Pastor Patrick Toner presented a message titled “The Parables of Jesus: Wheat and Tares” from Matthew 13:24-43. Picking up where Pastor Allen left off in the Parable of the Sower, Pastor Patrick continued the theme of seeds and spiritual growth by teaching through the parable of the wheat and tares in Matthew 13:24-30. He explained that Jesus spoke in parables to fulfill prophecy and to stir people to seek after God with sincere hearts, referencing Matthew 13:34-35, Psalm 78:2, and Proverbs 25:2.

As Pastor Toner moved through Matthew 13:36-43, he explained Jesus’ interpretation of the parable. Jesus was identified as the Sower, the field represented the world, the good seed represented the sons of the kingdom, and the tares represented the sons of the evil one. The devil was shown as the Sower of evil, and the parable pointed toward the final judgment and the eternal realities of Heaven and Hell. Pastor Toner emphasized that although the parable could apply to false teachers, cults, and counterfeits within the church, the deeper issue centered on the contrast between true believers and unbelievers.

The message described how wheat and tares often appeared almost identical in their early stages, but maturity revealed the difference. Wheat became heavy with fruit and bowed low, illustrating humility and spiritual fruitfulness, while tares stood upright without fruit, symbolizing pride and stubbornness. Pastor Toner connected this principle to John 15:5 and John 15:8, teaching that abiding in Christ produced lasting fruit that glorified God. He also referenced Proverbs 16:18, Proverbs 22:4, and Proverbs 18:12 to warn against pride and a haughty spirit.

Pastor Toner then explained the biblical theme of good seed versus bad seed through Genesis 3:15, 1 Peter 1:23, and John 3:3. He taught that every person was either born of corruptible seed through the inherited sin nature or born again through Jesus Christ and filled with the Holy Spirit. The sermon contrasted trusting in personal works, which produced pride and spiritual barrenness, with trusting in the finished work of Christ through grace, which produced humility and fruitfulness.

The message also addressed carnal Christianity through 1 Corinthians 3:1-4. Pastor Toner explained that immature believers could resemble tares when they yielded to the flesh rather than the Spirit. He warned that compromise often began subtly and that people eventually reaped what they sowed. Galatians 5:19-23 was used to contrast the works of the flesh with the fruit of the Spirit. Pastor Toner encouraged believers to avoid carnality by reading God’s Word (Psalm 119:105), abiding in Christ (John 15), living lives of praise and prayer (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18), remaining in fellowship (Hebrews 10:24-25), and becoming doers of the Word (James 1:22-24).

The sermon also covered the parables of the mustard seed and the leaven in Matthew 13:31-33. Pastor Toner explained that the church began humbly but spread throughout the world, while also warning that demonic influence and corruption could creep into the church over time. Referencing Matthew 16:6 and Exodus 13, he reminded the church to beware of spiritual corruption and compromise. He encouraged believers not to become consumed with criticizing other churches or ministries, but instead to remain faithful to the work God had personally called them to do, pointing to Luke 9:49-50 as an example.

Pastor Toner closed the message by reminding the church that Jesus was coming again soon and that the message was meant for self-examination rather than condemnation. He encouraged everyone to seek the Lord sincerely and pray, “Search me O Lord.”

This message was shared at Calvary Chapel West Jacksonville under the leadership of Pastor Allen Victor.

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