Tag Archives: Matthew

Matthew 13- Parables of The Kingdom of God

6 Replies

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. Matthew 13:31-32

Today we are going to take a look at two parables, one about the mustard seed and another about the leaven, however both of these parables are about the same thing, the Kingdom of God. Jesus starts out by saying “The Kingdom of Heaven is like a grain of mustard seed” So to understand how the Kingdom of God is being created Jesus uses the analogy of the mustard seed.

Jesus point here is “the mustard seed is the least of all seeds” , Christ point is the mustard seed is very small, however when it’s planted and grown, it becomes a large tree. This is essentially describing the ministry of Christ. Think about it, Jesus came down from Heaven, born of a virgin, grew into a man, and started his ministry on Earth with just 12 Apostles. Eventually over time it’s become the largest religion in the world, with Billions of followers. 

But also we can look at this from another perspective, the Kingdom of God is continually growing today, everyday the gospel is being preached to the world, and everyday souls are becoming Born Again and reconciled back to the Father into the Kingdom. The Kingdom of God is continually expanding and it’s essential we fulfill the Great Commision (Matthew 28:19) as commanded by Christ himself

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. Matthew 13:33

Jesus uses another illustration here to prove the same point, this time its about using a little  leaven (yeast) to make a whole loaf of bread, it’s the same with building God’s Kingdom, it started small (Christ ministry) and has expanded into what it is today. Again the point is God’s Kingdom is continually growing , even today until the fullness of the Gentiles

Preach the gospel to everyone! (Matthew 28:19) Jesus commanded these words for a reason because the Kingdom of God is still expanding as souls are being Reborn everyday! Amen!

Matthew 13- The Wheat and The Tares

5 Replies

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. Matthew 13:24-29

When we look at Christianity today, there is a such a division and difference between many denominations and “Christians” in general, so how did this happen? Well it’s simple because many of the people in the Churches today are the tares or false converts. Not everyone in your Church or denomination is saved, why? Because Satan planted tares among the wheat, Satan is planting demonic people in Churches to corrupt and destroy them.

You might say “Why would God allow this to happen”? Jesus said “If you remove the tares, you might uproot the wheat with them” This is an interesting statement implying some of the tares might become wheat! This is the grace of God, even though we don’t deserve mercy, God is patient in wanting everyone to become saved (2 Peter 3:9) Just as Jesus said “The rain falls on the just and the unjust” (Matthew 5:45) This is why fulfilling the Great Commision (Matthew 28:19) is critical for everyone soul and the return of Christ

Now some will say “A Tare (Weed) could never be in my Church” think about Judas, he was one of the original 12 Apostles, he witnessed Christs miracles, he listened to his teachings in person, he even broke bread with The Lord, yet Satan entered him and he sold his soul for 30 pieces of silver! The Tares are everywhere including your Church, be careful to be led by the Holy Spirit and not man

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 Matthew 13:30

Jesus said “Let them grow together till the harvest” What is the harvest? Judgment day, when the wicked (tares) stand before Christ and are judged. What about the wheat? Gather them in my barn says The Lord, meaning there is no judgment for those in Christ (Romans 8:1)

For the Tares Christ said “Bind them in bundles and burn them, meaning Hell Fire. Repent and turn to Jesus before it’s too late! Amen!

Matthew 13- Preaching In Parables

3 Replies

And the disciples came, and said unto him, Why speakest thou unto them in parables? He answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given. For whosoever hath, to him shall be given, and he shall have more abundance: but whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken away even that he hath. Therefore speak I to them in parables: because they seeing see not; and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand. Matthew 13:10-13

People often ask the question “Why did Jesus speak in parables”? In our scripture reading today, Jesus actually answers this question. This reminds me of when Jesus was speaking to Nicodemus in “If I have told you earthly things and you do not believe, how will you believe if I tell you heavenly things?” (John 3:12)

Jesus is saying to Nicodemus , I’m trying to explain things to you in an Earthly context and you can’t understand, how can you possibly understand things about Heaven, of course I’m totally paraphrasing this, but this is the point. People will often say “Why doesn’t Jesus just tell us things directly, well simply because our human minds couldn’t comprehend Heaven

Jesus is trying to “dumb” things down for us in a language we can understand. Think about if you ever taught a Sunday School class or taught children. You don’t typically speak to children like you do adults because they don’t understand what your saying. You have to water things down, use figurative language that children could understand, Jesus was doing the same thing with us. 

