God's judgment on those who do not produce the fruits of righteousness
Preaching
Lectionary Preaching Workbook
Series V, Cycle A
BRIEF COMMENTARY ON THE LESSONS
Lesson 1: Exodus 20:1--4, 7--9, 12--20 (C)
God had, in his grace, freed the Hebrews from their slavery in Egypt and was leading them into the Promised Land. To govern their life together, he gives them the Ten Commandments. God's laws, too, are a sign of his grace. God loves his people so much that he wants to steer them away from the path of death into the path of life.
Lesson 1: Isaiah 5:1--7 (RC, E, L)
Isaiah recites a poem that allegorically refers to Israel as the Lord's vineyard, which has turned wild and unproductive. Instead of producing the fruits of righteousness, it has yielded violence. The Lord threatens to abandon his beloved vineyard and let nature take its course.
Lesson 2: Philippians 3:4b--14 (C); Philippians 3:14--21 (E); Philippians 3:12--21 (L)
Paul's goal is to attain union with the crucified and resurrected Christ. He doesn't claim to have already attained this exalted state but he presses on like a race runner straining for the finish line. This striving for spiritual maturity is promoted by God's prior redemptive actions (v. 12). Paul urges his disciples to imitate him in training toward Christ--likeness. Some have chosen to be enemies of Christ by devoting their energies toward consuming this world's goods. Such are to be avoided because the Christian's true homeland is in heaven.
Lesson 2: Philippians 4:6--9 (RC)
Paul is winding down his letter to the Philippians and leaves them some valuable advice. They are not to worry but to make their needs known to God in prayer. God will give them his peace. They are to focus not on the dangers of the present world but on whatever is pure, honorable and true. They are to continue in the gospel that they have heard and observed in Paul. What faith Paul had in the integrity of his faith and life!
Gospel: Matthew 21:33--46 (C); Matthew 21:33--43 (RC, E, L)
The parable of The Wicked Tenants. In this allegorical parable, a man plants a vineyard and equips it with watchtowers, walls and a wine press. Having prepared all, he rents out the vineyard and leaves the area. At harvest time he sends servants to collect the rent, but they are beaten, robbed, and killed. He then sends his own son, thinking that the tenants would respect his son, but these wicked persons slay the son, reasoning that they can now have the vineyard
303
for themselves. But this is sort of an opened--ended story. Jesus asks the religious leaders what they think should be done with such wicked people. They respond that such tenants should be put to a miserable death and the vineyard rented out to someone who would yield up the fruit in season. Once again, they fail to see themselves in the parable. Jesus makes clear the point. Israel, especially their leaders, are those wicked tenants and the vineyard is the kingdom of God. The servants who are mistreated and killed represent the prophets, and the son who was slain is Jesus. Jesus makes the same point that Isaiah made: the kingdom of God would be taken away from them and given to those who yielded the fruit of obedience. Jesus was the stone that the builders rejected, which would form the cornerstone of a new spiritual community (v. 42).
Psalm Of The Day
Psalm 19 (C) - ''Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable to you, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer'' (v. 14).
Psalm 80:7--14 (RC, E, L) - ''Restore us, O God of hosts; let your face shine, that we may be saved'' (v. 7).
Prayer Of The Day
Gracious God, you have made us caretakers not only of the bounty of the earth but of the treasure of the gospel. Ground us ever more securely in our relationship with Christ that our lives might abound in fruitfulness. In Jesus' name. Amen.
THEOLOGICAL REFLECTION ON THE LESSONS
Lesson 1: Exodus 20:1--4, 7--9, 12--20
Declarative--Imperative. God establishes the foundation from which he issues his commandments. He declares that he is their God, who has saved them from slavery in Egypt. He begins in the indicative mode of expression. From this base, he issues his imperatives. Thus, the commandments are conceived as a response to God's grace and redeeming actions.
Don't defame the Name. The people are commanded not to misuse the Lord's name (v. 7) and told that he would not acquit anyone who did so. While the fourth commandment is the only one with a blessing attached, the second commandment is the only one that has a type of curse attached to it. This should have a sobering effect on anyone who takes God's Word seriously. All children of God bear his name, but who among us has not misused or misrepresented that Holy Name? We're not just talking about language here; we're talking about lifestyle and values.
