Kingdom Little Ones

Matthew 18:1-14

Purpose: true disciples accept Jesus the King fully, like whole-hearted children

• Who is Greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven?

Matthew 18:1 At that time the disciples came to Jesus and said, "Who then is greatest in the kingdom of heaven?" 2 And He called a child to Himself and set him before them, 3 and said, "Truly I say to you, unless you are converted and become like children, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven. 4 "Whoever then humbles himself as this child, he is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. 5 "And whoever receives one such child in My name receives Me;

            The "living parable" of children

One must humble himself to be "like" a child

Unless you are "converted" in this way, you will not enter the kingdom.

Receiving a true disciple is tantamount to receiving King Jesus Himself 

The "greatest" is the disciple who truly believes, who receives Jesus

• Don't Deny Disciples!

Matthew 18:6 but whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to stumble, it would be better for him to have a heavy millstone hung around his neck, and to be drowned in the depth of the sea. 7 "Woe to the world because of its stumbling blocks! For it is inevitable that stumbling blocks come; but woe to that man through whom the stumbling block comes!

8 "If your hand or your foot causes you to stumble, cut it off and throw it from you; it is better for you to enter life crippled or lame, than to have two hands or two feet and be cast into the eternal fire. 9 "If your eye causes you to stumble, pluck it out and throw it from you. It is better for you to enter life with one eye, than to have two eyes and be cast into the fiery hell. 10 "See that you do not despise one of these little ones, for I say to you that their angels in heaven continually see the face of My Father who is in heaven. 11 "For the Son of Man has come to save that which was lost.

Woe to the one who causes the "little ones" to stumble (v. 6-7)

            Cut off stumbling blocks, and do not despise the "little ones" (vv. 6-11)

• The Father Loses Not One!

Matthew 18:12 "What do you think? If any man has a hundred sheep, and one of them has gone astray, does he not leave the ninety-nine on the mountains and go and search for the one that is straying? 13 "If it turns out that he finds it, truly I say to you, he rejoices over it more than over the ninety-nine which have not gone astray. 14 "So it is not the will of your Father who is in heaven that one of these little ones perish."

Jesus teaches the parable of the 99 & 1 sheep

            The Father's will is to save the "little ones"

            The "little ones" describes the true disciples of Jesus Christ!

            Jesus is the Good Shepherd (Jn 10) and not one disciple will perish!

The Glory of King Jesus

Matthew 17

Purpose: to see the glory of King Jesus in His Transfiguration and His Resurrection!

• The Glory of King Jesus Revealed!

Matthew 17:1 Six days later Jesus took with Him Peter and James and John his brother, and led them up on a high mountain by themselves. 2 And He was transfigured before them; and His face shone like the sun, and His garments became as white as light. 3 And behold, Moses and Elijah appeared to them, talking with Him. 4 Peter said to Jesus, "Lord, it is good for us to be here; if You wish, I will make three tabernacles here, one for You, and one for Moses, and one for Elijah." 5 While he was still speaking, a bright cloud overshadowed them, and behold, a voice out of the cloud said, "This is My beloved Son, with whom I am well-pleased; listen to Him!" 6 When the disciples heard this, they fell face down to the ground and were terrified. 7 And Jesus came to them and touched them and said, "Get up, and do not be afraid." 8 And lifting up their eyes, they saw no one except Jesus Himself alone.

Matthew 17:9 As they were coming down from the mountain, Jesus commanded them, saying, "Tell the vision to no one until the Son of Man has risen from the dead." 10 And His disciples asked Him, "Why then do the scribes say that Elijah must come first?" 11 And He answered and said, "Elijah is coming and will restore all things; 12 but I say to you that Elijah already came, and they did not recognize him, but did to him whatever they wished. So also the Son of Man is going to suffer at their hands." 13 Then the disciples understood that He had spoken to them about John the Baptist.

            The Transfiguration of Jesus and the Coming of Elijah

Peter, James, John witness Jesus, Moses, Elijah and God's voice (vv. 1-8) 

            The coming of Elijah (vv. 9-13)

            Jesus prophesies His resurrection! (v. 9)

            Elijah identified as John the Baptist (vv. 10-13)

                        FULFILLMENT of Malachi 4:5

• The Power of King Jesus Displayed!

Matthew 17:14 When they came to the crowd, a man came up to Jesus, falling on his knees before Him and saying, 15 "Lord, have mercy on my son, for he is a lunatic and is very ill; for he often falls into the fire and often into the water. 16 "I brought him to Your disciples, and they could not cure him." 17 And Jesus answered and said, "You unbelieving and perverted generation, how long shall I be with you? How long shall I put up with you? Bring him here to Me." 18 And Jesus rebuked him, and the demon came out of him, and the boy was cured 1at once.

