sf106 - Weeds Seeds And Yeast (Matthew 13 24-43)

Matthew 13:24-43

Introduction

In the first of the eight parables in Matthew 13, Jesus explained the four kinds of responses—three negative and one positive—that people would make to the gospel during the mystery form of the kingdom of heaven that is the church age, the period between His first and second comings (vv. 3-8, 18-23), as well as through the Millennium. In the second parable the Lord explains what happens to unbelievers during these periods of the kingdom.

In the three parables before us our Lord outlines the nature of His work (the kingdom of heaven) during the “church age.”

1A. The Parable of the Wheat and Tares (13:24-30; 34-42)

1B. The details of the parable (13:24-30)

The seed

Ø The good seed is the wheat the farmer desired to grow.

Ø The tares are weeds (darnel) that looked like wheat.

The characters

Ø The sower is the landowner.

Ø The enemy is someone who wants to ruin the landowner.

The events

Ø The tares were sown while the owner and his servants slept.

Ø The tares and the wheat grew together. Therefore uprooting the tares would have uprooted the wheat.

Ø The harvest would clearly reveal the tares.

2B. The lessons of the parable (13:34-42)

His teaching in parables fulfills the prophecy of Asaph (13:34-36; 2 Chronicle 29:30; Psalm 78:2)

The sower is Jesus. (13:37)

The field is the world. (13:38a)

Ø This is about the church in the world not the world in the church.

The good seeds are the elect, He places in the world. (13:38b)

The tares are the unregenerate in the world. (13:38c-39)

Ø To sow here carries the idea of thoroughness.

The reapers are the Lord’s angels (13:39b)

The harvest represents the final judgment of God on this world. (13:40-42)

Ø Judgment is the work of God and His angels, not the church.

Ø This is not a reference to church discipline because what is in view here is the world not the church.

Ø The whole earth is God’s kingdom. (Psalm 24:1-2)

Ø The Lord will judge the unregenerate.

Matthew 16:27 For the Son of Man will come in the glory of His Father with His angels, and then He will reward each according to his works.

2 Thessalonians 1:7-9

Hell is a literal place. (13:42)

2A. The Parables of the Mustard Seed and Yeast (13:31-33)

1B. The parable of the mustard seed (13:31-32)

The details of the parable

Ø The mustard seed was the smallest garden seed available in Judea at the time.

Ø This particular variety can grow up to 15 feet.

The lessons of the parable

Ø The Lord’s kingdom started from very small and insignificant beginnings.

Ø Although small in its beginnings the church would grow to great prominence.

Ø The kingdom would be a blessing to the rest of the world. The birds do not represent evil here.

2B. The parable of the yeast (leaven) (13:33)

The details of the parable

Ø The yeast was used to make bread a small amount was all that was needed.

Ø In fact the yeast was passed from one generation to the next.

The lessons of the parable

Ø Small things can have a great impact.

Ø The influence is positive.

Ø The influence comes from the inside, from behind the scenes.

Application

The Kingdom of God will triumph. (13:43a)

Everyone must heed the Lord’s warning. (13:43b)

Matthew 13:24-43

1A. The Parable of the Wheat and Tares (13:24-30; 34-42)

1B. The _________________ of the parable (13:24-30)

The __________________________

The ______________________________

The _______________________________

2B. The lessons of the parable (13:34-42)

His teaching in parables fulfills the prophecy of Asaph (13:34-36; 2 Chronicle 29:30; Psalm 78:2)

The sower is _____________________. (13:37)

The field is the __________________. (13:38a)

The good seeds are the _________________, He places in the world. (13:38b)

The tares are the ___________________________ in the world. (13:38c-39)