Mateus 13

Steven Cole · Citado em PreceptAustin

Mateus 13

Cole writes that "Satan hardens people’s hearts by the traffic of worldly philosophies. People engage in worldly, man-centered thinking so often that their hearts grow callused to the truth of God. For example, many in our culture are so steeped in the postmodern ideas that spiritual truth is relative and that it doesn’t matter what you believe that they automatically reject the exclusive claims of the Gospel because it runs counter to the ideas they have trafficked in for all their lives. It is ironic that these are people who would scoff at the idea of a personal devil, and yet that very devil is the one who snatches away the seed of the Gospel from them! (ED: WAS THIS NOT THE STRATEGY PAR EXCELLENCE IN "SCREWTAPE LETTERS" = THERE IS NO DEVIL!) In their hardness of heart, they feel no need for God. We need to pray that God will break up the hard ground of their hearts with the plow of trials so that they will be open to receive the truth of the Gospel." (Sermon on Luke 8:4-15) Rich Cathers on how Satan takes away the Word is he shoots flaming arrows (ED: Eph 6:16) reminding them of "the insidious lies the world has told us: (1) “The Bible is just a bunch of made-up stories” (2) “Jesus was not a real person” (ED: Or one I hear a lot - "Jesus never claimed to be God.") (3) “We are all products of evolution, there is no God who created everything” (ED: THANK YOU CHARLES DARWIN!) When a person has swallowed some of these lies, it’s easy for them to just blow it off when they hear that God loved them so much that He gave His Son to die for them."