Matthew 17:19 Then the disciples came to Jesus privately and said, "Why could we not drive it out?" 20 And He said to them, "Because of the littleness of your faith; for truly I say to you, if you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, "Move from here to there,' and it will move; and nothing will be impossible to you. 21 "But this kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting."

Jesus heals a demoniac son

            Jesus teaches about faith (v. 20)

            It's not about how great your faith is, but how Great God is in whom you believe!

• The Plan of King Jesus Prophesied!

Matthew 17:22 And while they were gathering together in Galilee, Jesus said to them, "The Son of Man is going to be delivered into the hands of men; 23 and they will kill Him, and He will be raised on the third day." And they were deeply grieved.

King Jesus Prophesies His Death and Resurrection again!

            See also Matthew 12:39-40; 16:4, 21; 17:9; 20:17-19

• The Provision of King Jesus Miraculously Arranged!

Matthew 17:24 When they came to Capernaum, those who collected the two-drachma tax came to Peter and said, "Does your teacher not pay the two-drachma tax?" 25 He said, "Yes." And when he came into the house, Jesus spoke to him first, saying, "What do you think, Simon? From whom do the kings of the earth collect customs or poll-tax, from their sons or from strangers?" 26 When Peter said, "From strangers," Jesus said to him, "Then the sons are exempt. 27 "However, so that we do not offend them, go to the sea and throw in a hook, and take the first fish that comes up; and when you open its mouth, you will find a shekel. Take that and give it to them for you and Me."

            Jesus the King's Miracles concerning the two-drachma tax

            Sons of the Kingdom are exempt, but God provides the payment to forgo offense

            Miracle#1-Jesus speaks first to Peter before Peter mentions it to Jesus (v.25)

            Miracle #2 - Peter is to catch a fish with a shekel in it for both of them

King Jesus Builds His Church

Matthew 16

Purpose: to be the church built upon the confession that Jesus is the Christ, the King!

• Beware What You're Looking For

Matthew 16:1 The Pharisees and Sadducees came up, and testing Jesus, they asked Him to show them a sign from heaven. 2 But He replied to them, "When it is evening, you say, "It will be fair weather, for the sky is red.' 3 "And in the morning, "There will be a storm today, for the sky is red and threatening.' Do you know how to discern the appearance of the sky, but cannot discern the signs of the times? 4 "An evil and adulterous generation seeks after a sign; and a sign will not be given it, except the sign of Jonah." And He left them and went away.

Seeking signs is evil and adulterous = idolatrous (v. 4)

                        FULFILLMENT of Jonah

            Are you looking for "signs" or are you looking for the King Himself?

• Beware of Spiritual Food Poisoning!

Matthew 16:5 And the disciples came to the other side of the sea, but they had forgotten to bring any bread. 6 And Jesus said to them, "Watch out and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees." 7 They began to discuss this among themselves, saying, "He said that because we did not bring any bread." 8 But Jesus, aware of this, said, "You men of little faith, why do you discuss among yourselves that you have no bread? 9 "Do you not yet understand or remember the five loaves of the five thousand, and how many baskets full you picked up? 10 "Or the seven loaves of the four thousand, and how many large baskets full you picked up? 11 "How is it that you do not understand that I did not speak to you concerning bread? But beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees." 12 Then they understood that He did not say to beware of the leaven of bread, but of the teaching of the Pharisees and Sadducees.

         Are you influenced by teachings coming from human tradition & man-made religion?

         Or are you influenced by teachings that come from the King Himself?

• King Jesus Builds His Church!

Matthew 16:13 Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, He was asking His disciples, "Who do people say that the Son of Man is?" 14 And they said, "Some say John the Baptist; and others, Elijah; but still others, Jeremiah, or one of the prophets." 15 He said to them, "But who do you say that I am?" 16 Simon Peter answered, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God." 17 And Jesus said to him, "Blessed are you, Simon Barjona, because flesh and blood did not reveal this to you, but My Father who is in heaven. 18 "I also say to you that you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build My church; and the gates of Hades will not overpower it. 19 "I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; and whatever you bind on earth shall have been bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall have been loosed in heaven." 20 Then He warned the disciples that they should tell no one that He was the Christ.

This is called "The Great Confession"       

God the Father reveals Christ to His people! (v. 17)

King Jesus builds His church upon Himself = the birth of the church!! (v. 18)

            The difference between "Peter" and "rock"

            Upon the confession that Jesus is the Christ!

