two talents more. 18 But he who had received the one talent went and dug in the ground and hid his master's money.
Just as children are given certain tasks to perform, and when doing a good job of it they are made to feel capable. As we grow older we learn that making the best of what we have is a pleasant experience. But we also learn that some of us that are not as adept at certain of life’s tasks as are others.  We all have been equipped fundamentally the same, but we are physically, mentally, and spiritually, different. None of us are gifted exactly the same.
We are Disciples with a charge to keep. but servants too, who must give an account This verse is telling us that God has given each of us in differing amounts, the ability, time, and resources to do the work that he is expecting us to do. Last week we studied about our gifts, this week we will discover what God expects that we can do with them.
The type and number of talents varies with our ability to manage them. The Master is not unreasonable, and never places more on us than we are able to do. It is by use that the power to use grows. By carefully employing our opportunities, our sphere of service may be greatly widened, so that, at the end of life, we shall be able to do more than at the outset. The time, talent, ability, and resources we were blessed enough to receive are gifts from God and are not for our own edification nor for the use by us for self promotion, but to use in service to God and the growing of His Kingdom.

Q.1 Why did the Master entrust five talents to the first servant?
Q.2 And likewise the servant who had been given only two talents?
Q.3 And the third servant, wouldn’t you have felt slighted by this lack of equal treatment?
Q.4 We have listed 20 talents (Gifts of the Spirit) there are many more, what are yours?
Q.5 What do you think, Does God give us talents that some of us do not recognize?
                                                                                                                                     
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                         The accounting

19 Now after a long time the master of those servants came and settled accounts with them. 20 And he who had received the five talents came forward, bringing five talents more, saying, `Master, you delivered to me five talents; here I  have made five talents more.' 21 His master said to him, `Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a little, I will set you over much; enter into the  joy of your master.' 22 And he also who had the two talents came forward, saying, `Master, you delivered to me two talents; here I have made two talents more.' 23 His master said to him, `Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a little, I will set you over much; enter into the  joy of your master.'
Just as sure as we who are born as sinners with no hope of salvation except for Our Lord Jesus Christ, it is a certainty that his return is near to all. Not just to those who profess to be His followers. Know this, a lifetime is but a moment when compared to eternity, so we must always be prepared for His return, for it is the truth that Jesus will return, and His judgment will befall all of mankind.
Our servants in this parable are well aware of this fact, and they immediately make certain plans to care for their gifts. We must understand one fact about these gifts, that applies to each servant equally. Their gifts are temporary, The Master will return, and claim that which was his at the beginning. Everyone is given a gift or gifts as The Master sees fit considering the ability of each one. The Master has made that judgment long before the moment of your first breath.
Our servants in this parable know their Master and they know what will be expected of them. Just as we as children learned to know our parents and what they expected of us. The gifts (talents) we have are God given gifts of the Holy Spirit, and thus are for our use in promoting his Kingdom, and as well, they are for our well being. His Gifts to us are investments that he has given to us to manage. We absolutely do know what to do with them. And just as absolutely we will choose to work with them or not to work with them, that is our free will choice. God has left no directive, and Just as Adam and Eve did in the garden, we make the choice as to what we do with our gift in God’s garden.

Q.1 Having been away for a long time, what does the master expect from his servants?
Q.3 How would one make an evaluation of each servants performance?
Q.4 Read II Corinthians 5:10, On what basis will everyone be judged?
Q.5 Read Luke 12, vs.48 Can we make a comparison in vs. 48 with the verses of our study?
Q.6 Jesus is telling this parable to his Disciples, But what are we to garner from this study?
Q.7 Assess the matter of your own gift(s) Have you managed them well? Could you have done better? Do you have questions?

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                           Complacency will destroy 

24 He also who had received the one talent came forward, saying, `Master, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you did not sow, and  gathering where you did not winnow; 25 so I was afraid, and I went and hid your talent in the ground. Here you have what is yours.'
This servant, who had received only one talent, charges his Lord with reaping where he had not sown, and gathering where he had not scattered seed, thus throwing the blame off himself by endeavoring to prove that his own failure is not of any fault of his own, but is a result of unreasonable expectation by the Master. How is that thought justified?

The words, "Here you have what is yours", teach us that the most unfaithful servants are willing to make a compromise with God, even though they have nothing to present to Him but the truths of their own negligence. Thus the unfaithful servant here speaks to his Master as if he were fulfilling an act of justice by returning to his Lord what he had received from him; This failure to develop and use his talent for gain must have been a disappointment for his Master. If this were your employee how would you feel?

Tragically, Christ will return and take away even the little that this person has in talents and abilities. This servant buried his talent and didn’t use that which the master had gifted him.  He hid it which means that a God given talent was abused by having been hidden and allowed to fail. Are there instances where we see this in today's world?

This parable is a warning for us Christians as well. The one who professes to be a Christian, yet disables the talents given to them by God is harming the Church universal with their selfish act, and giving away even that which they have, and endangering their own salvation. Read (Matt 10:32-33)

Which are you; a faithful servant or one that hides their talent and their profession of faith in Christ?  Have you buried your talents or are you using them?  Are you a servant of Christ or a self-seeking servant that is only interested in meeting your own needs?  Only you and the Lord know. Read (Matt 10:37-42).

Q.1 How did this servant try to justify his poor performance?
Q.2 What are your feelings about this mans poor performance?    
Q.3 What prompted his actions. Selfishness, fear, bad judgment, sloth, or all of these?
Q.4 Poor judgment; How is his poor judgment expressed?
Q.5 Fear; How is his fear expressed?
Q.6 Selfishness; How is his selfishness expressed?
Q.7 Sloth; How is his slothfulness expressed?
Q.8 How is it that he also seems to be blaming his master?
Q.9 Do we too, sometimes want to place the blame for our poor performance on something or someone else?

