Sermons on Matthew 21:23-32:

The Life And Death Struggles Series

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Dec 11, 2021

Today we are in a struggle like that between Moses and Balak, or between Jesus and the religious authorities, a battle to the death between God’s people and a pagan secular culture.

Homily for Monday in 3rd Week of Advent Balaam was a prophet for hire. He was a wealthy and respected prophet of Yahweh, but he was not an Israelite. Balak, a king who was in the way of Israel as they moved toward the Promised Land, was nervous about all these people moving across his territory. ...read more

Scripture: Numbers 24:2-7, Numbers 24:15-17, Matthew 21:23-27, Matthew 2:1-12

Denomination: Catholic

Responding To God's Call: The Parable Of The Two Sons

Contributed by Ronald Moore on Oct 31, 2023

This parable urges us to reflect upon our own responses to God's call and the transformation that genuine repentance brings to our lives.

Today, we delve into the Gospel of Matthew, specifically focusing on a parable told by our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, found in Matthew 21:28-32. This parable urges us to reflect upon our own responses to God's call and the transformation that genuine repentance brings to our lives. Let us ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 21:28-32

Denomination: Anglican

Wrong About Authority

Contributed by Michael Stark on Dec 14, 2024

When Jesus was challenged to name His authority to teach, he exposed His interlocutors as incapable of assessing His answer even were He to deign give it.

“When [Jesus] entered the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people came up to him as he was teaching, and said, ‘By what authority are you doing these things, and who gave you this authority?’ Jesus answered them, ‘I also will ask you one question, and if you tell me the answer, then ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 21:23-27

Denomination: Baptist

The Parable Of Two Sons And The Authority Of Jesus Series

Contributed by Dr. Bradford Reaves on Jul 26, 2024

Many talk about Jesus or celebrate Jesus, and they like to believe that it assures them of a spot in Heaven. What did Jesus say about this?

Dr. Bradford Reaves CrossWay Christian Fellowship Hagerstown, MD www.mycrossway.org As we continue through the parables, I realize that this is one of those parables that has always confounded me. It confounds me not because of the application but because of the theology. Most tried to impose ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 21:23-32

Denomination: Brethren

Jesus And The Agnostics - Mark 11:27-33 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Feb 11, 2024

Jesus has awesome authority, and it’s beautiful to us because it protects us from ourselves and others, it grants us all the freedoms we enjoy, and it authorizes us to act on his behalf without fear.

Mark 11:27 They arrived again in Jerusalem, and while Jesus was walking in the temple courts, the chief priests, the teachers of the law and the elders came to him. 28 "By what authority are you doing these things?" they asked. "And who gave you authority to do this?" 29 Jesus ...read more

Scripture: Mark 11:27-33, Matthew 21:23-27, Luke 20:1-8

Jesus With Authority

Contributed by Rev. Dr. Andrew B Natarajan on Mar 27, 2024

The authority of Jesus was questioned by the religious leaders. Jesus did not his source of authority to those wicked inquirers. But Bible reveals that his authority is unquestionable.

Text: Matthew 21:23-27 Theme: Challenge of Jesus’ Authority Introduction: The authority of Jesus was questioned while he was teaching in the Temple in Jerusalem, as reported in all three synoptic gospels: Matthew 21:23–27, Mark 11:27–33 and Luke 20:1–8. During the time of Jesus, chief priests, ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 21:23-27

Denomination: Methodist

Twenty-Sixth Sunday In Ordinary Time- Yes Means No And No Means Yes.

Contributed by Paul Andrew on Aug 21, 2023

Statistically, in St. Matthew’s Gospel, words and expressions which emphasize obedience, the doing of God’s will, are among his favorite.

Nikos Kazantzakis was a tortured Greek writer who was constantly haunted by God. He once wrote of an experience he had when he climbed Mount Athos to visit a monk at a monastery. “Father Makarios,” he said to the old monk, “I remember that in your younger days you wrestled with the devil. Do you ...read more

Scripture: Ezekiel 18:25-28, Matthew 21:28-32

Denomination: Catholic

18th Sunday After Pentecost. October 1st, 2023. Series

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Aug 29, 2023

Year A, Proper 21.