This is the rock-bed, God-given foundation of the church of Jesus Christ!

            Jesus promised to build no other organization on earth other than His church!

A local Christian church is a body of baptized believers confessing Jesus as the Christ, the Son of God. They regularly gather for worship and discipleship, under the command to make disciples of all nations. They are united in the New Covenant fulfilled in Jesus Christ's death and resurrection, one in the Father, by the Holy Spirit, under biblical authority. Jesus is the Head of His church, which is also called His bride. Jesus gives the church officers who are elders and deacons. Born-again believers identify with Christ and one another through immersion baptism and regular observance of the Lord's Supper, loving the Lord with all their heart, soul, mind, and strength, and their neighbor as themselves.

• The King's Church is Built Upon the Gospel!

Matthew 16:21 From that time Jesus began to show His disciples that He must go to Jerusalem, and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised up on the third day. 22 Peter took Him aside and began to rebuke Him, saying, "God forbid it, Lord! This shall never happen to You." 23 But He turned and said to Peter, "Get behind Me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to Me; for you are not setting your mind on God's interests, but man's." 24 Then Jesus said to His disciples, "If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me. 25 "For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it; but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it. 26 "For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul? 27 "For the Son of Man is going to come in the glory of His Father with His angels, and WILL THEN REPAY EVERY MAN ACCORDING TO HIS DEEDS. 28 "Truly I say to you, there are some of those who are standing here who will not taste death until they see the Son of Man coming in His kingdom."

King Jesus foretells His death and resurrection for the first time in Matthew

King Jesus Calls His disciples to take up their crosses (See Mt 17:23; 20:17ff)

            Jesus prophesies His death and resurrection, this is the gospel (v. 21)

            Peter argues with Him (v. 22)

            Jesus rebukes Peter for not having God's interests in mind (v. 23)

            True profit is in taking up one's cross and following Jesus (vv. 24-26)

            The Son of Man comes in the glory of His father (v. 27)

                        FULFILLMENT of Psalm 62:12; Proverbs 24:12

            Some of them present would not die without seeing Jesus enthroned (v. 28)

The facts that Jesus is Christ, "The Great Confession," and the way in which He became eternal King of God's eternal Kingdom through His death and

resurrection, are inseparable!

Points 1 and 2 are how NOT to follow Jesus or be in His church

Points 3 and 4 are HOW TO follow Jesus and be His church

King Jesus v. Man's Tradition

Matthew 15

Purpose: true disciples follow King Jesus and His Word, not man's tradition!

• True Disciples Never Invalidate the Word of God with Their Human Tradition!

Matthew 15:1 Then some Pharisees and scribes came to Jesus from Jerusalem and said, 2 "Why do Your disciples break the tradition of the elders? For they do not wash their hands when they eat bread." 3 And He answered and said to them, "Why do you yourselves transgress the commandment of God for the sake of your tradition? 4 "For God said, "HONOR YOUR FATHER AND MOTHER,' and, "HE WHO SPEAKS EVIL OF FATHER OR MOTHER IS TO BE PUT TO DEATH.' 5 "But you say, "Whoever says to his father or mother, "Whatever I have that would help you has been given to God," 6 he is not to honor his father or his mother1.' And by this you invalidated the word of God for the sake of your tradition. 7 "You hypocrites, rightly did Isaiah prophesy of you:

8       "THIS PEOPLE HONORS ME WITH THEIR LIPS,

         BUT THEIR HEART IS FAR AWAY FROM ME.

9       "BUT IN VAIN DO THEY WORSHIP ME,

         TEACHING AS DOCTRINES THE PRECEPTS OF MEN.'"

10 After Jesus called the crowd to Him, He said to them, "Hear and understand. 11 "It is not what enters into the mouth that defiles the man, but what proceeds out of the mouth, this defiles the man." 12 Then the disciples came and said to Him, "Do You know that the Pharisees were offended when they heard this statement?" 13 But He answered and said, "Every plant which My heavenly Father did not plant shall be uprooted. 14 "Let them alone; they are blind guides of the blind. And if a blind man guides a blind man, both will fall into a pit."

Matthew 15:15 Peter said to Him, "Explain the parable to us." 16 Jesus said, "Are you still lacking in understanding also? 17 "Do you not understand that everything that goes into the mouth passes into the stomach, and is eliminated? 18 "But the things that proceed out of the mouth come from the heart, and those defile the man. 19 "For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, slanders. 20 "These are the things which defile the man; but to eat with unwashed hands does not defile the man."

