Lesson Text: Matthew 13:24-33 King James Version (KJV) Sunday, June 10, 2018 I. THE PARABLE OF THE WHEAT AND THE TARES (Matthew 13:24-30) 24. Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is likened unto a man which sowed good seed in his field: 25. But while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat, and went his way. 26. But when the blade was sprung up, and brought forth fruit, then appeared the tares also. 27. So the servants of the householder came and said unto him, Sir, didst not thou sow good seed in thy field? from whence then hath it tares? 28. He said unto them, An enemy hath done this. The servants said unto him, Wilt thou then that we go and gather them up? 29. But he said, Nay; lest while ye gather up the tares, ye root up also the wheat with them.
30. Let both grow together until the harvest: and in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat into my barn. II. THE PARABLE OF THE MUSTARD SEED (Matthew 13:31-32) 31. Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is like to a grain of mustard seed, which a man took, and sowed in his field: 32. Which indeed is the least of all seeds: but when it is grown, it is the greatest among herbs, and becometh a tree, so that the birds of the air come and lodge in the branches thereof. III. THE PARABLE OF THE LEAVEN (Mathew 13:33) 33. Another parable spake he unto them; The kingdom of heaven is like unto leaven, which a woman took, and hid in three measures of meal, till the whole was leavened. New International Version (NIV)
I. THE PARABLE OF THE WHEAT AND THE TARES (Matthew 13:24-30) 24. Jesus told them another parable: The kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field. 25. But while everyone was sleeping, his enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat, and went away. 26. When the wheat sprouted and formed heads, then the weeds also appeared. 27. The owner s servants came to him and said, Sir, didn t you sow good seed in your field? Where then did the weeds come from? 28. An enemy did this, he replied. The servants asked him, Do you want us to go and pull them up? 29. No, he answered, because while you are pulling the weeds, you may uproot the wheat with them. 30. Let both grow together until the harvest. At that time I will tell the harvesters: First collect the weeds and tie them in bundles to be burned; then gather the wheat and bring it into my barn. III. THE PARABLE OF THE MUSTARD SEED (Matthew
13:31-32) 31. He told them another parable: The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and planted in his field. 32. Though it is the smallest of all seeds, yet when it grows, it is the largest of garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds come and perch in its branches. III. THE PARABLE OF THE LEAVEN (Mathew 13:33) 33. He told them still another parable: The kingdom of heaven is like yeast that a woman took and mixed into about sixty pounds of flour until it worked all through the dough. PRACTICAL POINTS FOR DISCUSSION: 1. Jesus instructed His disciples using parables in order to illustrate divine truths for them and to confuse unbelievers (Matthew 13:24, 13-15). 2. The world is composed of both true believers and individuals who are corrupt in their hearts (Matthew
13:25-26; Jude 1:4). 3. Fruits reveal the nature of the one who only professes to be religious. Every individual produces righteous fruits or sinful fruits, depending on the condition of his or her heart (Matthew 13:27-28). 4. The Lord knows each individual and will ultimately separate the real Christians from those who only profess religion (Matthew 13:29-30; Revelation 20:12-15). 5. Satan and his followers will quickly find shelter in professing Christendom (Matthew 13:31-32). 6. The gospel of Jesus Christ is too often corrupted from within (Matthew 13:33). ***The Bible Expositor and Illuminator, Union Gospel Press***