November 7, 2010
Morning Service

Matt. 13:24-58

 

Review:

1.                  Jesus has began teaching using parables.  We said last week that a parable is A fable or allegorical relation or representation of something real in life or nature, from which a moral is drawn for instruction.  This was a fairly common way of teaching, and Jesus uses it quite frequently as we will see in this chapter.

2.                  Last week in chapter 13 Jesus taught us concerning the parable of the sower.  His disciples came to Him and ask Him why He taught in parables.  His reply;  Mat 13:11 KJVR  He answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given.  Then He explained what the parable meant.

3.                  We should feel really blessed that Jesus has given unto us the meanings of all the parables.  To a natural man they are foolishness, as is all the Word of God, but unto the spiritual man it is food for the soul.

 

Let’s continue on in chapter 13, verse 24;

 

Mat 13:24-58 KJVR  Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is likened unto a man which sowed good seed in his field:  (25)  But while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat, and went his way.  (26)  But when the blade was sprung up, and brought forth fruit, then appeared the tares also.  (27)  So the servants of the householder came and said unto him, Sir, didst not thou sow good seed in thy field? from whence then hath it tares?  (28)  He said unto them, An enemy hath done this. The servants said unto him, Wilt thou then that we go and gather them up?  (29)  But he said, Nay; lest while ye gather up the tares, ye root up also the wheat with them.  (30)  Let both grow together until the harvest: and in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat into my barn. 

• We might be able to set forth some pretty good answers for this parable, but we don’t need too, Jesus will explain it in just a minute.

(31)  Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is like to a grain of mustard seed, which a man took, and sowed in his field:  (32)  Which indeed is the least of all seeds: but when it is grown, it is the greatest among herbs, and becometh a tree, so that the birds of the air come and lodge in the branches thereof. 

• Col 1:15 KJVR  Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature:
• It all began with one Man being killed on Calvary, buried, and then resurrected.  Since then millions have been added to Him.  Col 2:12 KJVR  Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead. 

(33)  Another parable spake he unto them; The kingdom of heaven is like unto leaven, which a woman took, and hid in three measures of meal, till the whole was leavened. 

• Mat 24:14 KJVR  And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.
• This gospel started out in Jerusalem, and has been preached around the world for all to hear, and to either accept it, or reject it, but none the less, it is going throughout the whole world.

(34)  All these things spake Jesus unto the multitude in parables; and without a parable spake he not unto them:  (35)  That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying, I will open my mouth in parables; I will utter things which have been kept secret from the foundation of the world. 

• This is taken from Psa_78:2-3. The sense, and not the very words of the Psalm, are given. Christ taught, as did that prophet - Asaph - in parables. The words of Asaph described the manner in which Christ taught, and in this sense it could be said that they were fulfilled.

(36)  Then Jesus sent the multitude away, and went into the house: and his disciples came unto him, saying, Declare unto us the parable of the tares of the field. 

• This was the first parable we looked at this morning, now Jesus will explain it to us;  Now this is what is going to happen.

(37)  He answered and said unto them, He that soweth the good seed is the Son of man;  (38)  The field is the world; the good seed are the children of the kingdom; but the tares are the children of the wicked one;  (39)  The enemy that sowed them is the devil; the harvest is the end of the world; and the reapers are the angels.  (40)  As therefore the tares are gathered and burned in the fire; so shall it be in the end of this world. 

 

(41)  The Son of man shall send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity;  (42)  And shall cast them into a furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth.

• This is the second death described in Rev. 20:14-15;  Rev 20:14-15 KJVR  And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.  (15)  And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.
• Jesus will later give other parables concerning the end time events.

(43)  Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Who hath ears to hear, let him hear. 

• I trust that we have ears to hear this morning.  This gospel message is not some fablem, but many a man has given his life for these truths, and great will be their reward.
• Peter said; 2Pe 1:16 KJVR  For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of his majesty.
• Let me assure you there were no devils in hell that could take this away from Peter.  Just as satan can not take away your testimony.  Satan, I have obeyed the gospel.  I heard it, I believed it, and received it, been baptized to arise an walk with my Lord straight into the gates of glory.  THE WORD SAYS IT, and that’s good enough for me.

(44)  Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto treasure hid in a field; the which when a man hath found, he hideth, and for joy thereof goeth and selleth all that he hath, and buyeth that field. 

• How many times have you thought of this parable?  It is one easy to relate too.  “Lord, to whom shall we go, thou hast the words of eternal life.”  This ole world has got nothing for me, my treasures are laid up somewhere beyond the blue.
• I want to be thought of like those people of faith in Hebrews, where the writer said, “in which the world was not worthy of them.”

(45)  Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a merchant man, seeking goodly pearls:  (46)  Who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had, and bought it. 

• Is this how you feel about Jesus this morning?

(47)  Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a net, that was cast into the sea, and gathered of every kind:  (48)  Which, when it was full, they drew to shore, and sat down, and gathered the good into vessels, but cast the bad away.  (49)  So shall it be at the end of the world: the angels shall come forth, and sever the wicked from among the just,  (50)  And shall cast them into the furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth. 

• Another parable concerning the end times.  Reward, and punishment.

(51)  Jesus saith unto them, Have ye understood all these things? They say unto him, Yea, Lord.  (52)  Then said he unto them, Therefore every scribe which is instructed unto the kingdom of heaven is like unto a man that is a householder, which bringeth forth out of his treasure things new and old. 

• Jesus is telling the disciples “I have given you many truths, use them to help others.  Teach them at a time when they are needed.  Teach the peace that passes all understanding in a world tormented by lust, pride, arrogance, fear, and all the other things that I have come to defeat.  Teach them the love of God, how that I am a deliverer, and that they can have a home in heaven with Me someday.”

(53)  And it came to pass, that when Jesus had finished these parables, he departed thence.  (54)  And when he was come into his own country, he taught them in their synagogue, insomuch that they were astonished, and said, Whence hath this man this wisdom, and these mighty works?  (55)  Is not this the carpenter's son? is not his mother called Mary? and his brethren, James, and Joses, and Simon, and Judas?  (56)  And his sisters, are they not all with us? Whence then hath this man all these things?  (57)  And they were offended in him. But Jesus said unto them, A prophet is not without honor, save in his own country, and in his own house.  (58)  And he did not many mighty works there because of their unbelief.

 

It is hard for those who have known your past life to accept you as a born again Christian.  Jesus is speaking of His authority.  John said, “He came unto His own and they received Him not.”

 

The most powerful argument you have for them is the life you live before them.  Like the Gadarean.  It is hard to argue with one’s faithfulness to the assembly, the constant reading of your Bible, the good works that you do.  These are all witnesses to anyone of your changed life.

 

Almighty God, strengthen our witness for you, and receive us one day into your living presence.  Amen.