Main Text: Matthew 21:28–32 (ESV) 28 “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.’ 29 And he answered, ‘I will not,’ but afterward he changed his mind and went. 30 And he went to the other son and said the same. And he answered, ‘I will, sir,’ but did not go. 31 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. 32 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.

Preaching Point: Knowing how much God despises counterfeit confessions should strengthen our resolve to come to him with genuine faith marked by repentance and obedience.

Teaching Points:

1. Understand What God Expects from You (vv. 28-31a)
2. Respond to God with Repentance and Faith (vv.31b-32)

Main Text: Matthew 21:23-27 (ESV) 23 And when he entered the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people came up to him as he was teaching, and said, “By what authority are you doing these things, and who gave you this authority?” 24 Jesus answered them, “I also will ask you one question, and if you tell me the answer, then I also will tell you by what authority I do these things. 25The baptism of John, from where did it come? From heaven or from man?” And they discussed it among themselves, saying, “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ he will say to us, ‘Why then did you not believe him?’ 26 But if we say, ‘From man,’ we are afraid of the crowd, for they all hold that John was a prophet.” 27 So they answered Jesus, “We do not know.” And he said to them, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I do these things.

Preaching Point: Jesus’ tactic for exposing counterfeits should embolden us to use similar tactics to engage those who appear genuine yet lack the sincerity to follow Jesus.

Teaching Points:

1. Probe for Genuineness (vv. 23-25a)
2. Expose Intent (vv. 25b-27a)
3. Refuse to Answer Insincere Questions (v. 27b)

Main Text: Matthew 21:18-22 (ESV) 18 In the morning, as he was returning to the city, he became hungry. 19 And seeing a fig tree by the wayside, he went to it and found nothing on it but only leaves. And he said to it, “May no fruit ever come from you again!” And the fig tree withered at once. 20 When the disciples saw it, they marveled, saying, “How did the fig tree wither at once?” 21 And Jesus answered them, “Truly, I say to you, if you have faith and do not doubt, you will not only do what has been done to the fig tree, but even if you say to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and thrown into the sea,’ it will happen. 22 And whatever you ask in prayer, you will receive, if you have faith.”

Preaching Point: The words of Jesus should prompt us to consider the judgment awaiting all forms of counterfeit faith while encouraging us with the powerful effects of genuine faith in God.

Teaching Points:

1. Grasp God’s Disdain for Counterfeit Faith (vv. 18-19)
2. Expect God’s Generosity Toward Unwavering Faith (vv. 20-22)