The Enemies Of The King

THE ENEMIES OF THE KING

Text: Book of Matthew 15: 1-39

What we continue to see is as Christ Jesus goes about His ministry, He is rejected more and more by the religious leaders, His "enemies". They swarm Him bringing their "questions" and their "test" and their foolish attempts to "trap" Him.

What does Christ use to silence them? Just as with Satan in the temptation, Christ Jesus uses the Pure, Holy, Word of God. These things bring forth many opportunities to teach the disciples then and now.

As we continue our work in the Book of Matthew, we get a closer look at a group of people known as the "scribes".

In the days of Jesus and prior to those days of Jesus there was a great demand for the Law, the Word of God given to Moses. This created a high demand for any who could, "read", "write" and "interpret" that Law.

They served as secretaries. chroniclers, and even taught in the schools and synagogues. Some would even settle legal matters about the Word of God and the Law in a court of law.

Many of these "scribes" [enemies] went on to become Pharisees. It was the Pharisees that took it upon themselves to keep all the Law and all the Jewish traditions which came from the "oral law" passed down from generation to generation.

Scribes were at times called teacher or Rabbi. Only the "scribes" [enemies] that belonged to the Pharisees(also enemies) in the Sanhedrin [the Supreme Court of the Jews] be involved in judicial decisions.

At this time most all these were "enemies of Christ Jesus.

*****Our text:

Mat 15:1 Then came to Jesus scribes and Pharisees, which were of Jerusalem, saying,

Mat 15:2 Why do thy disciples transgress the tradition of the elders? for they wash not their hands when they eat bread.

The very first thing we should see is that the fact that these scribes and Pharisees traveled all the way from Jerusalem indicates the seriousness of their agenda which was to turn the people against Jesus Christ and to rid the world of Him.

We should ask ourselves another question. Where do we find these oral laws or traditions?

What is the Mishna?

The book known as the Mishna is considered to be the cornerstone of Judaism. Its 62 divisions provide the background for every subject of Jewish law (Halacha) found in the Oral Torah.

What is the Gemara?

The Gemara which literally means, "[to] study" or "learning by tradition") is the component of the Talmud comprising rabbinical analysis of and commentary on the Mishnah. After the Mishnah was published by Rabbi (Judah the Prince about 200 CE), the work was studied exhaustively by generation after generation of Rabbi in Babylonia and the Land of Israel. Their discussions were written down in a series of books that became the Gemara, which when combined with the Mishnah constituted the Talmud.

What is the Talmud?

The teachings transmitted by the rabbi in the centuries following the destruction of the Second Temple formed the core of what has come to be known as rabbinic Judaism, which still provides the framework for the various types of Judaism practiced today. The most widely studied of these rabbinic teachings are known collectively as the Talmud, which has two parts: Mishnah and Gemara.

The Mishnah is the earlier work, compiled from the teachings of sages living at the end of the Second Temple period and in the century following the destruction of the Temple.

A study book of laws and value statements that express the classical rabbi' vision of Judaism, the Mishnah's preoccupation is promotion of a religious and legal tradition both continuous with the past and practical for life in the post-destruction Diaspora. The Mishnah contains multiple opinions on many laws and does not often suggest which is the most authoritative. The plurality of Jewish practice is preserved in the text.

According to the written Word of God given to Moses, God's written Word will supercede all oral word and traditions.

Exo 34:27 And the LORD said unto Moses, Write thou these words: for after the tenor of these words I have made a covenant with thee and with Israel.

In other words the covenant God made with Israel is dependant on His Written Word!

There is nothing specifically written about the washing of the hands in the entire Old Testament but in the eyes of these scribes and Pharisees. unclean meats and unclean drinks were permitted as long as you washed your hands for it was the washing of the hands that made what you eat or drink clean. This is not what the Word of God said to the Jew in their dietary laws written in the Bible.

Their accusation about "washing hands" had nothing to do with cleanliness. They were referring to the ceremonial washings of rigidly orthodox Jews:

Mar 7:3 For the Pharisees, and all the Jews, except they wash their hands oft, eat not, holding the tradition of the elders.

Mar 7:4 And when they come from the market, except they wash, they eat not. And many other things there be, which they have received to hold, as the washing of cups, and pots, brasen vessels, and of tables.

Notice that this attack was aimed at the disciples and not directly at Christ Jesus except for the fact it was Christ who was the teacher and they the students. By making this accusation they were trying to force Christ Jesus to deal with the foundations of Judaism. If Christ Jesus rejected this "Oral Law" then He was certainly a heretic in their eyes.

YOU CANNOT TRAP MY LORD WITH YOUR TRADITIONS NOR WITH MAN'S LAWS!

*****Our Text:

Mat 15:3 But he answered and said unto them, Why do ye also transgress the commandment of God by your tradition?

Mat 15:4 For God commanded, saying, Honour thy father and mother: and, He that curseth father or mother, let him die the death.

Mat 15:5 But ye say, Whosoever shall say to his father or his mother, It is a gift, by whatsoever thou mightest be profited by me;

Mat 15:6 And honour not his father or his mother, he shall be free. Thus have ye made the commandment of God of none effect by your tradition.

Mat 15:7 Ye hypocrites, well did Esaias prophesy of you, saying,

Mat 15:8 This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me.

Mat 15:9 But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.

What we can see is that the disciples were not questioned about conforming to the law of Moses, the written Word of God, they were only questioned about the "oral law" that was added by man. What we see is that Christ Jesus did not even respond to the charges made of these scribes against the disciples. Jesus did not defend nor justify what the disciples had done and Jesus did not apologize for the actions of the disciples.

Christ Jesus simply asked these hypocrites a question:

"Why do ye also transgress the commandment of God by your tradition?"

As proof Christ Jesus referred to the tradition of "Corban".

Mar 7:11 But ye say, If a man shall say to his father or mother, It is Corban, that is to say, a gift, by whatsoever thou mightest be profited by me; he shall be free.

Mar 7:12 And ye suffer him no more to do ought for his father or his mother;

Mar 7:13 Making the word of God of none effect through your tradition, which ye have delivered: and many such like things do ye.

The Hebrew word "corban" means "a gift". It was a tradition of the Jew if he wanted to escape his financial obligations and responsibilities, he could declare his goods to be "Corban" a gift that he would "later" give to God. This meant that he was free from other obligations including caring for his parents which was a commandment of God 's written word:

Exo 20:12 Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee.

Christ Jesus used the truth of the Word of God making it clear that obedience to tradition made a person disobedient to the Word of God and this proved that the tradition was false:

Isa 29:13 Wherefore the Lord said, Forasmuch as this people draw near me with their mouth, and with their lips do honour me, but have removed their heart far from me, and [their fear toward me is taught by the precept of men]:

A precept is: any commandment or order intended as an authoritative rule of action.

Man's word can never be allowed to over rule the Word of God in any age!

Psa 119:89 For ever, O LORD, thy word is settled in heaven.

Knowing that God's Word is settled in Heaven is all we need to know.

Tradition is something "external" while God's truth is from the heart and "internal".

There are many "man made" teachings in the modern day Church that are considered to be authority even though they contradict the Pure Undefiled Word Of God.

God wants our hearts:

Rom 10:9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.

Rom 10:10 [For with the heart] man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

Mat 22:37 Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God [with all thy heart], and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.

Col 3:16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, [singing with grace in your hearts] to the Lord.

Rom 6:17 But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have [obeyed from the heart] that form of doctrine which was delivered you.

Eph 6:6 Not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but as the servants of Christ, [doing the will of God from the heart];

2Co 9:6 But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully.

2Co 9:7 [Every man according as he purposeth in his heart], so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.

The Old Testament Prophet and King David said:

Psa 51:10 [Create in me a clean heart, O God]; and renew a right spirit within me.

Psa 51:11 Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me.

Psa 51:12 Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit.

Psa 51:13 [Then will I teach transgressors thy ways; and sinners shall be converted unto thee].

Without a heart that has been plowed deep with the "truth" of the Word of God, we will never be of much use to Our Father who is in Heaven.

*****Our Text:

Mat 15:10 And he called the multitude, and said unto them, Hear, and understand:

Mat 15:11 Not that which goeth into the mouth defileth a man; but that which cometh out of the mouth, this defileth a man.

Mat 15:12 Then came his disciples, and said unto him, Knowest thou that the Pharisees were offended, after they heard this saying?

Mat 15:13 But he answered and said, Every plant, which my heavenly Father hath not planted, shall be rooted up.

Mat 15:14 Let them alone: they be blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch.

