The Dragnet
Text:
Matthew 13:47–50
Introduction:
One Net, One Shore, One Final Sorting
Jesus closes His cluster of kingdom parables with a sea-story
everyone on Galilee knew well. Fishermen cast a large dragnet, pull
in fish of every kind, beach the catch, sit down, and sort. The good
are gathered into vessels. The bad are thrown away. Jesus says this
is how it will be “at the end of the age.” The picture is simple and
sobering: the kingdom grows in a mixed world, and a real separation
awaits every soul.
The Picture
Jesus Draws
A dragnet (sagēnē) sweeps everything in its path. It does not
discriminate in the water. It carries what the sea holds—valuable
and worthless, clean and unclean, edible and inedible. The work of
discernment happens on the shore. Jesus names the actors and the
moment: angels conduct the separation, the wicked are removed from
among the righteous, punishment follows for the one group and
security for the other (Matthew 13:49–50).
The Net and
the Sea: Wide Reach, Certain Contact
The sea stands for the world where the kingdom’s message moves
(Matthew 13:47; Matthew 28:19). A dragnet covers large water in one
sweep; the gospel reaches nations and generations. People of every
background enter the net’s path—every “kind.” Encounters with the
word of Christ are unavoidable as the message keeps spreading
(Romans 10:17; Colossians 1:23).
“Every
Kind” Inside the Net: Mixed Company Until the Shore
Jesus has already told us the field contains wheat and tares until
harvest (Matthew 13:24–30, 36–43). Here, the net contains good and
bad fish until the shore. Congregations and communities often
reflect this mixture. Some hear and obey. Some hear and refuse. Some
begin well and drift. The Lord prepares His people to live wisely in
that tension: patient endurance now, certain clarity later.
The Shore
and the Sorting: Angels, Justice, Finality
“When it was full, they drew to shore; and they sat down and
gathered the good into vessels, but threw the bad away” (Matthew
13:48). Jesus applies the scene: “So it will be at the end of the
age. The angels will come forth, separate the wicked from among the
just, and cast them into the furnace of fire. There will be wailing
and gnashing of teeth” (Matthew 13:49–50). The scene is judicial.
The separation is personal. The outcomes are irreversible (Matthew
25:31–46; 2 Corinthians 5:10; Revelation 20:12–15).
The
Standard for Sorting: The Lord’s Word
Jesus says, “The word that I have spoken will judge him in the last
day” (John 12:48). The measure is already revealed. Scripture warns
against adding anything or removing anything (Deuteronomy 4:2;
12:32; 1 Corinthians 4:6; Revelation 22:18–19). The wise builder
hears and does the Lord’s sayings (Matthew 7:24–27). Entrance
belongs to those who do the Father’s will (Matthew 7:21). He is the
author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him (Hebrews 5:9). The
sorting will honor that standard.
Warnings We
Dare Not Miss
Jesus’ picture exposes several dangers:
• Religious activity
without submission. Many will say, “Lord, Lord,” and point
to works; the Lord rejects lawlessness (Matthew 7:22–23).
• Doctrines of men.
Human tradition cannot stand in judgment; it produces vain worship
(Matthew 15:1–9; Colossians 2:8, 22–23).
• Practiced
unrighteousness. Lists of deeds carry clear warnings (1
Corinthians 6:9–11; Galatians 5:19–21; Ephesians 5:5–6). The shore
reveals what a life truly practiced.
Comforts We
Need to Hold
God does not overlook the righteous. He keeps record (Hebrews 6:10).
He will separate evil from among the just (Matthew 13:49). He brings
every work into judgment with every secret thing (Ecclesiastes
12:13–14). That certainty steadies daily faithfulness and keeps
congregations from despair when the net looks tangled.
How to Live
in Light of the Dragnet
-
Submit
to the revealed pattern. Do all
in the name of the Lord Jesus (Colossians 3:17). Speak where
Scripture speaks; respect its silences (1 Corinthians 4:6).
-
Answer
the gospel as the Lord commands.
Hear the word, believe in Jesus, repent of sins, confess His
name, and be baptized for the remission of sins (Mark 16:16;
Acts 2:38; 22:16; Romans 6:3–4; 1 Peter 3:21).
-
Continue steadfastly. Devote
yourself to the apostles’ teaching, fellowship, breaking of
bread, and prayers (Acts 2:42). Practice the Sermon on the Mount
in daily life (Matthew 5–7).
-
Test
every tradition. Keep what aligns
with Christ’s instructions; lay aside what elevates man’s will
(Matthew 15:9).
-
Practice church discipline as Scripture instructs.
The parable promises a final separation; congregations still
must pursue holiness and restorative discipline in the present
(Matthew 18:15–17; 1 Corinthians 5).
-
Hold
the judgment in view. Speak to
neighbors plainly and kindly, knowing the shore awaits us all
(John 4:35; 2 Thessalonians 1:7–9).
Invitation
and Obedient Response
The Lord calls you to a clear response now—before the net reaches
the beach. Believe the gospel, repent, confess Christ, and be
baptized into Christ for the remission of sins (Mark 16:16; Acts
2:38; 22:16; Romans 6:3–4). Then walk in obedience to His teaching,
doing the will of the Father (Matthew 7:21; Hebrews 5:9).
Conclusion:
Live for the Shore
Drag a net long enough and the beach comes into view. The Lord’s
story fixes our attention there. Live today with that day in mind.
Keep to His word. Help others do the same. The angels will sit down
to sort. Make your choices now with the shore in your eyes.
Exhaustive
Sermon Outline
Call to Action
Live this week
as someone who will be sorted. Read Matthew 13 aloud. Examine one
habit by John 12:48—adjust it to match the Lord’s word exactly.
Speak to one soul about the shore. If you have delayed baptism,
arise and be baptized, washing away your sins, calling on His name
(Acts 22:16).
Scripture
Reference List
-
Matthew
13:47–50 — Parable of the dragnet; gathering, sorting, end-time
separation
-
Matthew
13:24–30, 36–43 — Wheat and tares; mixed present, harvest
clarity
-
Matthew
25:31–46 — Final judgment; two groups and two destinies
-
2
Corinthians 5:10 — Each appears before the judgment seat of
Christ
-
Revelation
20:12–15 — Books opened; second death for those not found in the
book of life
-
Ecclesiastes
12:13–14 — Duty of man; every work brought into judgment
-
John 12:48 —
The word of Christ judges in the last day
-
Deuteronomy
4:2; 12:32; 1 Corinthians 4:6; Revelation 22:18–19 — Do not add
to or subtract from God’s revelation
-
Colossians
3:17 — Do all in the name (authority) of the Lord Jesus
-
Matthew
7:21–23 — Doing the Father’s will; lawlessness rejected
-
Hebrews 5:9
— Eternal salvation to all who obey Him
-
Matthew
15:1–9 — Traditions of men produce vain worship
-
Colossians
2:8, 22–23 — Human philosophy and man-made religion lack true
value
-
1
Corinthians 6:9–11; Galatians 5:19–21; Ephesians 5:5–6 —
Practices that exclude from the kingdom
-
Matthew
18:15–17; 1 Corinthians 5 — Congregational discipline for purity
-
John 4:35 —
Fields white for harvest; urgency in outreach
-
2
Thessalonians 1:7–9 — Vengeance on those who know not God and
obey not the gospel
-
Mark 16:16;
Acts 2:38; Acts 22:16; Romans 6:3–4; 1 Peter 3:21 — Appointed
response: baptism for remission and new life
-
Acts 2:42 —
Continued devotion in the pattern of the early church
Prepared by David Hersey of the church of Christ at
Granby, MO
|
The
church of Christ
