“True Sons of God!”

“True Sons of God!”

Matthew 21:28-32 + Philippians 2:3-11

Grace, mercy and peace be unto you from God our Father, and from our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.

Dearly Beloved in Christ Jesus,
What’s wrong with this picture? A professor of mine asked a liberal professor, “Do you
deny that Jesus is the Son of God?” He answered, “No, of course not, no more than I would
deny that you or I are sons of God!” But if Jesus is the same kind of son of God as everyone
else – as you or I, in particular – than no one can be saved, not even Jesus!
In our Gospel lesson for this morning, The Son of God tells a parable about two other
sons of God, that is, about two groups of God’s people, one which began as outwardly obedient,
but became inwardly unbelieving, and the other which was initially outwardly disobedient but
became inwardly believing. His point is to categorize all mankind, including you and me, as
being of one type or the other. But has either one retained the right to inherit his father’s
house? Perhaps, but not for the reason most people would conclude, for we see here that:

I. All the sons of men are always disobedient sons of God in one way or another. (Matt:
21:28-32)
A. One son says “Yes, father,” and then disobeys. (vs. 29 “'Son, go work today in the
vineyard.' And he answered and said, 'I will, sir'; but he did not go.”)
1. He is like the leaders of the Jews in Jesus’ day.
2. Outward obedience covering an unbelieving heart (pietism) is damnable.
a. (vss. 31b-32) "Truly I say to you that the tax-gatherers and
prostitutes will get into the Kingdom of God before you! For John
came to you in the way of righteousness and you did not believe him;
but the tax-collectors and prostitutes did believe him; and when you
saw this, you did not repent and believe him.”
b. They were thus doubly guilty.
c. Like anyone who comes to Church just because “It’s the right thing
to do, rather than because Christ dispenses the forgiveness of sins
here, and then refuses to say the confession of sins with the rest of
the Congregation!!
(1) He doesn’t believe he needs the forgiveness.
(2) But when he sees people both worse and better than he
confessing their sins he will not join them.
(3) Let no mouth which refuses to confess its sins receive the
body & blood of Christ in the Sacrament, for to do so would be
utterly damnable!! (Repeat)

B. Another son says, “No, father,” and then repents and obeys. (vs. 30 "And he came
to the second and said the same thing. But he answered and said, 'I will not'; yet
afterward he regretted it and went.”)
1. He is like the open sinners in Jesus’ day.
2. Repentance beats lip-service every time!! (vs. 31a "’Which of the two did
the will of his father?’ They said, ‘The second one.’")
a. It is not just his work in the vineyard which is the will of his father.
b. But rather, it is his love for his father, and therefore regreting
having disobeyed him which pleases him.

II. Only The Son of God who is The Son of Man is perfectly obedient in every way!!!

A. He is “in very nature God” the Son! (vs. 6 “Christ Jesus, who, although He was
in very nature God, did not regard His equality with God something for selfglorification.”)
1. The God who made us all. (Heb. 1:2) “In these last days God has spoken to
us in His Son, whom He appointed heir of all things, through whom also
He made the world.”
2. The God who “upholds all things.” (Heb.1:3a) “And He is the radiance of
His glory and the exact representation of His nature, and upholds all
things by the word of His power.”

B. “But He emptied Himself, taking the form of a slave by coming in the likeness of
men.” (vs. 7)
1. He was “Obedient to the point of death...on a cross.” (vs. 8 “And being
found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient
to the point of death, even death on a cross!”)
a. Unlike the second son in His parable, when His Father said, “Son,
go work today in the Vineyard,” He answered “I will!” (John 5:36
"But the witness which I have is greater than that of John; for the
works which the Father has given Me to accomplish, the very works
that I do, bear witness of Me, that the Father has sent Me.”)
b. Unlike the first son in His parable, however, He then rolled up His
sleeves & accomplished all His Father’s will!
(1) (John 19:28-30) After this, Jesus, knowing that all things
had already been accomplished, in order that the Scripture
might be fulfilled, said, "I thirst!" A jar full of sour wine was
standing there; so they put a sponge full of the sour wine
upon a branch of hyssop, and brought it up to His mouth.
When Jesus therefore had received the sour wine, He said, "It
is finished!" And He bowed His head, and gave up His spirit!
(2) (Heb.1:3b) “When He had made purification of sins, He sat
down at the right hand of the Majesty on high!”
2. He did this “For us men and for our salvation.” (Nicene Creed)
a. (Gal. 4:4-5) “But when the fulness of the time came, God sent forth
His Son, born of a woman, born under the Law, in order that He
might redeem those who were under the Law, that we might receive
the adoption as sons!”)
(1) Jesus’ death is our death for our sins!!!
(2) Jesus’ obedience is our obedience by faith.
b. (John 14:19) “Because I live, you shall live also.”
(1) Jesus’ resurrection is the death of death
(2) and our eternal life!!!

III. Therefore, “True Sons of God” are those who by Faith Live Lives of Daily Repentance.

A. By Nature, we cannot deny that we are sons of Adam.
1. We do not “have this attitude in ourselves which was in Christ Jesus.” (v.5)
a. We do nearly everything “From selfishness or empty conceit.” (vs. 3a
“Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit.”)
b. We do not “Regard one another as more important than ourselves.”
(vs. 3b “But with humility of mind, let each of you regard one
another as more important than himself.”)

B. By Grace, we confess and rejoice that God’s Only-Begotten Son has taken our
place under the wrath of God.
1. Like the “tax-gatherers and prostitutes,” we have found God’s Savior!
2. Like Ezekiel of old, we have heard the desire of God our Savior that we
“repent and live!” (Ezek. 18:32 “For I have no pleasure in the death of
anyone who dies, declares Yahweh Elohim!!!”)

Dear Fellow Redeemed in the Blood of God’s Only-Begotten Son:

To say “Yes” to God’s Law, and then fail to carry it out is certainly damnable, because
our answer is obviously meaningless in the end. But to say “No” to His Law is equally
damnable, whether or not we end up doing what He demands of us, for He will tolerate no
backtalk whatsoever (“You shall not take the Name of the God your SAVIOR in vain!”). Sadly,
we all fall continually into one or the other of these conditions. Therefore, since we rarely, if
ever, say “Yes” and then actually obey Him, there is only one hope of our being and remaining
“True Sons of God” – through the grace and merit of His Only True Son, Jesus. May your
faith and hope of all things great and wonderful be based solely upon His blood and
righteousness, both now and forever! Amen.

The peace of God which passes all understanding, keep your hearts & minds in Christ Jesus. Amen.