Mat 15:15 Then answered Peter and said unto him, Declare unto us this parable.

Mat 15:16 And Jesus said, Are ye also yet without understanding?

Mat 15:17 Do not ye yet understand, that whatsoever entereth in at the mouth goeth into the belly, and is cast out into the draught?

Mat 15:18 But those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart; and they defile the man.

Mat 15:19 For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies:

Mat 15:20 These are the things which defile a man: but to eat with unwashen hands defileth not a man.

Christ Jesus "turned away" from these false teachers and "toward" the multitudes using this opportunity to teach them what was uncleanness in the sight of God. Jesus declared to the multitudes that sin comes from the heart, not from any diet.

You see these scribes and Pharisees considered themselves to be clean from within and then wholly acceptable to God in their present form. It is important here to remember what Jesus told Nicodemus who was also a Pharisee:

Joh 3:1 There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews:

Joh 3:2 The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him.

Joh 3:3 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, [Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God].

Joh 3:4 Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born?

Joh 3:5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.

Joh 3:6 [That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit].

Joh 3:7 Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.

We are not clean, not a single one of us, until we are cleaned and washed in the blood of Jesus:

Rev 1:5 And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. [Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood,]

We are cleaned by the Word of God if we believe:

Joh 15:3 Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you.

This concept was strange even to the Apostles:

Christ explained:

Mar 7:18 And he saith unto them, Are ye so without understanding also? Do ye not perceive, that whatsoever thing from without entereth into the man, it cannot defile him;

Mar 7:19 Because it entereth not into his heart, but into the belly, and goeth out into the draught, purging all meats?

Mar 7:20 And he said, That which cometh out of the man, that defileth the man.

Mar 7:21 For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders,

Mar 7:22 Thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness:

Mar 7:23 All these evil things come from within, and defile the man.

When evilness continuously comes out from anyone we can be sure it is produced from his evil heart and is not from God. These evils from the inside reveal that a man is still unclean. These Pharisees and scribes, the enemies of God, only concerned them selves with external tradition and rituals to rid themselves of uncleanness which it could never do.

When we think we our works of righteousness are enough to get us into Heaven, then we have made the Word of God to no effect and there was no need for Christ Jesus to ever get on that cross.

Because these scribes and Pharisees place their religion in oral traditions and rituals and not in the Pure Word of God, "the truth", they then had to reject the Lord of the Truth:

Joh 8:31 Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed;

Joh 8:32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.

They decided they had no need of such righteousness and insisted that their ceremonial cleansings were enough to make them clean and acceptable to God, thus becoming the enemies of God.

*****Our Text:

Mat 15:21 Then Jesus went thence, and departed into the coasts of Tyre and Sidon.

Mat 15:22 And, behold, a woman of Canaan came out of the same coasts, and cried unto him, saying, Have mercy on me, O Lord, thou Son of David; my daughter is grievously vexed with a devil.

Mat 15:23 But he answered her not a word. And his disciples came and besought him, saying, Send her away; for she crieth after us.

Mat 15:24 But he answered and said, I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel.

Mat 15:25 Then came she and worshipped him, saying, Lord, help me.

Mat 15:26 But he answered and said, It is not meet to take the children's bread, and to cast it to dogs.

Mat 15:27 And she said, Truth, Lord: yet the dogs eat of the crumbs which fall from their masters' table.

Mat 15:28 Then Jesus answered and said unto her, O woman, great is thy faith: be it unto thee even as thou wilt. And her daughter was made whole from that very hour.

Mat 15:29 And Jesus departed from thence, and came nigh unto the sea of Galilee; and went up into a mountain, and sat down there.

Mat 15:30 And great multitudes came unto him, having with them those that were lame, blind, dumb, maimed, and many others, and cast them down at Jesus' feet; and he healed them:

Mat 15:31 Insomuch that the multitude wondered, when they saw the dumb to speak, the maimed to be whole, the lame to walk, and the blind to see: and they glorified the God of Israel.

Mat 15:32 Then Jesus called his disciples unto him, and said, I have compassion on the multitude, because they continue with me now three days, and have nothing to eat: and I will not send them away fasting, lest they faint in the way.

Mat 15:33 And his disciples say unto him, Whence should we have so much bread in the wilderness, as to fill so great a multitude?

Mat 15:34 And Jesus saith unto them, How many loaves have ye? And they said, Seven, and a few little fishes.

Mat 15:35 And he commanded the multitude to sit down on the ground.

Mat 15:36 And he took the seven loaves and the fishes, and gave thanks, and brake them, and gave to his disciples, and the disciples to the multitude.

Mat 15:37 And they did all eat, and were filled: and they took up of the broken meat that was left seven baskets full.

Mat 15:38 And they that did eat were four thousand men, beside women and children.

Mat 15:39 And he sent away the multitude, and took ship, and came into the coasts of Magdala.

The "enemies" of Christ Jesus had become intense but not only did Christ teach that it was not the foods that were unclean but He showed that going among the Gentiles would not defile you or make you unclean. We can see the ministry of Christ Jesus making a big turn here. The Gentiles were referred to as "dogs" by these Jews.

Aren't you glad God does not show partiality and every one is on equal standing with the Lord.

Act 10:34 Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons:

Act 10:35 But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him.

Act 10:36 The word which God sent unto the children of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ: (he is Lord of all:)

Christ Jesus was trying to remain out of sight but we know that the true light cannot be hidden:

Mar 7:24 And from thence he arose, and went into the borders of Tyre and Sidon, and entered into an house, and would have no man know it: [but he could not be hid].

We must watch as Jesus shows how faith is revealed even in a Gentile. This woman was not willing to let Christ Jesus out of her life at any cost.

This woman approached Christ Jesus as the "Son of David". To the Gentile, Jesus was not the Son of David but, He is our Savior. She was exclaiming her faith to Him as the Messiah of God. The Lord would not respond to this woman as King of the Jew but He would respond to her faith as her Savior.

Eph 2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:

Eph 2:9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.

Eph 2:10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

Eph 2:11 Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands;

Eph 2:12 That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world:

Eph 2:13 But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.

The disciples were impatient with this woman and did show compassion but not our Lord. He will always be touch by our infirmities when we respond in "faith.

When we can say "Lord help me", it is then that we know we cannot help our selves and are in need of "The Savior".

Rom 3:23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;

Rom 6:23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

This woman could not be denied and never will anyone that calls on the Lord Jesus Christ in a like manner!

Jesus Christ again healed this Gentile from a distance thus showing in "type" that the Gentiles were "afar off" until Mount Calvary and the Cross.

Christ then departed this region and went into Decapolis. At this time this a league of ten cities who were allowed to mint their own coins, run their own courts, and have their own armies. They were most all Gentiles.

We can see that these Gentiles brought all types of the sick in need of healing and unlike the Jews, they glorified the God of Israel in the person of Jesus Christ.

Php 2:5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:

Php 2:6 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:

Php 2:7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:

Php 2:8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.

The Jewish cities had not repented yet these Gentile cities believed.

Christ Jesus had fed the Jews through a miracle and He now would feed the Gentiles through a miracle.

This multitude had been with Christ for three days and surely had used all their own food supplies. These people had already seen the miracles of Christ and had believed now Christ would demonstrate how He would meet their needs. They had already heard His sermons and witnessed the healings. Another more important purpose of this miracle was to teach the twelve disciples.

Again this miracle took place in the hands of Jesus. Christ broke the bread and it multiplied. Everyone ate and the leftovers were gathered. The gifts of God should never be wasted.

The lessons we have learned:

1.) It is usually the religious crowd that are more the enemies of The Lord Jesus Christ. We can know that Satan uses religion to blind the eyes to God’s simple plan of salvation.

2.) We must be aware of all those that would twist and misuse the Pure Word of God.

3.) We must always worship from the heart and not just give lip service.

4.) True holiness comes from the inner man.

5.) We must break free of traditions and lean of the "Grace" of God through faith.

6.) Christ Jesus is a whosoever Savior and is not limited to any one nation or people.

Rom 10:13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.

Let’s Pray!

The Authority Of The King

The Authority Of The King

Text: Matthew 14:1-36

Focus: Matthew 14:15-33

What we will find as we continue to study in the Book of Matthew is that Jesus Christ will continue to prove His authority. We will see Him as He suspends the laws of nature for His use. We will see that all the laws of nature are obedient to the God of creation. We will see how Christ Jesus can and will always provide for those that follow Him. We will see that even Christ Jesus spent some time alone, in His prayer closet with the Father who is in Heaven.