Lesson 1: Isaiah 5:1--7
God as lover. You can feel Isaiah's passion for God, his beloved. He feels the pain of his beloved's pain at being spurned by his own people. When you love someone, her hurts are your hurts. Do we feel the pain of God as we observe a world in rebellion?
Wild world. God threatens to let his vineyard go wild. Without cultivation, nature reclaims everything; it goes wild. Wild means survival of the fittest. Wild means lack of fruitfulness, which is achieved through cultivation, work and discipline.
Lesson 2: Philippians 3:4b--21
Straining toward perfection. Paul uses the image of the runner straining toward the finish line as an analogy of the Christian life. God has already laid claim to him but he was pushing ahead with all due effort to attain all that God had in mind for him. Paul was straining for perfection or maturity. The word for maturity, telios, sometimes translates as ''perfection.'' In this sense, perfection means completion, not sinlessness. Accepting God's salvation is only a beginning point for a life that strains for maturity in Christ.
304
Looking forward. Constantly looking back on mistakes and failures is a sure prescription for coming in last. Paul was focused on the future goal. ''Forgetting what lies behind ... I press on toward the goal ...'' (vv. 13--14).
Hold your ground. ''Only let us hold fast to what we have attained'' (v. 16). The history of the world is full of examples of societies which have attained great sophistication and knowledge before regressing and, in some cases, becoming extinct. It has been said that we are one generation away from the extinction of Christianity. We must hold on tight to our faith and pass it on to our children. Faith does not remain static; if we aren't pressing toward the life hidden in Christ, our faith is losing steam, due to spiritual entropy.
Gospel: Matthew 21:33--46
Violence in the vineyard. The tenants not only refused to pay the rent but did violence to the landowners's servants. What is the source of the violence? Lack of respect for authority, lack of respect for life itself and greed. The tenants weren't satisfied to be tenants; they wanted to own the vineyard. What violence we do when we forget that we are God's tenants on this earth! Greed leads us to try to possess the vineyard rather than care for it, which pits us against the Lord and our neighbors.
Losing the lease. In preaching on this text, we need to be careful to avoid even the appearance of anti--Semitism. In its original context, the parable is one of judgment against the nation of Israel. They had not lived up to the covenant or rendered the obedience which was owed God. They would not be able to keep their special designation as the exclusive caretakers of God's kingdom. That designation was given to the church, made up of those who render repentance and the fruit of faith. It's not that the Jews were more sinful than other people, nor is it true that they are excluded from God's kingdom. All people are now a part of the kingdom of God through the obedience of faith. The institutional church could also lose its lease if we become bereft of the fruits of Christ's Spirit (v. 43).
PREACHING APPROACHES WITH ILLUSTRATIONS
Lesson 1: Exodus 20:1--4, 7--9, 12--20
Sermon Title: Watch God's Copyright Law
Sermon Angle: The electronic revolution has led to a flood of stealing the thoughts and labors of other people. The Roman Catholic Church in Chicago had to pay a large penalty for copyright infringements on music. With the acknowledgment of a copyright, it is assumed that the material we are using comes from us or our business or institution. The Second Commandment states that we should not wrongfully use the Holy Name of God. Through baptism, we bear his name. Anytime that name is associated with that which is harmful or unjust, we infringe God's copyright law. God comes to represent that which is alien to him.
Lesson 1: Isaiah 5:1--7
Sermon Title: Does God Give Up?
Sermon Angle: According to Isaiah, God expected more from his people than he received. It was a bitter harvest. It seems that the prophet is claiming that the Lord was abandoning his people, letting them go a--wilding. It appears that God is giving up on his people. The Old Testament suggests that God does reach a point where he gives humankind over to their own devices. For a time, it may be true that the Lord has to sit back because there is nothing more that he can do (v. 4). Yet the holy history reveals that God is only biding time until an opportunity for salvation presents itself.
Lesson 2: Philippians 3:4b--21
Sermon Title: Debits And Credits
305
Sermon Angle: Paul discusses his gains accrued in his former life in Judaism (4b--6). Yet these apparent gains he now regards as loss because now he has inherited the treasure of knowing Christ. The ultimate and eternal credit on the ledger of eternity is to know the crucified and resurrected Christ.
Sermon Title: Why Are You Running?
