Would You Disrespect The Son of God (From our 12-28-25 Worship)
Jesus’ parable of the wicked tenants is a warning: it’s possible to “show up” around God’s things and still disrespect God’s Son—by refusing to be shaped, acting like what we have is ours, and ignoring God’s warnings.
Hook / Opening Story (Ulysses S. Grant)
- March 1864: Grant travels from Nashville to Washington, D.C. to meet President Lincoln and be named commander of the Union Army.
- Arrives late at night—no one meets him. He walks to the Willard Hotel (historic D.C. hotel).
- Clerk gives him the last room—an attic “broom closet” room—rudely, not realizing who he is.
- Later the clerk sees the registry: “U.S. Grant and son” and panics—moves him to the presidential suite.
- Point: Sometimes we disrespect someone because we don’t recognize them… and sometimes we disrespect even when we DO know.
Main Text
Matthew 21:33–46 — Parable of the tenants
- Owner plants a vineyard, leases it to tenants, leaves.
- Sends servants to collect fruit: they’re beaten, killed, stoned.
- Finally sends his son: “They will respect my son.”
- Tenants kill the son to seize the inheritance.
- Jesus quotes: the rejected stone becomes the cornerstone; the kingdom is taken from fruitless tenants and given to those who produce fruit.
Why This Parable Matters
- Appears in 3 of the 4 Gospels → God is emphasizing something weighty.
- The spotlight phrase: “They will respect my son.”
- Challenge: It’s easy to talk about “outsiders” disrespecting Jesus… but the real gut-check is:
- Can Christians disrespect the Son—unintentionally or through a hardened heart?
- Answer: Yes.
Three Ways We Can Disrespect the Son (Applications)
1) Refusing to “Build” (Rejecting the Cornerstone)
- Jesus = the perfect cornerstone (foundation and alignment).
- Christians = living stones being built up (cf. Peter’s imagery).
- We don’t have to be perfect, but we must be progressing:
- A heart that says: “I want God; I want growth; I want change.”
- Disrespect happens when we say:
- “I want the blessings… but I don’t want the shaping.”
- “I’ll attend, sing, partake, and go through motions… but won’t work on my rough edges.”
- Punchline: If Jesus was tortured and crucified for me, and I refuse to change—what does that say about my heart?
Key idea: “Good enough” Christianity quietly insults the Savior.
2) Wanting His Place (Acting Like It’s Mine)
- Tenants killed the son because they wanted his inheritance.
- Modern parallel: not that we want to “be Jesus,” but we live like:
- My time is mine
- My money is mine
- My resources are mine
- Stewardship lens:
- Everything belongs to God; we manage it for Him.
- Illustration: Good Samaritan
- He gave bandages, oil, time, transportation, money, rest, and ongoing responsibility.
- He treated what he had as something to use for mercy.
- Disrespect shows up as:
- “I don’t want to share.”
- “I don’t have time right now.”
- “That’s inconvenient.”
- Often the “small” refusal is the moment God intended to open a door for someone to see Christ.
Key idea: When I cling tightly, I’m acting like I own what God entrusted.
3) Ignoring the Warnings (Rejecting the Messengers)
- Owner didn’t surprise them with expectations—he sent messengers ahead of time.
- They abused the warnings instead of heeding them.
- Parallel: John the Baptist warned and prepared the way—and was killed.
- Today: Scripture is not decoration
- Not just a “family Bible on the shelf”
- It is God’s warning, guide, and preparation for judgment and faithfulness.
- Disrespect happens when we treat God’s word like background noise:
- “I meant to… I just never got around to it.”
- Hard truth: intentions don’t outweigh priorities.
Key idea: Neglecting God’s Word is not neutral—it’s disrespectful.
The Warning and the Fork in the Road
- Matthew 21:40–41 — the owner will come; the lease is terminated; the vineyard is given to others who will bear fruit.
- Matthew 21:43–44 — you either:
- Build on the stone, or
- Get crushed by it
- There aren’t endless middle options.
Tone Check (Pastoral Heart)
- This isn’t shared to scare or beat people down.
- It’s a sober, loving warning meant to wake us up.
- We need each other because spiritual laziness is real—even for preachers.
- Community helps:
- Sometimes we gently lead someone out.
- Sometimes we “snatch them from the fire” (Jude imagery).
Practical Takeaways (Listener Application)
- Inventory my “rough edges”: What have I refused to let God change?
- Stewardship audit: Where am I acting like my resources are truly mine?
- Warning check: Is my Bible opened regularly—or just present in the house?
- Fruit question: If my faith were judged by fruit alone, what would it show?
Suggested Closing / Call to Action
- Ask: “In what way am I disrespecting the Son—by refusing growth, clinging to ownership, or ignoring warnings?”
- Encourage: Don’t delay. Don’t settle for motion without transformation.
- Invitation: If you need help, repentance, prayer, or accountability—reach out and let the church help.
Scripture References Mentioned/Alluded To
- Matthew 21:33–46 (Primary text)
- 1 John 1:7–10 (ongoing cleansing/confession and walking in the light)
- John 14 (Holy Spirit bringing Jesus’ teaching to remembrance)
- Jude (helping others—gentle rescue vs snatching from fire)
- 1 Peter 2 (cornerstone / living stones concept, implied)
