The Harvest Is Near
Matthew 13:24-30
On February 15, 2015 NBC Nightly News anchor Brian Williams was suspended and eventually demoted because of a story he told on January the 30th. He was referencing an event that occurred while he was on the field reporting on the Iraq war in 2003. He falsely claimed that a military helicopter he was traveling in had been "forced down after being hit by an RPG." I have a hard time believing that Brian Williams would blatantly lie on national television. I think it is likely that early on he embellished the story and then over time he continued to add to the story and eventually he began to believe it really happened that way.
It has been said that "if you tell a lie long enough, people will begin to believe it". I think it is also true that "If you tell a lie long enough, YOU will begin to believe it." There are many people today who had some emotional experience somewhere along the way and began to profess that they were saved. And they have come to a place here they really believe that they are born again. But if you press them to tell you when and how they were saved, they are unable to tell you exactly how they were saved. These are people that one day will stand before Jesus at Judgment and hear Him say ..."I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
How tragic would it be to go to hell from a church pew?!?! It will be tragic, but probably more common that we can imagine! Hebrews 9:27 tells us that "it is appointed unto man once to die, and then the judgment." - In our selected text Jesus speaks of an impending "harvest time". He is on a boat speaking to the crowd that is gathered on the shore. In verses 24-30, Jesus shares the parable of a farmer that planted a field of wheat. He planted good seed and was expecting a bountiful harvest. But while his servants were sleeping and enemy came and plated "tares" among the wheat. It is believed that these "tares" were weeds called "Bearded Darnel". As these weeds come up they look exactly like wheat. It is only after the wheat and tares mature that you can tell a difference. The wheat will have grain in it's head. The tare will be filled with little black seeds. Early on, as you look at the field it has the appearance of a bountiful harvest. But as the harvest continues to grow it becomes apparent that there are tares among the wheat. The farmer's servants eventually noticed that there was a problem. They inform the farmer and offer to pull up the tares. But the farmer knew that the roots of the two were intertwined. If they had pulled up the weeds they would have damaged some of the good crop. So the farmer says to let them both grow together until the time of harvest. At harvest time the reapers will gather the tares first. They will bind them and burn them. After this the good crop (the wheat) will be gathered and stored in the farmer's barn.
In this parable the sower is Christ. The enemy who sowed the tares is Satan. The wheat represents those who are saved. The tares represent those who are lost but appear to be saved. Those who are saved will be gathered together in Heaven. Those who are lost will be gathered and cast into an eternal lake of fire.
There is an impending harvest, and it may be closer than we could ever imagine. Paul said in - Romans 13:12 The night is far spent, the day is at hand. - The Word of God proclaims that the Lord will return some day. And that day is probably closer than we think! While this return is a glorious promise for the believer, it is devastating news for those who are lost. If I were you, I would make sure that I was ready for that day! I believe that the Lord sent this message to a specific group of people. Who? you may ask. This message speaks directly to the lost church member. Now the term "lost church member" should be an oxymoron...but it is not! As long as there has been a local church, there have been "lost church members". I have no doubt that there are some of those who are present today! I would like to take a closer look at this parable and preach on the subject "The Harvest Is Near"
Some time ago the local farmers prepared their field and planted some seeds. In doing this they expected to one day reap a harvest of cotton. All you have to do is drive down the road a look and you will see that the fields are white and ready to harvest. Likewise, if you will look at the signs of the times you will see that in the spiritual realm the fields are white and ready to harvest. As we consider the fact that "The Harvest Is Near" let's begin by examining:
I. The Seeds That Are Planted - v24 ¶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.
The owner of the field sowed "good seed". The enemy came along and sowed tares along with it. Why would the enemy do this? His intention was to ruin the crop. This was a direct attack on the farmer. In these verses we see a couple of contrasts:
A. There Are Two Different Sowers - "a man who sowed good seed" (Jesus Christ) ....."an enemy" (Satan)
Jesus came to this earth and sowed the seed of Grace. Grace is the seed that produces life eternal. Long before Christ's arrival, Satan attempted to thwart God's plan for mankind. If you will look back to the fall of man in the Garden of Eden you will see the cunning deception of Satan. From that time until the present he continues to spread seeds of deceit and discord. Not only are there two different sowers:
B. There Are Two Different Seeds "good seeds" (of wheat) and "tares". Both seeds that were planted produced a crop. One was good, one was bad! One was authentic, the other was a cheap imitation of the real thing. The good seeds produced wheat. When harvested this crop could be used to produce many kinds of beneficial food. The bad seeds produced tares. The top of wheat contains beneficial grain...But the top of a tare contains tiny black seeds that can cause nausea, convulsions & even death.
Spiritually speaking both Jesus and Satan are still sowing seeds today. Jesus is still spreading the seeds of the gospel of grace. And Satan is still spreading deception and evil. The good seed produces eternal life. The seed sown by the enemy produces deception, destruction, death, and damnation!
