Sermon Tone Analysis

Review

Chapters 11-12 have shown us a number of different responses to Jesus and the Kingdom of Heaven arriving

glad acceptance

indifference

indignant animosity

Here in 13 we’ll be reading about 7 (maybe 8 depending on definitions) parables Jesus uses to teach about the Kingdom of Heaven

Teaching by the Lake

boat as a pulpit separated from

Parable not as simple explanation, only the disciples were given those.

Parable is a “story” that doesn’t carry it’s meaning on the surface.

This demands thought and perception for the hearer to gain benefit.

The Sower

A small point I have been convicted by, is the way I want to attach a “percentage” to a narrative like this.

Would have been a pretty reckless farmer for only 25% to land on good ground

4: “Hardened”, packed ground that the seed wouldn’t even penetrate

5-6: some dirt, but mostly stones that don’ allow root

7: good dirt, but not taken care of, with thorn bushes too

8: good dirt and well taken care of

About Teaching in Parables

Here and in 36 are 2 “private” side conversations Jesus has with the disciples about how parables are intended to work

The answer to why Jesus teaches with them is based on the explanation to the first parable that Isaiah’s prophecy speaks of in 14-15 (Isaiah 6:9-10)

The disciples were chosen by Jesus and all the prophets before (including john the Baptist) would not be around for this new, special revelation.

They all looked forward to the coming of the kingdom, and now just as Jesus has said, it’s at hand.

Explanation of the Parable of the Sower

Primary point is to explain and encourage when the disciples saw the different responses to the gospel; the message of Jesus since Matthew 4:17 “17 From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”

19: when the ground is so hard the gospel can’t even get in, Matthew is telling us the devil takes away that truth sewn in the heart of the hearer

20-21: Nominal “Christians”.

Following, but not understanding the truth of all that’s meant in the Gospel.

What it truly means to be saved.

All they had to do was pray a prayer and walk an aisle, then they’re ticket was punched to an easy life.

22: More nominal “Christians” that think the salvation that Jesus offers is the ticket to the wealth and health they’ve been looking for.

Proverbs 11:28 “28 He that trusteth in his riches shall fall: but the righteous shall flourish as a branch.”

23: Good ground is good Christians.

True Christians produce some kind of fruit.

However, Christians are not all the same.

Some have more or different gifts and circumstances than others.

Though all are fruitful, the harvest will vary.

Three Further Parables of Growth

Parable of the Weeds

Parable of the sower the ground was the focus.

Here the type of seed is

Wheat: Christians

Tares: darnel is a type of rye grass that looks identical up to a certain growth as wheat.

Poisonous to eat.

Allow them to grow together in the world until judgement

Parables of the Mustard Seed and of the Leaven

Both teach of the small, barely perceptible beginnings that grow into a spectacular outcome

Point of the mustard seed isn’t about being botanically correct.

Isn’t the leavens growth that’s dramatic but the impact it has on the whole

Hidden three measures (60 pounds): we don’t hide the Gospel, but the truth of what Jesus has said is that saving grace is the understanding given by God.

Grace to know they are lost and grace in knowing the savior.

One day, though, all the heavens and the earth and all that exist will see the truth.

Either in glory or in judgement.

About Teaching in Parables

Psalm 78:2 “2 I will open my mouth in a parable: I will utter dark sayings of old:”

There it’s revealed account of the history of Israel; here Matthew is pointing out Jesus stands in line of the God’s authorized spokesmen

Mark 4:22 “22 For there is nothing hid, which shall not be manifested; neither was any thing kept secret, but that it should come abroad.”

Explanation of the Parable of the Weeds

37-43, 49-50: One of the most explicit accounts of final judgement and the ultimate fates of the bad and the good we have in the gospels

38: Field is the world

Three Further Short Parables

The Parables of the Treasure and of the Pearl

About a wholehearted, enthusiastic commitment to the kingdom of heaven

once the kingdom of heaven is understood, nothing compares

The Parable of the Net and It’s Explanation

Concluding Parable: The Householder (?)

Disciples are not perfect, but on their way to understanding

disciples are now the “scribes”, the authorized teachers and writers for the kingdom of heaven as opposed to the Pharisaic scribes who have failed to grasp its message.

The disciples are more qualified now to feed the family of God

Moving On