Chico Alliance Church
Pastor David Welch
“Parables of the Kingdom” Part Four
Review
Through the summer we have examined some of the parables of Jesus.
Parables are stories made up out of practical everyday happenings that graphically illustrate some spiritual truth vital for kingdom living.
Jesus told many stories to show the basic principles of how life should work in His kingdom.
Each parable encourages us to make adjustments to our way of living.
1. Good Samaritan – be a good neighbor
2. Lost Sheep coin and son – seek and save the lost
3. The wise man and the foolish man – Come, listen, live the truth
4. Parables of the kingdom
Today’s message really will conclude our study of the specific parables related to the kingdom.
These are parables (stories) intended to show what the kingdom is like.
In fact, each of them somewhere has a phrase “the kingdom is like”.
The kingdom of God and the kingdom of heaven are two terms used for the same thing.
It speaks of a group of people bound together by a common heritage.
Born into a kingdom
Apply for citizenship by swearing allegiance to the kingdom.
Peter so eloquently describes those in God’s kingdom.
But you are A CHOSEN RACE, A royal PRIESTHOOD, A HOLY NATION, A PEOPLE FOR God's OWN POSSESSION, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; for you once were NOT A PEOPLE, but now you are THE PEOPLE OF GOD; you had NOT RECEIVED MERCY, but now you have RECEIVED MERCY.
Beloved, I urge you as aliens and strangers to abstain from fleshly lusts which wage war against the soul. 1 Peter 2:9-11 (NASB-U)
Paul reminded the Colossians of the wonder of God’s call.
For He rescued us from the domain of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.
He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things have been created through Him and for Him. He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together. He is also head of the body, the church; and He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that He Himself will come to have first place in everything. For it was the Father's good pleasure for all the fullness to dwell in Him, and through Him to reconcile all things to Himself, having made peace through the blood of His cross; through Him, I say, whether things on earth or things in heaven. Col. 1:13-20 (NASB-U)
Jesus told at least 17 parables dealing with the kingdom of God which attempt to describe the indescribable.
These parables all identify some principle related to God’s kingdom.
Each revelation regarding the kingdom urges a response.
I. The Kingdom is open to all but not accepted by all
A. Parable of the Wedding feast – some refuse to accept the invitation
B. Parable of the Sower – some refuse to assimilate kingdom truth
Open your heart and accept the invitation while you have a chance.
II. Entrance to the Kingdom requires life change
Put your faith in Christ who alone can accomplish the changes necessary to function in God’s kingdom.
A. Requires personal preparation.
Parable of the Ten Virgins Matthew 25:1-13 (need for oil in the lamp)
B. Requires a core change (need new birth)
C. Requires a robe of righteousness --Parable of the Wedding Feast (need Rt)
D. Entrance to the kingdom of heaven may include tribulation on earth
E. Requires an immortal body 1 Cor. 15:50-57; Philip 3:20-21 (mortal must put on immortal)
III. Citizenship in the Kingdom demands kingdom participation
Parable of the Master and slaves – all expected to invest resources into the kingdom
Dedicate your God-given resources for the sake of the King and His kingdom.
IV. Kingdom citizenship is worth the sacrificial investment
A. Parable of the Hidden Treasure (sell everything acquire the treasure)
B. Parable of the Priceless Pearl (sell everything to acquire the priceless)
“Seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. Matt 6:33
V. Citizenship in God’s kingdom focuses on forgiveness
God’s kingdom is all about receiving and reciprocating forgiveness
To forgive is to clear a debt; to release from obligation to repay.
The one owed forgives.
The one indebted receives forgiveness, release from bondage.
There are really only two elementary elements involved.
One – a debt.
Two – a release from debt.
There are debts that can and should be repaid.
• Monetary debt
• Social debt i.e. “debt to society”
• Physical debt “owe a favor”
Others cannot be repaid.
• Debt of love “owe nothing except love”
• Debts of hurt and offense
• Debts of failure to act in a loving manner, breaking of a promise or agreement, failure to meet expectations.
• Debts due to irretrievable loss
All of us have incurred these kinds of debts over our lifetime and the feeling is the same.
We feel guilty.
We feel restricted.
We feel in bondage.
We feel awkward around the one we owe.
In every case there is always the one owned and the one who owes.
The offended and the offender.
For the one who owes there are three choices.
1 – Don’t repay resulting in GUILT and increased sensitivity to offenses.
