Coexistence of Good and Evil: Sowing Seeds of Faith

 

Summary

In this session, we delve into the wisdom Jesus imparts through parables, focusing on sustaining a lifetime of service. We explore the parable of the weeds among the wheat, which provides profound insights into the nature of the world and the Kingdom of Heaven. Jesus compares the Kingdom to a man sowing good seed in his field, only for an enemy to sow weeds among the wheat. This parable reveals the reality of good and evil coexisting in the world until the end of the age. The owner of the field, representing Jesus, sows good seed, which symbolizes the sons of the Kingdom, while the enemy, the devil, sows weeds, representing the sons of the evil one.

The parable teaches us that the world is a field where both wheat and weeds grow together, illustrating the coexistence of good and evil. This reality challenges us to maintain our focus on sowing good seeds rather than attempting to uproot the weeds prematurely. Jesus emphasizes that the harvest, or the day of judgment, will come when the righteous will be gathered into His barn, and the weeds will be burned. This parable encourages us to remain steadfast in our ministry, understanding that the presence of evil does not negate the ultimate triumph of good.

We are reminded that Jesus, as the Son of Man, claims sovereignty over the entire world, and His Kingdom will never pass away. Despite the presence of evil, we are called to bloom where we are planted, focusing on sowing seeds of faith and righteousness. The parable assures us that a great harvest awaits, where the righteous will shine like the sun in the Kingdom of their Father. This perspective helps us sustain our ministry by setting realistic expectations and understanding the limitations of our efforts in a world where good and evil coexist.

Key Takeaways:

1. Sovereignty of Christ: Jesus, as the Son of Man, claims ownership over the entire world, asserting His sovereignty over every aspect of our lives. This understanding calls us to submit every part of our being to His rule, recognizing that He is God with us. [07:12]

2. Coexistence of Good and Evil: The parable illustrates the coexistence of good and evil in the world, reminding us that this is the reality until Christ returns. We must focus on sowing good seeds and trust that God will ultimately separate the wheat from the weeds. [14:17]

3. Bloom Where You Are Planted: There is no ideal place for ministry, as the wheat and weeds grow together everywhere. We are encouraged to remain where God has placed us, resisting the temptation to move on when faced with difficulties. [19:29]

4. Focus on Sowing, Not Uprooting: Our primary task is to sow seeds of faith and righteousness, not to uproot the weeds prematurely. Jesus teaches that the harvest will come, and it is not our role to root out evil from the world. [20:24]

5. Anticipate the Harvest: The promise of a future harvest encourages us to persevere in our ministry. On that day, the righteous will shine like the sun, and some who are weeds today may become wheat tomorrow by God's grace. [21:13]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:10] - Introduction to Sustaining Service
- [00:25] - The Parable of the Sower
- [01:11] - The Parable of the Weeds
- [01:59] - Jesus Explains the Parable
- [03:18] - The Role of the Son of Man
- [05:02] - The Owner and the Enemy
- [09:18] - The Seed and the Field
- [12:23] - The Central Question
- [14:17] - The Growth of Good and Evil
- [17:12] - The Promise of the Harvest
- [19:29] - Bloom Where You Are Planted
- [20:24] - Focus on Sowing Seeds
- [21:13] - Anticipate the Harvest
- [22:09] - Conclusion and Next Session Preview

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
- Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43
- Daniel 7:13-14

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Observation Questions:

1. In the parable of the weeds among the wheat, who does Jesus identify as the sower of the good seed, and what does the good seed represent? ([03:37])

2. What is the role of the enemy in the parable, and how does this enemy affect the field? ([03:57])

3. According to the sermon, what is the significance of the field being the world, and not the church? ([11:06])

4. How does Jesus describe the final outcome for the wheat and the weeds at the time of the harvest? ([17:49])

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Interpretation Questions:

1. What does the coexistence of good and evil in the world, as described in the parable, suggest about the nature of our daily lives and challenges? ([14:17])

2. How does the concept of Jesus' sovereignty over the world, as mentioned in the sermon, influence a believer's understanding of their role in the world? ([07:12])

3. In what ways does the parable encourage believers to focus on sowing good seeds rather than uprooting weeds? How might this apply to personal relationships or community involvement? ([20:24])

4. How does the promise of a future harvest provide hope and motivation for believers in their ministry and personal lives? ([21:13])