And in them is fulfilled the prophecy of Esaias, which saith, By hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and shall not perceive: For this people’s heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them. But blessed are your eyes, for they see: and your ears, for they hear. For verily I say unto you, That many prophets and righteous men have desired to see those things which ye see, and have not seen them; and to hear those things which ye hear, and have not heard them. Matthew 13:14-17

The Messiah speaking in Parables shouldn’t be a surprise to anyone, this was foretold by the prophet Isaiah (Isaiah 6) Jesus affirms this in his teaching. As the prophet Isaiah says “Be ever hearing, but never understanding, Be ever seeing, but never perceiving” Think about the religious leaders , they knew the scriptures from memory yet they didn’t know Christ. Without Jesus , you can never understand The Bible and never understand the Kingdom of God

When you read the parables of Christ, think about it from a spiritual perspective. Jesus is trying to reveal the Kingdom of God to you in a story, embrace the blessed parables Amen!

Matthew 13- Parable of The Sower

2 Replies

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. Matthew 13:3-9

When we talk about evangelism, it’s interesting how different people respond or react to the same gospel message. Jesus explains this in a parable, he compares people to different soils. Some have stony ground, some let the seed fall to the wayside, some receive the gospel but let the world choke out its hope, and then some have good soil and the gospel message takes root

Now Jesus is referring to the Word of God to a seed. This is why we are commanded to “Preach the gospel to everyone” (Matthew 28:19) because the gospel is a seed, and for those elect it will take root and bring people to repentance and salvation. While others whose hearts are hardened will reject the gospel and it won’t take any root in them at all. Those who receive the gospel will also produce fruit (Matthew 7) the evidence of the Holy Spirit. Let those who have spiritual discernment hear!

Hear ye therefore the parable of the sower. When any one heareth the word of the kingdom, and understandeth it not, then cometh the wicked one, and catcheth away that which was sown in his heart. This is he which received seed by the way side. But he that received the seed into stony places, the same is he that heareth the word, and anon with joy receiveth it; Yet hath he not root in himself, but dureth for a while: for when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word, by and by he is offended. He also that received seed among the thorns is he that heareth the word; and the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becometh unfruitful. But he that received seed into the good ground is he that heareth the word, and understandeth it; which also beareth fruit, and bringeth forth, some an hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty. Matthew 13:18-23

Jesus actually explains this parable for us, Satan is continually trying to make the Word of God irrelevant. Why? Because Satan knows the Word of God is truth and will set you free. So we see in today’s world, they want to say the Bible is “outdated” or the Bible is “hateful” or “offensive” As Paul said “The message of the cross is foolishness to anyone who is perishing” (1 Corinthians 1:18)

There are those who will receive the Word of God, but then they go through a hardship or trial, and then they blame it on God. So they reject the gospel message because they are not living their best life now, our best life is to come in Gods Kingdom. This is the danger and blasphemy of “Prosperity Gospel” generates more false converts than saves anyone

Then you have those who receive the gospel, but they care more about the world than they care about God. As Jesus said “What does it profit you to gain the whole world and lose your soul” (Mark 8:36) 

But there are some , the elect, who will receive the gospel and produce good fruit (Matthew 7) This is why it’s important we continue to share the good news of Jesus Christ (Matthew 28:19) even when the majority of the world will reject it, Amen!

Matthew 12- Children of God

3 Replies

While he yet talked to the people, behold, his mother and his brethren stood without, desiring to speak with him. Then one said unto him, Behold, thy mother and thy brethren stand without, desiring to speak with thee. But he answered and said unto him that told him, Who is my mother? and who are my brethren? And he stretched forth his hand toward his disciples, and said, Behold my mother and my brethren! For whosoever shall do the will of my Father which is in heaven, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother.  Matthew 12:46-50

Here we see Jesus use an incident as a teaching moment of the New Covenant. Mary, the mother of Jesus , and his brothers were looking for Jesus to talk to him. Instead of Jesus immediately acknowledging them, he was teaching us what it meant to be a true Child of God. Some would argue that Jesus was being rude or disrespectful to his mother, however from the gospels we know Jesus and Mary had a very strong relationship, and that is not the case here

