Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43

Tares and Wheat


Introduction:

Many an atheist and unbeliever have frequently asked: “If God is good, why does evil exist? If there is a God why is there so much wickedness? Somehow these questions are to prove the nonexistence of God. Think about it, this is so illogical. Evil is not an abstraction, but is inseparable from fallen man. People choose to do wicked things because they are in rebellion with God. God created all things good; when man and woman were created it was very good. (Gen.1:31) The disobedience of Adam in the garden brought upon his whole posterity the nature of sinning.

In this parable of the Tares and Wheat Jesus set out to encourage His disciples that in spite of the realization of evil, false gospels, heresies, cults and violators of God’s Law, these matters cannot actually hinder the gospel of grace but rather serves the purposes of God in His eternal plan of redemption.


  1. TWO SEEDS AND TWO SOWERS

    1. Jesus interprets the parable – v.36-43

      1. Good Seed – Characteristics of a Believer in Christ – Eph. 2:8; I Tim.2:5; I John 1:7; Eph.5:11; Phil.3:20; Rev.20;15,27; John 10;28-29; Eph.1:4; Rom.8;33; II Thess. 2:13

      2. The Weeds – The devil is a farmer who sows poison weeds.

    2. Identifying weeds

      1. Liberal Christianity

      2. Pharisaical weeds – Matthew 7:1-5 cf. Matt.24:24; I Pet.5:8

    3. Words of Encouragement

      1. Opposition does not spell defeat – Luke 6:26

      2. Blessing for the persecuted – Matt.5:10

      3. More than conquers – Rom. 8:37

    4. The Field – v.24,38

      1. Why the “field” is called the “world”

      2. Jesus is not talking about the church

      3. Jesus is talking about what happens in the world whenever the gospel is preached – II John 7,

      4. Why is Christendom so divided?

      5. Thick weeds – Rev.2:9; 3:9; Eph.1:22


  1. THE FINAL HARVEST

    1. A Mixed bag – ( The doctrine of hell is rejected)

    2. Why should we leave the weeds until the harvest?

      1. Church history has proven that when some have tried to extricate false doctrine either by sword or crusade more troubles come into the church.

      2. Weeds in the field cause the true church to refine both her doctrine and witness. – Phil.2:12

      3. Pulling weeds is not our job. We must leave the execution of judgment to the Lord only

    3. The Last Day of human history – v.40-43; ( Matt.24:31 )

Turn to: Revelation 14:14-20 – (Isa.63:1-6)

    1. Three Fundamental Doctrines:

      1. There will be a final Judgment

      2. There is an eternal hell for the unbeliever – v.30,40

3. There is an eternal heaven of blessedness for the believer – v.43

Isa.55:1, 3

Pastor Nick Iamaio

Reformed Presbyterian Church

207 South First Street, Fulton, NY 13069

Web Site fultonrpc.org 8/3/08