Sermon Notes:
1. John and Jesus go together. (Isaiah 40:3-11)
The characters in Matthew 21:28-32 are:
2. Landowner is God the Father.
3. The vineyard is the nation of Israel. (Isaiah 5)
4. The vine growers are the political/spiritual leaders.
5. The servants of the landowner are the prophets.
6. The Son of the landowner is the Messiah Jesus.
7. Jesus’ authority comes from God the Father.
8. If you take away the Cornerstone of Messiah the Son of God; it all comes down.
Follow-up Questions from Sunday:
Quick Review:
Looking back at your notes from this week’s teaching, was there anything you heard for the first time or that caught your attention, challenged, or confused you?
Digging Deeper:
1. Growing up, who did you think were the “coolest” people and why?
2. Read Matthew 21:23-27. Why do you think the religious leaders were confronting Jesus? How was He a danger to them?
3. How could Jesus have answered the priests’ question? How did Jesus’ counter-question answer their question as He talked about John the Baptist?
4. John told the religious leaders that he was the “one crying out in the wilderness” when they asked who he was (John 1:19-23). When you read the prophecy of Isaiah 40:3 who was he preparing the way for? Do you think this should have answered the religious leaders’ question about where Jesus gets his authority?
5. Read Matthew 21:28-32. Who are the two sons in the story? How do you think the religious leaders felt about this story? Which of the two sons would you say you are and why?
6. Read Matthew 21:33-46. When you read this parable, who are the characters in the story and what do you think was the main point Jesus was trying to get across in this story?
7. The cornerstone in ancient times was the most important stone at the pinnacle of an arch that held the structure together. What do you think Jesus was saying in Matthew 21:42-44?
8. What would you say are the top 5 things in your life right now that are stressing you out? How can Jesus as the cornerstone of your life affect these challenges? How has He done so in your past?
Prayer:
Close your group with prayer asking God to help us all to practically make Jesus the cornerstone of our life.