Wheat and Tares
N.B. Apologies that the audio can be quite loud
Introduction
- A parable
- Jesus sometimes explained parables to His disciples
- 7 elements to this parable
- This parable stood out to me in Sunday School
- Example
- The heart of the parable - do we look and sound the part (as Christians)
- Yet we are reminded there is no middle ground
- Either children of the living God or children of the devil
- Quite shocking in today's culture
- Quite shocking also in Chapel culture
- Are you sure you are a child of God?
- v36 - Jesus sends the multitude away to explain the parable to His disciples
1. He who sows - is the Son of Man (v37)
- The Old Testament tells us who the Son of Man is - Jesus
- He is the King, promised Messiah, Creator, Son of God, the Lord
- He is the door way into heaven, the resurrection of life, the Alpha & Omega, the great I AM
2. The field is the world (v38)
- A picture of the church in the world - not the world in the church
- How God's people live in the midst of a godless society
- Example of Mr Williams - "being kept"
- How the church functions and operates
- How we as believers live in the world
3. The good seeds are the sons of the kingdom (v38)
- We need a King - Jesus
4. The tares are the sons of the wicked one (v38)
- The enemy is the devil (v39)
- The enemy is at large, is real
- Paul speaks about this
5. The harvest is the end of the age and the reapers are the angels (v39)
- Believers are waiting the second coming of Jesus Christ
- Example of social media
- Many in today's society are taken up with conspiracy theories
- Yet the coming judgment is very real
- Jesus will come again as judge
- He will judge the nations with equity
- God is sovereign over all things
- Not as the first coming - where He came 'silently' as a Saviour
- The second coming - as Judge
- God will right all wrongs
- There will be no middle ground - either 'burned or balmed'
6. There will be a separation
- We live in a sinful fallen world
- We are all sinners
- Example - 'the right to remain'
- Wheat & tares, sheep & goats – those who know the Lord & those who don't, Christians & non-Christians, believers & unbelievers, those who acknowledge their sin and have trusted in the finished word of the Lord Jesus
7. A judgment of unbelievers (v41)
8. The righteous will shine forth (v43)
Application:
- Quote from Augustine - because of the grace, love and mercy of God, today's weeds [tares] can be tomorrows wheat
- There is still hope because of God's grace
- We are to be God's people and to exhibit the likeness of Jesus in all we do and say
- To be salt and light
- This can make a difference in the face of a godless society
- How is God working in your life?
- If we are Christians, do we understand our mission? – Quote from Anon - "to sow seed and not pull weeds"
- The servants were not to pull up the tares
- The mission of the church is to sow seed (not pull up weeds)
- We need to be careful not to become judgmental
- Do we try to pull up weeds in other people's lives - and so damage and undermine God's work and the gospel?
- Wait for the harvest
- Our work is gospel proclamation, godly/consistent living, living under God's word, displaying the grace of Jesus Christ
- Quote from hymn
Closing Remarks
- God's saving grace is available to all
- This is a solemn and sober parable - speaking of judgment and Jesus' coming again
- We may die before this - are you prepared?
- Will you be let into heaven because of Jesus?
- What will be your answer?