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The Parable of the TARES.

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Kingdom Parables of Jesus in Matthew

The Parable of the TARES.

“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.” (Matt 13:24-30).

Jesus spoke in parables. Some were very plain, some a bit more difficult, and still others He gives the meaning as He does in this parable (36-40).

Let us understand and apply the parable of the TARES.

TARES appear to look like wheat, but are really a kind of undesirable grass, a weed. It is TOXIC to man and to most herbivore animals. “The kingdom of heaven is likened unto a man which sowed good seed in his field: But while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat, and went his way.” In the explanation, Jesus said, “The field is the world; the good seed are the children of the kingdom; but the tares are the children of the wicked one;” (38). All men look the same on the outside. We will only know them by their fruits. Jesus said in another parable, “Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit” (Matt 7:15-18).

False teachers are TOXIC to sound doctrine. It is a poison that can destroy the soul of the righteous if we’re not careful. This is the world we live in.

They are sown and intermixed AMONG the wheat. Therefore, they grow up together and their proximity to the wheat makes it very difficult to remove without also harming the good plants. “But when the blade was sprung up, and brought forth fruit, then appeared the tares also.”

We live in a dangerous world full of false teachers that appear and live among us. Peter wrote, “But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction” (2Pet 1:1). We need to heed the warning lest we fall. “And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of.”

Our gut reaction is to ROOT them up now and get RID of them so the wheat doesn’t suffer, or get choked out (cf. Matt 13:7). We want them out now! “But he said, Nay; lest while ye gather up the tares, ye root up also the wheat with them.” Why does the Lord allow this to go on? I don’t know all the reasons of the Lord, but here we’re given a clue. It’s to spare the good plant. The fact that He allows them to remain is evidence that it is wise to do so. Allowing something to exist is not approval.

The Tares are the ENEMIES teachings of the wicked one who is the Devil. This can be compared to the seed, in the parable of the Sower in an earlier parable (vs 13:18), which is the word of God. The seed in that parable produces Saints. It stands to reason that the tares are the teachings of the Devil that produces false teachers. “The field is the world; the good seed are the children of the kingdom; but the tares are the children of the wicked one; The enemy that sowed them is the devil; the harvest is the end of the world; and the reapers are the angels.” (38-39).

Jesus warned of false teachers Matt 7:15-20. Paul warned of false teachers (Rom 16:17-18). Peter warned of false teachers (2Peter 2). John warned of false teachers (2John 9). Jude warns of them also. “For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ” (Jude 1:4). Perhaps there’s something to this?

The Lord’s response implies that we are to Keep SUPPORTING the good plants. “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.”

In the harvest, which is the end of the world, God will take care of the GOOD and the BAD. “The enemy that sowed them is the devil; the harvest is the end of the world; and the reapers are the angels. As therefore the tares are gathered and burned in the fire; so shall it be in the end of this world. The Son of man shall send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity; And shall cast them into a furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth.” (Matt 13:39-42).

The lesson of the TARES is plain. Beware of the TOXIC Teaching of false teachers. They live AMONG us, and appear to look like us. We will know them by their fruit. REMAIN faithful till the end when the Lord’s REAPERS will take care of the problem once and for all. The ENEMY can’t hurt us while we remain faithful (cf. Jas 4:7-8). Continue to SPEAK the things which are proper for sound doctrine (Titus 2:1).

With the Lord’s help, His word, and our prayers, we can endure this. We’re all in this together. “Then the righteous will shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. He who has ears to hear, let him hear!” (43).

–Agape,

Spencer

At the Franklin & Juniper st church of Christ, we do not claim to be perfect people, but we strive to be a local church of Christ sound in its teaching, sound in its actions, and united in the bond of peace.

Here we believe the Bible is the inspired Word of God. Thus, we insist upon Bible authority for everything that we teach and practice (Col 3:17).

We teach what people in the first century were taught, believe what they were taught to believe, and do what they were taught to do.  

We want you to feel welcomed. We will not ask you to believe anything unless we can give you Bible authority for it.

“The churches of Christ salute you!”  [Rom 16:16]

There’s Death in the POT

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Today’s reading is so good that I had to share it with you.

Proverbs 19:27 KJV

“Cease, my son, to hear the instruction that causeth to err from the words of knowledge.”

It reminded me of a story in 2Kings 4:38-41.

“And Elisha returned to Gilgal, and there was a famine in the land. Now the sons of the prophets were sitting before him; and he said to his servant, “Put on the large pot, and boil stew for the sons of the prophets.” So one went out into the field to gather herbs, and found a wild vine, and gathered from it a lapful of wild gourds, and came and sliced them into the pot of stew, though they did not know what they were. Then they served it to the men to eat. Now it happened, as they were eating the stew, that they cried out and said, “Man of God, there is death in the pot!” And they could not eat it.”

