Turning Down the Invite
Rev. Ron McDougald
Mount Pleasant Methodist Church | Vancleave, MS
Sunday, September 27, 2026
Scripture: Philippians 2:1–8 and Matthew 21:28–32 (The Parable of the Two Sons)
In this sermon, Rev. Ron McDougald preaches from Jesus’ parable of the two sons—one who said “no” and later went to work in the vineyard, and one who said “yes” and never showed up. The message is a direct, pastoral call to honest discipleship: let your yes be yes and your no be no.
Using everyday examples (RSVPs, committee nominations, and a striking true story of a cancelled Boston engagement party that became the “Boneless Chicken Dinner”), the sermon contrasts two kinds of failure:
- Conversion: the first son who initially refused, then changed his mind and obeyed
- Hypocrisy: the second son whose words and actions did not match
Rev. McDougald applies the parable to church life at Mount Pleasant and beyond—nominations, service, integrity, and showing up. He reminds the congregation that God does not need us but counts on us, keeps asking until someone says yes, and works with our “no” until it becomes a willing “yes.” The invitation is simple and urgent: the Father needs workers in the vineyard. Will you go?
This is not primarily a sermon on church attendance. It is a sermon on commitment, honesty before God, and actually doing the work of the kingdom.
Mount Pleasant Methodist Church
13802 Mt Pleasant Rd, Vancleave, MS
Website: https://mtpleasantgmc.org/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@MtPleasantGMC
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61561591703590
If this message spoke to you, consider how God may be inviting you to serve—locally at Mount Pleasant or in the wider work of the kingdom. Keep your heart and ears open. He will give you something to do.
#Sermon #Matthew21 #TwoSons #ParableOfTheTwoSons #Integrity #Discipleship #MountPleasantGMC #GlobalMethodist #VancleaveMS #WorkersInTheVineyard
