A Call to Action: Get Free from Hindrances -- The parable of the weeds and the wheat is clear warning for our times. While the Lord has allowed the weeds to grow in his field throughout history, that will not always be the case. We are living in times where things will change, and we must be prepared for it, and understand the purpose. The Lord intends for his people, his wheat, to reveal his glory in the last days. This parable reveals how the Lord intends to bring his people to that noble position.

Unlocking Kingdom Secrets: While the disciples struggled to understand parables, it became clear that Jesus was using the parables to entrust them with amazing truth. As we navigate the parables, we will continue to unlock the type of Kingdom truth that changes lives.

Becoming Rich Kingdom Soil: As Jesus begins to teach the people in parables, his attention turns to the type of soils, the type of people, that are open to the seed of his Kingdom message. As he tells his disciples about the different type of believers that they will encounter, we are reminded to look to our own hearts, and become rich Kingdom soil.

Authentic Relationship with Jesus: The Kingdom of God is about relationship with the King. The leaders of Jesus' time missed that fact. However, it is not just enough to have relationship. Jesus' own family demonstrated that it is also important to relate to him as our King, as our sovereign. This truth is a desperately needed truth, and one that the book of Matthew highlights today.

Dangerous Times: When the Kingdom of God Comes in Power — When Jesus walked on this earth in the power of his ministry, the Kingdom of God was no longer a promise, it was a reality. The result was that those who obstinately refused to believe, and even attacked the Kingdom, found themselves in greater peril. Jesus spells that peril out in a way that speak to us in our day of the dangers of opposing the Kingdom of God when it manifests on the earth.

Facing Opposition Gracefully: There are times we all face opposition. So did Jesus. As we watch how he handled his critics, we learn that there are times that we need to simply ignore those who oppose us. However, we also learn that he was quite willing to engage when the very character of God was being slandered.

Resisting God with Religious Traditions: In Jesus' day, some of the most spiritual appearing people were the ones who became the great enemies of God's plan and purpose. They started with good intentions. They wanted to do God's will, but more than that, they wanted to protect God's will——and took on the role of defining God's will for the masses. This became their traditions, the very traditions that opposed the Kingdom of God. In the same way, our traditions can oppose God's plan and purpose in our lives, and we must be contantly aware that one of Satan't great tricks is to get people who desire to serve God to move beyond what God has said. Our goal with this message is to make certain that we do not oppose God in such ways in our lives.

Recognizing Our Dependence: In these verses, Jesus helps us understand the importance of recognizing our dependence upon God. When we do not recognize how dependent we are, we risk stepping into darkness. When we do recognize it, we fill our Father with joy, and give Jesus the opportunity to celebrate his Father's wisdom-filled choice.

Don't Trip Over Jesus: When John the Baptizer sent his disciples to Jesus, he communcated clearly that Jesus was not living up to his expectations of what Messiah would do. After Jesus responded to John, he took the time to defend John as far more than a reed shaken in the wind; he was the greatest of all God's prophets who had come to that point in time. If then, John was able to stumble over Jesus, how much more must we guard against our own disappointment when Jesus doesn't live up to our expectations of what Messiah should be doing in our lives? This message will help fortify us so that we never trip over Jesus.

Commit to Jesus: As Jesus sends his diciples out to touch the world, he reminds them that no other allegiance must sway them from their path. His disciples commit to him above all else. This truth also applies to his disciples today as we continue to love the Lord our God with all our heart, soul, and strength.

Passing Through Opposition in the Kingdom: Jesus has emphasized the amazing authority that he gives to his disciples, but he also explains the resistance his disciples will encounter. While those who stand firm will be delivered, others will be martyred in the course of their service. As we study Jesus' instructions to his disciples, it helps us understand more about the type of resistance his people will encounter down through the ages.

Walking in True Authority: As Jesus answers sends his disciples out, he grants them amazing authority to represent him. As we study this authority, we learn more about the authority he wishes to entrust to us.

The Need: More Kingdom Workers: As Jesus becomes more well-known, it is obvious that more workers will be needed. These passages highlight that fact, as well as the growing opposition from those who were threatened by him. Even with the opposition, the need is acute. More Knogdom workers are needed.

The New Wine Flows: When Jesus was asked why his disciples ignored old covenant forms, he pointed out that he was transitioning into new covenant reality. He wanted to protect the new wine of the New Covenant, and the old structures of the Jewish covenant. He knew that mixing the two covenants would result in a loss to both. As Jesus reveals this truth, Matthew highlights several stories that help us see how the message of the New Covenant flows with power, even in the most unexpected ways.

Dealing with Sinners: While many of the spiritual leaders of Jesus' day shied away from those they considered "sinners," Jesus did not. He not only reached out to sinners, he was not afraid to have those shunned by his culture as his closest disciples. His attitude reminds us that God deals with sinners as he deals with all who turn to him, with mercy.

Confronting Life's Storms as a Disciple: Those who choose to follow Jesus will still encounter life's storms. But the fact that we are following the Rock on whom we build our lives, gives us courage, perseverance, and power as we face every challenge. Matthew demonstrates that clearly with two stories of storms that Jesus' followers encountered. In each case, those who follow Jesus could have complete confidence in any storm.

Responding to the Call: When Jesus walked the earth, it was important that those around him prioritized their lives according to his dictates. Not everyone understood this important truth in their time. As we approach the end of the age, it is also important that we prioritize our lives according to the Kingdom. Not everyone understands this yet, but they will.

Touching the Untouchables: As Jesus comes down from the hillside where he taught the Sermon on the Mount, he immediately demonstrates the focused power of the Kingdom of God. At the same time, he demonstrates that Kingdom power is to be aimed in unexpected directions, and often comes with unexpected faith.

Recognizing Bad Actors: As Jesus closes the Sermon on the Mount, he directs his followers to the fact that not everyone who claims to be a member of his Kingdom is a member of his Kingdom. There are bad actors who attempt to infiltrate the Kingdom of God. He gives us key characteristics of these bad actors so that we might know what to look for when we are evaluating our own options in God's Kingdom.

The Keys to Living the Kingdom Life: As Jesus begins to conclude his "Sermon on the Mount," he gives us the keys that we need to truly live this life to which he has called us. Not only does he show us how we can live this life, but he explains how everything he has said can be summed up in an easily memorable way. He wants us to walk in victory on this road, and gives us the ability to do so.