A sermon for 18 Pentecost (9/27/26)

            Have you ever let your no be yes or your yes be no?  Maybe it is when a boss asks you to do something outside of your job description.  Perhaps it is when a friend asks you to coffee or lunch.  Have you said yes and then changed your mind?  Have you said no and later changed your mind?

The chief priests and the elders come this morning with a question.  They have heard Jesus teach.  They’ve seen Jesus heal.  Now, they want to know by what right, by what authority, Jesus is doing what He does.  In essence, they want to know what lies behind Jesus’ ability to heal and to teach with such power and authority.

            In good rabbinical form, Jesus answers their question with a question.  Jesus asks where John the Baptist received his authority to Baptize.  The chief priests and the elders hedge their bets and answer “We don’t know.”  You see, the leaders fear the people who love John and think of John as a prophet.

            Jesus, in response, tells a parable, a story.  A man has two sons.  He goes to the first son and sends him into the fields to work.  This first son says, “I won’t go,” but later changes his mind and goes.  A second son is also told to go work.  This second son says, “I’ll go immediately,” but doesn’t go.

            “Which one,” Jesus asks, “did the will of the father?”  The leaders are united in their answer: “The first, since he actually obeyed and went to work in the field,” they reply.  With their own words the chief priests and elders condemn themselves.  They say, “Yes, I go,” but do not go to work in the God’s field.

            In sharp contrast, the tax collectors and prostitutes fare much better.  Jesus says they will be rewarded ahead of the leaders because they believe in John and his authority.  They heard John’s call to repent and were baptized.  Therefore, they are like the first son who changed his mind and went to work in the field.

            Last week, we heard Jesus’ parable of the worker in the vineyard.  A landowner goes out at several points during the day and hires more workers.  Each worker receives a full day’s wage- even the one who only worker an hour!  Needless to say, that did not go over well with those who labored all day in the heat.

            The landowner took the workers who worked all day to task.  They had agreed to work for the day’s fair wage.  The money belongs to the owner who is able to do what he wants with what is his.  Finally, the owner asks, “are you jealous because I am generous with my money?”  Here the money stands for God’s grace.

            God’s grace is freely and equally given to those who work in the fields.  The first son undergoes a change of heart.  He goes into the field and does the work of the Father.  This first son receives grace.  The second son cuts himself off from the Father’s lavish and abundant grace by not going when he said he would.

            That is important to notice.  The Father does not want the second son cut off.  The Father wants the second son to experience the fullness of God’s grace that comes from a relationship with the Father.  But the son, by his choices, cuts himself off from the Father’s grace by not obeying the call to work in the field.

            James, Jesus’ brother, reminds us: “most important, my brothers and sisters, never make a solemn pledge—neither by heaven nor earth, nor by anything else. Instead, speak with a simple “Yes” or “No,” or else you may fall under judgment” (5:12; CEB).  In other words, you and I must walk the walk and talk the talk, letting the two agree.

            Our former Presiding Bishop loves to remind us, “as long as you’re breathing, God is calling.”  How might God be calling you?  Maybe God is calling you to be a prayer warrior for our prayer list.  Perhaps God is calling you to be an encourager, phoning or writing to those going through difficult times.

            There are many ways in which you and I can respond to God’s call to work in the vineyard.  As many and as unique as each of us and our abilities.  A quick no9te, lest I be accused of works righteousness.  James also tells us that you need both.  It is not a matter of works or faith.  It is works AND faith.

Both are needed for a balanced follower of Jeus.  Our faith should give birth to works.  And our works should deepen our faith in a reflexive relationship.  Deacon Dorothy and I are always available to discuss how God might be calling you.  We’d welcome the opportunity to meet with you and to help you discern.