                                                                                                                                                        Pg.4             The Consequence of Inaction

26 But his master answered him, `You wicked and slothful servant! You knew that I reap where I have not sowed, and gather where I have not  winnowed? 27 Then you ought to have invested my money with the bankers, and at my coming I should have received what was my own with interest. 28 So take the talent from him, and give it to him who has the ten talents. 29 For to every one who has will more be given, and he will have abundance; but from him who has not, even what he has will be taken  away. 30 And cast the worthless servant into the outer darkness; there men will weep and gnash their teeth.'

These verses are a vivid description of how the master values this servants ability, and results. Although there are others in this parable who have benefited from the Masters gifts, There would not be any increase nor any use made of the talents had not there been an instinctive effort to make good use of them by the ones so gifted. And the Master is well aware of who those servants are and what they are capable of .
The master has given this man one talent because he knows his capability is limited. But he trusted that he would at least have put his talent to some good use. Instead he buried the talent, which rendered it useless. It would have been better should he have at least tried to make use of the talent. Even if it lost value he would have at least made an honest effort. Now the master deems him completely useless and orders him thrown into the outer darkness.
Jesus our Lord and Savior gives to each of us the ability and the desire to serve him. We are given certain Gifts (talents) in differing amounts, and if we reap anything from this study it is that we must make use of what God has given us in order to help to grow his kingdom. If we choose not to serve Him (as do some like the slothful servant) then we give our master just cause to exact His judgment on us.

Q.1 The world offers distractions from our Masters plan. Why are some tempted to fail? Read Genesis 3: 2-6
Q.2 Considering this scripture, what are your distractions?
Q.2 What were this servants distractions?
Q.3 The slothful servant was cast into the outer darkness. What vision comes to mind?
Q.4 The faithful servants joined the joy of their master. What is that vision like?
Q.5 What in your opinion are the take away points to remember about this study?


Closing Prayer "Lord, be the ruler of our hearts and thoughts, be the King of our abode and our relationships, and be the master of our work and service.  Lead us in the way that You would have us go, and lead us away from the worlds temptations. Help us to make good use of the gifts, talents, time, and resources You give us for Your glory and your kingdom." Be with our sick and disabled and offer them your healing touch, ___________ restore their strength and give them hope and healing, We ask this in the name of Your Son our Lord Jesus, AMEN



                                                                                                                                               Pg.5

                                                                                                                                                 
Meditation: What can economics and productivity teach us about the kingdom of heaven?  Jesus' story about a businessman who leaves town and entrusts his money with his workers made perfect sense to his audience.  Wealthy merchants and businessmen often had to travel abroad and leave the business to others to handle while they were gone.  Why did Jesus tell this story?   Most importantly it tells us something about how God deals with us, his servants.  The parable speaks first of the Master's trust in his servants.  While he goes away he leaves them with his money to use as they think best.  While there were no strings attached, this was obviously a test to see if the Master's workers would be industrious and reliable in their use of the money entrusted to them.  Third, the master rewards those who are industrious and faithful and he punishes those who sit by idly and do nothing with his gifts.  The essence of the parable seems to lie in the servants' conception of responsibility. Each servant entrusted with the master's money was faithful up to a certain point.  The servant who buried the master's money was irresponsible.  One can bury seeds in the ground and expect them to  become productive because they are responding to God’s plan for them, natural laws. Coins, however, do not obey natural laws.  They obey economic laws and become productive in circulation.  The master expected his servants to be productive in the use of his money.  What do coins and the law of economics have to do with the kingdom of God?   The Lord entrusts the subjects of his kingdom with gifts and graces and he gives his subjects the freedom to use them as they think best. With each gift and talent, God gives the ability, the means (grace and wisdom) for using them in a fitting way. As the parable of the talents shows, God abhors indifference and an attitude that says it's not worth trying. God honors those who use their talents and gifts for doing good. Those who are faithful with even a little are entrusted with more! But those who neglect or squander what God has entrusted to them will lose what they have. There is an important lesson here for us. No one can stand still for long in the Christian life. We either get more or we lose what we have. We either advance towards God or we slip back. Do you earnestly seek to serve God with the gifts, talents, and graces he has given to you?

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Scripture readings

2Corinthians 5:10  For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each of us may receive what is due us for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad.

Luke 12:48  But the one who does not know and does things deserving punishment will be beaten with few blows. From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked.

Matthew 10:32-33  "Whoever acknowledges me before others, I will also acknowledge before my Father in heaven. 33  But whoever disowns me before others, I will disown before my Father in heaven.”

Matthew 10:37- 42  "Anyone who loves their father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves their son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. 38  Whoever does not take up their cross and follow me is not worthy of me.
39  Whoever finds their life will lose it, and whoever loses their life for my sake will find it. 40  "Anyone who welcomes you welcomes me, and anyone who welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me. 41  Whoever welcomes a prophet as a prophet will receive a prophet's reward, and whoever welcomes a righteous person as a righteous person will receive a righteous person's reward. 42  And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones who is my disciple, truly I tell you, that person will certainly not lose their reward."

Genesis 3:2-6  The woman said to the serpent, "We may eat fruit from the trees in the garden, 3  but God did say, 'You must not eat fruit from the tree that is in the middle of the garden, and you must not touch it, or you will die.” 4 "You will not certainly die," the serpent said to the woman. 5 "For God knows that when you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil."
6 When the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye, and also desirable for gaining wisdom, she took some and ate it. She also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it.

