INTRODUCTION
Outline.
1. The Seed of the Son's Kingdom
2. The Seed of Satan's Kingdom
3. The Sentence of the Son’s Kingdom
Remarks.
1. In our lesson today we are going to be discussing a theme of most importance to all who would seek the kingdom of God. Our Lord taught much in parables that "seeing they might not see, and hearing they might not understand." In our lesson "tares among the wheat" it is clear that there are similar institutions resembling the church or the kingdom of God. It was only after some time that the servant of the householder identified some tares in the field (children of the evil one) among the children of the kingdom.
2. In our Lord's parable he says the Son of man sowed in the field the good seed. The good seed brought forth children of the kingdom. Jesus the Son of man was responsible for its sowing. Contained within every seed is the power for it to bud and grow, bringing forth fruit after its kind. The good seed brings forth children of the kingdom; it has been, so ordained.
3. In like fashion Jesus says, "while men slept" the evil one went forth and sowed tares among the wheat, and went his way. Jesus said: “when the blades were sprung up the tares where able to be detected” by the householder’s servant. Here we see the failure of the watchmen to be on guard against the evil one’s teachings in infiltration into the kingdom of Christ. Those who obey the teaching of the evil one, becomes children of the evil one, and members of the evil one’s kingdom (denominationalism).
4. Lastly, Jesus, the Son pronounces his sentence on these two kingdoms. He says: "let them alone, and let them grow up together." And, "I will send forth my reapers into the harvest (the world) and gather out of it and the kingdom of the Son all that offend and do iniquity." Our job as Christians is not to root up these denominations, but to call honest and sincere men and women out of them by proclaiming the gospel of peace, the seed of the Son of Man. This message when obeyed makes children of the kingdom. “Let God be true, but every man a liar, that thou mayest…in thy sayings,” Romans 3:4.
BODY OF LESSON
I THE SEED OF THE SON'S KINGDOM
A. Parables of the tares. Parables are spiritual truths that are laid alongside a natural event, which we know to be true. The word is "Parabola," or parable. Here Jesus uses again the parable of sowing to illustrate a spiritual truth. Remember the four soils; the wayside, rocky, thorny, and good soil, Luke 8:4-15. Seed is the word of God, Luke 8:11. "Being born again not of corruptible seed, but...by the word of God…And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you," 1 Peter 1:23, 25. See also Galatians 4:18-19; James 1:18.
B. The Son of Man. Jesus is the one which sowed the good seed into the field, or the world. Whatever good seed is sown into the world, it is because of the hand of Christ. Jesus began this preaching; left now it in the hands of his ministers and church.
C. The good seed. The good seed are the children of the kingdom, the true saints. If truth is preached; grace planted, sins washed away; souls sanctified; lives justified; and Christianity ordained; it will be because of the good seed. The good seed – children of the kingdom were scattered into the field – world. As the church was scattered abroad it took the seed of the kingdom and sowed it in the world, Acts 1:1-8.
1. Persecution of Stephens. “Therefore they that were scattered (Gr: diaspeiro, means to be driven, disperse) abroad went everywhere preaching the word,” Acts 8:4.
2. “Now they which were scattered abroad upon the persecution that arose about Stephen travelled as far as Phenice, and Cyprus, and Antioch, preaching the word to none but unto the Jews only. And when men from Cypress and Cyrene came…,” Acts 11-19-21. Illustrate: Barnabas Visit to Antioch, Acts 11:22-26.
3. “James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad, greeting,” James 1:1. Jews were being planted everywhere.
4. “Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to the strangers scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia,” 1 Peter 1:1. Gentiles were being planted, Romans 10:18; and Colossians 1:23.
D. Children of the kingdom. Jesus' great Commission, he sent them into the entire world, to preach the seed of the kingdom. Illustrate: Make disciples, Matthew 28:19-20. The seed of the kingdom preached; makes disciples; and “disciples were called Christian first in Antioch,” Acts 11:26. King Agrippa, "Almost thou has persuadest me to be a Christian," Acts 26:26-28; 2 Timothy 2:2. Suffer as a “Christian,” 1 Peter 4:16.
