This is the manuscript of the eighth and final sermon in the series, “The Master Speaks to the Present through the Parables". It is a series based on Jesus’ parables that describe the nature of the kingdom of God. All the parables deal with the same subject, the kingdom of heaven, but each one approaches it from a different angle.
When Jesus finished these parables, He asked whether his disciples understood all of these things, and they immediately replied, “Yes”.
Matthew 13:51-53 NIV “Have you understood all these things?” Jesus asked. “Yes,” they replied. He said to them, “Therefore every teacher of the law who has become a disciple in the kingdom of heaven is like the owner of a house who brings out of his storeroom new treasures as well as old.” When Jesus had finished these parables, he moved on from there.
Jesus built his teaching on truths that had been accepted for centuries. Wise people have always looked to the past to evaluate the present and look toward the future.
We can learn a lot from the past! The true meaning of a conservative is not a grouchy, anti-progressive killjoy who refuses to accept anything new. A true conservative is one who wishes to “conserve” the good things of the past. All of us want to conserve the good things of the past, not everything, but a real conservative wants to conserve the good things. Here’s my point, the kingdom of God is built on that which has been tested, tried, and proved, it is built on the good things of the past.
A wise follower of Jesus will give proper respect to the past, evaluate it in terms of its relationship to Jesus Christ, and do with it as the Spirit leads. A wise person will accept the truth in Jesus because he is the Truth. In him we can build our lives with assurance and find security in knowing that he is God and in him God’s truth has come to earth in human form!
Listen to an audio recording of the sermon by clicking on the YouTube link at the end of the manuscript.
You can also watch a video recording of the entire service on the Christ Church YouTube Channel https://youtu.be/SMojXlE1Veo
Visit the Christ Church website at christchurchlosangeles.org.
Scripture
Mark 10:17-27 NIV As Jesus started on his way, a man ran up to him and fell on his knees before him. “Good teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?” “Why do you call me good?” Jesus answered. “No one is good—except God alone. You know the commandments: ‘You shall not murder, you shall not commit adultery, you shall not steal, you shall not give false testimony, you shall not defraud, honor your father and mother.’” “Teacher,” he declared, “all these I have kept since I was a boy.” Jesus looked at him and loved him. “One thing you lack,” he said. “Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” At this the man’s face fell. He went away sad, because he had great wealth. Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, “How hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God!” The disciples were amazed at his words. But Jesus said again, “Children, how hard it is to enter the kingdom of God! It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.” The disciples were even more amazed, and said to each other, “Who then can be saved?” Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God.”
Introduction
Text:
Matthew 13:51-53 NIV “Have you understood all these things?” Jesus asked. “Yes,” they replied. He said to them, “Therefore every teacher of the law who has become a disciple in the kingdom of heaven is like the owner of a house who brings out of his storeroom new treasures as well as old.” When Jesus had finished these parables, he moved on from there.
This is the final sermon in the series The Master Speaks to the Present through Parables. The first was the parable of the sower and about hearing the Savior’s message correctly. The second was the parable about the wheat and tares where the emphasis was on the type of seed that was sown. Good seed by Jesus and bad seed by the enemy who was identified as the devil. The third parable was the one of the mustard seed. In it Jesus said that the kingdom of God, like a seed, contains spontaneity and divine vitality. The fourth was the parable of the leaven which much like the parable of the mustard seed, described the remarkable spread of the kingdom of heaven with one caveat and that is that just like a small amount of leaven or yeast has an amazing effect of a large amount of dough the Gospel has the same effect on the world.
In the fifth sermon we examined the parable of the treasure found in a field. The point of that parable was that the kingdom of God can be found sometimes unexpectedly and that when you find it it is more valuable than any and everything else and it should drive you to get it, no matter the cost.
In the sixth sermon we talked about a parable where a merchant found a pearl of great value and he sold everything that he had to get it. The point of that parable and the one before about the treasure found in the field is that the kingdom of God has immense value and the one who finds it goes to great lengths to get it.
Last week’s sermon was about the parable of the net. That parable, the seventh one, had a close connection with the parable of the wheat and tares. In both, the thought is put forward that we will know the difference between the genuine Christian and one who merely claims to be a Christian when our Lord makes the distinction at the end of time as we know it. Let the Master decide who the counterfeit people are, who are Christians but who may be wrong on certain points, and those who are the genuinely devoted Christians who understand the will of God.
