Parables Of The Kingdom Part 6 The Householder

Title: Parables of the KOH – Part 6 Script: Mt. 13:51-52

Type: Series/expos. Where: GNBC 3-3-24

Intro: Sometimes our training in a past job or career makes us uniquely qualified to serve in a subsequent career or profession. Some of you very old Good Newers can remember the name “Dr. Dan Graeff”. Dr. Graeff and his wife Elaine, were early members at the church back in the 1970’s. Dr. Graeff had his doctorate in pharmacology, a field in which he had already worked a few years. but wanted to go to medical school to become an MD. Told funny story how one time in pharmacy class, the professor actually asked him to teach a section. His studies in pharmacology informed his medical studies and medical studies helped him to gain new insights into pharmacology. Dr. Graeff’s experience not that unlike a group of people Jesus discussed in His final Kingdom parable in Mt. 13.

Prop: Let’s examine 3 aspects of this final parable in Mt. 13.

BG: 1. This is the final parable Jesus tells in Mt. 13 about the KOH. At first it may seem to be disconnected, however, actually wraps up the section nicely in an application.

2. The 1st 4 parables spoke in public. The following 3 in private to the disciples. Now, after asking if they have understood, He tells one more parable of understanding.

3. The “big idea” of the passage is: “Treasures of God’s Kingdom Truth includes both Old and New Rev.”

Prop: Let’s examine 3 aspects of Jesus’ last parable of the KOH in Mt. 13.

I. A Question is Asked v. 51

A. Jesus Asks a Question to Assess the Disciples’ Understanding.

1. Jesus asks the Disciples if they have understood His Parables.

a. As I previously said, 1st 4 parables to public audience. 2nd 3 to disciples in private. Christ had discussed the Advent, Growth, Opposition to, Value of, and Culmination of the KOH. It was a lot to take in! Now, like any good teacher, Jesus asks His students: “Do you understand?” Do you have any questions?

b. So, Christ is directly questioning their understanding of His teaching on the KOH. Simply stated, the KOH is the rule and reign of Christ over this world. It started with His first Advent and will find its culmination at His 2nd Advent. “Calvin said it is the task of the church to make the invisible kingdom visible. We do that by living in such a way that we bear witness to the reality of the kingship of Christ in our jobs, our families, our schools, and even our checkbooks, because God in Christ is King over every one of these spheres of life. The only way the kingdom of God is going to be manifest in this world before Christ comes is if we manifest it by the way we live as citizens of heaven and subjects of the King.” (Sproul, Ligionier, 9-13-21).

2. Again, as we wrap up this portion of Christ’s parabolic ministry, we must ask ourselves the purpose of Christ’s preaching in parables? Mt. 13:10-12 (Read) It has been given to know the mysteries of the KOH. “Mysteries” here is a word in connection with “initiated information”. All sorts of groups have initiation procedures/events. Fraternities and sororities, sports teams, HMB, clubs and civic groups. Masonic Lodge have all sorts of rituals and symbolism only the initiated know. (BTW – May I gently say this, if you or a loved one is involved in the Masonic it’s religious and worldviews are absolutely incompatible with Biblical Christianity and no Christian should participate in it.)

B. An Answer to Christ’s Question is Given.

1. The Disciples Reply to Christ’s Question with a Resounding: “Yes!”

a. The disciples reply “Yes”. It is obvious that they do understand to some degree. Illust: DA Carson has said: “This doesn’t mean the disciples fully understood everything Jesus had said. Nor, does Jesus think that they fully understood what He was asking, but rather, that they did “Get it”, generally speaking. Illust: Any of you who are or were teachers understand this completely. You ask the question of comprehension, and most answer affirmatively, although they comprehension is incomplete.

b. Illust: Reminds me of a college EE class. Young student’s mind is drifting, possibly scrolling on phone. Professors sees his lack of attention and asks: “So Jack, would you mind telling me and the class how, exactly electricity works? The young man, caught off guard didn’t event really hear the question, but tries to answer. “I am sorry professor, I had the answer on the tip of my tongue just a moment ago, but it has just escaped me.” Prof: “What a pity, what a pity, the only person in the entire world to understand exactly how electricity works and he has just forgotten!” (I personally believe, this is kind of how the disciples were answering in that moment.)