The Parables of Jesus #02: an exposition of Matthew 13:24-33. This message by Pastor Rod Harris was delivered at Trinity Baptist Church on Sunday norning, March 8, 2015.
Intro:
It is one of the classic lines in the history of English literature, Dickens’ immortal words opening A Tale of Two Cities, “It was the best of times. It was the worst of times.” Dickens was describing the tormented times of the French Revolution. But the words could be used to describe the conditions the church faces in our own day. It is true that great and wonderful things are happening within the church. We are opening new doors around the world. In parts of Africa and China the church is growing at an incredible rate. At the same time persecution is intensifying. Over 450 believers a day die for their faith! That means 164,250 saints a year are martyred for the faith.
We in America, now live in a post-Christian culture. We can no longer assume that people hold to a Judeo-Christian worldview. In a world of relative truth – a person can acknowledge the “truth” of the Christian faith while denying its relevance to their life. There was a time when you talked with an “un-churched” individual and they felt guilty about not being in church. Now church members see little need in regular church attendance. At the same time, the bankrupt philosophies of relativism and existentialism have left people longing for something more. Record numbers of folks are “seeking” spiritual answers. It is the best of times and it is the worst of times.
The vast majority of our churches have plateaued or are declining. And yet we are starting new churches. At the same time we are starting new churches others with long and glorious histories are closing their doors. As Baptist we know that our primary means of starting new works is the church split! Churches that can no longer withstand the internal strife break into 2, or more, smaller congregations. It is the best of times and it is the worst of times. After a while one begins to wonder what the future holds? Sometimes, when I look at the church, I wonder along with the Lord Jesus – “When the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?” It is easy to get discouraged. It is easy to be cynical. But the truth of the matter is – the church is strong. The church of the Lord Jesus is moving onward and upward. I know that not because of the latest research done by the SBC or by any other organization. I know that because of the words of the Lord Jesus. The head of the Church has declared that the church is triumphant. Our text this morning is found in the 13th chapter of Matthew.
Text: Matthew 13:24-33
The Lord Jesus is drawing a line in the sand.
“You are either with me or you are against me.”
There can be no neutrality.
You’re in or you’re out.
Great crowds are following him.
Some out of devotion.
Others out of curiosity.
Some out of hatred – seeking accusation.
And Jesus is speaking to the crowds in parables.
Parables are earthly stories with a heavenly significance.
It is the use of the common to make known the uncommon.
The use of the ordinary to reveal the extraordinary.
This is part of his ministry of “revealing and concealing.”
In our text he uses three stories to illustrate the onward progression of the church.
These parables are snapshots of the growth of the church.
From these we learn:
Thesis: Believers can rejoice in the sure and certain progress of the church.
Now, I will be the first to acknowledge that the church is not perfect.
Not this church or any other visible expression of the church.
The church is full of problems because the church is full of people like you and me!
Yet God is at work in his church.
The Spirit of God is busy conforming the children of God to the image of Jesus.
Genuine children of God are growing in Christ-likeness.
The Bride of Christ is being purified.
At times that growth is explosive and obvious.
At other times that growth is slow and imperceptive.
But there is growth.
There are three truths about the growth of the church revealed in this passage.
- First of all there is the fact that the church prospers even when entangled with death. (13:24-30; 36-40)
- Second, in the parable of the mustard seed, we are reminded that the church prospers in spite of small beginnings. (13:31-32)
- In the parable of the leaven we discover that the church prospers by way of its transforming power. (13:33)
Conclusion:
When taken together this is not just wishful thinking on the part of Jesus.
Jesus did not say, “Wouldn’t it be nice if the kingdom of heaven was like this…”
He said, “This is the way it is.”
In other words the full growth of the church is assured from the moment the seed is planted no matter how unpromising its appearance may be. No matter what opposition it encounters along the way.
Rejoice Christian. Take heart. God is at work in his church and its growth is sure and certain.