"One day as Jesus was teaching the people in the temple courts and proclaiming the good news, the chief priests and the teachers of the law, together with the elders, came up to him. 2 “Tell us by what authority you are doing these things,” they said. “Who gave you this authority?” 3 He replied, “I will also ask you a question. Tell me: 4 John’s baptism—was it from heaven, or of human origin?” 5 They discussed it among themselves and said, “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ he will ask, ‘Why didn’t you believe him?’ 6 But if we say, ‘Of human origin,’ all the people will stone us, because they are persuaded that John was a prophet.” 7 So they answered, “We don’t know where it was from.”
8 Jesus said, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I am doing these things.” Luke 20:1-8

Jesus asked them a point-blank question. Notice they had to discuss it among themselves what they would answer. Then Jesus answered them with the Parable of the Tenants:

"9 He went on to tell the people this parable: “A man planted a vineyard, rented it to some farmers and went away for a long time. 10 At harvest time he sent a servant to the tenants so they would give him some of the fruit of the vineyard. But the tenants beat him and sent him away empty-handed. 11 He sent another servant, but that one also they beat and treated shamefully and sent away empty-handed. 12 He sent still a third, and they wounded him and threw him out." Luke 20:9-12

God had sent to his people prophet after prophet -- each one they ignored or worse, killed. They refused to listen. And then Jesus predicts His own death:

"13 “Then the owner of the vineyard said, ‘What shall I do? I will send my son, whom I love; perhaps they will respect him." 14 “But when the tenants saw him, they talked the matter over. ‘This is the heir,’ they said. ‘Let’s kill him, and the inheritance will be ours.’ 15 So they threw him out of the vineyard and killed him."
Luke 20:13-15a

Notice that the tenants like the pharisees talked the matter over -- planning on what to do or how to answer this heir. Isn't this like today's society? 

Jesus tells the people he is talking to, the "church people" of the day the following:

"“What then will the owner of the vineyard do to them? 16 He will come and kill those tenants and give the vineyard to others. "When the people heard this, they said, “God forbid!”" Luke 20:15b-16
The "church people" audience didn't want the tenants to reap what they had sown. They didn't want them to face the consequences. And where was the logic in thinking they would inherit the vineyard? They thought they would get it all if they got rid of the Son, got rid of God completely. Instead, they were destroyed.
"17 Jesus looked directly at them and asked, “Then what is the meaning of that which is written:
“‘The stone the builders rejected
    has become the cornerstone’[a]?
18 Everyone who falls on that stone will be broken to pieces; anyone on whom it falls will be crushed.”"
Luke 20:17-18

They knew the scripture from Psalm 118 (the stone the builders rejected part) was a Messianic prophecy. He was telling them who He was/is. We need a perfect cornerstone. He is the cornerstone. God wants us to fall on Him and we will break to pieces -- He will put us back together. When Jesus falls on those who refuse Him they will be destroyed. Anyone who refuses to be broken will be destroyed.

Where are we in the Parable? 
The men who farmed the vineyard for the Owner were doing great. This can be seen as America and Americans. We are not focused on what is important. We will give a nod to important news like Ukraine but in the next moment we just want to know what celebrities are wearing. Our country was founded on Christian principles. We were meant to be a light. With many blessings comes many responsibilities. When we are blessed it is for a purpose -- it is for God's purpose. It is to give away. 

​ "But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. 2 People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, 3 without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, 4 treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God-- 5 having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with such people." 2 Timothy 3:1-5

We are living these verses proudly in America. Proudly rejecting God.

"But the one who does not know and does things deserving punishment will be beaten with few blows. From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked." Luke 12:48

Three Proverbs:

5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart
    and lean not on your own understanding;
6 in all your ways submit to him,
    and he will make your paths straight.[a]" Proverbs 3:5-6

Covid was a type of prophet from God. What did we do? Did we turn to God? Did we call for a day of prayer? No.

"Those who trust in themselves are fools,
    but those who walk in wisdom are kept safe." Proverbs 28:26

"There is a way that appears to be right,
    but in the end it leads to death." Proverbs 14:12

We are living in a Post-Truth Society. They say feelings are what matter, not truth. Truth is hidden underneath feelings. 

God will always be God.
Man will always be man. Man without God will always run to evil.

 "A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of.​" Luke 6:45

"God is not human, that he should lie,
    not a human being, that he should change his mind.
Does he speak and then not act?
    Does he promise and not fulfill?" Numbeers 23:19

God's truth is The Truth. It will always be the Truth. What we believe shouldn't change. This country as an opportunity to turn around. 

