DURING WHAT IS CALLED THE LONG, BUSY DAY, JESUS TAUGHT IN PARABLES, & BEEN DEBATED EVER SINCE BY MEN

1. Men try with scientific accuracy what was intended as a homey, popularly pictorial illustration
2. Note the footwork of Jesus- part before the crowd, part just with his disciples -Harmony
3. But a Parable had a hidden message then- and one today! God has something for you in this message if you can find the hidden treasure, or the pearl of great price!

I.- THE PARABLES BEFORE THE CROWD   Matt.13:24-35

These Parables were about the Kingdom of Heaven- but the people had been expecting wrong thing

A.- THE SECOND PARABLE WAS THAT OF THE TARES AMONG THE WHEAT - v. 24-30 THERE ARE ENEMIES!

1. A good job started- a man sowed good seed- but the servants found tares among them!
2. A good decision- v.29 -don't gather now! Wait! Now you can damage both! - Patience
3. A good job finished- 30 at harvest time- tares gathered & burned - Wheat into my barn!

B.- THE THIRD PARABLE WAS OF THE MUSTARD SEED v. 31,32 -THE NATURE OF GROWTH OF KINGDOM!

1. What seed?- Argued over- but obviously a very small, seed- & the Church started small too
2. But in time it grows big- a good picture of Christendom worldwide. Whites minority
3. But birds come in- A: Nations find refuge in Christendom; or B: Evil ones join in shade- benefit

C- THE FOURTH PARABLE - v.33 IS THAT OF LEAVEN - GROWTH WITHIN THE HEART, CHANGE IN THE BODY

1. To some, leaven is symbol of evil- if it enters into the church- it will soon spoil all
2. To others- leaven is Gospel truth- give it a chance in your heart- & it will change you
3. Sower was a woman- Sunday School teacher sowing truth in young hearts - Or founding a cult to take over

v. 34-35 Jesus told them plainly- in v.12-14 & here Matthew repeats- to keep secret from wicked

II.- THE PRIVATE ANSWERS AND PARABLES Matt 13:36-50

The multitude was sent away- and Jesus retired into the house to answer Disciples questions-

A.- THEY ASKED FOR EXPLANATION OF ONLY ONE PARABLE, THE ONE OF THE TARES - v. 36-43

1. The sower- Son of man- sowing Children of Kingdom in the World- to bear fruit for kingdom
2. But the devil sowed children of wicked one- But be careful in judging- you might make mistake
3. Reapers are angels- tares burned with fire!  Good ones as the sun in Kingdom- which are you?

B.- THE PARABLES - FIRST IS OF THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN LIKE UNTO A TREASURER HID IN FIELD 44

1. The treasure is hidden- a man found it, bought the field at great cost to get treasure!
2. God's treasure is hidden- can you find it? lt's all yours if you will buy the field!
3. The truth of the Gospel is a treasure that takes searching for, but is worth every bit

C.- THE PARABLE OF THE PEARL OF GREAT PRICE- 45-6 - NO GREATER BEAUTY OR WORTH

1. Anyone can see the pearl, but one person especially appreciates it Do you? -God's Kingdom
2. The merchant thought it no sacrifice to sell all to get it!  How much is Truth worth to you?

D. THE PARABLE OF THE GREAT NET- 47-50 - SHOWS THE FINAL GATHERING OF ALL SOULS BEFORE GOD

1. As men sort fish- some to be used for good, and some thrown away- So shall be the end of world
2. Angels gather the wicked from the just- & Wicked into furnace of fire- wailing- Hell!
3. The primary application of Kingdom- is Millennium!- Good and bad both living on earth
4. If you make it the Church- has to be Christendom- Saved & unsaved- mixed multitude

But notice much cannot be judged until God draws the net!- So be careful!

III.- JESUS ASKED "HAVE YE YE UNDERSTOOD ALL?"  v.51

For them it might have been just curiosity- but for us it means eternal life!- joy!

A.- JESUS ASKED THE DISCIPLES - HIS INNER CIRCLE - "HAVE YOU UNDERSTOOD ALL THESE THINGS?"

1. They answered "Yea, Lord" but how much do you think they understood? -What of us today?

B.- JESUS LIKENED A PARABLE TO A SCRIBE & A HOUSEHOLDER: YOU CAN FIT INTO THIS ONE! 52

1. A scribe can be instructed unto the Kingdom- but Salvation is by faith! - Don't miss it
2. So a householder that keeps a treasure will have some old, some new!- What do you have?

Treasures yet to be discovered in the Word- but not by easy believism!  Few study enough
Precious old treasures- but never found by casual Christians- few surrender enough

C.- PARABLES WERE EARTHLY STORIES WITH HEAVENLY MEANINGS, NOT BOUND BY TIME OR PLACE

1. They tell of Salvation, or being lost- But you can know difference in Jesus
2. They tell of gain of rewards, and great loss- but you can gain only in Jesus
3. While arguing over the hidden secrets- don't miss the obvious- your own soul & joy

TODAY WE EACH CONTROL OUR OWN PART IN THE PARABLES OF LIFE - WE CAN CHOOSE WHICH DRUM TO HEAR

1. Be saved now - better to seek Christ today- than to be one of those caught & burned later
2. Seek the Treasure NOW - whatever sacrifice to bring treasure into your soul is worth it all