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What if every one of these parables is describing the same thing from a different angle? In this episode, Jesus paints a picture of a kingdom that grows like a seed, spreads like yeast, captures you like hidden treasure, and frees you from the endless anxiety of trying to prove you belong. The kingdom of heaven isn't something you do enough to get into—it's God's promise at work, giving you a future that no longer depends on your performance but on Christ's faithfulness.GOSPEL Matthew 13:31-33,44-52 31 He put before them another parable: "The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed that someone took and sowed in his field; 32 it is the smallest of all the seeds, but when it has grown it is the greatest of shrubs and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and make nests in its branches." 33 He told them another parable: "The kingdom of heaven is like yeast that a woman took and mixed in with three measures of flour until all of it was leavened."44 "The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which someone found and hid; then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field. 45 "Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls; 46 on finding one pearl of great value, he went and sold all that he had and bought it. 47 "Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net that was thrown into the sea and caught fish of every kind; 48 when it was full, they drew it ashore, sat down, and put the good into baskets but threw out the bad. 49 So it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come out and separate the evil from the righteous 50 and throw them into the furnace of fire, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. 51 "Have you understood all this?" They answered, "Yes." 52 And he said to them, "Therefore every scribe who has been trained for the kingdom of heaven is like the master of a household who brings out of his treasure what is new and what is old."CARE OF SOULS: DEATHIn Care of Souls, a special mini-series podcast from Luther House of Study, Lutheran pastors and theologians come together to explore the deeply personal and pastoral task of preaching to and caring for those facing death, grief, and loss.Rooted in the theology of the cross and the Lutheran tradition of radical grace, this series offers both theological depth and practical guidance for pastors, church workers, and lay leaders.Across five episodes, the hosts tackle tough but essential questions on death:How does Lutheran theology speak uniquely to death and grief?What does faithful pastoral care look like when walking alongside those who mourn?How can pastors offer both honesty and hope in the face of tragedy and loss?What does ministry look like when death impacts the pastor as well as the congregation?Why do funerals matter, and what is God giving through them?With conversations, real-life stories, and reflections from the front lines of ministry, Care of Souls equips listeners to enter the sorrow of death not with easy answers, but with the crucified and risen Christ.Because in the end, it's not about avoiding death—it's about hearing the Gospel from the One who has passed through death and opened the way to life.Listen to Care of Souls wherever you listen to podcasts or on the Luther House website: Care of SoulsSupport the showInterested in sponsoring an episode of Scripture First?Email Sarah at sarah@lhos.org or visit our donation page: lutherhouseofstudy.org/donate
Year A, Proper 12, Ninth Sunday After Pentecost
Lead Pastor Rev. Ashley Mathews preaches from the Gospel of Matthew on the Eighth Sunday after Pentecost.
This is Wade's sermon at Resurrection Lutheran Church in Milwaukee, WI for Pentecost 9. We'd love to have you join us at Resurrection for a Sunday Divine Service sometime at 9am. As always, if you are enjoying the show, please subscribe, rate, and review us on iTunes, Stitcher, Google Play, Spotify, or TuneIn Radio. You can also like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter. And, of course, share us with a friend or two! If you'd like to contact us we can be reached at podcast@LetTheBirdFly.com, or visit our website at www.LetTheBirdFly.com.
Recorded Sunday, July 12, 2026 at St. Paul's Ev. Lutheran Church in Bangor, Wisconsin. "Like" us on Facebook!!
It can be tempting to leave, move, or abruptly change direction when we find ourselves sharing a community, city, workplace or family with people who don't behave the way we think they should. After all, they are "toxic" right? Jesus tells a parable that challenges this way of thinking and implies that, like the wheat in the story, putting down roots and growing amid adversity is often part of how we mature. Join us this Sunday for an exploration of staying present amid temporary pain to cultivate resilience, wisdom, and fruitfulness "...and maybe even discover that we are not nearly as good at telling wheat from weeds as we think we are."
Sermon - Matthew 13:24-30 Until the Harvest by Community Lutheran Church
Sermon - Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43 - Worthless Weeds by Community Lutheran Church
In this inspiring sermon, Chris Montgomery explores the parable of the weeds in Matthew 13, emphasizing the importance of planting seeds of faith. He explains how God plants sons and daughters of the kingdom throughout the world, encouraging patience and growth in faith. The message highlights the significance of trusting God's timing, enduring seasons of darkness, and the call to sow seeds in others' lives. With a focus on spiritual growth and perseverance, Montgomery reminds believers not to give up, as God never gives up on them.