We will find that after His rejection Jesus withdrew some from the crowds and spent some time alone. Christ dealt with three groups of people at this time.

1.) His enemies.

2.) His disciples.

3.) The many multitudes that followed after Him.

The multitudes wanted to make Jesus King.

His enemies wanted to kill Him.

His disciples continuously showed a lack of faith at times.

When we see and realize the truth of these scriptures, how can we not allow Jesus to rule in our lives?

Before we begin let's take a look at this man called Herod.

Vs. 1-14)

The Herod family were enemies to Christ Jesus and to the Jews.

1.) We first saw Herod the Great.

He ruled from 37 BC to 4 BC the birth of Christ. This man was not a true Jew by birth. He was an Edomite. He was a descendant of Esau. If we look back to the prophesy of Isaac:

Gen 27:39 And Isaac his father answered and said unto him, Behold, thy dwelling shall be the fatness of the earth, and of the dew of heaven from above;

Gen 27:40 And by thy sword shalt thou live, and shalt serve thy brother; and it shall come to pass when thou shalt have the dominion, that thou shalt break his yoke from off thy neck.

We can see it is this time, the time of Christ and the beginning of the Church that the descendants of Esau had dominion over the Jews and they broke the yoke of domination of the Jews. The descendants of Esau hated the Jew and we can see that the rule of the Herods was a terrible time for the Jew.

Herod was a heathen and he was also a monster. It was this Herod that ordered the murder of the infants in Bethlehem.

Mat 2:16 Then Herod, when he saw that he was mocked of the wise men, was exceeding wroth, and sent forth, and slew all the children that were in Bethlehem, and in all the coasts thereof, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had diligently enquired of the wise men.

This Herod had nine wives and he thought nothing of slaying his wives or his sons if they got in the way of his plans.

2.) We see in our chapter 14, Herod Antipas.

He was a son of Herod the Great. As "tetrarch" he was a ruler over just one fourth of his father's kingdom. He ruled from 4 BC till 39 AD. He was a selfish ruler and was ambitious to become a great ruler. When he heard about Jesus and the things he did, this Herod thought that Christ Jesus could be a resurrected John the Baptist.

This Herod was guilty of gross sin. He had eloped with Herodias who was the wife of his half brother Philip I after having divorced his own wife who was the daughter of the King of Petra. Herodias was also a half sister of this Herod making this an incestuous relationship.

Mat 14:3 For Herod had laid hold on John, and bound him, and put him in prison for Herodias' sake, his brother Philip's wife.

Mat 14:4 For John said unto him, It is not lawful for thee to have her.

3.) There was also Herod Agrippa.

This the Herod who killed the Apostle James and imprisoned Peter:

Act 12:1 Now about that time Herod the king stretched forth his hands to vex certain of the church.

Act 12:2 And he killed James the brother of John with the sword.

Act 12:3 And because he saw it pleased the Jews, he proceeded further to take Peter also. (Then were the days of unleavened bread.)

4.) There was also Herod Agrippa II.

This was the Herod that tried the Apostle Paul.

Act 25:13 And after certain days king Agrippa and Bernice came unto Caesarea to salute Festus.

Act 25:21 But when Paul had appealed to be reserved unto the hearing of Augustus, I commanded him to be kept till I might send him to Caesar.

Act 25:22 Then Agrippa said unto Festus, I would also hear the man myself. To morrow, said he, thou shalt hear him.

****In our chapter 14 we see that John the Baptist had preached the truth of the Bible. God's rulers "even if they are unbelievers" are expected to live moral lives. The Bible proves that God did chastise the nation of Israel if the rulers did not follow God's laws.

God expects all rulers to live moral lives even today and nations are still chastised for not following God's laws.

The Moral laws are the "schoolmaster" of this world to all peoples.

Gal 3:24 Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.

There are no rulers that are not put in place except of God.

Joh 19:10 Then saith Pilate unto him, Speakest thou not unto me? knowest thou not that I have power to crucify thee, and have power to release thee?

Joh 19:11 Jesus answered, Thou couldest have no power at all against me, [except it were given thee from above]: therefore he that delivered me unto thee hath the greater sin.

As Herod had murdered John the Baptist, he was also determined to kill Jesus:

Luk 13:31 The same day there came certain of the Pharisees, saying unto him, Get thee out, and depart hence: for Herod will kill thee.

Luk 13:32 And he said unto them, Go ye, and tell that fox, Behold, I cast out devils, and I do cures to day and to morrow, and the third day I shall be perfected.

If you study it out you will find that that word "fox" is feminine. Jesus was saying "Go tell that vixen" Which could have meant that He was saying to Herod that it was Herodias that was the true ruler of his throne.

What we see in history after this incident, is that Herod soon lost his prestige and power. His armies were defeated by the Arabs and The Roman Emperor Caligula ignored his request to be made king and he was soon banished from Israel and died in Spain.

This Herod is remembered as the man who killed the greatest prophet that ever lived:

Luk 7:28 [For I say unto you, Among those that are born of women there is not a greater prophet than John the Baptist]: but he that is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he.

We find that the Bible teaches that Christ was cautious after the murder of John and followed His own timetable to the cross, fulfilling all prophesy.

The Jewish nation had permitted the death of John the Baptist. The ruling government was immoral and "when the religious leaders should have stood with this, God's prophet", they stood with the world.

The nation of Israel stood with it's religious leaders also becoming the enemy of God.

Jas 4:4 Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? [whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God].

They, by rejecting the witness of John the Baptist, rejected not only the Messiah but the One True King of the Jews.

*****Our Text:

Mat 14:15 And when it was evening, his disciples came to him, saying, This is a desert place, and the time is now past; send the multitude away, that they may go into the villages, and buy themselves victuals.

Mat 14:16 But Jesus said unto them, They need not depart; give ye them to eat.

Mat 14:17 And they say unto him, We have here but five loaves, and two fishes.

Mat 14:18 He said, Bring them hither to me.

Mat 14:19 And he commanded the multitude to sit down on the grass, and took the five loaves, and the two fishes, and looking up to heaven, he blessed, and brake, and gave the loaves to his disciples, and the disciples to the multitude.

Mat 14:20 And they did all eat, and were filled: and they took up of the fragments that remained twelve baskets full.

Mat 14:21 And they that had eaten were about five thousand men, beside women and children.

We can see a turning point in the ministry of Christ Jesus at this point in His life on this earth. There had been a blaspheming of the Holy Spirit in chapter 12 and now we see the death of John the Baptist. Christ Jesus now turned from a public ministry to more of a teaching ministry, especially to His disciples. At this time in history there was only about a year before the cross.

Christ Jesus and His disciples were in need of rest. Mark writes:

Mar 6:30 And the apostles gathered themselves together unto Jesus, and told him all things, both what they had done, and what they had taught.

Mar 6:31 And he said unto them, Come ye yourselves apart into a desert place, and rest a while: for there were many coming and going, and they had no leisure so much as to eat.

Mar 6:32 And they departed into a desert place by ship privately.

What we can see is that even though Jesus in His flesh was tired, He still could not separate Himself from the multitudes that followed but He had compassion on them. We can know that even though Christ has called out His Church:

2Co 6:17 Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you,

2Co 6:18 And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.

He does still have compassion on those in the world.

Mat 5:44 But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;

Mat 5:45 That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.

Christ Jesus would not teach a principle that He Himself would not follow!

To be "moved with compassion" means to be stirred in your inner being. It is having more than sympathy.

The Bible says:

Mat 9:36 But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd.

Mat 9:37 Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few;

Mat 9:38 Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest.

While Christ Jesus concerned Himself with the spiritual needs of the people.

1Pe 5:2 Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind;

1Pe 5:3 Neither as being lords over God's heritage, but being ensamples to the flock.

The disciples concerned themselves with their physical needs. They recognized that these people needed food but their solution was to end the revival that was going on and to send the people away to buy their own food.

Remember everything Christ did at this time was teaching these disciples for His time was growing short. Christ was not just concerned with the spiritual needs of these people but He also had their well being in mind.

Christ commanded the disciples to fulfill the needs of these people. The disciples quickly estimated the cost of such food (a working man's wages for at least eight months) and they knew they did not have enough money.

Mar 6:37 He answered and said unto them, Give ye them to eat. And they say unto him, Shall we go and buy two hundred pennyworth of bread, and give them to eat?

