The Net and Householder

7 February 2021 AM – Matthew 13:47-52 – Parables21 – Scott Childs

Introduction: Before Jesus returned to heaven, He commanded believers saying, “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.” (Matthew 28:19-20). The two last parables in Matthew 13 deal with evangelistic outreach and training believers.

Transition: As we look at these two parables, I want us to note duties that we have as Christians.

The Parable of the Net (Mat 13:47-50)

a. The true-to-life story

1) Here was a story that the disciples understood perfectly. Many of the disciples had been fishermen all of their lives.

2) Jesus spoke of a net. This net was a large drag net. It was a long net, weighted by lead and pulled to sweep the bottom of the sea and gathered fish in masses. This net was not pulled up quickly, but allowed to remain for some time to encompass many fish.

3) Because of the nature of this net, it caught many varieties of both good and bad fish.

4) When the net was full of fish, the fishermen dragged it to shore, sat down and sorted the fish. They kept the good fish and cast away the bad ones.

b. The truth Jesus taught by this

1) In this story, the kingdom of heaven, the Gospel received by believers in the Church Age, is like the net. The Gospel net is to be spread out wide and deep. The Gospel net has been dragging in the sea of the world for years.

2) The fish are the people of the world. People of every language are being gathered in that net. As with any net, some fish evade the net and are not caught.

3) Jesus said that the fishermen will be the angels who pull the net ashore and separate the good fish (true Christians) from the bad fish (false Christians and unbelievers). Sadly, the wicked will be cast into the furnace of fire called hell.

c. The application for us today

1) God’s Gospel net has been gathering men and women for nearly 2000 years. God loves the world (John 3:16).

2) The Lord is not willing that any should perish (2 Peter 3:9). He wants all men and women to come to the knowledge of the truth (1 Timothy 2:4). He clearly states that whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely (Revelation 22:17).

3) As Christians, it is our duty to cast the Gospel net in our world. God wants us to share the Gospel with young and old, male and female, rich and poor, educated and ignorant, with people of every language and nation.

4) We can aid this work by supporting missions. Grace Giving is giving beyond our tithes and offerings to the Lord. It is sacrificing and giving beyond our regular giving to help spread the Gospel. If you are not involved in Grace Giving, I hope you will get involved today.

5) Grace Giving helps others spread the Gospel, but it does not excuse us of our personal duty to go into all the world and preach the Gospel (Mark 16:15). Living a truly godly life is a way that you can let your light shine for Christ. Speak out for Christ whenever you can. Ask God to give you opportunities to pass out tracts and to speak out for Him. Carry tracts with you (see me for tracts). Do not be ashamed of Christ. Memorise several basic salvation verses so that you are ready to give an answer to anyone who asks you about Christ. These are basic things that every Christian can and should do.

6) If you have not yet trusted Christ. God loves you. Christ died for you. God is not willing that you perish in hell. Repent and place your faith in Christ for salvation today.

2. The Parable of the Householder (Mat 13:51-52)

a. The true-to-life story

1) In this story, Jesus speaks of a scribe. In the Bible, a scribe was a man learned in the Mosaic Law and in the sacred writings, an interpreter, or a teacher. The class of scribes began back in Ezra’s day. God called Ezra a “ready scribe” or a skilled scribe (Ezra 7:6). Scribes were common in Jesus’ day.

2) Here the scribe is instructed unto the kingdom of heaven. In other words, the scribe here has been discipled into the kingdom of heaven. He has become a true believer.

3) This scribe is like a householder. The householder is not just a homeowner as we might think. Rather, he is the master of his house. He is the head of his house, with genuine authority over all the household treasure.

4) The treasure here refers to valuables that have been stored up for later use (e.g., fruit, veg, oil, grain).

5) The householder then cares for or serves others out of the new and old treasures in his storehouse.

b. Here is the truth Jesus taught by this

1) Jesus may have been saying that when a “scribe” got saved, he became such an householder. However, Jesus seems to be using the term in a general sense to describe anyone who becomes a Christian and teaches the Bible.

2) His treasure is in his heart. (Luke 6:45) “A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh.” He is to have God’s Word stored up in the treasure of his heart.

3) Such Christian scribe are like a householder, one who masters his house and has authority over that which is distributed from his storehouse. He is to serve to others both new and old from his storehouse.

a) The new is the Gospel Jesus provided by His death and resurrection.

b) The old is God’s Law that points to the new. (Galatians 3:24) “Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.“

c) The old eternal truths find new applications in Christ’s Gospel. Jews looked for a political kingdom; Christ spoke of His kingdom in a man’s heart. Old Testament prophets spoke of a coming Millennial Kingdom; Christ spoke of reigning in Christians’ lives during the Church Age.

c. The application for us today

1) Every Christian is a scribe. If you are a parent, you are to teach your children the Bible. As a Christian, you are to share the Gospel with unbelievers. If you teach a Bible class of any sort, you are a scribe. Someone is depending on YOU to be his or her scribe, ready with a Bible answer.

2) As scribes, we need to seek to learn Bible truth. Bible study is essential. On Wednesday, I am going to begin a Wednesday night series called “Bible Study Tips” to help you learn how to feed your soul spiritually and how to become a ready scribe of the Bible. I hope you will make plans to attend.