FPC Knoxville's 7/19/25 Sunday Sermon -“In The Weeds” - Rev. Mark Curtis (Romans 8:18-25/Matthew 13:24-30)Hymn of Response - "Come Ye Thankful People Come" performed by Scott Scheetz and our adult choir.Prayers of the People and The Lord's Prayer by Rev. Dr. Meredith Loftis
Jul 19, 2026 - Pastor John Keen expounds on Matthew13:24-30-36-43
“Just as the weeds are sorted out and burned in the fire, so it will be at the end of the world. The Son of Man will send his angels, and they will remove from his Kingdom everything that causes sin and all who do evil. And the angels will throw them into the fiery furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Then the righteous will shine like the sun in their Father’s Kingdom. Anyone with ears to hear should listen and understand!” (Matthew 13:40–43 NLT-SE)
“Just as the weeds are sorted out and burned in the fire, so it will be at the end of the world. The Son of Man will send his angels, and they will remove from his Kingdom everything that causes sin and all who do evil. And the angels will throw them into the fiery furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Then the righteous will shine like the sun in their Father’s Kingdom. Anyone with ears to hear should listen and understand!” (Matthew 13:40–43 NLT-SE)
July 19, 2026. Matthew 13:10-12
Pastor Dan Bodin ~ 8th Sunday after Pentecost Old Testament: Isaiah 44:6-8 Epistle: Romans 8:18-27 Gospel: Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43 The post July 19, 2026 ~ “Enduring the Weeds” ~ Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43 appeared first on Beautiful Savior Fargo.
Keeping this brief this week as I am recording the audio version of my book! But let's talk Matthew 13!Last week, Jesus spoke about the seed. This week, He shows us what happens when it begins growing in a messy field.The weeds do not mean the wheat has failed. The field is unfinished—but God is still at work.Buy a Zine: www.stanthonystongue.com/margins
July 17, 2026. Matthew 13:1-9
When life feels hard, it's easy to wonder, Why bother? But what if God's kingdom grows precisely in those unexpected places?In this episode of Holy Shenanigans, Pastor Tara Lamont Eastman reflects on Jesus' parables of the sower, the mustard seed, and the yeast to discover how God's generous love takes root through even the smallest acts of mercy and hope. Sharing the story of transforming a tiny, clay-filled garden into a place of beauty and abundance, Tara explores what it means to prepare our hearts as "good soil" and partner with God in cultivating new life.Whether you're facing rocky ground, stubborn obstacles, or wondering if your efforts matter, this conversation offers encouragement to keep planting seeds of grace. Because God's love has a way of growing where we least expect it—and even the smallest acts of faith can become gardens of hope.Join us as we imagine what might flourish when we choose to sow generously, trust God's surprising abundance, and become good soil for faith, hope, and love.Send Tara a Text Message
Lutheran Preaching and Teaching from St. John Random Lake, Wisconsin
47 “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a dragnet that was cast into the sea and gathered some of every kind, 48 which, when it was full, they drew to shore; and they sat down and gathered the good into vessels, but threw the bad away. 49 So it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come forth, separate the wicked from among the just, 50 and cast them into the furnace of fire. There will be wailing and gnashing of teeth.”
Matthew 13:1-23On that day, Jesus went out of the house and sat down by the sea.Such large crowds gathered around himthat he got into a boat and sat down,and the whole crowd stood along the shore. And he spoke to them at length in parables, saying:“A sower went out to sow. And as he sowed, some seed fell on the path,and birds came and ate it up. Some fell on rocky ground, where it had little soil. It sprang up at once because the soil was not deep,and when the sun rose it was scorched,and it withered for lack of roots. Some seed fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked it. But some seed fell on rich soil, and produced fruit,a hundred or sixty or thirtyfold. Whoever has ears ought to hear.”The disciples approached him and said,“Why do you speak to them in parables?” He said to them in reply,“Because knowledge of the mysteries of the kingdom of heavenhas been granted to you, but to them it has not been granted. To anyone who has, more will be given and he will grow rich;from anyone who has not, even what he has will be taken away. This is why I speak to them in parables, becausethey look but do not see and hear but do not listen or understand. Isaiah's prophecy is fulfilled in them, which says:You shall indeed hear but not understand,you shall indeed look but never see.Gross is the heart of this people,they will hardly hear with their ears,they have closed their eyes,lest they see with their eyesand hear with their earsand understand with their hearts and be converted,and I heal them. “But blessed are your eyes, because they see,and your ears, because they hear. Amen, I say to you, many prophets and righteous peoplelonged to see what you see but did not see it,and to hear what you hear but did not hear it."Hear then the parable of the sower.The seed sown on the path is the onewho hears the word of the kingdom without understanding it,and the evil one comes and steals awaywhat was sown in his heart.The seed sown on rocky groundis the one who hears the word and receives it at once with joy. 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. The seed sown among thorns is the one who hears the word,but then worldly anxiety and the lure of riches choke the wordand it bears no fruit. But the seed sown on rich soilis the one who hears the word and understands it,who indeed bears fruit and yields a hundred or sixty or thirtyfold.”