The Parable of The Talents, Part One of Two

                                                                                                                                                        Pg.1
                                                         The Parable of the Talents                                                
                                                             A two part study    
This parable of the talents places emphasis on the matter of Jesus’ disciples and the work they must do in his absence. This message is a charge for his disciples of that day, and even now is a charge to us as Disciples of Christ, to see to the use of the (talents) that we have been given. Each of us has a responsibility, some of us more so than others in support of and to help the message of salvation to reach all the world. Should we choose not to respond in kind, there will be consequences.
This parable is a two part study. First we will study our several talents, and examine their possibilities. In the second part of the study we will study how we are expected to use them and the consequences of refusing to do so.

 Opening Prayer: God our Father, we ask Your blessing on our study tonight, and ask that we take from it that which You have purposed for our use in growing Your Kingdom. We pray that you will judge us not on the results, of our efforts, but on our willingness to use those talents which  you have given to us for that purpose. Be with those of our group who cannot be here tonight. We ask that you share our blessing with them. And we pray that You will make a blessing for those of us and our friends and loved ones who need your healing touch.  We pray that You will Join with us now as we study Your Word. In Jesus Name we pray, AMEN
                                Scripture:  Matthew 25:14-30      
14 "For it will be as when a man going on a journey called his servants and entrusted to them his property; 15 to one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one, to each according to his ability. Then he went away. 16 He who had received the five talents went at once and traded with them; and he made five talents more. 17 So also, he who had the two talents made two talents more. 18 But he who had received the one talent went and dug in the ground and hid his master's money. 19 Now after a long time the master of those servants came and settled accounts with them. 20 And he who had received the five talents came forward, bringing five talents more, saying, `Master, you delivered to me five talents; here I  have made five talents more.' 21 His master said to him, `Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a little, I will set you over much; enter into the  joy of your master.' 22 And he also who had the two talents came forward, saying, `Master, you delivered to me two talents; here I have made two talents more.' 23 His master said to him, `Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a little, I will set you over much; enter into the  joy of your master.' 24 He also who had received the one talent came forward, saying, `Master, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you did not sow, and  gathering where you did not winnow; 25 so I was afraid, and I went and hid your talent in the ground. Here you have what is yours.' 26 But his master answered him, `You wicked and slothful servant! You knew that I reap where I have not sowed, and gather where I have not  winnowed? 27 Then you ought to have invested my money with the bankers, and at my coming I should have received what was my own with interest. 28 So take the talent from him, and give it to him who has the ten talents. 29 For to every one who has will more be given, and he will have abundance; but from him who has not, even what he has will be taken  away. 30 And cast the worthless servant into the outer darkness; there men will weep and gnash their teeth.'
                                                             
                                                                                                                                       Pg.2
                                                                                                                                   
        The parable teaches 4 basic principles of a successful approach to life

First,  this parable teaches us that God has given to each of us certain abilities and attributes that differ one from another, so that each may serve Him in ways that are unique to our specific gifts;
Second, the parable teaches that God gives to each of us the ability and resources, to do what He has called us to do, and He asks no more from us than what He has given us the ability to do;
Thirdly, this parable teaches us that success is a product of the proper use of God’s gifts to us, and the effort that we are willing to put forth to manifest them in our lives;
Fourthly, We are led by this parable to come to the knowledge that each of us, as we use our gifts in service to Him, are to understand that we do not serve Him to our own glorification, but it is for His Glory that we strive.
And there is a fifth conditional lesson to be learned from this parable as well. And that is that those who are given even the barest minimum of these certain gifts, but have no desire to please God with their efforts in any way will indeed suffer the consequences.
We read in this parable that the rewards are commensurate with the results of our work. So then are we to understand that Jesus is teaching us that works do matter when assessing one’s faith? Of course the answer is yes, But they must accompany reason and faith.
Jesus was not born of woman as a man for the purpose of anything other than making a way of salvation to all those who are otherwise lost souls, and He did that by doing the work that God sent Him to this earth to do, and when he had accomplished that task, (dying to save lost sinners) he declared that “It is finished” This is a classic statement of truth. God conceived Him, gave him a family, educated Him, fully equipped him, and gave Him the time and the resources which he used in his work. Jesus Christ is the Epitome of good works and faith, not everyone believes that, but we as Christians know it is true. Jesus Christ is our salvation.  “Jesus Saves”
Now we as Christians are just not equipped to even scratch the surface on the work of salvation that was accomplished by Jesus. God has not equipped us to do the works that Christ did, but we have been equipped with the time, the resources and the ability to make the effort that God expects us to make in order to spread his message worldwide.

Q.1 How does this parable teach us that success is a product of our own effort?
Q.2 Regarding Quotas, can someone explain how that applies to one’s effort?
Q.3 Can we explain God’s gifts of time and ability, do some have more than others?
Q.4 How is it evident that God expects differing results from different people?
Q.5 If God has given us these attributes, why does God not state the desired result ?
Q.6 We are cautioned not to work for our own glorification in doing God’s work, Why wouldn’t it be helpful if we became famous for doing God’s work?
Q.7 In this parable, there is mention of “talents” is this the same as Gifts of the Spirit? If so What are our gifts?
Q.8 There are consequences for those who misuse, or do not use their gifts, but what of those who feel that they have no gifts?

                                                                                                                                               Pg.3

                 A distribution according to our ability

14 "For it will be as when a man going on a journey called his servants and entrusted to them his property; 15 to one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one, to each according to his ability. Then he went away.