There were more than 5000 and the disciples had no means to feed them. Remember if each person had a wife and one child there easily have been 15,000 people in this multitude. Certainly the disciples knew that Jesus had the power to fulfill this need but all they could think of was their own food supply. (the lad with the fives loaves and two fishes)

When they considered the time (evening) and the location (a desolate place) they came to the conclusion that nothing could be done for these multitudes of people. They had no answer for Christ Jesus!

It is sad in this world that when we go through this world having accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as our Savior that when we go through our trials and tribulations, we still have no answers.

IT IS THE WORD OF GOD THAT HAS ALL THE ANSWERS!

The Apostle John writes:

Joh 6:5 When Jesus then lifted up his eyes, and saw a great company come unto him, he saith unto Philip, Whence shall we buy bread, that these may eat?

Joh 6:6 And this he said to prove him: for he himself knew what he would do.

*****We must first start with what we do have:

Joh 6:9 There is a lad here, which hath five barley loaves, and two small fishes: but what are they among so many?

God begins where we are and uses what we have.

*****We must then obey the commands of Christ Jesus:

Joh 6:10 And Jesus said, Make the men sit down.

The disciples here are now pictured as "distributors".

If we give what we have to Jesus, He will bless it and give it back to us to use in the feeding of others.

*****We must conserve the results:

Joh 6:12 When they were filled, he said unto his disciples, Gather up the fragments that remain, that nothing be lost.

Joh 6:13 Therefore they gathered them together, and filled twelve baskets with the fragments of the five barley loaves, which remained over and above unto them that had eaten.

As disciples of Jesus Christ we must admit that we have an inability to meet the needs of people. It is Christ Jesus that has that responsibility. We must make ourselves "available" to the Lord and He will use us!

Rom 12:1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.

He will never ask us to do things that are unreasonable.

*****The lesson the disciples were to learn was:

1.) The ministry of Christ is still "His" ministry.

2.) We as disciples are "His" agents in "His" ministry.

3.) We as disciples must give ourselves to the Lord to meet the needs of the people of "His" ministry.

4.) We as disciples must depend on the Lord when we make ourselves available to "Him" for "His" ministry.

Christ Jesus still has compassion on all people and He depends on the Church to provide spiritual food and when neccessary to provided physical food.

A hungry world is feeding on "empty substitutes" while the Church deprives them of the "Bread of Life".

There is another principle we should not miss here. When we give what we have to Christ, we can never lose. We will always end up with the greater blessing!

Mat 6:19 Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal:

Mat 6:20 But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:

Mat 6:21 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.

**********Our Text:

Mat 14:22 And straightway Jesus constrained his disciples to get into a ship, and to go before him unto the other side, while he sent the multitudes away.

Mat 14:23 And when he had sent the multitudes away, he went up into a mountain apart to pray: and when the evening was come, he was there alone.

Mat 14:24 But the ship was now in the midst of the sea, tossed with waves: for the wind was contrary.

Every word here has a special meaning in "typology". Jesus commands the disciples to go on

board this ship. A change is about to take place by Jesus' own arrangement and it is Jesus the Christ that will dismiss the multitudes. All of this indicates the setting aside of Israel, because of their rejection, though it will never be completely nor will it be final.

Jesus goes upon the mountain which in "type" represents His ascension back to the presence of His Father as intercessor and advocate.

The Apostle John writes of this incident:

Joh 6:14 Then those men, when they had seen the miracle that Jesus did, said, This is of a truth that prophet that should come into the world.

Joh 6:15 When Jesus therefore perceived that they would come and take him by force, to make him a king, he departed again into a mountain himself alone.

Joh 6:16 And when even was now come, his disciples went down unto the sea,

Joh 6:17 And entered into a ship, and went over the sea toward Capernaum. And it was now dark, and Jesus was not come to them.

The Lord Jesus knew that their motives were not spiritual, but carnal. These people only wanted a King who could free them and provide all their needs. The Lord knew what He would do but He did not want the disciples to get caught up in this. Christ Jesus sent His disciples across the lake to Bethsaida and He remained behind to dismiss this crowd which would not be dispersed.

What we now see is a stormy night and the storm tossed disciples. In "type" this night gives us a picture of the time when Christ Jesus has returned to Heaven, this present Church age in which we are now in.

The return of Christ from that mountain in the fourth watch is in "type" a representation of the second coming of Christ and the beginning of a NEW age.

To describe this present age in which we now live we see these words:

"But the ship was now in the midst of the sea, tossed with waves: for the wind was contrary"

It was by design that Christ Jesus compelled these disciples to take this boat across the sea. Jesus would now demonstrate His "Authority" over all His creation along with valuable instruction.

As these storms develop we see an uncertain fear among the disciples as these experienced fishermen are tossed about on the Sea of Life. They had not been able to make this journey across the Sea alone. This Sea had prevented them from fulfilling the commands of Christ. They did not give up even though they buffeted by the waters. They strained at the oars and Christ Jesus saw their peril:

Mar 6:48 And he saw them toiling in rowing; for the wind was contrary unto them: and about the fourth watch of the night he cometh unto them, walking upon the sea, [and would have passed by them].

*****Our Text:

Mat 14:25 And in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went unto them, walking on the sea.

Mat 14:26 And when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, It is a spirit; and they cried out for fear.

Mat 14:27 But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid.

Mat 14:28 And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water.

Mat 14:29 And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus.

Mat 14:30 But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me.

Mat 14:31 And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?

Mat 14:32 And when they were come into the ship, the wind ceased.

Mat 14:33 Then they that were in the ship came and worshipped him, saying, Of a truth thou art the Son of God.

It is said by many that this ship represents the Church but really this period of time represents the age between the rejection of Christ and His second coming. Though the Christian lives in this storm tossed age the Christian nor the Church is in peril.

Paul wrote:

Rom 8:38 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,

Rom 8:39 Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

What we see is that this peril that impeded their movement was no obstacle to the One who created it all. These disciples that expected death thought they had seen a ghost or some one coming from the world of the dead but when they heard the "Voice of the Comforter" they new it was safe:

Mar 6:50 For they all saw him, and were troubled. And immediately he talked with them, and saith unto them, Be of good cheer: it is I; be not afraid.

Peter then said then "Lord if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water".

We will always get the same answer from Our Lord in the times of peril or at any other time:

"Come"

Php 4:13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

Jud 1:24 Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy,

Suddenly the thing Peter had been so afraid of was gone. Peter could face his fear with confidence because of the Lord Jesus Christ. We do not know how far Peter walked but we do see that his fears over came him again and at that moment he began to sink and he said:

"Lord, save me"

and we find an immediate reaction from Christ Jesus:

" And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?"

This incident proves that obedience to Christ Jesus does not remove all the obstacles in the fulfillment of His will. There are things that we cannot overcome by our selves. Christ will always be available in our difficulties.

Our "trials must be born in faith"!

Our "faith" is our greatest weapon against the trials of this world!

God wants us to fulfill His will that He has for us and He will not allow us to fail if we will only "trust" Him!

Now if this ship does not represent the Church then what?

1.) In a general way it is a "type" of the Jewish people. The Lord being absent from them who are His own and for whom He came and they rejected Him.

The Bible says:

Mar 6:48 And he saw them toiling in rowing; for the wind was contrary unto them: and about the fourth watch of the night he cometh unto them, walking upon the sea, and [would have passed by them].

2.) The Sea represents the nations.

3.) The waves and the wind represent the persecutions and distress the nation of Israel is going through.

This is the portrayal of this age from the rejection of the King and Savior until His second coming.

Remember all prophesy of the Church has been fulfilled EXCEPT for the "Rapture".

This ship with fluttering sails, broken mast, tossed from wave to wave, blown about, uncontrollable yet controlled, ever in danger and yet never in danger is in type the Jewish nation.

It is still upon this sea!

4.) These disciples then represent the saved Jewish remnant.

When the Lord Jesus Christ ascended back to Heaven He did not leave the Church behind for the Church had not been established at that time. When the Lord Jesus Christ returns to this Earth, He will not find the Church for the Church will have already been taken out!

He is coming back to receive the remnant of His own people.

As believers we should have no fear of the fourth watch of the night for when Christ comes for the Church we will all rejoice:

1Jn 3:2 Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.

OF A TRUTH THIS IS THE SON OF GOD

To the Church when Jesus says "come" then that word will accomplish it's intended purpose:

Heb 12:1 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,

Heb 12:2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

When He says "come":

Rev 4:1 After this I looked, and, behold, a door was opened in heaven: and the first voice which I heard was as it were of a trumpet talking with me; which said, [Come up hither, and I will shew thee things which must be hereafter].

1Co 15:52 In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.

