Furnace

Toleration and culture. We just need to get Army questions were were about the heavenly kingdom. The spirituals in this world and crash and burn. The people want a pedal ungodly values and homosexuality. And all this stuff going on this blog with no questions of back up a few chapters in Matthew five he said what you are the salt of the earth. You are the light of the world means go season the world make it better the world every dark places knighted up so people can see righteousness, so people will glorify your Father in heaven. No post when it comes to ungodliness in the world. The charge Christians are obligated to speak out is because the past generation has not done what they were supposed to do. Just heard a portion of the upcoming message titled furnace pastor Abbott Aisha of Clearview church in Henderson, North Carolina I Clearview my focus is on making Christ worship we serve to the way we love one another. Come check us out at 3485 Oxford Rd. visit us online at Clearview be that a large join us for the rest of this week's message you Bibles Matthew chapter 13 starting in verse 24. Once again the stand for the reading of God's word. Another parable he meeting Jesus put forth to them, saying, the kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field. But while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tears tears are Darnell's the kind of weed that looks sort of like the wheat, but in time you realize it's not and he went his way.

Open the grain had sprouted and produced a crop than the tares also appeared.

So the servants of the owner came and said to him, Sir, did you not sow good seed in your field. How then does it have tears he said to them, an enemy has done this. The servant said to him do you want us to then go and gather them up, gather up the tears, but he said no list while you gather up the tares you also uproot the wheat with them. Let both grow together until the harvest lead broke grow together until the harvest, and at the time of harvest I will say to the reapers first gather together the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them to burn them, but gather the wheat into my barn into their talk to groups of people in this world there the saved and there are the laws the wheat and the tares and they look very identical at a certain stage when time we see the difference. The question is which one are you are you the true believers or are you posing as a believer are you truly saved. Are you aware that there is a judgment that is coming. How do you see the delay in God's judgment on Jesus said those words. 2000 years ago 2000 years a long time. How do you see the delay. My encouragement to you this morning and my warning as well as don't confuse his compassion with his complacency.

Judgment is coming. Are you ready for his promise wants to do and I know you been seeing me and hearing me do this every service because I have a deep compassion that every breath we take is a gift from God. Get me taken away any second.

So right now where you are. If you haven't truly prayed to asked Jesus into your life is a very simple prayer that says Jesus I know, I'm lost. I know it deep in my core I am on pretending to be somebody I'm not. I need you to save me. I need you to come into my life. Forgive me of my sins and take over our need you out all the theology on the what pastor says every detail.

I don't know all those things I just know that I need you in my life for that right right where you are Jesus lost and I need you to come into my life. Forgive me of my sins and take over and father we pray for those who are praying the prayer or just pray to God save them as you have promised in your word and we pray this morning God for those of us who do know Christ we are saved. And yet for some reason were not walking where we should. There's things in our lives that need to be dealt with. We pray God through your spirit do the work that needs to be done in our lives give us a compassion for the lost.

As we see their eternal destinies help us today, God to do whatever it takes to see people get saved the matter who they are, where they come from. See people get saved for us in Jesus name we pray that everyone sit together.

You may be seated before we jump into the parable of the wheat and the tares, let me remind you again.

The reason why Jesus gave parables. If you remember from last weekend's message. Parables are much more than story is given by Jesus to make a point.

Parables really are prophetic tools. The prophets used parables to expose the hidden sins in the lives of people just like you remember Nathan came to David affidavit had committed adultery with Bathsheba had her husband murdered. Nathan came in he didn't say David, you did this in this wrong, he told him his story and at the end of the story. David says that's horrible, terrible you are the man. That's how parables operate and that's the reason why Jesus gave parables there like mirrors.

So when you hear it parable. The question should not be. I wonder what this parable is about. That's a good question to ask and we should ask that question, but the ultimate question should be. I wonder which character I'm playing in this parable. I wonder who I am in the story just like this one today.

Are you the wheat are you the tares and dance again.

A perfect example of how we are to see parables look at them as mirrors that in mind, let's look at the parable of the wheat and the tares to start with. This is one of the most misunderstood parables of Jesus and I know what you're thinking. Pastor Shaw's going to make it all clear. He is going to remove all the misunderstandings and in a go through history in and the sociology and cultural history and he's gonna get it all straightened out exactly the true meaning, not really.