Here we are to understand that The Man (God) Who is going to go away for a time, but will return. He knows the certain abilities of each of his servants, (us), and now he turns over his property to us to care for. Each one is given some portion for which they are to be responsible.
God has gifted us with who we are, now it is our gift back to him to make who we are a better more productive and righteous person, using his gifts to us as the basis for our investment, and we are to make of it what our abilities will allow.
As disciples we are to care for God’s world. Just as he expected from Adam and Eve, we too are to be responsible for the share which we have been given. Of all his gifts to us, none are alike, each of us has been given our own special abilities. God knows our abilities, and what we are capable of, and has challenged us accordingly. Each with a different charge,
God, as he did with Adam and Eve, has placed before us, certain responsibilities and it is up to each of us as to if, and how we are to manage those responsibilities. He makes “distinctions” among people in regard to abilities, and in the powers and opportunities of usefulness, requiring them to discharge their duties there, to the best of their ability.

Q.1 Why did The man not give each one the same amount of talents with which to work?
Q.2 How does God know to make distinctions among people?
Q.3 What about those who hear God’s call and do nothing?
Q.4 Can one go through this life and never become aware of these certain responsibilities?
Q.5 Isn’t there something missing here? A list of what to do and how to do it?
Q.6 Or do we just choose what to do, and how we want to do it? Or not?
Q.7 How can we determine our gift(s)?
Q.8 We have listed some of our gifts, now do we know what our gift is?














                                                                                                                                       Pg.4
                                                                                                                   
                        How to express responsibility

16 He who had received the five talents went at once and traded with them; and he made five talents more. 17 So also, he who had the two talents made two talents more. 18 But he who had received the one talent went and dug in the ground and hid his master's money.
One servant invested and doubled the amount that he invested, by trading. Another did the same but with a lesser amount, and a third took the amount given him and buried it. It neither gained in value nor did it lose value.
This verse is telling us that God has given each of us in differing amounts, the ability, time, and resources to do the work that he is expecting us to do. It is illustrating what the possibilities are and what our abilities are capable of accomplishing.
 We are Disciples with a charge to keep. but servants too, who must give an account of our stewardship. The number of talents varies with our ability to manage them. The Master is not unreasonable, and never places more on us than we are able to do. It is by use that the power to use grows. By carefully employing our opportunities, our sphere of service may be greatly widened, so that, at the end of life, we shall be able to do more than at the outset. The time, talent, ability, and resources we were blessed enough to receive are gifts from God and are not for our own edification nor for the use by us for self promotion, but to use in service to God for His use and His alone.

Q.1 How would you rate the ability of the first servant who had been given five talents?
Q.2 And likewise the servant who had been given two talents?
Q.3 And then the third servant, what was his problem?
Q.4 Now then which servant would you choose to do your investing?
Q.5 Have you by now determined what your skill is?


Closing Prayer: Dear God, be with us now as we go our separate ways. We pray that You will help us in our efforts to apply the teachings of Jesus to our daily living. Help us to be faithful stewards of your word, and give us the desire and the will to do the work of growing Your Kingdom as we go about our daily living. We ask that You offer Your healing touch to those of our friends and loved ones who are suffering, and in poor health ____________Give them Your peace and comfort to help them through their trials. In Jesus’ name we pray, AMEN.

  We will resume next week with the second part of our study of the parable of the talents.








A compilation of The Gifts of The Spirit taken from Biblical passages
                                          For use with the parable of the talents
There are three biblical lists of the “gifts of the Spirit,” also known as spiritual gifts. The three main passages describing the spiritual gifts are Romans 12:6-8; 1 Corinthians 12:4-11; and 1 Corinthians 12:28. The spiritual gifts identified in Romans 12 are prophesying, serving, teaching, encouraging, giving, leadership, and mercy. The list in 1 Corinthians 12:4-11 includes the word of wisdom, the word of knowledge, faith, healing, miraculous powers, prophecy, distinguishing between spirits, speaking in tongues and interpretation of tongues. The list in 1 Corinthians 12:28 includes healings, helps, guidance, diversities of tongues. And from James 1:17  Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.

1) Prophecy – to interpret the purposes of God,  preachers are our prophets, they have been called by God and educated to lead guide and direct their congregations, under God’s direction, that is a gift.

2) Serving – Also referred to as “ministering,” the word “deacon,” means service of any kind, the broad application of practical help to those in need.

3) Teaching – This gift involves the analysis and proclamation of the Word of God,  to clearly instruct and communicate knowledge, specifically the doctrines of the faith.

4) Encouraging – Also called “exhortation,” to call upon others to heed and follow God’s truth, which may involve correction or building others up by strengthening weak faith or comforting in trials.

5) Giving – Those who joyfully share what they have, whether it is financial, material, or the giving of personal time and attention.

6) Leadership – One with the gift of leadership rules with wisdom and grace and exhibits the fruit of the Spirit in his life as he leads by example.

7) Mercy – The gift of mercy is obvious in those who are compassionate toward others who are in distress, showing sympathy and sensitivity coupled with a desire and the resources to lessen their suffering.

8) Wisdom – The word of wisdom represents one who can understand and speak forth biblical truth in such a way as to skillfully apply it to life situations with discernment.

9) Knowledge – knowledge allows us to see the circumstances of our life the way that God sees them. Through this gift we can determine God's purpose for our lives and live accordingly.

10) Helps –Those who aid and assist others in the church with compassion and grace. To help those in spiritual need with understanding and compassion. and to speak scriptural truth.