Matthew 13:1-23On that day, Jesus went out of the house and sat down by the sea.Such large crowds gathered around himthat he got into a boat and sat down,and the whole crowd stood along the shore. And he spoke to them at length in parables, saying:“A sower went out to sow. And as he sowed, some seed fell on the path,and birds came and ate it up. Some fell on rocky ground, where it had little soil. It sprang up at once because the soil was not deep,and when the sun rose it was scorched,and it withered for lack of roots. Some seed fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked it. But some seed fell on rich soil, and produced fruit,a hundred or sixty or thirtyfold. Whoever has ears ought to hear.”The disciples approached him and said,“Why do you speak to them in parables?” He said to them in reply,“Because knowledge of the mysteries of the kingdom of heavenhas been granted to you, but to them it has not been granted. To anyone who has, more will be given and he will grow rich;from anyone who has not, even what he has will be taken away. This is why I speak to them in parables, becausethey look but do not see and hear but do not listen or understand. Isaiah's prophecy is fulfilled in them, which says:You shall indeed hear but not understand,you shall indeed look but never see.Gross is the heart of this people,they will hardly hear with their ears,they have closed their eyes,lest they see with their eyesand hear with their earsand understand with their hearts and be converted,and I heal them. “But blessed are your eyes, because they see,and your ears, because they hear. Amen, I say to you, many prophets and righteous peoplelonged to see what you see but did not see it,and to hear what you hear but did not hear it."Hear then the parable of the sower.The seed sown on the path is the onewho hears the word of the kingdom without understanding it,and the evil one comes and steals awaywhat was sown in his heart.The seed sown on rocky groundis the one who hears the word and receives it at once with joy. 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. The seed sown among thorns is the one who hears the word,but then worldly anxiety and the lure of riches choke the wordand it bears no fruit. But the seed sown on rich soilis the one who hears the word and understands it,who indeed bears fruit and yields a hundred or sixty or thirtyfold.”
Matthew 13:1-23On that day, Jesus went out of the house and sat down by the sea.Such large crowds gathered around himthat he got into a boat and sat down,and the whole crowd stood along the shore. And he spoke to them at length in parables, saying:“A sower went out to sow. And as he sowed, some seed fell on the path,and birds came and ate it up. Some fell on rocky ground, where it had little soil. It sprang up at once because the soil was not deep,and when the sun rose it was scorched,and it withered for lack of roots. Some seed fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked it. But some seed fell on rich soil, and produced fruit,a hundred or sixty or thirtyfold. Whoever has ears ought to hear.”The disciples approached him and said,“Why do you speak to them in parables?” He said to them in reply,“Because knowledge of the mysteries of the kingdom of heavenhas been granted to you, but to them it has not been granted. To anyone who has, more will be given and he will grow rich;from anyone who has not, even what he has will be taken away. This is why I speak to them in parables, becausethey look but do not see and hear but do not listen or understand. Isaiah's prophecy is fulfilled in them, which says:You shall indeed hear but not understand,you shall indeed look but never see.Gross is the heart of this people,they will hardly hear with their ears,they have closed their eyes,lest they see with their eyesand hear with their earsand understand with their hearts and be converted,and I heal them. “But blessed are your eyes, because they see,and your ears, because they hear. Amen, I say to you, many prophets and righteous peoplelonged to see what you see but did not see it,and to hear what you hear but did not hear it."Hear then the parable of the sower.The seed sown on the path is the onewho hears the word of the kingdom without understanding it,and the evil one comes and steals awaywhat was sown in his heart.The seed sown on rocky groundis the one who hears the word and receives it at once with joy. 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. The seed sown among thorns is the one who hears the word,but then worldly anxiety and the lure of riches choke the wordand it bears no fruit. But the seed sown on rich soilis the one who hears the word and understands it,who indeed bears fruit and yields a hundred or sixty or thirtyfold.”