I use this story to make the point about eating a drinking from secular pots in our studies. Far too many times we drink from secular pots and wonder why we have division. Paul warned of this problem of listening to unsound doctrine. 2 Timothy 4:3 KJV

“For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;”

“Man of God, there is death in the pot!”

I’ve noticed gospel preachers consuming books by well known false teachers. Francis Chan, Joel Osteen, Rick Warren, Jakes, and the like.

“Man of God, there is death in the pot!”

Let us return to the old paths. The scriptures shall make us wise unto salvation. 2 Timothy 3:15-17 KJV

“And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.”

Jesus is the bread of Life. “And Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me shall never hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst.” John 6:35

Man of God, there is LIFE in that pot!

Agape,

Spencer

What is God’s PLAN for you?

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The phrase “God has a plan for you” is one of the most Disheartening, Destructive, and Dangerous false Doctrines taught today. It’s based on an abuse of the context of Jeremiah’s prophecy.
God does have a plan for you. It’s the same plan for everyone.
Ecclesiastes 12:13 KJV
Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.
2 Peter 3:9 KJV
The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.
Mark 16:15-16 KJV
And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. [16] He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.
1 Thessalonians 4:11-12 KJV
And that ye study to be quiet, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you; [12] That ye may walk honestly toward them that are without, and that ye may have lack of nothing.

God’s PLAN for you and me.
God is no respect of persons. Acts 10:34.
He has the same PLAN for the whole world. SADLY, MOST WON’T FOLLOW IT.
1) PUT on Christ.
Galatians 3:27 KJV
For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.
Mark 16:15-16 KJV
And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. [16] He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.
2) LOVE the Lord, His commands, His children, and everyone.
Matthew 22:37,39 KJV
Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. [39] And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
1 John 5:3 KJV
For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.
3) ASPIRE to live a quiet and peaceful life.
1 Thessalonians 4:11-12 KJV
And that ye study to be quiet, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you; [12] That ye may walk honestly toward them that are without, and that ye may have lack of nothing.
1 Timothy 2:2-4 KJV
For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. [3] For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; [4] Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.
4) NEVER quit being faithful even in the face of pain, persecution, and personal struggles.
Revelation 2:10 KJV
Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.
Matthew 10:22 KJV
And ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved.

What can the 7 Sayings of Jesus on the Cross teach us about our pain?

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Jesus said, “Take up your cross and follow me” (Matt 16:24). We are to die to self and live for Him.

The Gospels reveal 7 sayings of Jesus when He was on His cross. These sayings have important meaning for themselves, but they also leave an example for us who are suffering on our crosses.

What can the 7 sayings of Jesus on the cross teach us about handling our own pain, suffering, & earthly hurting?

“Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.” (Luke 23:34)

We often suffer at the hands of those close to us. Jesus suffered at the hands of God’s chosen people. We will often complain about what they should do, but didn’t do. Yes, they shoulda, and coulda, but didn’t. This powerful example of Jesus teaches us to be a forgiving people. We need to complain with grace, ready to Forgive, or Forebear, or Forget (release from our heart). Forgive those that are hurting you…

But Stay on the cross.

“To day shalt thou be with me in paradise.” (Luke 23:43)

When others fail, remember that God doesn’t fail. There’s hope in the midst of our pain. There’s even hope when our pain is self induced. The thief admitted his guilt, and was a mocker along with the other one, but later he had a change of heart. It’s then he looked to the only one that could help, Jesus. Sometimes our suffering is self induced, but the Lord is faithful to forgive those that are in Him (1John 1:9). Repent…

But Stay on the cross.

“Woman, behold, thy son! Behold, thy mother!” (John 19:26-27)

Your friends may have turned their back on you. I hate that. However, If you’ll look, you’ll see that not everyone has left you. Some are nearby unable to take away your pain, But they can take some of your responsibilities. Just ask them for help. Some of us just don’t know what to do, but we’re willing if you’ll let us know.

When you’re overwhelmed with your main priority, let go of some of the other important, but lesser stuff.

But Stay on the cross.

“My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?” (Mat 27:46)

People will let you down at your lowest point. The disciples left Jesus. It will also APPEAR that God has left you too. He hasn’t. He’s with you. While this saying has prophetic significance, it is a reminder of how lonely we can feel in our darkest moments. We need to remember that Jesus said, “I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee” (Heb 13:5).

But Stay on the cross.

“I thirst.” (John 19:28-29)

Life is a dry, and thirsty struggle, metaphorically speaking. Jesus asked the woman at the well for a drink. He received a bit of a rebuke (John 4:7-9). Isn’t that the way it goes sometimes? Jesus said, “I thirst,” and He received sour wine. When we need help we sometimes receive a sour response. Ask anyway…

But Stay on the cross.