3) In your Bible study, do you neglect the Old Testament? If so, you should not. The OT predicted the NT. The OT is the foundation for the NT. Christ came not to destroy the law but to fulfil it (Mat 5:17). The OT gives knowledge of sin (Ro 3:20). The NT offers justification not available in the OT (Ac 13:39). (Romans 10:4) “For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth.” (Hebrews 7:19) “For the law made nothing perfect, but the bringing in of a better hope did; by the which we draw nigh unto God.“

Conclusion: If you are a Christian, how well are you spreading the Gospel net? How qualified are you as a Bible scribe? What are you doing to improve your ability to evangelise and teach the Bible? God is not asking you to do the impossible. He is asking you to get into the Bible and with the help of the Holy Spirit become equipped you to do your part (2Ti 3:16-17 ^{All Scripture is given…}; Eph 2:10 ^{For we are his workmanship…}).

Are you involved in Grace Giving above your regular giving? If not, step out by faith and begin today.

If you are not sure you are a Christian, by faith place your trust in Him today.

Song: Teach Me Thy Way, O Lord – 337

The Net and Householder

7 February 2021 AM – Matthew 13:47-52 – Parables21 – Scott Childs

Transition: As we look at these two parables, I want us to note duties that we have as Christians.

The Parable of the Net (Mat 13:47-50)

a. The true-to-life story

1) Here was a story that the disciples understood perfectly. Many of the disciples had been fishermen all of their lives.

2) Jesus spoke of a net. This net was a large drag net. It was a long net, weighted by lead and pulled to sweep the bottom of the sea and gathered fish in masses. This net was not pulled up quickly, but allowed to remain for some time to encompass many fish.

3) Because of the nature of this net, it caught many varieties of both good and bad fish.

4) When the net was full of fish, the fishermen dragged it to shore, sat down and sorted the fish. They kept the good fish and cast away the bad ones.

b. The truth Jesus taught by this

1) In this story, the kingdom of heaven, the Gospel received by believers in the Church Age, is like the net. The Gospel net is to be spread out wide and deep. The Gospel net has been dragging in the sea of the world for years.

2) The fish are the people of the world. People of every language are being gathered in that net. As with any net, some fish evade the net and are not caught.

3) Jesus said that the fishermen will be the angels who pull the net ashore and separate the good fish (true Christians) from the bad fish (false Christians and unbelievers). Sadly, the wicked will be cast into the furnace of fire called hell.

c. The application for us today

1) God’s Gospel net has been gathering men and women for nearly 2000 years. God loves the world (John 3:16).

2) The Lord is not willing that any should perish (2 Peter 3:9). He wants all men and women to come to the knowledge of the truth (1 Timothy 2:4). He clearly states that whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely (Revelation 22:17).

3) As Christians, it is our duty to cast the Gospel net in our world. God wants us to share the Gospel with young and old, male and female, rich and poor, educated and ignorant, with people of every language and nation.

4) We can aid this work by supporting missions. Grace Giving is giving beyond our tithes and offerings to the Lord. It is sacrificing and giving beyond our regular giving to help spread the Gospel. If you are not involved in Grace Giving, I hope you will get involved today.

6) If you have not yet trusted Christ. God loves you. Christ died for you. God is not willing that you perish in hell. Repent and place your faith in Christ for salvation today.

2. The Parable of the Householder (Mat 13:51-52)

a. The true-to-life story

2) Here the scribe is instructed unto the kingdom of heaven. In other words, the scribe here has been discipled into the kingdom of heaven. He has become a true believer.

3) This scribe is like a householder. The householder is not just a homeowner as we might think. Rather, he is the master of his house. He is the head of his house, with genuine authority over all the household treasure.

4) The treasure here refers to valuables that have been stored up for later use (e.g., fruit, veg, oil, grain).

5) The householder then cares for or serves others out of the new and old treasures in his storehouse.

b. Here is the truth Jesus taught by this

1) Jesus may have been saying that when a “scribe” got saved, he became such an householder. However, Jesus seems to be using the term in a general sense to describe anyone who becomes a Christian and teaches the Bible.

3) Such Christian scribe are like a householder, one who masters his house and has authority over that which is distributed from his storehouse. He is to serve to others both new and old from his storehouse.

a) The new is the Gospel Jesus provided by His death and resurrection.

b) The old is God’s Law that points to the new. (Galatians 3:24) “Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.“

c) The old eternal truths find new applications in Christ’s Gospel. Jews looked for a political kingdom; Christ spoke of His kingdom in a man’s heart. Old Testament prophets spoke of a coming Millennial Kingdom; Christ spoke of reigning in Christians’ lives during the Church Age.

c. The application for us today

1) Every Christian is a scribe. If you are a parent, you are to teach your children the Bible. As a Christian, you are to share the Gospel with unbelievers. If you teach a Bible class of any sort, you are a scribe. Someone is depending on YOU to be his or her scribe, ready with a Bible answer.

Are you involved in Grace Giving above your regular giving? If not, step out by faith and begin today.

If you are not sure you are a Christian, by faith place your trust in Him today.

Song: Teach Me Thy Way, O Lord – 337