The Tenants
Teaching Notes
The Setting
It is Tuesday of the Passion Week. He is in the temple courts teaching people about the good news when the Jewish religious leaders question him about his authority. He answers their question by telling them The Story of the Tenants. On Friday, they will crucify Jesus.
The Story
He went on to tell the people this parable: “A man planted a vineyard, rented it to some farmers and went away for a long time. At harvest time he sent a servant to the tenants so they would give him some of the fruit of the vineyard. But the tenants beat him and sent him away empty-handed. He sent another servant, but that one also they beat and treated shamefully and sent away empty-handed. He sent still a third, and they wounded him and threw him out.
Luke 20:9-12
“Then the owner of the vineyard said, ‘What shall I do? I will send my son, whom I love; perhaps they will respect him.’ “But when the tenants saw him, they talked the matter over. ‘This is the heir,’ they said. ‘Let’s kill him, and the inheritance will be ours.’ So they threw him out of the vineyard and killed him. “What then will the owner of the vineyard do to them? He will come and kill those tenants and give the vineyard to others.” When the people heard this, they said, “God forbid!”
Luke 20:13-16
Jesus looked directly at them and asked, “Then what is the meaning of that which is written: “‘The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone’? Everyone who falls on that stone will be broken to pieces; anyone on whom it falls will be crushed.”
Luke 20:17-18
“Fellow Israelites, listen to this: Jesus of Nazareth was a man accredited by God to you by miracles, wonders and signs, which God did among you through him, as you yourselves know. This man was handed over to you by God’s deliberate plan and foreknowledge; and you, with the help of wicked men,[a] put him to death by nailing him to the cross. But God raised him from the dead, freeing him from the agony of death, because it was impossible for death to keep its hold on him.
Acts 2:22-24
The So What
What is a cornerstone?
Historically, the cornerstone was the most important part of any building. The total weight of an edifice rested on this particular stone, which, if removed, would collapse the whole structure. The cornerstone was also the key to keeping the walls straight. The builders would take sightings along the edges of this part of the building. If the cornerstone was set properly, the stonemasons could be assured that all the other corners of the building would be at the appropriate angles as well. Thus, the cornerstone became a symbol for that which held life together.
Two Decisions:
Decision 1: Accept or Reject.
Jesus is “‘the stone you builders rejected, which has become the cornerstone.’ Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.”
Acts 4:11-12
A Prayer of Acceptance:
Dear God, I do not want to be like the religious leaders who rejected your son. I believe Jesus is the cornerstone of life and I want to accept and receive him today. I confess before you that I have sin in my life, and I want to be forgiven by Jesus. I want to move my life in a brand-new direction under your authority. So, today I confess Jesus as my Lord and Savior – the Son of God who died and rose again on the third day. Come into my life and grant me eternal life by your amazing grace. By the authority of the name of Jesus I pray – Amen
Decision 2: To build my life on Christ.
By the grace God has given me, I laid a foundation as a wise builder, and someone else is building on it. But each one should build with care. For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ. If anyone builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, their work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each person’s work. If what has been built survives, the builder will receive a reward. If it is burned up, the builder will suffer loss but yet will be saved—even though only as one escaping through the flames.
1 Corinthians 3:10-15
As you come to him, the living Stone—rejected by humans but chosen by God and precious to him— you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. For in Scripture it says: “See, I lay a stone in Zion, a chosen and precious cornerstone, and the one who trusts in him will never be put to shame.” Now to you who believe, this stone is precious.
1 Peter 2:4-7
Unless the Lord builds the house, the builders labor in vain.
Psalm 127:1
Setlist
WFC Lenexa + WFC Anywhere
Lion- Elevation Worship
If The Lord Builds The House- Hope Darst
Because He Lives- Carrie Underwood
The Cross of Christ- The Collective KC
WFC Speedway
Rattle-Elevation Worship
O Praise The Name- Hillsong
Firm Foundation-Cody Carnes/Maverick City
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