THE RESPONSE OF THE SONS.

We will consider a little further the decisions made by these sons.

The second son. He was like the seed in stony ground: "But he that received the seed into stony places, the same is he that heareth the word, and anon with joy receiveth it; yet hath he not root in himself, but dureth for a while: for when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word, by and by he is offended," Matthew 13:20-21.

The decision he made was a not a fixed, settled decision. There was no root to the decision. It did not run down deep into his heart! He was not like David. "O God, my heart is fixed; I will sing and give praise, even with my glory," Psalm 108:1.

I wonder what made him change his mind - the voice of friends calling him away? Note, "when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word." 'Tribulation', 'Persecution'. The Word of God brings such troubles as these. "And Saul was consenting unto his death. And at that time there was a great persecution against the church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judaea and Samaria, except the apostles," Acts 8:1. Only those truly rooted in Christ can withstand such. "That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love," Ephesians 3:17.

The first son. He realised the sinfulness of his decision. Lack of gratitude, offensive and shameful, vexing to God. Doubtless, as an Israelite he would have been familiar with Deut 21:18-21. "If a man have a stubborn and rebellious son, which will not obey the voice of his father, or the voice of his mother, and that, when they have chastened him, will not hearken unto them: Then shall his father and his mother lay hold on him, and bring him out unto the elders of his city, and unto the gate of his place; And they shall say unto the elders of his city, This our son is stubborn and rebellious, he will not obey our voice; he is a glutton, and a drunkard. And all the men of his city shall stone him with stones, that he die: so shalt thou put evil away from among you; and all Israel shall hear, and fear." He turned in repentance.

Refusing to obey your earthly father is most serious. How much more your Creator!
Defying of the voice of God can only end in death. "Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death," James 1:15. That is the penalty of sin

"But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death," Revelation 21:8. The second son was a LIAR!

Please take heed to this matter today, boys and girls.