Sorting the Kingdom: Righteousness and True Motives

This morning, the focus is on the parable of the fishing net from Matthew 13:47-52, where Jesus likens the kingdom of heaven to a net that gathers fish of every kind, only to be sorted later into the good and the bad. This image is both comforting and sobering. The kingdom of God is expansive, drawing in people from every background, motivation, and walk of life. Just as a fishing net does not discriminate, the gospel invitation is open to all. Yet, the parable reminds us that inclusion in the net is not the same as being kept; there is a sorting to come.

The analogy of sorting stuffed animals at home—deciding what to keep and what to give away—mirrors the sorting of fish in the parable. Some are kept because they are healthy and valuable; others are discarded because they are rotten or unclean. In the same way, the kingdom will one day be sorted, not by human standards, but by God’s. The Greek words used in the passage deepen this understanding: the “bad” fish are sapros—rotten, corrupt, or unfit. But when Jesus speaks of the “wicked” being separated, the word is poneros—those who are morally corrupt, actively harming others. The “righteous” (dikaios) are those who are just, upright, and equitable in character and action.

This parable challenges us to examine our own motives for being part of the kingdom. Are we here for what we can get, or are we here to serve and love as Jesus did? The true test is not in our words or even our religious activity, but in the fruit of our lives—how we treat others, how we serve the least, and whether our actions align with the heart of Christ. Jesus warns that even those who do great things in his name may be unknown to him if their hearts are far from him.

The call is clear: don’t become rotten seafood, but be righteous fish. Let your relationship with God, with others, and with yourself be marked by integrity, compassion, and genuine faith. Reflect on how the kingdom has captured you, whether your actions match your beliefs, and how you can better serve those around you. The kingdom’s net is wide, but the sorting is real. May we be found among those who are kept, not discarded.

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Key Takeaways

• 1. The Kingdom’s Net Is Wide, But Sorting Is Certain The kingdom of God draws in people from every background, motivation, and walk of life, just as a fishing net gathers all kinds of fish. Yet, inclusion in the net is not the same as being kept; there will be a sorting based on God’s standards, not ours. This calls us to humility and self-examination, recognizing that being “caught” is only the beginning of the journey. [43:07]
• 2. True Righteousness Is Measured by Relationship and Fruit Jesus defines righteousness not by religious activity or outward appearance, but by the fruit of our lives—how we love, serve, and relate to God and others. The righteous are those whose actions and character reflect the justice, mercy, and integrity of Christ. It is possible to do many things in Jesus’ name and still be unknown to him if our hearts are not truly his. [54:04]
• 3. Wickedness Is Active Harm, Not Just Absence of Good The Greek word for “wicked” in this parable points to those who actively harm others, not merely those who fail to do good. This challenges us to consider not just our personal piety, but the impact of our actions (or inaction) on those around us. The kingdom’s sorting is not about minor flaws, but about whether we are agents of healing or harm in the world. [47:37]
• 4. Motives Matter: Why Are You in the Kingdom? The parable invites us to reflect on our motives for being part of God’s people. Are we here for status, power, or personal gain, or are we here to serve, love, and follow Jesus? The difference between “rotten seafood” and “righteous fish” is often found in the hidden places of our hearts, where our true intentions reside. [45:02]
• 5. Self-Examination Is Essential for Spiritual Health Jesus’ teaching compels us to ask hard questions: How has the kingdom captured me? Do my actions match my beliefs? How am I serving the least? These questions are not meant to induce fear, but to lead us into deeper authenticity and alignment with Christ. The sorting is God’s work, but our responsibility is to live with integrity and compassion now. [55:22]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [25:21] - Community and Announcements
• [26:00] - Gold Frame Artist & Birthday Celebration
• [27:16] - Camp Updates and Challenges
• [29:44] - Upcoming Events: Bouncy House & Sanctuary Renewal
• [31:41] - Sanctuary Renewal Garage Sale
• [33:03] - Kids’ Church and Prayer
• [34:45] - Main Point: Don’t Become Rotten Seafood
• [36:39] - Sorting Stuffed Animals: An Analogy
• [38:00] - Parables of the Kingdom Recap
• [39:16] - The Parable of the Fishing Net
• [41:11] - The Net: Gathering and Sorting
• [45:02] - Motives in the Kingdom
• [46:18] - Word Study: Good, Bad, Wicked, and Righteous
• [54:04] - Jesus’ Definition of Righteousness
• [55:22] - Questions for Self-Examination
• [56:36] - Closing Prayer and Invitation
• [59:39] - Communion and Response

Bible Reading

Matthew 13:47-52 (ESV) — 47 “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net that was thrown into the sea and gathered fish of every kind.
48 When it was full, men drew it ashore and sat down and sorted the good into containers but threw away the bad.
49 So it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come out and separate the evil from the righteous
50 and throw them into the fiery furnace. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
51 “Have you understood all these things?” They said to him, “Yes.”
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.”

Observation Questions

1. In the parable, what does the fishing net represent, and what does the sorting of the fish symbolize? ([39:16])
2. According to the sermon, what kinds of people does the “net” of the kingdom gather in? ([43:07])
3. What is the difference between the “bad” fish and the “wicked” people as explained in the Greek word study? ([46:18])
4. What does Jesus say is the true test of righteousness in this parable and in his other teachings? ([54:04])

Interpretation Questions

1. Why do you think Jesus chose the image of a fishing net that gathers “fish of every kind” to describe the kingdom of heaven? What does this say about who is invited into God’s kingdom? ([43:07])
2. The sermon points out that the “wicked” are those who actively harm others, not just those who fail to do good. How does this understanding challenge common ideas about what it means to be “bad” or “wicked”? ([47:37])
3. The parable warns that being “caught” in the net is not the same as being “kept.” What does this mean for people who are part of the church or call themselves Christians? ([45:02])
4. Jesus says that some people will do great things in his name but still be unknown to him. What does this reveal about the importance of motives and relationship with Jesus? ([52:06])

Application Questions

1. The sermon asks us to examine our motives for being part of the kingdom. Are you here for what you can get, or to serve and love as Jesus did? How can you tell the difference in your own heart? ([45:02])
2. Think about the analogy of sorting stuffed animals at home. Are there “stuffed animals” (habits, attitudes, relationships) in your life that need to be sorted out or let go of to better follow Jesus? ([35:24])
3. The Greek word for “wicked” means actively harming others. Are there ways—big or small—where your actions or words might be hurting others, even unintentionally? What would it look like to change that this week? ([47:37])
4. Jesus says the righteous are known by their fruit—how they love, serve, and relate to others. What is one specific way you can serve “the least” in your community this month? ([54:04])
5. The sermon challenges us to ask: “Do my actions match my beliefs?” Can you think of a recent situation where your actions didn’t line up with what you say you believe? What could you do differently next time? ([55:22])
6. The parable is both comforting and sobering. How does knowing that God will one day “sort the net” affect the way you live now? Does it bring up any fears or hopes? How can you respond to those feelings? ([43:07])
7. The call is to “be righteous fish.” What is one area of your life—at home, work, or church—where you want to grow in integrity, compassion, or genuine faith? What’s a first step you can take this week? ([56:36])