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on your current environment. How can you "bloom where you are planted," even if it feels challenging or imperfect? What steps can you take to remain steadfast in your current situation? ([19:29])

2. Consider a situation where you might be tempted to focus on the "weeds" in your life. How can you shift your focus to sowing good seeds of faith and righteousness instead? ([20:24])

3. Jesus claims sovereignty over every aspect of our lives. Is there an area of your life that you have not fully submitted to His rule? What practical steps can you take to surrender that area to Him? ([07:12])

4. The sermon suggests that some who are weeds today may become wheat tomorrow by God's grace. How can you extend grace and patience to those around you who may not yet be living under God's rule? ([21:53])

5. How does the reality of good and evil coexisting in the world affect your expectations for your personal ministry or service? How can you set realistic expectations while maintaining hope for the ultimate triumph of good? ([14:17])

6. Identify a specific way you can sow seeds of faith in your community this week. What action will you take to plant these seeds, and how will you nurture them over time?

7. Reflect on a time when you felt discouraged by the presence of evil or challenges in your life. How can the promise of a future harvest encourage you to persevere in your faith and service? ([21:13])

Devotional

Day 1: Christ's Sovereignty Over All Aspects of Life
Jesus, as the Son of Man, asserts His sovereignty over the entire world, calling us to submit every part of our being to His rule. This understanding challenges us to recognize His presence in every aspect of our lives, from our personal struggles to our communal responsibilities. By acknowledging His sovereignty, we are invited to live in a way that reflects His authority and love, trusting that He is God with us. This perspective encourages us to align our actions and decisions with His will, knowing that He holds ultimate control over the world and our lives. [07:12]

Psalm 24:1-2 (ESV): "The earth is the Lord's and the fullness thereof, the world and those who dwell therein, for he has founded it upon the seas and established it upon the rivers."

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you find yourself holding back from surrendering to Jesus? What would surrendering this area to Him actually look like in terms of daily habits?


Day 2: Embracing the Coexistence of Good and Evil
The parable of the weeds among the wheat illustrates the coexistence of good and evil in the world until Christ returns. This reality challenges us to focus on sowing good seeds and trust that God will ultimately separate the wheat from the weeds. It is a call to remain patient and steadfast in our faith, understanding that the presence of evil does not negate the ultimate triumph of good. By embracing this coexistence, we learn to navigate the complexities of life with grace and hope, knowing that God's justice will prevail in the end. [14:17]

Ecclesiastes 3:16-17 (ESV): "Moreover, I saw under the sun that in the place of justice, even there was wickedness, and in the place of righteousness, even there was wickedness. I said in my heart, God will judge the righteous and the wicked, for there is a time for every matter and for every work."

Reflection: How can you focus on sowing good seeds in your daily interactions, even when faced with the presence of evil or negativity around you?


Day 3: Flourishing in Your Current Place
The parable encourages us to bloom where we are planted, recognizing that there is no ideal place for ministry as the wheat and weeds grow together everywhere. We are called to remain where God has placed us, resisting the temptation to move on when faced with difficulties. This perspective helps us to see our current circumstances as opportunities for growth and service, trusting that God has a purpose for us right where we are. By embracing our present situation, we can find contentment and fulfillment in serving God and others, even amidst challenges. [19:29]

Jeremiah 29:5-7 (ESV): "Build houses and live in them; plant gardens and eat their produce. Take wives and have sons and daughters; take wives for your sons, and give your daughters in marriage, that they may bear sons and daughters; multiply there, and do not decrease. But seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the Lord on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your welfare."

Reflection: What is one way you can actively contribute to your community or workplace, seeing it as a mission field where God has placed you?


Day 4: Prioritizing Sowing Over Uprooting
Our primary task is to sow seeds of faith and righteousness, not to uproot the weeds prematurely. Jesus teaches that the harvest will come, and it is not our role to root out evil from the world. This understanding calls us to focus on our mission of spreading love and truth, trusting that God will handle the judgment and separation in His time. By prioritizing sowing over uprooting, we can invest our energy in positive actions and relationships, making a lasting impact on those around us. [20:24]

Galatians 6:9-10 (ESV): "And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith."

Reflection: Who is someone in your life that you can intentionally invest in by sowing seeds of encouragement and support today?


