Chico Alliance Church
Pastor David Welch
“Parables of the Kingdom”
Review
Jesus told parables or made up stories to illustrate spiritual truth in terms that people could instantly relate both emotionally and intellectually.
The Parable of the Good Samaritan reminded us that we demonstrate genuine love for our neighbor as ourselves with A.C.T.S.
The Parable of the Lost and Found reminded us that all people have value and are worth the effort to bring to repentance must be our priority, our passion and will take great patience
The parable of the Wise Man and the Foolish Man reminds us that the only firm foundation for life is to humbly come to Jesus both to hear AND heed His words.
Come - Listen - Obey
May this become our theme for the New Year! Cease striving and know that I am God.
Introduction
Today’s message will explore the lessons of the parables related to the kingdom of God called the Kingdom Parables.
Through these concise, fictional stories, Jesus teaches His disciples the nature of the kingdom and how to live as kingdom citizens. The most extensive teaching about the kingdom is found in these parables.
There is mystery concerning the kingdom.
It’s here, but its coming. It’s radical but not political. It’s invisible yet visible We enter it yet it enters us. It is in this world but not of this world.
Is powerful - Is near you - Is upon you - Is in you - You are close to it.
Jesus never offered a clear definition of the kingdom; instead He imparted His vision of it indirectly through stories. His choice of images is telling: everyday sketches of farming, fishing, women baking bread, merchants buying pearls.
Scripture records as many as fifteen different parables of Jesus taught to illustrate various aspects of the kingdom. Jesus referred to the kingdom as the kingdom of God and the kingdom of heaven. Most of the kingdom of heaven references are found in Matthew.
Matthew was addressed to Jews who were sensitive about the use of God’s name. The kingdom of God and the kingdom of heaven refer to the same thing. Some have made this a very complicated thing. It is not different than any other concept of kingdom. It refers to a group of people ruled by a specific king.
The king has rules by which the people are ruled.
There are certain requirements to be part of the kingdom.
The kingdom has certain geographical boundaries defining the extent of the rule.
The Kingdom of God has a King who rules matters of the political and spiritual and social.
There are certain requirements to become citizens of His kingdom.
There are no geographical boundaries however because God’s rule is universal and Jesus said, “My kingdom is not of this world.”
In fact He did not teach them to pray, “May the kingdoms of the earth follow your will.”
He instructed His disciples to pray, “Your kingdom come, Your will be done in earth as it is in heaven.” We were not called to change the kingdoms of this earth which will pass away but invite people into His kingdom which has come in Jesus and will come will completely manifest at His return. There will be only one nation and one King who is Jesus, the King of kings and Lord of lords.
The church and the kingdom of God are not the same. We are born again into the kingdom of God not into the church. The Holy Spirit connects to the body of Christ; the assembly of believers who are the King’s elite representatives charged with extending Christ’s invitation to others to swear allegiance to God’s kingdom.
But He said to him, "Allow the dead to bury their own dead; but as for you, go and proclaim everywhere the kingdom of God." Luke 9:60
When they had set a day for Paul, they came to him at his lodging in large numbers; and he was explaining to them by solemnly testifying about the kingdom of God and trying to persuade them concerning Jesus, from both the Law of Moses and from the Prophets, from morning until evening…And he stayed two full years in his own rented quarters and was welcoming all who came to him, preaching the kingdom of God and teaching concerning the Lord Jesus Christ with all openness, unhindered. Acts 28:23, 30-31
"This gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all the nations, and then the end will come. Matthew 24:14
Through declared allegiance to the King, God transfers us out of the kingdom of darkness into the kingdom of His beloved Son. We become heirs and joint heirs with Christ. We become inheritors of the Kingdom of God. The concept of accepting Christ as Savior and then as Lord later is a total misunderstanding of the nature of salvation, the church and the Kingdom of God. You cannot enter the kingdom without embracing and swearing allegiance to the King.
I. The Kingdom is open to all but not accepted by all
A. Parable of the Wedding feast
When one of those who were reclining at the table with Him heard this, he said to Him, "Blessed is everyone who will eat bread in the kingdom of God!"
