The Kingdom Is Like …
Wheat and Weeds
April 28, 2018
Jesus’ parables are both works of art and the weapons he used in the conflict with his opponents. They were the teaching method he chose most frequently to explain the kingdom of God and to show the character of God and the expectations God has for people. Klyne Snodgrass
Jesus is using these enigmatic stories to force what is hidden out into the open, to reveal what has been concealed.
Matthew 13:24-30 NIV
Jesus told them another parable: "The kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field. 25 But while everyone was sleeping, his enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat, and went away. 26 When the wheat sprouted and formed heads, then the weeds also appeared. 27 "The owner's servants came to him and said, 'Sir, didn't you sow good seed in your field? Where then did the weeds come from?' 28 "'An enemy did this,' he replied. "The servants asked him, 'Do you want us to go and pull them up?' 29 "'No,' he answered, 'because while you are pulling the weeds, you may root up the wheat with them. 30 Let both grow together until the harvest. At that time I will tell the harvesters: First collect the weeds and tie them in bundles to be burned; then gather the wheat and bring it into my barn.'"
It’s sometimes difficult to discern good from evil.
1 Corinthians 4:5 NIV
Therefore judge nothing before the appointed time; wait till the Lord comes. He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of men's hearts. At that time each will receive his praise from God.
The darnel weed looked like wheat until it was fully mature and then it could be poisonous and dangerous.
We can all be corrupted, so we need the Holy Spirit every day.
Galatians 5:16-17 NIV
So, I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature. 17 For the sinful nature desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the sinful nature. They are in conflict with each other, so that you do not do what you want.
We must be wise about our beliefs.
2 Timothy 4:1-5 NIV
“In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom, I give you this charge: 2 Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage — with great patience and careful instruction. 3 For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. 4 They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths. 5 But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry.”
Notice the enemy plants in the middle of the wheat. Sometimes, our enemy does his best work in the middle of the church.
Therefore, we recite the Creeds and come to the table. We center ourselves on sound doctrine each time we gather.
V.30 Let both grow together until the harvest. At that time, I will tell the harvesters: First collect the weeds and tie them in bundles to be burned; then gather the wheat and bring it into my barn.'"
There will be Divine justice at the end of history.
We’ll be judged for what we allow and what we believe.
Conclusion:
You may feel like the weeds in the story, not the wheat.
Good News!! God’s patient with all of us. More than we deserve.
Grace is when we get what we do not deserve.
We trust in the goodness of God and not in our own goodness.
Jesus is the judge and he always judges fairly.
