By George Huang
Initially given as a sermon at Chinatown Church of Christ
In this message on the Parable of the Wheat and Tares, we wrestle with the reality of being hurt or disappointed by others—even within the Church. Why doesn’t God remove evil right away? This sermon reveals God’s patience and mercy, showing that He is giving people time to turn back to Him. At the same time, it reminds us that judgment will come, and invites us to reflect deeply on our own hearts and our walk with God.
This is part of the series on the Kingdom of God parables of Jesus. This parable is similar to the Parable of the Fishes and it will be studied comparatively in that parable’s sermon.
Powerpoint presentation: English and 中文 Chinese
————— Sermon text: for search engines to read
English version:
The Parable of the Wheat & Tares
Scripture: Matthew 13:24–30
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.’”
Sermon:
Have you ever been hurt by someone in church and wondered, “Why is God allowing this?” Why doesn’t God just get rid of evil or fake Christians and wrong teachings in the Church right now? Could it be that this is all part of God’s plan?
Today we continue with the Kingdom of God series. We will study the second of the seven parables in Matthew 13. “Kingdom of God” is not a place we go — it is God’s rule taking root in our hearts and transforming our perspective and how we live.
The Seven Parables of the Kingdom of God: The Four Soils, Wheat & Tares, The Mustard Seed, Yeast in the Dough, Hidden Treasure, Precious Pearl, The Fishes.
Last time we studied the Parable of the Four Soils, which tells us the four types of people and how they can all receive the Gospel. The path is the hard surface where seeds are eaten immediately. The rocky soil has no depth, so plants die from lack of nutrients. Thorny places choke the seeds with worldly distractions. The good soil allows roots to grow and bear fruit. All three bad soil types can be turned into good soil by God with the help of caring Christians.
Today we study the Parable of the Wheat and Tares. The question is: Why doesn’t God remove the evil and fake Christians inside the church now? The answer from this parable is that God allows good and evil to grow together for now so that more people can be saved.
Weeds take up nutrients that could have gone to growing the food crop, thereby possibly reducing crop yields. Tares are a kind of weeds, and they look like wheat until they both reach maturity. Farmers would carefully take out tares before they sow the seeds because tares take up nutrients needed by wheat, and removing them later risks pulling out wheat.
But the enemy threw tares into the field to deliberately hurt the crops and reduce the harvest. The farmer has two options: remove tares while growing, or remove them at harvest time. Jesus teaches that they should be removed at harvest time to avoid damaging the wheat.
The field represents the church where both true and false believers exist. The enemy is the devil, who wants to lead people away from God and destroy the Church. Wheat represents true Christians, and tares represent false Christians with evil intentions. Both exist in every church, and the devil uses false Christians to harm true believers.
2 Corinthians 11:13–15 tells us that false apostles disguise themselves as servants of righteousness, just as Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. Tares can make people intoxicated and sick; they symbolize sin. False Christians can lead others away from God. It is often difficult to distinguish them, just like tares and wheat during growth. It is easy to appear godly while hiding true intentions.
However, at harvest time, the difference becomes clear. Wheat turns brown when ripe, while tares are darker. Similarly, the best way to discern people is by their fruits. As Matthew 7:17–18 says, good trees bear good fruit, and bad trees bear bad fruit.
Can false Christians repent and become good? In nature, tares cannot become wheat, but God can transform people if they are willing. God allows people to choose; He does not force them. The time before final judgment is a time of repentance. Our God is a God of second chances. Revelation 3:20 reminds us that Christ stands at the door and knocks, waiting for us to respond.
God can also use negative elements within the church to help true believers grow. But at the final judgment, evil will be removed to prevent further harm. God does not want people with evil intentions to inherit eternity.
A farmer removes tares after harvest to prevent people from being harmed and to keep tares from contaminating future crops. The question is when to remove them. Removing them early risks damaging wheat. Removing them at harvest protects the crop but requires more work later.
When people try to judge others in the church, it often causes harm. The Bible teaches us to let God be the judge, because we do not see the heart, but God does. James 4:12 reminds us that there is only one Lawgiver and Judge.
God’s choice shows His patience. He waits and does more work later to ensure the best outcome. The church, like fertile soil, can sustain growth even with some tares present. Before judgment, God gives people opportunities to repent, as stated in 2 Peter 3:9.
God can transform sinners by giving them a new heart, as described in Ezekiel 36:26. God is the ultimate judge who sees clearly. Some who appear godly are false, while some who seem ordinary are genuine. We should not be discouraged when false Christians prosper; judgment will come.
At judgment, tares will be removed and destroyed. God is the one who separates and judges, not us. History shows that when Christians try to judge others, it can lead to tragedies such as the Spanish Inquisition and the Salem Witch Trials.
