Summary
This message takes us on a journey through the ancient vineyards of Israel, connecting the dots between Isaiah’s prophetic words and Jesus’ parable in Luke 20. We discover that God is the vineyard owner who has invested everything into His people—clearing the rocks, building walls, planting the finest vines, and expecting good fruit. Yet throughout history, His servants, the prophets, were rejected, beaten, and killed by those entrusted to care for the vineyard. The climax comes when God sends His beloved Son, hoping the tenant farmers will finally respect Him. But even Jesus, the chief cornerstone, is rejected and killed. This parable confronts us with three critical questions: Are we confusing stewardship with ownership, treating our lives as if they belong to us rather than God? Are we mistaking God’s patience for permission to live however we want? And are we viewing Jesus’ authority as a threat rather than the source of abundant life? The invitation is clear—we can fall on the stone and be broken in surrender, or the stone will eventually fall on us in judgment. Every area of our lives must come into alignment with the Cornerstone, because true life is found not in grasping control, but in releasing everything to the One who rightfully owns it all.
Key Scripture
- Isaiah 5:1-7 – The Song of the Vineyard
- Luke 20:9-19 – The Parable of the Wicked Tenants
- Psalm 118:22 – The Rejected Stone
Ice Breaker
What’s something you’ve been trusted to take care of (steward)? How did that responsibility feel different from owning it?
Key Takeaways
- Don’t misjudge stewardship as ownership – Everything we have belongs to God; we are merely managers of His gifts.
- Don’t misjudge patience as license – God’s patience is meant to lead us to repentance, not give us permission to sin.
- Don’t misjudge authority as a threat – Jesus’ authority is not something to fear but to embrace, as He offers abundant life.
Discussion Questions
Understanding the Message
- What stood out to you most from this sermon? Why do you think that particular point resonated with you?
- Why do you think Jesus used the imagery of a vineyard to communicate this message? What does the vineyard represent, and who are the tenant farmers?
- The sermon mentioned that the Pharisees would have known Isaiah 5. How does connecting Old and New Testament passages strengthen our understanding of who Jesus is?
Personal Reflection
- Andy said, “The most important thing about you is what you believe about Jesus.” How would you articulate what you believe about Jesus? Has your understanding of Him changed over time?
- Discuss the difference between stewardship and ownership. Where in your life have you confused the two? What areas of your life do you treat as “mine” rather than God’s?
- “Don’t misjudge patience as license.” Have you ever mistaken God’s patience for permission to continue in sin? How can we guard against this mindset?
Digging Deeper
- The religious leaders saw Jesus’ authority as a threat rather than a gift. Why do people often view God’s authority as threatening? What fears drive this response?
- Jesus said we can either “fall on the stone” (be broken) or have “the stone fall on us” (be crushed). What’s the difference between these two options? What does it look like practically to “fall on the stone”?
- The owner sent servant after servant (the prophets), and they were all rejected. Why do you think God continued to send messengers even when they were rejected? What does this reveal about God’s character?
Scripture Reference
- Isaiah 5:1-7 – The parable of the vineyard (read and discussed extensively)
- Luke 20:9-19 – Jesus’ parable of the wicked tenants (main text)
- John 1:43-46 – Philip and Nathanael’s conversation about Jesus being from Nazareth
- Luke 9:23 – “If anyone wants to be my disciple, he must deny himself, take up his cross daily and follow me” (paraphrased)
- Psalm 118:22 – “The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone” (quoted in Luke 20:17)