First Things First:

"He answered, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’[a]; and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’[b]”" Luke 10:27

You gotta love God first before you can love your neighbor rightly.

Choose for yourself:

15 But if serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.”" Joshua 24:15

"In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. 2 (This was the first census that took place while[a] Quirinius was governor of Syria.) 3 And everyone went to their own town to register. 4 So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. 5 He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. 6 While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, 7 and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them." Luke 2:1-7

Luke was a researcher, a chronicler, wrote it down in sequence. 

Unlike all other religions, Christianity (and Judaism) has historical

references, facts that can be proven. 

“But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah,
    though you are small among the clans[a] of Judah,
out of you will come for me
    one who will be ruler over Israel,
whose origins are from of old,
    from ancient times.”  Micah 5:2

Our world and what happens in it is important to God

"God saw all that he had made, and it was very good. And there was evening, and there was morning—the sixth day." Genesis 1:31

All of creation God said it was good, but when he made humans he said it was very good.

"I will establish my covenant as an everlasting covenant between me and you and your descendants after you for the generations to come, to be your God and the God of your descendants after you." Genesis 17:7

 "I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End." Revelation 22:13

Elohim -- the Creator -- has never stopped working. Past-- Present-- Future -- all belong to God. Jesus -- fulfillment of prophecy of Micah -- 700 years

"And I will put enmity
    between you and the woman,
    and between your offspring and hers;
he will crush your head,
    and you will strike his heel.” Genesis 3:15

God had and has it all planned out. God never changes -- Jesus never changes. When people take God out of the picture they will see less and less reality in the world. 

"I the Lord do not change. So you, the descendants of Jacob, are not destroyed." Malachi 3:6

 "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever." Hebrews 13:8

We serve a risen Savior who is in the World today. 

"He Lives!" written by Alfred Ackley in 1933. 

God is active -- not reactive

"Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”" Matthew 28:19-20

You are important to God

You are part of history -- God's plan -- You are important. We are all called. God wanted/wants you here.

​"29 Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father’s care.[a] 30 And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. 31 So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows." Matthew 10:29-31

God has everything planned.

You were chosen before the foundation of the world.

"For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do." Ephesians 2:10

"13 For you created my inmost being;
    you knit me together in my mother’s womb.
14 I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
    your works are wonderful,
    I know that full well.
15 My frame was not hidden from you
    when I was made in the secret place,
    when I was woven together in the depths of the earth.
16 Your eyes saw my unformed body;
    all the days ordained for me were written in your book
    before one of them came to be.
17 How precious to me are your thoughts,[a] God!
    How vast is the sum of them!" Psalm 139:13-17

Your life and circumstances are part of God's plan

Every single generation is an advancement of God's plan. Advancing God's will. Don't let things slip. God's timing is always perfect.

9 Know therefore that the Lord your God is God; he is the faithful God, keeping his covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love him and keep his commandments." Deuteronomy 7:9

"11 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. 12 Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. 13 You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart." Jeremiah 29:11-13

 "and provide for those who grieve in Zion--
to bestow on them a crown of beauty
    instead of ashes,
the oil of joy
    instead of mourning,
and a garment of praise
    instead of a spirit of despair.
They will be called oaks of righteousness,
    a planting of the Lord
    for the display of his splendor." Isaiah 61:3

15 When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?”
“Yes, Lord,” he said, “you know that I love you.”
Jesus said, “Feed my lambs.”
16 Again Jesus said, “Simon son of John, do you love me?”
He answered, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.”
Jesus said, “Take care of my sheep.”
17 The third time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?”
Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, “Do you love me?” He said, “Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.”
Jesus said, “Feed my sheep." John 21:15-17

Jesus asks us to feed and care for His Church, His Bride. 



"4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. 8 Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away." 1 Corinthians 13:4-8

This is how we are to love Jesus's Bride -- the Church we are part of.

"25 Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her 26 to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, 27 and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless. 28 In this same way, husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. 29 After all, no one ever hated their own body, but they feed and care for their body, just as Christ does the church-- 30 for we are members of his body." Ephesians 5:25-30

"We love because he first loved us." 1 John 4:19

HOW TO CARE FOR THE CHURCH:

1. Spend Time with Her:

We need to be there. We need to be there on Sunday mornings. We need to be present with the church.

"For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.”" Matthew 18:20

Get together and encourage each other.

"Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God." 1 John 4:7

2. Offer Words of Comfort:

"Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen." Ephesians 4:29

Our speech has power. Gossip and grumbling will destroy a church. Gather together in love. Don't take offense. Don't leave just because someone hurts your feelings. Work it out. We're family.

