Christianity | a New Testament church

August 27, 2023December 30, 2024

A Vanity-Laden Supplication: The Arrogant Pharisee’s Prayer

– PARABLES OF JESUS –
The Parable of the Tax Collector and Pharisee’s Prayer

The Parables of Jesus, Pharisee's prayer

It’s important for a speaker to know his audience. Of any speaker, we should expect that Jesus knew how to read an audience, and we see His ability to do so displayed several times in the gospels. To introduce the parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector, Luke reveals that Jesus knew those who were listening to Him, and adapted His teaching to best serve their needs. Luke tells us that Jesus spoke to those whho trusted in their own righteousness and despised others.

August 6, 2023October 29, 2024

The Powerful Lesson of the Widow’s Persistent Prayer

– PARABLES OF JESUS –
The Parable of the Unjust Judge & Widow’s Persistent Prayer

The Parables of Jesus, persistent prayer

Jesus spoke about prayer a lot. Several of His parables address the need to pray as well as the manner of our approach to the Father. In Luke 18, Jesus taught of a widow characterized by her persistent prayer.

The Lord seeks for us to learn from her and make application in our prayers. Luke 18:1 reads,

...He spoke a parable to them, that men always ought to pray and not lose heart... (Luke 18:1).

July 16, 2023October 29, 2024

Increase Our Faith: Building Devotion to God and Man

– PARABLES OF JESUS –
The Parables of the Mustard Seed & the Unprofitable Servant (Increase our faith)

The Parables of Jesus, Increase our faith

Having heard the Lord talk about offenses and the need to forgive, Peter asked Jesus,

…how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Up to seven times? (Matthew 18:21)

June 25, 2023October 29, 2024

The Shrewd Steward: Walking in Wisdom and Faith

– PARABLES OF JESUS –
The Parable of the Shrewd Steward

This is perhaps one of the most difficult of Jesus’ parables to grasp. As we read it and look for lessons, we must be careful what we apply and how. This isn’t the only time the Lord used an unfaithful servant in a parable, but His usage here is somewhat unique.

June 4, 2023October 29, 2024

Fruitless Faith: Cutting Down The Fig Tree

– PARABLES OF JESUS –
The Parable of the Fig Tree

Some people told Jesus about a group of Galileans whom Pilate killed. Jesus’ reponse indicated those who brought it up believed they got what they deserved. He said to them:

Do you suppose these Galileans were worse sinners than all other Galileans because they suffered such things? I tell you, no, but unless you repent you will all likewise perish. (Luke 13:2-3)

May 28, 2023October 29, 2024

Seed Of The Kingdom Leading To A Spiritual Harvest

– PARABLES OF JESUS –
The Parable of the Seed of the Kingdom

The Parables of Jesus, Seed of the Kingdom

Mark 4 has some parables we’ve seen in other gospels: the sower (4:3-20), the lamp (4:21-23), and the mustard seed (4:30-33). He adds a different parable – a story of the growth of a seed.

May 21, 2023October 29, 2024

The Rich Fool: The Dangers Of Wealth And Selfish Living

– PARABLES OF JESUS –
The Parable of the Rich Fool

As the Lord taught His disciples, a man from the crowd spoke up, asking for Jesus’ help:

Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me. (Luke 12:13)

May 14, 2023October 29, 2024

Being Wise Stewards of the Lord’s Talents

– PARABLES OF JESUS –
The Parable of the Talents

If we hear someone speak about “talents,” we tend to think about skills or abilities that one has. In Matthew 25, Jesus gave a parable about three servants and their use of the master’s talents. In this case, a talent was not their skill or ability, but a sum of money.

May 7, 2023October 29, 2024

The Need to be Prepared: The Ten Virgins

– PARABLES OF JESUS –
The Parable of the Ten Virgins

In Matthew 24, Jesus gave a few parables addressing the need for His people to prepare for His return. He continued the same thought in Matthew 25, teaching the parable of the ten virgins.

April 30, 2023October 29, 2024

Embodying Stewardship: The Wisdom of the Faithful Servant

– PARABLES OF JESUS –
The Parable of the Wise and Faithful Servant

The first part of Matthew 24 addresses Jerusalem’s impending destruction, while the latter portion is about the second coming of Christ – the final judgment. Signs would precede the first event (fulfilled in 70 AD), but there would be no signs for the Lord’s return (Matthew 24:36-39). Jesus said,