Sermons on Matthew 13:1-53:

What Moves The Hand Of God

Contributed by Michael Richardson on Jul 28, 2007

Why most churches and individuals miss the power of God in their lives.

Matt. 13:53-58 WHAT MOVES THE HAND OF GOD INTRO: ***A little boy was heard talking to himself as he walked across the backyard, baseball cap in place, ball and bat in his hands. "I am the greatest hitter in the world," he said. He threw the ball up, swung and missed. "Strike one," he said. But ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 13:53-58

Denomination: Baptist

The Root Of The Problem Series

Contributed by Mike Gilbert on Aug 2, 2007

Why Jesus spoke in parables, and a look at the Parable of the Sower

THE ROOT OF THE PROBLEM Series: Pursuing Meaning Most of us remember Aesop’s Fables... --The wolf in sheep’s clothing teaches us that appearances can be deceiving. -The town mouse and country mouse teach us that it’s better to eat beans and bacon in safety than cakes and ale in fear. -The goose ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 13:1-23

Denomination: Baptist

Scattering The Seed

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Aug 6, 2007

Why wouldn’t God be more selective in what soil He allows His seed to be planted? And why did Jesus tell only this parable (but not the explanation of the parable) to this crowds?

A man walked into a flower shop and asked for some potted red geraniums. "I’m sorry," said the clerk in flower shop, "we are completely sold out of all of our potted geraniums. But I’d be more than happy to give you a deal on something else. Could you use African violets instead?" ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 13:1-23

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Why Didn't God Pull The Weeds? Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Aug 12, 2007

This 2nd parable of Christ’s tells of an enemy that sowed "weeds" in the field of the Son of Man. But in the parable Christ instructs his laborers (the angels) not to yank out the weeds? How come?

OPEN: I’m told there are only two vegetables that are “perennial” - they don’t have to be replanted to produce on their own- several growing seasons. All other vegetables must be replanted every year. Quiz: What are the only two vegetables that don’t have to be replanted? (Rhubarb/ ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 13:24-43

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Which Type Of Soil Are You? Series

Contributed by Matthew Stoll on Aug 14, 2007

The kingdom begins with us, what will we choose to do with the Good News about the kingdom, which soil will we choose to be?

What comes to your mind when I say the kingdom of heaven or the kingdom of God (since they are used interchangeably in the gospels)? [Allow the congregation to give their input]. Perhaps pearly gates, gold streets, the throne room of God himself? Most of our thoughts of the kingdom revolve ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 13:1-23

Denomination: Methodist

Little Seed - Big Tree Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Aug 19, 2007

Why did the farmer in this parable plant the mustard seed? Jesus doesn’t stress the harvest from this tree... only the fact that birds come and settle in its branches. Why?

OPEN: There’s a story about a student from MIT who spent an entire summer going to the Harvard football field every day wearing a black and white striped shirt walking up and down the field for ten or fifteen minutes throwing birdseed and blowing a whistle. Then he would walk off the field. At ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 13:31-35

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Seeds

Contributed by Rodney V Johnson on Aug 22, 2007

The facts about the seeds we sow

The Seeds Introduction Last week we talked about sowing – how we are sowing seeds every day. Whether we want to or not, those seeds are going out. We looked at the Scripture in Galatians and Matthew – remember Galatians said, “Do not be deceived, God is not mocked, whatever a man sows, this he ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 13:24-26

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Sleeping Giant Series

Contributed by Matthew Stoll on Aug 23, 2007

The Kingdom of Heaven is present and is growing here on earth, and we are God’s vessel for expanding the kingdom.

Last week we looked at one of Jesus’ favorite teachings, the kingdom of God. We discovered the kingdom of God isn’t just something which will happen in the future when Jesus returns, but God is already in the process of building his kingdom, his perfect reign on earth right now. Jesus said “the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 13:31-33

Denomination: Methodist

Crystal Ball

Contributed by Donald Jewell on May 28, 2004

How the hope of heaven changes us.

The Crystal Ball This morning I want you to imagine with me. I am in the yard hoeing the garden, after a while my hoe hits a metal object. I get down and start digging around the object with my hands until I uncover a small metal box. I lift it out of the ground and examine it. After a careful ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 13:44-46

Denomination: Wesleyan

Are You Listening?

Contributed by Steve Shepherd on Jun 7, 2004

In the parable of the sower we have four different types of hearers or listeners.

INTRO.- ILL.- An excited little boy was telling his daddy about something that had happened to him that day. His daddy said, "Slow up, honey, you are talking too fast!" His boy shot back at him, "Oh, no, Daddy, I’m not talking too fast. You’re just listening too slow!" ARE YOU LISTENING? ILL.- ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 13:18-23

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Questions & Concerns About The Future Series

Contributed by Steven Dow on Jun 12, 2004

Part 1 of 2 of "The Day After Tomorrow" series. When is Jesus coming? What will happen when he comes? How do I get ready?

QUESTIONS & CONCERNS ABOUT THE FUTURE The Day After Tomorrow June 13, 2004 Introduction: A new movie has recently been released titled The Day After Tomorrow. In the movie global warming results in cataclysmic changes in weather patterns which result in global devastation. This message is in ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 13:24-43

"What's Wrong? Or Has The Word Of God Lost It's Potency?" Series

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Jun 30, 2004

Why has modern American Christianity missed the mark by such a distance? Is the Gospel no longer as potent as it used to be? Has the potency of the Bible run low like antique prescription medicine?

"What’s Wrong? Or Has the Word of God Lost It’s Potency?" (Matt. 13:1-53, Mark 4:1-34, Luke 8:4-18) Intro 1. The evangelical world has lost confidence in the Word of God. ---TNIV is just one example¡Xchange in English usage is one thing 2. How Christians "do church" is reflective of what they ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 13:1-53

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Mustard Seed

Contributed by Tim Barrett on Jul 5, 2004

An encouraging exposition of Matthew 13 which explains the spiritual principle of the seemingly insignificant becoming significant with God.

The Parable of the mustard seed (20 minute message) Intro: Story of student at school (Adam) who had autism. From birth people would of written this guy off, they thought that he would never amount to much. Adam loved ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 13:31-32, Romans 12:1

Denomination: Pentecostal

Listen Like Jesus

Contributed by Christian Cheong on Jul 6, 2004

Jesus did everything according to the will of the Father because He constantly commune with Him. From His example, we want to learn to (1) LISTEN INTENTLY to God’s Word, and (2) listen WITH A HEART TO OBEY.

There is one aspect of Jesus that we want to learn today - to LISTEN... to listen carefully to the Word of God. So that we can understand His heart and His will for us. Jesus said in John 8:28-29 "...I do nothing on my own but speak just what the Father has taught me. 29 The one who sent me is ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 13:3-9

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Lord, Spare Us From Skewed Priorities

Contributed by Edward Frey on Aug 7, 2003

The gospel shows us how Christ prioritized our salvation through his own life, death, and resurrection. Now, we are equipped to prioritize our lives in service to him.

An old Native American tale recounts the story of a chief who was telling a gathering of young braves about the struggle within. “It is like two dogs fighting inside of us,” the chief told them. “There is one good dog who wants to do what’s right and the other dog always wants to do what’s wrong. ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 13:1-9

Denomination: Lutheran