11) Faith – Bestowed on all who come to Christ, (Galatians 5:22-23). The gift of faith is a strong and unshakeable confidence in God, His Word, His promises, and the power of prayer to effect miracles.

12) Healing – Although, even today, God miraculously heals.  The medical feild is also a spiritual gift to man through which God also works, using his Healing power working through mans gifted abilities.

13) Miraculous powers – Events that could only be attributed to the power of God, and through which God still works today, Prayer is the gift, Miraculous effects are the result

14) Discernment of spirits – Satan, purveying deceptive and erroneous doctrine.is still loose in our world, but the gift of discerning spirits is given to the Church to protect it from Satan's wiles

15) Speaking in tongues – The gift of tongues, given to the early Church to enable the gospel to be spread throughout the world, is still practiced by some in the Church today. And from 1 Corinthians. 14:27-28 - If anyone speaks in a tongue, let there be two or at the most three, each in turn, and let one interpret. But if there is no interpreter, let him keep silent in church, and let him speak to himself and to God.

16) Interpretation of tongues – Interpretation of tongues is the only one of the nine gifts of the Spirit that is dependent upon another gift. It will not happen unless the gift of tongues has been spoken.

17) Governance- The Gift of Governance in this instance refers broadly to the mechanisms, processes and relations by which the Church, (God’s people) are ruled over and taught.

18) Evangelism- The gift of evangelism is worldwide and is one of the best gifts God has given mankind. We are to make that our Goal as it is what Jesus has issued as our charge.

!9) Hospitality- Practiced worldwide and most Christians the world over have this gift in some form or another. However the Church ( God’s People) are to be the mother of hospitality

20) Missionary – This also is a gift Most Christians will practice at sometime in their life either at home or abroad, and it is a gift that each can easily understand and put into practice.

The Parable of The Wicked Tenants

                           
                               Opening Prayer                                                   Pg.1
Father God we ask your blessing on this study tonight, that you would open our minds and our hearts to your word.  Bring us to the realization of those matters that you would have us learn from this study. Make us aware that in this world you do not always work independently.  Help us to realize that we too are vessels that you use to further your Kingdom on this earth. And it is our good fortune to live in the greatest most blessed country in the world, and for that we are thankful. We pray that your peace and comfort be with those of us who are sick or disabled and cannot be here tonight. We ask that you share our blessing with them. Lead us now and give us understanding as we study the teachings of Jesus, In Jesus Name we pray Amen

The Pharisees had just challenged Jesus’ authority and He responded by asking them to identify John the Baptist’s authority. They refused to answer his question So Jesus then speaks a parable about a father and two sons, directed to those who were questioning Him, and in the process he told them that the prostitutes and tax collectors would enter Heaven before they would. He now has their full attention. With everyone now in a heightened state of anxiety Jesus tells them another parable which further intimates that they are not doing the will of God with their religious bigotry and pious holier than thou attitude.
                           The Parable of The Wicked Tenants                                                      
Mat 21:33  "Listen to another parable: There was a landowner who planted a vineyard. He put a wall around it, dug a winepress in it and built a watchtower. Then he rented the vineyard to some farmers and moved to another place. 34  When the harvest time approached, he sent his servants to the tenants to collect his fruit. 35  "The tenants seized his servants; they beat one, killed another, and stoned a third. 36  Then he sent other servants to them, more than the first time, and the tenants treated them the same way. 37  Last of all, he sent his son to them. 'They will respect my son,' he said. 38  "But when the tenants saw the son, they said to each other, 'This is the heir. Come, let's kill him and take his inheritance.' 39  So they took him and threw him out of the vineyard and killed him. 40  "Therefore, when the owner of the vineyard comes, what will he do to those tenants?" 41  "He will bring those wretches to a wretched end," they replied, "and he will rent the vineyard to other tenants, who will give him his share of the crop at harvest time." 42  Jesus said to them, "Have you never read in the Scriptures: "'The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone; the Lord has done this, and it is marvelous in our eyes'? 43  "Therefore I tell you that the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people who will produce its fruit. 44  Anyone who falls on this stone will be broken to pieces; anyone on whom it falls will be crushed." Mat 21:45  When the chief priests and the Pharisees heard Jesus' parables, they knew he was talking about them.
46  They looked for a way to arrest him, but they were afraid of the crowd because the people held that he was a prophet.
This parable is even more accusatory than the first, and in it he tells them that They will be denied Heaven because of their religious bigotry and selfish actions.

Q.1 What is Jesus’ main objection concerning their religious beliefs and actions?

                                                           


                                      Jesus sets the scene                                                           Pg.2
The parable begins by speaking about a landowner who made an investment, Then the landowner did four things; (1) He planted a vineyard; (2) He built a wall around it for security from animals and trespassers; (3) he dug a winepress in it; and (4) he built a watchtower so as to provide protection for the vineyard from thieves.
The vineyard was very well laid out. The landowner provided everything to assure growth and fruitfulness for his vineyard.  He expects it to bring forth good grapes, to bear good fruit to produce good wine and food for consumption. There are 7 main points to be considered in this parable: (1) the landowner; (2) the vineyard; (3) the tenants/farmers; (4) the landowner’s servants; (5) the son; (6) the other tenants; and (7) The improvements that that the landowner put into his vineyard

Q.1 Who is Jesus alluding to when speaking about “The landowner”?
Q.2 To what or to whom is Jesus alluding when describing the “vineyard”?
Q.3 Who is represented by the “tenants” who are supposed to work the vineyard?
Q.4 Who are represented by the “landowners servants”
Q.5 Who is Jesus alluding to when speaking about the “Landowners Son”?
Q.6 There is reference to “other servants” who do they represent?
Q.7 What is representative of the improvements that the landowner put into his vineyard?

