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6 October 2024:     The Wheat and the Tares      Mt 13:24-30;   36-42

Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43  “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’ // “Then He left the crowds and went into the house. And His disciples came to Him and said, ‘Explain to us the parable of the tares of the field.’ And He said, ‘The one who sows the good seed is the Son of Man, and the field is the world; and as for the good seed, these are the sons of the kingdom; and the tares are the sons of the evil one; and the enemy who sowed them is the devil, and the harvest is the end of the age; and the reapers are angels. So just as the tares are gathered up burned with fire, so shall it be at the end of the age. The Son of Man will send forth His angels, and they will gather out of His kingdom all stumbling blocks, and those who commit lawlessness, and will throw them into the furnace of fire; in that place there will weeping and gnashing of teeth. Then the righteous will shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father; He who has ears, let him hear.’”

The Field                   the world

The Sower                 Son of Man (Jesus)

The Enemy               Satan

The Wheat                Sons of the Kingdom / gathered to the Kingdom time at the harvest

The Tares                   sons of the Evil One / stumbling blocks & those that commit lawlessness and . burned at the harvest

The Servants          not explained – workers of the field

The Harvest             the end of the age

The Reapers            angels harvesting at the 2^nd Coming

In looking at this parable I do not want to be guilty of pressing this story too hard and making it say something that it doesn’t. But what I do plan on doing is to use it as a springboard for points that are taught in other verses of God’s Word. Some sermons from this parable look at it as if the field was the Church and not the world. But Jesus clearly said the field was the world.

Notice that there are only two types of seed growing in the field: wheat or tares. There is no hybrid here. You are serving either the master that is Christ or the master that is Satan.               Mt 7:15-23 “Beware false prophets, who come to you in  sheep’s clothing, but inwardly are ravenous wolves. You will know them by their fruits. . . . . Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of my Father will enter. ‘Many will say ‘Lord, did we not prophecy and cast out demons in your name and perform many miracles?’ And then I will declare to them: ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness.”  We need to make sure that our relationship with Christ is real and operating obediently to God’s teachings.

When you look back at the parable, we should notice that Jesus was the Sower and the wheat are the sons of the Kingdom.    “and as for the good seed, these are the sons of the kingdom; and the tares are the sons of the evil one”    Mt 5:13-16 Jesus states that we are the salt of the earth and the light of the world. We are to light our light shine before men in such a way that the world will see our good works and glorify the Father.  2 Cor 5:20,21 tells us that we are ambassadors for Christ as though God was making an appeal through us and we represent the righteousness of God.   

Back to my previous point – we are sons of God or sons of Satan. If we are sons of God, then we should be bearing fruit for His kingdom. 2 Cor 13:5 tells us that we are to test ourselves to see if Christ is in us?  Rom 12:1 “ . . . offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God – this is your spiritual act of worship.”   Luke 9:23 “If anyone would come after Me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily ad follow Me.”  Gal 5:16, 22ff “But I say, walk by the spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh. . . . But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, kindness, . . . .”      If our lives are immersed with that of the Spirit then it will bear fruit in accordance with God’s will.

Another point in this parable is that it is not our job to separate and destroy the tares.   1 Cor 4:5 “Therefore, do not go on passing judgement before the time, but wait until the Lord comes who will both bring to light the things hidden in the darkness and disclose the motives of men’s hearts; and then each man’s praise will come to him from God.”     1 Cor. 5:12,13 “For what have I to do with judging outsiders? Do you not judge those who are within the church? But those who are outside, God judges . . .”   

You see in 1 Cor 5:12 that we do have the obligation to use discernment for those within the church.  1 Tim 5:20 “Those who continue in sin, rebuke in the presence of all, so that the rest also will be fearful of sinning.”  And if you recall, Gal 2:11 “When Peter came to Antioch, I told him face to face that he was wrong.”

“So just as the tares are gathered up burned with fire, so shall it be at the end of the age. The Son of Man will send forth His angels, and they will gather out of His kingdom all stumbling blocks, and those who commit lawlessness, and will throw them into the furnace of fire; in that place there will weeping and gnashing of teeth. Then the righteous will shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father

Mtt 7:19 “Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down & thrown into the fire.”                  2 Thess 1:7,8 “… when the Lord Jesus will be revealed from heaven with His might angels in flaming fire, dealing out retribution to those who do not know God and to those who do not obey the gospel of our lord Jesus.”       Mt 24:31 “And He will send forth His angels with a great trumpet, and they will gather together His elect from the four winds, from one end of the sky to the other.”    James 1:12 ““Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him”.

