Grace Bible Church Deacon
Rick Bettez
Wednesday, October 16, 2013
Approved – dokimos meaning those members of the Royal Family who are with us and have been revealed as those who are faithful.
Satan’s approach is very causal at times and sometimes goes completely unnoticed until we are knee deep in trouble.
MAT 13:24-30 is a parable of the one true enemy of the Christian way of life.
MAT 13:39 The enemy who sowed the seeds is the devil
JOB 1:6 ‘present themselves’ in the Hebrew is JATSAB…meaning to oppose or make a stand against
ISA 14:12 You have been cut down to earth, you who have weakened the nations
ISA 14:16-17 Is this the one who made the earth tremble, who shook kingdoms & made the world like a wilderness?
ISA 14:13 I will ascend to heaven, I will raise my throne above God I will make myself like the most high.
MAT 13:36 The one who sows the good seed is the Son of Man (TLJC)… MAT 13:38 and the field is the world
The parables were being taught for future generations as well as those that were with Him.
Satan’s career consists of waging war against truth…against God, against Christians.
Tares or weeds known as Darnel resemble wheat.
When full grown, in comparison the wheat is the larger & stronger.
The problem that arises very quickly in this situation is the tangling of the weeds & tares roots.
MAT 13:38 the good seed, these are the sons of the kingdom; and the tares are the sons of the evil one.
1TIM 5:15 For some have already turned aside to follow Satan. (most do not even realize it!)
JAM 3:16 Wherever there is jealousy, envy, contention, selfish ambition… there will be confusion & rebellion
It is at full growth when the heads of grain begin to appear, that’s when the wheat separate itself in appearance & size.
Tares are shorter and stiff…they don’t bend easy or as graceful like wheat. Similar to Bel & Unbel.
Wheat has been called the staff of life.
The weed known as darnel or tare is notorious for choking out wheat before it can fully develop.
Tares could cause blindness or temporary black-outs.
Only healthy, well nurtured wheat will grow to its full potential when surrounded by these deadly weeds
Threshing floor is a place of separation. Greek = HALON, referring to being rolled hard, used in MAT 3:12 & LUK 3:17
HEB 4:13 And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are open and laid bare to the eyes of Him with whom we have to do.
1TH 2:4 God is the one who examines the heart
The common weed is more of a nuisance…much less of a threat to wheat (gossips & busybodies)
2TH 3:11 We hear that some among you are leading an undisciplined life, doing no work at all, but acting like busybodies
Idle Bel’s that are not occupied with BD become gossips in the church 1TIM 5:13
1PE 4:15 By no means let any of you suffer as a murderer, or thief, or evildoer, or a troublesome meddler
PRO 19:15 Laziness casts into a deep sleep, And an idle man will suffer hunger
PRO 18:8 The words of a whisperer are like dainty morsels, and they go down into the innermost parts of the body
Remember the rumor mill is a factory that manufactures both truthful events & flat out lies
Distraction & frustration are the two signs you are being pulled off course in a military operation or sporting event
Fatigue makes cowards out of us all Vince Lombardi
Muhammad Ali distracted & frustrated a younger, stronger opponent named George Foreman, on Oct. 30 1974
The mind games & negative taunts had left the young Champion, frustrated & distracted by the time they entered the ring
REV 3:11 I am coming quickly; hold fast what you have, in order that no one take your crown.
Maybe we need to ask ourselves…are we the weed that tangles up the brethren?