"If I speak in the tongues[a] of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. 2 If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. 3 If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast,[b] but do not have love, I gain nothing." 1 Corinthian 13:1-3

Love each other! Show patience and kindness always.

3. Invest ourselves in this relationship:

Participate. Ask what is needed. Take initiative. Show interest. Give your time, effort labor. Be there. It is Your church. Three times Jesus asked Peter -- do you love Me? If so, take care of my people.

"And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity." Colossians 3:14

Be involved now. Jesus asks us too to take care of His church.

4. Make sure it grows:

What do sheep give? Wool and more sheep. Grow the flock. Draw more people with the church.

"44 All the believers were together and had everything in common. 45 They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. 46 Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, 47 praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved." Act 2:44-47

When we take care of each other and those in need we will grow. Constant sharing, constant giving; Trace the word LOVE in other people's hands.

"23 Jesus replied, “Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching. My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them." John 14:23

“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another." John 13:34

Jesus loved without expectation. Jesus loves everyone. We love by taking care of each other. Jesus asks us to take care of His Bride. Please feed His sheep.

 “My brothers and sisters, believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ must not show favoritism. Suppose a man comes into your meeting wearing a gold ring and fine clothes, and a poor man in filthy old clothes also comes in. If you show special attention to the man wearing fine clothes and say, “Here’s a good seat for you,” but say to the poor man, “You stand there” or “Sit on the floor by my feet,” have you not discriminated among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts?” James 2:14
 
God’s View of the Poor:
 
“Since you call on a Father who judges each person’s work impartially, live out your time as foreigners here in reverent fear.” 1 Peter 1:17
 
 
“Then Peter began to speak: “I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism but accepts from every nation the one who fears him and does what is right.”Acts 10:34-35
 
If we view the poor differently than God we are wrong. We are sinning. Seeing some people as more important, more valuable than any other people is wrong. This too is a sin.
 
“There will be trouble and distress for every human being who does evil: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile; but glory, honor and peace for everyone who does good: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile. For God does not show favoritism.” Romans 2:9-11
 
The state of our country now: riots, screaming, divisions, blaming, pointing of fingers; accusing, violence, fear.
 
This is wrong. We are wrong. Each of us must take responsibility for ourselves, for our own actions and attitudes.
 
“Listen, my dear brothers and sisters: Has not God chosen those who are poor in the eyes of the world to be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom he promised those who love him?” James 2:5
 
Jesus’s view of the Poor:
 
Luke 6:20
“Looking at his disciples, he said:
“Blessed are you who are poor,
    for yours is the kingdom of God” Luke 6:20
 
 “I know your afflictions and your poverty—yet you are rich! I know about the slander of those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan.” Revelation 2:9
 
We should not see ourselves as better than anyone, and we should not see ourselves less than anyone. All are equal in value to God. This is the perspective we must have. Every person we meet is loved by God. When we look at someone we are looking into the face of someone loved by God.
 
“Brothers and sisters, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. God chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are” 1 Corinthians 1:26-28
 
“But you have dishonored the poor. Is it not the rich who are exploiting you? Are they not the ones who are dragging you into court? Are they not the ones who are blaspheming the noble name of him to whom you belong?” James 2:6-7
 
Even in the courts of America, the “land of the free” if you have enough money you can get by not being punished for horrendous crimes (Shannon gives examples). Our money and accomplishments do not impress God. A sin is a sin. If we have committed a sin we are sinners, no better or worse than any other sinners (including those sins we in society would call the worst sins).
 
“If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, “Love your neighbor as yourself,”you are doing right. But if you show favoritism, you sin and are convicted by the law as lawbreakers. For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it. For he who said, “You shall not commit adultery,” also said, “You shall not murder.”If you do not commit adultery but do commit murder, you have become a lawbreaker.” James 2:8-11
 
If we fulfill the two greatest commandments we will fulfill the entire law. We will be doing God’s will. We will be honoring God. Love God and love people with all we are and all we have and all we do.
 
“Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” Matthew 25:37-40
 
So….do!
 
“Speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom, because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment” James 2:12-13
 
If you see a need, fill it. If you can’t fill it on your own, seek the help of others. Do something. Do what you can. When God gives you an opportunity, take it. Don’t pass that open door. If you do you will regret it and wonder what God could have done.
 
“What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them? Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.” James 2:14-17
 
There is often a lot of debate about faith vs. works but it is not an argument. We know we are saved by faith, not works. But if we have faith it will be visible in the things we do.
 
