A Sermon by Dr. Bob Griffin, Teaching Elder at Sovereign Grace Church
I. CONFRONTATION
A. CHALLENGE
1. COALITION
Mt 21:23a And when He entered the temple Lk 20:1 and began teaching the people and preaching the gospel, the chief priests and the scribes with the elders of the people came up to Him,
2. CERTIFICATION
Mt 21:23b and demanded, “By what authority are you doing these things? Who gave you such authority?”
B. COUNTERACTION
1. CONVERSE
Mt 21:24 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.
2. CHARGE
Mt 21:25a The baptism of John, from where did it come? From heaven or from man?”
II. CONSTERNATION
A. CONSEQUENCE
1. CONSIDERATION
Mt 21:25b And they discussed it among themselves, saying, “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ He will say to us, ‘The why didn’t you believe him?’
2. COWARDS
Mt 21:26 But if we say, ‘From man,’ we’re afraid of the crowd, for they all consider John a prophet.”
B. CONDESCENSION
1. CAREFUL
Mt 21:27a So they answered Jesus, “We don’t know.”
2. COOPERATION
Mt 21:27b And He replied, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I do these things.”
III. CONDEMNATION
A. CONFRONTATION
1. CHANGE
Mt 21:28-29 “What do you think? A man had two children. 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.
2. CONTRADICTION
Mt 21:30 And he went to the other son and said the same. And he answered, ‘I [will], sir,’ but didn’t go.
B. CHOICE
1. CONFOUND
Mt 21:31a Which of the two did the will of his father?”
2. CORRECT
Mt 21:31b They said, “The first.”
C. CONCLUSION
1. CONNECTION
Mt 21:31c Jesus said to them, “Truly, I say to you, the tax collectors and the prostitutes enter the kingdom of God before you.
2. COMPENSATION
Mt 21:32a For John came to you [presenting] the way of righteousness, and you did not believe him, but the publicani and prostitutes did.
3. COMPLY
Mt 21:32b And even when you saw it, you didn’t then change your minds and believe him.