1Co 15:53 For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.

1Co 15:54 So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory.

1Co 15:55 O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?

Let's Pray!

The Parables Of The King

THE PARABLES OF THE KING

Matthew Chapter 13

Focus: Matthew 13:3-23

As we continue in our study of the Book of Matthew we come to another important section, but they all are. The Parables. Matthew grouped them all together for us in one place and there is also a reason for that.

Some things we need to know right off is:

1.) What is a parable?

A parable is ordinarily, in a more restricted sense, a comparison of earthly with heavenly things, "an earthly story with a heavenly meaning,".

2.) Why did Our Lord Jesus Christ start teaching in this fashion?

Three things had happened while Christ Jesus had been in that synagogue from chapter 12:

a.) Jesus had healed a demon-possessed man and then He was accused of healing in the power of Satan and being demon-possessed Himself.

b.) Even after all the miracles that these Pharisees had seen they had requested some miracle sign of proof that Jesus was indeed the Christ, the Messiah.

c.) Christ was rejected by the leaders and soon the people of the nation of Israel.

In "type" we will now see that Christ Jesus withdrew Himself from this house, therefore withdrawing Himself from the Nation of Israel. Christ Jesus would now teach the multitudes, people from all nations.

Jesus now constructed His teaching in such a way that those that believed would understand and those that rejected Him would not understand. You know, it is believers that hold the key to the knowledge of God!

Unbelievers cannot understand the Word of God!

To properly understand a parable we must study the historical context in which the parable was spoken. It is then necessary to consider the question or the problem with which Our Lord was dealing. We must understand the question if we are to interpret the truth. If our interpretation does not answer the question Jesus ask then, we have the wrong interpretation.

We must see that in these parables we must consider the words Christ Jesus said:

"Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given"

These parables then are designed to teach the truth about the kingdom of heaven.

THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN IS NOT THE CHURCH!

These parables are then to teach us about the kingdom program, the fulfillment of God's covenant with the Nation of Israel:

Gen 12:1 Now the LORD had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father's house, unto a land that I will shew thee:

Gen 12:2 And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing:

Gen 12:3 And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed.

2Sa 7:16 And thine house and [thy kingdom shall be established for ever before thee: thy throne shall be established for ever].

Psa 89:1 I will sing of the mercies of the LORD for ever: with my mouth will I make known thy faithfulness to all generations.

Psa 89:2 For I have said, Mercy shall be built up for ever: thy faithfulness shalt thou establish in the very heavens.

Psa 89:3 I have made a covenant with my chosen, I have sworn unto David my servant,

Psa 89:4 Thy seed will I establish for ever, and build up thy throne to all generations. Selah.

Jer 31:31 Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah:

Jer 31:32 Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day that I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt; which my covenant they brake, although I was an husband unto them, saith the LORD:

Jer 31:33 But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the LORD, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people.

Jer 31:34 And they shall teach no more every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the LORD: for they shall all know me, from the least of them unto the greatest of them, saith the LORD: for I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more.

Eze 36:25 Then will I sprinkle clean water upon you, and ye shall be clean: from all your filthiness, and from all your idols, will I cleanse you.

Eze 36:26 A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh.

Eze 36:27 And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them.

Eze 36:28 And ye shall dwell in the land that I gave to your fathers; and ye shall be my people, and I will be your God.

Eze 36:29 I will also save you from all your uncleannesses: and I will call for the corn, and will increase it, and lay no famine upon you.

Eze 36:30 And I will multiply the fruit of the tree, and the increase of the field, that ye shall receive no more reproach of famine among the heathen.

There is a requirement on the part of the Nation of Israel:

2Ch 7:14 If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.

Deu 30:1 And it shall come to pass, when all these things are come upon thee, the blessing and the curse, which I have set before thee, and thou shalt call them to mind among all the nations, whither the LORD thy God hath driven thee,

Deu 30:2 And shalt return unto the LORD thy God, and shalt obey his voice according to all that I command thee this day, thou and thy children, with all thine heart, and with all thy soul;

Deu 30:3 That then the LORD thy God will turn thy captivity, and have compassion upon thee, [and will return and gather thee from all the nations, whither the LORD thy God hath scattered thee].

Deu 30:4 If any of thine be driven out unto the outmost parts of heaven, from thence will the LORD thy God gather thee, and from thence will he fetch thee:

Deu 30:5 And the LORD thy God will bring thee into the land which thy fathers possessed, and thou shalt possess it; and he will do thee good, and multiply thee above thy fathers.

Deu 30:6 And the LORD thy God will circumcise thine heart, and the heart of thy seed, to love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, that thou mayest live.

Deu 30:7 And the LORD thy God will put all these curses upon thine enemies, and on them that hate thee, which persecuted thee.

Deu 30:8 And thou shalt return and obey the voice of the LORD, and do all his commandments which I command thee this day.

This nation of Israel had awaited this coming of the Lord, the Messiah:

John the Baptist had preached:

Mat 3:2 And saying, Repent ye: [for the kingdom of heaven is at hand].

Mat 3:3 For this is he that was spoken of by the prophet Esaias, saying, The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.

To Israel this meant that John would introduce the promised King, which he did, King Jesus.

Jesus Christ was the one in David's line that would sit on David's throne and rule over David's house.

At the beheading of John the Baptist, Christ Jesus preached this same message.

Mat 4:17 From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.

Christ Jesus declared that the Messianic promise was fulfilled:

Luk 4:18 The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised,

Luk 4:19 To preach the acceptable year of the Lord.

Luk 4:20 And he closed the book, and he gave it again to the minister, and sat down. And the eyes of all them that were in the synagogue were fastened on him.

Luk 4:21 And he began to say unto them, [This day is this scripture fulfilled in your ears].

It was then that the leaders of Israel decided to kill the Lord of Glory. They consistently and persistently rejected the Jesus Christ, His Word and His Person.

It is then and then only that the destiny of the nation of Israel was sealed.

Mat 21:43 Therefore say I unto you, The kingdom of God shall be taken from you, and given to a nation bringing forth the fruits thereof.

From this point onward Christ Jesus would not preach that "the kingdom of God was at hand".

Christ Jesus did not seek a throne, but He sought after the Cross!

Christ Jesus began to teach with parables:

Psa 78:1 Give ear, O my people, to my law: incline your ears to the words of my mouth.

Psa 78:2 [I will open my mouth in a parable]: I will utter dark sayings of old:

Psa 78:3 Which we have heard and known, and our fathers have told us.

Psa 78:4 We will not hide them from their children, shewing to the generation to come the praises of the LORD, and his strength, and his wonderful works that he hath done.

Psa 78:5 For he established a testimony in Jacob, and appointed a law in Israel, which he commanded our fathers, that they should make them known to their children:

Psa 78:6 That the generation to come might know them, even the children which should be born; who should arise and declare them to their children:

Psa 78:7 That they might set their hope in God, and not forget the works of God, but keep his commandments:

Psa 78:8 And might not be as their fathers, a stubborn and rebellious generation; a generation that set not their heart aright, and whose spirit was not stedfast with God.

The time period covered by the parables in Matthew 13 extends from the time of Israel's rejection until Israel's future reception of the coming Messiah, the second coming of The Lord Jesus Christ. [This means this kingdom program began while Christ was still on this Earth and will extend untill His second coming].

In this period we will find the Church Age which began at Pentecost and will end at the Rapture of the Church.

These parables do not primarily concern the nature, the function, nor the influence of the Church.

These parables do show how the unrevealed form of God's theocratic rule in a previously unrevealed age because of Israel's rejection of Christ Jesus.

*****Our Text:

Mat 13:3 And he spake many things unto them in parables, saying, Behold, a sower went forth to sow;

Mat 13:4 And when he sowed, some seeds fell by the way side, and the fowls came and devoured them up:

Mat 13:5 Some fell upon stony places, where they had not much earth: and forthwith they sprung up, because they had no deepness of earth:

Mat 13:6 And when the sun was up, they were scorched; and because they had no root, they withered away.

Mat 13:7 And some fell among thorns; and the thorns sprung up, and choked them:

Mat 13:8 But other fell into good ground, and brought forth fruit, some an hundredfold, some sixtyfold, some thirtyfold.

Mat 13:9 Who hath ears to hear, let him hear.

A "sower" went forth to sow, vs 37 tells us that this sower is the Son of Man or Christ Himself. Christ came down from Heaven bearing "precious seed", the fine wheat but He Himself is "the corn of the wheat".

