Dear Christian friends:

A few years ago archaeologists discovered an amazing thing in China at the massive tomb of its first emperor, Qin Shi Huangde. Qin Shi ruled China 2,200 years ago. In front of his burial place they discovered 7,500 life-size soldiers - all made of clay! Although each soldier had a sword and shield it could not defend its ruler. They were all false soldiers, and worthless to serve their master.

In our text today Jesus warns us about false people, yes, false church members. In the parable about the two sons, Jesus teaches us to be careful lest we give talk service to God without really living for His glory. Today is RESPONSE SUNDAY in our HIS LOVE - OUR RESPONSE process, Today I pray that the Holy Spirit will help each one of us to really serve God, not just talk, talk.


Our Lord warns everyone against faith without works. Jesus wants to see the fruits of faith in our lives.

In our text Jesus warned the chief priests and other Jewish church leaders. These Jewish church leaders said beautiful words about God. They were fine, honorable people. All the people respected them. They were same as the second son in the parable. This second son talked nicely to his father when his father told him to go work in the vineyard. He answered, "I will go, father." But then he did not go. He talked nice and seemed to be a good son, but in his heart he did not really love and honor his father. The Jewish church leaders were the same as this second son. They prayed the right words, they taught the right doctrines, they gave one tenth of their income to the Lord. But in their heart they did not really love God and honor Him and obey His commandments.

Therefore, in our text Jesus warns them, "I tell you the truth; tax collectors and prostitutes are going into God's kingdom before you. Because John the Baptist told you to change your ways, and you did not believe him; but the tax collectors and the prostitutes believed him. Even when you saw this happen, you did not change your minds and believe him." (verses 31-32) These Jewish church leaders talked nicely and rightly, but did not confess their sins, nor did they trust in Jesus to receive forgiveness of sins. They gave talk service, but not real living service to God.

Are we any better than these Jewish church leaders? Perhaps we talk fine and right. We seem to be good church members. Here in church we say that we love God and will serve Him, but then we leave church and forget it. We sing: "Beautiful Savior, King of creation, Son of God and Son of man; Truly I'd love Thee, Truly I'd serve Thee, Light of my soul, My joy, my crown." But then we really do not love Jesus nor serve Him. We refuse to tell a friend about Jesus and invite our friend to come with us to God's house. We sing, "Lift high the Cross," but then we give such small money that the cross is hidden and other nations cannot see Jesus and believe. If we are like this, we must see our wrongs and sins, accept God's forgiveness in Jesus and let His love fill our hearts.

Then we can really serve God, not just talk, talk. Then we can offer to God the first and best that we have. If we attend to His grace, we will willingly respond to His love and make a covenant with Him.

Some church members don't want to make a covenant with God or promise to God. But when they buy a new car, they promise to pay the bank $200.00 a month for 5 years! When they buy a house, they promise the bank that they will pay $900.00 a month for 30 years! If we can make promises to the bank and keep them every month, surely we can make a promise to God for the support of His precious cross work! God loves us much more than any banker! And God will not foreclose on us if we have problems and can't keep our promise.

Our Lord Jesus is calling us today, this RESPONSE SUNDAY, to have honest faith and really love Him and serve Him. We must do the same as the first son in the parable. When the father told him to go and work in the vineyard, he answered, "No! I don't want to!" But later he was sorry and changed his mind and he went and worked in his father's vineyard. We, also, must be sorry about our past wrongs and failures, be sorry and change our mind and heart. The Holy Spirit can help us to see our past rebellions against our kind Father in heaven: how we in the past have wasted much time, talent and money in selfish living. The Holy Spirit can lead us to respond with eagerness and love and then willingly use our time, talents and money serving and working in God's vineyard, His church here on earth.

We rejoice to hear again that God, who has much mercy, made us alive in Christ. We were dead in sin! But God has raised us from spiritual death. He has given us new birth and new life through the death and resurrection of His Son. Our Savior, Jesus, gave His life on earth, that we might have eternal life in heaven. We celebrate Jesus' victory and respond with joy to our Father's amazing love.

Sir Leonard Wood once visited the king of France and the king was so pleased with him he invited Sir Leonard for dinner the next day. That next day Sir Leonard went to the palace and the King, meeting him in one of the halls, said, "Sir Leonard, I did not expect to see you here today. Why are you here?"

"Did not your majesty invite me to dine with you?" answered the surprised guest.

"Yes," replied the King, "but you did not answer my invitation."

It was then that Sir Leonard gave a most wise answer to the King. He said to the King, "A king's invitation is never answered, but it is obeyed."

Our King, Jesus, invites us to work in His vineyard. We must never answer "No" to Jesus our King. We must obey our King! His love demands such a response!

Don't just talk; really love God and serve Him with your whole life!

Amen.