 “But someone will say, “You have faith; I have deeds.”
Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by my deeds. You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder.” James 2:18-19
 
Go forth and Do!!
 
“For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’
“Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’
“The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’” Matthew 25:35-40

"Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. This is what the ancients were commended for. By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God’s command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible." Hebrews 11:1-3

Faith is hard. It's belief in the unseen. Everyone has faith in something. God created the universe out of nothing. Humans have never and will never be able to do that.  No one can do that. No one can explain that.

I. Faith in the Unseen is the basis for our hope.

“See, the enemy is puffed up;
    his desires are not upright--
    but the righteous person will live by his faithfulness" Habakkuk 2:4

Live by your faithfulness. Our faith is based on the unseen. Righteous ones will live by faith.



"And, 'But my righteous[a] one will live by faith.
    And I take no pleasure
    in the one who shrinks back.”" Hebrews 10:38

"For in the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed—a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: “The righteous will live by faith." Romans 1:17

II. The examples are before us.

"This is what the ancients were commended for." Hebrews 11:2

Talks about their faithfulness!

"And what more shall I say? I do not have time to tell about Gideon, Barak, Samson and Jephthah, about David and Samuel and the prophets," Hebrews 11:32

"And so upon you will come all the righteous blood that has been shed on earth, from the blood of righteous Abel to the blood of Zechariah son of Berekiah, whom you murdered between the temple and the altar." Matthew 23:35

If we aren't walking in faith, God isn't pleased with us. The blood falls on us who don't live by faith.

III. Faith is walking with God.

"After he became the father of Methuselah, Enoch walked faithfully with God 300 years and had other sons and daughters." Genesis 5:22

"This is the account of Noah and his family. Noah was a righteous man, blameless among the people of his time, and he walked faithfully with God." Genesis 6:9

What's this mean?

Walking means time. Spending time, constant time, daily hourly, minute-by-minute kind of time.

"But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil." Hebrews 5:14

Constant use -- of scripture, of spiritual gifts like discernment; You want to be faithful to someone -- you spend time with them. Constantly walk with God.

IV. Without faith we cannot please God.

"And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him." Hewbrews 11:6

Acknowledgement is not faith.

"You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder." James 2:19

Everyone will run out of time. Now is the time to walk with God.

"Then will appear the sign of the Son of Man in heaven. And then all the peoples of the earth[a] will mourn when they see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven, with power and great glory." Matthew 24:30

If you don't believe in the Unseen, the Seen is going to scare you to death!

Don't miss the boat -- meaning, don't miss Jesus!

V. Start walking with God now.

Just like the ark, Jesus is the one door.

 "Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." John 14:6

Noah didn't shut the door. God shut the door. Everyone of us knows someone who hasn't walked through the door. 

The story of Jesus cursing the poor fig tree has always bothered me a bit. The scripture says it wasn't the season for fruit so I thought it wasn't really the fig tree's fault it didn't have fruit. This talk has made me feel a whole lot better about this story. If you ever read something in scripture that bothers you do some research. God is good all the time. If we think something is wrong that He does, it is usually because we don't understan the entire situation.

I hope you enjoy this recording Shannon and I made called "The Fig Tree."

13 If you are pleased with me, teach me your ways so I may know you and continue to find favor with you. Remember that this nation is your people.” Exodus 33:13

Moses just wanted God. Why did He ask this? 

Maybe he was lonely. The people, including his brother Aaron, had strayed from God. 

"The Lord replied, 'My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.'” Exodus 33:14

God knew what Moses needed. 

It's easy to get swept up into chaos, into politics of people around you.

"How will anyone know that you are pleased with me and with your people unless you go with us? What else will distinguish me and your people from all the other people on the face of the earth?” Exodus 33:16

He was probably questioning his own leadership. He hasn't seen a lot of change in the people.  

You hit the end of your rope. You hit a wall.

"And the Lord said to Moses, 'I will do the very thing you have asked, because I am pleased with you and I know you by name.”

Then Moses said, “Now show me your glory.'" Exodus 33:17-18

Sometimes the answer we want is not what we need.

God told Moses He would show Moses His back. He was going to show Moses where He had been. 

Look where He's already been in your life. If you look around you will see His presence. God has already shown you. Look where He's taken you already.

21 Then the Lord said, “There is a place near me where you may stand on a rock.22 When my glory passes by, I will put you in a cleft in the rock and cover you with my hand until I have passed by. 23 Then I will remove my hand and you will see my back; but my face must not be seen.” Exodus 33:21-23

Sometimes we haev to look at the weaving, at the individual threads.  God is everywhere always. Stop and look.

We need to get into the Word and see God's presence.