We are called to be patient and let God judge. However, when wrongdoing is clear, we should confront others with love and evidence, following Matthew 18:15–17. Conflicts should be handled within the Christian community and not through public shame or revenge.
God is patient, but the harvest is coming. What will you be — wheat or tares? You do not have to be perfect now, but your heart must be right and seeking God. Micah 6:8 calls us to act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with God.
To God, your heart and intentions matter more than achievements. Matthew 25:21 reminds us that faithfulness is what God values. Some of us may have started as tares, coming to faith for the wrong reasons.
God is patient, but the harvest is coming, and there will be a separation. The question is not what we say we are, but what we are becoming. If you are unsure, repent and ask God to make your heart right. God is loving and gives you time and choice, but do not delay, because you do not know when your last day will come.
“God has promised salvation to your repentance, but He has not promised tomorrow to your procrastination.” – St. Augustine
See you all in the wheat storage in Heaven.
Additional info not used in the normal sermon deck:
All farmers have one goal: make the most money by producing as much good produce as possible. Therefore farmers must ensure good quality, maximize crop yield, and accomplish both at the lowest cost possible.
One of the biggest problems is weeds in the fields, which could reduce crop quality and production.
Tares’ official name is Lolium temulentum. “Temulentum” means “getting drunk” in Latin. Tares take up nutrients needed by wheat, and there is a risk of accidental removal of wheat when trying to get rid of tares.
Chinese version:
麥子與稗子的比喻
讀經：馬太 13:24-30
耶穌又設個比喻對他們說：「天國好像人撒好種在田裡，及至人睡覺的時候，有仇敵來，將稗子撒在麥子裡就走了。到長苗吐穗的時候，稗子也顯出來。田主的僕人來告訴他說：『主啊，你不是撒好種在田裡嗎？從哪裡來的稗子呢？』主人說：『這是仇敵做的。』僕人說：『你要我們去拔出來嗎？』主人說：『不必，恐怕拔稗子，連麥子也拔出來。容這兩樣一齊長，等著收割。當收割的時候，我要對收割的人說：先將稗子拔出來，捆成捆，留著燒，唯有麥子要收在倉裡。』」
你是否曾在教會裡被人傷害過，並疑問：「為什麼神允許這種事發生？」為什麼神不直接現在就清除教會中那些邪惡的、虛偽的基督徒及錯誤的教導？難道這一切都是神的計劃的一部分嗎？
今天我們繼續「神的國度」系列講道。我們將學習馬太福音13章中的七個比喻中的第二個。「神的國度」不是一個要我們去的地方，而是神的統治要在人心中紮根，改變我們的想法及生活方式。
神的國度的七個比喻：四種土壤、麥子與稗子、芥菜種、麵酵、田裡的寶藏、珍貴的珍珠、好魚及壞魚。