                                      What does God expect?
When we look closely at the use of the word 'vineyard' in the parable, we realize that it represents something else - not just the nation of Israel. What else does it represent? It represents the kingdom of God. Compare two verses, v. 41 with v. 43.
Notice how the landowner trusted the tenants. He left them to care for his vineyard as they wished. They were given the privilege of being free to use their own ingenuity and ideas, and not have someone looking over their shoulders and forcing them to work in a particular way. God trusted His people. Unfortunately they abused that trust.
In our parable, the vineyard is also an allusion to Israel. Jesus explained that when God chose Israel to be His people, He wanted some spiritual fruit. So He sent His servants. The servants represent the prophets that God sent to the Jews down through the centuries to remind them of their obligations. When you read the writings of the prophets, you can see that the prophets were constantly calling for spiritual fruit, reminding God's people that they are God's vineyard and that they must produce the kind of fruit that God expects. What happened to those prophets? Some had been beaten (Jeremiah 20.2). Some had been killed (Nehemiah 9.26). Some had been stoned (2Chronicles 24:21). This is unfortunately the way the Jews treated the servants of God. And Israel is now at the point of rejecting and killing Jesus, the Son of God.

Q.1 Describe the type of fruit that God was expecting from Israel in this parable.
Q.2 But instead of spiritual fruit, what did the tenants do for God?
Q.3 After His first servants were killed God sent more, what does that tell us about God?
Q.4 What would be a practical analysis of this investment that the landowner has made?
Q.5 God sends His Son. He too is killed. What does that say about Gods chosen people?



                                                                                                                                               Pg.3
                                What are the consequences?
Think about the landowner and ask yourself this question. Why would a person plant a vineyard, and then rent it to someone else? Is there something other than grapes that he expects? Remember the words in Isaiah 5:1-2: …My Well-beloved has a vineyard … He expected it to bring forth good grapes… 'The Master has a vineyard. He expected fruit from it.'
 We read in v. 45, Now when the chief priests and Pharisees heard His parables, they perceived that He was speaking of them, and they perceived that they were being associated with the tenants who killed the prophets. To restrict the tenants to the religious leaders alone would be, a narrow interpretation.  No Jewish hearer would fail to recognize that the rejection of God's sovereignty involved not only the leadership but also the nation as a whole. The people, (God’s Chosen People) had strayed away many times, and now, Jesus is bringing their infidelity into focus and they were offended by his accusations.  But Jesus tells them how it will be by asking a question. 40  "Therefore, when the owner of the vineyard comes, what will he do to those tenants?" And they condemn themselves with their answer?

Q.1 What is their answer? Read vs. 41 and discuss how they arrived at that answer?
Q.2 How is it that they did not immediately recognize that they were the tenants?
Q.3 Isn’t it obvious that Jesus was speaking of the Jews? How do we conclude that?
Q.4 Read vs.42 thru 44. Has Jesus now involved anyone else?
Q.5 How would one further describe the ramifications of vs. 44.

                The relevance of the parable in today’s world
Now how is this parable relevant to us? Yes, it deals with the kingdom of God. But what do we learn about the kingdom of God that is applicable to us? Here we need to talk about the key idea of this parable. This story has to do with the matter of fruit and of being fruitful. In the kingdom of God, the Lord looks for fruit from His people.
In verse 41. the vineyard is taken away from those who do not produce any fruit and given to those who do. In verse 43, the kingdom of God is taken away from those who do not produce its fruits and given to others who will. The two sentences express the same idea. The main difference is that the word 'vineyard' in v. 41 is replaced by the expression 'kingdom of God' in v. 43. By this simple comparison, you can see that the vineyard represents the kingdom of God. The vineyard that the landowner planted in the parable is the kingdom of God.
If you are in the kingdom, you are in the same position as the tenants of the vineyard who were supposed to look after it and produce the fruit that the master expected. We must understand why we are in the kingdom. God entrusts His kingdom to our care so that we may produce the fruit that He desires.

Q.1 What is the fruit that God expects from his tenants?
Q.2 What Does Jesus require of his followers?
Q.3 What is the mission statement of Advent Presbyterian church?
Q.4 What Has Jesus said is the greatest commandment?



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Closing Prayer
Father God,  be with us now as we leave this place. May we carry with us your blessing as we continue in our efforts to live the life of a disciple of Jesus Christ. We pray for your continued watch over our loved ones and those among us who need your healing hand to touch them in their time of distress.___________ We pray now that we may cause You great joy by sharing your love with others as we have seen it in your Son our Lord Jesus, as we continue in our day to day living,  It is in Jesus name we pray, AMEN