E. Doctrine of the kingdom. The result of such sowing is the establishment of the kingdom of Christ, or the church. Each believer must obey this pattern, or the gospel seed, if they are to become members of the kingdom of Christ. See also Rom 6:17-18. Some people still do not understand that the kingdom and the church are the same.
KINGDOM; CHURCH; CONCLUSION
1. Purchased with blood; Purchased with Blood; The are the same
Revelations 5:9-10; Acts 20:28;
2. Saints in the kingdom; Saints in the church; They are the same
Colossians 1:12-13; 1 Corinthians 1:1-2;
3. Communion in kingdom; Communion the church; They are the same
Luke 22:17-20; 1 Corinthians 10:16; Acts 20:7;
1 Corinthians 11:23-26;
Illustrate: How often is the often? See, Acts 20:7, 1 Corinthians 16:1-2.
II THE SEED OF SATAN'S KINGDOM
A. The devil. Described by Jesus as "wicked one, evil one and the enemy" in this parable. The devil is the sworn enemy of Christ and all that is good, to the glory of God, and the comfort; happiness and peace of all good men.
B. Sowed tares among the wheat. As Christ sowed the good seed or the wheat; the devil has sowed tares among the wheat. The enemy of the kingdom of Christ is the devil and all his workers. These tares were sown among the children of the kingdom. The devil is the ruler of his kingdom; and lord over his children. Christ has called them his children. Illustrate: Satanic Cults, Simon the Sorcerers, Acts 8:9-13; 18-24.
1. Paul called Elymas, “thou child of the devil, wilt thou not cease to pervert the right ways of the Lord?” See Acts 13:10. Some are afraid to call them children of the devil. I despise and reject their doctrine – but I can love the people.
2. Paul again: "And you hath he quickened, who were dead; in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience," Ephesians 2:1-2.
3. John said: “In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God…,” 1 John 3:10.
4. Jesus said to the Jews: “ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do…He that is of God heareth God’s words: ye therefore hear them not, because ye are not of God,” John 8:44-47. “My sheep hear my voice…,” John 10:27-28.
5. Paul again: "Therefore seeing we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we faint not; But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully, but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God...But if our gospel be hid it is hid to them which are lost...," 2 Corinthians 4:1-4, See also 2 Timothy 3:13.
C. Children of the evil one. Though they do not own his name, yet they bear his image; they do his work; bear his lust; and from him are they instructed. He rules over them; and he works through them. Notice, "but if ye have bitter envying and strife in your heart, glory not, and lie not against the truth. This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, and devilish. For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work," James 3:14-16. See also verse 17-18 read. Satan has his own kingdom, ministers, and doctrines. Doctrine is always plural when referring to Satan’s teaching or the doctrines of devils.
SATAN'S KINGDOM; MINISTERS; DOCTRINES
Matthew 13:38; 2 Corinthians 11:13-15; 2 Timothy 4:1-5
D. While men slept. How could this happen? This is perhaps a great indictment against the leadership of the church of Christ. The leadership, ministers, and membership have failed to watch – to be vigilant. Peter warns us all: "Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour," 1 Peter 5:8. God required his watchmen to watch over and warn the city. See Ezekiel 3:17-21. Watch and warn the wayward, and the wicked.
1. Jesus warns us to watch! "Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves," Matthew 7:15.
2. Paul warns the elders at Miletus to watch, Acts 20:26-32.
a. "Wherefore I take you to record this day that I am pure from the blood of all men. For I have not shunned (neglected or failed) to declare unto you the whole (entire or complete) counsel of God," verse 26-27.
b. “Therefore watch and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears,” verse 31.
3. Ministers are warned to watch. Timothy’s last charge, 2 Timothy 4:1-8.
E. Went his way. "But when the blade was sprung up, and brought forth fruit, then appeared the tares (Gr: zizanion, means a darnel, or weed) also," verse 26.
