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Read: Matthew 13:1-23
I. The Gospel Message - Life, Death, Resurrection & Ascension
God made us for his glory. "...bring my sons from afar and my daughters from the end of the earth, everyone who is called by my name, whom I created for my glory, whom I formed and made." (Isaiah 43:6-7)(Therefore) So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. (1 Corinthians 10:31)
for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, (Romans 3:23)
We failed to represent God as his creation/ image bearers.”So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.” (Genesis 1:27)
For the wages of sin is death... (Romans 6:23a)
God is holy and just. - His holiness demands justice and is righteous in giving punishment to those who sin against him.
death - eternal death, eternal torment away from the presence of God
...but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 6:23b)
Since no one can work his way towards earning God’s salvation and prayer, he already provided a way to reconcile his people to himself, that is, through the substitutionary death of his own Son, Jesus Christ. On the cross of the Calvary, God poured out his wrath towards his Son and satisfied his justice. His perfect, sinless life made him the perfect sacrifice. And that righteousness was counted to be ours by grace through faith in Jesus’ finished work. Sealed by his blood, confirmed on his bodily resurrection. Salvation and forgiveness of sins is freely given to those who trust not in themselves but in Jesus as their Lord and Savior.
You know that he appeared in order to take away sins, and in him there is no sin. (1 John 3:5)
For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps. He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth. When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly. He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed. For you were straying like sheep, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls. (1 Peter 2:21-25)
because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved. (Romans 10:9-10)
II. Observation
A. The Purpose of the Parables
Jesus used a parable in order to show the purpose of the parables.Matthew 13:10-14
And he answered them, “To you it has been given to know the secrets of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been given. (Matthew 13:11-12)
This is why I speak to them in parables, because seeing they do not see, and hearing they do not hear, nor do they understand. (Matthew 13:13)
2. The Hearers’ Response to the Gospel
“hear” - all of them heard the same message, word, gospel, Good News
Notice what happens to each seeds/ person
v.4 some seeds fell along the path = v.19 - does not understand it
v.5 Other seeds fell on rocky ground = v.20 - receives it with joy, yet he has no root in himself
v.7 Other seeds fell among thorns = v.22 - the cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word
v.8 Other seeds fell on good soil = v.23 - understands it. He indeed bears fruit
B. Perceivable Effects of the Gospel
As for what was sown on good soil, this is the one who hears the word and understands it. He indeed bears fruit and yields, in one case a hundredfold, in another sixty, and in another thirty. (Matthew 13:23)The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and covered up. Then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field. (Matthew 13:44)
C. Distortion of the Gospel
1. It is by your works2. You start by faith and continue by works
3. Faith plus works
4. Jesus is not the only way
III. Application: How does the Gospel changes and shapes our;
1. Life2. Bible Reading
3. Meditation (Christian Meditation)
4. Prayer
5. Fellowship
6. Local Church
7. Global Church
IV. Conclusion:
Fallen men need the Gospel because God is holy and just and we are not. We all deserve to suffer eternally because we all fall short of God’s glory. In his Grace and mercy he sent his Son, Jesus Christ who lived a perfect, obedient, sinless life so that he will become the ultimate sacrifice for our sins, death on the cross, the Passover Lamb, and In through that blood, he declared us righteous in the eyes of God, not because we have worked our way towards salvation but by grace we have been saved through faith in the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world.The gift of eternal life and salvation from sin and eternal death is available to those who repent of their sins and trust Jesus and his finished work. If you surrender your life to Jesus and trust him as your personal Lord and Savior, you will be saved. May you hear these words and really hear the Gospel.
Photo by: Myunguen
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