2—Pay repayable debts resulting in a clear conscience
3—Plead forgiveness for unpayable debts resulting in a clear conscience and hopefully restored relationship.
For the one owed there are really only two options.
1 – Withhold forgiveness, resulting in BITTERNESS and a life of bondage and torment.
• Exact payment
• Execute punishment
Bitterness torments the soul and blocks realization of God’s forgiveness.
Bitterness negatively affects all our other relationships.
Failure to forgive incurs greater debt with God who told us to forgive.
To become a punisher consumes ones life as a jailer of the debtor’s prison.
The punisher becomes the punished.
2 – Grant forgiveness, resulting in release from bitterness and guilt and a life of freedom and
Jesus left his disciples with a classic story illustrating the necessity of forgiveness over bitterness.
A. The perspective
Then Peter came and said to Him, "Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me and I forgive him? Up to seven times?" Jesus said to him, "I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven. Matthew 18:21-22 (NASB-U)
B. The parable
"For this reason the kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who wished to settle accounts with his slaves. "When he had begun to settle them, one who owed him ten thousand talents ($250 mil) was brought to him. "But since he did not have the means to repay, his lord commanded him to be sold, along with his wife and children and all that he had, and repayment to be made. "So the slave fell to the ground and prostrated himself before him, saying, 'Have patience with me and I will repay you everything.' "And the lord of that slave felt compassion and released him and forgave him the debt. "But that slave went out and found one of his fellow slaves who owed him a hundred days wages($6,000); and he seized him and began to choke him, saying, 'Pay back what you owe.' "So his fellow slave fell to the ground and began to plead with him, saying, 'Have patience with me and I will repay you.' "But he was unwilling and went and threw him in prison until he should pay back what was owed. "So when his fellow slaves saw what had happened, they were deeply grieved and came and reported to their lord all that had happened. "Then summoning him, his lord said to him, 'You wicked slave, I forgave you all that debt because you pleaded with me. 'Should you not also have had mercy on your fellow slave, in the same way that I had mercy on you?' "And his lord, moved with anger, handed him over to the torturers until he should repay all that was owed him. "My heavenly Father will also do the same to you, if each of you does not forgive his brother from your heart." Matthew 18:23-35 (NASB-U)
From this story we learn at least seven things about forgiveness
C. The practice of genuine forgiveness
1. Forgiveness is commanded
There is no doubt about God’s expectation for all of us.
We pray for Him to forgive us as we forgive others.
He commands us to forgive others as He has forgiven us.
Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you. Eph 4:31-32 (NASB-U)
As those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience; bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you. Col. 3:12-13 (NASB-U)
The obligation to obey this command is just as crucial as the command to not murder.
2. Forgiveness is communicative
“wished to settle accounts”
To forgive does not necessarily mean that we forget or ignore an offense.
In many instances we may never be able to forget the offense.
Sometimes people do not realize they have offended or hurt someone.
Forgiving and forgetting are two different things.
Forgiving refuses to exact payment or execute punishment.
In Jesus’ story the master called the slave to account for the debt.
The more we realize the severity and extent our debt, the greater the appreciation of release from the debt.
By compassionate communication with the debtor we offer them a chance to repay what can be repaid and to ask for mercy for those things they can’t.
The scriptures do not mince words about how our rebellion has offended the Father.
We will not appreciation God’s forgiveness until we understand the gravity of our offense.
3. Forgiveness is compassionate (character produced)
“the lord of that slave felt compassion”
Rather than exact payment or execute punishment, we must out of compassion release the debtor.
For the unpayable debts there are only two choices available.
Release or punish.
Forgive or flog
History can never be changed.
An offense cannot be undone.
The broken cannot be restored.
Punishment can never change the hurt or change the past or undo the offense.
Generally it will not bring freedom from the pain.
God, in his great mercy (withholding of punishment) even when we were enemies sent His only Son to die for us.
4. Forgiveness is complete
He forgave the debt.
He did not give more time to pay as the servant asked.
He FORAVE the whole debt.
When Jesus finally died on the cross he cried out, “It is finished” or literally. “paid in full.”
Our sin will never be an issue
He has not dealt with us according to our sins, nor rewarded us according to our iniquities.
For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is His lovingkindness toward those who fear Him.
As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us.
Just as a father has compassion on his children, so the LORD has compassion on those who fear Him.
For He Himself knows our frame; He is mindful that we are but dust. Psalm 103:10-14 (NASB-U)
There is no bill.