Sermon Angle: You can't live in the western culture without running, it seems. But why do we run? Where is it that we are so intent on getting? Some run to give themselves a sense of self--worth or accomplishment. Some run merely to keep ahead of others, while others exalt in the speed of the race. Why did Paul run? Not to lay claim to the gift of salvation; that was already his. No, because Christ had claimed him, he wanted to lay claim to all that his relationship contained. It was the sheer joy of running with Jesus to the heavenly prize.
Outline:
1. Does your life seem like an endless race? Where are you running and why?
2. Are you running because you are
- afraid of being left behind
- trying to stay ahead of the pack
- doing what everyone else seems to be doing?
3. Paul gives us some guidelines for our running
- don't look back (v. 13)
- have a worthy goal and keep it in front of you (v. 13)
- run for the joy of it (v. 12) (We are motivated by grace, not propelled by fear)
Sermon Title: Pressing Toward The Prize
Sermon Angle: To win a race requires, among other things, a single--minded purpose. All other items are blocked out except the goal. What is the goal, the prize? Oneness with God in Christ, which is heaven. It's not that we strive to earn heaven; that's impossible for us. In Christ, we have been given heaven as our inheritance and we are pressing on to take possession of the gift. When Paul speaks of his mystical vision, he mentions that he was caught up in the Seventh Heaven. Does this allude to degrees of glory? Is it possible that even in heaven we will need to press on to full possession of the prize?
Outline:
1. What is your goal?
2. Paul's goal was to know Christ ever more completely
3. In heaven, we will know God fully
4. Heaven can't wait - we seek to lay hold of it now through Christ
Sermon Title: Heaven Can't Wait
Sermon Angle: Some time ago, there was a movie about the exploits of a man who suffered a premature death through accident and was ushered into the host of heaven. It was titled Heaven Can Wait. That's the attitude most of us have, until we're very ill or feeble. I suppose if heaven were too alluring, we would try to cut this life short. The fact of the matter is that heaven can't wait. As Christians, we are to be pressing on toward complete union with Christ, which is heaven (v. 14). We are called to bring the love, joy and peace of heaven to bear on this earthly life.
Gospel: Matthew 21:33--46
Sermon Title: Is God An Absentee Landlord?
Sermon Angle: Most parables have one central point and so the details of the story ought not to be imputed with symbolic meaning. However, this is an allegorical parable. The tenants are the Jewish nation. The servants of the householder are the prophets and Jesus is the Son. It would follow then that the householder would be God. If so, is God an absentee landlord? It is certainly true that he gives an enormous amount of freedom to us tenants. God doesn't
306
stand over our shoulders to impose his will. Yet it's not biblical to suggest that God is absent from our daily affairs. Perhaps it's more accurate to say that God roams his vineyard but often incognito.
Outline:
1. The earth belongs to God and the Church, his beloved vineyard
2. But is God an absentee landlord? (Is he, like the householder in this parable, in another country?)
3. No, but he keeps his distance so that we might have the freedom to demonstrate our faithfulness and fruitfulness.
Sermon Title: God Don't Get No Respect
Sermon Angle: Comedian Rodney Dangerfield is always complaining that he don't get no respect (excuse the grammar). That seems to be God's predicament. God sends prophet after mistreated prophet but, no respect. Not much, not for long anyway. Finally, he sends his Son, thinking that his people will respect the Son. They kill him in hopes of taking over the vineyard. God could, of course, command respect if he would use force. Instead, God chooses to win his people's love rather than command their respect.
Outline:
1. God's people do not often give God the respect he deserves
2. In Christ, he suffered the ultimate in humiliation
3. God could demand respect by force but it would not be heartfelt
4. Through the cross, we worship a God we can respect, love and serve
5. Let us show the Lord the respect he deserves through obedience
Sermon Title: Pronouncing Your Own Sentence
Sermon Angle: Jesus asked his hearers, the Jewish leaders, to render a verdict on the unfaithful tenants of his parable. Their sentence was that those wretches should be put to a miserable death and the vineyard rented out to those who would pay the rent. In so doing, they were unwittingly pronouncing their own sentence. Isn't that the way it always is? We pronounce our own judgment by the way that we live and the manner that we judge other people. God takes no delight in judgment, only in mercy.
