TD12: The Program
Matthew 13
September 25, 2022
Jay Haugh
Matthew 13 is a pivot in the Gospel. It’s “The Program of the King.”
Jesus will now pursue two distinct groups.
1. The lowly of Israel.
2. The Gentiles.
Jesus teaches what He’s doing through parables.
Parables are designed to restrict the audience.
Then the disciples came and said to him, “Why do you speak to them in parables?” And he answered them, “To you it has been given to know the secrets of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been given. For to the one who has, more will be given, and he will have an abundance, but from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away. This is why I speak to them in parables, because seeing they do not see, and hearing they do not hear, nor do they understand. —Matthew 13:10-13
And he told them many things in parables, saying: “A sower went out to sow. And as he sowed, some seeds fell along the path, and the birds came and devoured them. Other seeds fell on rocky ground, where they did not have much soil, and immediately they sprang up, since they had no depth of soil, but when the sun rose they were scorched. And since they had no root, they withered away. Other seeds fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked them. Other seeds fell on good soil and produced grain, some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty. —Matthew 13:3-8
There are different hearts “the seed” is going to fall on.
The “seed” that’s sown is a message.
When anyone hears the word of the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what has been sown in his heart. —Matthew 13:19
1. This parable is about a future time.
2. The message will have great initial reception.
3. Trial and time will prove the reality of the profession.
4. The message of God will be opposed.
The world, the flesh, and the devil oppose this message from growing.
And he answered them, “To you it has been given to know the secrets of the kingdom of heaven…” —Matthew 13:11
A mystery is knowledge you cannot know unless you’re given the inside scoop.
became a minister according to the stewardship from God that was given to me for you, to make the word of God fully known, the mystery hidden for ages and generations but now revealed to his saints. To them God chose to make known how great among the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. Him we proclaim… —Colossians 1:25-28
Big Idea:
The message of salvation will be proclaimed throughout the world, but will be opposed by the world, the flesh, and the devil.
STUDY GUIDE QUESTIONS:
Memory Verse: 1 Timothy 4:7-8
Have nothing to do with godless myths and old wives’ tales; rather, train yourself to be godly. For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come.
Share about a time when you made a commitment to do something but failed to follow through. How is that experience akin to the seed that fell along rocky or thorny ground?
Read Matthew 13:1-23
The parable affirms that Satan is actively opposing the work of the sower and the growth of the seed. What can Christians do to thwart the schemes of the devil?
Can soil be changed from rocky to good? If so, how does this happen? Can you play a role in cultivating a more receptive soil in another’s life?
Who sowed seed into your life? Who continues to help it grow? In the same way that others have sown into your life, in whom can you invest now?
Where and how often are you casting seed?
Path: When you share Jesus with others, is your message clear and understandable?
Rocks: Share about a time you have encountered persecution or ridicule because of your faith. Were you able to stand firm in your convictions?
If you have not faced persecution or ridicule, why do you think that is?
Thorns: Do you ever feel that the worries of this life or the deceitfulness of wealth are preventing you from being fruitful? How does what we prioritize speak to what we value? Do your values align with God’s priorities?
Good Soil: The purpose of planting a seed is that it is going to produce something. As Christians, what should be our crop or fruit? How is that displayed in your life?
What is Jesus trying to communicate when He quotes Isaiah 6:9-10? What is the correlation between hearing and obedience?