Day 5: Anticipating the Promise of the Harvest
The promise of a future harvest encourages us to persevere in our ministry. On that day, the righteous will shine like the sun, and some who are weeds today may become wheat tomorrow by God's grace. This assurance gives us hope and motivation to continue our work, knowing that our efforts are not in vain. By anticipating the harvest, we can maintain a long-term perspective, trusting that God is at work in ways we may not yet see. This hope empowers us to remain faithful and diligent in our calling, confident in the ultimate victory of good. [21:13]

James 5:7-8 (ESV): "Be patient, therefore, brothers, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, being patient about it, until it receives the early and the late rains. You also, be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand."

Reflection: How can you cultivate patience and hope in your life, trusting in God's timing for the harvest and the transformation of those around you?

Quotes


The parable of the sore makes it clear that you will see these discouraging responses in your ministry of the word so don't be surprised when you do but Jesus makes it clear that the word of God Faithfully sewn will produce a harvest over time now today we come to a second Parable in which our Lord tells us more about what you will experience as a Christian leader. [00:01:06]

He put another Parable before them saying the Kingdom of Heaven may be compared to a man who sowed good seed in his field but while his men were sleeping his enemy came and swed weeds among the wheat and went away so when the plants came up and bore grain then the weeds appeared also and the Servants of the man Master of the House came and said to him Master did you not seow good seed in your field how then does it have weeds? [00:02:01]

The one who SWS The Good Seed is the son of man the field is the world and the good seed is the sons of the Kingdom the weeds are the sons of the evil one and the enemy who swed them is the devil the Harvest is the end of the age and the reapers are angels just as the weeds are gathered and burned with fire so will it be at the End of the Age. [00:03:41]

Now notice that the one who SWS The Good Seed actually ow RS the field it is his field verse 24 and then we are told in verse 38 that the field is the world so the swer of good seed is the owner of the whole world and notice that Jesus says the one who SWS The Good Seed that's the owner of the entire world is the son of man. [00:05:24]

Jesus Christ lays claim to every life he lays claim not only to every life but to every part of your life your mind your heart your will your strength your talent your energy he lays claim to every stage of Life childhood youth young adulthood middle life old age and he is Sovereign over every part of your ministry and that includes the gifts that you have and the ones you don't. [00:07:44]

Now in the parable of the Sora that we looked at last time the seed was the word of God growing in the hearts of people but here the picture changes in the second Parable the seed is people who are growing where they are planted in the world now there are two kinds of seed and the different seed are different kinds of people The Good Seed is Sons of the Kingdom. [00:09:39]

Now notice the destructiveness of Satan's work he SWS weeds in Christ's field he has no positive goal in view the motivating force of all his activity is simply to destroy Christ's harvest the Devil is a destroyer by Nature think about it Satan could sew a whole field of weeds in some other place if he wanted to but he has no interest in that. [00:10:17]

It's surprising how many writers treat this as a parable about the church they make the point that there can never be a pure church and it's certainly true that there never will be a pure Church This Side of Heaven and clearly there are applications of this Parable to the church I mean one application is that churches should exercise great caution in regard to discipline. [00:11:03]

If God is good why is it that there is so much evil in the world if Jesus has Triumph over evil why is it flourishing today people look at the weeds of evil in the world and wonder how can there be a God who is good when the field of the world is in a mess like this is God really in control how can we believe in a sovereign God in a world like this? [00:12:46]

Now luk look at world history and you'll see that every time evil gets pushed down it just Rises up again in a more Sinister form and Jesus is telling us that this is the world in which we will live until he comes again see the world never changes and if you start out with the aim of changing the world you're going to be frustrated and disappointed. [00:16:26]

Bloom where you are planted remember that there is there is no ideal place to do ministry wherever you go in this world the wheat and the weeds grow together it's so easy to become enchanted with the idea that if you were just in another Ministry in another church oh things would be so much better but remember this there are no weed free Fields. [00:19:24]

Focus on sewing seeds not on pooling weeds Jesus said let both grow together until the Harvest now of course this does not mean that you stop caring about a person's spiritual condition but Jesus makes it clear that in this world the wheat needs to grow alongside the Wheats until the son of man comes we have a big enough Challenge on our hands. [00:20:09]

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Transcript
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