Jesus Teaches Kingdom Parables

Have you ever felt like the only one in a group that didn’t get something?

The Parable of the Sower

Matthew 13:1–9 (ESV)

That same day Jesus went out of the house and sat beside the sea.

And great crowds gathered about him, so that he got into a boat and sat down. And the whole crowd stood on the beach.

The Four Hearts

And he told them many things in parables, saying: “A sower went out to sow.

Did you know you’re supposed to sow too?

Matthew 28:18–20 ESV

And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

1. The Hardened Heart

And as he sowed, some seeds fell along the path, and the birds came and devoured them.

The heart wasn’t ready to receive. Why wouldn’t a heart be ready to receive? What’s stopping you from receiving. Guilt, shame, bitterness, anger, life’s been unfair etc…

2. The Superficial Heart

Other seeds fell on rocky ground, where they did not have much soil, and immediately they sprang up, since they had no depth of soil,

but when the sun rose they were scorched. And since they had no root, they withered away.

I call these the ‘Sunday Christians’ They make it to church on Sunday, sometimes, and they spend the rest of their weeks as if they’ve never experienced the power of God. They believe, but there’s no depth, no discipline, no commitment.

3. The Distracted Heart

Other seeds fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked them.

Vending Machine Xians. They run to God when they need something and then live like he doesn’t exist. They are distracted by life and everything in it. Lured away by what’s temporary, more interested in Earthly niceties than Heavenly glory.

4. The Fruitful heart

Other seeds fell on good soil and produced grain, some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.

He who has ears, let him hear.”

The heart we want to have, and the heart only some others will.

What are some Characteristics of each heart?

Which of these soils have you experienced in your own life?

What about when sharing your faith?

The Mustard Seed and the Leaven

Matthew 13:31–33 ESV

He put another parable before them, saying, “The kingdom of heaven is like a grain of mustard seed that a man took and sowed in his field. It is the smallest of all seeds, but when it has grown it is larger than all the garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and make nests in its branches.” He told them another parable. “The kingdom of heaven is like leaven that a woman took and hid in three measures of flour, till it was all leavened.”

The mustard seed points to the outward growth of the kingdom. Like the last parable mentioned, the kingdom of God starts as a seed, but grows into a mighty tree.

The yeast points to the inward growth of the kingdom of heaven. Just like how yeast needs to be kneaded into bread to take effect, we too need to be constantly refined.

What are some other biblical stories where god took something little and turned it into something great?

THE PARABLE OF THE HIDDEN TREASURE

Matthew 13:44–46 ESV

“The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and covered up. Then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field. “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls, who, on finding one pearl of great value, went and sold all that he had and bought it.

The treasure is worth more than everything he owned. By buying the field the treasure became his.

Same is true with the pearl. BUT with the pearl, it was this mans business to find these things. He was searching for treasure, and he found it.

This is the dychotomy of the kindom of heaven, some are looking, and some stumble upon it, but the result should be the same, that we give our all to the kingdom when we’ve recieved such a great gift.

What are some temporary treasures that we try to find lasting satisfaction in?

Why is Jesus Better than these?

What are some things that rival god for first place in your heart?

How can you place him first in every area of your life?