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A. Introduction
In the parable of the sower as we learned last Sunday: The FIELD is the “WORLD” and The SEED is the “WORD.”
But in the parable of the “Wheat and Tares” Jesus switches things up:
Another parable He put forth to them, saying: “The kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field; but WHILE MEN SLEPT, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat and went his way.”
B. The Parable of the Tares Explained.
And His disciples came to Him, saying, “EXPLAIN TO US THE PARABLE of the tares of the field.”
He answered and said to them: “He who sows the good seed is the Son of Man. The FIELD IS THE WORLD, the GOOD SEEDS ARE the SONS of the kingdom, but the tares are the SONS OF THE WICKED ONE. The enemy who sowed them is the DEVIL, the harvest is the END OF THE AGE, and the reapers are the angels.” (Mathew 13:24-39)
1. The FIELD IS THE WORLD
But in this parable, the seed changes. The seed isn’t the word, the seed is Jesus’ people. The kingdom doesn’t advance by the planted word but by the planted people.
2. The SEED ARE “PEOPLE” i.e. the “SONS of the kingdom.” (Mt 13:38).
3. Tares are the sons of the wicked one.
4. The enemy who sowed the tares is the devil.
5. The harvest is the end of age.
6. The reapers are the angels.
C. Meaning:
In the Last Days of Harvest JESUS PLANTS HIS WORD IN KEY PEOPLE, THEN PLANTS PEOPLE IN KEY PLACES!
D. However,
i. BECAUSE HIS PEOPLE ARE SPIRITUALLY “ASLEEP” TO THE DEVIL’S ACTIVITY, THEY FAIL TO POLICE THEIR OWN TERRITORY.
ii. AS A RESULT, “WRONG PEOPLE” GET INTO THE FIELD ASSIGNED TO THEM.
iii. THE “SONS” PAY A PRICE FOR BEING ASLEEP TO THEIR RESPONSIBILITIES. AT
THE TIME OF THE END THEY HAVE TO WRESTLE WITH THESE VERY PEOPLE WHO ARE PLANTED IN THEIR FIELD.
E. Examples of people who ‘slept’
i. Samson: Judges 16:19-20-After putting him to sleep on her lap, she called for someone to shave off the seven braids of his hair, and so began to subdue him. And his strength left him. Then she called, “Samson, the Philistines are upon you!” He awoke from his sleep and thought, “I’ll go out as before and shake myself free.” But he did not know that the LORD had left him.
ii. The disciples of Jesus: Mark 14:32-41-They went to a place called Gethsemane, and Jesus said to his disciples, “Sit here while I pray.” He took Peter, James and John along with him, and he began to be deeply distressed and troubled…when he came back, he again found them sleeping, because their eyes were heavy.
iii. King Saul: 1 Samuel 26:12-David took the spear and water jug near Saul’s head, and they left. No one saw or knew about it, nor did anyone wake up. They were all sleeping, because the LORD had put them into a deep sleep.
According to this parable the KINGDOM is a PEOPLE PLANTING MOVEMENT! See that? We made it a word or church planting movement. But all that is one step short of what is needed for a harvest of nations.
God plants people to advance His will and the devil plants people who will hinder Gods people. They are planted in every sphere where God can be glorified.
What makes the Last Days so stressful in some places is that the wheat and the tares grow
up “together” within the loins of potential “sheep nations”. These sheep nations are choked with internal tares.
The ANSWER? God will plant people TOGETHER in KEY PLACES of influence. BUT God is looking for a Church that advances against the gates of, hell, where they are located.
F. Conclusion
“The cry of heaven is ‘Advance’ – ‘Don’t back down’ – ‘OCCUPY TILL I COME’ – God has a movement of exploits ready to be revealed where HIS presence and miracles will show up in the ‘field’ being occupied by HIS Sons (and Daughters). The harvest of nations is upon us.”