I'm not gonna do that I am the preacher.

Grandma tell you exactly what Jesus said because Jesus is the one who gives us the explanation of this parable regional Jesus preached in parables a lot in the Gospels record them but only three parables. The gospel writers Matthew Mark and Luke actually tell us what Jesus said about them and this is one of those parables that we actually have the explanation so you don't need me X of the pointed out to you. Jesus himself gives us the true meaning of this parable. In fact, in Matthew 13 it says the disciples came to Jesus saying explained to us the parables of parable of the tares of the field and then Jesus began to explain to them in this morning delivering a look at the sermon is forcefully gonna dispel the common misunderstandings about this parable and compare those misunderstandings with the truth in Jesus's explanation.

So let's begin with. It some people assume that this parable is about the church life. You don't know anything about weeding the tares. This is the first time you hearing about it understand, but most people who do know about the wheat and the tares.

They assume that this is about the church in the church, you have the wheat and the other tears you have the saved and then you have the lost. Is that true or is that false false. Is there come on you messing up a lot of good sermons, not my intention, but turn your attention towards the screen. Matthew 1337 to what Jesus said about his own parable, everybody okay on that he has the right to tell his word means right. Listen to what he says. Jesus answered and said to them, the disciples, he who sows the good seed is the Son of Man referring to himself.

Verse 38 the field is the not the church.

This is not about people in the church who are lost, pretending to be saved. This is about the world using the gospel is not just about the saved in the church is about the world seeing everyone come to know Christ. So first assumption we need to take often deal with is the understanding that this parable is about the church is much more much more than that. Some people assume that this parable is to warn us about posers who are the posers. People who are pretending to be something they're not.

Is that true or is that false. You're struggling with it. I hear one or two words here and there. Well I been put on the board. It is sort of true and sort of false is that what you mean by that.

Yes it is true that the tear or the doornail is an annoying weed that looks very much like the wheat in the early stages. If you were to look at them will be hard to tell in the early stages, but when they are fully developed. The leaves of the wheat are about 6 to 12 mm wide, but the leaves of the tear are only about 3 mm wide.

You can in time tell the difference. All this is the wheat that is the tear is only trying to say when trying to say to use this in the early stages.

It may be hard to identify a false Christian from a true Christian, but in time you can tell how do we know by their fruits you shall know them. Just like the servants came to the master and said, have you seen the field lately. There is an tears in them folks.

You cannot pretend forever.

Sooner or later it comes to the surface what's really inside your heart.

And Jesus is the one who said that to us.

Listen to Matthew 715, he says, beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves.

You will know them by their fruits.

Can you say that with me you will know them by their fruits. Very important lesson of this. Do men gather grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles, even so every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown to the fire. Therefore by their fruits you will know that. What a powerful statement by their fruits you will know them. So yes, in a way this parable addresses the question of posers in the church are in the world who pretend to be saved will pretend to be believers, but the really not, but really actually in time. You know, by their fruits by their actions by their behavior in public by the things they say and do. That person is not saved by their fruits you shall know them. And guess what. If you are a poser. If you are truly not a Christian you know that you are a tear, you know what needs to happen today is you need to get saved and you know there are no fruits in your life. No fruit, no salvation today. Give your heart to Christ. But having said that posers are not the main purpose of this parable. Although it is addressed something else. People assume people.

Some people assume that this parable is a warning not to judge people. Have you heard that before.

We don't need to be judging and that we need to start tolerate what goes on around us.

Christian should not be the one standing up and you know letting the voices know we just need to come to back off a little bit. I mean look at them and listen to what the with the master said to the servants when they said he wants to go and approve the tares and the master said what know lest while you gather up the tares you also uproot the wheat with them, so none of the leave it alone. Living alone, let them go together in time will take care of them. Some people have used that argument to say you know when it comes to people imposing don't don't don't try to judge people is Charlie Maloney another God handle when you go to is that really true. Jesus.

