Lessons for September 25, 2005 – Nineteenth Sunday after Pentecost The first lesson Ezekiel 18:1-4, 25-32 Then another message came to me from the Lord: 2"Why do you quote this proverb in the land of Israel: 'The parents have eaten sour grapes, but their children's mouths pucker at the taste'? 3As surely as I live, says the Sovereign Lord, you will not say this proverb anymore in Israel. 4For all people are mine to judge—both parents and children alike. And this is my rule: The person who sins will be the one who dies. "Yet you say, 'The Lord isn't being just!' Listen to me, O people of Israel. Am I the one who is unjust, or is it you? 26When righteous people turn from being good and start doing sinful things, they will die for it. Yes, they will die because of their sinful deeds. 27And if wicked people turn away from their wickedness, obey the law, and do what is just and right, they will save their lives. 28They will live, because after thinking it over, they decided to turn from their sins. Such people will not die. 29And yet the people of Israel keep saying, 'The Lord is unjust!' O people of Israel, it is you who are unjust, not I. 30"Therefore, I will judge each of you, O people of Israel, according to your actions, says the Sovereign Lord. Turn from your sins! Don't let them destroy you! 31Put all your rebellion behind you, and get for yourselves a new heart and a new spirit. For why should you die, O people of Israel? 32I don't want you to die, says the Sovereign Lord. Turn back and live! (NLT) Psalm 25:1-8 L. To you, O Lord, I lift up my soul. I trust in you, my God! C. Do not let me be disgraced, or let my enemies rejoice in my defeat. L. No one who trusts in you will ever be disgraced, C. but disgrace comes to those who try to deceive others. L. Show me the path where I should walk, O Lord; point out the right road for me to follow. C. Lead me by your truth and teach me, for you are the God who saves me. L. All day long I put my hope in you. C. Remember, O Lord, your unfailing love and compassion, which you have shown from long ages past. L. Forgive the rebellious sins of my youth; look instead through the eyes of your unfailing love, C. for you are merciful, O Lord. L. The Lord is good and does what is right; he shows the proper path to those who go astray. (NLT) The second lesson Philippians 2:1-13 Is there any encouragement from belonging to Christ? Any comfort from his love? Any fellowship together in the Spirit? Are your hearts tender and sympathetic? 2Then make me truly happy by agreeing wholeheartedly with each other, loving one another, and working together with one heart and purpose. 3Don't be selfish; don't live to make a good impression on others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourself. 4Don't think only about your own affairs, but be interested in others, too, and what they are doing. 5Your attitude should be the same that Christ Jesus had. 6Though he was God, he did not demand and cling to his rights as God. 7He made himself nothing; he took the humble position of a slave and appeared in human form. 8And in human form he obediently humbled himself even further by dying a criminal's death on a cross. 9Because of this, God raised him up to the heights of heaven and gave him a name that is above every other name, 10so that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. 12Dearest friends, you were always so careful to follow my instructions when I was with you. And now that I am away you must be even more careful to put into action God's saving work in your lives, obeying God with deep reverence and fear. 13For God is working in you, giving you the desire to obey him and the power to do what pleases him. (NLT) The Gospel Lesson Matthew 21:23-32 23 Jesus entered the temple courts, and, while he was teaching, the chief priests and the elders of the people came to him. "By what authority are you doing these things?" they asked. "And who gave you this authority?" 24 Jesus replied, "I will also ask you one question. If you answer me, I will tell you by what authority I am doing these things. 25 John's baptism-- where did it come from? Was it from heaven, or from men?" They discussed it among themselves and said, "If we say, 'From heaven,' he will ask, 'Then why didn't you believe him?' 26 But if we say, 'From men'-- we are afraid of the people, for they all hold that John was a prophet." 27 So they answered Jesus, "We don't know." Then he said, "Neither will I tell you by what authority I am doing these things. 28 "What do you think? There was a man who had two sons. He went to the first and said, 'Son, go and work today in the vineyard.' 29 "'I will not,' he answered, but later he changed his mind and went. 30 "Then the father went to the other son and said the same thing. He answered, 'I will, sir,' but he did not go. 31 "Which of the two did what his father wanted?" "The first," they answered. Jesus said to them, "I tell you the truth, the tax collectors and the prostitutes are entering the kingdom of God ahead of you. 32 For John came to you to show you the way of righteousness, and you did not believe him, but the tax collectors and the prostitutes did. And even after you saw this, you did not repent and believe him. (NIV)