But He said to him, "A man was giving a big dinner, and he invited many; and at the dinner hour he sent his slave to say to those who had been invited, 'Come; for everything is ready now.' "But they all alike began to make excuses. The first one said to him, 'I have bought a piece of land and I need to go out and look at it; please consider me excused.' "Another one said, 'I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I am going to try them out; please consider me excused.' "Another one said, 'I have married a wife, and for that reason I cannot come.' "And the slave came back and reported this to his master. Then the head of the household became angry and said to his slave, 'Go out at once into the streets and lanes of the city and bring in here the poor and crippled and blind and lame.' "And the slave said, 'Master, what you commanded has been done, and still there is room.' "And the master said to the slave, 'Go out into the highways and along the hedges, and compel them to come in, so that my house may be filled. 'For I tell you, none of those men who were invited shall taste of my dinner.' "Luke 14:15-24 Matthew 22:1-14
The point of this parable is plain. People from all walks of life are invited to participate in the kingdom but not all will accept the invitation. Jesus’ intended to rip the Pharisees and noblemen who were too busy to respond. Many will have excuses and different priorities.
Focus on property
Focus on possessions
Focus on other people and relationships
"If anyone comes to Me, and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be My disciple. Luke 14:26
B. Parable of the Sower
The parable of the sower adds a further dimension to that fact that not all will respond to the invitation from the heart. This parable illustrates problems concerning the heart that hinder people from really committing to the “word of the Kingdom.”
And He spoke many things to them in parables, saying, "Behold, the sower went out to sow; and as he sowed, some seeds fell beside the road, and the birds came and ate them up.” Others fell on the rocky places, where they did not have much soil; and immediately they sprang up, because they had no depth of soil. "But when the sun had risen, they were scorched; and because they had no root, they withered away. "Others fell among the thorns, and the thorns came up and choked them out. "And others fell on the good soil and yielded a crop, some a hundredfold, some sixty, and some thirty.” He who has ears, let him hear." Matthew 13:3-9
"Hear then the parable of the sower.” When anyone hears the word of the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what has been sown in his heart. This is the one on whom seed was sown beside the road. "The one on whom seed was sown on the rocky places, this is the man who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy; yet he has no firm root in himself, but is only temporary, and when affliction or persecution arises because of the word, immediately he falls away. "And the one on whom seed was sown among the thorns, this is the man who hears the word, and the worry of the world and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful. "And the one on whom seed was sown on the good soil, this is the man who hears the word and understands it; who indeed bears fruit and brings forth, some a hundredfold, some sixty, and some thirty." 18-23
This parable comes with a built in explanation by Jesus which does not leave us guessing.
• The seed is THE WORD OF THE KINGDOM.
• The soil is the HUMAN HEART.
• The beside the road represents a heart that fails to understand the word so as to let it penetrate and Satan easily snatches away the word before it can bring about life change.
• The rocky soil represents the heart that initially accepts the word but does not allow it to penetrate to the core and when affliction and tough times come they quickly abandon ship.
• The thorny soil represents the heart that listens but fails to respond because the worry of the world and the deceitfulness of wealth choke out the truth of the Kingdom resulting in fruitlessness.
• The good soil represents the heart that hears, understands and acts and the truth bears varying increments of fruit.
Citizenship in God’s kingdom is open to all but not all will respond. Not all will commit to Him as Lord. Not all will accept life according to God’s rule. They will place a higher priority on life in this kingdom. They will not fully embrace His lordship over their life.
II. Entrance to the Kingdom requires life change
How then does one gain entrance into the kingdom of God. Over and over in the gospels John the Baptist and Jesus instructed their listeners to REPNET for the Kingdom of God is at hand.
A. Requires personal preparation
Parable of the Ten Virgins Matthew 25:1-13
"Then the kingdom of heaven will be comparable to ten virgins, who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. "Five of them were foolish, and five were prudent. "For when the foolish took their lamps, they took no oil with them, but the prudent took oil in flasks along with their lamps. "Now while the bridegroom was delaying, they all got drowsy and began to sleep. "But at midnight there was a shout, 'Behold, the bridegroom! Come out to meet him.' "Then all those virgins rose and trimmed their lamps. "The foolish said to the prudent, 'Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.' "But the prudent answered, 'No, there will not be enough for us and you too; go instead to the dealers and buy some for yourselves.' "And while they were going away to make the purchase, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the wedding feast; and the door was shut.” Later the other virgins also came, saying, 'Lord, lord, open up for us.' "But he answered, 'Truly I say to you, I do not know you.' "Be on the alert then, for you do not know the day nor the hour. Matthew 25:1-13
This parable points out the necessity of readiness and personal preparation. Jesus refers here to the full manifestation of the Kingdom when the bridegroom comes to claim his chosen bride. Five virgins took lamps without the oil. Five took both lamps and the necessary oil. This parable illustrates that some maintain religious trappings (lamp) but no substance.
holding to a form of godliness, although they have denied its power; Avoid such men as these. 2 Tim. 3:5
Only those who have the “substance” will be ready when the king returns and be escorted into the glories of the Kingdom of God. That substance is faith in Christ. That substance is the presence of the Holy Spirit. Since we do not know the day or the hour of Christ’s return to gather believers into His kingdom it is essential that you do not delay your preparation. You must take the gospel message seriously. If you sleep away the time, you will be awakened by the event but it will not be able to participate in the evetn.
