(Matthew 4:23 NASB) Jesus was going about in all of Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom… (John 14:6 NIV) Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. Wheat and Weeds (Matthew 13:24-30 NIV) 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.’” (Matthew 13:36-43 NIV) Then he left the crowd and went into the house. His disciples came to him and said, “Explain to us the parable of the weeds in the field.” He answered, “The one who sowed the good seed is the Son of Man. The field is the world, and the good seed stands for the people of the kingdom. The weeds are the people of the evil one, and the enemy who sows them is the devil. The harvest is the end of the age, and the harvesters are angels. “As the weeds are pulled up and burned in the fire, so it will be at the end of the age. The Son of Man will send out his angels, and they will weed out of his kingdom everything that causes sin and all who do evil. They will throw them into the blazing furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Whoever has ears, let them hear. 1. God’s Creative Intent was . (Genesis 1:26, 28 NIV) Then God said, “Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness, … God blessed them and said to them, “Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky and over every living creature that moves on the ground.” (Genesis 3:6-8 NIV) Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they realized they were naked; so they … made coverings for themselves. Then the man and his wife heard the sound of the Lord God as he was walking in the garden in the cool ( ) of the day, and they hid from the Lord God among the trees of the garden. Man did not lose a … Man lost a . (Psalm 115:16 NIV) The highest heavens belong to the Lord, but the earth he has given to mankind. Man was to govern by with . (John 20:22 NIV) …he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit. 2. Jesus came to a kingdom. (Matthew 4:17 NIV) From that time on Jesus began to preach, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.” 3. THE PLAN: earth with . (Galatians 4:1 NIV) But when the set time had fully come, God sent his Son… (John 1:12-13 NIV) Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, HE GAVE the right to become children of God… (Romans 8:14 NIV) For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God. (2 Corinthians 5:16-17 NIV) So from now on we regard no one from a worldly point of view. Though we once regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! 4. THE GOAL: Kingdom Expansion through . (Matthew 5:13-16 NIV) “You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot. “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.