(Mat) 21:28-31, 43 CJB “But give me your opinion: a man had two sons. He went to the first and said, ‘Son, go and work today in the vineyard.’ He answered, ‘I don’t want to’; but later he changed his mind and went. The father went to his other son and said the same thing. This one answered, ‘I will, sir’; but he didn’t go. Which of the two did what his father wanted?” “The first,” they replied. “That’s right!” Yeshua said to them. “I tell you that the tax-collectors and prostitutes are going into the Kingdom of God ahead of you! Therefore, I tell you that the Kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to the kind of people that will produce its fruit!”
Produce fruit for the Kingdom of God—this is the unmistakable message of Jesus in Matthew 21. The issue is not what we say, but what we do.
A man had two sons. One said “no” but later obeyed. The other said “yes” but never acted.
Jesus asks the obvious question: Which one did the father’s will?
The answer is just as obvious—and just as confronting.
Produce Fruit for the Kingdom of God, Not Empty Words
Jesus exposes a dangerous reality: it is possible to appear obedient while actually resisting God.
The religious leaders said the right things but rejected the Son standing in front of them. Meanwhile, the tax collectors and prostitutes—those who initially said “no” with their lives—repented and obeyed.
This is why Jesus declares:
“The Kingdom of God will be… given to the kind of people that will produce its fruit.”
The dividing line is not association with God’s people—it is obedience to God’s will.
The Kingdom Belongs to Those Who Obey
The Old Covenant revealed a pattern—God’s people often failed to obey His commands and ultimately rejected His Messiah.
The New Covenant does not lower the standard; it clarifies it.
The Kingdom of God is not for:
- Church attenders who never obey
- Men who say “yes” but live “no”
- People who admire Jesus but do not follow Him
The Kingdom of God is for those whose faith is proven by repentance and obedience.
To produce fruit for the Kingdom of God means your life actively participates in advancing His reign.
What It Means to Produce Fruit
Jesus defines fruit not as activity, but as obedience that aligns with God’s mission.
That mission is clear:
The Great Commission—making disciples.
This means:
- Calling people to repentance and faith
- Helping others grow in obedience to Jesus
- Living a life that reflects His authority and rule
We are measured by our faithfulness, while God determines the fruitfulness—but true faith always produces fruit.
If we cannot point to anyone we’ve helped move toward Christ or grow in Him, we must honestly ask:
What kingdom am I building?
Eternity Will Reveal What You Built
Jesus is not unclear.
There is a coming Day when everything will be weighed.
- Work done for Christ will remain
- Work done for self will burn
Men, this is about more than effort—it’s about direction.
Are you investing in eternity, or are you building something temporary?
Because fruit for the Kingdom of God is not accidental—it is intentional obedience to Jesus.
Run Today’s Play:
Stop confusing agreement with obedience.
- Examine your life – Are you saying yes to Jesus but living no?
- Repent quickly – Like the first son, change your mind and act.
- Engage the mission – Intentionally help someone move toward Christ today.
- Build for eternity – Prioritize what lasts, not what fades.
The Kingdom of God belongs to those who produce its fruit.
So don’t just talk about obedience—live it.