B. Requires a core change (new birth)
Jesus answered and said to him, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God." Nicodemus said to Him, "How can a man be born when he is old? He cannot enter a second time into his mother's womb and be born, can he?" Jesus answered, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. “That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. "Do not be amazed that I said to you, 'You must be born again.' "The wind blows where it wishes and you hear the sound of it, but do not know where it comes from and where it is going; so is everyone who is born of the Spirit." John 3:3-8
The glorious transfer from the kingdom of darkness into the kingdom of God requires more than an intellectual acceptance. Jesus said that without new birth there is no vision or entrance the kingdom.
Without a change at the core there will be no change of citizenship. The Holy Spirit must regenerate the heart that is dead toward God to be able to function in God’s kingdom as a true citizen of heaven.
C. Requires a robe of righteousness -- Parable of the Wedding Feast
"But when the king came in to look over the dinner guests, he saw a man there who was not dressed in wedding clothes, and he said to him, 'Friend, how did you come in here without wedding clothes?' And the man was speechless. "Then the king said to the servants, 'Bind him hand and foot, and throw him into the outer darkness; in that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.' "For many are called, but few are chosen."
"Whoever then annuls one of the least of these commandments, and teaches others to do the same, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever keeps and teaches them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. "For I say to you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 5:19-20
Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived; neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor homosexuals, nor thieves, nor the covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers, will inherit the kingdom of God. Such were some of you; but you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and in the Spirit of our God. 1 Cor. 6:9-11
He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him. 2 Cor. 5:21
"Seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. Mat 6:33
D. Entrance includes tribulation on earth
strengthening the souls of the disciples, encouraging them to continue in the faith, and saying, "Through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God." Acts 14:22
Before we reach our final entrance into the kingdom we will encounter the kingdoms of this earth in a fallen world. Expect NOTHING less.
E. Requires an immortal body
The ultimate experience of God’s kingdom not only rquires a core change but will require a physical change as well.
Now I say this, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable. Behold, I tell you a mystery; we will not all sleep, but we will all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet; for the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. For this perishable must put on the imperishable, and this mortal must put on immortality. But when this perishable will have put on the imperishable, and this mortal will have put on immortality, then will come about the saying that is written, "DEATH IS SWALLOWED UP in victory.”O DEATH, WHERE IS YOUR VICTORY? O DEATH, WHERE IS YOUR STING?" The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law; but thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Cor. 15:50-57
Our citizenship is in heaven, from which also we eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ; who will transform the body of our humble state into conformity with the body of His glory, by the exertion of the power that He has even to subject all things to Himself. Philip. 3:20-21
III. Citizenship in the Kingdom demands kingdom participation
Parable of the Master and slaves
Kingdom citizenship requires kingdom participation. To claim to be a citizen of heaven and act like hell is foolishness. To claim Christ as Lord and ignore His commands is delusion. All of us have kingdom responsiblites. We are all to be PRODUCTIVE citizens.
We are all to wisely and faithfully invest the resources given by the King.
"For it (the Kingdom of heaven) is just like a man about to go on a journey, who called his own slaves and entrusted his possessions to them. “To one he gave five talents, to another, two, and to another, one, each according to his own ability; and he went on his journey. "Immediately the one who had received the five talents went and traded with them, and gained five more talents.” In the same manner the one who had received the two talents gained two more. "But he who received the one talent went away, and dug a hole in the ground and hid his master's money.
"Now after a long time the master of those slaves came and settled accounts with them.” The one who had received the five talents came up and brought five more talents, saying, 'Master, you entrusted five talents to me. See, I have gained five more talents.' "His master said to him, 'Well done, good and faithful slave. You were faithful with a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master.'
"Also the one who had received the two talents came up and said, 'Master, you entrusted two talents to me. See, I have gained two more talents.' "His master said to him, 'Well done, good and faithful slave. You were faithful with a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master.'
"And the one also who had received the one talent came up and said, 'Master, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you did not sow and gathering where you scattered no seed. 'And I was afraid, and went away and hid your talent in the ground. See, you have what is yours.'
"But his master answered and said to him, 'You wicked, lazy slave, you knew that I reap where I did not sow and gather where I scattered no seed. 'Then you ought to have put my money in the bank, and on my arrival I would have received my money back with interest. 'Therefore take away the talent from him, and give it to the one who has the ten talents.'
