1. Secrets of the Kingdom of Heaven
Matthew 13:1-23

2. Jesus' sermons in Matthew
Sermon 1: Principles of the Kingdom (ch5-7)
Sermon 2: Mission of the Kingdom (ch10)
Sermon 3: Secrets of the Kingdom (ch13)

3. Parables:
"earthly stories with heavenly meanings"

4. Parables: "earthly stories with heavenly meanings"
Interpreting Parables:
Don't interpret one by another
Don't go overboard - use context, and listen to Jesus!
Read carefully - "like"

5. Matthew 13:1-23, 34-35, 53-54

6. Matthew 13:1-23, 34-35, 53-54 Mysteries of the Kingdom of Heaven:
Never known (new mysteries) or
Neglected and forgotten (old mysteries)

7. Parable of the Sower

8. Parable of the Sower
Secret: Only 25% of the kinds of encounters people have with the Word of the Kingdom will bring them to Heaven

9. Parable of the Sower
Secret: Only 25% of the kinds of encounters people have with the Word of the Kingdom will bring them to Heaven
The Seed : the Word of the Kingdom

10. Parable of the Sower
Secret: Only 25% of the kinds of encounters people have with the Word of the Kingdom will bring them to Heaven
The Seed : the Word of the Kingdom
The Ground : Those who hear it

11. Parable of the Sower
Secret: Only 25% of the kinds of encounters people have with the Word of the Kingdom will bring them to Heaven
The Seed : the Word of the Kingdom
The Ground : Those who hear it
The Fruit : the Result of the encounter

12. 4 possible responses

13. 4 possible responses
Not understanding (19)

14. 4 possible responses Not understanding (19)
not willing to hear God (15)

15. 4 possible responses Not understanding (19)
not willing to hear God (15)
not submissive to God's will (15)

16. 4 possible responses Not understanding (19)
not willing to hear God (15)
not submissive to God's will (15)
O Taste and See that the LORD is Good Psalm 34:8

17. 4 possible responses Not understanding (19)
not willing to hear God (15)
not submissive to God's will (15)
O Taste and See that the LORD is Good Psalm 34:8
You won't need any help to close your ears to the Word - Satan will be right there to assist (19)

18. 4 possible responses
Thoughtless (20-21)

19. 4 possible responses
Thoughtless (20-21)
very temporary faith.

20. 4 possible responses Thoughtless (20-21)
very temporary faith. "Tied to the season"

21. 4 possible responses Thoughtless (20-21)
very temporary faith. "Tied to the season"
Luke 14:26-33
gives no thought to the Cost of Following Jesus

22. 4 possible responses Thoughtless (20-21)
very temporary faith. "Tied to the season"
Luke 14:26-33
gives no thought to the Cost of Following Jesus
You won't have to look hard for a reason to stop trusting - opposition to Jesus and His Rule is growing rapidly

23. 4 possible responses
Divided (22)

24. 4 possible responses
Divided (22)
may continue for a while.

25. 4 possible responses Divided (22)
may continue for a while. "Tied to the age"
A divided heart that still compromises God's word in favour of worldly security

26. 4 possible responses Divided (22)
may continue for a while. "Tied to the age"
A divided heart that still compromises God's word in favour of worldly security
Luke 21:33-34

27. 4 possible responses
Understanding (23)

28. 4 possible responses Understanding (23)
“understand with their heart, and turn, and [are healed]”(15)

29. 4 possible responses Understanding (23)
“understand with their heart, and turn, and [are healed]”(15)
understands that:
The World will be Christ's! (Rev 11:15)
Tribulation and Persecution are not worth comparing! (Rom 8:18)
This age is passing away (1 John 2:17)

30. 4 possible responses Understanding (23)
“understand with their heart, and turn, and [are healed]”(15)
understands that:
The World will be Christ's! (Rev 11:15)
Tribulation and Persecution are not worth comparing! (Rom 8:18)
This age is passing away (1 John 2:17)
Understanding = Take firm hold on God's Word; Surrender and Follow Christ