King Jesus confronts the Pharisees & Scribes about "tradition'

            King Jesus charges the accusers (echoed in v. 6)

Their error: they set aside the Word of God for the sake of their tradition (v. 3)

            King Jesus cites OT foundation (vv. 4-6)

            King Jesus declares they are fulfilling Isaiah's prophecy! (vv. 7-9)

                        FULFILLMENT of Isaiah 29:13

King Jesus teaches a parable about what comes from the heart (vv. 10-11)

King Jesus teaches the parable to the disciples (vv. 12-14 )

King Jesus explains the parable to the disciples (vv. 15-20)

• True Disciples Seek Jesus, No Matter Their Ethnicity!

Matthew 15:21 Jesus went away from there, and withdrew into the district of Tyre and Sidon. 22 And a Canaanite woman from that region came out and began to cry out, saying, "Have mercy on me, Lord, Son of David; my daughter is cruelly demon-possessed." 23 But He did not answer her a word. And His disciples came and implored Him, saying, "Send her away, because she keeps shouting at us." 24 But He answered and said, "I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel." 25 But she came and began to bow down before Him, saying, "Lord, help me!" 26 And He answered and said, "It is not good to take the children's bread and throw it to the dogs." 27 But she said, "Yes, Lord; but even the dogs feed on the crumbs which fall from their masters' table." 28 Then Jesus said to her, "O woman, your faith is great; it shall be done for you as you wish." And her daughter was healed at once.

            King Jesus Extends His Power to the Syrophoenician Woman, a Non-Israelite!

The woman implores the "Son of David" = Messianic! (vv. 21-22; see 2 Samuel 7)

            The disciples ask Jesus to send her away (vv. 23-24)

            The woman cries out all the more in great faith, Jesus heals her daughter (vv. 25-28)

• True Disciples Seek Jesus at Great Personal Cost!

Matthew 15:29 Departing from there, Jesus went along by the Sea of Galilee, and having gone up on the mountain, He was sitting there. 30 And large crowds came to Him, bringing with them those who were lame, crippled, blind, mute, and many others, and they laid them down at His feet; and He healed them. 31 So the crowd marveled as they saw the mute speaking, the crippled restored, and the lame walking, and the blind seeing; and they glorified the God of Israel.

Matthew 15:32 And Jesus called His disciples to Him, and said, "I feel compassion for the people, because they have remained with Me now three days and have nothing to eat; and I do not want to send them away hungry, for they might faint on the way." 33 The disciples said to Him, "Where would we get so many loaves in this desolate place to satisfy such a large crowd?" 34 And Jesus said to them, "How many loaves do you have?" And they said, "Seven, and a few small fish." 35 And He directed the people to sit down on the ground; 36 and He took the seven loaves and the fish; and giving thanks, He broke them and started giving them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the people. 37 And they all ate and were satisfied, and they picked up what was left over of the broken pieces, seven large baskets full. 38 And those who ate were four thousand men, besides women and children. 39 And sending away the crowds, Jesus got into the boat and came to the region of Magadan.

The God of Israel is glorified! Covenant ramifications! (vv. 29-31)

This is how Jesus gathered them for the miracle of the multiplication!

King Jesus miraculously feeds 4,000 men plus women and children (vv. 32-39)

Conclusion:

Do you see the difference between the true people of God and the false ones here?

Do you see who the true disciples are, and who the false followers of God are?

Are you a true disciple?

King Jesus Is The Son of God

Matthew 13:53 "“ 14:36

Purpose: to worship Jesus the King, because He is the Son of God!

• King Jesus Teaches and Heals in His Hometown

Matthew 13:53 When Jesus had finished these parables, He departed from there. 54 He came to His hometown and began teaching them in their synagogue, so that they were astonished, and said, "Where did this man get this wisdom and these miraculous powers? 55 "Is not this the carpenter's son? Is not His mother called Mary, and His brothers, James and Joseph and Simon and Judas? 56 "And His sisters, are they not all with us? Where then did this man get all these things?" 57 And they took offense at Him. But Jesus said to them, "A prophet is not without honor except in his hometown and in his own household." 58 And He did not do many miracles there because of their unbelief.

         Again, Mary had other children, the brothers and sisters of Jesus

         The Miracles of King Jesus point to His Holiness and Power as God

         The unbelief of the people is their unbelief in God, were they religious atheists?

