Parables

Unlocking the Mysteries of the Kingdom

Sunday, May 19^th 2024

Matthew 13:24-43

Introduction

God’s Kingdom WILL Growth Exponentially Even though the Enemy will Try and Stop It

Three Parables of Kingdom Growth

Matthew gives us 3 parables of the kingdom of heaven/God and each one tells the story of the growth of the kingdom. It may start out small, but it will grow like nothing you ever seen. The enemy may try and stop it or even sabotage it, but it will continue to grow.

 The Parable of the Sower

Good seed among bad seed, but the kingdom will grow and then judgement

 The Parable of the Mustard Seed

Jesus predicts the amazing growth of the kingdom of heaven. The mustard seed is quite small, but it grows into a large shrub—up to ten feet in height—and Jesus says this is a picture of kingdom growth.

 The Parable of the Leaven

The kingdom of God may have small beginnings, but it will increase. Yeast is microscopic in size, and only a little is kneaded into the dough. Yet, given time, the yeast will spread through all the dough.

1. 
   The Interpretation of Kingdom Growth
2. The Parable

Jesus proceeds to unpack for them the parable of the weeds.

 The Sower – Son of Man

The Lord Jesus, the Son of Man is the sower. He did not say "and the Son of Man" is Me." In other words, they had come to understand this was His title.

 The Good Seed – Sons of the Kingdom

These are the born again, redeemed believers throughout the world.

 The Field – is the world

It is not the Church! This is a picture of the church in the world, not of the world in the church.

 The Weeds – sons of the evil one

These are unbelievers as useless "weeds!" Satan sows the world with those who look like, talk like, and, to some extent, walk like disciples. But they are not genuine followers of the King. They are dead in their trespasses and sins (Ephesians 2:1).

 You are either in the kingdom of darkness (Satan) or the kingdom of light (God).

 The Enemy – is the devil

Satan has a counterfeit for every divine reality. The devil tries to destroy Christ’s work by placing false believers and teachers in the world who lead many astray. 

 The Harvest – is the end of the age (we are in it now)

It is the period that precedes the Second coming of Jesus as the Righteous Judge.

 The Reapers – they are the angels

They will bundle up the wheat and the tares and put them in their respective places

 The Problem

The enemy came and sowed bad seed among the good seed. He came at night while they slept.

 “An enemy has done this!” – He doesn’t even hesitate on who did this! 

 The Remedy

Let them grow together –

When fully grown, separate and bundle the tares and ‘burn them’

v.41-42 – “The Son of Man will send his angels and they will gather out of his kingdom all causes of sin and all law-breakers and throw them into the fiery furnace. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”

 When fully grown, separate and bundle the wheat and put it in ‘my barn’

v.43 – “Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father. He who has ears, let him hear.”

 Conclusion

Matthew 16:13-18