When Jesus finished these parables, He asked whether his disciples understood all of these things, and they immediately replied, “Yes” which is what it says in our text which is;
Matthew 13:51 NIV “Have you understood all these things?” Jesus asked. “Yes,” they replied.
Whether they understood or not, we do not know, for sure, and Jesus didn’t follow up and or debate with them. He just took their word for it just like He did with the rich young ruler who insisted that he had kept all the commandments from his youth. We read about that exchange in our scripture this morning.
Then Jesus just went on to make a point to his disciples that he felt was significant.
Matthew 13:52 NIV He said to them, “Therefore every teacher of the law who has become a disciple in the kingdom of heaven is like the owner of a house who brings out of his storeroom new treasures as well as old.”
I. The old is important.
Truth is timeless, it is literally “as old as the hills.” A part of the treasure God gives us is that of a great heritage. Jesus reached into the Old Testament for much of his teachings. Scarcely anything can be found coming from the mouth of Jesus that does not have its roots deep in the Jewish faith. In fact Jesus insisted that he did not come to destroy the law which formed the basis and structure for the Jewish faith.
Matthew 5:17-20 NIV “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished. Therefore anyone who sets aside one of the least of these commands and teaches others accordingly will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven.
He built his teaching on truths that had been accepted for centuries. Wise people have always looked to the past to evaluate the present and look toward the future.
We can learn a lot from the past! The true meaning of a conservative is not a grouchy, anti-progressive killjoy who refuses to accept anything new. A true conservative is one who wishes to “conserve” the good things of the past. All of us want to conserve the good things of the past, not everything, but a real conservative wants to conserve the good things. Here’s my point, the kingdom of God is built on that which has been tested, tried, and proved, it is built on the good things of the past.
II. But Jesus also brought us something new.
Jesus did not intend for those who came to him to forget all they knew, however, he demanded that they see their previous knowledge, the past, in a new light and use the good things of the past in a new way. When we do this, life becomes greater than it ever has been.
New things are happening every day. The advances in technology show us that. There are things we can do today that people thought were impossible years ago. With the gospel who would have thought 2000 years ago that someone could preach to millions of people all at the same time, or that a preacher could preach in person in New York this morning and tonight in Los Angeles, Christianity doesn’t demand or even suggest that we try to stop progress. Life will go on, new methods of doing things will be discovered, and new approaches in every field will make previous ones outdated.
When it comes to morality and spirituality, however, we will never improve on our Savior’s message, which is love for God and love for our fellow man.
Based on the Old Testament, but adding life and spirit to it, Jesus gives us a way of life that can cope with new conditions as they arise. When a person declares himself for Christ, he does not always give up things, but uses them to the glory of God’s kingdom. I use the Internet and social media to praise God and talk about the joy and freedom of salvation and being a child of God and in His family, and it reaches countless people, most of whom I don’t know.
A man in business does not necessarily give up his business, unless it is an absolutely wicked one; rather, he runs it as a Christian should. In whatever field we are engaged in, we can use the gifts and talents that make us successful in that field to further the work of our Lord. An actor that has never made a faith-based movie, or singer who sings secular music has an opportunity to reach many more people than we can reach. Many more than big time televangelists because more people watch and listen to them.
Jesus is truth, and truth always moves forward. We can be confident that the gospel will stand whenever it is investigated and examined.
A couple of weeks ago I said, that Jesus knew that if a person made an honest attempt to discover whether he was all he claimed, that person would be convinced and become a follower.
If anybody will make an honest survey of the facts and act with integrity, they will make a complete commitment to Jesus as Savior and Lord.”
Jesus invited people to investigate his teachings.
John 7:17 NIV Anyone who chooses to do the will of God will find out whether my teaching comes from God or whether I speak on my own.
The Bible is clear that the Word is written on the hearts of all men.
Romans 2:14-15 NIV (Indeed, when Gentiles, who do not have the law, do by nature things required by the law, they are a law for themselves, even though they do not have the law. They show that the requirements of the law are written on their hearts, their consciences also bearing witness, and their thoughts sometimes accusing them and at other times even defending them.)
Whether the person rejecting the Gospel would like to admit it, their conscience bears witness. Their presumptions about Christianity may trump their acceptance of the Gospel; their hearts may also be hardened, and their minds may be seared; however, I can assure you of one thing: No one who has ever heard the story of Jesus has ever forgotten it. Whether rejected or denied, the story remains in their heart. Like deja vu or like a conversation that helps you recall a childhood memory, the Gospel will do something to the conscience that can never be reversed.