Mateus 13

Cole adds that "If you have been a Christian for a while, you have ridden the roller coaster of great joy in seeing someone make a profession of faith in Jesus Christ, followed by awful disappointment as the same person later fell away from the faith. For a while he seemed to be dramatically changed. He got involved in the church. He was zealous for the things of God. But then a difficult trial hit. Perhaps he had a conflict with someone in the church. Or he had a personal health problem or he lost a loved one. His zeal cooled off and gradually he stopped coming to church. Every effort to restore him failed. Today he is back in the world. Others don’t fall away altogether, but their early enthusiasm wanes. They settle into a routine that includes going to church as long as there isn’t something “better” to do for the weekend. But God is not central in their lives. They are more focused on their things and on having a good time in life. They profess to be Christians, but they have no burden for the lost and no desire to serve God. They are living basically for self and for pleasure. But they are not living in light of eternity. How do you explain such people? Some would say that they have lost their salvation, but that clearly contradicts the many clear passages that teach that those whom God saves, He keeps for eternity. Others say that these folks are saved, but they are “carnal.” They can go through life living in this carnal or worldly state and they will still go to heaven, but they won’t have many rewards waiting for them. But this popular but false teaching contradicts Heb 12, which says that if a person is truly God’s child, then God will discipline him. If a person lacks such discipline, he is not a true child of God at all....The parable serves both as an encouragement to His followers and a warning to His hearers. The encouragement to His followers is that when we see people respond superficially to the gospel and later fall away, we should not be discouraged in that even Jesus had the same response. The problem was certainly not in His preaching, but in the audience’s hearing. The warning to those who hear the parable, of course, is to take it to heart so that we avoid a superficial faith. (Superficial and Genuine Believers) Matthew 13:21 yet he has no firm root in himself, but is only temporary, and when affliction or persecution arises because of the word, immediately he falls away. NET Matthew 13:21 But he has no root in himself and does not endure; when trouble or persecution comes because of the word, immediately he falls away. GNT Matthew 13:21 οὐκ ἔχει δὲ ῥίζαν ἐν ἑαυτῷ ἀλλὰ πρόσκαιρός ἐστιν, γενομένης δὲ θλίψεως ἢ διωγμοῦ διὰ τὸν λόγον εὐθὺς σκανδαλίζεται. NLT Matthew 13:21 But since they don't have deep roots, they don't last long. They fall away as soon as they have problems or are persecuted for believing God's word. KJV Matthew 13:21 Yet hath he not root in himself, but dureth for a while: for when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word, by and by he is offended. ESV Matthew 13:21 yet he has no root in himself, but endures for a while, and when tribulation or persecution arises on account of the word, immediately he falls away. NIV Matthew 13:21 But since he has no root, he lasts only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, he quickly falls away. ASV Matthew 13:21 yet hath he not root in himself, but endureth for a while; and when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word, straightway he stumbleth. CSB Matthew 13:21 Yet he has no root in himself, but is short-lived. When pressure or persecution comes because of the word, immediately he stumbles. NKJ Matthew 13:21 "yet he has no root in himself, but endures only for a while. For when tribulation or persecution arises because of the word, immediately he stumbles. NRS Matthew 13:21 yet such a person has no root, but endures only for a while, and when trouble or persecution arises on account of the word, that person immediately falls away. YLT Matthew 13:21 and he hath not root in himself, but is temporary, and persecution or tribulation having happened because of the word, immediately he is stumbled. NAB Matthew 13:21 But he has no root and lasts only for a time. When some tribulation or persecution comes because of the word, he immediately falls away. NJB Matthew 13:21 But such a person has no root deep down and does not last; should some trial come, or some persecution on account of the word, at once he falls away. GWN Matthew 13:21 Since he doesn't have any root, he lasts only a little while. When suffering or persecution comes along because of the word, he immediately falls from faith. BBE Matthew 13:21 But having no root in himself, he goes on for a time; and when trouble comes or pain, because of the word, he quickly becomes full of doubts. root - Mt 13:6 7:22,23,26,27 Job 19:28 Pr 12:3,12 Lu 8:13 Joh 6:26,61-65 Joh 6:70,71 15:5-7 Ac 8:21-23 Ga 5:6 6:15 Eph 3:17 2Pe 1:8,9 1Jn 2:19,20 but is only temporary - Mt 10:22 24:13 Job 27:8-10 Ps 36:3 Ho 6:4 Ro 2:7 Php 1:6 1Pe 1:5 And when affliction or persecution arises - Mt 5:10-12 10:37-39 16:24-26 Mk 4:17 8:34-36 13:12,13 Lu 9:23-25 14:26-33 21:12-18 Joh 12:25,26 Ga 6:12 2Ti 4:10 Heb 10:35-39 Rev 2:13 falls away - Mt 13:57 11:6 24:9,10 26:31,33 2Ti 1:15 Matthew 13 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries Parallel Passages: Mark 4:17+ “and they have no firm root in themselves, but are only temporary; then, when affliction or persecution arises because of the word, immediately they fall away. Luke 8:13+ “Those on the rocky soil are those who, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no firm root; they believe for a while, and in time of temptation fall away. Yet he has no firm root (rhiza) in himself, but is only temporary (proskairos) - "Firm" is not in the Greek text. Literally it reads "he has no root," none at all! No root of course means there can be no fruit. Why some like Dr Thomas Constable (I like and quote many of his expository notes) contend this is a believer who simply falls away is a puzzle. The word temporary even in English means not permanent; not lasting. So if words mean anything this person's "belief" is not permanent. Jesus could hardly have been clearer! These people are professors of Jesus but not possessors of Jesus! This is soil that "believes" (intellectually but not genuine saving belief - cf the belief of the Jews in Jn 8:30 and their subsequent action in Jn 8:59 because Jesus called Himself "I Am" in Jn 8:58!) for a season and then cease to even profess. This is not a believer. And it is not a believer who has lost his salvation. This person could not lose what they never possessed! This person was never a believer. There was never fruit indicative that there was a root in the Gospel. There was no perseverance in this person. Such “temporary Christians” abound in times of extraordinary revival. --John Broadus