I think the message of this parable is that we need to realize that there are two spiritual forces in this world, and we need to make sure which spirit we are connected to and serving. Our fruit is bearing witness to which “Master” we are serving and that there will be eternal consequences come judgement day. Mtt 6:19-21 “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, . . . . but store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal - for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”

 

 

29 Sept:    SCRIPTURAL WORSHIP – the Why’s and  How’s

1 Peter 3:15,16 “but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence . . . .”

To help us fulfill those instructions, I want to look at the teachings of the New Testament which explain the why’s and how’s of what we do each and every Sunday morning.

The first thing we might want to consider is   WHY    we should even worship Him at all:  as we read through these passages – I want you to try to recognize or find various reasons that He deserves our worship:  

1. Deut 10:16-22 “ So circumcise your heart, and stiffen your neck no longer. ¹⁷ For the Lord your God is the God of gods and the Lord of lords, the great, the mighty, and the awesome God who does not show partiality nor take a bribe.         ¹⁸ He executes justice for the orphan and the widow and shows His love for the alien by giving him food and clothing.          ¹⁹ So show your love for the alien, for you were aliens in the land of Egypt. ²⁰ You shall fear the Lord your God; you shall serve Him and cling to Him, and you shall swear by His name.            ²¹ He is your praise, and He is your God, who has done these great and awesome things for you which your eyes have seen. ²² Your fathers went down to Egypt seventy persons in all, and now the Lord your God has made you as numerous as the stars of heaven. . . . . .     This last portion is a reference to Israel being released from slavery and the mighty works He did to make it happen.
2. Eph 1:3-6 “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ,               just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we would be holy and blameless before Him.                 In love He predestined us to adoption as sons through Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the kind intention of His will, to the praise of the glory of His grace which He freely bestowed on us in the Beloved.             In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riche of His grace which He lavished on us. …”     Do you see any reason for us to adore and praise and thank our heavenly Father???? 
3. Heb 12:28 “Therefore, since we [will] receive a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us show gratitude, by which we may offer to God an acceptable service with reverence and awe”.

There are a multitude or reasons why God delivers our adoration and praise. I believe there is little doubt that He deserves our love and commitment to praising and serving Him every moment of our lives, and especially on Sunday as we gather together for that exact purpose.

Now, if we are going to join together to worship our Father, HOW should we do this?

HOW should we do this:

1. John 4:23,24 “[Jesus said to her,] An hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshippers will worship the Father in Spirit and truth; for such people the Father seeks to be His worshipers. God is spirit and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.” 
2. Acts 7:48 “However, the Most High does not dwell in houses made by human hands”.
3. Heb 9:24 “For Christ did not enter a holy place made with hands, a mere copy of the true one, but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us”.   
4. These verses explain why there is no need for a specified physical structure to be used in order to worship our Father. There is no longer any need for external rituals and ceremonies to worship the Lord in order to  please Him. 

As indicated in John, “TRUE WORSHIPPERS” will be worshipping in spirit. It is with our hearts, mind and soul that we will love Him and worship Him. We will also be worshipping in truth - according to how the Spirit & Word guides us. In the days immediately following the Spirit falling on the Apostles and in the years that followed we find teachings and examples of how the First Century church conducted their worship.  

WHEN:     Mark 16:9  “Now after He had risen early on the first day of the week, He first appeared to Mary Magdalene, from whom He had cast out seven demons.”        John 20:19    “So when it was evening on that day, the first day of the week, and when the doors were shut where the disciples were for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in their midst and *said to them, “Peace be with you.”    Acts 20:7 “On the first day of the week, when we were gathered together to break bread, Paul began talking to them . . . .”        1 Cor 16:1,2 “Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I directed the churches of Galatia, so do you also. On the first day of every week each one of you is to put aside and save, as he may prosper, so that no collections be made when I come.”     By example and by teaching we see that the first day of the week was when the early Christians came together to worship the Lord.

Acts 2:44-47 “And all those who had believed were together and had all things in common; and they began selling their property and possessions and were sharing them with all as anyone might have need. Day by day continuing with one mind in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they were taking their meals together with gladness and sincerity of heart, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord was adding to their number day by day those who were being saved.”

In the earliest days of Christianity, I believe that there was a spontaneous reaction to the great redemption that they had received. and I believe it was a Spirit led behavior that brought them together every day so that God’s newly redeemed people could bond and strengthen their commitment to the teachings of Christ and the apostles. But as things began to stabilize and organized it would appear, for good reason, that the Christians chose the first day of the week to honor and worship our Lord and our Father in heaven.