Lutheran Preaching and Teaching from St. John Random Lake, Wisconsin
36 Then Jesus sent the multitude away and went into the house. And His disciples came to Him, saying, “Explain to us the parable of the tares of the field.”37 He answered and said to them: “He who sows the good seed is the Son of Man. 38 The field is the world, the good seeds are the sons of the kingdom, but the tares are the sons of the wicked one. 39 The enemy who sowed them is the devil, the harvest is the end of the age, and the reapers are the angels. 40 Therefore as the tares are gathered and burned in the fire, so it will be at the end of this age. 41 The Son of Man will send out His angels, and they will gather out of His kingdom all things that offend, and those who practice lawlessness, 42 and will cast them into the furnace of fire. There will be wailing and gnashing of teeth. 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!
How does Jesus' parable about wheat and weeds relate to the forces of good and evil , and what's all this talk about fire?! John Kennedy and Rob Schwartz wrestle with this challenging parable while exploring themes of justice, patience, and the surprising humility Jesus calls us to embrace. What does it really means to leave judgement to God?Questions for Further DiscussionThemes & ApplicationWhy does Jesus tell us to let the wheat and weeds grow together instead of pulling the weeds immediately?What does this parable teach us about the difference between identifying evil and appointing ourselves as judges?How do patience and trust become acts of faith when the world feels full of injustice?Personal Reflection QuestionsAre there "seeds of destruction" you recognize growing in your own life, such as resentment, fear, pride, or bitterness?What practices help you cultivate the "wheat" instead?Is there someone you've written off as beyond redemption? What might this parable challenge you to reconsider?Broader Spiritual ConsiderationsWhy do human beings seem so naturally drawn toward dividing the world into heroes and villains?What can this parable contribute to modern conversations about polarization, cancel culture, and public shaming?What parallels can be found between this parable and other traditions that emphasize inner transformation over condemning others?Learn more about St. Mark's at https://www.stmarksnewcanaan.org
Lutheran Preaching and Teaching from St. John Random Lake, Wisconsin
34 All these things Jesus spoke to the multitude in parables; and without a parable He did not speak to them, 35 that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying:“I will open My mouth in parables;I will utter things kept secret from the foundation of the world.”
Rev. John Reiter, Rev. John DeBevoise, and Sara Mickelson discuss Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43, Romans 8:12-25, and Genesis 28:10-19a for Sunday, July 19, 2026 (Proper 11, Year A)
Josh invites the community to move from explaining God to experiencing God. Matthew 13:1-13 Gather Houston
In this episode, we ask one of the oldest questions: If God's creation is good, where did all the weeds come from? As Jesus unpacks the parable of the weeds, we discover that the real temptation isn't simply evil in the world—it's our desire to sort out the wheat from the weeds ourselves, measuring, judging, and trying to accomplish what belongs to God alone. Instead, Christ calls us away from playing judge and into faith, reminding us that the kingdom of heaven comes not through our efforts to clean up the field, but through God's Word, which elects, preserves, and promises that the final harvest belongs to him.GOSPEL Matthew 13:24-30,36-4324 He put before them another parable: "The kingdom of heaven may be compared to someone who sowed good seed in his field; 25 but while everybody was asleep, an enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat, and then went away. 26 So when the plants came up and bore grain, then the weeds appeared as well. 27 And the slaves of the householder came and said to him, 'Master, did you not sow good seed in your field? Where, then, did these weeds come from?' 28 He answered, 'An enemy has done this.' The slaves said to him, 'Then do you want us to go and gather them?' 29 But he replied, 'No; for in gathering the weeds you would uproot the wheat along with them. 30 Let both of them grow together until the harvest; and at harvest time I will tell the reapers, Collect the weeds first and bind them in bundles to be burned, but gather the wheat into my barn.' "36 Then he left the crowds and went into the house. And his disciples approached him, saying, "Explain to us the parable of the weeds of the field." 37 He answered, "The one who sows the good seed is the Son of Man; 38 the field is the world, and the good seed are the children of the kingdom; the weeds are the children of the evil one, 39 and the enemy who sowed them is the devil; the harvest is the end of the age, and the reapers are angels. 40 Just as the weeds are collected and burned up with fire, so will it be at the end of the age. 41 The Son of Man will send his angels, and they will collect out of his kingdom all causes of sin and all evildoers, 42 and they will throw them into the furnace of fire, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. 