Outline:
1. The religious leaders did not see themselves in Jesus' parable
2. The verdict they rendered on the tenants was the judgment they themselves deserved
3. In judging others, we judge ourselves
4. If we live in Christ, we are freed of all judgment
307
Lesson 1: Exodus 20:1--4, 7--9, 12--20 (C)
God had, in his grace, freed the Hebrews from their slavery in Egypt and was leading them into the Promised Land. To govern their life together, he gives them the Ten Commandments. God's laws, too, are a sign of his grace. God loves his people so much that he wants to steer them away from the path of death into the path of life.
Lesson 1: Isaiah 5:1--7 (RC, E, L)
Isaiah recites a poem that allegorically refers to Israel as the Lord's vineyard, which has turned wild and unproductive. Instead of producing the fruits of righteousness, it has yielded violence. The Lord threatens to abandon his beloved vineyard and let nature take its course.
Lesson 2: Philippians 3:4b--14 (C); Philippians 3:14--21 (E); Philippians 3:12--21 (L)
Paul's goal is to attain union with the crucified and resurrected Christ. He doesn't claim to have already attained this exalted state but he presses on like a race runner straining for the finish line. This striving for spiritual maturity is promoted by God's prior redemptive actions (v. 12). Paul urges his disciples to imitate him in training toward Christ--likeness. Some have chosen to be enemies of Christ by devoting their energies toward consuming this world's goods. Such are to be avoided because the Christian's true homeland is in heaven.
Lesson 2: Philippians 4:6--9 (RC)
Paul is winding down his letter to the Philippians and leaves them some valuable advice. They are not to worry but to make their needs known to God in prayer. God will give them his peace. They are to focus not on the dangers of the present world but on whatever is pure, honorable and true. They are to continue in the gospel that they have heard and observed in Paul. What faith Paul had in the integrity of his faith and life!
Gospel: Matthew 21:33--46 (C); Matthew 21:33--43 (RC, E, L)
The parable of The Wicked Tenants. In this allegorical parable, a man plants a vineyard and equips it with watchtowers, walls and a wine press. Having prepared all, he rents out the vineyard and leaves the area. At harvest time he sends servants to collect the rent, but they are beaten, robbed, and killed. He then sends his own son, thinking that the tenants would respect his son, but these wicked persons slay the son, reasoning that they can now have the vineyard
303
for themselves. But this is sort of an opened--ended story. Jesus asks the religious leaders what they think should be done with such wicked people. They respond that such tenants should be put to a miserable death and the vineyard rented out to someone who would yield up the fruit in season. Once again, they fail to see themselves in the parable. Jesus makes clear the point. Israel, especially their leaders, are those wicked tenants and the vineyard is the kingdom of God. The servants who are mistreated and killed represent the prophets, and the son who was slain is Jesus. Jesus makes the same point that Isaiah made: the kingdom of God would be taken away from them and given to those who yielded the fruit of obedience. Jesus was the stone that the builders rejected, which would form the cornerstone of a new spiritual community (v. 42).
Psalm Of The Day
Psalm 19 (C) - ''Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable to you, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer'' (v. 14).
Psalm 80:7--14 (RC, E, L) - ''Restore us, O God of hosts; let your face shine, that we may be saved'' (v. 7).
Prayer Of The Day
Gracious God, you have made us caretakers not only of the bounty of the earth but of the treasure of the gospel. Ground us ever more securely in our relationship with Christ that our lives might abound in fruitfulness. In Jesus' name. Amen.
THEOLOGICAL REFLECTION ON THE LESSONS
Lesson 1: Exodus 20:1--4, 7--9, 12--20
Declarative--Imperative. God establishes the foundation from which he issues his commandments. He declares that he is their God, who has saved them from slavery in Egypt. He begins in the indicative mode of expression. From this base, he issues his imperatives. Thus, the commandments are conceived as a response to God's grace and redeeming actions.
Don't defame the Name. The people are commanded not to misuse the Lord's name (v. 7) and told that he would not acquit anyone who did so. While the fourth commandment is the only one with a blessing attached, the second commandment is the only one that has a type of curse attached to it. This should have a sobering effect on anyone who takes God's Word seriously. All children of God bear his name, but who among us has not misused or misrepresented that Holy Name? We're not just talking about language here; we're talking about lifestyle and values.
Lesson 1: Isaiah 5:1--7
God as lover. You can feel Isaiah's passion for God, his beloved. He feels the pain of his beloved's pain at being spurned by his own people. When you love someone, her hurts are your hurts. Do we feel the pain of God as we observe a world in rebellion?
