Matthew 13:31-33

Kingdom of Heaven is Like....

Part 2

(A Mustard Seed and Leaven)

With an understanding of these two parables ("The Mustard Seed" and "The Leaven"), we can take heart in knowing that the work of Christ, in regard to His Kingdom, will not be for naught.

Matthew 13:24-30 & 13:36-43

Kingdom of Heaven is Like....

Part 1

(Parable of the Tares)

We learned in last week’s study that only those with good and noble hearts, who receive the Word with patience and keep it, will bear the intended fruit in their lives. Thus the "mysteries of the kingdom of heaven" will be received only by some, and not all. This truth was illustrated further when Jesus taught about the parable of;

Matthew 13:1-23

What's a Parable?
and
Parable of the Four Soils

As Jesus traveled around the land, HE healed many who became HIS followers. Yet not all who followed HIM were those HE healed. Some followed HIM to see the miracles of healing HE performed, while others followed for the food HE fed them. Eventually Jesus began teaching in parables to separate the truth seekers from the curiosity seekers. Jesus knew their hearts, so by speaking in parables one would have to truly listen and learn. Many times HE would later explain the parables privately to His disciples.M

In today’s lesson, I will reverse the order of the Scripture, to first explain what parables are and why Jesus used them. (Matthew 13:10-17) Then I will get into the first parable (Matthew 13:1-9 and 18-23) of seeds being dropped onto four types of soil. Wayside, Stony soil, Thorny soil, Good rich fertile soil.

Matthew 12:46-50

Who Is My Family?

God regards Jesus as a family member. As born again believers are told that we, too, are members of this family. This is what Jesus tells those around HIM as HIS family comes to take HIM away. When we hear the gospel, confess our sins, and place our faith and trust in Jesus we are then born into GOD’s kingdom, As HIS children we become heirs with Him for eternity. As heirs we inherit rewards which non believers can never enjoy. The rewards of our inheritance include the gift of the indwelling of the Holy Spirit which empowers us to live for Him in the present, and the knowledge that our salvation is secure for eternity.

While our physical family is the most important building block in human society, our relationships with other Christians is even more important. Our Christian family is a spiritual family which makes up the body of the Church. All people who call upon the Lord Jesus Christ are members of this family which is drawn from every nation, tribe, people and language.

A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another."
John 13:35-36

Matthew 12:38-45

An Evil Generation

In the last study, we read about the Jesus healing a man possessed with by an evil spirit that made him blind and dumb. When the pharisees heard about it they accused him of casting out demons by Satan's power. Earlier they watched HIM heal a man's withered hand. Yet in todays study we read about them asking Jesus for a sign that would prove he is the Messiah. So Jesus answers them by saying,

"An evil and adulterous generation seeks after a sign, and no sign will be given to it except the sign of the prophet Jonah. For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the great fish, so will the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth. The men of Nineveh will rise up in the judgment with this generation and condemn it, because they repented at the preaching of Jonah; and indeed a greater than Jonah is here. The queen of the South will rise up in the judgment with this generation and condemn it, for she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and indeed a greater than Solomon is here.
Matthew 12:39-42

With HIS answer HE rebukes the Pharisees for their insincerity and promotion of a false religion centering around their traditions. Learn the difference between the letter and the Spirit of GOD's undying Law!