Matthew 13:24 Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is likened unto a man which sowed good seed in his field: 25. But while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat, and went his way. 26. But when the blade was sprung up, and brought forth fruit, then appeared the tares also.  27. 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? 28. He said unto them, An enemy hath done this. The servants said unto him, Wilt thou then that we go and gather them up? 29. But he said, Nay; lest while ye gather up the tares, ye root up also the wheat with them. 30. 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.

THE PARABLE EXPLAINED BY JESUS

• THE SOWER – “He who sows the good seed is the Son of Man”
• THE FIELD – “The field is the world”
• THE GOOD SEED (WHEAT) – “The good seeds are the sons of the kingdom”
• THE TARES – “The tares are the sons of the wicked one”
• THE ENEMY – “The enemy who sowed them is the devil”
• THE HARVEST – “The harvest is the end of the age”
• THE REAPERS – “The reapers are the angels”

PRINCIPLES OF THE PARABLE

1) STAY AWAKE

Matthew 13:24 Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is likened unto a man which sowed good seed in his field: 25. BUT WHILE MEN SLEPT, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat, and went his way.

2) IDENTIFY THE ENEMY

Matthew 16:22 Then Peter took him, and began to rebuke him, saying, Be it far from thee, Lord: this shall not be unto thee. 23. But he turned, and said unto Peter, Get thee behind me, Satan: thou art an offence unto me: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men.

2 Corinthians 10:2 But I beseech you, that I may not be bold when I am present with that confidence, wherewith I think to be bold against some, which think of us as if we walked according to the flesh. 3 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: 4. (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) 5. Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;

3) BE PATIENT

CHRIST IS LONG-SUFFERING, SO YOU CAN GROW!

Matthew 13:30 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.

I talk to a lot of people with a lot of good ideas. In many instances I sense God is in the process of birthing a vision in their hearts. In almost every case, they feel they are ready to start NOW! Once they feel their idea is from God, they assume all systems are go and they need to quit their jobs, step out on faith, and begin. But the story of Nehemiah, along with numerous other biblical accounts, illustrates the truth that a clear vision does not necessarily indicate a green light to begin. In fact, I have witnessed a good many people with what seemed to be God-ordained visions charge out of the starting gates too early. And the result is always the same. Failure. Discouragement. Disillusionment. A vision rarely requires immediate action. It always requires patience. ~ Visioneering by Andy Stanley pg. 19

WHY WAIT?

• A) THE VISION MATURES WITHIN US OVER TIME
• B) WE MATURE IN PREPARATION FOR THE VISION
• C) GOD IS AT WORK BEHIND THE SCENES PREPARING THE WAY

4) HARVEST IS MESSY

Proverbs 14:4 Where no oxen are, the crib is clean: but much increase is by the strength of the ox.

Matthew 13:29 But he said, Nay; lest while ye gather up the tares, ye root up also the wheat with them. 30. 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. 

GREATEST STORIES EVER TOLD SERIES

• SERMON ONE: THE PARABLE OF THE MUSTARD SEED
• SERMON TWO: THE PARABLE OF THE SOWER (THE FOUR SOILS)
• SERMON THREE: THE PARABLE OF THE WHEAT AND THE TARES
• SERMON FOUR: THE PARABLE OF THE COSTLY PEARL
• SERMON FIVE: THE PARABLE OF THE TALENTS
• SERMON SIX: THE PARABLE OF THE PRODIGAL SON