Principles For Harvesters

Matthew 13:24-30 KJV 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.

I. INTRODUCTION—THE “LIKE/AS” PRINCIPLE

-There are some very strong principles for living in this particular parable. While I have at times in the past made illusions to this parable, I have never specifically preached from this text.

-When Jesus starts to explain things in His parables, He will resort to what some biblical scholars have come to call the “Like/As Principle.” For instance:

• This generation is like. . . children sitting in the marketplace—Matthew 11:16

• The Kingdom of Heaven is like. . . a grain of mustard seed about to be planted—Matthew 13:31

• The Kingdom of Heaven is like. . . unto leaven—Matthew 13:33; Luke 13:21

• The Kingdom of Heaven is like. . . a treasure hid in a field—Matthew 13:44

• The Kingdom of Heaven is like. . . unto a merchant man seeking goodly pearls—Matthew 13:45

• The Kingdom of Heaven is like. . . a net—Matthew 13:47

• The Kingdom of Heaven is like. . . a man who has been instructed and then brings out treasures, both old and new—Matthew 13:52

• The Kingdom of Heaven is like. . . a man who is going out to hire men to work in his vineyard—Matthew 20:1

• The Kingdom of Heaven is like. . . a king who invited wedding guests to his son’s wedding—Matthew 22:2

• The wise man is like. . . one who dug deep and put his foundation on the rock—Luke 6:48

• The foolish hearer who only hears and does not do is like. . . a man who builds his house on the sand and the storm will blow it away—Luke 6:49

• The Kingdom of God is like. . . a mustard see that grew into a large tree with various types of birds lodging in the branches—Luke 13:19

• Hypocrites are like. . . painted graves that are beautiful on the outside but full of bones inside—Matthew 23:27

-In the Old Testament, there are some powerful illustrations of who God is when you look into this principle:

• The glory of the Lord was like. . . a devouring fire—Exodus 24:17

• God is like. . . a mighty man that shouts—Psalm 78:65

• God is like. . . a shepherd—Isaiah 40:11

• God is like. . . a mighty man, a man of war—Isaiah 42:13

• The Lord will come in chariots like. . . a whirlwind—Isaiah 66:15

• God’s word is like. . . fire and a hammer—Jeremiah 23:29

• God is like. . . a bear and a lion—Hosea 13:8

-These are just a few of the examples of this principle. This parable is a good illustration of Jesus saying what the Kingdom of Heaven is going to be like.

-One of the most important Kingdom principles that you will ever understand are the laws of the harvest. That is, you will get what you plant. If you plant okra, you will not have a harvest of vine-ripe tomatoes.

• If you want to change what you are reaping, then you need to change what you are planting.

• You can change what you are reaping by changing what you are planting.

-There is not a person in this house who is not a farmer. Yet far too often we have a tendency to blame our difficulties and problems on the devil. When the reality is that we are responsible for a lot of the calamities of our life.

• Financial problems are related to undisciplined spending.

• Rocky marriages are related to husbands and wives not honoring each other.

• Poor relationships are directly related to unbridled tongues.

-Yet we continue to keep planting the bad seeds and expecting a good harvest. That kind of thing just won’t take place.