Wild world. God threatens to let his vineyard go wild. Without cultivation, nature reclaims everything; it goes wild. Wild means survival of the fittest. Wild means lack of fruitfulness, which is achieved through cultivation, work and discipline.
Lesson 2: Philippians 3:4b--21
Straining toward perfection. Paul uses the image of the runner straining toward the finish line as an analogy of the Christian life. God has already laid claim to him but he was pushing ahead with all due effort to attain all that God had in mind for him. Paul was straining for perfection or maturity. The word for maturity, telios, sometimes translates as ''perfection.'' In this sense, perfection means completion, not sinlessness. Accepting God's salvation is only a beginning point for a life that strains for maturity in Christ.
304
Looking forward. Constantly looking back on mistakes and failures is a sure prescription for coming in last. Paul was focused on the future goal. ''Forgetting what lies behind ... I press on toward the goal ...'' (vv. 13--14).
Hold your ground. ''Only let us hold fast to what we have attained'' (v. 16). The history of the world is full of examples of societies which have attained great sophistication and knowledge before regressing and, in some cases, becoming extinct. It has been said that we are one generation away from the extinction of Christianity. We must hold on tight to our faith and pass it on to our children. Faith does not remain static; if we aren't pressing toward the life hidden in Christ, our faith is losing steam, due to spiritual entropy.
Gospel: Matthew 21:33--46
Violence in the vineyard. The tenants not only refused to pay the rent but did violence to the landowners's servants. What is the source of the violence? Lack of respect for authority, lack of respect for life itself and greed. The tenants weren't satisfied to be tenants; they wanted to own the vineyard. What violence we do when we forget that we are God's tenants on this earth! Greed leads us to try to possess the vineyard rather than care for it, which pits us against the Lord and our neighbors.
Losing the lease. In preaching on this text, we need to be careful to avoid even the appearance of anti--Semitism. In its original context, the parable is one of judgment against the nation of Israel. They had not lived up to the covenant or rendered the obedience which was owed God. They would not be able to keep their special designation as the exclusive caretakers of God's kingdom. That designation was given to the church, made up of those who render repentance and the fruit of faith. It's not that the Jews were more sinful than other people, nor is it true that they are excluded from God's kingdom. All people are now a part of the kingdom of God through the obedience of faith. The institutional church could also lose its lease if we become bereft of the fruits of Christ's Spirit (v. 43).
PREACHING APPROACHES WITH ILLUSTRATIONS
Lesson 1: Exodus 20:1--4, 7--9, 12--20
Sermon Title: Watch God's Copyright Law
Sermon Angle: The electronic revolution has led to a flood of stealing the thoughts and labors of other people. The Roman Catholic Church in Chicago had to pay a large penalty for copyright infringements on music. With the acknowledgment of a copyright, it is assumed that the material we are using comes from us or our business or institution. The Second Commandment states that we should not wrongfully use the Holy Name of God. Through baptism, we bear his name. Anytime that name is associated with that which is harmful or unjust, we infringe God's copyright law. God comes to represent that which is alien to him.
Lesson 1: Isaiah 5:1--7
Sermon Title: Does God Give Up?
Sermon Angle: According to Isaiah, God expected more from his people than he received. It was a bitter harvest. It seems that the prophet is claiming that the Lord was abandoning his people, letting them go a--wilding. It appears that God is giving up on his people. The Old Testament suggests that God does reach a point where he gives humankind over to their own devices. For a time, it may be true that the Lord has to sit back because there is nothing more that he can do (v. 4). Yet the holy history reveals that God is only biding time until an opportunity for salvation presents itself.
Lesson 2: Philippians 3:4b--21
Sermon Title: Debits And Credits
305
Sermon Angle: Paul discusses his gains accrued in his former life in Judaism (4b--6). Yet these apparent gains he now regards as loss because now he has inherited the treasure of knowing Christ. The ultimate and eternal credit on the ledger of eternity is to know the crucified and resurrected Christ.
Sermon Title: Why Are You Running?