43 Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Let anyone with ears listen!CARE OF SOULS: DEATHIn Care of Souls, a special mini-series podcast from Luther House of Study, Lutheran pastors and theologians come together to explore the deeply personal and pastoral task of preaching to and caring for those facing death, grief, and loss.Rooted in the theology of the cross and the Lutheran tradition of radical grace, this series offers both theological depth and practical guidance for pastors, church workers, and lay leaders.Across five episodes, the hosts tackle tough but essential questions on death:How does Lutheran theology speak uniquely to death and grief?What does faithful pastoral care look like when walking alongside those who mourn?How can pastors offer both honesty and hope in the face of tragedy and loss?What does ministry look like when death impacts the pastor as well as the congregation?Why do funerals matter, and what is God giving through them?With conversations, real-life stories, and reflections from the front lines of ministry, Care of Souls equips listeners to enter the sorrow of death not with easy answers, but with the crucified and risen Christ.Because in the end, it's not about avoiding death—it's about hearing the Gospel from the One who has passed through death and opened the way to life.Listen to Care of Souls wherever you listen to podcasts or on the Luther House website: Care of SoulsSupport the showInterested in sponsoring an episode of Scripture First?Email Sarah at sarah@lhos.org or visit our donation page: lutherhouseofstudy.org/donate
Year A, Proper 11, Eighth Sunday After Pentecost
Sermon- Matthew 13:1-9 Sower and Seed - Vogelsang by Community Lutheran Church
----- Worship Times Sunday – 8:00 & 10:45 a.m. Monday – 6:30 p.m. https://trinitysheboygan.org https://facebook.com/trinitysheboygan We are a congregation of the Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod. Join us as we proclaim Christ crucified and risen for the forgiveness of sins. --- Trinity Lutheran Church, School and Child Care have been "Making Known the Love of Christ" in Sheboygan, Wisconsin and throughout the world since 1853 as a congregation gathering around God's Word and Sacraments to receive forgiveness and life everlasting. Trinity is located in downtown Sheboygan, only one block from the Mead Public Library and the Weill Center for the Performing Arts. We invite you to visit us in person! Trinity Lutheran Sheboygan is a proud member of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod. Visit their website: https://www.lcms.org/ Music for this production was obtained through a licensing agreement with One License, LLC. The copyright permission to reprint, podcast, and record hymns and songs is acquired through ID Number: 730195-A #LCMS #Lutheran #DivineService
----- Worship Times Sunday – 8:00 & 10:45 a.m. Monday – 6:30 p.m. https://trinitysheboygan.org https://facebook.com/trinitysheboygan We are a congregation of the Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod. Join us as we proclaim Christ crucified and risen for the forgiveness of sins. --- Trinity Lutheran Church, School and Child Care have been "Making Known the Love of Christ" in Sheboygan, Wisconsin and throughout the world since 1853 as a congregation gathering around God's Word and Sacraments to receive forgiveness and life everlasting. Trinity is located in downtown Sheboygan, only one block from the Mead Public Library and the Weill Center for the Performing Arts. We invite you to visit us in person! Trinity Lutheran Sheboygan is a proud member of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod. Visit their website: https://www.lcms.org/ Music for this production was obtained through a licensing agreement with One License, LLC. The copyright permission to reprint, podcast, and record hymns and songs is acquired through ID Number: 730195-A #LCMS #Lutheran #DivineService
Lead Pastor Rev. Ashley Mathews preaches from the Gospel of Matthew on the Seventh Sunday after Pentecost.
❖ Follow along with today's reading: www.esv.org/1Chronicles16–17;Psalm11;Matthew13 ❖ The English Standard Version (ESV) is an 'essentially literal' translation of the Bible in contemporary English. Created by a team of more than 100 leading evangelical scholars and pastors, the ESV Bible emphasizes 'word-for-word' accuracy, literary excellence, and depth of meaning. ❖ To learn more about the ESV and other audio resources, please visit www.ESV.org
So much comes at us each day that leads to distraction and anxiety. Short bits of information, disjointed and unrelated, fill our minds and tell us what we should run after and what will satisfy. As a result, it's easy to feel spiritually disoriented, deflated or numb. In Matthew 13:44-46, Jesus' parables break through all that noise with beautiful simplicity. They reveal the Kingdom of Heaven not as some distant, abstract reality we're to keep at arm's length, but as a treasure beyond compare – one that produces delirious joy, wholehearted devotion and glad surrender.
Yes, Jesus talked about hell. But yes, this is a good thing for those who are his. Have a listen!
Yes, Jesus talked about hell. But yes, this is a good thing for those who are his. Have a listen!
1 Chronicles 8-9; 19 Psalms 27-29; 40 Matthew 13
Have your ever felt like you missed your one opportunity to live an abundant life? Jesus once told a story about a farmer scattering seed to reveal God's generous way of working in the world. The seeds fell on every kind of ground, in every kind of place. Maybe God is still scattering the seeds of abundance on the ground right in front of us.
Sermon - Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23 - The Sower and the Soils by Community Lutheran Church