The Son Who Said Yes and Obeyed

Jesus’ parable of the two sons puts a very plain question before God’s children: what kind of response does the Father desire? The first son says, “I will not,” and later changes his mind and goes to work in the vineyard. His actions are better than his words, yet his rude refusal still wounds his father and creates a divide between them. His delayed obedience also leaves wasted time, unused talents, and missed opportunities behind it.

The first son shows that Christianity is not a game of doing as little as possible and hoping to get it right in the end. God cares about what His children say right now and what they do right now. His will is not something to brush aside until a more convenient time. The “no, yes” response is better than never obeying, but it is not the model to follow.

The second son says, “Yes, sir,” but never goes. His words sound respectful, but his life does not follow through. James’ call to be doers of the Word and not hearers only exposes this kind of empty profession. Confirmation vows, worship, and Christian language mean little when calendars, bank accounts, attitudes, speech, and behavior look no different from the unbelieving world.

The parable makes both sons uncomfortable examples. The first son eventually does the right thing but first says no. The second son says the right thing but never does it. Jesus Himself is the third Son, the only One whose answer and action perfectly agree. The Father sent Him to save sinners through the cross, and Jesus said yes to the Father’s will all the way to death, even death on a cross.

Jesus’ “yes, yes” obedience is good news because it brings real forgiveness and lasting salvation. God’s law reveals the deeper “no, no” of sinful nature, which both resists God in word and produces no good deed. God’s kindness in Christ then leads sinners to repentance, changing both mind and heart. Christ’s forgiveness now frees God’s sons and daughters to answer the Father’s call with faith that is lived out in both word and deed.

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Key Takeaways

• 1. Words and actions both matter The Father is not indifferent to careless words simply because obedience eventually comes later. A delayed yes may still leave behind wounded relationships, wasted time, and neglected callings. God calls His children to honor Him not merely with eventual outcomes, but with present faithfulness of heart, speech, and action. [38:25]
• 2. Faith cannot remain only verbal The second son warns against promises that never reach the vineyard. Christian confession becomes hollow when daily priorities, money, speech, and conduct deny what the lips profess. Faith does not earn salvation by activity, but living faith does not remain content with words alone. [42:07]
• 3. Jesus is the faithful third Son Jesus alone perfectly says yes and perfectly follows through. His obedience is not merely an example for sinners to imitate, but the saving obedience accomplished in their place. His humility unto death on the cross gives forgiveness where both words and deeds have failed. [46:08]
• 4. God’s kindness produces repentance God’s law exposes the sinful “no, no” that resists His will in both heart and life. God does not leave convicted sinners in that painful realization. Christ’s mercy gives hope, works repentance, and brings about a real change of mind and heart.
  
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Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [32:45] - A Parent’s Question
• [34:24] - The No, Yes Son
• [35:54] - Words Can Hurt
• [37:42] - Delayed Obedience Is Not the Goal
• [39:18] - The Yes, No Son
• [40:59] - When Faith Does Not Follow Through
• [42:07] - Examining Daily Life
• [43:53] - The Third Son
• [45:09] - Jesus’ Perfect Obedience
• [46:44] - Repentance and God’s Law
• [48:28] - God’s Kindness in Christ
• [49:24] - Called to Work in the Vineyard

Bible Reading

Matthew 21:28-32
“What do you think? A man had two sons. And he went to the first and said, 'Son, go and work in the vineyard today.' And he answered, 'I will not,' but afterward he changed his mind and went. And he went to the other son and said the same. And he answered, 'I go, sir,' but did not go. Which of the two did the will of his father?" They said, "The first." Jesus said to them, "Truly, I say to you, the tax collectors and the prostitutes go into the kingdom of God before you. For John came to you in the way of righteousness, and you did not believe him, but the tax collectors and the prostitutes believed him. And even when you saw it, you did not afterward change your minds and believe him.” [34:24]

James 1:22
“But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.” [40:59]

Philippians 2:8
“And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.” [46:08]

Observation questions

1. In the parable, how do the two sons differ in both their initial answers to their father and their final actions?
2. What details show that the first son’s later obedience did not erase the seriousness of his first refusal? [37:00]
3. According to James 1:22, what is the difference between merely hearing God’s Word and being a doer of it? [39:52]
4. What does Philippians 2:8 reveal about the extent of Jesus’ obedience to the Father? [46:01]

Interpretation questions

1. Why is the first son’s eventual obedience better than the second son’s empty promise, while still falling short of the Father’s desire? [38:31]
2. What might cause a person to make sincere-sounding promises to God but fail to follow through in daily life? [40:34]
3. How do a person’s calendar, spending, speech, attitudes, and behavior reveal whether faith is being lived out beyond church words? [42:27]
4. Why is Jesus’ perfect obedience more than simply an example for believers to copy? How does His obedience bring forgiveness and salvation to those whose words and actions have failed? [46:15]

Application questions

1. Where have you been tempted to tell God, “Not now,” even when you knew what faithfulness required? What delay, fear, comfort, or distraction was behind that response? [38:46]
2. Is there a responsibility, relationship, act of forgiveness, or opportunity to serve that you have delayed? What would taking one faithful step this week look like? [49:34]
3. When your words have been impatient, harsh, dismissive, or disrespectful, how have those words affected others? Is there someone you need to approach with repentance and a desire to make things right? [36:15]
4. Consider your ordinary week: Would your calendar show time set apart for worship, God’s Word, prayer, serving others, and rest? What is one change that could help your priorities better reflect your confession of faith? [42:28]
5. In what area is it easiest to say “Yes, Lord” with your lips while resisting Him in your actions—money, speech, habits, relationships, forgiveness, or serving? What would genuine follow-through look like there? [43:03]
6. When God’s law exposes your “no, no” response in both heart and actions, how does Christ’s forgiveness give you hope to repent rather than hide or despair? [48:44]