In other words, the proclamation of the pure Gospel message activates the conscience. The conscience, in turn, bears witness to the message of Jesus. Our hearts simply resonate with the message, even if we reject it.
Jesus brought us a kingdom of truth because he himself was and is the Truth.
John 14:6-7 NIV Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you really know me, you will know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him.”
This means more than the fact that he never told a lie. When Jesus made this great claim about himself, he meant that he was the fullness of God who came to earth in human form.
People had been searching for centuries to understand what God was like. Jesus came to earth to show the truth about God because He is God.
John 1:1-3 NIV In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made.
He also came to make all things new.
Revelation 21:5 NIV He who was seated on the throne said, “I am making everything new!” Then he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.”
II. The old must have a new birth.
The transition from the old life to the new is by means of a spiritual birth. Jesus calls it being born again
John 3:3-8 NIV Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.” “How can someone be born when they are old?” Nicodemus asked. “Surely they cannot enter a second time into their mother’s womb to be born!” Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit. Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. You should not be surprised at my saying, ‘You must be born again.’ The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.”
Paul said something similar
2 Corinthians 5:17 NIV Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!
We have to interpret Paul’s statement in light of other truths. The “old things” that are sinful are passed away in that they are forgiven, washed in the blood of the Savior.
Galatians 3:23-27 MSG Until the time when we were mature enough to respond freely in faith to the living God, we were carefully surrounded and protected by the Mosaic law. The law was like those Greek tutors, with which you are familiar, who escort children to school and protect them from danger or distraction, making sure the children will really get to the place they set out for. But now you have arrived at your destination: By faith in Christ you are in direct relationship with God. Your baptism in Christ was not just washing you up for a fresh start. It also involved dressing you in an adult faith wardrobe—Christ’s life, the fulfillment of God’s original promise.
God can incorporate the old stuff into Jesus Christ and use it. If they are sinful, they must, of course, be eliminated. It should be emphasized again, however, that in Christ all things become new!
Conclusion
Jesus' comment in
Matthew 13:52 NIV …“Therefore every teacher of the law who has become a disciple in the kingdom of heaven is like the owner of a house who brings out of his storeroom new treasures as well as old.”
Was not meant so much to be a theological statement as it was to be a practical one. A wise follower of Jesus will give proper respect to the past, evaluate it in terms of its relationship to Jesus Christ, and do with it as the Spirit leads. A wise person will accept the truth in Jesus because he is the Truth. In him we can build our lives with assurance and find security in knowing that he is God and in him God’s truth has come to earth in human form!
The most liberating moment for messengers of the Gospel is the moment we utterly understand the power of the Gospel message alone. It is sobering to realize that there is no power in our opinions, or our thoughts, Only God can draw men unto himself
John 6:44 NIV “No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws them, and I will raise them up at the last day.
We, as the body of Christ, are no more than messengers of God’s grace. While salvation is the end goal of our work, the end goal is not our responsibility. Our responsibility is to simply “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.” (Mark 16:15)
Remember, our thoughts and opinions cannot change people. Our thoughts and opinions cannot activate the conscience of others, and surprisingly, neither do our actions. While our actions may point people towards Jesus and His Word, the proclamation of the Gospel is our only hope.
2 Corinthians 4:13 NIV It is written: “I believed; therefore I have spoken.” Since we have that same spirit of faith, we also believe and therefore speak,
When we believe, we have no choice but to speak. When we speak, something supernatural happens. Side note: whether or not we see the manifestations of that supernatural event is irrelevant. Share the Gospel with confidence. Remember that you are just the messenger. When you speak, God will do the rest!
Heavenly Father,
Give us the confidence to proclaim the Good News to others.
Pour out your Spirit, so that we might be strengthened to go forth
and witness to the Gospel in our everyday lives through my words and actions.
In moments of hesitation, remind me:
If not me, then who will proclaim the Gospel?
If not now, then when will the Gospel be proclaimed?
If not the truth of the Gospel, then what shall I proclaim?
God,I pray that through the Holy Spirit that we grow in confidence to proclaim the Gospel and boldly witness to the saving grace of your Son, Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.
Amen.
Sermon Audio
No comments:
Post a Comment