Sermon Tone Analysis
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Introduction
Recap
Last week started our series on the parables of Jesus called The Kingdom Is Near
Light Our World
Salt and Light = Character and Good Works
Why did Jesus speak in parables?
First, What is a parable?
Story, riddle, word picture
More than just a sermon illustration -
All of the parables give us a picture of the Kingdom
As we go through the parables, we are going to learn Kingdom values, principles, living.
Background
Jesus teaching crowds - climbed into a boat and began speaking in parables
Matthew 13 starts with the Parable of the Sower (seeds or soils)
We will look at that parable in a few weeks.
What Jesus said after this important parable is just as important.
In some ways it directly reinforces the parable, but it also gives us an understanding foundational to grasping the purpose for all the parables.
Matthew records that the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Why do you speak to them in parables?”
Luke’s record has the disciples asking for the meaning of the parable.
Turn to Matthew 13:10-17
Fulfill Prophecy
Matthew said that Jesus spoke in parables as a fulfillment of prophecy
Direct quote from Psalm 78:2
Mysteries hidden since Creation
New revelation that Israel had not previously known
Israel thought they had the prophecies figured out and knew what to expect.
Imagine what the generations past pictured in their minds when they heard the prophecies of a coming King in the line of David who would rule the world from David’s throne.
Israel = chosen people.
Messiah = King over all the world with Israel as chosen.
All enjoy benefit of the kingdom.
All other nations thrown off and defeated.
Outward compliance with law/rules proved worthiness.
How much are we like Israel today?
Christians?
Americans?
Are our hearts as hard as the Israelites’ hearts were?
Jesus said He spoke in parables because the hardness of their hearts was a fulfillment of prophecy.
Israel rejected Isaiah’s message then, and Israel is rejecting Jesus’ message here.
Divides Listeners into “you” and “them”
You = Disciples; Them = all the other listeners, rebellious
Kind of like saying, “Use it, or lose it”
vv.
14-15 condemning “them”
Who has, more given
Who has not, it is taken away
Other listeners do not see, hear, or understand
Jesus was not being exclusive for the sake of pushing people away.
Grammy - cross you off
Speaking in parables could also be a way of protecting them from further condemnation as they would continue to rebel against Jesus.
We will see these concepts again in later parables.
Jesus dividing the you and them.
Hides Kingdom secrets from rebellious
Before this, Jesus mostly spoke plainly.
People understood, many offended, rejected His teaching, religious leaders looked for an opportunity to silence Jesus.
Jesus begins hiding the secrets of the Kingdom in plain view
The people are already not seeing, hearing, or understanding because they don’t want to.
They are condemned already.
Matthew 13:12 even what he has will be taken away from him
Are we like that?
Have we stopped listening?
Do we have our eyes clamped shut?
Child covering ears “not listening”
Reveals Kingdom Mysteries to true disciples
First answer - doesn’t this sound caring?
True Disciples are those who seek Jesus with eyes and ears open
True Disciples are those who not only seek, but are given understanding.
And True Disciples are those who live what they learn.
The amazing blessing of the first Disciples is also our blessing
Can you imagine the prophets having a picture of what was to come, the Messiah, the Kingdom.
We have been given an amazing blessing.
Big Idea: Jesus taught in parables to reveal the mysteries of the Kingdom to true disciples.
What About You?
Are you a true disciple?
Do you want to hear?
Do you want to see?
Do you want to understand?
What are you going to do with that knowledge and understanding?
You will be responsible for what you see and hear and know.
You must do something with it.
God is good.
He loves us.
He wants us to pursue Him.
Ask, Seek, Knock Matthew 7:7
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