Parable of the Wheat and Weeds
Text: Matthew 13:24-29, 36-43
In this parable, Jesus uses a common everyday example of planting, harvesting and sorting of the wheat and the weeds in the field. The wheat are the good seeds and the weeds are the bad seeds, thus the forces of the good and the bad.
Everything that is happening around us has it's good and bad effects. The modern digital technologies has advanced so vastly that the method of the communication line from one to the other can be almost instant without much hassle of so many paperworks to prepare like it used to. But do be careful of it's many disadvantages too.
In the 40 days fast and prayer booklet, there's a prayer item warning us about the pitfalls of these technologies so easily accessible to us now. Quote - "We are living in an age of borderless travel, communication and business. Global business transactions can be performed by a quick click of a button. By video conferencing and the wireless media it is not impossible to transact business 24 hours a day. Many have fallen prey to the world's financial and economic systems. The grip has led many astray including Christians and robbed them of the faith and witness." Are we among the many mentioned above?
The parable in verses 24-29, reveals three important significant observations we can learn and adhere to as a body in Christ. It is even more true in spiritual matters pertaining to the Kingdom of God. They are: -
1) Beware of spiritual slumber / sleepiness
2) Beware of the work of the enemy of God
3) Beware of false believers
A) Beware of falling into spiritual sleepiness / slumber
+ v 24 & 25 (NLT version) - Jesus said, "The Kingdom of Heaven is like a farmer who planted good seed in his field. But that night as the workers slept, his enemy came and planted weeds among the wheat, then slipped away."
+ 2 Corinthians 11:14-15 said, "I am not surprised! Even satan disguises himself as an angel of light. So it is no wonder that his servants also disguise themselves as servants of righteousness."
B) Beware of the work of the enemy of God
+ John 10:10 - The thief's purpose is to steal, kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life.
+ 1 Peter 5:8-9: "Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. Stand firm against him and be strong in your faith. Remember that your Christian brothers and sisters all over the world are going through the same kind of suffering you are".
C) Beware of false believers
+ v 28 & 30: 'An enemy has done this!' the farmer exclaimed. 'Should we pull out the weeds?' the workers asked. 'No' the farmer replied. 'You'll uproot the wheat if you do. Let both grow together until the harvest. Then I will tell the harvesters to sort out the weeds, tie them into bundles and burn them and to put the wheat in the barn.'
+ Matthew 7:15 & 16 tells us: "Beware of false prophets who come disguised as harmless sheep but are really vicious wolves. You can identify them by their fruit, that is, by the way they act. Can you pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles?"
+ 2 Peter 1:10-13: "So, dear brothers and sisters, work hard to prove that you really are among those God has called and chosen. Do these things and you will never fall away. Then God will give you a grand entrance into the eternal Kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen!"
When is the harvest? How long is it going to take? The answer is found in v 39 & 40: "The harvest is the end of the world and the harvesters are the angels. Just as the weeds are sorted out and burned in the fire so it will be at the end of the world."
Online Sermon. All Rights Reserved.