Sermon Angle: You can't live in the western culture without running, it seems. But why do we run? Where is it that we are so intent on getting? Some run to give themselves a sense of self--worth or accomplishment. Some run merely to keep ahead of others, while others exalt in the speed of the race. Why did Paul run? Not to lay claim to the gift of salvation; that was already his. No, because Christ had claimed him, he wanted to lay claim to all that his relationship contained. It was the sheer joy of running with Jesus to the heavenly prize.
Outline:
1. Does your life seem like an endless race? Where are you running and why?
2. Are you running because you are
- afraid of being left behind
- trying to stay ahead of the pack
- doing what everyone else seems to be doing?
3. Paul gives us some guidelines for our running
- don't look back (v. 13)
- have a worthy goal and keep it in front of you (v. 13)
- run for the joy of it (v. 12) (We are motivated by grace, not propelled by fear)
Sermon Title: Pressing Toward The Prize
Sermon Angle: To win a race requires, among other things, a single--minded purpose. All other items are blocked out except the goal. What is the goal, the prize? Oneness with God in Christ, which is heaven. It's not that we strive to earn heaven; that's impossible for us. In Christ, we have been given heaven as our inheritance and we are pressing on to take possession of the gift. When Paul speaks of his mystical vision, he mentions that he was caught up in the Seventh Heaven. Does this allude to degrees of glory? Is it possible that even in heaven we will need to press on to full possession of the prize?
Outline:
1. What is your goal?
2. Paul's goal was to know Christ ever more completely
3. In heaven, we will know God fully
4. Heaven can't wait - we seek to lay hold of it now through Christ
Sermon Title: Heaven Can't Wait
Sermon Angle: Some time ago, there was a movie about the exploits of a man who suffered a premature death through accident and was ushered into the host of heaven. It was titled Heaven Can Wait. That's the attitude most of us have, until we're very ill or feeble. I suppose if heaven were too alluring, we would try to cut this life short. The fact of the matter is that heaven can't wait. As Christians, we are to be pressing on toward complete union with Christ, which is heaven (v. 14). We are called to bring the love, joy and peace of heaven to bear on this earthly life.
Gospel: Matthew 21:33--46
Sermon Title: Is God An Absentee Landlord?
Sermon Angle: Most parables have one central point and so the details of the story ought not to be imputed with symbolic meaning. However, this is an allegorical parable. The tenants are the Jewish nation. The servants of the householder are the prophets and Jesus is the Son. It would follow then that the householder would be God. If so, is God an absentee landlord? It is certainly true that he gives an enormous amount of freedom to us tenants. God doesn't
306
stand over our shoulders to impose his will. Yet it's not biblical to suggest that God is absent from our daily affairs. Perhaps it's more accurate to say that God roams his vineyard but often incognito.
Outline:
1. The earth belongs to God and the Church, his beloved vineyard
2. But is God an absentee landlord? (Is he, like the householder in this parable, in another country?)
3. No, but he keeps his distance so that we might have the freedom to demonstrate our faithfulness and fruitfulness.
Sermon Title: God Don't Get No Respect
Sermon Angle: Comedian Rodney Dangerfield is always complaining that he don't get no respect (excuse the grammar). That seems to be God's predicament. God sends prophet after mistreated prophet but, no respect. Not much, not for long anyway. Finally, he sends his Son, thinking that his people will respect the Son. They kill him in hopes of taking over the vineyard. God could, of course, command respect if he would use force. Instead, God chooses to win his people's love rather than command their respect.
Outline:
1. God's people do not often give God the respect he deserves
2. In Christ, he suffered the ultimate in humiliation
3. God could demand respect by force but it would not be heartfelt
4. Through the cross, we worship a God we can respect, love and serve
5. Let us show the Lord the respect he deserves through obedience
Sermon Title: Pronouncing Your Own Sentence
Sermon Angle: Jesus asked his hearers, the Jewish leaders, to render a verdict on the unfaithful tenants of his parable. Their sentence was that those wretches should be put to a miserable death and the vineyard rented out to those who would pay the rent. In so doing, they were unwittingly pronouncing their own sentence. Isn't that the way it always is? We pronounce our own judgment by the way that we live and the manner that we judge other people. God takes no delight in judgment, only in mercy.
Outline:
1. The religious leaders did not see themselves in Jesus' parable
2. The verdict they rendered on the tenants was the judgment they themselves deserved
3. In judging others, we judge ourselves
4. If we live in Christ, we are freed of all judgment
307