• The Holy Power of King Jesus Recognized

Matthew 14:1 At that time Herod the tetrarch heard the news about Jesus, 2 and said to his servants, "This is John the Baptist; he has risen from the dead, and that is why miraculous powers are at work in him." 3 For when Herod had John arrested, he bound him and put him in prison because of Herodias, the wife of his brother Philip. 4 For John had been saying to him, "It is not lawful for you to have her." 5 Although Herod wanted to put him to death, he feared the crowd, because they regarded John as a prophet. 14:6 But when Herod's birthday came, the daughter of Herodias danced 1before them and pleased Herod, 7 so much that he promised with an oath to give her whatever she asked. 8 Having been prompted by her mother, she said, "Give me here on a platter the head of John the Baptist." 9 Although he was grieved, the king commanded it to be given because of his oaths, and because of 1his dinner guests. 10 He sent and had John beheaded in the prison. 11 And his head was brought on a platter and given to the girl, and she brought it to her mother. 12 His disciples came and took away the body and buried it; and they went and reported to Jesus.

            Herod fears that Jesus is John the Baptist resurrected: The death of John

            Herod witnesses to the fact that Jesus has miraculous powers (v. 2)

• King Jesus Miraculously feeds 5,000

Matthew 14:13 Now when Jesus heard about John, He withdrew from there in a boat to a secluded place by Himself; and when the people heard of this, they followed Him on foot from the cities. 14 When He went ashore, He saw a large crowd, and felt compassion for them and healed their sick. 15 When it was evening, the disciples came to Him and said, "This place is desolate and the hour is already late; so send the crowds away, that they may go into the villages and buy food for themselves." 16 But Jesus said to them, "They do not need to go away; you give them something to eat!" 17 They said to Him, "We have here only five loaves and two fish." 18 And He said, "Bring them here to Me." 19 Ordering the people to sit down on the grass, He took the five loaves and the two fish, and looking up toward heaven, He blessed the food, and breaking the loaves He gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the crowds, 20 and they all ate and were satisfied. They picked up what was left over of the broken pieces, twelve full baskets. 21 There were about five thousand men who ate, besides women and children.

            King Jesus fed 5,000 men plus women and children with 5 loaves and 2 fish

• King Jesus, Son of God, Walks on the Sea of Galilee

Matthew 14:22 Immediately He made the disciples get into the boat and go ahead of Him to the other side, while He sent the crowds away. 23 After He had sent the crowds away, He went up on the mountain by Himself to pray; and when it was evening, He was there alone. 24 But the boat was already a long distance from the land, battered by the waves; for the wind was contrary. 25 And in the fourth watch of the night He came to them, walking on the sea. 26 When the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were terrified, and said, "It is a ghost!" And they cried out in fear. 27 But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, "Take courage, it is I; do not be afraid." 14:28 Peter said to Him, "Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water." 29 And He said, "Come!" And Peter got out of the boat, and walked on the water and came toward Jesus. 30 But seeing the wind, he became frightened, and beginning to sink, he cried out, "Lord, save me!" 31 Immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and took hold of him, and said to him, "You of little faith, why did you doubt?" 32 When they got into the boat, the wind stopped. 33 And those who were in the boat worshiped Him, saying, "You are certainly God's Son!" 34 When they had crossed over, they came to land at Gennesaret. 35 And when the men of that place recognized Him, they sent word into all that surrounding district and brought to Him all who were sick; 36 and they implored Him that they might just touch the fringe of His cloak; and as many as touched it were cured.

            Jesus sets up the miracle (vv. 22-25)

            Jesus encounters His disciples at Sea (vv. 26-27)

            Jesus and Peter on the water (vv. 28-32)

            The disciples in the boat confess Jesus as God's Son!! (v. 33)

            Jesus heals at Gennesaret, on the other side (vv. 34-36)

            What would Jesus say about your faith?

            The Holy Power of the King's Miracles Also Reveal that He is the Son of God!

            Do you worship Jesus, the King, the Son of God?

            Those who disrespect Jesus (His own hometown, Herod) are not true disciples.

True disciples (those in the boat) know Who Jesus is and worship Him!

Pictures Drawn By King Jesus [Part II]

Matthew 13:24-52 (NASB)

Purpose: to become true disciples by understanding the parables of King Jesus

• King Jesus Tells the Parable of the Tares & Wheat

Matthew 13:24 Jesus presented another parable to them, saying, "The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a man who sowed good seed in his field. 25 "But while his men were sleeping, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat, and went away. 26 "But when the wheat sprouted and bore grain, then the tares became evident also. 27 "The slaves of the landowner came and said to him, "Sir, did you not sow good seed in your field? How then does it have tares?' 28 "And he said to them, "An enemy has done this!' The slaves said to him, "Do you want us, then, to go and gather them up?' 29 "But he said, "No; for while you are gathering up the tares, you may uproot the wheat with them. 30 "Allow both to grow together until the harvest; and in the time of the harvest I will say to the reapers, "First gather up the tares and bind them in bundles to burn them up; but gather the wheat into my barn."'"