What are the consequences of these seeds that are sown? Notice with me if you will:
II. The Crop That Is Produced v26-28 - The farmer planted the seeds and waited. The rains came and some time passed and the crop sprang up from the soil. Early on things looked great. It seemed that a bountiful harvest was on it's way. But after a while the servants noticed that something wasn't quite right. Consider:
A. The Contrast Of This Crop - v26 But when the blade was sprung up, and brought forth fruit, then appeared the tares also
Early in it's development a tare looks identical to wheat. But as it continues to grow, there is a noticeable difference. As a tare matures, it stands straight up, but as the wheat matures it begins to bend toward the earth due to the weight of the wheat in it's head. There is an impending harvest! But today there is a contrast in the church.
In this very assembly there are people who Received a call to salvation. Recognized their lost condition. Realized the need for a Savior. Repented of their sins. Requested forgiveness and redemption. Many of you have fully surrendered your heart and life to Jesus Christ. You have been washed in the precious blood of the Lamb. Your sins have been forgiven and you have been born again. You began to walk with the Lord, you have grown in grace and you have matured spiritually.
But there is a contrast: There are some here who once shed some tears of shame and regret. Maybe you were terrified of dying and going to hell. Perhaps you had an emotional experience. Somewhere alone the way you knelt in an altar. Maybe you prayed a prayer along with a preacher at a crusade. You joined a church. You were baptized. You began to serve the Lord. You gave to missions. You led others to the Lord. You never miss a service. You have taught a class. You have worked with the children. You served on a committee or even the deacon board. You read your bible daily. You worship and praise regularly. You pray constantly and You witness often. You may do all of these things and still die an go to Hell! None of this matters of you have not had a TRUE conversion experience!
Can you tell me when and where you met the Lord? Was there ever a time when you were transformed by the saving power of Jesus Christ? We have an account of the Apostle Paul being born again in Acts Chapter 9. But on at least 2 other occasions Paul personally shared in intimate detail the events that surrounded his conversion. That was an event that changed his life forever and HE NEVER FORGOT ABOUT IT!!! Do you have a testimony? If you don't, then you are a tare among wheat! You are a cheap imitation of the real thing! And one day you will be bound and cast into an eternal fire!! There is a contrast concerning this crop, but notice also:
B. The Confusion Concerning This Crop - v27 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 farmer's servants looked at the field and were confused. They went to the farmer and asked how this could happen. The farmer said, an enemy has done this! We would be surprised at some of the people who will stand before the Great White Throne Judgment. We have family members and former church members who are in hell today, and if we saw them and knew who they were we would be surprised! There are people who serve in this very church who may be on the road to hell as we speak. I have no doubt that there are tares among us! Never forget that we are not saved by our works. Ephesians 2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.
Some of the greatest soul winners this world has ever seen may be in Hell right now! This may be confusing to us but we must remember that the witness doesn't save people, the Gospel of Christ is what saves them! Hell is filled with good, moral, religious people! Will you join them??? If you are a tare, YOU WILL!!! If you have never truly been born again this will be your destiny! We have seen The Seed That Is Planted and The Crop That Is Produced. Finally I would like to consider:
III. The Harvest That Is Planned - No one plants seeds without expecting a harvest. Throughout the ages The Lord has been planting good seed. All the while, Satan has been sowing tares along with them. There is coming a day....(and it is closer than ever before) when there will be a great harvest. Notice:
A. The Delay Involved - v28b 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:
The servants offer to go and gather the tares from the wheat. The farmer would not allow this. Such an attempt was beyond the wisdom and ability of the servants. In attempting to root up the tares they may have caused damage to the wheat. The farmer declares that both will grow together until the time of harvest. Then, separation would come.
Spiritually speaking I see hope in this verse. If you are a tare among the wheat, there is still time for you to be saved. The harvest is coming... it is nigh! But we still live in a day of grace. The reason that the harvest has been delayed is so that lost men can be saved. 2 Peter 3:9 ¶The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.
This is a picture of the grace and longsuffering of God! The harvest has been ripe since the first sin in the Garden. But, God has withheld judgment, giving lost men and women plenty of time to repent. You have an opportunity for salvation... today may be your last chance! SURRENDER TO CHRIST TODAY!!! Not only do we see The Delay Involved, we also see:
B. The Destruction Involved - v30b 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:
The "time of the harvest" speaks of "The Day of The Lord". We know that Jesus is coming back. There is a 2 fold purpose concerning his return. 1. He will come to gather His people just as a farmer gathers his wheat. 2. He will cut down the wicked like a farmer cuts down his wheat. When He returns, He will come to reap the Harvest. He will separate the tare from the wheat... He will separate the saint from the sinner. This is pictured in - Revelation 14:14 And I looked, and behold a white cloud, and upon the cloud one sat like unto the Son of man, having on his head a golden crown, and in his hand a sharp sickle. 15 And another angel came out of the temple, crying with a loud voice to him that sat on the cloud, Thrust in thy sickle, and reap: for the time is come for thee to reap; for the harvest of the earth is ripe. 16 And he that sat on the cloud thrust in his sickle on the earth; and the earth was reaped.
