"Parables" (Ray R Harris on RightNow Media)#5/10 for Sunday Night Oct. 15, 2023

“The Wheat and the Weeds”

Matthew 13:24-30 and Matthew 13:36-43

The passage is read during the video

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. But while everyone was sleeping, his enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat, and went away. When the wheat sprouted and formed heads, then the weeds also appeared. “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?’ “ ‘An enemy did this,’ he replied. “The servants asked him, ‘Do you want us to go and pull them up?’ “ ‘No,’ he answered, ‘because while you are pulling the weeds, you may uproot the wheat with them. 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.’ ”

Matthew 13:36–43 NIV

Then he left the crowd and went into the house. His disciples came to him and said, “Explain to us the parable of the weeds in the field.” He answered, “The one who sowed the good seed is the Son of Man. The field is the world, and the good seed stands for the people of the kingdom. The weeds are the people of the evil one, and the enemy who sows them is the devil. The harvest is the end of the age, and the harvesters are angels. “As the weeds are pulled up and burned in the fire, so it will be at the end of the age. The Son of Man will send out his angels, and they will weed out of his kingdom everything that causes sin and all who do evil. They will throw them into the blazing furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Whoever has ears, let them hear.

Watch “Parables” video #5 “The Wheat and the Weeds” with Ray R. Harris from RightNow Media.

Discussion Questions After the Video...

Any initial thoughts or comments from the video?

What problem did you come to God with when you decided to become a Christian? What problem were you looking to God to Solve? Did God limit His work with that problem?

There’s a pause between sowing and harvesting. What frustrates you most about that pause?

Read 2 Peter 3:9 “9 The Lord isn’t really being slow about his promise, as some people think. No, he is being patient for your sake. He does not want anyone to be destroyed, but wants everyone to repent.”

Read Ezekiel 18:32 “32 I don’t want you to die, says the Sovereign Lord. Turn back and live!”

What thoughts come to your mind with these verses?

Pastor Ray makes these three points about the parable

To be a Christian means to make Jesus your King

To be a Christian means you have to be patient

A lot of people who think they are Christians are really not Christian

Of these three points, which one do you find the most challenging for our world? For yourself?

Pastor Ray stated...

Real Christians are planted by God

Real Christians are the ones who grow in the likeness of Christ

Do you agree/disagree with these statements? Do you have any thoughts on these statements?

What other thoughts or “take-aways” do you have from this parable? Is God saying anything else to you?