Mysteries Of The Kingdom Series

Mysteries of the Kingdom

Part 7

Matthew 13:48-52 kjv

Matthew 13:48-52

Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a net, that was cast into the sea, and gathered of every kind; which, when it was full, they drew to shore, and sat down, and gathered the good into vessels, but cast the bad away. So shall it be at the end of the world; the angels shall come forth, and sever the wicked from among the just. And shall cast them into the furnace of fire; there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth. Jesus saith unto them, have ye understood all these things? They say unto him, Yea, Lord. Then said he unto them, therefore every scribe which is instructed unto the kingdom of heaven is like unto a man that is an householder, which bringeth forth out of his treasure things new and old.

Casting of the net

Everywhere all across the world this morning churches are casting the net.

The casting of the net represents the presentation of the good news (Gospel) of Christ.

When the net is cast it is not cast to just the ones that will receive it, but cast to everyone that will hear. Some will accept, some will reject.

The mystery revealed

Jesus has told all of these parables so that you and I and everyone that has ever read this book can take a glimpse into the kingdom of God

From the sower to the tares and wheat, from mustard seed and the leaven to the treasure hid in the field and the great pearl.

Now comes the final parable, Jesus talk’s in a language they can understand.

Hmm… there’s something we should pay attention to. Let’s share the gospel in a way people can understand.

As the “drag-net” is brought in!

“And gathered the good into vessels but cast the bad away”

Today the net is being spread, within that net are those who profess Christ and KNOW Him, and those who just “profess” him.

This is what I like to refer to as a prop up faith. It is that kind of faith that only last as long as things are going well

Until we get upset, or offended

Until we don’t get our way

Until something better comes along that we want to do.

Then someone comes and builds us up and props us up and we get back into doing what is right.

Friends a propped up faith will only last us while we are here on this earth, that kind of faith will never sustain us before the throne of God.

Does it really mean “cast into the furnace of fire”?

Vs. 50 “and shall cast them into the furnace of fire; there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth.”

Revelation 20 puts it this way:

“and I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them. And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life; and the dad we4re judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them; and they were judged every man according to their works. And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This it the second death. And WHOSOEVER was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.

Jesus said it was so

When God tells us something we should pay attention – right?

So if I tell you something that does not line up with God’s word – ignore it. But if I show you something that God says, and say’s multiple times, shouldn’t we heed that word?

The Bible talks more about hell than it does about heaven.

I don’t think this is to scare anyone into salvation, I simply think that God does not want us to miss such an important fact.

There is a hell

If

If there is a right there is a wrong

If there is a God there is a satan

If there is a good there is an evil

If there is a heaven there is a hell

If there is a heaven and a hell, there is a choice.

If there is a choice there is a way.

If there is a way there is a right way and a wrong way.

The way

Jesus said “I am the way, the truth and the life, no man comes to the father except through me”

There is a heaven and a hell (no matter how unpopular that is today)