Sermons on San Mateo 21:31:

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

You And Who Else?

Contributed by Alison Bucklin on Jul 3, 2023

The Pharisees paid lip service to God, but were actually operating under their own power, for their own agendas, not God's. That is why they didn't really want to be told that Jesus was operating under God's authority.

“Who do you think you are? What right have you to tell me what to think?” Has anyone ever said that to you? It’s not very pleasant. But it happened to me, once. Back when I was just starting seminary. I had run into an acquaintance of mine named Nora. She was pretty vulnerable and sensitive to ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 21:23-32

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

The Parable Of The Two Sons & The Pharisee And Publican: The Power Of Humility, The Danger Of Pride Series

Contributed by Justin Steckbauer on Aug 28, 2022

I had learned about God when I was 7, 8, 9 years old, into my teens, but as my life became increasingly broken I rejected God, and went my own way in anger and pride.

I had learned about God when I was 7, 8, 9 years old, into my teens, but as my life became increasingly broken I rejected God, and went my own way in anger and pride. In my mind, I recall, I said to myself, we don’t need you God. We’re going to make this planet into a paradise on our own and show ...read more

Scripture: Luke 18:9-14, Matthew 21:28-32

Denomination: Salvation Army

Word Or Deed? Series

Contributed by Rev. Dr. Andrew B Natarajan on Apr 11, 2022

I would like to share with you about the two sons whom Jesus mentioned in his parable after the cleansing of the Temple at Jerusalem. Words or deeds? It is the straight forward question raised by God to everyone who reads this parable.

Theme: Word or Deed? Text: Matthew 21:28-33 Introduction: On this Holy Monday, I would like to share with you about the two sons whom Jesus mentioned in his parable after the cleansing of the Temple at Jerusalem. Words or deeds? It is the straight forward question raised by God to everyone who ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 21:28-33

Denomination: Methodist

Where Should We Spend The Tithe?

Contributed by Catharine Rhodes on Mar 10, 2023

Tithing and charity are cornerstones of our faith…but are we helping the right people?

Money and Tithing (Roughly 30 mins) Outline Challenge: we ask people to give money to the church arbitrarily Solution: consider the tithe a payment for good works Projection: if we are doing the work and reporting honestly, we will be supported. “Give money to the church”…why? What work ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 21:28-32, Leviticus 27:30-34, Deuteronomy 14:28-29

Denomination: Methodist

Trying To Trap Jesus - The Easter Story - Day 3 Series

Contributed by Jenny Franklin on Apr 3, 2023

Over the next few days, Jesus taught in the temple daily and lodged in Bethany. The religious leaders looked for an opportunity to kill Him and tried to trap Him with questions. Jesus rebuked them publicly. He spoke parables and talking to his disciples about the end times.

******************* Over the next few days, Jesus taught in the temple daily and lodged in Bethany. — Cursed the Fig Tree - Mark 11:12-14 — Temple Cleansed - Mark 11:15-19, Isaiah 56:7 — Children in the Temple - Matthew 21:12-17, Psalm 8:2 — Withered Fig Tree - Mark 11:20-26 The religious ...read more

Scripture: Mark 11:12-26, Isaiah 56:7, Psalm 8:2, Matthew 21:12-17, Matthew 22:15-46, Matthew 22:1-14, Matthew 24:26-43, Luke 21:8-13, Luke 21:18-28, Luke 21:34-36, Mark 13:3-23, Matthew 21:23-46  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

The Right Ways To Respond To Jesus Christ Series

Contributed by Rick Crandall on Dec 29, 2022

1. Accept the Lord's authority. 2. Answer the Lord's questions. 3. Apply the Lord's lessons.

The Right Ways to Respond to Jesus Christ The Gospel of Matthew Matthew 21:23-32 Sermon by Rick Crandall (Prepared December 29, 2022) BACKGROUND: *Please open your Bibles to Matthew 21. Here we are less than a week away from the cross of Jesus Christ. This chapter opened with Jesus entering ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 21:23-32

Denomination: Baptist

Fake Series

Contributed by Louis Mare on Jan 31, 2023

Do your coworkers know you are Christian? Does your work schedule reflect a weekly or yearly calendar of a Christian?

TO AVOID HYPROCRISY WE NEED TO LIVE OUR FAITH Do your coworkers know you are Christian? Does your work schedule reflect a weekly or yearly calendar of a Christian? Do you produce the best product or work as hard as you can to model excellent workmanship? Are you a benevolent manager? Do you care ...read more

Scripture: Romans 12:1-3, Matthew 21:28-32

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Faith Seen In Action Series

Contributed by D. Dewaine Phillips on Mar 25, 2022

The first son who "refused" to work, eventually did. The second son who "agreed" to work, later decided not to. Those expected to do great things for God can sometimes fail; whereas, those least expected can be used in a mighty way.

Have you ever felt God asking you to do some type of ministry that you believed was beyond your capabilities, and then you became reluctant? Did you say to yourself, “I’m never going to do that?” This is the way many people respond to the Lord’s call on their life. I’ve heard it said you should ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 21:28-32

Denomination: Baptist

The King's Authority, Warning And Judgment - Matthew 21.23-46 Series

Contributed by William Akehurst on Aug 23, 2025

JESUS, the rightful King, exposes hypocrisy, calls for repentance, and warns of judgment for those who reject HIM.

2025.08.24 Sermon Notes. The King’s Authority, Warning, and Judgment Matthew 21:23–46 (Part 2) William Akehurst, HSWC NOTE: If these messages bless you. Leave a review and 5-star rating so I know their impact on SC. Thank you. BIG IDEA: JESUS, the rightful King, exposes hypocrisy, calls for ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 21:23-46, James 1:22, Psalm 118:22-23, Zechariah 9:9, Isaiah 56:7, Jeremiah 7:23, Isaiah 5:7, Hebrews 11:6  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Don’t Be A Lost Sheep (Bible Study) – What Is A Lost Sheep? Series

Contributed by Christi Campione on Sep 11, 2025

How not to be a lost sheep and looking at the Bible as God’s Plan.

Download Sermon PDF for easy reading and printing: https://myprayernotebook4life.wordpress.com/sermon-pdfs/ Password: SermonCentral (If you are the pastor, start praying ahead of the series about assigning jobs in the church. Your congregation is called by God to work in the church. As they start ...read more

Scripture: Luke 15:1-7, Matthew 15:24, Matthew 21:28-32, 1 Kings 13:6-22, Luke 2:41-50  (view more)  (view less)

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

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

The Power Of Jesus PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Sep 29, 2023

Explore the authority of Jesus, the challenge of hypocrisy, and the power of repentance.

Good morning, family. We're about to dive into a rich passage of scripture today from the Gospel of Matthew, Chapter 21, verses 23-32. It's a passage loaded with profound lessons about the authority of our Lord Jesus, the challenge of hypocrisy, and the unmatched power of Jesus. Thomas Adams once ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 21:23-32

Topics: Hypocrisy