Sermon Reflection::Matthew22:1-14

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I found myself a bit surprised as we reached the end of the parable in Matthew 22:1-14. My memory apparently fails me in how I read this parable before, but I wasn’t expecting the ending that came. Jesus talks of a king and a wedding feast. The king sends out servants and invites all the people you would think he would, doctors, lawyers, leaders. But none of them come; there’s too much to do. So the king, angry, has them all killed and invites everybody else from the streets, complete strangers if you will. However, one of the guests is found lacking in wedding garments. He is bound and thrown into the dark place where there is weeping and gnashing of teeth. Many are called, says the Christ, but few are chosen. Dreadful it is, I say, to fall into the hands of the living God!

I must ask myself, in which group do fall?

Am I too busy being the perfect university student? James rebukes me. “But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth. This is not wisdom that comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice.” And then John comes in behind him. “Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.” I wonder, who rules the world? Paul answers, Satan. No wonder the king had all those distracted people killed. They were lost in an entertainment they would never snap out of (at least of their own accord). Am I wandering around like a fool keeping myself entertained as I wait for my death?

Am I part of that blessed group saved from destruction on account of those who did not accept the invitation (Romans 11)? If so, how thankful I am! Brought to my knees by grace and kindness, and forever loyal to my King. I cannot boast. It is not my own doing that brought me to the feast, and it is because of others’ rejection that I am here. This has nothing to do with me. “Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways!...To Him be the glory forever. Amen.”

Am I part of that third group? Am I just pretending to be a child of God? Am I working hard to look like I belong to the Bride of Christ? As a community group leader, this would be a frightening position. John warns against “anti-Christs,” false teachers and prophets. Paul tells us to rid ourselves of them. Shepherds must kill wolves. And rightfully so. God will have His judgement, and I cannot stand before Him naked and expect His mercy. Only the clothing of Christ will save me from the King’s wrath. Blessed is the man who has put on Christ as his Protector, Savior, Lord.

“God is in the heavens. He does what He pleases.”

Sola Gratia
(Sola Scriptura)
Sola Fide
Solus Christus
Soli Deo Gloria!

--C3 Member - Chris Ramos

Sermon Reflection::Matthew 21:33-46

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This week David preached on “The Parable of the “Tenant” (Matthew 21:33-46), the second of three parables that Jesus preached to the religious leaders. In this parable Jesus introduces us to the master of a vineyard who leased his vineyard to tenants while he was away. These tenants eventually became possessive over the vineyard, and when the master sent his servants to collect his fruits, the tenants killed the servants. After the tenants had killed three of the master’s servants, the master decided to send his one son to collect the fruits. The tenants rebelled and killed the master’s son as well. As he spoke, Jesus gives a history of Israel while also shedding light on what was to come. We learned that the master of the vineyard was God, while the vineyard was God’s people. The tenants represented the religious leaders, and the servants were the prophets of old.

Throughout this narrative, God is patient and slow to pass judgment. But we also see a side of jealousy; Jealous for HIS people, HIS first fruits. Ultimately, while God was patient, the religious leaders underestimated how committed God was to getting what was HIS.

Too often we become like the tenants. We take ownership of things that are not ours, ultimately seeking to steal the glory from God. Even as the first fruits we should not treat God’s grace cheaply. With that, seek out sin in your life that offends God. By continuously divulging in a sin, we are “cheapening” HIS grace in our lives, which is a dangerous way to live.

--C3 Member - Rachel Evans