• King Jesus EXPLAINS the Tares & Wheat: Kingdom Integrity

Matthew 13:36 Then He left the crowds and went into the house. And His disciples came to Him and said, "Explain to us the parable of the tares of the field." 37 And He said, "The one who sows the good seed is the Son of Man, 38 and the field is the world; and as for the good seed, these are the sons of the kingdom; and the tares are the sons of the evil one; 39 and the enemy who sowed them is the devil, and the harvest is the end of the age; and the reapers are angels. 40 "So just as the tares are gathered up and burned with fire, so shall it be at the end of the age. 41 "The Son of Man will send forth His angels, and they will gather out of His kingdom all stumbling blocks, and those who commit lawlessness, 42 and will throw them into the furnace of fire; in that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. 43 "Then THE RIGHTEOUS WILL SHINE FORTH AS THE SUN in the kingdom of their Father. He who has ears, let him hear."

            The "characters"

Sower             =          Son of Man = Jesus (See 13:1-23 Jesus is the Sower)

                        Field               =          world

                        Good Seed      =          sons of the kingdom 

                        Tares              =          sons of the evil one

                        Enemy            =          devil

                        Harvest          =          end of the age

                        Reapers          =          angels

            FULFILLMENT of Daniel 12:3

• King Jesus Tells the Parable of the Mustard Seed: Kingdom Invitation

Matthew 13:31  He presented another parable to them, saying, "The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and sowed in his field; 32 and this is smaller than all other seeds, but when it is full grown, it is larger than the garden plants and becomes a tree, so that THE BIRDS OF THE AIR come and NEST IN ITS BRANCHES."

FULFILLMENT of Ezekiel 17:23, 31:6; Psalm 104:12; Daniel 4:12

• King Jesus Tells the Parable of the Leaven: Kingdom Influence

Matthew 13:33 He spoke another parable to them, "The kingdom of heaven is like leaven, which a woman took and hid in three pecks of flour until it was all leavened."

The Kingdom is to spread throughout the whole "dough"

• Why King Jesus Spoke in Parables: Kingdom Intransience

Matt. 13:34 All these things Jesus spoke to the crowds in parables, and He did not speak to them without a parable. 35 This was to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet:

"I WILL OPEN MY MOUTH IN PARABLES;

I WILL UTTER THINGS HIDDEN SINCE THE FOUNDATION OF THE WORLD."  FULFILLMENT of Psalm 78:2                    

• King Jesus Tells the Parable of the Hidden Treasure & Pearl: Kingdom Indulgence

Matthew 13:44 "The kingdom of heaven is like a treasure hidden in the field, which a man found and hid again; and from joy over it he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field."

45 "Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant seeking fine pearls, 46 and upon finding one pearl of great value, he went and sold all that he had and bought it."

• King Jesus Tells the Parable of the Dragnet: Kingdom Ingathering

Matthew 13:47 "Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a dragnet cast into the sea, and gathering fish of every kind; 48 and when it was filled, they drew it up on the beach; and they sat down and gathered the good fish into containers, but the bad they threw away. 49 "So it will be at the end of the age; the angels will come forth and take out the wicked from among the righteous, 50 and will throw them into the furnace of fire; in that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

The parable itself (vv. 47-48)

            The parable explained (vv. 49-50)

• Are You a Disciple of the Kingdom?: Kingdom Instruments

Matthew 13: 51 "Have you understood all these things?" They said to Him, "Yes." 52 And Jesus said to them, "Therefore every scribe who has become a disciple of the kingdom of heaven is like a head of a household, who brings out of his treasure things new and old."

            A disciple of the kingdom of heaven = treasure bringer!

Pictures Drawn By King Jesus

Matthew 13:1-23

Purpose: understanding the Kingdom of Jesus through His parables, to become a true disciple!

• King Jesus Teaches The Parable of the Sower & Four Soils

Matthew 13:1 That day Jesus went out of the house and was sitting by the sea. 2 And large crowds gathered to Him, so He got into a boat and sat down, and the whole crowd was standing on the beach. 3 And He spoke many things to them in parables, saying, "Behold, the sower went out to sow; 4 and as he sowed, some seeds fell beside the road, and the birds came and ate them up. 5 "Others fell on the rocky places, where they did not have much soil; and immediately they sprang up, because they had no depth of soil. 6 "But when the sun had risen, they were scorched; and because they had no root, they withered away. 7 "Others fell among the thorns, and the thorns came up and choked them out. 8 "And others fell on the good soil and yielded a crop, some a hundredfold, some sixty, and some thirty. 9 "He who has ears, let him hear."

