parables | a New Testament church

November 5, 2023September 25, 2024

Finding Value in Humility: Embracing the Lowly Place

– PARABLES OF JESUS –
The Parable of the Lowly Place

Jesus went to the house of a ruler of the Pharisees to eat on the Sabbath in Luke 14.. Typically a dinner invitation infers an amicable relationship, but this was not the case here. The latter part of verse 1 tells us that the Pharisees “…watched Him closely.” It seems they had also invited a man with dropsy, though it is doubtful he was there to participate in the dinner. They wanted to see what Jesus would do. Would He heal this infirmed man on the Sabbath or not?

October 8, 2023October 6, 2024

Who is My Neighbour? Valuable Lessons from the Good Samaritan

– PARABLES OF JESUS –
The Parable of the Good Samaritan

The religious leaders of Jesus’ day confronted Him several times. Luke 10 records a question given by a lawyer who tested Him.

Teacher, what shall I do to inherit
eternal life? (Luke 10:25)

October 1, 2023October 6, 2024

Lost and Found: A Parable of Hope

– PARABLES OF JESUS –
The Parable of the Lost

The scribes and Pharisees complained against Jesus, because He would receive those whom they deemed to be base persons of society. When this accussation was levied against Him in Luke 5, Jesus answered:

Those who are well have no need of
a physician, but those who are sick. I
have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance. (Luke 5:31-32)

September 24, 2023October 6, 2024

Think Before You Follow: Reflecting On The Cost Of Commitment

– PARABLES OF JESUS –
The Parables about Counting the Cost

Luke records,

Now great multitudes went with Him.
And He turned and said to them, ‘If
anyone comes to Me and does not
hate his father and mother, wife and
children, brothers and sisters, yes
and his own life also, he cannot be
My disciple. (Luke 14:25-27)

September 3, 2023October 6, 2024

Empty and Exposed: The Returning Demon & the Swept Heart

– PARABLES OF JESUS –
The Parable of the Returning Unclean Spirit

It is interesting to notice the references to demon possession in the Bible. Search the Old Testament, and there doesn’t seem to be any reference to such happening. In the gospels, demons appear to be a common occurrence, but as we continue in the New Testament, demon activity wanes in the book of Acts, and is non-existent in the epistles.

August 27, 2023October 6, 2024

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

– PARABLES OF JESUS –
The Parable of the Pharisee and Tax Collector Prayers

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 6, 2024

The Persistent Widow: A Powerful Lesson on Prayer

– PARABLES OF JESUS –
The Parable of the Unjust Judge

Parables are earthly stories with spiritual meanings. As we study Jesus’ parables, we seek to know what the spiritual application is. In some cases, such as the parable of the sower, the text provides the explanation. In other instances, we may not receive a direct meaning, but the context can guide us. Sometimes, we lack an explanation, and the context also does not clarify the meaning. Such cases call for careful and prayerful meditation.

July 16, 2023October 7, 2024

Increase Our Faith: Building Devotion to God and Man

– PARABLES OF JESUS –
The Parables of the Mustard Seed & the Unprofitable Servant

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 7, 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.

May 28, 2023October 7, 2024

Seed Of The Kingdom Leading To A Spiritual Harvest

– PARABLES OF JESUS –
The Parable of the Seed

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