1. The imperfect Kingdom

3. Matthew 13:24-30 Jesus told them another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field. But while everyone was sleeping, his enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat, and went away.

4. The imperfect Kingdom When the wheat sprouted and formed heads, then the weeds also appeared. “The owner’s servants came to him and said, ‘Sir, didn’t you sow good seed in your field? Where then did the weeds come from?’

5. The imperfect Kingdom “‘An enemy did this,’ he replied. “The servants asked him, ‘Do you want us to go and pull them up?’ “‘No,’ he answered, ‘because while you are pulling the weeds, you may root up the wheat with them. Let both grow together until the harvest.

6. The imperfect Kingdom At that time I will tell the harvesters: First collect the weeds and tie them in bundles to be burned; then gather the wheat and bring it into my barn.’”

7. The imperfect Kingdom Matthew 13:36–42 36 Then he left the crowd and went into the house. His disciples came to him and said, “Explain to us the parable of the weeds in the field.” 37 He answered, “The one who sowed the good seed is the Son of Man.

8. The imperfect Kingdom 38 The field is the world, and the good seed stands for the sons of the kingdom. The weeds are the sons of the evil one, 39 and the enemy who sows them is the devil. The harvest is the end of the age, and the harvesters are angels.

9. The imperfect Kingdom 40 “As the weeds are pulled up and burned in the fire, so it will be at the end of the age. 41 The Son of Man will send out his angels, and they will weed out of his kingdom everything that causes sin and all who do evil. 42 They will throw them into the fiery furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

10. The imperfect Kingdom Matthew 13:47-52 “Once again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net that was let down into the lake and caught all kinds of fish. When it was full, the fishermen pulled it up on the shore. Then they sat down and collected the good fish in baskets, but threw the bad away.

11. The imperfect Kingdom This is how it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come and separate the wicked from the righteous and throw them into the fiery furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

12. The imperfect Kingdom AS THE KINGDOM ON EARTH IS NOT PERFECT SO THE CHURCH IS NOT PERFECT

13. The imperfect Kingdom WHAT IS A (TRUE) CHRISTIAN?

14. The imperfect Kingdom IT’S NOT OURS TO JUDGE OTHERS AND TO START PULLING OUT THOSE WE THINK ARE WEEDS

15. The imperfect Kingdom AM I WHEAT OR WEED? GOOD FISH, OR BAD FISH?

16. The imperfect Kingdom Matthew 13:48-50 When it was full, the fishermen pulled it up on the shore. Then they sat down and collected the good fish in baskets, but threw the bad away. This is how it will be at the end of the age.

17. The imperfect Kingdom The angels will come and separate the wicked from the righteous and throw them into the fiery furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

18. The imperfect Kingdom Matthew 13:30 Let both grow together until the harvest. At that time I will tell the harvesters: First collect the weeds and tie them in bundles to be burned; then gather the wheat and bring it into my barn.’”

19. The imperfect Kingdom AM I BORN AGAIN? John 3:3-6 Jesus declared, “I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again.”

20. The imperfect Kingdom “How can a man be born when he is old?” Nicodemus asked. “Surely he cannot enter a second time into his mother’s womb to be born!” Jesus answered, “I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit. Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit.

21. The imperfect Kingdom SORROW for sin GRATITUDE for grace NEW PERSPECTIVE on life

22. The imperfect Kingdom AM I BEARING FRUIT? Matthew 7:16 By their fruit you will recognize them.

23. The imperfect Kingdom

24. James 2:14 What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him?

25. The imperfect Kingdom Philippians 2:12 Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence— continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling

26. The imperfect Kingdom Ephesians 2:8–10 8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9 not by works, so that no one can boast. 10 For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

27. The imperfect Kingdom DO I LOVE JESUS ENOUGH TO OBEY HIM? John 14:15 “If you love me, you will obey what I command.

28. The imperfect Kingdom John 13:34-35 “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”

29. The imperfect Kingdom YOU WILL NEVER FOOL THE FISHERMEN YOU WILL NEVER FOOL THE HARVESTERS