Mateus 13

Cole says that Jesus' fearful description of hell should serve to remind all procrastinators that "Salvation requires our careful self-examination because of the horrible consequences of making a mistake. Weeping and gnashing of teeth doesn’t sound like a fun experience, especially when it continues through all eternity! Think of it as an eternal root canal without anesthesia! These men had assumed that they would be included in the kingdom. They were Jews, not "filthy" Gentiles. They were related to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. But now they find themselves shut out and, of all things, those "dirty" Gentiles from east and west and north and south are inside, dining with the patriarchs and prophets! Contrary to popular modern views, hell will not be a wild party for all the wicked. And, contrary to most popular thinking, hell will not be just for the worst of the worst—the Hitlers of this world. These men were religious Jews who thought they were deserving of heaven. But they would not submit to Jesus and so they faced the horrible eternal consequence of being in that place of weeping and gnashing of teeth. Because there will be many religious people in hell, all of us who attend church should examine ourselves to make sure that we are not cast into that place of weeping and gnashing of teeth. (Luke 13:22-30 - The Narrow Door) Weeping (2805)(klauthmos from klaio = to weep or bewail) is a noun which describes a strong inner emotion which is evoked in weeping, crying, lamentation (cries of grief, the act of bewailing as an expression of sorrow). Describes the shedding of tears usually accompanied by sobs or other inarticulate sounds. Interesting that in Revelation God says He will "wipe every tear from their eyes" referring to His children! (Rev 7:17+, Rev 21:4+) 9x - Mt 2:18; 8:12; 13:42, 50; 22:13; 24:51; 25:30; Lk 13:28; Acts 20:37 Gnashing (1030)(brugmos from brucho) describes striking, grinding or biting of teeth together. In the context of the NT brugmos is a manifestation or picture of the extreme anguish and utter despair of those consigned to eternal torment in hell. Webster says gnash means to strike the teeth together as in anger or pain, both emotions probably in play in the fires of hell. Uses 7x - Matt. 8:12; Matt. 13:42; Matt. 13:50; Matt. 22:13; Matt. 24:51; Matt. 25:30; Lk. 13:28. The weeping and the gnashing of teeth may express anger (cf Acts 7:54) because of being excluded from the kingdom of God. Related Resources: Eternal punishment What does the Bible mean when it refers to the gnashing of teeth? What is the outer darkness in Matthew 22:13? Will there be tears in heaven? What does hell look like? How hot is hell? Is hell literally a place of fire and brimstone? How is an eternity in hell a just punishment for only a human lifetime of sin? Steve Lawson - sermon on The Great White Throne Judgment! Richard Mayhue - Hell: Never, Forever or Just for Awhile? (25 pages) Robert Morgan has the following quote related to Hell (WARNING: His Description is almost too painful read) - Several years ago, writer John Thomas wrote an article in Moody Magazine in which he fleshed out the picture behind the New Testament words describing hell as a bottomless pit of pain, weeping, wailing, gnashing of teeth, and endless darkness: Imagine the person who just entered hell—a neighbor, relative, co-worker, friend. After a roar of physical pain blasts him, he spends his first moments wailing and gnashing his teeth. But after a season, he grows accustomed to the pain, not that it’s become tolerable, but that his capacity for it has enlarged to comprehend it. Though he hurts, he is now able to think, and he instinctively looks about him. But as he looks, he sees only blackness. In his past life he learned that if he looked long enough, a glow of light somewhere would yield definition to his surroundings. So he blinks and strains to focus his eyes, but his efforts yield only blackness. He turns and strains his eyes in another direction. He waits. He sees nothing but unyielding black ink. It clings to him, smothering and oppressing him. Realizing that the darkness is not going to give way, he nervously begins to feel for something solid to get his bearings. He reaches for walls or rocks or trees or chairs; he stretches his legs to feel the ground and touches nothing. Hell is a bottomless pit; however, the new occupant is slow to learn. In growing panic, he kicks his feet and waves his arms. He stretches and he lunges. But he finds nothing. After more feverish tries, he pauses from exhaustion, suspended in black. Suddenly, with a scream he kicks, twists, and lunges until he is again too exhausted to move. He hangs there, alone in his pain. Unable to touch a solid object or see a solitary thing, he begins to weep. His sobs choke through the darkness. They become weak, then lost in hell’s roar. As time passes, he begins to do what the rich man did—he again starts to think. His first thoughts are of hope. You see, he still thinks as he did on earth, where he kept himself alive with hope. When things got bad, he always found a way out. If he felt pain, he took medicine. If he were hungry, he ate food..... (But) the