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Title: A Question of Ownership and Authority
Mark 12v1-12
1 Then He began to speak to them in parables: “A man planted a vineyard and set a hedge around it, dug a place for the wine vat and built a tower. And he leased it to vinedressers and went into a far country. 2 Now at vintage-time he sent a servant to the vinedressers, that he might receive some of the fruit of the vineyard from the vinedressers. 3 And they took him and beat him and sent him away empty-handed. 4 Again he sent them another servant, and at him they threw stones, wounded him in the head, and sent him away shamefully treated. 5 And again he sent another, and him they killed; and many others, beating some and killing some. 6 Therefore still having one son, his beloved, he also sent him to them last, saying, ‘They will respect my son.’ 7 But those vinedressers said among themselves, ‘This is the heir. Come, let us kill him, and the inheritance will be ours.’ 8 So they took him and killed him and cast him out of the vineyard. 9 “Therefore what will the owner of the vineyard do? He will come and destroy the vinedressers, and give the vineyard to others. 10 Have you not even read this Scripture: ‘The stone which the builders rejected Has become the chief cornerstone. 11 This was the Lord’s doing, And it is marvelous in our eyes’?” 12 And they sought to lay hands on Him, but feared the multitude, for they knew He had spoken the parable against them. So they left Him and went away.
Introduction
Ø Title Deeds, registration books are a question of ownership and authority
Ø Title deeds are normally produced when there is a question of clarity and judgement that needs to be addressed
Ø For any deed to be legally operative, it must include the identification of the grantor and grantee, and the adequate description of the property.
Ø A title deed is a legal instrument that is used to transfer ownership of real property from the old owner (the grantor) to the new owner (the grantee).
Ø Historically, real property was transferred through a ceremonial act known as "livery of seisin." In this act, the person transferring the land handed a twig or clod of turf from the land to the person taking delivery of the land.
Ø This same thing happens when a child is born. We celebrate and ululated for the blessing from the Lord. God gives us temporary ownership which we need to take care of. Sometimes we forget that we have been given temporary ownership which require us to stay connected with the Owner/Creator. This ownership is based on trust and the fruitfulness we should have in our lives. We celebrate and thank the Lord for everything. We do ceremonies celebrating the gift of life. But a questions remains unaddressed, who owns this beautiful life.
Ø When ownership is transferred normally a verbal or written statement often accompany the gesture.
Ø The grantor has legal capacity to transfer the property. Just like when title deeds are being transferred the grantee must be capable of receiving the grant of the property. It's obvious that you can't transfer deed to a dead person. In fact, people remove a dead person from deeds because they are not capable to taking care of it.
Ø When a property is transferred, the property should be adequately described, and the grantor and grantee are identified in such a way as to be ascertainable. Operative words of conveyance must be present. The deed must be signed by the grantor or grantors. Also, the deed must be legally delivered to the grantee. Finally, the deed must be acceptable by the grantee.
Ø The parable or story that we have just read happened on a Wednesday just 2 days before Jesus is crucified and he is discussing the question of ownership, authority and judgement. What shall happen when the owner of the vineyard comes. When He comes to his vineyard that he planted and has failed to take control of because of the people that he entrusted or leased it to. The people did not reciprocate to his gesture. What should happen?
Ø He sent his servants and they were beaten and killed. He sent his son and he was killed.
Ø This parable is from Isaiah chapter 5. The parable says there was an owner who planted a vineyard and set a hedge around it.
Ø As you walk around there is a hedge around you. There are things that the Lord has protected you from. It didn’t just happen. You were not luck or fortunate as you think. Someone is and was watching over you. This the one that transferred the deeds to you or your parents.
Ø The reason he was sending different messengers, is because of his expectation on you. He is expecting some fruits whilst you are in the vineyard. He is expecting the goodness that comes out of you, which will bring many to Christ. He is expecting all good things...….As many as they are. He is expecting love. He is expecting success.
Ø The word Husbandman in this passage is referring to a person who cultivates the land; a farmer. The word servants is referring many preachers. The son is referring Jesus Christ the only begotten son of the living God.
Ø My question is How are you cultivating your life. Have you taken total ownership? Are you considering him in your or you have totally and absolutely disregarded him.
Ø Are you like this ruthless farmer (husbandman) that was given this land with everything but did want any of the servants from the Sole Owner? The bible says when it was time for fruits the owner would send his servants, but the husbandmen killed them. They were beating them, killing them and sending them empty. Sending them wounded, stoned and shamefully handled. Waal!!!!!!!!!!!
Ø There are many people that are wounded and are still being wounded whilst doing the work of God. They are stoned and shamed with various means of equipment.
Ø This world is filled with people who don’t care. People are so puffed up. The code of the day is my way is the highway. I like the word of God, it says, for God resist the proud and gives more grace to the humble. (James 4:6). Grace means unmerited favor.
Ø Our God is a patient and loving God. The parable says, but because of love the Owner did not stop because of the killed servants. Having yet one son he sent him, and they killed him as well and cast him out of the vineyard
Ø One of the reasons they killed the son and servants is that they wanted to preserve their position. They thought that if they deal and kill the servants and the heir, they would easily claim the property.
Ø What therefore shall the Lord of the vineyard do to this. Shall he remain silent. Shall he outreach again. I believe he will outreach again. I believe that is why he has given this message to my heart. Indeed, there is still a place for you. He is just waiting for alone. He loves you so much that he can't just let you go. The word of God in Ezekiel 18:23 says, Do I have any pleasure at all that the wicked should die?” says the Lord God, “and not that he should turn from his ways and live? Ezekiel 33:11 Say to them: ‘As I live,’ says the Lord God, ‘I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but that the wicked turn from his way and live. Turn, turn from your evil ways! For why should you die, O house of Israel?’