“It is finished.” (John 19:30)

Jesus stayed on that cross to the very end because He knew that what He was doing was essential for salvation for the world. (cf. Matt 16:21-23; 26:52-55). Keep on pushing through the pain until you complete your duty as a child of God. It’s important that we stay the course of faithfulness. We may not see the benefits until much later (Rev 2:10),

But Stay on the cross.

“Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit.” (Luke 23:46)

Even when all others fail you, God never does. Trust God. “For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.” (2Tim 1:12). Whatever happens to you…

Stay on the cross.

Agape,

Spencer

1John 2:3-11: 2 tests of fellowship.

The Preacher 1 Comment

TESTS of FELLOWSHIP:

Test ONE: 1John 2:3-6. If we keep His commandments.

And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments. He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him. He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked.

Test TWO: 1John 2:7-11. If we love the brethren.

Brethren, I write no new commandment unto you, but an old commandment which ye had from the beginning. The old commandment is the word which ye have heard from the beginning. Again, a new commandment I write unto you, which thing is true in him and in you: because the darkness is past, and the true light now shineth. He that saith he is in the light, and hateth his brother, is in darkness even until now. He that loveth his brother abideth in the light, and there is none occasion of stumbling in him. But he that hateth his brother is in darkness, and walketh in darkness, and knoweth not whither he goeth, because that darkness hath blinded his eyes.

The Franklin and Juniper church of Christ had an overview study of the book of 1John. If you live in the Borger area, We invite you to join us at 9:30am each Sunday Morning for the next few weeks.

Click here for the Overview Chart and links to other study outlines in this series.

1John 2:1-2: what does ADVOCATE & PROPITIATION mean?

The Preacher 1 Comment

An ADVOCATE is someone who can speak on our behalf. But who is qualified to speak on our behalf to God? cf. Job 9:33

Jesus is qualified as both fully man and fully God.

A PROPITIATION is a payment for a wrong. Who is qualified to pay for our wrong (sin)?

The blood of Christ is the payment for our wrong for those that obey the gospel in water baptism for the forgiveness of sins. cf. Matt 26:28 & Acts 2:38; Rom 6:3-4;

The Franklin and Juniper church of Christ had an overview study of the book of 1John. If you live in the Borger area, We invite you to join us at 9:30am each Sunday Morning for the next few weeks.

Click here for the Overview Chart and links to other study outlines in this series.

SERMON: 3 things SIN will always do.

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3 things SIN will always do.

Sin SEPARATES us from God. Is 59:1-2.

Sin Takes us farther than we wanted to go.

JUDAS went from disciple, to thief, to the betrayer.

Jesus knew Judas was a betrayer. John 6:70
Jesus knew Judas was an Underhanded thief. John 12:6
Judas Delivered Jesus to Die. John 18:2-3
Judas betrayed Jesus with A Kiss. Luke 22:47
Judas was already Satan’s minister. John 13:27;

“Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death” [Jas 1:15].

2Tim 3:13 Wax worse & worse.

It IMPRISONS us. John 8:34

It Keeps us longer than we INTENDED to stay.

JUDAS plotted for 30pcs of silver. Mat 26:14-16; But couldn’t undo what He had done. Matt 27:3-10.

2Pet 2:19. in bondage. Rom 6:16.

Luke 15:11-17. Swine Feeder

we have NOTHING to repay. Rom 6:23

Sin will cost us more than we wanted to pay.

JUDAS Hangs himself. Giving back the money didn’t fix his sin. He sought his own solution, not God’s. Mt 27:5; Ac 1:18.

“For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul?” Matt 16:26.

“For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” Romans 6:23

Luke 7:42, Nothing to repay

This sermon was preached Sunday morning at the Franklin and Juniper st church of Christ on July 16, 2023 by spencer blackwelder

Click here to read an article about why we’re different.

1John 1:8 what is TRUTH?

The Preacher 1 Comment

What is the TRUTH? Cf. John 18:38.

Transparent. simple. John 8:32.

Reviewable. Acts 17:11.

Universal. Mar 16:15; Mat 28:19; Acts 10:34.

Testable & Temperate. 1Thess 5:21; Gal 4:16.

Heavenly. James 3:17; John 17:17.

The Franklin and Juniper church of Christ begins an overview study of the book of 1John. If you live in the Borger area, We invite you to join us at 9:30am each Sunday Morning for the next few weeks.

Click here for the Overview Chart and links to other study outlines in this series.

5 Women that met Jesus pt2

The Preacher 1 Comment

You can click here for part 1.

“Rebuke not an elder, but intreat him as a father; and the younger men as brethren; The elder women as mothers; the younger as sisters, with all purity” (1Timothy 5:1-2).

