parables | a New Testament church

February 19, 2023October 11, 2024

Discerning The Signs Of The Time

– PARABLES OF JESUS –
The Parable of the Red Sky

It wasn’t uncommon for the Jews to ask Jesus for a sign, though strangely, the request often followed a miracle. Consider:

In Matthew 12, Jesus cast out a demon, which had left a man blind and mute. The Pharisees accused Him of using Satan’s power to do so, but then haad the gall to request a sign after (Matthew 12:38).
In John 6, a day after Jesus fed the 5,000 people with 5 loaves and 2 fish, people from the same crowd asked what sign He would perform so they might see and believe (John 6:30).
Mark 8 tells of Jesus feeding the 4,000 people in the region of Decapolis with 7 loaves and a few fish. When He returned to Galilee, a group of Pharisees accosted Him, demanding a sign (Mark 8:11).

It is likely other occasions occurred, since Paul described the Jews as people who seek a sign (1 Corinthians 1:22).

February 12, 2023October 11, 2024

The Truth About Defilement: It’s What Comes Out, Not What Goes In

– PARABLES OF JESUS –
The Parable Concerning Defilement

Having called for the crowd’s attention, the Lord made this simple statement:

Not what goes into the mouth defiles a man, but what comes out of the mouth, this defiles a man. (Matthew 15:11)

February 5, 2023October 11, 2024

Stay Out Of The Ditch: Recognizing Blind Leaders

– PARABLES OF JESUS –
The Parable of the Blind Leading the Blind

If a blind man ever bids you to follow him, do so carefully and with your eyes wide open.

Jesus warned His hearers about the religious leaders of HIs day. Every plant which My heavenly Father has not planted will be uprooted. Let them alone. They are blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind leads the blind, both will fall into the ditch. (Matthew 15:13-14)

January 29, 2023October 12, 2024

Both Good and Bad in the Gospel Dragnet

– PARABLES OF JESUS –
The Parable of the Dragnet

This is the last of the kingdom parables in Matthew 13. Again, the Lord used an image familiar to His listeners. He said:

Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a dragnet that was cast into the sea and gathered some of every kind, which, when it was full, they drew to share; and they sat down and gathered the good into vessels, but threw the bad away. 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 weeping and gnashing of teeth. (Matthew 13:47-50)

January 22, 2023October 12, 2024

Treasure Beyond Measure: The Pearl Of Great Price

– PARABLES OF JESUS –
The Parable of the Pearl of Great Price

Our text this week is very much like the text we looked at last week. Matthew 13:44 spoke of a man who found a treasure in a field. With great joy he sold all that he had so he could purchase it. Of course, the treasure is the kingdom of God. Now we come to the pearl of great price.

January 15, 2023October 12, 2024

The Hidden Treasure Of Extraordinary Value

– PARABLES OF JESUS –
The Parable of the Hidden Treasure

The kingdom parables continue in Matthew 13 with the parable of the hidden treasure. It reads:

Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and hid; and for joy over it he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field. (Matthew 13:44)

January 8, 2023October 12, 2024

The Wonderful Leavening Effect Of The Kingdom

– PARABLES OF JESUS –
The Parable of Leaven

Jesus has been teaching about the kingdom of heaven in Matthew 13. We’ve seen the Sower, followed by the Wheat and Tares, and then the Mustard Seed. Now, He uses leaven to illustrate a kingdom characteristic. We read:

The kingdom of heaven is like leaven, which a woman took and hid in three measures of meal till it was all leavened. (Matthew 13:33)

January 1, 2023October 12, 2024

Growth Like A Mustard Seed

– PARABLES OF JESUS –
The Parable of the Mustard Seed

As the Lord’s parables about the kingdom continues in Matthew 13, now we come to the parable of the mustard seed. It reads:

The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and sowed in his field, which indeed is the least of all the seeds, but when it is grown it is greater than the herbs and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and nest in its branches. (Matthew 13:31-32)