Here we see Jesus “thrusting in His sickle to reap the earth” These verses are the fulfillment of this parable here in Matthew 13. After the wheat is separated from the tares, the tares will be bound and cast into the fire. If you die without Jesus, if you continue as a tare among wheat... there is coming a day when you will be "cast into outer darkness, where there is weeping and gnashing of teeth.
It doesn't matter if your name is on the church role... IS YOUR NAME WRITTEN IN THE LAMB'S BOOK OF LIFE?? Revelation 20:15 And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.
I would also like to consider:
C. The Destination Involved - v30c but gather the wheat into my barn.
The tares will be bound and burned. But the wheat will be gathered and placed into the barn. If you are truly saved you can rest assured that one day you will enter into the Kingdom of Heaven. You will spend eternity with your Heavenly Father and the Savior that secured your salvation. One day you will stand before Jesus and hear the greatest words ever - Matthew 25:23 ...Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.
You will join the redeemed in a place with no more sickness, sorrow, pain, death or crying! You will meet the saints of old. You will be reunited with loved ones who have already gone on! You will worship the Father at the Throne! You will cast your crowns at the feet of your Savior! You will be given a glorified body! You will live in a land with no more sin! You will be free of temptation! You will never have to deal with the Devil again! We will join together around the throne and sing a new song! We will bow before Jesus and proclaim ...Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God almighty!!!! Those who are saved have a promise of an amazing life that will never end!
Don't you look forward to that day? Aren't you excited about going to that place? How tragic would it be to live your life hoping for a home in Heaven and then to die and go to hell. This will be the case for many people. Jesus told us about this in Matthew 7:22 (He said) Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? 23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
It is not about what you do...IT IS ABOUT WHAT JESUS HAS DONE!! Don't live this life with a "hope so salvation". You don't have to leave here wondering IF you are saved! You can walk out those doors, WITH FULL ASSURANCE OF YOUR SALVATION! Are you wheat, or are you a tare?
When I was a child I had a Sunday School teacher who always told us "you have to know that you know that you know that you are saved. Ironically several years down the road the Lord revealed to her the fact that she had never been saved. This lady was solid, faithful and moral. I would have described her as one of the godliest women I have ever known, but she was a tare!
Several years ago in this church we had a lady come forward and get saved one Sunday. She had professed faith in Christ for many years. She taught Sunday School, worked with the children on Wednesday nights, served in Bible School, was on several committees, sang in the choir, held several positions in the church, was married to the chairman of the deacons, never missed a service and had a great impact on others. But until that day when she finally surrendered to Christ...SHE WAS A TARE!!
There was a man in Kentucky who began preaching at the age of 15. He served the church faithfully and preached the Word boldly. He studied, prayed, worshipped and led others to the Lord. He began Pastoring a church and had great success. But one night in a revival meeting that he had planned, the Lord convicted him and revealed that he was lost. He seemed to be in the center of God's will but all along.... HE WAS A TARE!!
Earlier this week I was in a meeting with about 20 pastors. We all began to share our story of salvation. Almost half of the men in that room had lived for a time "thinking" that they were saved. But eventually God made it clear that they were living a lie. They had the appearance of wheat...BUT THEY WERE TARES!!
I have first hand experience with this issue. There was a period of 5 years where I had every appearance of being a faithful Christian. I was in church every time the doors were open. I lived a good moral life. I knelt in an altar, shed some tears, prayed a prayer, was baptized and added to the church role. I wasn't purposefully deceiving anyone... the fact is I was deceived myself! I really believed for a long time that I was born again. And that is exactly what the devil wanted me to think! But one day the Holy Spirit showed me that I was lost..... I WAS A TARE!!
Someone may ask, what would have happened if all of those people had died before they realized they were tares? They would have all died and gone to hell! And if you are a tare among the wheat and you die without truly being born again, that is the destiny that awaits you! But it doesn't have to be that way! You can be born again right here...right now! Romans 10:13 says that "whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved".
Perhaps you have realized that you are a tare. and you know that you need to be saved. But your pride is hindering you from taking that step. Will you let your pride prevent you from attaining eternal life? Will you chance an eternity in an eternal lake of fire because of pride? Jesus came to make a way for you... turn to Him today. Time is short! This may be your last opportunity. Don't continue living as a tare... because it is clear that "THE HARVEST IS NEAR!!!"
