Kingdom Mindset: Matthew 13:10-17, 24-52

CIT: Through these parables, Jesus teaches us how to make sense of this world and our calling in it.

The “what” and “why” of parables

Seven parables

Three themes

The “what” and “why” of parables

“What”

A parable is a short practical story that illustrates a spiritual truth

Jesus would use stories using topics and things that the people saw and knew from their daily lives, this was to show that all things in God’s creation ultimately point to the Kingdom of Heaven, Romans 1:20 “For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse.”

“Why”

Jesus was revealing truth to those who were believing the mysterious - this was evidence of God’s mercy

A mystery is something that was told about but hidden in the OT and then revealed in the NT through the coming of Christ.

This is specifically who the Messiah would be, how the Messiah would operate, and what kind of Kingdom he would bring.

Who: People thought the Messiah would be a powerful King, but the mystery that was revealed was that he was a lowly servant.

How: People thought that the Messiah would conquer through politics or physical force, but rather he conquered through selfless love and his sacrificial death on the cross

What: People thought the Messiah was bringing a physical kingdom when he actually brought a spiritual Kingdom.

These parable is how Jesus was revealing these truths, and to hear and receive this truth was evidence of God’s mercy.

Why did so few receive the truth of the mystery of the gospel in these parables? It was purely by God’s grace. Why do few receive the truth of the mystery of the gospel now? It is purely by God’s grace. Ephesians 2:4-5 “But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved—”

Jesus was concealing truth from those who were denying the obvious - this was evidence of God’s judgement

What was the obvious? that Jesus was the Messiah. How was it obvious? through miracle after miracle and teaching after teaching Jesus had shown that he was the Messiah, but many refused to believe this truth, they did not want to believe in the mystery of the gospel.

Therefore, Jesus concealed the truth from them. Matthew 13:11-13

Matthew 13:11–13 ESV

And he answered them, “To you it has been given to know the secrets of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been given. For to the one who has, more will be given, and he will have an abundance, but from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away. This is why I speak to them in parables, because seeing they do not see, and hearing they do not hear, nor do they understand.

Jesus concealing the truth through these parables is evidence of God’s judgement for their unbelief.

Many people now say that if they were to see Jesus in person and not just hear and read his teachings and miracles in the Bible then they would believe. But we see here that this is not true, even the very people who have witnessed these miracles and heard the teachings did not believe. Why? because their hearts were hard and ears were closed and eyes were blind through unbelief.

Seven parables

The weeds and the net

Even though these parables are separated their point is identical.

There is a coming judgement, one in which God will separate those who have truly believed in Christ for salvation and those who are still in unbelief.

This coming judgement is a great day for those who have believed because we will be welcomed into the Kingdom of God, but it will be a terrible day for those who do not believe for they will be cast into hell.

The mustard seed and the yeast

Again these two parables have identical points

That the Kingdom of God, though its beginnings may seem small and insignificant, impact every part of our lives and every corner of the earth leading to an extravagant end.

The beginning of the Kingdom of God seems small, a humble baby born in a manger who grew up to have 12 friends and died on a cross, but an extravagant end that permeates our lives, the message of the gospel has multiplied from those first few believers across the world from generation to generation and is changes our very thoughts, beliefs, affections, motives, and actions, which through our lives changes other’s lives and others and others.

The treasure and the pearl

These also have identical points

That the Kingdom of God is something worth losing everything for, and we joyfully let go of all things in order to exclusively take hold of one thing, that is, the Kingdom of God.

Philippians 3:8 “Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ”

The homeowner

Those who are disciples of Christ have the secrets of the Old Covenant revealed in the New and we bring them out to the nations to proclaim that Jesus is the Messiah.

Three themes (Application/Conclusion)

Gospel growth

Gospel growth happens in and through faithful believers. The gospel will grow in your life and impact every area. And though your work may seem small at first, it will ultimately have a large impact.

How are you growing in the gospel? How are you seeing the gospel message grow around you?

Gospel judgement

The message of the gospel brings joy to those who hear and believe it and judgement to those who do not believe it.

Have you believed in the message of the gospel?

Gospel gain

The Kingdom of God is so incredibly valuable we should sacrifice everything to gain it.

What would you be willing to sacrifice for the Kingdom of God? What needs to change in your life grow into being willing to let go of anything and everything?