Ø It so discouraging to see that the stone that builders rejected have become the chief cornerstone. Waal!!!!!!!
Ø As we are, we are someone's property. He can claim us any time but before the time comes, he is giving us another chance.
Ø We all have got any expiry date, a time limit. We are here temporarily. This is the Lord’s doing and it is marvelous in our eyes
Ø Yes, sometimes we sound clever and we try to run away. There is no way you can run away from this owner he is everywhere all the time. Even those that love you submit to him.
Ø Ecclesiastes 9:11 I returned and saw under the sun that—The race is not to the swift, Nor the battle to the strong, Nor bread to the wise, Nor riches to men of understanding, Nor favor to men of skill; But time and chance happen to them all.
Ø This is a message of conviction that I am writing to you. We belong to the Master and whether we like it or not we shall all salute him. In the twinkling of an eye, we shall all know him; The Great I am.
Ø If we are with stolen title deeds, sometimes we look wiser. Wait a minute when an eviction order comes. That is when we are all going to know who was in control. There are people that we thought owned properties, by the way they looked and walked. They looked wiser but only to be surprised when they moved before their intended move. The Master is coming anytime ladies and gentlemen, we shall all know it but for some of us it might too late to make sound decisions. Whilst you still have time, I am encouraging you now to make a decision to acknowledge the Master. You are a spiritual being.
Ø John 3:3-7 3 Jesus replied, "Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again." 4 "How can someone be born when they are old?" Nicodemus asked. "Surely they cannot enter a second time into their mother's womb to be born!" 5 Jesus answered, "Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit. 6 Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. 7 You should not be surprised at my saying, 'You must be born again.'
Ø 1 Peter 1:23 23 For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God.
Ø 2 Corinthians 5:17 17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!
Ø It is surprising to see the outrageous behave of these vine growers. Sometimes we do the same.
Ø In fact, who would do that, to kill the owner of a property. No..... The Man did everything for production to adapt to your needs. We should acknowledge him.
Ø He sent His son and thought they will honour his son. They took him, beat him, killed him and threw him away and continued enjoying the benefits of the vineyard. Don’t enjoy the benefits of the vineyard without honoring the Owner and the Son.
Ø By their own action, they condemned themselves
Ø In this parable there a case of murder that needed to be resolved.
Ø Sometimes we are entangled with greediness we want it all. We don’t think of others and more likely the Creator of the Universe, Jesus Christ.
Ø The vineyard growers where unfaithful stewards. They were people that would not owner anyone, they had so much power in themselves and they were so greed that they did want to share.
Ø In this parable Jesus illustrates that our God is the Lord of the harvest. Soon and very soon God is coming back expecting a bumper harvest, but many will be found in their own things.
Ø Will he find you ready, if he comes whilst we are still here. If you go before his coming will you be in the right place.
Ø Yes, it is possible to sleep whilst we are in the field, but I have come with a message to remind you that the Master is watching, and he needs us to remain connected and vigilant. We don’t know when he is coming back, it can be anytime soon.
Ø Will he come in the day, will he come in the midnight, I don’t know but like a thief in the night he is going to come and claim the house. The question still remains and need an answer, who owned the house. (Mark 13v34-37). Was it owned by everybody? Is it owned by Jesus? If yes, I think we need to submit to him now.
Ø Will you be a good tenant of the Lord that when you die you will go back and say Lord, I did everything. Everything you expected from me and of me.
Ø The verdict of the vineyard is unquestionable. Why can't we give him reverence, ownership and worship now. Is it a question of our pride?
Ø Will you respect or reject the son that died for your sins and my sins. He died for us to be forgiven.
Ø Ladies and Gentlemen, God was so faithful to present a salvation plan, through his beloved son, that whosoever believes in him should not perish but will get eternal life. John 3v16
Ø He came to give us abundant life. That is why he encourages us in Matthew 6:33 by saying "But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. In John 10:10 he informs us of the thief and his intention; "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.
Ø 2 Corinthians 5v1-3. 5 We know that our body—the tent we live in here on earth—will be destroyed. But when that happens, God will have a house for us. It will not be a house made by human hands; instead, it will be a home in heaven that will last forever. 2 But now we groan in this tent. We want God to give us our heavenly home, 3 because it will clothe us so we will not be naked.
Ø 1 Peter 1:24-25 24 The Scripture says, “All people are like the grass, and all their glory is like the flowers of the field. The grass dies and the flowers fall, 25 but the word of the Lord will live forever.” Isaiah 40:6–8. And this is the word that was preached to you.
Ø Lest we forget the bible speaks about the rich man and Lazarus in Luke 16:19-31.
Ø Remember the question of ownership and authority is still dangling but this is a very important question that all human beings should address without failure and with urgency. We belong to someone and who is that person. I believe it is Jesus Christ the only begotten son of the living God who we shall listen to and pay allegiance to. Accept him in your life as your Master and personal Savior.
Ø He is waiting for you. I want to promise you, he is the great burden bearer. With him all things are possible.
Ø Thank you for giving me this wonderful platform to speak to you. Be blessed in Jesus name.
Ø I also would want to encourage you to find a church to go to and fellowship together with them
Ø If you want to come to our assembly, you are welcome. We can be found on; Homewood Suites, 40 Bay Street South, Hamilton, Ontario, L8P1H6, Canada. Our service starts from 10:00am up to 13:00pm every Sunday.
Ø God bless you; see you then and Stay blessed.
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