Joh 12:23 And Jesus answered them, saying, The hour is come, that the Son of man should be glorified.

Joh 12:24 Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit.

The "seed" that is sown can only bring forth as it falls on good ground and in the ground it dies and out of death comes forth the fruit.

First we can apply this to the time of Christ on this Earth but we can also apply this to the entire age in which Christ is now at the right hand of the Father.

The "sowing" He began continues still and the result of sowing is like wise the same!

What we should realize is this is the beginning of something new. This is a new work which Our Lord now takes up! Israel had failed to yield fruit:

Isa 5:1 Now will I sing to my wellbeloved a song of my beloved touching his vineyard. My wellbeloved hath a vineyard in a very fruitful hill:

Isa 5:2 And he fenced it, and gathered out the stones thereof, and planted it with the choicest vine, and built a tower in the midst of it, and also made a winepress therein: and he looked that it should bring forth grapes, and it brought forth wild grapes.

Isa 5:3 And now, O inhabitants of Jerusalem, and men of Judah, judge, I pray you, betwixt me and my vineyard.

Isa 5:4 What could have been done more to my vineyard, that I have not done in it? wherefore, when I looked that it should bring forth grapes, brought it forth wild grapes?

Isa 5:5 And now go to; I will tell you what I will do to my vineyard: I will take away the hedge thereof, and it shall be eaten up; and break down the wall thereof, and it shall be trodden down:

Isa 5:6 And I will lay it waste: it shall not be pruned, nor digged; but there shall come up briers and thorns: I will also command the clouds that they rain no rain upon it.

While Israel is unfruitful the "Sower"(Son of Man) has gone out to sow.

He cast His seed into the field, "the field is the world", no longer just to the house of Israel. The field then is the heart of the individual hearer!

1.) The heart is the center of spiritual activity.

2.) The heart is the center of all operations of human life.

3.) The heart is home to personal life.

4.) The heart is the seat of conscience.

5.) The heart is naturally wicked and it can contaminate the character of every person.

6.) It is the "heart" that must be changed, regenerated, before a man can willingly obey God.

The message of Christ Jesus was being preached and it was heard. We can see the response to this message:

1.) That seed that fell by the wayside:

This seed showed no signs of life at all.

2.) That seed that fell on the stony ground:

This seed geminated quickly but if we see the sun as a "type" of persecution we can see that this seed soon perished.

3.) That seed that fell among thorns:

This seed showed signs of promise but was soon over come by [the cares of this world].

Joh 3:19 And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.

4.) That seed that fell upon good ground:

This seed produced a crop.

In each case the sower was the same, (Jesus Christ) and the seed was the same, (The Word of God). It was only the soil that was different!

Through this parable Christ Jesus explained the different responses to the Word of God. There will always be those that refuse to hear the Word of God. There will always those that hear God's Word and respond but will not continue in His Word. There will always be some that heard the truth but soon forgot accepting man's truth instead. And there will always be believers who will become sowers themselves!

The thing that determines the outcome of the sowing will always be the preparation of the soil before the sowing!

*****Our Text

Mat 13:10 And the disciples came, and said unto him, Why speakest thou unto them in parables?

Mat 13:11 He answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given.

Mat 13:12 For whosoever hath, to him shall be given, and he shall have more abundance: but whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken away even that he hath.

Mat 13:13 Therefore speak I to them in parables: because they seeing see not; and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand.

Mat 13:14 And in them is fulfilled the prophecy of Esaias, which saith, By hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and shall not perceive:

Mat 13:15 For this people's heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them.

Mat 13:16 But blessed are your eyes, for they see: and your ears, for they hear.

Mat 13:17 For verily I say unto you, That many prophets and righteous men have desired to see those things which ye see, and have not seen them; and to hear those things which ye hear, and have not heard them.

What we notice is that immediatly after Jesus finished the first parable that the disciples ask why he was speaking in parables. They had never heard Him speak this way. What Jesus had spoken earlier had been simple and easy to understand.

Jesus was very solemn in His answer because it was announcing judgment upon Israel. "Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given"

The disciples are believers and therefore a "type" of all believers. It is the believer that will understand the mysteries of the Kingdom of the Heavens but to those that have rejected Him, none would understand! The nation that refused the light would sit in darkness.

Isa 6:9 And he said, Go, and tell this people, Hear ye indeed, but understand not; and see ye indeed, but perceive not.

Isa 6:10 Make the heart of this people fat, and make their ears heavy, and shut their eyes; lest they see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and convert, and be healed.

All disciples who have received the Lord will be given more and Israel, who had rejected Christ Jesus and so what they had as His earthly people, even that would be taken from them at this time.

This principle is still alive today in the Church Age. The true believers will be provided for with an abundance:

Heb 6:17 Wherein God, willing more abundantly to shew unto the heirs of promise the immutability of his counsel, confirmed it by an oath:

But the apostates of the Laodicean Church age will lose what they boasts to have:

Rev 3:17 Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked:

Paul wrote of Israel:

Rom 11:8 (According as it is written, God hath given them the spirit of slumber, eyes that they should not see, and ears that they should not hear;) unto this day.

Jesus does not say this of the Church. The time of the Church is now. We live in the time of "Grace" not in the time of "slumber" as Israel does.

The Apostle John wrote of Isaiah:

Joh 12:41 These things said Esaias, when he saw his glory, and spake of him.

compare:

Isa 6:1 In the year that king Uzziah died I saw also the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up, and his train filled the temple.

The Jehovah that Isaiah saw was the Lord Jesus Christ.

Luke writes of this:

Act 28:25 And when they agreed not among themselves, they departed, after that Paul had spoken one word, Well spake the Holy Ghost by Esaias the prophet unto our fathers,

Act 28:26 Saying, Go unto this people, and say, Hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and not perceive:

Act 28:27 For the heart of this people is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes have they closed; lest they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them.

Act 28:28 [Be it known therefore unto you, that the salvation of God is sent unto the Gentiles, and that they will hear it].

Once Christ Jesus has explained this to the disciples, He then explains this parable. A parable was designed to conceal the truth to some as well as reveal it to others. Many have the ability to see with their eyes and hear with their ears yet they are completely ignorant of the truth of the kingdom of God. It is still a mystery to them yet the salvation taught by the Lord Jesus Christ is the most simple of all things of this world.

One need only to believe:

2Co 11:2 For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy: for I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ.

2Co 11:3 But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, [so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ].

We will only understand more truth when we accept and act on the truth that we have already received!

*****Our Text:

Mat 13:18 Hear ye therefore the parable of the sower.

Mat 13:19 When any one heareth the word of the kingdom, and understandeth it not, then cometh the wicked one, and catcheth away that which was sown in his heart. This is he which received seed by the way side.

Mat 13:20 But he that received the seed into stony places, the same is he that heareth the word, and anon with joy receiveth it;

Mat 13:21 Yet hath he not root in himself, but dureth for a while: for when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word, by and by he is offended.

Mat 13:22 He also that received seed among the thorns is he that heareth the word; and the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becometh unfruitful.

Mat 13:23 But he that received seed into the good ground is he that heareth the word, and understandeth it; which also beareth fruit, and bringeth forth, some an hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.

Vs 18-19) The wayside is hard and trodden down by feet. The birds were ready to snatch it up. These simply do not understand the Word of God. It's not a mental thing nor are they of low of intellect. The Lord says the Word was sown in their heart. It was then directed to the conscience where it could be rejected or accepted. The heart would not have it! "Understandeth" means the heart would not receive God's Word.

The "birds" here represent the wicked one. If "birds" are the wicked ones here then they will be the same in the later parables.

Vs. 20-21)

The rocky ground is lightly covered with earth. There is a sudden springing up, an enthusiastic reception but the "sun" representing persecution rises higher and the heat is felt and there is no resistance and there is no life. Behind that little bit of earth we find a heart of stone that will not yield to the plow.

Hos 10:12 Sow to yourselves in righteousness, reap in mercy; [break up your fallow ground]: for it is time to seek the LORD, till he come and rain righteousness upon you.

Hos 10:13 Ye have plowed wickedness, ye have reaped iniquity; ye have eaten the fruit of lies: because thou didst trust in thy way, in the multitude of thy mighty men.

There are many professing Christians that have covered their wicked heart of stone with a little earth, they have a form of Godliness but they know nothing of the power of God.

God says to turn away from such people:

2Ti 3:5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.

When persecution (the "sun") shows up these people will show there true colors. They are alive in name only. Behind that life is death. The great tribulation and the judgments that precede the rising of the "Sun of Righteousness" will burn many up and sweep them away.