Jesus called people out. He called out the Pharisees he called out the religious leaders and call them hypocrite and blind guides, and flows out in public you and say well you know what led the Pharisees and disciples go together and we'll see what happens in the know. He called them out and not just that he judge those people who were trying to kill him, but also those who were not truly committed to him. What did Jesus say to them, listen to Matthew chapter 1037 he said he who loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me because somebody was standing there saying I'll follow you, but I love my mommy and daddy more is a you not worthy of me and he who loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me and he who does not take his cross and follow after me is not worthy of me. Jesus judged both. We were missing the point of that parable when we go around saying in a Jesus. The judge not a UB judge that he was talking for a whole different reason you got a planking UI and you talking about the spec and your brothers are. That's what he was talking about.

He's talking about judging and not judging folks. There is a place in charge there has to be some point of discipline. Every body is welcome to Clearview every volunteer. The worst of the worst sinners are welcome in this place. But we know what you're up to you. The fruits are not there when Anna put you on this committee and that committee and let you do anything you wanted Reno. There is a place for judgment, toleration, that in culture we just need to get our main Christians were were about the heavenly kingdom. The spirituals in this world letter crash and burn. If people want to peddle ungodly values and homosexuality. And all this stuff going on, just go along with you know Christians are supposed Lovenox was a judge, is that what Jesus was saying back up a few chapters. Matthew five he said what you are the salt of the earth. You are the light of the world means go season the world make it better go. A lot of the world every dark places lighted up so people can see righteousness so so people will glorify your Father in heaven.

No folks, when it comes to ungodliness in the world, the church, Christians are obligated to speak out is because the past generation has not done what they were supposed to do were paying for it. This parable is really not about doing judge or we just need to tolerate or all that is not really what it's about.

So what was the real reason why Jesus gave the parable, the real reason later.

Pay attention. The real reason why Jesus gave this parable is a question that John the Baptist asked back in Matthew chapter 11 human comes to studying the Bible you look at the whole contact. You cannot rip things out of context. Go back to Matthew 11 where something happen and then the same things begin to happen again and again. That's the reason why Jesus gave those three parables in Matthew chapter 13 what happened in Matthew 11 and when John, who is this John John the Baptist or John the baptizer and when John the Baptist had heard in prison. He was thrown in prison because why he remember because he was calling out the rulers and saying you are doing ungodly stuff from in prison when John had heard in prison about the works of Christ, he sent two of his disciples and said to him, are you the coming one or do we look for another one in question to ask.

Don't you remember when you were baptizing and he walked in and you said, behold the Lamb of God, don't you remember, haven't you heard, because he is hearing in the prison that the deaf are hearing the blind are seeing the mute are speaking and the poor are hearing the gospel don't you know that this is it. You see, this was the same question that was on the minds of many of Jesus's listeners. Here's the question. If Jesus is the Messiah and the kingdom has come.

Why is there so still so much evil and evil people still in this world. For starters, John the Baptist is wondering why my stoop sitting in prison.

I'm supposed to be the Herald for you and you are here. Your work has begun program. I am sitting in chains. The question is why are the Roman still in charge because you are the rightful king. The king has come prepared for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. The king has come the work has begun. What about the Romans readable after them, why are many in Israel, especially the religious leaders still rejecting the Messiah if he is God's anointed king, the eyes of all people should be open why why are the Pharisees and the scribes and the religious leaders still rejecting Christ. Why has there been no separation between the righteous and the unrighteous. Why has judgment not begun. Now, with that in mind, go back to Matthew 13 starting in verse 37 when Jesus gives the explanation of the parable. Listen to verse 37 he meaning Jesus answered and said to them, he who sows the good seed is the Son of Man listen Jesus came 2000 years ago but he has been sowing good seeds into this world ever since the beginning of time.

