Parable of 2 Sons 

Matthew 21:28-32 NLT
28 “But what do you think about this? A man with two sons told the older boy, ‘Son, go out and work in the vineyard today.’ 29 The son answered, ‘No, I won’t go,’ but later he changed his mind and went anyway. 30 Then the father told the other son, ‘You go,’ and he said, ‘Yes, sir, I will.’ But he didn’t go. 31 “Which of the two obeyed his father?” They replied, “The first.” Then Jesus explained his meaning: “I tell you the truth, corrupt tax collectors and prostitutes will get into the Kingdom of God before you do. 32 For John the Baptist came and showed you the right way to live, but you didn’t believe him, while tax collectors and prostitutes did. And even when you saw this happening, you refused to believe him and repent of your sins.


I. A disrespectful heart
28 “But what do you think about this? A man with two sons told the older boy, ‘Son, go out and work in the vineyard today.’ 29 The son answered, ‘No, I won’t go,’…

Colossians 3:20 NLT
20 Children, always obey your parents, for this pleases the Lord.

II.   Delayed obedience is disobedience
“…but later he changed his mind and went anyway.”

Jonah 1:3 NLT
3 But Jonah got up and went in the opposite direction to get away from the Lord.

Jonah 2:9 NLT
But I will offer sacrifices to you with songs of praise, and I will fulfill all my vows. For my salvation comes from the Lord alone.”
After Jonah had been discovered as the one who had angered God, and was the cause for the ship almost sinking, he was thrown overboard and God had a giant fish swallow him up, and take him to the bottom of the ocean. It was there, in the midst of his sin, that he turned back to God and repented and vowed to be obedient to the call God had asked him to do. Because of his repentance, God would spare his life, and recommission him to the task he had previously asked him to do.



III. A respectful heart
“30 Then the father told the other son, ‘You go,’ and he said, ‘Yes, sir, I will.’…”

1 Samuel 15:22-23 NLT
22 But Samuel replied, “What is more pleasing to the Lord: your burnt offerings and sacrifices or your obedience to his voice? Listen! Obedience is better than sacrifice, and submission is better than offering the fat of rams. 23 Rebellion is as sinful as witchcraft, and stubbornness as bad as worshiping idols. So because you have rejected the command of the Lord, he has rejected you as king.”

1 Peter 1:14-16 NLT
14 So you must live as God’s obedient children. Don’t slip back into your old ways of living to satisfy your own desires. You didn’t know any better then. 15 But now you must be holy in everything you do, just as God who chose you is holy. 16 For the Scriptures say, “You must be holy because I am holy.”

Luke 6:46-49 NLT
46 “So why do you keep calling me ‘Lord, Lord!’ when you don’t do what I say? 47 I will show you what it’s like when someone comes to me, listens to my teaching, and then follows it. 48 It is like a person building a house who digs deep and lays the foundation on solid rock. When the floodwaters rise and break against that house, it stands firm because it is well built. 49 But anyone who hears and doesn’t obey is like a person who builds a house right on the ground, without a foundation. When the floods sweep down against that house, it will collapse into a heap of ruins.”

IV.    Right heart, right action
31 “Which of the two obeyed his father?” They replied, “The first.” Then Jesus explained his meaning: “I tell you the truth, corrupt tax collectors and prostitutes will get into the Kingdom of God before you do. 32 For John the Baptist came and showed you the right way to live, but you didn’t believe him, while tax collectors and prostitutes did. And even when you saw this happening, you refused to believe him and repent of your sins.

John 14:15 NLT
15 “If you love me, obey my commandments.