Meditation
Jesus, walking with his disciples after arising one morning was hungry, and Seeing a fig tree by the road, he went up to it but found nothing on it except leaves. Then he said to it, "May you never bear fruit again!" Immediately the tree withered. When the disciples saw this, they were amazed. "How did the fig tree wither so quickly?" they asked. We would probably have asked the same question. Jesus answer had to do with faith. "Truly I tell you, if you have faith and do not doubt, not only can you do what was done to the fig tree, but also you can say to this mountain, 'Go, throw yourself into the sea,' and it will be done. If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer.
No one who is a Christian would expect to call for a mountain to be thrown into the sea and then have it actually happen, as Jesus often did, he used an unlikely allegory to make a point. Jesus is God incarnate, nothing He does, nothing he did or will do is without a purpose and a reason.
It is acting in faith to believe that God can do anything that one asks of Him, and if it lies within the boundaries of His will, it will happen. But what one cannot do is have God act on our behalf to satisfy our desire to have a self gratifying moment in time.
The apostle Paul made an interesting statement in Romans 7:4. He said that the whole point of becoming a Christian, and more specifically of the believer's death to the law, is that he may bring fruit for God. Likewise, my brethren, you have died to the law through the body of Christ, so that you may belong to another, to him who has been raised from the dead so that we can bring forth fruit unto God.
It is our privilege to walk day by day with Jesus and to bear fruit as we go. To be generous and self giving, To care for the elderly, the sick, the widows and orphans, the downtrodden and the poor, to promote peace and good will, and to avoid the frustrations of self serving gratification in all that we do. We are his servants, and just as he expected fruit from the fig tree, and finding none caused it to wither and never bear fruit again. We are to bear fruit for our God. He has fully equipped us and given us a Savior and the Holy Spirit who by the grace of God are there to help us with our day to day walk with Him. We pray that we will never hear His words “May you never bear fruit again” spoken to us.
God has put in our minds, a vineyard. It is in our thoughts and in our desire. We perceive it as a Heavenly eternal existence in His Kingdom, It has been fully prepared just as Paradise was prepared for Adam and Eve. We have been given full awareness of it and a desire to have it. May every step we take, and every move we make be rendered fruitful until that happy day when we will hear his words “Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master's happiness!'

The Parable of The Two Sons

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Opening Prayer
Father God, we come to study about Your Son, Our Lord Jesus Christ. In our study tonight, Jesus offers criticism of those who profess to be religious, but have no heart for God. Bless those who are here tonight with the perfect understanding of those things which You would have us learn from this study. Bless our brothers and sisters in Christ who need your healing touch, give them reassurance, comfort and strength to endure. We ask this in the name of Jesus. AMEN

The Pharisees had just challenged Jesus’ authority and He responded by asking them to identify John the Baptist’s authority. They refused to say that John’s authority was from Heaven because they didn’t like John nor what he preached. But they knew what John was proclaiming - that Jesus was the Messiah. They refused to say that John’s authority was from Satan because they feared the crowds. So Jesus refused to answer them, by what authority he was doing what he proclaimed as his fathers will. Then he speaks a parable directed to those who were questioning Him.

                                     The Parable of The Two Sons
Mat 21:28-32  "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.
 
There are five representations in this parable (1) The father as God the father of both sons, both Jews and gentiles in this case, (2) The first son as the Gentiles, who at first resisted Him as the Messiah, but later repented and believed, (3) The second son as the self righteous Jews and religious leaders who wanted nothing to do with John or with Jesus, (4) The abundant Grace and Forgiveness of God, and (5) The unrepentant hard hearted Jews, and religious leaders of that day, who would not believe.
Jesus is confronting the elders and chief priests, and religious leaders who were adamant about protecting their laws and traditions against one who appeared to be reinterpreting the law, and rejecting tradition, and who overthrew the money changers, and upset their commercial use of the temple.
                                                                                                                               
Q.1 Why were the people listening to and beginning to follow Jesus ?
Q.2 What decisions faced the religious leaders of the day, concerning Jesus ?
Q.3 When we say that we are followers of Jesus, what does that statement convey to others?
Q.4 Why did the religious leaders of that day have difficulty with Jesus teaching?
Q.5 Of the conflicts described in this parable, what are some comparisons in our present day?
                                                                                                   


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 Mat 21:28-32  "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.

Here we have “a man” which we might suppose to be God, but for the purpose of this parable, he was a father to two sons. Under the emblem of these two sons, one of whom was disobedient, and insolent, but who after reflecting on his ways and having a conscience for what is right, repented of his ways and returned to serve his father.
There are people like this son, who when they first hear the call from God to go work in his vineyard, they flatly refuse, but after a time of reflection and repentance they have a change of heart, and actually want to be in the service of God. Jesus uses the tax collectors and prostitutes of that day, to illustrate those who were changed, and believed the preaching of John.
There are those times in everyone’s life when we are faced with a task that we do not want to do, or a request for our time that we do not wish to share. We sometimes react in a manner similar to one or other of the two sons in this parable. The father of these two sons never made a demand on either son, But there are of course certain expectations, and needs. The vineyard must be worked, and each son knew that it was time for their participation in the effort of keeping the fathers vineyard, It is not as if they did not know.
Our Father God does not make demands on us, and we are free to choose to refuse his leading. But we also are privileged to enjoy the life God has given us, and in refusing his teachings, we should know that our decisions have consequences. God will see to that. The time to do the right thing will become evident to the truly repentant.

Q.1 Describe the feeling one gets when rebelling against a thing that you know you should do?
Q.2 What is it that could make one have a change of heart, and turn back to do the right thing?
Q.3 After rebelling, might one actually want to repent? Do you suppose this first son felt that?
Q.4 Jesus is speaking to the scribes and the chief priests and those that have come out against    John’s  preaching and teaching. Why was John’s teaching being rejected by this certain group of people? Read Matt. 3:1-12








