Parables of Jesus - Traditional Service

In one paragraph

The message worked through the remaining parables of the kingdom in Matthew 13 and Mark 4, covering five parables in one sitting after two previous weeks had handled the others. The central thread running through all of them is that the kingdom of heaven is of surpassing value, that it grows in ways that cannot be fully explained, and that a harvest is coming that will divide people into just two...

Read together

1. Matthew 13 (parable of the four soils) introduced as the lead-off parable for the seven parables of the kingdom
2. Mark 4 (parable of the seed growing secretly) called the parable of inexplicable growth; seed sprouts and grows, the farmer does not know how
3. Matthew 13:24-30 (parable of the wheat and weeds) enemy sows darnel among wheat while men sleep; both allowed to grow until harvest
4. Matthew 13:36-43 (explanation of the wheat and weeds) Jesus explains to disciples in the house; son of man sows good seed, harvest is end of the age, angels gather the wicked
5. Matthew 13:31-32 (parable of the mustard seed) smallest seed becomes largest garden plant so birds nest in its branches
6. Mark 4:30-32 (parable of the mustard seed) parallel account; how shall we picture the kingdom of God, it is like a mustard seed
7. Matthew 13:33 (parable of the leaven) woman hid leaven in three sata of flour until all was leavened
8. Psalm 78:2 quoted by Jesus as fulfillment: I will open my mouth in parables, proclaim things hidden since the foundation of the world
9. Psalm 78:1-4 read at close of sermon: hear my teaching, tell the next generation the praiseworthy deeds of the Lord
10. Matthew 13:44 (parable of the hidden treasure) man finds treasure in a field, sells everything to buy that field
11. Matthew 13:45-46 (parable of the pearl of great value) merchant finds one pearl of great value and sells everything to buy it
12. Matthew 13:47-50 (parable of the dragnet) net cast into sea gathers fish of every kind; at end of age angels remove wicked from righteous into furnace of fire
13. Matthew 13:51-52 (parable of the head of household) every scribe who becomes a disciple of the kingdom brings out of his treasure new things and old
14. 1 Corinthians 10:11 things written in Old Testament happened as examples and were written for our instruction upon whom the ends of the ages have come
15. Romans 15:4 whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction that through endurance and encouragement of the scriptures we might have hope
16. Romans 15:5-7 may the God of endurance and encouragement grant harmony to live with one voice glorifying God; welcome one another as Christ welcomed you
17. Romans 1:16 I am not ashamed of the gospel, it is the power of God unto salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek
18. Romans 1:17 in the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith
19. Habakkuk 2:4 quoted within Romans 1:17: the righteous shall live by faith
20. 1 John 1:9 whoever is confessing their sins, God is faithful and just to forgive and cleanse from all unrighteousness
21. James 1:5 benediction: if any lacks wisdom, ask God who gives generously to all without finding fault

Talk about it

1. The preacher said that the parable of the four soils is not just about who is saved and who is not, but about how deeply the word takes root in us. Where do you see the thorns of wealth and distraction choking out the gospel in your own life, and what would it look like to cultivate better soil?
2. The sermon pointed out that weeds got sown in the field while the workers were sleeping, and connected that to the church losing focus on the gospel through in-fighting or the pursuit of political power. Can you think of times, personally or in the broader church, when that kind of sleep let something harmful take root?
3. The mustard seed parable led to a challenge about hoarding the blessing of God rather than being a light to those outside the church. What is one practical way your group could let the blessing extend beyond your own walls this week?
4. The preacher described the leaven working internally, invisibly, irresistibly, and irreversibly, and said the vast unchronicled witness of ordinary Christians living out the gospel is how it spreads particle to particle. Who in your own life spread the gospel to you that way, without maybe even realizing it?
5. The sermon closed with Psalm 78 verses one through four and the idea that we are to tell the next generation the praiseworthy deeds of the Lord. What is one specific thing God has done in your life that you have told, or should tell, to someone younger in the faith?