Matthew 13:51-58

1. The first thing which we ought to notice in these verses, is the striking question with which our Lord winds up the seven wonderful parables of this chapter. He said, "Have you understood all these things?"
2. The second thing, which we ought to notice in these verses, is the strange treatment which our Lord received in His own country.
3. The last thing which we ought to notice in these verses is the ruinous nature of unbelief.

Matthew 13:44-50

1. These two parables are meant to teach us, that men really convinced of the importance of salvation, will give up everything to win Christ, and eternal life.
2. Behold in this single picture, the conduct of a true Christian explained!
3. Behold in these two parables the real clue to the conduct of many unconverted people!
4. The parable of the NET let down into the sea, has some points in common with that of the wheat and the tares. It is intended to instruct us on a most important subject, the true nature of the visible Church of Christ.

Matthew 13:24-43

(The consideration of the parables of the mustard seed and the leaves is purposefully deferred until a future part of the exposition)

1. In the first place, this parable teaches us, that good and evil will always be found together in the professing Church, until the end of the world.
2. In the second place the parable teaches us, that there is to be a day of separation between the godly and ungodly members of the visible Church, at the end of the world.

Matthew 13:1-23

1. Let us learn, in the first place, from this parable, that the work of the preacher resembles that of the sower. The preacher must (1) Sow good seed, (2) be diligent, and (3) cannot give life.
2. In the next place, let us learn from this passage, that there are various ways of hearing the word of God without benefit.
3. In the last place, let us learn from this parable, that there is only one evidence of hearing the word rightly.

Matthew 12:38-50

1. The first practical lesson which demands our attention in these verses, is the amazing power of unbelief.
2. The second practical lesson which meets us in these verses is the immense danger of a partial and imperfect religious reformation. This is followed by 3 subpoints of this being a picture of the history of (1) the Jewish church and nation, (2) the whole body of Christian churches, and (3) of many individual's soul.
3. The last practical lesson which meets us in these verses is the tender affection with which the Lord Jesus regards His true disciples.

Matthew 12:22-37

1. Let us gather from these passages, in the first place, that there is nothing too blasphemous for hardened and prejudiced men to say against Christ.
2. In the second place, let us gather out of these verses the impossibility of neutrality in religion.
3. In the third place, let us gather from these verses the exceeding sinfulness of sins against knowledge.
4. In the last place, let us gather from these verses the immense importance of carefulness about our daily words.

Matthew 12:14-21

1. The first thing which demands our notice in this passage, is the desperate wickedness of the human heart, which it exemplifies.
2. The second thing which demands our notice in this passage, is the encouraging description of our Lord Jesus Christ's character, which Matthew draws from the prophet Isaiah.

Matthew 12:1-13

1. Let us, in the first place, settle it in our minds as an established principle, that our Lord Jesus Christ does not do away with the observance of a weekly Sabbath day.
2. Let us, in the second place, settle it in our minds, that our Lord Jesus Christ allows all works of real necessity and mercy to be done on the Sabbath day.

Matthew 11:25-30

1. Let us learn, in the first place, the excellence of a childlike and teachable frame of mind.
2. Let us learn, in the second place, from these verses, the greatness and majesty of our Lord Jesus Christ.
3. Let us learn, in the last place, from this passage, the breadth and fullness of the invitations of Christ's Gospel. A number of marks:

• Mark who they are that Jesus invites.
• Mark what a gracious offer Jesus makes.
• Mark what a simple request Jesus makes to the laboring and heavy-laden ones.
• Mark what an encouraging account Jesus gives of Himself.
• Mark, lastly, the encouraging account that Jesus gives of His service.

Matthew 11:16-24

1. These verses show the unreasonableness of many unconverted men in the things of religion.
2. These verses show us the exceeding wickedness of willful impenitence.