Introduction

Good morning, family! I’m so glad to see y’all gathered here today. We’re going to dive deep into the Word, exploring the meaning of a spiritual battle that’s been raging since the dawn of time. As we grapple with the enemy's sowing, God's separation, and the end result, we'll be drawing from the wisdom shared in Matthew 13:24-31.

C.S. Lewis once wrote, "There is no neutral ground in the universe. Every square inch, every split second is claimed by God, and counterclaimed by Satan." This quote will serve as a backdrop as we delve into today's text.

Let me read to you from the book of Matthew:

“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. 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?’ ‘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 uproot the wheat with them. 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.’”

The Enemy's Sowing

The enemy's sowing: This is a crucial aspect of the parable that Jesus shares in Matthew 13:24-31. The enemy, in this case, is a representation of Satan, the adversary of God and His people. The act of sowing is symbolic of his attempts to disrupt, distort, and ultimately destroy the good that God has planted.

In the parable: The enemy comes under the cover of darkness, when everyone is sleeping, to sow the weeds among the wheat. This is indicative of the deceptive and cunning nature of Satan. He often works in the shadows, subtly introducing sin and discord when we least expect it. He doesn't announce his presence with a loud proclamation, but rather, he sneaks in unnoticed, planting seeds of doubt, fear, and temptation among the good seeds of faith, hope, and love that God has sown in our hearts.

The enemy's sowing is not a one-time event but a constant process: He is always on the prowl, looking for opportunities to sow seeds of discord and deception. This is why the Apostle Peter warns us in 1 Peter 5:8 to "Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour." We must be vigilant and aware of his tactics, so we can resist his attempts to sow harmful seeds in our lives.

The enemy's sowing is also indiscriminate: He doesn't care who you are, where you come from, or what you've done. If he sees an opportunity to sow seeds of discord, he will take it. This is why we see weeds growing among the wheat in the parable. The enemy doesn't discriminate between the good and the bad; he simply sows his seeds wherever he can.

Not immediately noticeable: In the parable, it's only when the wheat sprouted and formed heads that the weeds also appeared. This is reflective of how sin and temptation often work in our lives. They start as small, seemingly insignificant seeds, but over time, they grow and become more apparent, often causing significant damage in the process.

God is still in control: He allows the wheat and the weeds to grow together, not because He is indifferent, but because He has a greater plan in mind. He knows that in the end, the wheat will be gathered into His barn, while the weeds will be tied in bundles to be burned. This is a powerful reminder that despite the enemy's sowing, God's ultimate plan of redemption and restoration will prevail.

God's Separation

God's separation speaks to the divine wisdom and patience of God, who allows both the wheat (the righteous) and the weeds (the wicked) to grow together until the time of harvest ... View this full PRO sermon free with PRO