Now where there is forgiveness of these things, there is no longer any offering for sin. Heb 10:18
5. Forgiveness is costly
Who bears the cost related to forgiveness?
The one who is owed the debt must absorb the cost or pain.
It cost the master 250 million dollars to forgive the slave.
He absorbed the cost.
If you really want to be free you must absorb the pain and cost and forgive.
In the case of debts that could be paid, we may also choose to absorb the cost.
In the case of debts that cannot be repaid, the only choice is to absorb the cost or punish the offender.
To punish by bitterness only poisons our own soul.
We become slave to the debtor and a greater debtor to God who freely forgave us.
You say you can’t absorb the cost of the debt.
God promises all of the resources of heaven.
Whatever it takes to forgive comes out of God’s infinite resources.
He will even bear the pain.
When we realize that we have God’s infinite resources and that He has so freely forgiven us the choice is obvious.
Jesus paid the high cost for our debt of sin.
…knowing that you were not redeemed with perishable things like silver or gold from your futile way of life inherited from your forefathers, but with precious blood, as of a lamb unblemished and spotless, the blood of Christ. 1 Peter 1:18-19 (NASB-U)
6. Forgiveness is continual
It is clear from Jesus’ answer to Peter’s question about how many times that Jesus intends that we always forgive; no matter how many times we are offended.
The only way to maintain relationship is through love and forgiveness.
The closer we are the more opportunity to offend and hurt.
Every time we sin God forgives.
The price has been paid.
7. Forgiveness compels forgiving
Jesus also expected that because He has forgiven our many offenses that we intentionally forgive those who offend us.
Failure to do so results in bondage.
If we fail to release others from the bondage of indebtedness, God cannot release us from the consequences of unforgiveness.
He will not deliver us from the ravages of guilt and bitterness as long as we fail to release others from the debilitating guilt associated with their offenses toward us.
How many debtors in your prison?
Perhaps you are in someone else’s prison?
Those in debt for things you can pay; communicate and make arrangements to get out.
For those things that cannot be repayed; plead for mercy and forgiveness.
Those owed by others.
Demand repayment or punishment and fight the bitterness which defiles many.
Forgive! Release from debt and find release for your own soul.
God’s kingdom is about forgiveness so receive and reciprocate forgiveness.
VI. Citizenship in God’s kingdom is available up to the end
Parable of the field workers
"For the kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out early in the morning to hire laborers for his vineyard. "When he had agreed with the laborers for a day’s wages, he sent them into his vineyard. "And he went out about the third hour and saw others standing idle in the market place; and to those he said, 'You also go into the vineyard, and whatever is right I will give you.' And so they went. "Again he went out about the sixth and the ninth hour, and did the same thing. "And about the eleventh hour he went out and found others standing around; and he said to them, 'Why have you been standing here idle all day long?' "They said to him, 'Because no one hired us.' He said to them, 'You go into the vineyard too.'
"When evening came, the owner of the vineyard said to his foreman, 'Call the laborers and pay them their wages, beginning with the last group to the first.' "When those hired about the eleventh hour came, each one received a day’s wages.”When those hired first came, they thought that they would receive more; but each of them also received a day’s wages. "When they received it, they grumbled at the landowner, saying, 'These last men have worked only one hour, and you have made them equal to us who have borne the burden and the scorching heat of the day.' "But he answered and said to one of them, 'Friend, I am doing you no wrong; did you not agree with me for a day’s wage? 'Take what is yours and go, but I wish to give to this last man the same as to you. 'Is it not lawful for me to do what I wish with what is my own? Or is your eye envious because I am generous?' "So the last shall be first, and the first last." Matthew 20:1-16 (NASB-U)
Oh we have so much to learn about service to God and God’s generosity and grace.
Right up to end God will accept faithful service from His citizens and reward them as HE sees fit.
God looks at the motive.
God looks at the heart.
God honors labor for the kingdom right up to the end so get to work.
Look at the harvest.
The harvest is plentiful but the laborers are few.
