The Kingdom of Heaven is at Hand, 1:1-28:20
The Galilean Ministry, 8:1-18:35
Reception Of the Messiah: Rising Opposition, 11:2-13:53
The Third Discourse: Parables Of The Kingdom, 13:1-53; Mar 4:1-34; Lu 8:4-18.
THE PARABLE OF THE HOUSEHOLDER: USING PROPERLY WHAT GOD GIVES US
Mat 13:51-52 (Ordinary 17)
Reading: Ep 5:17; 1Pe 4:11
Theme: understanding God’s word
INTRODUCTION
A.
B. This is the final parable of a series in chapter 13, This parable described not the kingdom but the person learning about the kingdom. From it, we learn the real challenge to studying God’s word. Students of God’s word must:
I. UNDERSTAND, 13:51.
A. ... Have ye understood ..., 13:51a-b.
51 [Have ye understood ASV] Jesus <2424> saith <3004> (5719) unto them <846>, Have ye understood <4920> (5656) all <3956> <0> these <5023> things <3956>? ...
1. When Jesus finished speaking on the kingdom of heaven he asked his disciples if they understood. No doubt Jesus referred to the parables he had just explained to them. It has always been God’s purpose for us to understand his word.
2. Several years ago, an archaeologists at a dig in the city of Eshtemoa (Joshua 21:14) made an interesting discovery. Unearthed there were 62 pounds of 15th century silver worth about $6800 and gems. But the jewelry was estimated to be worth five million dollars. The jewelry was buried 18 inches beneath the dirt floor of a cottage that has been continually inhabited for 500 years. People had been living for centuries within reach of a treasure, yet for centuries have been oblivious to its existence.
3. Unfortunately a similar situation exists in most North American homes. A young girl pointing to the Bible on the mantle that was never opened, at least rarely, asked her mother whose book it was. The reply was it was God's book. The child asked, "Don't you think that we had better give it back to him? No one around here ever reads it." adapted from Fickeet
4. God’s word more precious than other thing on earth. However, for most, it is an incredible treasure with in their grasp but a treasure of which they are unaware, cp. Ac 17:10-12..
5. When Jacob de Shazer went as one of Jimmy Doolittle's raiders on Japan the day of April 18, 1942, he was an atheist. He was captured and imprisoned by the Japanese. He saw two of his companions shot by a firing squad. He saw another die of slow starvation. During the long months he pondered the question of why the Japanese hated him and why he hated them. Some how his thoughts lead him to think on what he had heard about Christianity. Boldly he asked his jailers if they could get him a Bible. At first the laughed boisterously, as at a good joke, and grew ugly and warned him to stop making a nuisance of himself. Instead he kept asking. A year and a half later - May 1944 a guard, flung a Bible at him, telling Shazer he was allowed it only three weeks, then I take away. The guard was true to his word. However, the transforming effect of studying God’s word and understanding it, had started. In 1948 de Shazer, his wife, and infant son were on their way back to Japan as missionaries, all because he saw the value in seeking to understand God’s word, the Bible. Adapted from - H. Fickeet
6. God’s word can have a transforming power on us, but only if we take the time to understand it.
7. It is from studying God’s word, searching it out for meaning that we come to understand it.
8. What do you think? Have you understood what Jesus told them?
9. It is than in our response to the same question, “Have you understood,” that we will be able to respond even as Jesus’ first disciple did.
B. ... They say unto him, Yea ..., 13:51c.
51 ... They say <3004> (5719) unto him <846>, Yea <3483>, [ASV does not have Lord] Lord <2962>.
1. Jesus had finished speaking about the Kingdom, he asked his disciples if they had understood.
2. Their response to Jesus was that they understood.
a. However, it is not enough just to understand but one must understand correctly both the meaning and purpose.
b. Therefore, Jesus went on to tell his disciples such understanding should cause them to act like a scribe instructed in the kingdom of heaven.
3. Jesus went on to describe their attitude to a scribe instructed in the kingdom of heaven.
Transition: It is not enough to just understand but one must understand correctly in order to put to proper use what one knows.
II. UNDERSTAND CORRECTLY, 13:52.
A. ... every scribe which is instructed unto the kingdom of heaven ..., 13:52a-b.
52 Then <1161> said <2036> (5627) he unto them <846>, Therefore <1223> <5124> every <3956> scribe <1122> [who hath been made a disciple to ASV] which is instructed <3100> (5685) unto <1519> the kingdom <932> of heaven <3772> ...
1. The verse starts with, "Then," and "Therefore."
a. Jesus was saying to them, "Because you say you understand ..."
(1) They had probably had a lifetime of study of the law and of all its commandments as part of their background.
(2) After Jesus had instructed them, they had knowledge not only of old things, of the things they used to know, but of things new, things they never before knew.
b. As a result they were able to understand what Jesus taught regarding the kingdom of heaven. There was much more they had to learn as their experience proved but of the kingdom, they understood.
c. Consequently, Jesus called them scribes, probably hoping to plant a few ideas by it, which he wanted them to always remember.