上次我們學習了四種土壤的比喻，它告訴我們四種類型的人以及他們如何都能接受福音。路徑是僵硬的土壤，讓曝露的種子被吃掉了。很多石頭的土壤很快就發芽，但沒有真正可生根的土壤，因此會很快就死了。荊棘多的地方，種子被世上的誘惑包圍，沒辦法接觸到土壤而發芽。良好的土壤則讓種子得到保護，可以生根並吸取養分，然後植物成長並結出果實。但我們發現，在有愛心的基督徒的幫助下，神可以將這三種不良土壤變成良好土壤。
今天我們要研究麥子和稗子的比喻。今天的問題是：為什麼神不現在就把教會裡的邪惡和假基督徒清除出去？這個比喻給出的答案是：神允許善與惡暫時同時發展，是為了拯救更多的人。
雜草會吸收原本可以用於農作物生長的養分，因此可能會降低糧食的產量。稗子在未成熟時看起來很像麥子，要成熟時才容易分辨。農民在播種前都要小心地把稗子從要種的種子中除掉。但是他的敵人想要傷害他的農作物及收成，所以故意把稗子撒在田裡。
農夫有兩個選擇：在生長時去除稗子，或在收割時去除稗子。耶穌教導說，在收割的時候才除去稗子，免得不小心也拉起了麥子。
這片田地像徵教會，其中既有真信徒也有假信徒。這敵人是魔鬼，他想讓人們遠離神並摧毀基督的教會。麥子代表真正的基督徒，稗子代表具有邪惡意圖的假基督徒。真與假的基督徒都存在於任何教會中，魔鬼想要利用假基督徒來傷害真基督徒。
哥林多後書11:13-15說，那等人是假使徒，行事詭詐，裝作基督使徒的模樣。這也不足為怪，因為連撒旦也裝作光明的天使，所以他的差役若裝作仁義的差役，也不算稀奇，他們的結局必然照著他們的行為。
稗子會使人類似酒醉、生病、甚至死亡，它是罪惡的意表。因此，這些教會中的假基督徒可能會導致其他人去遠離神。但是通常很難在教會中分辨出這些假基督徒，就像很難分辨出稗子一樣。事實上，要表現敬虔的外表和隱藏自己的真實意圖一陣子是蠻容易的。
在生長時期很難分辨出麥子與稗子，在收穫時間卻很容易。稗子在收割時會脫穎而出，很容易看出來。小麥成熟時變成褐色，而稗子顏色較深，接近黑色。同樣地，辨別人們的最佳方法是看他們所結的果實。馬太福音7:17-18告訴我們，好樹結好果子，壞樹結壞果子。
那些虛假的基督徒會悔改並變得好嗎？在自然界中，稗子不會變成麥子，但若該人願意，神可以讓假基督徒變成真的基督徒。神讓人們去做出選擇，祂不會強迫人歸向祂。最終審判之前的時間是悔改的時間，我們的神是給第二次機會的神。啟示錄3:20說，主站在門外叩門，等待人回應。
神也可以利用教會中的不良分子來幫助真正的基督徒成長。但當最終審判到來時，邪惡的人將被清除，以免造成更大的傷害。神不想讓懷有惡意的人承受永生。
農夫在收割後必須把稗子除去，有兩個重要原因：第一，防止人吃了稗子而生病甚至死亡；第二，不讓稗子留在種子庫中並在下一季再次被播種。因此，問題不在於是否除去，而是在於何時除去。
在生長季節拔除稗子雖然可以幫助保留土壤養分，但也可能傷害麥子的根部。耶穌不選擇這樣做，因為祂擔心會損壞麥子。同樣地，當人試圖在教會中施加審判時，常常會傷害許多人。聖經教導我們要讓神當審判官，因為我們看不見人心，但神能看見。雅各書4:12提醒我們，只有一位審判者。
在收割時才除去稗子可以保護麥子並達到最大產量，雖然這需要更多的勞力。從這個決定中，我們可以看到神的意圖：祂有耐心，並願意在最後做更多的工作來確保最大的收成。教會像肥沃的土壤，靠著神的供應，即使有稗子存在，也能讓麥子成長。
在審判之前，神仍然給人悔改的機會。彼得後書3:9說，神不願有一人沉淪，乃願人人都悔改。在自然界中，稗子不能變成麥子，但神可以改變人的心，使罪人成為義人。以西結書36:26說，神要賜給人新心和新靈。
神是最好的審判官，祂能看透人的內心。有些看似虔誠的基督徒其實是假的，而一些不起眼的人卻是真誠的。當你看到假基督徒興旺時，不要沮喪，審判一定會來，只是還沒到。
在審判時，稗子將被拔除並毀滅。神才是分別與審判的那一位，而不是我們。在人類歷史上，試圖審判他人的基督徒曾帶來許多悲劇，例如西班牙宗教裁判所和美國塞勒姆女巫審判。
因此，我們要有耐心，讓神來審判。但如果有明顯的罪行，我們要用愛心和證據去面對那個人。馬太福音18:15-17教導我們如何在教會中處理衝突。我們不應用世俗的方法處理問題，例如公開指責、羞辱、威脅或報復，而應在基督徒群體中以愛心解決。
神是有耐心的，但收割的季節終將到來。你想成為麥子還是稗子？你不必現在就完美，但你的心必須是正直並追求神。彌迦書6:8教導我們要行公義、好憐憫、存謙卑的心與神同行。
對神來說，你的誠心和意圖比成就更重要。馬太福音25:21提醒我們，神看重的是忠心，而不是能力。我們當中有些人一開始可能是稗子，來到教會的動機也許不完全正確。
神是有耐心的，但收割的日子快到了。那時候，麥子和稗子將被分別出來。所以問題不只是我們自稱是什麼，真正的問題是：我們正在變成什麼？
如果你不確定自己是麥子還是稗子，就應當悔改，求神顯明你的心並使你的心轉正。神是慈愛的，祂給你選擇，也給你時間。但不要拖延，因為你不知道哪一天是你的最後一天。
「神已承諾，因你的悔改你可以得救；但神未曾承諾，因你的拖延而給你明天。」— 聖奧古斯丁
願我們有一日在天堂裡的小麥倉庫見！
（未使用的補充資料）
所有農民都有一個目標：通過生產盡量多的優良農產品來賺最多的錢。因此農夫必須確保品質、達到最大產量，並以最低成本完成。
農產品生產最大的問題之一是田間雜草，會降低品質與產量。稗子的學名是 Lolium temulentum，“Temulentum” 在拉丁文中意為「喝醉」。稗子常感染有毒黴菌，可能導致疾病。人吃太多稗子甚至可能死亡，就像罪惡可以摧毀人的靈魂一樣。
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