Matthew 13:54,55

Matthew 13:54,55 And when he was come into his own country, he taught them in their synagogue, insomuch that they were astonished, and said, Whence hath this man this wisdom, and these mighty works? Is not this the carpenter's son? is not his mother called Mary? and his brethren, James, and Joses, and Simon, and Judas? And his sisters, are they not all with us? Jesus went about teaching and healing the sick people. But in His own home town, He had a tough time. They had seen Jesus growing up; they had known Him as a little boy. They knew His brothers and His sisters, who still lived there in the community. But now Jesus was someone Who was famous. Perhaps they thought that Jesus was getting a little too uppity for them. Perhaps some of the old women remarked, “Why, I used to change Jesus’ diapers when He was just a baby. He was just like all of the other little babies in our community. He was no one special” But Jesus was special. And everyone else knew it. Everyone, that is, except His close acquaintances there in Nazareth. But even they would someday realize that Jesus was not just a teacher; Jesus was the very Son of God, Who would save them from their sins!

Matthew 13:33

Matthew 13:33 Another parable spake he unto them; The kingdom of heaven is like unto leaven, which a woman took, and hid in three measures of meal, till the whole was leavened. In Bible times the word was leaven, but today the word is yeast. Last week we went over to the Balta family home where Sanda Doboş, their grandmother, made doughnuts. She used yeast to make them rise and they were oh so tasty! When Sanda made the doughnuts, she put just a little of yeast into the mix. The yeast grew and grew filling the entire bowl. The yeast didn’t stay on the top, where Sanda put it; it mixed itself into the entire recipe until the yeast was in every part. If we talk to someone about God, and they talk to someone else about God, and they talk to another person about God, and ... well, you get the point that Jesus was talking about. We don’t have to tell everyone, we just have to tell someone. We have to get everything started. So, just do it!

Matthew 13:31,32

Matthew 13:31,32 Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is like to a grain of mustard seed, which a man took, and sowed in his field: Which indeed is the least of all seeds: but when it is grown, it is the greatest among herbs, and becometh a tree, so that the birds of the air come and lodge in the branches thereof. We do not know the future; we only know the past. We do not know which little boy or girl will be famous. No one knew that, in 1961, little baby Barak, born in Honolulu would someday become the president of the United States. That is the point of our parable for today. A tiny seed may become a great tree. Who knows? Hey, what about you? What can God do with you?

Matthew 13:24-30

Matthew 13:24-30 Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is likened unto a man which sowed good seed in his field: But while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat, and went his way. But when the blade was sprung up, and brought forth fruit, then appeared the tares also. So the servants of the householder came and said unto him, Sir, didst not thou sow good seed in thy field? from whence then hath it tares? He said unto them, An enemy hath done this. The servants said unto him, Wilt thou then that we go and gather them up? But he said, Nay; lest while ye gather up the tares, ye root up also the wheat with them. Let both grow together until the harvest: and in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat into my barn. This parable is about good people and wicked people. Often we think, “Why doesn’t God punish the wicked people? Why do they keep getting away with evil things” Jesus explains why in this parable. God wants everyone to be saved and has given us time to repent. But Satan is busy spreading his lies. He tricks people into thinking that the things of this world are more important than God and the things of the next world. So God continues to give us all time – time to repent. God isn’t letting bad things go, God is simply giving everyone time to repent. But, make no mistake, someday God will judge the world. God will reward the righteous and God will punish the wicked. Yes He will! For sure!

Matthew 13:3-9

Matthew 13:3-9 And he spake many things unto them in parables, saying, Behold, a sower went forth to sow; And when he sowed, some seeds fell by the way side, and the fowls came and devoured them up: Some fell upon stony places, where they had not much earth: and forthwith they sprung up, because they had no deepness of earth: And when the sun was up, they were scorched; and because they had no root, they withered away. And some fell among thorns; and the thorns sprung up, and choked them: But other fell into good ground, and brought forth fruit, some an hundredfold, some sixtyfold, some thirtyfold. Who hath ears to hear, let him hear. When a sower goes out to sow seed, he can’t take the time to carefully place each seed in just the right place. The farmer takes a handful of seed and casts it as far from him as he can, hoping that most of the seed will find good ground. In Jesus’ story, some seed fell among thorns, some seed fell on poor soil, some fell where the birds could snatch it up, but, thank goodness, some fell on good ground. And so it is with God’s Words of salvation. Some hear, some ignore, but, praise the Lord, some receive. Some receive the wonderful words of life!

Matthew 12:36

Matthew 12:36 But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment. Jesus is coming back to earth someday. And after He rules for 1,000 years, time will end. There will be a judgement of all those who did not accept God’s provision for the payment of their sins. This judgement is found in Revelation 20 and is called the Great White Throne Judgement. Everyone will have an opportunity to stand before the Almighty God and explain themselves. But not much will be said, because God knows everything and everyone will know it. Every wicked thing that was whispered will be declared out loud before everyone. No one will have an excuse as they stand before their Maker. What a fearful day that will be. So, as Christians who believe in God and His coming judgement, what should we do? How should we behave? Well, of course we should warn people of God’s punishment to come. We should prepare ourselves, and then warn as many people as we can.