The Parable of the Wheat and the Tares: Grace in the Age of the Church

This sermon interprets the parable of the wheat and tares in Matthew 13:24-43 as a teaching about God's grace in Jesus Christ. Within the context of seven parables about the kingdom of heaven in Matthew 13, the sermon emphasizes that the kingdom of heaven is not merely a geographic territory but the place where God's sovereignty is complete—where He rules absolutely. The pastor explains that the distinction between "kingdom of God" and "kingdom of heaven" is not theologically significant because Jesus Himself used both terms interchangeably in other passages of Scripture.

The second section develops the central meaning of the parable: the world is God's field where good seed (children of the kingdom) and tares (children of evil) grow together. The pastor explains that God sowed good seed in His field (the world), but the enemy (Satan) secretly sowed tares among it. Tares are very difficult to distinguish from wheat until the plants grow and produce grain. The critical point is that the field represents the world, not the church, because if the field were the church, then the church could not practice discipline or oppose sin within its membership.

The third section applies this teaching to practical Christian life: God desires His church to live in the world but not be conformed by the world—neither isolated nor corrupted. The pastor points out that church history contains shameful episodes when some believers attempted to "pull up the tares" by destroying those they considered evil, such as in the Crusades. However, only the angels—not believers—have the authority to distinguish and destroy the tares on the last day.

The fourth section stresses that the present era is an age of grace, not an age of judgment. Jesus came not to judge the world but to save it (John 3:17). Paul teaches that God will judge those outside, but believers should concern themselves only with judging those within the church (1 Corinthians 5:9-13). Believers are called to be salt and light—to preserve and illuminate—not to act as judges.

The final section concludes by presenting Jesus's attitude toward sinners: He treated them with love, compassion, gentleness, and forgiveness. Even toward Judas, whom Jesus knew would betray Him, Jesus washed his feet, gave him bread, and called him friend at the final moment. Believers must learn this compassion of Jesus during the age of grace, living by mercy and patience rather than condemnation and judgment.