• Why King Jesus Uses Parables

Matt. 13:10   And the disciples came and said to Him, "Why do You speak to them in parables?" 11 Jesus answered them, "To you it has been granted to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been granted. 12 "For whoever has, to him more shall be given, and he will have an abundance; but whoever does not have, even what he has shall be taken away from him. 13 "Therefore I speak to them in parables; because while seeing they do not see, and while hearing they do not hear, nor do they understand. 14 "In their case the prophecy of Isaiah is being fulfilled, which says,

         "YOU WILL KEEP ON HEARING, BUT WILL NOT UNDERSTAND;

         YOU WILL KEEP ON SEEING, BUT WILL NOT PERCEIVE;

15     FOR THE HEART OF THIS PEOPLE HAS BECOME DULL,

         WITH THEIR EARS THEY SCARCELY HEAR,

         AND THEY HAVE CLOSED THEIR EYES,

         OTHERWISE THEY WOULD SEE WITH THEIR EYES,

         HEAR WITH THEIR EARS,

         AND UNDERSTAND WITH THEIR HEART AND RETURN,

         AND I WOULD HEAL THEM.'

16 "But blessed are your eyes, because they see; and your ears, because they hear. 17 "For truly I say to you that many prophets and righteous men desired to see what you see, and did not see it, and to hear what you hear, and did not hear it.

            Both to reveal and to conceal (vv. 11-13, 16-17)

            FULFILLMENT of Isaiah 6:9-10, see also John 12:38-41 & Acts 28:26

• The Kingdom of Jesus is Like the Sower & Four Soils

Matthew 13:18 "Hear then the parable of the sower. 19 "When anyone hears the word of the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what has been sown in his heart. This is the one on whom seed was sown beside the road. 20 "The one on whom seed was sown on the rocky places, this is the man who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy; 21 yet he has no firm root in himself, but is only temporary, and when affliction or persecution arises because of the word, immediately he falls away. 22 "And the one on whom seed was sown among the thorns, this is the man who hears the word, and the worry of the world and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful. 23 "And the one on whom seed was sown on the good soil, this is the man who hears the word and understands it; who indeed bears fruit and brings forth, some a hundredfold, some sixty, and some thirty." 

Jesus, King of the Sabbath

Matthew 12 (NASB)

Purpose: to worship Jesus who is Greater than the Temple

• King Jesus is Greater than the Temple and Lord of the Sabbath

Matthew 12:1 At that time Jesus went through the grainfields on the Sabbath, and His disciples became hungry and began to pick the heads of grain and eat. 2 But when the Pharisees saw this, they said to Him, "Look, Your disciples do what is not lawful to do on a Sabbath." 3 But He said to them, "Have you not read what David did when he became hungry, he and his companions, 4 how he entered the house of God, and they ate the consecrated bread, which was not lawful for him to eat nor for those with him, but for the priests alone? 5 "Or have you not read in the Law, that on the Sabbath the priests in the temple break the Sabbath and are innocent? 6 "But I say to you that something greater than the temple is here. 7 "But if you had known what this means, "I DESIRE COMPASSION, AND NOT A SACRIFICE,' you would not have condemned the innocent. 8 "For the Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath."

            Jesus is greater than the temple!

            Jesus is Lord of the Sabbath!

            FULFILLMENT of Hosea 6:6

• King Jesus Has Compassion, Healing a Man on the Sabbath

Matthew 12:9 Departing from there, He went into their synagogue. 10 And a man was there whose hand was withered. And they questioned Jesus, asking, "Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath?" "” so that they might accuse Him. 11 And He said to them, "What man is there among you who has a sheep, and if it falls into a pit on the Sabbath, will he not take hold of it and lift it out? 12 "How much more valuable then is a man than a sheep! So then, it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath." 13 Then He said to the man, "Stretch out your hand!" He stretched it out, and it was restored to normal, like the other. 14 But the Pharisees went out and conspired against Him, as to how they might destroy Him. 15 But Jesus, aware of this, withdrew from there. Many followed Him, and He healed them all, 16 and warned them not to tell who He was. 17 This was to fulfill what was spoken through Isaiah the prophet:

18     "BEHOLD, MY SERVANT WHOM I HAVE CHOSEN;

         MY BELOVED IN WHOM MY SOUL is WELL-PLEASED;

         I WILL PUT MY SPIRIT UPON HIM,

         AND HE SHALL PROCLAIM JUSTICE TO THE GENTILES.

19     "HE WILL NOT QUARREL, NOR CRY OUT;

         NOR WILL ANYONE HEAR HIS VOICE IN THE STREETS.

