Title: Stewards, Not Owners – Day 3
Subtitle: To Reject the Son Is to Reject the Owner
Scripture: Matthew 21:37–39
Passage Link: 📺 Watch the full August 9th, 2025 teaching here
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Introduction:
In Saturday’s message, we saw that the tenants’ final act of rebellion was not just against the servants — it was against the master’s son himself. This is the turning point in the parable, and in salvation history. Jesus was pointing directly to what would happen in just days: His arrest, crucifixion, and death outside the city walls. The deeper truth? How we respond to the Son reveals everything about our relationship with the Father.
Scripture
“Finally he sent his son to them, saying, ‘They will respect my son.’ But when the tenants saw the son, they said to themselves, ‘This is the heir. Come, let us kill him and have his inheritance.’ And they took him and threw him out of the vineyard and killed him.”
— Matthew 21:37–39
Observation
The master’s decision to send his son shows remarkable patience and hope — a final appeal for the tenants to respond rightly. Yet, instead of honoring the heir, they saw an opportunity to seize control. This is the essence of sin: trying to take what belongs to God and rule on our own terms. In rejecting the son, they rejected the rightful owner entirely.
Application
It’s easy to read this and think, “I’d never do that,” but in small ways, I can fall into the same trap. Whenever I cling to control, resist surrender, or push Jesus to the margins of my decisions, I’m acting like the vineyard belongs to me. Today, I need to name one area of my life where I’ve been protecting my own “inheritance” instead of giving it to Him.
Prayer
Lord Jesus, You are the rightful heir of all things — including my life. Forgive me for the ways I’ve kept You at a distance to protect my own control. I surrender my plans, my possessions, and my pride to You. Be honored in all I do. Amen.