The Net

The Parables of the Kingdom: The Kingdom Explained - The Net – Matthew 13:47-53 The Parables in Matthew 13 are a set which aim to explain what the Kingdom of Heaven is like. They counter the misunderstandings of the people of the day and show us what to expect as citizens of that Kingdom: It is a Kingdom of seeds not swords; of small beginnings in obscurity. It will spread worldwide through a message spoken – and bless on an international scale. Yet, life as a citizen of the Kingdom will remain a challenge. It is so precious that giving up all else to have it will not leave you the loser. In the end, it will be more than worth it! 1. Have You Understood So Far? 51 Having told the 7 parables – explaining the Kingdom of Heaven, JESUS pauses and asks the disciples: 51 “Have you understood all these things?” Jesus asked. “Yes,” they replied. • From these parables, what are some of the adjustments to our expectations and challenges to behaviour that JESUS is impressing on us? JESUS always seeks more than just an academic understanding of truth: • Summarise briefly, in your own words, how these Bible passages teach this: James 1:19-25 --- 1 John 3:18 --- Ezekiel 33:30-32 • What is so amazing about the way The King establishes and spreads HIS Kingdom – as taught in these parables? 2. The Gospel Net Catches All Kinds of Fish: 47-48 From the outside perspective, imagine someone looking to join or contact a local church: • What factors might influence which local church: 1. A Christian person chooses to become a member of? 2. A seeking non-Christian person chooses to visit? • How would you define the problem in James 2:1-4 From the inside perspective: We like to think of ourselves as free from prejudice! Be honest – at least with GOD – about the kind of person that you would find it hard to truly welcome in and/or reach out to in Gospel witness! [Maybe for private reflection – unless brave enough!] • How can we overcome conscious or unconscious bias or prejudice? • What ‘costs’ do we have to prepare our hearts for, to throw out the Gospel Net? The Kingdom of Heaven is like a net that draws all kinds of people in and casting the net a function of those in the Kingdom. Matthew 4:19 “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.” 3. There Will Be Good and Bad Fish: 49-50 A Gospel-centred church will always be a mixed company and no church will be 100% pure. Individual Christians are blessed with assurance [2 Timothy 1:12], but as a gathering of people ‘in the net’, JESUS informs us that there is the possibility that in the congregation there will be a mix – including people who profess faith but are not believers [yet?]. • How does this shape a leader’s preaching and teaching ministry? Romans 1:15, 3 John 1:4 • How does this shape our prayers and care for each other? Hebrews 10:24-25 Prayer: For understanding that leads to real change – for compassion to ‘fish’ for all kinds of people – for wisdom to spur and encourage each other to believe and follow faithfully.