Eighth Sunday after Pentecost

Sermon Text: Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43

Other Readings: Joel 3:12-16 and 1 Peter 4:1-8

 

 

  1. What is the best way to describe what “the kingdom of heaven” (v. 24) is?

 

  1. What is unusual about the way Jesus explains this parable in verses 37-43?

 

  1. The Greek word used for the weeds in this parable refers to a type of weed that looks very similar to wheat. But at the end of the growing season, it becomes apparent which is which. How does this information help us “wheat” live among the weeds?

 

  1. Explain what Jesus means when he says, “While you are pulling the weeds, you may root up the wheat with them” (v. 29). Can you think of an example of this happening in history?

 

  1. Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? Why? Explain your answer.
    The Christian church always needs to be an active public organization in social movements which fight society’s evils.

 

  1. It is an activity, not borders. The kingdom of heaven is God’s gracious ruling in the hearts of his believers.
     
  2. Normally, parables are told to make one key point so we need to be careful about “pressing the details” and trying to make connections where Jesus isn’t making any. (For instance, in the Parable of the Mustard Seed, you don’t need to try to figure out what the birds represent.) But here, Jesus makes direct connections between many parts of the parable.
     
  3. We need to understand that sometimes it will be hard to recognize things and people who are truly evil, especially since the devil masquerades as an angel of light (2 Corinthians 11:14). But when we compare words and actions to God’s Word (1 John 3:10), we will better be able to identify evil.
     
  4. Our forceful actions can become a stumbling block and an offense to other Christians. We may harm their consciences and make them question God’s Word and the faith. Think about the way some Christian organizations get “up-in-the-face” against LGBTQ and abortion groups. Their confrontational ways may turn off other Christians.
     
  5. Disagree. Individual Christians have God’s command to be a force of his good and his will in the world, but God’s Word doesn’t really ever command the Church to be a public organization for change, e.g. the ALCU. At times, Christians may gather together as a group to be heard, and there is a time and place for that. But, as our Second Lesson from 1 Peter 4:1-8 does, Scripture most often emphasizes the individual responsibility and opportunity each Christian has to do good and to love others in daily life.