Jesus asks the question “Who is my mother? Who are my brothers? Now from a biological sense we know the answer, but Jesus is speaking from a spiritual sense. Christ is trying to teach us that we are Children of God through Him (Christ). Just as the Jews are not saved by their bloodline, we are not Children of God by our bloodline either. We must become Born Again to enter the Kingdom of Heaven (John 3:3) We can’t be Children of God, without the regeneration of the Holy Spirit

Jesus said “Whoever does the will of My Father (God) , which is in heaven, is my brother, sister, and mother” What is the will of God the Father? That everyone receives Christ and becomes saved (Matthew 18:14, 2 Peter 3:9) Outside of that Will , you are not a Child of God, outside of Jesus Christ, you can’t be saved (John 14:6, Acts 4:12)

Let me take this one more step further, there is a misconception that everyone is automatically a Child of God. This is not Biblical, we are all made in the Image of God (Genesis 1:27) however we are not all Children of God unless we are Born Again in Christ Jesus (Galatians 3:28)

Atheists are not Children of God, Muslims are not Children of God, you can only be a Child of God if you are Born Again (John 3:3) Nobody can come to the Father (God) except through Christ (John 14:6) We can’t stand before a Holy God unless we become regenerated or Born Again. Many people claim to know God without Christ, but God doesn’t know them. 

Who are the Children of God? They are the ones who do the Will of The Father, what is the will of The Father? That everyone receives Christ and becomes Born Again (John 3:3), Amen!

Matthew 12- Spiritual Warfare

4 Replies

When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through dry places, seeking rest, and findeth none. Then he saith, I will return into my house from whence I came out; and when he is come, he findeth it empty, swept, and garnished. Then goeth he, and taketh with himself seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and they enter in and dwell there: and the last state of that man is worse than the first. Even so shall it be also unto this wicked generation. Matthew 12:43-45

As the Bible says “ A natural man can’t understand spiritual things “ (1 Corinthians 2:14) As we look at the scriptures today, you can’t comprehend what is happening here unless you are seeing it through spiritual eyes. Many people, even Christians today, don’t believe in the supernatural world, they don’t believe in Angels or Demons, they don’t believe they have a soul, so how can they comprehend what Jesus is teaching here now?

The supernatural realm is just as real as the natural world, demons are actively working all around you trying to destroy your soul. When we look around at this world today, you have to wonder how there is so much evil? How are people this depraved? It’s because they are under demonic influence. The Bible says “Satan is like a roaring lion looking to devour you” (1 Peter 5:8) If you deny the existence of Satan and his demons, they will devour you and pull your soul down to Hell with them. We are all in a Spiritual Warfare (Ephesians 6) we are not fighting against flesh and blood, we are fighting against the demonic forces of Satan

Jesus tells us “When demons leave a person, they come back with seven more demons even more wicked than the first” Christ is warning us to “Stay Alert” you are in a spiritual warfare. We need to stay in prayer, we need to stay in the Word of God, we need to be filled with the Holy Spirit. Neglect of practicing these things will leave you as a lamb to the slaughter. The world is so depraved, because they are not only under the influence of demons, they are filled with demons. Many non saved people are possessed with demons and don’t even realize it

This is why we must become Born Again (John 3:3) Jesus said “Unless you are Born Again , you can’t see the Kingdom of Heaven” You need to be baptized and sealed with the Holy Spirit. You need to be regenerated from your sinful self, as we stated earlier the natural man can’t comprehend spiritual things. You can’t know God without the Holy Spirit

Failure to heed these warnings not only will leave you dead in your sins (Ephesians 2) but also leave you to be devoured by Satan and his demons. The spiritual war for your soul is real, Heaven is real, Hell is real, Satan and demons are real, you must become Born Again and get the Armor of God (Ephesians 6) on to stand against Satan, Amen! 

