Life in the Kingdom: Pulling Weeds

Matt 13:24-43 “Life in the Kingdom: Pulling Weeds” comes again to judge sinners and joyfully bring home his followers BIG IDEA: God grows his kingdom. • BIG IDEA 1) INTRO • “There isn’t a stronger connection between people than storytelling” • We love stories – from young age on • Movie, book, family gatherings • LOTR, Marvel, Shackleton or Walsh & Sitting Bull • Entire brain • 65% of our conversation each day • Jesus taps into this • JC uses these short stories to show us the truth of the Gospel • “Parable” defined – a narrative or a saying designed to illustrate a truth through comparison…GRK “to cast alongside” • So this is what Jesus does • “Parable” purpose – Jesus showed us why last week • That JC spoke in parables b/c God’s people will want to figure out what the parables mean while those who aren’t God’s people don’t want to understand b/c their hearts aren’t open to God’s message • May our hearts be open…even today as we hear • And, today, JC is telling us a few stories to give us a greater understanding of the kingdom of heaven/God • Jared Wilson – “The parables give us a direct portal to the kingdom of God being done on earth as it is in heaven…when Jesus teaches a parable…he is revealing a glimpse of eternity crashing into time.” • Jesus comes using these parables to give us a greater understanding of the kingdom of God • JC is the fulfillment of God’s plan for history….OT spoke of • The kingdom is present with Jesus • Jesus’ reign and rule in our hearts and lives • JC becomes real to us when we submit in faith to his Lordship in our lives • With the first coming of Jesus, the kingdom will be proclaimed and grow until Jesus – the Son of Man – 2) vv24-30 • Storytelling Jesus paints a picture of what the kingdom of heaven/God is like • He shows us that the kingdom of heaven is like the scenario of a man who… • Sowed good seed in his field • But, while his servants sleep, an enemy sneaks in and sows weeds among the wheat • He comes in while the servants sleep – he’s slick, he’s smart, he’s crafty…to infiltrate & ruin God’s plans • The Mole reality TV show • The picture given here is that the enemy/the Mole has slithered his way in and is trying to blend in to infiltrate and take over and ruin the plans of the sower/to choke out the wheat • So, the seeds sprouted and grew…weed seed “darnel” • But, as it grew, it became recognizable as a weed • And, so the master’s servants noticed the weeds and offered what anyone does when they see weeds – they offered to pull weeds • They offer to go in and take care of the weeds • They want the field to bear only wheat • They want to get rid of the bad…the best intentions • Surprising twist here: NOT to pull the weeds • Even though their natural response is to pull weeds • Even though they have the best intentions • They’re willing to work…in this way for the master • Gardeners know that pulling weeds can be hard…especially when it’s a big job, but necessary • Summer of funeral home work – pulling weeds • Master tells them to leave the weeds so that they don’t pull up the wheat with the weeds…wait until harvest time 3) vv31-35 • A grain of mustard seed • Mustard seed was smallest known seed in this context…about the size of a sesame seed to 10-15 ft • Inbreaking of God’s kingdom may seem insignificant – or like nothing – but will grow and prove to be much greater • 1st century context & mighty Rome • Today in Christians’ stifled influence voice • But, God grows his kingdom • Pic of tree w/ birds nesting in these branches • Ezek 17:23 - birds represent Gentiles nations • Grace, mercy, forgiveness all peoples • Regardless of the color of our skin, how much $ we make, how much schooling we’ve had, what kind of job we have, good health/poor health, age…Jesus Christ saves us • When see he died in our place • When confess and repent • When surrender to his Lordship • Parable of leaven/yeast • Usually symbol of evil – “beware of leaven of the Pharisees” • Point: God’s reign and rule will fill & grow & change world • Bread or pizza crust – kitchen, yeast, smell • BIG IDEA • These parables Jesus gives are to show that • Jesus fulfills Psalm 78:2 by speaking in parables • God’s plan since beginning • OT pointed ahead to King and Lord conquer sin and defeat death • Here-and-now – in our hearts and lives • JC will return to claim his rightful place as King and Lord over all – one day • This is what we see as Jesus explains the parable of the wheat and weeds 4) vv36-43 • Apocalyptic, points to the end of the age…God will punish evil • This is pointing ahead to the return of Jesus • Jesus spells out plainly parable of the wheat and weeds means • Disciples ask, he answers • BIG IDEA • v37 – The One who sows good seed —> The Son of Man/Jesus • “Son of Man” from Dan 7 - JC world dominion & worship • ALL are to serve him • Followers of Jesus are changed by him • God himself is the true sower of salvation…sovereign to save • He alone transforms our hearts…has the power to do that • v38 – The field —> The world The good seed/wheat —> sons of kingdom/people of God The weeds —> sons of evil one/evil people • A mission that’s beyond the church • Believers & unbelievers in world until judgment day • As we live in this world together – in the midst of weeds, we should feel the importance of The Great Commission…[reach the lost!!] • God grows kingdom…uses us…Rom 10:14 • Urgency to share Jesus • Especially given the weight of the rest of vv • v39 – Enemy who sowed seeds —> the devil The harvest —> the end of the age The reapers/harvesters —> angels (good angels) • vv41-43 The final judgment will be separation of godly from ungodly • Jesus sends angels to gather & separate…Jesus authority • Those who are evil will be gathered and burned • Be sent to hell to endure the wrath of God as the just punishment for their sin • While not popular, this is truth…hell from JC • It’s the place where unrepentant sinners – those who don’t love Jesus & surrender to him – will endure the punishment we all deserve when we don’t submit to, surrender to, and confess Jesus as our Lord and Savior • The people of God and evil people will be separated…AND all ungodliness will be separated from the godly • “Shine like the sun”…separate from sin & all its effects 5) CONCL • Don’t we pray that many more people would become wheat rather than weeds? • As followers of Christ, this should be our heart’s desire • Our desire should be that God would change the hearts of the weeds/sinful, evil people…just like we were without JC • Our hearts will grow to compassion for the lost, not vengeance • Luke 9:54-55 – James & John wanting to call down fire on the Samaritan village • May we be wheat • I pray that you’re wheat, not a weed • I pray that you’re wheat who’s bearing more wheat by lifting up and pointing to God, who pours out his sovereign grace on us • Even though this isn’t popular • Only 8% of all Canadians view evangelism positively • We have our work cut out for us…but it’s a good & worthwhile work…so many need Jesus • God grows his kingdom…and uses us to grow his kingdom as well