Farmer Jesus Talks Church (Matthew 13:24-32)
Gary McManus, 03/13/2022Part of the Mercy series, preached at a Sunday Morning service
March 13, 2022
Jesus Talks Agriculture and Churches
Matthew 13:24-32
A trick question for all. Are you a Christian?
What kind of Christian are you?
. . . .
In this country this a trick question.
Have we anyone to blame but ourselves
—those of us who want to follow Jesus?
Some Christians can be quite picky as to who
can be with them and who can’t.
This is true even among Pastors!
The Elder asked a great question.
Where does the thief on the cross fit into your Theology?
Jesus appears full of mercy—merciful to the thief.
Look at these topics through Jesus’ agriculture parables.
First, Matthew Chapter 13:8-9. . .success that might
surprise you.
Today’s parable (as Jesus tells the story):
the seed is GOOD seed (vs. 24)
And despite the weeds. . .a good crop. . .plenty!
Jesus is not naïve. One could point to many other words of Jesus to remind us: the way from where we are to the end is hampered and will be hampered by unbelief, those who fall away, and those who never transform (never grasp their new creature-hood/creation).
Weeds? As Jesus tells the story, the evil one actually sowed weeds in among the good seed of wheat.
This is where American Christians have trouble.
Jesus continued, (the owner’s servants)
‘Do you want us to go and pull them up?’
This is what a lot of American churches want to do.
OR, you can’t even come into the church without
demonstrating that you are good seed.
But our robes are washed in the blood of the lamb,
not the baptistry! (Revelation 7:14, See Revelation 21)
1 Timothy 6:11 states that the person of God [should] pursue righteousness, godliness,. . .without spot or blame. . .
Some church members consider other members godliness their business (It is actually the Elder’s duty in caring for sheep): that somehow the church has got to keep the membership without spot or blame. . .even though the same letter states we are all also to pursue LOVE, pursue endurance and pursue gentleness. (!)
Yes, there are times when the church must discipline, even excommunication (to be out of communion). Remember, excommunication is for the purpose of redemption—to bring one BACK INTO the church.
But in America, it hasn’t worked that way.
Those being disciplined start their own churches.
Jesus parable: (the farm owner):
‘No’ (do not pull up the weeds).
The farmer is not worried about the damage the weeds might do, he is more concerned about the damage the workers will do.
Jesus is NOT worried at all. Jesus is confident of the good seed and the coming yield of the good seeds at harvest time.
Pastor tends not to be so confident.
Pastor must remember: Matthew 23:15, Luke 13:6-9. Jesus was/is confident: good seed will bring a bounty. There will be joy at the harvest. Amen.
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