Sunday 03:17:13

The New Testament speaks of a clashing of two kingdoms. It tells of a kingdom of light and a kingdom of darkness. Jesus referred over and again of the kingdom of heaven or the kingdom of God. Jesus was tempted and baptized and then began his public ministry. When he first began his public ministry, Matthew 4:17 says, “From that time on Jesus began to preach, ‘Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near.’” The kingdom of heaven is the rule and the reign of God. Jesus referred to the kingdom of heaven drawing near with his teaching and preaching. The world has been under the dominion of the enemy since the fall of man. From that time until now, everyone has been born into a fallen world, born to fallen parents. Every man and woman has been under the curse of sin because every one of us also choose to sin. Choosing to sin reveals our sinful nature and it reveals that we were under the rule of the enemy. But when Jesus came, he introduced a new rule under the rightful ruler. He came announcing that God was restoring his rightful rule and reign. “The kingdom of heaven is near.” “[There] is a theology of cosmic warfare – a theology centering on the unveiling of the long-hidden mystery of Christ and his church. It means the overthrow of the ancient powers that have long held the creation captive through sin and death. It means the triumph of a resurrected Messiah over every principality and power hostile to the reign of the Creator. It means that God is keeping his promises to his anointed King. It means war.” Russell Moore, Dean, SBTS Matthew 13:1-9 Parable of the Four Soils Jesus is the sewer. The seed is the gospel. The four soils are four different responses to God’s word. Seed along the path Eaten by birds Seed along rocks Withered away Seed among thorns Choked out Seed on good soil Produced a crop Matthew13:10-17 – God does not waste his Word on people who do not listen. But God pours out his word, truth, wisdom (secrets of the kingdom) to those who receive it. vv. 14-15 Ignoring God’s truth results in a hardening of heart. If you do not respond to God’s word, there will be a hardening of your heart that drives away or makes what little understanding you did have. You are responsible for how you respond to God’s truth. Matthew 13:18-23 Along path Did not understand the message, evil one took it away Along rocks Received message, but fell away when trouble came Among thorns Received message, but worries and wealth made it unfruitful On good soil Received and understood message and produced crop When you hear a parable, you cannot analyze it to death. Parables have a central theme or point. It is not good Bible interpretation to read into them more than they mean. However, allow me some latitude today because I believe the point is still biblically sound. Jesus is the sewer. His gospel is the seed. We are the soil. The plot of ground is on the earth. It is territory that is under the control of the enemy. Jesus is scattering his seed – or spreading his message of the gospel – in enemy territory. Under the enemy, there was barren ground, But in the kingdom of heaven, there is life and fruit. Barren, fruitless, once-cursed ground comes to life and produces a crop that is 30, 60, or 100 times what was planted. Jesus came into the world to restore a kingdom that was usurped. Jesus was and is infiltrating and plundering enemy territory. He plunders enemy territory by freeing people from the enemy’s grip of sin and death. Jesus declared war on this usurper. He brought this truth to you – he died to set you free from your sin and release you from the enemy’s grip. He suffered for your sin because he loves you and to set you free. He died so you could live. He was resurrected, showing himself to be the victorious king. His sacrifice was accepted and everyone who believes in him will have a new life. Everyone who believes in him takes up his cause, producing a crop 30, 60, or 100 times what was planted. We don’t realize it, but the people around us who do not know Christ are under the control and the curse of the enemy. When you tell someone of what Jesus has done in your life, you are carrying on Jesus’ mission to bring God’s rule and reign into the lives of people who were captives in enemy territory. We are in a war – a clash of kingdoms. The enemy has a hold on the people around us But our King is the King of Glory – He will defeat the enemy and free those long held captive. He does this by empowering His people with the boldness of his Spirit and the message of his savior. His people overcome the enemy by his Spirit and by speaking his word. “The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet.” Romans 16:20