1. The enemy, when he had sown the tares, he went his way. Perhaps that it might not be known who did it. When the children of Satan are doing their greatest mischief, they work hard to conceal themselves; for their mischief is in danger of being spoiled, if they be noticed.
2. Therefore, when they come to sow tares, even like their father, they may "transform themselves into an angel of light." Know them that labour among you; and watch out for any teaching contrary to sound doctrine. "But speak thou the things which become sound doctrine," Titus 2:1. "Wherefore by their fruits (Gr: karpos, means works, acts or deeds) ye shall know them," Matthew 7:20, Philippians 1:9-11.
III THE SENTENCE OF THE SON’S KINGDOM
A. From whence then hath it tares? Lastly, Jesus gives his sentence regarding the state of the kingdom. Illustrate: The State of the Union, President Speech each year.
1. "The servants of the household came and said unto him, Sir didst not thou sow good seed in thy field? From whence then hath it tares?" Verse 27.
2. If we have planted good seed in this field; where did the tares come from? Illustrate: Garden; plant seeds; but weeds are sure to spring up in the garden.
3. Sometimes; just doing nothing allows these tares or weeds to spring up; choke out; and overcome the wheat.
B. What does these tares look like? Called also darnel, which is similar to wheat. It could only be detected when the wheat was ready for harvest. These tares are denominations! They are institutions, religious orders established by the evil one.
1. “Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits and doctrines of devils,” 1 Timothy 4:1-4.
2. “Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints. For there are certain men crept in unaware, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ,” Jude 3-4. See also 2 John 9-11.
3. Paul to the Galatians. “And that because of false brethren unawares brought in, who came in privily to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus that they might bring us into bondage. To whom we gave no place by subjection no, not for an hour; that the truth of the gospel might continue with you,” Galatians 2:4-5.
4. Peter to the saints. “But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, evening denying the Lord that brought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of which the way of truth shall be evil spoken of. And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: … damnation slumbereth not,” 2 Peter 2:1-3.
5. “He that is not with me is against me…scattereth abroad,” Matthew 12:30.
C. Tares are the result of Satan's teachings. The opportunity for these teachings; were the results of the church not watching; not warning. What are the teachings which brought about these tares? Illustrate: Seven Church of Asia, Revelation, 2-3.
1. Church organization.
2. Reason and subjects for baptism.
3. Message of the gospel.
4. Instruments in the worship.
5. Communion of the church.
6. Church name was changed.
D. The Son's Sentence. "The servant said unto him, Wilt thou then that we go and gather them up? But he said, Nay: lest while ye gather up the tares; ye root up also the wheat with them," verse 28-29. Jesus instruction leads us to understand several things.
1. There are tares among the wheat (the church). "An enemy hath done this." He has purposely sowed tares among the wheat, Galatians 1:6-12. Some of the Lord's churches have become like unto tares themselves. Satan has sown his seed among the believers in the kingdom of Christ, Acts 15:1, 4, 24.
2. There is wheat “uncalled” among the tares (denominations). "Wilt thou then that we go and gather them up? Nay, lest while ye gather up the tares, ye root up also the wheat with them," verse 28-29. Illustrate: I Have Much People in this City, Acts 18:9-10. God has others to call out of these institutions - like he did some of us!
3. I should warn – that there are tares among us. What would you that we do about them? Put them out? Or let them continue among us until true repentance?
a. Let us pray that God will call the sincere; the good and honest hearts from these denominations into the kingdom of light; even as he has called many of us.
b. Let us pray also for the tares among us that they will turn back to the Lord; before he sends forth his angels “reapers into the harvest,” 2 Peter 2:20-22.
c. Let us work patiently and carefully to teach the gospel; which has the power to call all men and women into the kingdom of Christ, and to restore the fallen into the fold, Romans 1:16; 2 Timothy 2:24-26; and James 5:19-20.
3. Jesus said: “Let them grow together until the harvest.” The Lord will do the separating, Verse 30. God is patient and desires all to be saved, 2 Peter 3:9. "For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God who...all men to be saved," 2 Timothy 2:3-6.