20     "A BATTERED REED HE WILL NOT BREAK OFF,

         AND A SMOLDERING WICK HE WILL NOT PUT OUT,

         UNTIL HE LEADS JUSTICE TO VICTORY.

21     "AND IN HIS NAME THE GENTILES WILL HOPE."

            FULFILLMENT of Isaiah 42:1-3

            Jesus is the Hope of the Gentiles!

            True Compassion is not about Pharisaical Rules, but Saving the Nations!

• In Jesus, The Kingdom of God has Come Upon You!

Matthew 12:22 Then a demon-possessed man who was blind and mute was brought to Jesus, and He healed him, so that the mute man spoke and saw. 23 All the crowds were amazed, and were saying, "This man cannot be the Son of David, can he?" 24 But when the Pharisees heard this, they said, "This man casts out demons only by Beelzebul the ruler of the demons."

25 And knowing their thoughts Jesus said to them, "Any kingdom divided against itself is laid waste; and any city or house divided against itself will not stand. 26 "If Satan casts out Satan, he is divided against himself; how then will his kingdom stand? 27 "If I by Beelzebul cast out demons, by whom do your sons cast them out? For this reason they will be your judges. 28 "But if I cast out demons by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God has come upon you. 29 "Or how can anyone enter the strong man's house and carry off his property, unless he first binds the strong man? And then he will plunder his house. 30 "He who is not with Me is against Me; and he who does not gather with Me scatters. 31 "Therefore I say to you, any sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven people, but blasphemy against the Spirit shall not be forgiven. 32 "Whoever speaks a word against the Son of Man, it shall be forgiven him; but whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit, it shall not be forgiven him, either in this age or in the age to come.

33 "Either make the tree good and its fruit good, or make the tree bad and its fruit bad; for the tree is known by its fruit. 34 "You brood of vipers, how can you, being evil, speak what is good? For the mouth speaks out of that which fills the heart. 35 "The good man brings out of his good treasure what is good; and the evil man brings out of his evil treasure what is evil. 36 "But I tell you that every careless word that people speak, they shall give an accounting for it in the day of judgment. 37 "For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned."

            Teaching about "a house divided against itself" answering the Pharisees (vv. 22-30) 

            Blasphemy against the Holy Spirit not forgiven (vv. 31-32) 

            From the heart the mouth speaks, a tree is known by its fruit (vv. 33-37) 

            The Kingdom of God has come in Christ, i.e., it is not future only

• King Jesus is Greater than Solomon, and the Sign of Jonah

Matthew 12:38 Then some of the scribes and Pharisees said to Him, "Teacher, we want to see a sign from You." 39 But He answered and said to them, "An evil and adulterous generation craves for a sign; and yet no sign will be given to it but the sign of Jonah the prophet; 40 for just as JONAH WAS THREE DAYS AND THREE NIGHTS IN THE BELLY OF THE SEA MONSTER, so will the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth. 41 "The men of Nineveh will stand up with this generation at the judgment, and will condemn it because they repented at the preaching of Jonah; and behold, something greater than Jonah is here. 42 "The Queen of the South will rise up with this generation at the judgment and will condemn it, because she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and behold, something greater than Solomon is here.

43 "Now when the unclean spirit goes out of a man, it passes through waterless places seeking rest, and does not find it. 44 "Then it says, "I will return to my house from which I came'; and when it comes, it finds it unoccupied, swept, and put in order. 45 "Then it goes and takes along with it seven other spirits more wicked than itself, and they go in and live there; and the last state of that man becomes worse than the first. That is the way it will also be with this evil generation."

            FULFILLMENT of Jonah 1:17

            Like one inhabited by more evil spirits, an evil generation seeks signs (vv. 43-45)

            The error of this generation = they did not repent! (vv. 41-42)

• King Jesus and His Family

Matthew 12:46 While He was still speaking to the crowds, behold, His mother and brothers were standing outside, seeking to speak to Him. 47 Someone said to Him, "Behold, Your mother and Your brothers are standing outside seeking to speak to You." 48 But Jesus answered the one who was telling Him and said, "Who is My mother and who are My brothers?" 49 And stretching out His hand toward His disciples, He said, "Behold My mother and My brothers! 50 "For whoever does the will of My Father who is in heaven, he is My brother and sister and mother."

"Whoever does the will of My Father" is "My brother and sister and mother"

See Matthew 28:18-20

Note: The context necessitates that the first set of family described is the earthly family of Jesus, His blood relatives, in order to distinguish them from those who do the Father's will. Therefore, any teaching that Jesus had no earthly family because Mary is a "perpetual virgin" is proven incorrect by this text.