“God is the Landowner; We Are Merely His Stewards” The Gospel Message for Sunday, October 8, 2023—Nineteenth Sunday after Pentecost

 

Today, our gospel message comes to us from 21st chapter of Matthew, beginning with the 33rd verse, “The parable of the vineyard owner’s son.”

“Listen to another parable: There was a landowner who planted a vineyard. He put a wall around it, dug a winepress in it and built a watchtower. Then he rented the vineyard to some farmers and moved to another place. When the harvest time approached, he sent his servants to the tenants to collect his fruit.

“The tenants seized his servants; they beat one, killed another, and stoned a third. Then he sent other servants to them, more than the first time, and the tenants treated them the same way. Last of all, he sent his son to them. ‘They will respect my son,’ he said.

“But when the tenants saw the son, they said to each other, ‘This is the heir. Come, let’s kill him and take his inheritance.’ So they took him and threw him out of the vineyard and killed him.

“Therefore, when the owner of the vineyard comes, what will he do to those tenants?”

“He will bring those wretches to a wretched end,” they replied, “and he will rent the vineyard to other tenants, who will give him his share of the crop at harvest time.”

Jesus said to them, “Have you never read in the Scriptures:

“‘The stone the builders rejected
    has become the cornerstone;
the Lord has done this,
    and it is marvelous in our eyes’?

“Therefore I tell you that the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people who will produce its fruit. Anyone who falls on this stone will be broken to pieces; anyone on whom it falls will be crushed.”

When the chief priests and the Pharisees heard Jesus’ parables, they knew he was talking about them. They looked for a way to arrest him, but they were afraid of the crowd because the people held that he was a prophet. (Matthew 21:33-46, NIV)

Heavenly Father, the Giver of Life and the Architect of Salvation, we come before You today with hearts full of gratitude and minds eager for Your Word. As we prepare to explore the sermon message, "God is the Landowner; We Are Merely His Stewards," we ask for Your wisdom and discernment.

Lord, You have generously provided us with opportunities for growth, for love, for service, and for spiritual nourishment. You've entrusted us with the vineyard of our lives, families, communities, and even this world. Yet, we acknowledge that we have not always been faithful stewards. We confess that we've often been more concerned with our own desires than with tending to Your vineyard.

Open our eyes, O God, to see the opportunities You have placed before us—opportunities to bear good fruit for Your kingdom. Soften our hearts so we may be molded by Your teachings today. Help us understand the vital importance of making Jesus, Your Son, the cornerstone of our lives.

May Your Holy Spirit enlighten our minds as we engage with Your Word. May our souls be stirred to action, and may our lives reflect the lessons we learn today. Equip us to be the tenants who honor the landowner, recognizing Your supreme authority and limitless love.

We lift up this time of worship and learning to You, praying that it glorifies Your name and enriches our walk with You.

In the precious and mighty name of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior, we pray. Amen.

“God is the Landowner; We Are Merely

His Stewards”
by Kenny Sallee, ThM

While the Parable of the Tenants was understood by early Christians as a rebuke against the Jewish leaders of Jesus' time, it's essential to realize that this message transcends time and place. It's not merely a historical or cultural indictment but a universal lesson for all of humanity.

The story portrays a landowner—God—who invests significantly in a vineyard, complete with all necessary infrastructure. He then hands over the vineyard's management to tenants—us—to oversee and cultivate. Yet, when the time comes to yield the fruits of this labor, the tenants' greed leads them to reject and even harm the servants and ultimately the son, sent by the landowner. This shocking turn of events is a vivid portrayal of human betrayal and God’s patient, persistent outreach.

The parable doesn't just allude to corporate greed or poor business ethics, although those are relevant topics. It delves into the deeper issue of stewardship. This is a timeless message. God, the ultimate Owner of everything, entrusts us with His world. We are stewards, not owners, of the resources, talents, and opportunities He provides.

What’s awe-inspiring is the high regard in which God holds us. He believes we are capable of overseeing His kingdom and producing good fruit. However, the story also comes with a stern warning: God expects a return on His investment. We mustn’t overlook or downplay the responsibilities He's given us. We are called to bear fruit, not just for our benefit but for the kingdom as a whole. It is through sharing the message of God's grace, leading people to faith in Christ, and living a life of justice and mercy that we yield these fruits.

God's patience shines through the narrative. He sends not one set of servants but multiple, even His Son, to collect what is rightfully His. This incredible patience is a testimony to God's grace. However, there’s a limit to this grace, as we hear Jesus conclude: "Therefore I tell you that the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people who will produce its fruit."

So, where does that leave us today? It places us in a position of sober reflection and action. We need to evaluate how well we're tending to God’s vineyard. Are we effective stewards, or have we become self-serving tenants? Are we producing fruit or merely consuming resources?

It is through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ that we find the grace to take on this stewardship responsibly. God’s Spirit works within us, enabling us to overcome the temptation to claim God's gifts as our own. This service, this gathering, and the words of Scripture all serve to remind us of our role as God's stewards.

It's a daunting task, but we are not alone. Empowered by God's grace, we can—and must—live as faithful stewards in the vineyard He's entrusted to us. For when we do, we not only fulfill God’s expectations but we also participate in the unfolding of His kingdom here on Earth.

Amen.

Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, we come before You with grateful hearts for Your Word that convicts, challenges, and comforts. Lord, we acknowledge that we have often been poor stewards of the vineyard You have entrusted to us. We repent for the times we've rejected Your messengers and ignored Your Son, Jesus Christ.

Father, we want to be tenants who produce good fruit, stewards who manage Your gifts wisely, and builders who lay every stone upon the cornerstone that is Christ. Help us to heed Your Word, to listen to Your Spirit, and to honor Your Son in all we do.

We thank You for Your grace that allows us to make the right choice even today. May we walk in Your ways, always vigilant, always fruitful, until the day we see You face to face.

In Jesus' mighty name, we pray. Amen.

May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with us all, now and forevermore. Amen.

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Scripture is taken from The Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide. Message by Kenny Sallee, ThM.
Today, we'll explore a pivotal teaching of Jesus—the Parable of the Tenants. This story is laden with meanings that not only reveal the heart of God but also expose the human heart in all its complexities.