VII. Citizenship in God’s kingdom will be sorted out at the end
A. Parable of the dragnet (root)
"Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a dragnet cast into the sea, and gathering fish of every kind; and when it was filled, they drew it up on the beach; and they sat down and gathered the good fish into containers, but the bad they threw away. "So it will be at the end of the age; the angels will come forth and take out the wicked from among the righteous, and will throw them into the furnace of fire; in that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Matthew 13:47-50 (NASB-U)
B. Parable of the wheat and tares (fruit)
Jesus presented another parable to them, saying, "The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a man who sowed good seed in his field.”But while his men were sleeping, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat, and went away. "But when the wheat sprouted and bore grain, then the tares became evident also. "The slaves of the landowner came and said to him, 'Sir, did you not sow good seed in your field? How then does it have tares?' "And he said to them, 'An enemy has done this!' The slaves said to him, 'Do you want us, then, to go and gather them up?' "But he said, 'No; for while you are gathering up the tares, you may uproot the wheat with them.’Allow both to grow together until the harvest; and in the time of the harvest I will say to the reapers, "First gather up the tares and bind them in bundles to burn them up; but gather the wheat into my barn." ‘“Matthew 13:24-30 (NASB-U)
Jesus interpreted the parable later.
Then He left the crowds and went into the house. And His disciples came to Him and said, "Explain to us the parable of the tares of the field." And He said, "The one who sows the good seed is the Son of Man, and the field is the world; and as for the good seed, these are the sons of the kingdom; and the tares are the sons of the evil one; and the enemy who sowed them is the devil, and the harvest is the end of the age; and the reapers are angels.”So just as the tares are gathered up and burned with fire, so shall it be at the end of the age. "The Son of Man will send forth His angels, and they will gather out of His kingdom all stumbling blocks, and those who commit lawlessness, and will throw them into the furnace of fire; in that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. "Then THE RIGHTEOUS WILL SHINE FORTH AS THE SUN in the kingdom of their Father. He who has ears, let him hear. Mat 13:36-43
Don’t wait until it is too late.
Separation of the sheep and goats
"But when the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the angels with Him, then He will sit on His glorious throne.”All the nations will be gathered before Him; and He will separate them from one another, as the shepherd separates the sheep from the goats; and He will put the sheep on His right, and the goats on the left.
"Then the King will say to those on His right, 'Come, you who are blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. 'For I was hungry, and you gave Me something to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave Me something to drink; I was a stranger, and you invited Me in; naked, and you clothed Me; I was sick, and you visited Me; I was in prison, and you came to Me.' "Then the righteous will answer Him, 'Lord, when did we see You hungry, and feed You, or thirsty, and give You something to drink? 'And when did we see You a stranger, and invite You in, or naked, and clothe You? 'When did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?' "The King will answer and say to them, 'Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did it to one of these brothers of Mine, even the least of them, you did it to Me.'
"Then He will also say to those on His left, 'Depart from Me, accursed ones, into the eternal fire which has been prepared for the devil and his angels; for I was hungry, and you gave Me nothing to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave Me nothing to drink; I was a stranger, and you did not invite Me in; naked, and you did not clothe Me; sick, and in prison, and you did not visit Me.' "Then they themselves also will answer, 'Lord, when did we see You hungry, or thirsty, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not take care of You?' "Then He will answer them, 'Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to Me.' "These will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life." Matthew 25:31-46 (NASB-U)
Genuine kingdom character demonstrates itself in service to those in need.
Those who claim to be members of the Kingdom of God would be expected to actually serve the king.
Since the king is not here, the only way we demonstrate service to Him is to serve those he puts in our path.
• Citizenship in God’s kingdom is open to all but will not be accepted by all
So open your heart to his invitation.
• Citizenship in God’s kingdom requires life change through faith in Christ.
So put your faith in Christ who will accomplish all the necessary changes.
• Citizenship in God’s kingdom assumes participation by ALL citizens.
So invest your God-given resources in eternal pursuits.
• Citizenship in God’s kingdom is worth the sacrifice.
So consider what sacrifices you will make for the sake of the kingdom.
• Citizenship in God’s kingdom focuses on forgiveness
So receive and reciprocate forgiveness.
• Citizenship in God’s kingdom is available up to the end.
So get in the field before it is too late.
• Citizenship in God’s kingdom will be sorted out in the end.
So don’t wait until it is too late.
Application
the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. Romans 14:17
Come -- Listen -- Live
Come to Jesus today.
Come in humility. Admit your need.
Come in faith. Affirm your trust in His power and his love.
What has Jesus said today to you?
Listen to it! Live it!
Citizenship in God’s kingdom comes through absolute simple trust
At that time the disciples came to Jesus and said, "Who then is greatest in the kingdom of heaven?" And He called a child to Himself and set him before them, and said, "Truly I say to you, unless you are converted and become like children, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven. "Whoever then humbles himself as this child, he is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 18:1-6
The day will come when it will be too late and God will sift out the illegal aliens from the kingdom and deport them to their true kingdom.
