The Parables of Jesus
Lesson 2
·
Background
o
Jesus had traveled to the town of Galilee and he
was being followed by a large crowd of people.
The Pharisees had also been following Jesus and they had questioned Jesus on why he and his disciples had picked
wheat on the Sabbath, why he healed a man’s hand on the Sabbath, why he removed
a demon from a blind and mute man. The
religious leaders of Galilee had also requested Jesus to perform a miracle for
them. Jesus had also just explained to
the people who his true family was while his mother and brothers were outside
of the home he was in, and they were asking for him.
·
Parables
of the Kingdom
o
The Seed and Soil (Matthew 13: 1-9, 18–23)
§
Planting was done manually at this time. The farmer would own several fields to be
planted and they were all connected by pathways between them. Rocks were also prevalent in Israel as
well. Bag of seeds hung over the
farmer’s shoulder and he would scatter his seeds by hand.
§
The spreading of the Word and how it is received
is compared to a farmer sowing seed.
§
Field – The earth.
§
4 Types of Soil – The Various Types of Human
Heart that hear the word of God.
·
First Soil – the Hardened Heart.
o
The soil along the walking path that had been
trampled down by many feet. The seed
does not sink in and is open to the elements of this world.
o
Satan works on this individual by temptation so
the word does not settle in. A heart
that is hardened tends to sin more, and hardens more due to the sin as
well. Sin can lead to rejection of
God’s word and truth, which can lead to greater sins.
o
There is a difference between temptation and
sin. We are all tempted, but our
reaction to the temptation determines whether we sin or not.
·
Second Soil – the Shallow Heart
o
The soil covering the rocky ground. Seed would sink in to a shallow depth. Since the roots could not grow deep the
plants would fade in the heat.
o
This person is excited to hear the word and
receives it with joy, when troubles and tribulations arise, he quickly turns
from God. He has no true change of
heart, he has no repentance for his sins, and he has no lasting spiritual
growth.
·
Third Soil – the Strangled Heart.
o
This person hears the word and follows and lives
his life accordingly. The person is then
turned away by things of this world and forgets about God, and how God has
provided for him. He is satisfied by worldly
things instead of Jesus.
§
A wealth that leads to greed and power.
o
Luke 12:16-21
·
Fourth Soil – the Open heart.
o
This person receives the word of God which
settles into the heart and builds strong roots. An open heart then produces crops and fruit
by helping spread the word of God (Words and actions).
o
Turning from sin and placing your faith and hope
in Jesus.
o
The Work of the Enemy (Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43)
§
Told after the Seed and Soil Parable.
§
In ancient times, wheat crops were sabotaged to
crowd out the good wheat.
§
Wheat – Christians believers, children of God’s Kingdom.
§
Tares/Weeds – Followers of Satan/Devil, false
growth, false doctrine.
·
This probably was darnel or cackle in the
parable.
o
Looks identical to wheat until harvest time
until the head forms. The ears of wheat
are heavy and droop where darnel ears stand straight up.
·
Roots would intermingle with the good wheat. Believers and non-believers live together in
this world.
·
Jesus scattered men committed to him. They started as apostles and grew to
disciples. On Pentecost they grew to
300. From there the Gospel message
continue to grow and still grows today.
·
Satan is placing counterfeit Christians among
Christians to hinder God’s work (inside or outside of the church). Satan can pose as an Angel of Light. (Deception and Lies).
o
2 Corinthians
11:14-15, I John 2:19, Ephesians 6:12
§
We should not judge a person as to whether they
are a Christian or not. God is the final
judge and knows the heart of man. Jesus
will be the final judge.
·
In the end times, God will have his angels
harvest the fields and the people will be sorted.
o
Heaven is where Christian believers will spend
eternal life with God.
o
Hell has been set aside for those who do not
believe.
o
Matthew 7:21-23
·
Questions to Ponder/Lessons for Life
o
Why is America declining in moral values?
o
Why do people enjoy sin?
o
Where do we stand? Is the seed of God growing in our
hearts? Are we an influence of good?
o
God knows the true heart of a man.
§
Acts 13:22, Jeremiah 1: 4-5, Ephesians 1:11-12
§
God hardened Pharaoh’s heart when Moses asked
him to set God’s people free.
§
Soil cannot change its nature just as we cannot
change our heart, unless we let God work within us, the divine gardener.
·
Ezekiel 36:25-27, Luke 18:26-27, Matthew 19:26
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