Vs. 22)

As in all God's Word this verse say all that need be said. The deceit of riches hinder the growth of God's Word. There are so many in this age that preach a prosperity gospel that they also have caused much confusion in the Church. It will be the same all the way through the tribulation period. The Word of God will become so twisted (choked) that it cannot produce fruit.

What we have seen is the three main hindrances to God's Word:

1.) The Devil snatches up and devours.

2.) The Flesh attempts and fails when it is alone.

3.) The World surrounds and chokes.

How really simple is this parable of God to those that open up their hearts to receive God's Word!

But when a receptive heart has been prepared of God, hearing and understanding, by faith and through faith God's Word, then that heart is productive. This is the "grace" of God.

The kingdom of heaven was not mentioned in the first parable but now we will see these words throughout the remaining chapter.

*****Our Text:

Mat 13:24 Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is likened unto a man which sowed good seed in his field:

Mat 13:25 But while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat, and went his way.

Mat 13:26 But when the blade was sprung up, and brought forth fruit, then appeared the tares also.

Mat 13:27 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?

Mat 13:28 He said unto them, An enemy hath done this. The servants said unto him, Wilt thou then that we go and gather them up?

Mat 13:29 But he said, Nay; lest while ye gather up the tares, ye root up also the wheat with them.

Mat 13:30 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.

Mat 13:36 Then Jesus sent the multitude away, and went into the house: and his disciples came unto him, saying, Declare unto us the parable of the tares of the field.

Mat 13:37 He answered and said unto them, He that soweth the good seed is the Son of man;

Mat 13:38 The field is the world; the good seed are the children of the kingdom; but the tares are the children of the wicked one;

Mat 13:39 The enemy that sowed them is the devil; the harvest is the end of the world; and the reapers are the angels.

Mat 13:40 As therefore the tares are gathered and burned in the fire; so shall it be in the end of this world.

Mat 13:41 The Son of man shall send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity;

Mat 13:42 And shall cast them into a furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth.

Mat 13:43 Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Who hath ears to hear, let him hear.

Mat 13:44 Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto treasure hid in a field; the which when a man hath found, he hideth, and for joy thereof goeth and selleth all that he hath, and buyeth that field.

If we look we can see the connection to the first parable.

1.) The same Sower, Son of Man.

2.) The seed is deposited into the World, not just Israel.

3.) Now we see the good seed are the Sons of the Kingdom.

4.) The Tares are the sons of the Evil one.

5.) The Enemy is still the Devil, the evil one.

6.) The harvest is the completion of the age. (age of tribulation)

7.) The harvest men are angels.

The good seed, the "children of the kingdom" must be the fruit from the first parable. The word of the kingdom produces the children of the kingdom. The fruit is according to the seed.

Mat 7:18 A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.

Mat 7:19 Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.

Mat 7:20 Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.

But it is the enemy we should concentrate on. The enemy is by the words of Jesus, the Devil. The seed he sows then become the children of the Devil. If we notice the time of this work of the Devil we will notice:

1.) It was immediatly after the good seed was sown.

2.) It was while "men" slept.

It was while "men" slept, not when the Sower slept:

We know this has happened in the Church age:

2Th 2:7 For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way.

Even after Paul:

Rev 2:4 Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love.

These tares then are the lies of the Devil, his evil doctrine, a counterfeit of the true faith.

1.) The denial of the Deity of Christ.

2.) The denial of the resurrection.

3.) The denial of the death and burial of Christ.

4.) The denial of the "Virgin" birth.

5.) The denial of the Inspired Word of God.

We know that this process continues and will continue until the second coming of Jesus Christ.

In other words the true character of this age is EVIL!

2Co 4:3 But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost:

2Co 4:4 In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.

Though the servants be willing to try to root out these children of the devil, they are not permitted to do so. It is an idle dream, which many hope to realize, to reform the world. This is not taught in the Word of God. These two will grow together until the time of Christ, (The Rapture, the Second coming).

To some this means we cannot have a pure Church but that also is not taught in the scriptures. The Lord Jesus was not speaking to the Church in this parable nor the others. He is speaking of the time from His rejection until His second coming. This kingdom of heavens is not the Church.

The Epistles teach us that evil is not to be tolerated in the Church and Jesus did too:

Mat 18:15 Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother.

Mat 18:16 But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.

Mat 18:17 And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican.

Mat 18:18 Verily I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.

Mat 18:19 Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven.

Mat 18:20 For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.

The assembly is to judge evil in the Church and it is not said to let them grow together. The field is not the Church but it is the World. It is in the World that this parable takes place. The Lord Jesus does not teach that this wheat is the Church. The wheat is the good seed which produces the children of the kingdom.

Rom 16:17 Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offenses contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them.

Rom 16:18 For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple.

The harvest will be the completion of this age. The end of this world is a long way off but we know the next thing on God's agenda is the Rapture of the Church and then the tribulation period. It is the end of the tribulation period that is spoken of in this parable.

Rev 14:14 And I looked, and behold a white cloud, and upon the cloud one sat like unto the Son of man, having on his head a golden crown, and in his hand a sharp sickle.

Rev 14:15 And another angel came out of the temple, crying with a loud voice to him that sat on the cloud, Thrust in thy sickle, and reap: for the time is come for thee to reap; for the harvest of the earth is ripe.

Rev 14:16 And he that sat on the cloud thrust in his sickle on the earth; and the earth was reaped.

Rev 14:17 And another angel came out of the temple which is in heaven, he also having a sharp sickle.

Rev 14:18 And another angel came out from the altar, which had power over fire; and cried with a loud cry to him that had the sharp sickle, saying, Thrust in thy sharp sickle, and gather the clusters of the vine of the earth; for her grapes are fully ripe.

Rev 14:19 And the angel thrust in his sickle into the earth, and gathered the vine of the earth, and cast it into the great winepress of the wrath of God.

Rev 14:20 And the winepress was trodden without the city, and blood came out of the winepress, even unto the horse bridles, by the space of a thousand and six hundred furlongs.

Mat 8:12 But the children of the kingdom shall be cast out into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

Mat 24:21 For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be.

Mat 24:22 And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect's sake those days shall be shortened.

Mat 24:29 Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken:

Mat 24:30 And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.

Mat 24:32 Now learn a parable of the fig tree; When his branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is nigh:

This is when the Nation of Israel will be bringing forth fruit!

Mat 25:34 Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:

To review:

1.) The enemy, the Devil, began his work in the beginning of this age.

2.) This age is mixed, good and evil and they will grow together.

3.) This mixed condition will only cease at the end of this age. Then the Sons of the Kingdom will inherit this earth. The tares will be cast in the eternal flame of fire.

We must be aware of Satan's counterfeits:

1.) He has counterfeit believers.

2.) He has a counterfeit gospel.

3.) He encourages his own counterfeit righteousness.

4.) He has his own counterfeit church.

5.) During the tribulation period he will produce a counterfeit Christ, the Anti-Christ.

*****Our text:

Mat 13:31 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:

Mat 13:32 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.

There are many interpretations of this parable and Christ Jesus did not give an explanation. The main ingredient in this parable is the mustard seed. The growth of the mustard seed was a well known fact at the time of Jesus. We can understand that a tree with such wide spreading branches could lodge all the birds of the second heaven in "type" gives us a figure for a mighty kingdom that could lodge all nations. The disciples would understand that the kingdom(Millennial Kingdom) that would come at the second coming of Christ would grow till it would give shelter to all nations on this earth at that time.

Daniel gave us a "type" of this tree:

Dan 4:10 Thus were the visions of mine head in my bed; I saw, and behold a tree in the midst of the earth, and the height thereof was great.

Dan 4:11 The tree grew, and was strong, and the height thereof reached unto heaven, and the sight thereof to the end of all the earth:

Dan 4:12 The leaves thereof were fair, and the fruit thereof much, and in it was meat for all: the beasts of the field had shadow under it, and the fowls of the heaven dwelt in the boughs thereof, and all flesh was fed of it.

Ezekiel also gave us a "type of this tree:

Eze 31:3 Behold, the Assyrian was a cedar in Lebanon with fair branches, and with a shadowing shroud, and of an high stature; and his top was among the thick boughs.

Eze 31:4 The waters made him great, the deep set him up on high with her rivers running round about his plants, and sent out her little rivers unto all the trees of the field.

Eze 31:5 Therefore his height was exalted above all the trees of the field, and his boughs were multiplied, and his branches became long because of the multitude of waters, when he shot forth.