 

ACTIVITIES:     A) LORD’S SUPPER:   MTT 26:26-28 “While they were eating, Jesus took some bread, and after a blessing, He broke it and gave it to the disciples, and said, ‘Take, eat; this is My body.’ And when He had taken a cup and given thanks, He gave it to them, saying, ‘Drink from it, all of you; for this is My blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for forgiveness of sins.’”      Acts 2:42 “They were continually devoting themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Day by day continuing with one mind in the temple, and   breaking bread from house to house,  they were   taking their meals together   with gladness and sincerity of heart.”      1 Cor 11:26 “For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death till He comes.”   Acts 20:7 “On the first day of the week, when we were gathered together to break bread, Paul began talking to them . . . .”        So, one of the activities that the first century Christians participated in when they came together was the taking of the Lord’s Supper.

B) GIVING OF OUR FINANCES:     2 Cor 9:6-8 “Now this I say, he who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each one must do just as he has purposed in his heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. . . . .”           1 Cor 16:1,2 “Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I directed the churches of Galatia, so do you also. On the first day of every week each one of you is to put aside and save, as he may prosper, so that no collections be made when I come.”  Financially giving to the church, as they had been prospered was another activity the early church practiced.   

C) PRAYER:    Acts 2:42 “They were continually devoting themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. . . .”  James 5:16 “Therefore, confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another so that you may be healed. A prayer of a righteous person, when it is brought about, can accomplish much.”   1 Thess 5:16-18  “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you."    Eph 6:18 “Praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints”.     Phil 1:1 / 4:6 “Paul and Timothy, bond-servants of Christ Jesus, to all the saints in Philippi who are in Christ Jesus . . .” /  Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.”                    

 

D) TEACHING:       Hosea 4:1,6 “Listen to the word of the Lord, O sons of Israel, for the Lord has a case against the inhabitants of the land, because there is no faithfulness or kindness or knowledge of God in the land. . . My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge. . . . .”   John 8:31,32 “So Jesus was saying to those Jews who believe Him, ‘If you continue in My word, then you are truly disciples of Mine; and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.”   John 15:7 “If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ask whatever you wish and it will be done for you.”    

 Hosea illustrates the importance of knowing God’s word even during the Olt Testament times and Jesus Himself frequently lets us know the importance of knowing His words.   

 Acts 2:42 “They were continually devoting themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship. . . .”       Acts 20:7 “On the first day of the week, when we were gathered together to break bread, Paul began talking to them . . .”     1 Cor 4:17 “For this reason I have sent to you Timothy, who is my beloved and faithful child in the Lord, and he will remind you of my ways which are in Christ, just as I teach everywhere in every church.”   1 Cor 3:16 “Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another . . . .”        2 Tim 4:1,2 “I solemnly charge you . . . preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with great patience and instruction.”    1 Tim 3:15 “I write so that you will know how one ought to conduct himself in the household of God, … 4:6 “In pointing out these things to the brethren, you will be a good servant of Christ Jesus, constantly nourished on the words of the faith and of the sound doctrine which you have been following.”

E) SINGING:  Psalm 69:30 “I will praise God’s name with song and exalt Him with thanksgiving.” Ps 95:1.2 “Oh come, let us sing to the Lord; let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation! Let us come into His presence with thanksgiving; let us make a joyful noise to Him with songs of praise!”   Ps 13:6 “I will sing to the Lord, because He has dealt bountifully with me.        Singing and praising the Lord was a major part of Israel’s honoring and worshipping the Lord. It is simply a natural response when the Holy Spirit is connecting us to the Father as we do when we are worshipping Him.           Col 3:16 “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.      Eph 5:18-20 “. . . . but be filled with the Spirit, addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart, always giving thanks for all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God, even the Father”.    To worship is to praise Him; to praise Him is to pray, sing and shout.

SUMMARY:  When we come together, we do so on the first day of the week in celebration of Christ’s resurrection. During our time together we remember the Lord’s sacrifice by celebrating the memorial He set forth for us and we praise Him in song and prayer. We honor His teachings by studying a portion of His Word and carrying that knowledge out into the world as His ambassadors.  

Why do we come together to worship the Lord? It is to honor, praise and thank Him for all that He did and does for us!

 

Isaiah 12:4-5 – “In that day you will say: ‘Give praise to the Lord, proclaim His name; make known among the nations what He has done, and proclaim that His name is exalted. Sing to the Lord, for He has done glorious things; let this be known to all the world.”

Mtt 18:20 “For where two or three have gathered together in My name, I am there in their midst.”

Col 3:2 “Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth.”

1 Thess 4:17 “Then we who are alive and remain will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the Air, and so we shall always be with the Lord.”

 

Worship is to bond us all together until that day we all join Jesus.