2. scribe, 1122 GRAMMATEUS {gram-mat-yooce'} from 1121; TDNT - 1:740,127; n m AV - scribe 66, townclerk 1; 67 1) a clerk, scribe, esp.a public servant, secretary, recorder, whose office and influence differed in different states 2) in the Bible, a man learned in the Mosaic law and in the sacred writings, an interpreter, teacher. Scribes examined the more difficult and subtle questions of the law; added to the Mosaic law decisions of various kinds thought to elucidate its meaning and scope, and did this to the detriment of religion. Since the advice of men skilled in the law was needed in the examination in the causes and the solution of the difficult questions, they were enrolled in the Sanhedrin; and are mentioned in connection with the priests and elders of the people. See a Bible Dictionary for more information on the scribes. 3) a religious teacher: so instructed that from his learning and ability to teach advantage may redound to the kingdom of heaven
a. A scribe was a someone trained in writing skills and used to record events and decisions (Jer 36:26; 1Ch. 24:6; Est. 3:12).
b. During the Exile in Babylon educated scribes apparently became the experts in God's written word, copying, preserving, and teaching it.
c. Though a scribe originally referred to a person who transcribed the law, it came to also mean a teacher of the law as well, cf. Ezr 7:6, 10; Ne 8:5-8
d. By the first century, a professional group of such scribes developed , most being Pharisees (Mark 2:16).
e. Throughout Jesus' ministering there were three classes of people who opposed him, constantly throwing obstacles in his way - the chief priests, the rulers (members of the Sanhedrin, the ruling council), and the scribes. It was they who plotted to kill Jesus.
f. Consequently, it may seem strange, Jesus having called his disciples scribes.
g. What was the difference between the scribes of the law alone and the scribes who had become instructed in the kingdom of heaven?
3. Jesus was probably pointing out to his disciples two things:
a. The devotion to the study of the scriptures which was common with the scribes.
(1) Disciples need to develop such and attitude of study of what the teacher teaches.
(2) It is this devotion to the study of God's word which will not leave us unfruitful in the knowledge he has given us, 2Pe 1:5-11, * v 8; cf. Ac 17:11; 1Co 15:58; 2Ti 2:15; 2Pe 2:2-3
b. However, unlike the scribes of his day, who understood only the law, Jesus also wanted his disciples to devote themselves not to religion, to the words alone and ritual, but to him who gave the words and his kingdom, 2Ti 2:15; 3:16; 1Pe 2:2-3; cp. De 17:19; Is 34:16; Joh 5:39; Ac 17:11; Ro 15:4; Co 3:16.
(1) This idea includes sacrifice to Jesus for his cause, cp. Ro 12:1-2; Ga 2:20.
(2) That requires daily study of his word, trying to find ways to apply it properly to your life while at the same time seeking those with who to share it?
c. Are you devoted to God and his word?
4. Jesus described such a scribe as someone who handles rightly the things over which s/he has been given charge.
B. ... is like unto a man that is an householder ..., 13:52c.
52 ... is <2076> (5748) like <3664> unto a man <444> that is an householder <3617>, which <3748> bringeth forth <1544> (5719) out of <1537> his <846> treasure <2344> things new <2537> and <2532> old <3820>.
1. that is an householder, 3617 OIKODESPOTES {oy-kod-es-pot'-ace} from 3624 and 1203; TDNT - 2:49,145; n m AV - householder 4, goodman of the house 4, master of the house 3, goodman 1; 12 1) master of the house, householder
a. This person was the head of a house, the person responsible for the welfare of a family; for maintaining the household supplies and using them wisely.
b. Bringing out of his treasure would be out of his stores (storehouse).
c. He had two prime duties in dealing with the stores or supplies:
(1) to store the old food and keep it fresh
(2) to know how to add the new food to the old, serving both at the appropriate time.
2. Jesus’ point with the old and new was, like the householder, the scribe instructed in the kingdom of heaven had to understand how to add the new (an understanding of the kingdom of heaven) to the old (the law) and how to accurately serve it to others.
a. We should never downplay the importance of the Old Testament. There is much in the New Testament we cannot understand without the Old Testament, cf. Ro 15:4.; 1Co 10:11; Ga 4:24.
b. However, in using it as with the New Testament, we must rightly divide the word of truth, 2Ti 2:15.
(1) We must observing the distinction between the Old and New Covenants, cf. He 8:6-13.
(2) We must remember that it is the fuller revelation provided by the New Testament that helps to explain the "mystery" of the Old, consider Lu 24:25-27, 44-47.
3. Why does the faith of many fail?
a. Unstudied, Ro 10:17.
(1) God’s primary way of imparting faith to us is through his word.
(2) To gain faith we must read it.
b. Unattended fellowship or abandoning the assemblies, He 10:25.
c. Unconfessed sin.
d. Unfocused sight, He 12:1-2.
e. Unsaved soul.
CONCLUSION
"The Bible that is falling apart usually belongs to someone who
isn't."
- Unknown
Questions:
Preached:
Fargo, ND November 12, 1999
Bibliography:
Ray Stedman, How to Handle Life, Series: Behind the Scenes of History
Mike Grover, Why Our Faith Fails
Parables of Jesus Series (Part 8), Old Gifts Used in a New Way
Mark Copeland, THE PARABLES OF JESUS" The Householder, The "Executable Outlines" series
Bill Denton, the Parables of Jesus #11, The Parable Of The Householder
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