(audio sermon by Gary Sampson)
The parable of the weeds gives us wisdom for discerning between believer and unbeliever. But it helps to discern in other vital areas too.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Speakers notes follow –
Parable of Discernment (Weeds)
Mt 13.24-30,36-43
Member stole offering – other churches – real Christian?
Parable a lesson in discernment – time reveals who is who
Told to crowd not disciples – opposition from leaders + family
Act of bioterrorism – Darnel lookalike in early stages – wheat has heads of grain – has fruit
Jesus explains: farmer is Son of Man – seed is people of kingdom – field is world – weeds evil people sown by devil – harvest is end of age
Two points from text –
1. Difference – Real and Counterfeit
Darnel and Wheat Iook same – longterm different results
Judas – seemed follower early on – started to steaI – betrayed kiss (growth)
‘Not everyone who says Lord Lord will enter the kingdom of heaven’ (Mt 7.21) – perhaps he had Judas in mind
Nicodemus – seemed opposition – defended Jesus – laid body tomb -undercover believer
Army – not ashamed – carried Bible – magnetic guy arrived – didnt judge – discussed girls, parties – then declared ‘Believer’ – I felt like Chinese plastic!
With time Judas + Nicodemus displayed their real fruit
2. Delayed judgement
Servant zealous to pull up weeds – as James + John calling for fire
Jesus doesn’t want to uproot wheat – judge unbeliever with believer . Abraham ‘what if there are ten righteous in the city’
New believers can look like weeds – Magdalene/Matthew/Zaccheus
Peter denied Jesus three times – surely that deserves a red card? God sees heart – we quick to judge
Knowing my own failures I’m glad he is merciful – only the self righteous want to call down fire
Jesus does not remove opposition at first coming – why Vineyard says kingdom now but not yet – no more tears, sickness, demons, persecution
End times – World worse + Church better – persecution will purify – Wheat + Weeds will be very different
Three points – what this all teaches us for now –
Take time to know people – time reveals
1. Church Ministry – People offer themselves, gifts – I tell them to take time to know us
‘Do not be hasty in the laying on of hands’ (1 Ti 5.22) – appoint leaders
People insist on a guest speaker – get to know them first – no matter how gifted or popular
Popular Christian comedian I enjoyed had lied about testimony – he had preached to thousands – do not be hasty
2. Selecting Partner – young people – don’t be hasty laying hands!
Friends first – no touching – it’s bonding – know verbally first – maybe not a Christian as thought, maybe loose, maybe bad habits
‘There does seem to be a huge difference between how Isaac and Esau chose a wife. For Isaac, so many prayers and guiding signs went into finding this woman of faith, whereas Esau seems to have chosen unwisely. It was ‘a source of grief to Isaac and Rebekah’ – Pippa Gumbl
3. God looks at heart – so should we
Waitresses ‘In Jesus name’ – mocking – biggest indicator isn’t moral behaviour but heart – do they love Jesus
As immature Protestant I assumed all Catholics unsaved – they said so – then met ones with real love for Jesus, fruit of Spirit – isn’t doctrine – but heart
Parable of Weeds – God takes time – lets everyone show their true colours – lets hearts become apparent – wisdom requires we do the same
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Jan 17 2018
The Parable of Discernment
(audio sermon by Gary Sampson)
The parable of the weeds gives us wisdom for discerning between believer and unbeliever. But it helps to discern in other vital areas too.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Speakers notes follow –
Parable of Discernment (Weeds)
Mt 13.24-30,36-43
Member stole offering – other churches – real Christian?
Parable a lesson in discernment – time reveals who is who
Told to crowd not disciples – opposition from leaders + family
Act of bioterrorism – Darnel lookalike in early stages – wheat has heads of grain – has fruit
Jesus explains: farmer is Son of Man – seed is people of kingdom – field is world – weeds evil people sown by devil – harvest is end of age
Two points from text –
1. Difference – Real and Counterfeit
Darnel and Wheat Iook same – longterm different results
Judas – seemed follower early on – started to steaI – betrayed kiss (growth)
‘Not everyone who says Lord Lord will enter the kingdom of heaven’ (Mt 7.21) – perhaps he had Judas in mind
Nicodemus – seemed opposition – defended Jesus – laid body tomb -undercover believer
Army – not ashamed – carried Bible – magnetic guy arrived – didnt judge – discussed girls, parties – then declared ‘Believer’ – I felt like Chinese plastic!
With time Judas + Nicodemus displayed their real fruit
2. Delayed judgement
Servant zealous to pull up weeds – as James + John calling for fire
Jesus doesn’t want to uproot wheat – judge unbeliever with believer . Abraham ‘what if there are ten righteous in the city’
New believers can look like weeds – Magdalene/Matthew/Zaccheus
Peter denied Jesus three times – surely that deserves a red card? God sees heart – we quick to judge
Knowing my own failures I’m glad he is merciful – only the self righteous want to call down fire
Jesus does not remove opposition at first coming – why Vineyard says kingdom now but not yet – no more tears, sickness, demons, persecution
End times – World worse + Church better – persecution will purify – Wheat + Weeds will be very different
Three points – what this all teaches us for now –
Take time to know people – time reveals
1. Church Ministry – People offer themselves, gifts – I tell them to take time to know us
‘Do not be hasty in the laying on of hands’ (1 Ti 5.22) – appoint leaders
People insist on a guest speaker – get to know them first – no matter how gifted or popular
Popular Christian comedian I enjoyed had lied about testimony – he had preached to thousands – do not be hasty
2. Selecting Partner – young people – don’t be hasty laying hands!
Friends first – no touching – it’s bonding – know verbally first – maybe not a Christian as thought, maybe loose, maybe bad habits
‘There does seem to be a huge difference between how Isaac and Esau chose a wife. For Isaac, so many prayers and guiding signs went into finding this woman of faith, whereas Esau seems to have chosen unwisely. It was ‘a source of grief to Isaac and Rebekah’ – Pippa Gumbl
3. God looks at heart – so should we
Waitresses ‘In Jesus name’ – mocking – biggest indicator isn’t moral behaviour but heart – do they love Jesus
As immature Protestant I assumed all Catholics unsaved – they said so – then met ones with real love for Jesus, fruit of Spirit – isn’t doctrine – but heart
Parable of Weeds – God takes time – lets everyone show their true colours – lets hearts become apparent – wisdom requires we do the same
Feel free to comment below or share this message with others.
You will make us really happy if you click LIKE in our Facebook fan box on the right above (below on mobile). Thanks.
Comments