"For to everyone who has, more shall be given, and he will have an abundance; but from the one who does not have, even what he does have shall be taken away.” Throw out the worthless slave into the outer darkness; in that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Matthew 25:14-30
"Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter. Matthew 7:21
The point is that true life change will bear tore fruit.
IV. Kingdom citizenship is worth the sacrificial investment
A. Parable of the Hidden Treasure
"The kingdom of heaven is like a treasure hidden in the field, which a man found and hid again; and from joy over it he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field. Matthew 13:44
B. Parable of the Priceless Pearl
"Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant seeking fine pearls, and upon finding one pearl of great value, he went and sold all that he had and bought it. Matthew 13:45-46
And Jesus looked at him and said, "How hard it is for those who are wealthy to enter the kingdom of God!” For it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God." They who heard it said, "Then who can be saved?" But He said, "The things that are impossible with people are possible with God."
Peter said, "Behold, we have left our own homes and followed You." And He said to them, "Truly I say to you, there is no one who has left house or wife or brothers or parents or children, for the sake of the kingdom of God, who will not receive many times as much at this time and in the age to come, eternal life." Luke 18:24-30
Paul was convinced that the gloom of life here has no comparison to the glory of life hereafter.
Therefore we do not lose heart, but though our outer man is decaying, yet our inner man is being renewed day by day. For momentary, light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison, while we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen; for the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal.
2 Cor. 4:16-18
For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us. Romans 8:18
If we could only get a grasp on the whole picture! If we could only somehow perceive the wonder of God’s kingdom over all the kingdoms of this earth!
Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth passed away, and there is no longer any sea. And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, made ready as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne, saying, "Behold, the tabernacle of God is among men, and He will dwell among them, and they shall be His people, and God Himself will be among them, and He will wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there will no longer be any death; there will no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain; the first things have passed away."
And He who sits on the throne said, "Behold, I am making all things new." And He said, "Write, for these words are faithful and true." Then He said to me, "It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give to the one who thirsts from the spring of the water of life without cost. "He who overcomes will inherit these things, and I will be his God and he will be My son. "But for the cowardly and unbelieving and abominable and murderers and immoral persons and sorcerers and idolaters and all liars, their part will be in the lake that burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death." Rev. 21:1-8
The kingdoms of this earth are nothing compared to God’s kingdom.
Do you not know? Have you not heard? Has it not been declared to you from the beginning?
Have you not understood from the foundations of the earth?
It is He who sits above the circle of the earth, and its inhabitants are like grasshoppers,
Who stretches out the heavens like a curtain and spreads them out like a tent to dwell in.
He it is who reduces rulers to nothing, who makes the judges of the earth meaningless.
Scarcely have they been planted, scarcely have they been sown, scarcely has their stock taken root in
the earth, but He merely blows on them, and they wither, and the storm carries them away like stubble.
"To whom then will you liken Me that I would be his equal?" says the Holy One.
Lift up your eyes on high and see who has created these stars, the One who leads forth their host by
number, He calls them all by name;
Because of the greatness of His might and the strength of His power, not one of them is missing.
Isaiah 40:21-26
Do not take lightly his invitation to become part of His kingdom. Don’t miss out on kingdom participation.
What we do here in this short period called time, will determine what we do hereafter in eternity. Make your time count. Seek first the kingdom of God and the righteousness that characterizes that kingdom and He will take care of the rest.
Application/Study for the Week
Continue your Obedience journal.
Come / Listen / Obey
Adding another two categories to your journal might prove interesting.
God Said
I Will
I Did
God blessed
I Didn’t
Consequences
God back thorough each of the four points covered so far and ask some personal questions.
All invited not all accept.
Have I accepted God’s invitation to his kingdom?
Have a made excuses for not accepting His invitation.
Have I allowed other things to take priority over accepting His invitation?
Kingdom entrance has certain requirements.
Do I have the right preparation? Am I ready and waiting?
Have I been born again by the Holy Spirit?
Do I have the righteousness of Christ as my robe?
Am I prepared?
Am I willing to suffer tribulation and pain until I get there?
Do I consider my citizenship from heaven more important than anyting and look forward to Christ’s return and glorification of my body?
Kingdom citizenship requires participation
How have I invested the resources left to me by the King until He returns?
How will he evaluate me?
Good and faithful servant?
Lazy and useless slave?
Sacrifice for the kingdom is worth it.
Do I really think it is worth the sacrifice of EVERYTHNG?
What have I really sacrificed to follow the Kings of kings?
Keep up your journal!