Matthew 12- The Sign of Jonah

2 Replies

Then certain of the scribes and of the Pharisees answered, saying, Master, we would see a sign from thee. But he answered and said unto them, An evil and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given to it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas: For as Jonas was three days and three nights in the whale’s belly; so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth. Matthew 12:38-40

Throughout Jesus ministry he prophesied about his death and about his resurrection on the 3rd day. However the disciples never understood what he was talking about, they never seemed to grasp the idea that the Messiah had to die for the sins of the world. However almost everybody knows the story of Jonah, even people who are Atheists typically have heard the story of Jonah and the whale, it’s shocking that the Resurrection story of Christ has always been in the Sunday School story, just nobody could put it all together

The religious leaders demanded a sign from Jesus that He is the Messiah, well Jesus was given them the sign, the Resurrection! Christ retold the story of Jonah and the Whale, Jonah spent 3 days and nights in the belly of the whale, symbolic of the heart of the Earth. So if you want your sign, look at the Empty Tomb! The Tomb is still empty today because Christ Is Risen!

Now 3 days and 3 nights has been a controversial topic in Christianity, unfortunately. The real error comes when we try to read the Bible as a 21rst Century American. You need to read it as a 1rst Century Jew, 3 Days and 3 Nights is a Hebrew Idiom, does not mean a literal 72 hours. I know alot of English speaking Christians have a hard time comprehending this, but I would recommend you do a deeper study into that topic before reading it as a 21rst Century American

The men of Nineveh shall rise in judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it: because they repented at the preaching of Jonas; and, behold, a greater than Jonas is here. The queen of the south shall rise up in the judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it: for she came from the uttermost parts of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and, behold, a greater than Solomon is here. Matthew 12:41-42

As Jesus said “ A greater Jonah is Here” The story of Jonah and the Whale was a foreshadow of the Resurrection of Christ and the New Covenant. Remember Nineveh was a Gentile nation, this is why Jonah didn’t want to go there and preach. But after Jonah preached repentance there and the Gentiles truly repented , God forgave them. This is a complete foreshadow of the New Covenant and the Resurrection of Christ

Next time you read the Sunday School story of Jonah and the Whale, think of Jesus, think about what he did for us on the cross to atone for our sins and the eternal resurrection on Easter Sunday morning! Amen!

Matthew 12- By Their Fruit

3 Replies

Either make the tree good, and his fruit good; or else make the tree corrupt, and his fruit corrupt: for the tree is known by his fruit. O generation of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things? for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh. A good man out of the good treasure of the heart bringeth forth good things: and an evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth evil things. Matthew 12:33-35

Earlier we looked at one of Jesus strongest teachings in Matthew 7 Being Known By Their Fruit, today Christ kind of echoes the same message however this time it’s directed at the religious leaders. Even today, there are a lot of corrupted people “working” in religion, even in Christianity. We see this with the religious leaders, as Jesus calls them “A generation of vipers”

So how do we know who is a real leader of God and who is corrupted? As Jesus said “The tree is known by their fruit” These wolves that run fake ministries and corrupted Churches, the question is what spiritual fruit are they actually producing? Are people becoming Born Again in Christ? Or do we see works of the flesh, money, power , and sex? Pretty much every time you turn on the TV, these ministries are begging for money or bragging about their accomplishments, is this really being a servant of Christ?

As Jesus challenged the religious leaders, “How can you be evil, speak good things”? These wolves don’t have the Holy Spirit, they can’t provide you with any wisdom of God or miracles from God. Their entire ministry is ran by Satan, it’s a total deception! You need to use spiritual discernment when listening to a preacher or pastor (1 John 4:1)

But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment. For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned. Matthew 12:36-37

The Apostles James said “Not many of you should become teachers” (James 3:1) Why was James saying this? Because of what Jesus said “Every idle word that you speak should be given an account on the day of judgment” All these false prophets and teachers will need to give an account to Jesus Christ on judgment day.  They may be laughing all the way to the bank today, but in eternity they will be weeping and gnashing of teeth

But this is a warning for us also, don’t preach unless God makes you qualified. These words that I write today, I will give an account for them to Christ, because they are based on his words. It’s a responsibility we must bear, but it is one that must be done. Let them that have spiritual ears, hear! The false prophets and false teachers will be known by their fruit and stand in Judgment before Christ Amen!