The field is the world not just the charge of the synagogue of the temple or the Jewish people as the world the good seeds are the sons of the kingdom, but the tares are the sons of the wicked one. How long has Satan been sowing wicked people into this world ever since the Garden of Eden. He started with Adam and Eve that he started with Kane and ever since then he has been sowing tears into this world. The enemy who sowed them is who the devil but now want to pay attention to where Jesus begins to focus most of the explanation of this this parable. The harvest you know what was John the Baptist question when is the harvest when do we start the harvesting when we pull the right shoes and then deal with the wicked, when is that happening the right unrighteous are still ruling the there still in the temple there still all around you. When does it begin what is Jesus say the harvest is the end of the age and the reapers are not you who are the reapers, the Angels therefore as the tares are gathered and burned in the fire so it will be at the end of the age, the Son of Man will send out his angels, and they will gather out of his kingdom all things that offend one of the all things that offend every person who has rejected Christ all things that offend, and all those who practice lawlessness and what will happen to them and will cast them into the furnace of fire. In order John the Baptist real question was Jesus, when are you lighting the furnace y'all get this Windows and begin he said on no, that's not for you to know John is coming but is in the end, and there is a real furnace. Listen how Jesus describes it, and will cast them into the furnace of fire. There will be wailing and gnashing of teeth. How awful is this place. Of course we have many names and and some people have really categorized them I should do that but we don't know for sure but we know this much is that it's hell is the lake of fire is the place of ultimate punishment. The furnace CS Lewis said it best. God does not lock. Hell hell is locked from the inside. People don't want God.

They want a rather suffering Hagar because no longer is the work of the Holy Spirit in that place. The Holy Spirit is still working.

That's why you're still here that's what people are still being Sabre there is coming a place where there will be wailing and if you try to offer comfort which no one will that wanted and there will be gnashing of teeth. This is not just a listen. Listen, this is not just a sign of pain. This is a sign of anger and hatefulness with every moment. People are raising the fist towards evidencing the hate you even more. And hell is a place of punishment. What else do you hear listen to verse 43, then the righteous will shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their father.

He who has ears to hear, let him hear the same thing here this morning. Do you have the years to hear what Jesus said, please listen carefully, hell is a literal place. So place of burning the fire never goes out. Daniel said in Daniel chapter 12 verse two and many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, some to shame and everlasting contempt.

Oh, that's too much in a hot wild.

Why would God do something like that. That's a little too much everlasting when is Brenda's everlasting end it never ends. Folks if you say that you truly do not have an understanding of how holy God is the heart of man is wicked. The heart of a woman is wicked and that's why there's everlasting contempt.

Listen to what Jesus said in Mark chapter 9 verse 42 this is the words of Christ, and whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to stumble, it would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck and he were thrown into the sea. If your hand causes you to sin, cut it off is better for you to enter into life maimed, rather than having two hands to go to hell, into the fire that shall never be quenched where their worm does not die what happens when a body begins to decompose her cadavers left out in the in the open to the elements. The maggots begin to eat the way. Isaiah describes it in Jesus quotes it is that is the place where the maggots don't die and the fire doesn't go out this the place prepared for Satan and his angels. When you reject Jesus Christ. That's where you go. That's not a place for you. You're getting it. God did not prepare. Helen said I'm going to see who got us into hell today. It was for Satan's angels and God knew that if you don't have life and you that's where you going, so he said on this and my son to die for every person. All they have to do is believe in him and they don't have to go that place. When you reject Christ is all I know I've read some history books so what you did was you watch about 20 with YouTube videos and you think you're an expert on you know comparative religions know you're not really you read two books and all of a sudden you know there are other ways to God. This is what the Bible says this is what Jesus says to John the Baptist had John. Don't worry about it. There is coming a time and will be up to me and when that happens, I will send my angels, and the harvest will begin in those tears. Those seeds sown by Satan throughout the history of the world be gathered in bundles and cast into a furnace where there is wailing and grinding of teeth. What did Peter say listen what Peter says in second Peter chapter 3 knowing this for us that scoffers will come in the last regular scoffer is a person assist your your talk about Jesus coming a given 2000 years ago this desert religions talk about their their leaders going and coming in all that doesn't really happen 2000 years ago.

Peter said this is how is going to ban it's it's was happening then is happening now but listen to what he says.

He says in verse eight, the blood, do not forget this one thing that with the Lord 1001 days as a thousand years and a thousand years as one day the Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some count slackness, but is long-suffering toward us God is patient toward not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repent and understand the mind of God that again I'm not in Hebrews chapter 927 says, and as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment, so Christ was offered once to bear the sins of many.

Thank you so much for joining us for this message. Hell is very real place reality that we take seriously, not only for our own lives. For those of my loved ones as well. When you see yourself in this parable to be counted among the wheat for you when the tears will be gathered up and thrown into the furnace trusting Christ today for salvation and encourage your loved ones to do the same for more information visit us online@clearviewb.org for this sermon's notes. Check out Pastor Shaw's blog and I would not shock.com