E. The harvest is coming. "The harvest the end of the world," verses 40-42. Jesus to do separating, Matthew 25:31-46. "Every plant which my heavenly Father hath not planted shall be rooted up," Matthew 15:13. See also Jerimiah 2:21; Galatians 6:7-8.
1. Tares will be gathered and burned in a furnace of fire. "As therefore the tares are gathered and burned in the fire; so shall it be in the end of this world," verse 40.
a. Paul to the Corinthians. “For we all must appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that everyone may receive the things done in the body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad,” 2 Corinthians 5:10.
b. Paul to the Romans. “For it is written, as I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God. So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God,” Romans 14:11-12.
c. Solomon’s view of the judgment of God. “Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man. For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil,” Ecclesiastes 12:13-14. See Matthew 12:36-37.
d. John’s view of the Judgment Seat of Christ, Revelations 20:11-15.
2. He will "gather out of the kingdom all that offend, and them which do iniquity (unrighteousness)," verse 41. "Lay aside every weight and sins...," Hebrews 12:1-2. “He will sever the wicked from among the just,” Matthew 13:47-51.
3. Peter speaks of God’s Judgment. “For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God; and if it first begin at us (the wheat), what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God (the tares)? And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and sinner appear?” 1 Peter 4:17-18.
4. Righteous shall shine. "Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father, Who hath ears to hear, let him hear," verse 43. Daniel said: "And they that are wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament and they that turn many to righteousness, as the stars for ever and ever," Daniel 12:3.
a. Paul speaks of the kingdom being turn over to the Father, at the Lord’s second coming at “the end,” 1 Corinthians 15:20-26.
b. And, Christ speaks of separating the “sheep from the goats,” when he comes to judge the world in righteousness, Matthew 25:31-46.
CONCLUSION
A. Outline.
1. The Seed of the Son's Kingdom
2. The Seed of Satan's Kingdom
3. The Sentence of the Son’s Kingdom
B. Summarize main points.
1. In our Lord's parable he says the Son of man sowed in the field the good seed. The good seed brought forth children of the kingdom. Jesus the Son of man was responsible for its sowing. Contained within every seed is the power for it to bud and grow, bringing forth fruit after its kind. The good seed brings forth children of the kingdom; it has been, so ordained. The seed of the Son are members of the church Christ built, the church of Christ. We must always be on guard against infiltration of the enemy-Satan into the kingdom of Christ.
2. In like fashion Jesus says, "while men slept” the evil one went forth and sowed tares among the wheat, and went his way. Jesus said: “when the blades were sprung up the tares where able to be detected” by the householder’s servant. Here we see the failure of the watchmen to be on guard against the evil ones teachings. Those who obey the teaching of the evil one, becomes children of the evil one, and members of the evil ones kingdoms (denominations). The seed of Satan are members of denominations. All of which are deceived by the deceiver. These are those "supposing to gain in godliness, but denying the power thereof." Many have been deceived by him, and cannot find their way into the light of Jesus Christ.
3. Lastly, Jesus, the Son pronounces his sentence on these two kingdoms. He says: "let them alone, and let them grow up together." And, "I will send forth my reapers into the harvest (the world) and gather out of it and the kingdom of the Son all that offend and do iniquity." Our job as Christians is not to root up these denominations, but to call honest and sincere men and women out of them by proclaiming the gospel of peace, the seed of the Son of Man. This message when obeyed makes children of the kingdom. Jesus pronounces a sentence on those who have been deceived. They will be permitted to grow, but will be separated in the judgment. God knows the true children of the kingdom of Christ. Many may profess, but all are not his children. They are the children of the evil one - some knowingly and others unknowingly.
C. Invitation. H, B, R, C, B.
D. Exhortation, Acts 2:26-41. Illustrate: Jesus in the preaching of Philip.
E. Motivation/persuade. “Today is the day of salvation,” 2 Corinthians 6:2; 2 Corinthians 5:11.
