Parable of the Wheat and The Weeds
Audio Recording
Sermon Outline
Speaker: Rev. Scott Strickman
Sermon Series: Parables of the Kingdom in the Gospel of Matthew
Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43 (ESV)
24 He put another parable before them, saying, “The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a man who sowed good seed in his field, 25 but while his men were sleeping, his enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat and went away. 26 So when the plants came up and bore grain, then the weeds appeared also. 27 And the servants of the master of the house came and said to him, ‘Master, did you not sow good seed in your field? How then does it have weeds?’ 28 He said to them, ‘An enemy has done this.’ So the servants said to him, ‘Then do you want us to go and gather them?’ 29 But he said, ‘No, lest in gathering the weeds you root up the wheat along with them. 30 Let both grow together until the harvest, and at harvest time I will tell the reapers, “Gather the weeds first and bind them in bundles to be burned, but gather the wheat into my barn.”’”
36 Then he left the crowds and went into the house. And his disciples came to him, saying, “Explain to us the parable of the weeds of the field.” 37 He answered, “The one who sows the good seed is the Son of Man. 38 The field is the world, and the good seed is the sons of the kingdom. The weeds are the sons of the evil one, 39 and the enemy who sowed them is the devil. The harvest is the end of the age, and the reapers are angels. 40 Just as the weeds are gathered and burned with fire, so will it be at the end of the age. 41 The Son of Man will send his angels, and they will gather out of his kingdom all causes of sin and all law-breakers, 42 and throw them into the fiery furnace. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. 43 Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father. He who has ears, let him hear.
Sermon Outline
Jesus orients us to thrive as we follow him through a world with suffering.
1. God’s Agenda
v24“The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a man who sowed good seed in his field”
v28 “An enemy has done this”, v39 “the devil”
v29 “lest in gathering the weeds you root up the wheat”
2. God’s Patience
v30 “Let both grow together until the harvest”
v39 “The harvest is the end of the age”
3. God’s Wisdom
v26 “So when the plants came up and bore grain, then the weeds appeared also”
v41-43 “they will gather out of his kingdom all causes of sin and all law-breakers… Then the righteous will shine…”
Prayer of Confession
Our Father: we are attuned to our own sufferings, yet ignorant of what it is like to be a holy God who governs our corrupt world. We have questioned your goodness and ability. We are guilty of the slander of those who think they know better than you. We admit our weakness and inability to face the challenges of this world honorably. We confess we have done what we should not, sometimes unaware of the damage we are doing, and sometimes with disregard for it. Forgive all our sins. Grant us grace to accept the things we cannot change, courage to change the things which should be changed, and wisdom to distinguish one from the other. We pray this in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Questions for Reflection
What are some ways you respond to suffering? What forms of suffering are most difficult for you?
What are your thoughts about God when suffering?
Why is it important to not lose sight of positive goals (things you aim to do or accomplish) when challenges arise?
When you look at social and political discourse today, where do you see forces that aim to move too quickly into complex issues? What trends or patterns do you observe in recent years?
Why is patience valuable when dealing with challenges? How is patience different from passivity or avoidance?
What is needed to be able to accept limitations and also be proactive about positive change? What skills do you need to develop to be able to make progress in areas where the radical change or the goal you want is not likely?
What comfort or help comes from knowing that the God of Christianity is not removed from suffering?
What are some convictions to hold to, or expectations to clarify, that will help orient you so that as you face difficulties in life you can make progress and have protection?