PARABLES OF THE KINGDOM I. TEXTUAL THOUGHTS 1. Matthew 13:3-23, The word
of the kingdom compared to sowing seed in different soils. 2. Matthew 13:24-30, Weeds
grow in the field along with the sons of the kingdom. 3. Luke 12:22-34, The
importance of putting the kingdom of God first. 4. Matthew 13:44-46, The value
of the kingdom emphasized. 5. Luke 13:6-9, The importance
of bearing fruit demonstrated. II. MAIN THEME: Jesus used stories of familiar circumstances to illustrate the
kingdom of God. These stories usually
demonstrate primary similarities and should not be applied to areas where no
comparison is intended. 1. Parables of the kingdom
beginning. a. Man does
the sowing, God causes the growth, Mark 4:26-29. b. The seed is
to be sown freely, Matthew 13:3-5. c. The
beginning is small, Mark 4:30-31, 1 Corinthians 1:21. 2. Parables of the kingdom
spreading. a. The
influence of the kingdom spreads from person to person, Matthew 13:33. b. Seed sown
in a good heart produces fruit, Matthew 13:23. c. The good
works of Christians are like a light, Matthew 5:14-16. 3. Parables about attitudes of
members of the kingdom. a. We should
be alert and active, Luke 12:35-48. b. We should
put the kingdom first, Luke 12:22-34. c. We should
recognize the value of the kingdom, Matthew 13:44-46. 4. Parables about members’
responsibility in the kingdom. a. Jesus will
take care of judging sinners, Mathew:13:28-30, 47-50. b. We must
seek the lost, Luke 15:1-32. c. We must use
what God has given us, Luke 19:11-27. d. We must
bear fruit, Luke13:6-9. III. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS 1. We should use simple
stories to illustrate points as Jesus did. He is our example. in teaching, 1
Corinthians 2:1-5. 2. Because the kingdom of God
is of more value than any thing, we should give it first place in our lives, Luke 9:23-26, Matthew 13:44, 6:33. 3. Our responsibility is to
sow the seed, the word of God, freely, not judging the hearts of men, Matthew 13:4. 4. Leave the responsibility
for judging to Jesus, Matthew 13:49-50, John 5:21-23. IV.
MEMORY VERSE: MATTHEW 13:34. |