awful truth spreads before him like endless, overlapping slats: "When I put in ten thousand centuries of time here, I will not have accomplished one thing. I will not have one second less to spend here." The smoke of (his) torment goes up forever and ever. (See full article from Moody Monthly, 1985 That Hideous Doctrine -John Thomas) Matthew 13:43 “Then THE RIGHTEOUS WILL SHINE FORTH AS THE SUN in the kingdom of their Father. He who has ears, let him hear. NET Matthew 13:43 Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father. The one who has ears had better listen! GNT Matthew 13:43 Τότε οἱ δίκαιοι ἐκλάμψουσιν ὡς ὁ ἥλιος ἐν τῇ βασιλείᾳ τοῦ πατρὸς αὐτῶν. ὁ ἔχων ὦτα ἀκουέτω. NLT Matthew 13:43 Then the righteous will shine like the sun in their Father's Kingdom. Anyone with ears to hear should listen and understand! KJV Matthew 13:43 Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Who hath ears to hear, let him hear. ESV Matthew 13:43 Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father. He who has ears, let him hear. NIV Matthew 13:43 Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father. He who has ears, let him hear. ASV Matthew 13:43 Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. He that hath ears, let him hear. CSB Matthew 13:43 Then the righteous will shine like the sun in their Father's kingdom. Anyone who has ears should listen! NKJ Matthew 13:43 "Then the righteous will shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. He who has ears to hear, let him hear! NRS Matthew 13:43 Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Let anyone with ears listen! YLT Matthew 13:43 'Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the reign of their Father. He who is having ears to hear -- let him hear. NAB Matthew 13:43 Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Whoever has ears ought to hear. NJB Matthew 13:43 Then the upright will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Anyone who has ears should listen! GWN Matthew 13:43 Then the people who have God's approval will shine like the sun in their Father's kingdom. Let the person who has ears listen! BBE Matthew 13:43 Then will the upright be shining as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. He who has ears, let him give ear. THE RIGHTEOUS WILL SHINE FORTH - Mt 25:34,36 Da 12:3 1Co 15:41-54,58 Rev 21:3-5,22,23 Da 12 in the kingdom of their Father - Mt 26:29 Lu 12:32 22:29 Jas 2:5 He who has ears, let him hear - Mt 13:9 Matthew 13 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries Those who have insight will shine brightly like the brightness of the expanse of heaven THE RIGHTEOUS WILL SHINE LIKE THE SUN Then (5119)(tote) is an expression of time which means "At that time." When used as an adverb THEN is always worth pausing to ponder and query asking questions like "What time is it? What happens next? Why does this happen now?, etc". When then is used (as determined by the context) to be an expression of time or "time phrase", it usually indicates sequence and thus marks that which is next in order of time, soon after that, following next after in order of position, narration or enumeration, being next in a series (See English definitions This verse is the follow-up to the last part of Mt 13:30 to "Allow both (WHEAT AND TARES) to grow together until the harvest; and in the time of the harvest I will say to the reapers, “First gather up the tares and bind them in bundles to burn them up; but gather the wheat into my barn.” There could hardly be a more radical, stark contrast than Jesus' description of the fate of unbelievers in torment to His description of believers in bliss. Both states will last forever! Some evangelicals, even respected names like John Stott, say eternal does not mean eternal when it comes to eternal punishment, but they are absolutely, totally wrong and counter the clear teaching of the Bible. Listen to these sobering words by the Lord Jesus Christ, Who Himself will one day sit as the Judge at the Great White Throne judgment... “These will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.” (Mt 25:46) Could Jesus have been any clearer? Punishment for eternity. Life for eternity. That settles all arguments whether we believe Him or not. THE RIGHTEOUS WILL SHINE FORTH AS THE SUN - This is not a perfect quotation of Daniel 12:3 but clearly is an allusion to that passage as the Septuagint uses the same rare verb eklampo (see below). Who are the righteous? In the parable, they are the wheat. They are the antithesis of those who habitually commit lawlessness in Mt 13:41. They are those who are saved by grace through faith in Jesus (Eph 2:8-9+). As Paul says "all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, being justified (DECLARED RIGHTEOUS) as a gift by His grace through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus." (Ro 3:23-24+) "He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him." (2 Cor 5:21+). " But by His doing you are in Christ Jesus, Who became to us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification, and redemption." (1 Cor 1:30+) As the sun is a striking description of the glory that believers will manifest in eternity.