Eze 31:6 All the fowls of heaven made their nests in his boughs, and under his branches did all the beasts of the field bring forth their young, and under his shadow dwelt all great nations.

Eze 31:7 Thus was he fair in his greatness, in the length of his branches: for his root was by great waters.

Eze 31:8 The cedars in the garden of God could not hide him: the fir trees were not like his boughs, and the chesnut trees were not like his branches; nor any tree in the garden of God was like unto him in his beauty.

All previous empires have been established by military might. This kingdom of heaven which actually began humbly with Christ and was rejected will at His second coming spread out to the ends of the earth for one thousand years with every living thing under the shelter of God's wings.

Isa 9:6 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.

Isa 9:7 Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.

*****Our text:

Mat 13:33 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.

Here again is a parable that is interpreted in many different ways. We know that leaven is used in the Bible many times as a symbol for evil. This parable is not so much about the leaven as it is how the leaven works. Actually, this is a parable about the leaven hidden in the meal. Christ is explaining the "mysteries" of the kingdom of heaven. Mysteries are things that are hidden.

Once the leaven was introduced to the flour, the process would begin and it would be steady, continuous and irreversible. The process would continue until all the dough was leavened. Christ then was teaching that His new kingdom would not be established by any outward means because there is no external force that could make the dough rise. God's new kingdom will operate by an internal force that will continue until all His Kingdom will be leavened, filled with His presence.

Joh 15:26 But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me:

Joh 15:27 And ye also shall bear witness, because ye have been with me from the beginning.

Joh 16:7 Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you.

Joh 16:8 And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment:

Joh 16:9 Of sin, because they believe not on me;

Joh 16:10 Of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and ye see me no more;

Joh 16:11 Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged.

In "type" we have this passage from the Book of Genesis:

Gen 18:5 And I will fetch a morsel of bread, and [comfort ye your hearts]; after that ye shall pass on: for therefore are ye come to your servant. And they said, So do, as thou hast said.

Gen 18:6 And Abraham hastened into the tent unto Sarah, and said, [Make ready quickly three measures of fine meal, knead it, and make cakes upon the hearth].

*****Our text:

Mat 13:44 Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto treasure hid in a field; the which when a man hath found, he hideth, and for joy thereof goeth and selleth all that he hath, and buyeth that field.

Christ Jesus reveals that a remnant from among the nation of Israel will become God's purchased possession.

Exo 19:5 Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, [then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people]: for all the earth is mine:

Deu 14:2 For thou art an holy people unto the LORD thy God, and the LORD hath chosen thee to be [a peculiar people unto himself], above all the nations that are upon the earth.

Psa 135:4 For the LORD hath chosen Jacob unto himself, [and Israel for his peculiar treasure].

We already know that the field represents the "world". This parable places God's treasure (the Jew) out of their land and scattered in the world. This was a reality in the time of Titus 70AD. In order for the man to regain his treasure, it was necessary for Him to purchase this field where this treasure is hidden. Christ did this by His death on that cross!

Isa 53:8 He was taken from prison and from judgment: and who shall declare his generation? for he was cut off out of the land of the living: for the transgression of my people was he stricken.

1Jn 2:2 And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, [but also for the sins of the whole world].

At the second coming of Christ this treasure will be returned to the rightful owner:

Mat 24:31 And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.

*****Our Text:

Mat 13:45 Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a merchant man, seeking goodly pearls:

Mat 13:46 Who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had, and bought it.

What Christ Jesus revealed here is that God will get a treasure not only from the nation of Israel but also from the Gentile nations. A pearl comes from the sea. We know that in scripture the sea represents Gentile nations. This treasure from the Gentiles(The Church) was also paid for at the Cross.

*****Our Text:

Mat 13:47 Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a net, that was cast into the sea, and gathered of every kind:

Mat 13:48 Which, when it was full, they drew to shore, and sat down, and gathered the good into vessels, but cast the bad away.

Mat 13:49 So shall it be at the end of the world: the angels shall come forth, and sever the wicked from among the just,

Mat 13:50 And shall cast them into the furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth.

What we see here is that this form of the kingdom will end in a judgment. There are all types of fish in the sea. They will be separated, with "the useful" being gathered and "the useless" being cast away. We know that only the righteous will enter into the New Kingdom(Millennial). This judgment will take place near the end of the tribulation period prior to the Millennial Kingdom.

Matthew 25:1-30

The Nation of Israel will be judged:

Matthew 25: 31-46

This not a judgment on the dead but on the living:

Rev 14:19 And the angel thrust in his sickle into the earth, and gathered the vine of the earth, and cast it into the great winepress of the wrath of God.

Rev 14:20 And the winepress was trodden without the city, and blood came out of the winepress, even unto the horse bridles, by the space of a thousand and six hundred furlongs.

*****Our Text:

Mat 13:51 Jesus saith unto them, Have ye understood all these things? They say unto him, Yea, Lord.

Mat 13:52 Then said he unto them, Therefore every scribe which is instructed unto the kingdom of heaven is like unto a man that is an householder, which bringeth forth out of his treasure things new and old.

Christ the owner has entered into His storeroom and has brought out what is needed from the

storeroom. He has presented some things old, from the prophets, and some things new, His

parables (the new mysteries). When Christ was rejected, He postponed the Millennial Kingdom:

Dan 9:24 Seventy weeks are determined upon thy people and upon thy holy city, to finish the transgression, and to make an end of sins, and to make reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness, and to seal up the vision and prophecy, and to anoint the most Holy.

Dan 9:25 Know therefore and understand, that from the going forth of the commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem unto the Messiah the Prince shall be seven weeks, and threescore and two weeks: the street shall be built again, and the wall, even in troublous times.

Dan 9:26 And after threescore and two weeks shall Messiah be cut off, but not for himself: and the people of the prince that shall come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary; and the end thereof shall be with a flood, and unto the end of the war desolations are determined.

Dan 9:27 And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate.

This new thing, the kingdom of the heavens, extends from His rejection until His second coming.

The Word of God has been sown during all this time. There have been many different responses.

The fruit from the good ground has also been resown to produce more fruit. There has also been

an enemy sowing his seed also producing evil fruit. The power of this kingdom is internal and

cannot be influenced by anything of this world. God will gather His peculiar treasures to Himself

at different times but within this time frame.(the hidden treasure, the pearl of great price) This

period will end in judgment (Armageddon) just before the Millennial Kingdom.

*****Our Text:

Mat 13:53 And it came to pass, that when Jesus had finished these parables, he departed thence.

Mat 13:54 And when he was come into his own country, he taught them in their synagogue, insomuch that they were astonished, and said, Whence hath this man this wisdom, and these mighty works?

Mat 13:55 Is not this the carpenter's son? is not his mother called Mary? and his brethren, James, and Joses, and Simon, and Judas?

Mat 13:56 And his sisters, are they not all with us? Whence then hath this man all these things?

Mat 13:57 And they were offended in him. But Jesus said unto them, A prophet is not without honour, save in his own country, and in his own house.

Mat 13:58 And he did not many mighty works there because of their unbelief.

Christ Jesus returned to Nazareth for the last time before the cross. He went into His home town synagogue again trying to teach. These people had to ask themselves who was this Person? Jesus had grown up in a carpenter's home. He had not been trained in any of the rabbinical schools. These people could not understand where Our Lord obtained His knowledge and had already rejected Him as the Messiah.

Mar 6:2 And when the sabbath day was come, he began to teach in the synagogue: and many hearing him were astonished, saying, From whence hath this man these things? and what wisdom is this which is given unto him, that even such mighty works are wrought by his hands?

They knew the knowledge shown of Christ Jesus could not have come from Joseph nor any of His family. Since Jesus had not attended any of the schools, All His Word's Were Rejected!

They took offence at Him:

Mar 6:3 Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary, the brother of James, and Joses, and of Juda, and Simon? and are not his sisters here with us? And they were offended at him.

The city of Nazareth was totally unresponsive to the ministry of Jesus Christ Our Lord. This unbelief made it impossible for Jesus to do many works as the work of Christ demands believing:

Mar 6:5 And he could there do no mighty work, save that he laid his hands upon a few sick folk, and healed them.

The world we live in is becoming as blind as the city of Nazareth and becoming incapable of receiving the light of Jesus:

Luk 18:6 And the Lord said, Hear what the unjust judge saith.

Luk 18:7 And shall not God avenge his own elect, which cry day and night unto him, though he bear long with them?

Luk 18:8 I tell you that he will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?

I love you Jesus.

Let'sPray!