Would You Disrespect The Son of God (From our 12-28-25 Worship)

Watch The Video Version Here: https://youtu.be/7r2aN-aavTgJesus’ parable of the wicked tenants is a warning: it’s possible to “show up” around God’s things and still disrespect God’s Son—by refusing to be shaped, acting like what we have is ours, and ignoring God’s warnings.Hook / Opening Story (Ulysses S. Grant)March 1864: Grant travels from Nashville to Washington, D.C. to meet President Lincoln and be named commander of the Union Army.Arrives late at night—no one meets him. He walks to the Willard Hotel (historic D.C. hotel).Clerk gives him the last room—an attic “broom closet” room—rudely, not realizing who he is.Later the clerk sees the registry: “U.S. Grant and son” and panics—moves him to the presidential suite.Point: Sometimes we disrespect someone because we don’t recognize them… and sometimes we disrespect even when we DO know.Main TextMatthew 21:33–46 — Parable of the tenantsOwner plants a vineyard, leases it to tenants, leaves.Sends servants to collect fruit: they’re beaten, killed, stoned.Finally sends his son: “They will respect my son.”Tenants kill the son to seize the inheritance.Jesus quotes: the rejected stone becomes the cornerstone; the kingdom is taken from fruitless tenants and given to those who produce fruit.Why This Parable MattersAppears in 3 of the 4 Gospels → God is emphasizing something weighty.The spotlight phrase: “They will respect my son.”Challenge: It’s easy to talk about “outsiders” disrespecting Jesus… but the real gut-check is:Can Christians disrespect the Son—unintentionally or through a hardened heart?Answer: Yes.Three Ways We Can Disrespect the Son (Applications)1) Refusing to “Build” (Rejecting the Cornerstone)Jesus = the perfect cornerstone (foundation and alignment).Christians = living stones being built up (cf. Peter’s imagery).We don’t have to be perfect, but we must be progressing:A heart that says: “I want God; I want growth; I want change.”Disrespect happens when we say:“I want the blessings… but I don’t want the shaping.”“I’ll attend, sing, partake, and go through motions… but won’t work on my rough edges.”Punchline: If Jesus was tortured and crucified for me, and I refuse to change—what does that say about my heart?Key idea: “Good enough” Christianity quietly insults the Savior.2) Wanting His Place (Acting Like It’s Mine)Tenants killed the son because they wanted his inheritance.Modern parallel: not that we want to “be Jesus,” but we live like:My time is mineMy money is mineMy resources are mineStewardship lens:Everything belongs to God; we manage it for Him.Illustration: Good SamaritanHe gave bandages, oil, time, transportation, money, rest, and ongoing responsibility.He treated what he had as something to use for mercy.Disrespect shows up as:“I don’t want to share.”“I don’t have time right now.”“That’s inconvenient.”Often the “small” refusal is the moment God intended to open a door for someone to see Christ.Key idea: When I cling tightly, I’m acting like I own what God entrusted.3) Ignoring the Warnings (Rejecting the Messengers)Owner didn’t surprise them with expectations—he sent messengers ahead of time.They abused the warnings instead of heeding them.Parallel: John the Baptist warned and prepared the way—and was killed.Today: Scripture is not decorationNot just a “family Bible on the shelf”It is God’s warning, guide, and preparation for judgment and faithfulness.Disrespect happens when we treat God’s word like background noise:“I meant to… I just never got around to it.”Hard truth: intentions don’t outweigh priorities.Key idea: Neglecting God’s Word is not neutral—it’s disrespectful.The Warning and the Fork in the RoadMatthew 21:40–41 — the owner will come; the lease is terminated; the vineyard is given to others who will bear fruit.Matthew 21:43–44 — you either:Build on the stone, orGet crushed by itThere aren’t endless middle options.Tone Check (Pastoral Heart)This isn’t shared to scare or beat people down.It’s a sober, loving warning meant to wake us up.We need each other because spiritual laziness is real—even for preachers.Community helps:Sometimes we gently lead someone out.Sometimes we “snatch them from the fire” (Jude imagery).Practical Takeaways (Listener Application)Inventory my “rough edges”: What have I refused to let God change?Stewardship audit: Where am I acting like my resources are truly mine?Warning check: Is my Bible opened regularly—or just present in the house?Fruit question: If my faith were judged by fruit alone, what would it show?Suggested Closing / Call to ActionAsk: “In what way am I disrespecting the Son—by refusing growth, clinging to ownership, or ignoring warnings?”Encourage: Don’t delay. Don’t settle for motion without transformation.Invitation: If you need help, repentance, prayer, or accountability—reach out and let the church help.Scripture References Mentioned/Alluded ToMatthew 21:33–46 (Primary text)1 John 1:7–10 (ongoing cleansing/confession and walking in the light)John 14 (Holy Spirit bringing Jesus’ teaching to remembrance)Jude (helping others—gentle rescue vs snatching from fire)1 Peter 2 (cornerstone / living stones concept, implied)