The scripture the sermon was on was Matthew 21: 28-30. It is a
short parable Jesus tells about a father and two sons. The father asks the
first son to go work in the vineyard today and the boys first response is
defiant but later he ends up going and working in the vineyard. The second son
is asked the same thing and his initial response is obedient willingness but he
ends up not going to the vineyard. What did I learn from the sermon and this
parable? My initial thoughts on these verses were that it was about obedience
but the preacher of the day, Dr Earl Palmer was given some insight from God
that he shared. He didn’t focus on the obedience but rather on what motivates
obedience. Our relationship with God should be one of love, respect and total trust but as
Dr Palmer pointed out Jesus is very well aware of our humanness. Both of the
sons had flaws that motivated their thoughts and actions. We aren’t capable of
responding as I considered as the “third” son who says he will go to the
vineyard and does. I can’t do it alone. Dr Palmer brought up the idea of “lag”
time. This is the time in between God’s call and our response. Instead of
jumping the gun and saying I will or I can’t or I won’t, I need to give my
heart and soul time in prayer and meditation. Let the Holy Spirit work on my
heart and give me what I need to say “I will” and mean it. How can I make
prayer a consistent part of my life? I am thinking my two big goals for the
coming year will be prepare and prayer so I will be praying and taking notes on
how to prepare for my growth in preparing and praying.
Isaiah 30:15 This is what the Sovereign Lord , the Holy
One of Israel says: In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and
trust is your strength, but you would have none of it.
