•A Sermon by Dr Bob Griffin, Pastor/Teaching Elder at Sovereign Grace Church
I. FINAL MESSAGE OF THE PARABLES
A. UNDERSTANDING THE PARABLE
Matthew 13:47-48 “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net that was thrown into the sea and gathered fish of every kind. When it was full, men drew it ashore and sat down and sorted the good into containers but threw away the bad.
Simple Story seen every Day
Simple truth evident for anyone to see
B. EXPLANATION OF THE PARABLE
Matthew 13:49-50 So it will be at the close of the age. The angels will come out and separate the evil from the righteous and throw them into the fiery furnace. In that place, there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
Judgment is Thorough
Judgment is Determined II Cor 6:1-2 “We urge you not to accept the grace of God in vain. For he says, ‘It an acceptable time I have listened to you, and on a day of salvation I have helped you. See, now is the acceptable time; see, now is the day of salvation!”
Judgment is Permanent
Judgment is Dreadful
Matthew 24:38-39 “For in the days before the flood, people were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, up to the day Noah entered the ark; and they knew nothing about what would happen until the flood came and took them all away. That is how it will be at the coming of the Son of Man.”Dreadful in Eternal Suffering Luke 16:19-24
Dreadful in remembering a Day like Today Luke 16:25-26
Dreadful Hopelessness Luke 16:27-31
No doctrine is more difficult to accept emotionally than eternal hell
II. RESULT OF TEACHING IN PARABLES
A. CROWDS BEWILDERED
Matthew 13:34-35 All these things Jesus said to the crowds in parables; indeed, He said nothing to them without a parable. This was to fulfill what was spoken by Isaiah the prophet: “I will open my mouth in parables; I will utter what has been hidden since the foundation of the world.”
Teaching in Parables Ephesians 3:4-6 “A mystery made known to me only by Divine revelation . . this was not revealed to men in previous generations as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to God’s holy apostles and prophets. This mystery is that through the gospel the Gentiles are heirs together with Israel, members together of one body, and sharers together in the promise in Christ Jesus.
Fulfilling Prophecy
B. DISCIPLES QUESTIONED
Matthew 13:51 “Have you understood all these things?” They said to him, “Yes.”
Straightforward Question
Amusing (but sad) Answer
C. DISCIPLES COMMISSIONED
Matthew 13:52 And he said to them, “Therefore every scribe who has been trained for the kingdom of heaven is like a master of a house, who brings out of his treasure what is new and what is old.”
New Revelation
Scribe
Head of Household
New Responsibility