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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
 Here we have the second son, a hypocrite, who promised to go, but did nothing. Jesus points out, on the one hand, the tax-gatherers and sinners of all descriptions, who had been convicted by the preaching of John and that of Christ, and who had turned away from their iniquities and embraced the Gospel. Then this second son who spoke the words that answered his fathers desire to have his son do as he asked, but proved to be a liar, not trustworthy nor did he have a care for doing what pleased his father. His interests were self serving and did not include his fathers request.
 We learn, that one father can beget children of vastly differing characters.  And indeed, we all have one Heavenly Father, and there are great differences in the characters of men.
The first son did the father's will. But with a second glance, we see that both sons brought dishonor to the father, the first by his words, the second by his deeds. Neither son was in the right. One had the words, and the other had the deeds. We remember from Matthew's conclusion to the Sermon on the Mount that merely saying the right words does not ensure entry into the kingdom of heaven. Active obedience to Jesus' teachings must be present The first son was initially, not only obstinate, but also rude and self serving, when answering “I will not”    The second son’s words, in contrast, were pure hypocrisy, an attempt to, for the moment, make himself sound like a loyal son, but proved to be a liar as he spoke the words “I will sir” while knowing full well that he would not do as the father requested.
The first son repented:  “Later he changed his mind and went.” This was true repentance, for it led to practical obedience. The second son simply did not go. He represents easy going, self-complacent, selfish and, self serving people who take their own virtue for granted, thinking they are controlling their own Salvation.

Q.1 The second son says yes, but then does not do as asked by the father. In this parable we are not given a reason for either sons decision. What do we think the reason might be for his deceit?
Q.2 There is a threshold whereby one will act on a certain thing to be done, or not. Usually there are consequences to be considered. What might the consequences be in this case?
Q.3 In this case both sons did the opposite of what they said, Jesus is illustrating the attitudes toward the father of each son. How does this fit with what you know of the world today?
Q.4 What impression is left with the father in both cases?






                                                 
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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.

  Here we see the great value of the parable, for the answer to Jesus’ question is so obvious.  Men are much more ready to point out the faults of others, before they see their own.  “He compels them to realize and even to declare their own guilt. ‘The first,’ they answered.”
Then Jesus tells them that the publicans and the harlots, having heard John and repented will go into the kingdom of God before them. They represent the first son. They embraced the Messiah, believed in him. And it is easy to observe, that a poor profane sinner may, by the grace of God, be brought to repentance, and then become willing to go and work in the Lord's vineyard and be at last glorified.
Then there is the self righteous person, notwithstanding all his fair promises and resolutions to do the right thing, his professions of, and pretensions to religion, neither repents of his sins, nor believes in Jesus as the Messiah. He has no share in the kingdom of grace here, nor will he enter into the kingdom of glory.
So, this parable becomes a warning to all those who show lip-service to the Father. We learn that faith does not consist merely in a person giving subscription to true doctrine, but also includes something greater and deeper:  This parable is a gift of hope to those who had sinned in the past—even grievous sinners—who repent, and obey and serve the Father.  “Let it be a settled principle in our Christianity that the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ is infinitely willing to receive penitent sinners.  It matters nothing what one has been in time past.  When repentance is genuine, and one has come to Christ?  Then old things are passed away, and all things are become new.

Q.1 Why was Jesus so critical of the scribes and chief priests and elders of the people?
Q.2 What has John to do with all of this?
Q.3 What is a proper explanation of “The way of righteousness” that John was teaching?
Q.4 What was the common view of “Prostitutes and tax collectors” of that day?
Q.5 What was symbolic of the Pharisees of that day?
Q.6 We are given choices in life, just as in this parable. We can choose to serve God or not serve God. What will have the most influence in helping us make our decision?









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Closing Prayer
Father God,  be with us now as we leave this place. May we carry with us your blessing as we continue in our efforts to live the life of a disciple of Jesus Christ. We pray for your continued watch over our loved ones and those among us who need your healing hand to touch them in their time of distress. Some are ill some are conflicted, all need your healing power.___________ We pray now that we may have Your guidance to do the right thing as we continue in our day to day living,  It is in Jesus name we pray, AMEN

Meditation
Well-meaning people often advise you to “do the right thing.” “What does that even mean?” You want to ask. “How do I know what the right thing is? But if we’re honest with ourselves, there is always a choice that at times, somehow sits better inside us. We understand our being naturally inclined to one choice as an indication that we ought then to give more consideration to the other. Yet we are drawn to one or the other.
So much of our younger lives are about learning to follow instructions, to obey boundaries, and to flourish within the systems in which we’re enrolled–all of which are worthwhile lessons. Now however, we are long past those school days. There is no all-powerful “should;” there is no “have to.” and there is no one with absolute sway over our decisions. There are those however that can influence us though, and we must always be on guard. 1Pe 5:8  Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. We must see to it that our decisions are not governed and lorded over by  an outside force, that does not necessarily have our best interests at heart. Such as the poor people, harlots and publicans of Jesus’ day who were lorded over by the religious leaders of that day.
 The teachings of Jesus give us the freedom to be our best, to live the life that Jesus teaches as the most fulfilling and most true to God. Then to serve the world on the terms that Jesus has laid out in parable after parable. The Christian has the same choices to make as do non-Christians. However as Christians we are held to a higher morality than those who do not believe. Our guideline is the guiding light that shines through our study of the Bible. Not necessarily as Presbyterians, or Baptists or as Catholics, but as Christ-ians, followers of the way. It is the scarlet thread of redemption that threads it’s way throughout the Bible from “The Fall of Man” to “The Apocalypse and The Consummation of The Age”. The life and times of the men of God, The teachings of Jesus as given to us in His Parables. The word of God from the mouth of God, the one who is of God and Sent to us by God, for the sole purpose of teaching us how to arrive at Heavens Gate with our “Redemption Certificate” of Salvation from our Savior Jesus Christ.  Pay close attention to every word that proceeds from the mouth of God. Then we are commissioned to go and make disciples of all nations.