Exodus 17:1-7, Psalm 78:1-4, Psalm 78:12-16, Ezekiel 18:1-4, Ezekiel 18:25-32, Psalm 25:1-9, Philippians 2:1-13, Matthew 21:23-32 A). A PLACE OF NO WATER. Exodus 17:1-7. Moses must have been pretty near the end of his tether (Exodus 17:4). After all, the LORD had already heard the cries of His ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 17:1-7, Psalm 78:1-4, Psalm 78:12-16, Ezekiel 18:1-4, Ezekiel 18:25-32, Psalm 25:1-9, Philippians 2:1-13, Matthew 21:23-32  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Son, Go Work Today In My Vineyard

Contributed by John Gaston on Sep 26, 2023

Jesus tells us four things about how we're supposed to serve in the Kingdom of God. He tells WHO is to serve, HOW we're to serve, WHEN we're supposed to serve, and WHERE we're supposed to serve. Which Son are you?

SON, GO WORK TODAY IN MY VINEYARD Matt. 21:28-31 INTRODUCTION A. HUMOR: Lazy Son Chinese Proverbs 1. The Chinese have several proverbs about lazy sons. One says they “Mend the fence after the sheep are lost,” which means taking action too late or only so as to not repeat a misfortune. 2. ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 21:28-31

Denomination: Assembly Of God

No, It's Not Fair, But Bear With It In Christ

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Sep 28, 2023

Forget the old song that asks “how can it be wrong when it feels so right?” That’s unmitigated baloney. Your mind must rule your emotions, not vice-versa.

Twenty-Sixth Sunday in Course 2023 Have you or anyone you know ever said that some fine or traffic ticket or concert ticket price or something else “isn’t fair”? I suspect that a show of hands would involve almost everyone who is here today. That cry, “it’s not fair!” is one of the most common ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 2:1-11, Matthew 21:28-32, Psalm 25:4-9, Ezekiel 18:25-28

Denomination: Catholic

Finishing Strong By Keeping The Faith Series

Contributed by Mark Hall on Jan 7, 2024

The importance of keeping the faith and finishing our race.

I give my permission for this sermon to be used in its fullness for the glory of God. May all who read it and hear be blessed. FINISHING STRONG BY KEEPING THE FAITH In 1964, Billy Mills came out of nowhere to become the first, and only American to ever win the Olympic 10,000-meter race. Billy was ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 4:7-8, Philippians 3:14, Hebrews 12:2, 1 Corinthians 2:9, Matthew 21:28-31  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Doing Lesser Things

Contributed by Grant Adams on Feb 19, 2022

When we are at work, we know what is important and what not. Sometimes we make a list and set it up in priority. We typically don't do the least important things first. God has a list for us. We need to make sure we are doing the important things.

If we could say that a certain group or part of the membership of Fundamental Baptist Church is carrying on the work that Jesus called us to do, it would have to be this group. The Wednesday night crowd many times come to church when they have worked all day long. You are tired. You are worn out. ...read more

Scripture: John 4:31-34, Matthew 21:28-30

Denomination: Baptist

Qq & Aa Series

Contributed by Jason Jones on Jun 4, 2025

This morning we are going to see some truths that get to the heart of the religious establishment’s problem with Jesus: his authority.

Background to passage, Matthew 21:23-27: Last week of Jesus’s life. Follows Sunday’s prophetical and demonstrative entrance into Jerusalem, Monday/Tuesday’s indictment of the temple practices, the living parable of the cursing of the fig tree, and now he is teaching in the temple on Tuesday ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 21:23-27

Denomination: Baptist

The Corrupt And Despised In Heaven

Contributed by Jason Jones on Jun 4, 2025

Today we are reminded of the eternal importance of your words matching up with you deeds, especially as it relates to internal realities.

Background to passage, Matthew 21:28-32: after the confrontation about Jesus’s authority and John the Baptist, Jesus tells a series of three parables. They have a common thread, the failure, indictment, and judgement of the Jewish leaders. This is the first - The Two Sons. Opening illustration: ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 21:28-32, Romans 7:15-25

Denomination: Baptist

Serving In God's Garden SermonCentral

Contributed by SermonCentral on Sep 9, 2023

When God instructs us to serve in His garden, He is asking us to prioritize His needs over our own. This means stepping out of our comfort zones to reach out and minister to others.

Title: Occupying for the Lord Introduction: In Matthew 21:28-31, Jesus shares a parable about Christian service and the attitude that pleases Him. A father approaches two sons and instructs them to go and work in his vineyard. Although they receive the same assignment, their responses and ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 21:28-32

Topics: A Rewarding Life, God's Needs