Matthew 12- Blasphemy against the Holy Spirit

4 Replies

Wherefore I say unto you, All manner of sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men: but the blasphemy against the Holy Ghost shall not be forgiven unto men. And whosoever speaketh a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him: but whosoever speaketh against the Holy Ghost, it shall not be forgiven him, neither in this world, neither in the world to come. Matthew 12:31-32

The previous article I just wrote “A Kingdom Divided” touched on this subject of “Blasphemy against the Holy Spirit” We saw Jesus doing the works of God through the Holy Spirit and the religious leaders accusing him of doing the works of Satan. Obviously this is total blasphemy, to give Satan credit of doing God’s work, but it also demonstrates the deity of the Holy Spirit

Those who deny the Triunity of God, (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit) would have a harder time comprehending what is Blasphemy of the Holy Spirit. Because the Holy Spirit is God (Acts 5) just as Jesus Christ the Son is God (John 1) just as our Heavenly Father is God. To speak against the Holy Spirit is to blasphemy God. When you deny the works of the Holy Spirit, you are denying the works of God. 

When you understand this, you get a better understanding of what “Blasphemy against the Holy Spirit” is. Some would just say it’s denying the salvation of Christ, however when you understand the Triunity of God, the blasphemy goes farther than that. The Holy Spirit is involved in all the works of God, the Creation of the Heavens and Earth , the resurrection of Christ, the gifts of the Holy Spirit. Any denial of these things would be Blasphemy against God

So to take this one step further, an Atheist who denies the Creation of the Universe by God would be Blasphemy of the Holy Spirit, a muslim who denys the resurrection of Jesus Christ would be Blasphemy of the Holy Spirit, the medical doctor who gives themselves credit for bringing a patient back to life is Blasphemy against the Holy Spirit

As the Apostle Paul said “ The evidence of God is clearly seen so we are without excuse “ (Romans 1:20) The denial of God’s sovereignty and power is total Blasphemy, we are without excuse! We can claim we didn’t know or God didn’t reveal enough to us, but we do know. God has revealed his sovereignty, His power, His deity through the works of Creation and Jesus Christ, Amen!

Matthew 12- A Kingdom Divided

3 Replies

Then was brought unto him one possessed with a devil, blind, and dumb: and he healed him, insomuch that the blind and dumb both spake and saw. And all the people were amazed, and said, Is not this the son of David? But when the Pharisees heard it, they said, This fellow doth not cast out devils, but by Beelzebub the prince of the devils.And Jesus knew their thoughts, and said unto them, Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and every city or house divided against itself shall not stand: Matthew 12:22-25

The religious leaders have witnessed many miracles performed by Jesus, so how did they deny this? They accused Jesus of being possessed by demons and working for Satan. Now when we talk about “Blasphemy of the Holy Spirit” which Jesus would go in more depth later in this chapter, this is blasphemy of God. To accuse the Son of God to be working for Satan is depraved and carnal

Jesus shut down their illogical argument very quickly, Christ said “Every Kingdom Divided against itself is brought to desolation” Meaning if you think logically, if Jesus was working for Satan why would he be casting out demons and healing people? There is no logic with the religious leaders, there is pure blasphemy on their part in their reject of Jesus as the Christ, the Son of God.

And if Satan cast out Satan, he is divided against himself; how shall then his kingdom stand? And if I by Beelzebub cast out devils, by whom do your children cast them out? therefore they shall be your judges. But if I cast out devils by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God is come unto you. Or else how can one enter into a strong man’s house, and spoil his goods, except he first bind the strong man? and then he will spoil his house. He that is not with me is against me; and he that gathereth not with me scattereth abroad. Matthew 12:26-30

Notice what Jesus says here “I cast out devils by the Spirit of God, then the Kingdom of God is come unto You” Again going back to what is Blasphemy of the Holy Spirit, the religious leaders are accusing the works of the Holy Spirit to Satan, therefore it’s blasphemy. As Jesus continues to point out , the logic in the religious leaders’ reasoning is depraved. If Satan casts out Satan, he is divided against himself. What the religious leaders are proposing demonstrates their depravity and hatred towards Christ

Jesus said “He that is not with me is against Me” It’s as simple as that , you are either Born Again with Christ or your against Christ with Satan. Rejection of Christ leads you to total condemnation, there is no way to salvation without Jesus Christ. One day every knee will bow and tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord (Philippians 2) Amen