The Kingdom of Heaven Is Like...
Robert Dawson
Matthew 13:24-53
It is easy, even as a follow of Jesus Christ, to become discouraged in this life. Disappointment after disappointment and struggle after struggle roll into our lives and with each crushing wave we are reminded that we live in a broken and fallen world.
In addition to the discouragement we so often feel we can also become disillusioned and disheartened as we watch evil flourish around us.
- Every time I turn on the TV, computer, smart-phone or tablet I see images and read stories that remind me evil still exists all around me and is thriving.
- Every day as I struggle with the sinful attitudes and desires of my own heart I am reminded the promises of Jesus, while certain, have not yet been fully realized. Sin is still around me and within me. Things are not yet as they should be.
- Every call to go to the hospital, to counsel or pray with a member of this faith family and every trip to the funeral home reminds me there are still a lot of people who are hurting, suffering and broken.
Has something gone wrong? It may seem like it. It may feel like it but it has not.
- To avoid the discouragement, disillusionment and distraction this world can become we need to remember what Jesus taught us about God's Kingdom.
- Jesus did not want us to be discouraged or disillusioned by the struggle.
- He did not want us to lose faith or distracted from our mission.
This is one of the reasons He gives us a series of parables in Matthew 13 to teach us what His Kingdom is like and how it works. (Remember a parable is an earthly story with a heavenly or spiritual truth). He begins each parable by saying, ''This is what the Kingdom of God/Heaven is like or can be compared to.
The first parable I want us to consider is the parable of the wheat and the tares in Matthew 13.24-30, one He explains to us in verses 36-43. We will read the parable and then the explanation.
Matthew 13.24- ...
Robert Dawson
Matthew 13:24-53
It is easy, even as a follow of Jesus Christ, to become discouraged in this life. Disappointment after disappointment and struggle after struggle roll into our lives and with each crushing wave we are reminded that we live in a broken and fallen world.
In addition to the discouragement we so often feel we can also become disillusioned and disheartened as we watch evil flourish around us.
- Every time I turn on the TV, computer, smart-phone or tablet I see images and read stories that remind me evil still exists all around me and is thriving.
- Every day as I struggle with the sinful attitudes and desires of my own heart I am reminded the promises of Jesus, while certain, have not yet been fully realized. Sin is still around me and within me. Things are not yet as they should be.
- Every call to go to the hospital, to counsel or pray with a member of this faith family and every trip to the funeral home reminds me there are still a lot of people who are hurting, suffering and broken.
Has something gone wrong? It may seem like it. It may feel like it but it has not.
- To avoid the discouragement, disillusionment and distraction this world can become we need to remember what Jesus taught us about God's Kingdom.
- Jesus did not want us to be discouraged or disillusioned by the struggle.
- He did not want us to lose faith or distracted from our mission.
This is one of the reasons He gives us a series of parables in Matthew 13 to teach us what His Kingdom is like and how it works. (Remember a parable is an earthly story with a heavenly or spiritual truth). He begins each parable by saying, ''This is what the Kingdom of God/Heaven is like or can be compared to.
The first parable I want us to consider is the parable of the wheat and the tares in Matthew 13.24-30, one He explains to us in verses 36-43. We will read the parable and then the explanation.
Matthew 13.24- ...
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