In the last article we looked at lessons learned from 3 women who met Jesus.

ONE: The Woman that Washed His feet. A lesson on gratitude for mercy.

TWO: The Woman that anointed His head with Oil. A lesson on preparing for His death. We prepare for His return.

THREE: The Woman named Mary who saw Him first at the resurrection. A lesson about believing the report of the eyewitnesses in scripture.

Now we shall learn from two more women who met Jesus.

The woman who is an Example of Great faith, and the widow woman of Nain.

The fourth example is the woman who is an EXAMPLE of a great faith. (Matthew 15:22-28)

“And, behold, a woman of Canaan came out of the same coasts, and cried unto him, saying, Have mercy on me, O Lord, thou Son of David; my daughter is grievously vexed with a devil. But he answered her not a word. And his disciples came and besought him, saying, Send her away; for she crieth after us. But he answered and said, I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel. Then came she and worshipped him, saying, Lord, help me. But he answered and said, It is not meet to take the children’s bread, and to cast it to dogs. And she said, Truth, Lord: yet the dogs eat of the crumbs which fall from their masters’ table. Then Jesus answered and said unto her, O woman, great is thy faith: be it unto thee even as thou wilt. And her daughter was made whole from that very hour.”

What can we learn from her? We learn to continue in faith and be persistent in our prayers despite difficult answers. Jesus wasn’t being insulting, that’s a commentary from so called scholars. He was fulfilling the Law of Moses. His appearance and work fulfill the Seed promise to Abraham. That being said, this woman persisted with her own great answer in recognition of His purpose. For her faith she receives her request and a compliment from the Lord!

Faith does not turn away from the blessings in Christ. Compare her with those of the Jews that turned away after hearing a difficult teaching from Jesus (John 6:66). This woman, one of the few people that Jesus complimented for having faith, was a gentile. (All those Jesus praised for their faith were gentiles).

Do you want to know how to have a great faith?

The fifth example is the widow woman of NAIN. (Luke 7:11-18)

“And it came to pass the day after, that he went into a city called Nain; and many of his disciples went with him, and much people. Now when he came nigh to the gate of the city, behold, there was a dead man carried out, the only son of his mother, and she was a widow: and much people of the city was with her. And when the Lord saw her, he had compassion on her, and said unto her, Weep not. And he came and touched the bier: and they that bare him stood still. And he said, Young man, I say unto thee, Arise. And he that was dead sat up, and began to speak. And he delivered him to his mother.”

What can we learn from her story? Without Christ, death is a sad and scary condition. Nobody can do anything about it. Except Jesus.

She was familiar with death having lost her husband some time earlier. She was a widow that only had one son to care for her.  

Notice that He says to her, “Weep not.” Jesus is the only one that can wipe away the tears of mourning. “For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters: and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes” (cf Rev 7:17; cf 1Thess 4:13-18).

He stopped the procession and touched the coffin. Only Jesus can stop our appointment with death. “And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment” (Heb 9:27; cf Rom 6:3-11).

He said to the young man “arise.” Jesus is the Only One that can raise us from death; In him is life; and the life is the light of men. “Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live” (John 11:25; cf 1:4).

Jesus delivered the young man to his mother. Jesus delivered care back to this widow (cf 1Tim 5:8). It reminds me of one of His last acts before His death, he delivered care to His own mother. “When Jesus therefore saw his mother, and the disciple standing by, whom he loved, he saith unto his mother, Woman, behold thy son! Then saith he to the disciple, Behold thy mother! And from that hour that disciple took her unto his own home” (John 19:26-27).

Look at what happened next. “And there came a fear on all: and they glorified God, saying, That a great prophet is risen up among us; and, That God hath visited his people.”

This story reminds us of our complete lack of control over death. If you have within your ability to raise yourself from the dead, or raise yourself to eternal life, then keep doing what you’re doing. If not, the only One you can turn to is Jesus. When Jesus raised this young man from the dead (and His other works) He shows that He is the Christ, the Son of the living God.

Do you want to know how to be raised from the dead into eternal life?

–Agape,

Spencer

We invite you to come and study with us in Borger, Texas.

James 1:5 God GIVES

The Preacher 1 Comment

God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. 1:5

God is the Giver. 3:18. Jas 1:17.
It shall be. 1:6 no doubting.
Voluminously. Liberally. Luke 6:38.
Every Saint that asks. If… we read 1:25; 4:2-3.
Shameless. Reproaches not. Upbraid not. God does not give reluctantly.

See 1Kings 3:3-14 When Solomon asked for wisdom.

The Franklin and Juniper church of Christ begins an overview study of the book of James. If you live in the Borger area, We invite you to join us at 6:30pm each Wednesday night for the next few weeks.

Click here for an overview chart of the Book of James.