parables | a New Testament church

November 13, 2022November 3, 2024

The Parable of the Two Debtors: A Powerful Lesson on Forgiveness

– PARABLES OF JESUS –
The Parable of the Two Debtors

Simon the Pharisee invited Jesus to his home for a meal. As He sat at the table, a woman, simply identified as a sinner came in. Some have tried to identify her as Mary Magdalene (Luke 8:2), but the text does not infer this. Her name is not as important as what she did. Simon withheld some basic courtesies from the Lorrd – he did not wash His feet, give Him a kiss, nor anoint His head. However, the woman whom Simon called a sinner (Luke 7:39) did all of these for the Lord (Luke 7:44-46).

November 6, 2022November 4, 2024

Can A Divided Kingdom Stand? Jesus’ Powerful Parable

– PARABLES OF JESUS –
The Parable of the Divided Kingdom

The crowd buzzed, “Could this be the Son of David?” The Lord had just healed a demon-possessed man brought to him. Hear this, the Pharisees quickly accused,

This fellow does not cast out demons except by Beelzebub, the ruler of demons. (Matthew 12:24)

October 23, 2022November 4, 2024

Playing Games or Genuine Service? What Do We Offer the Lord?

– PARABLES OF JESUS –
The Parable of Children Playing Games

Jesus spoke about the work of John the Baptist to the people. They “justified God,” for they had received his baptism. However, Luke says the Pharisees,

…rejected the will of God for themselves, not having been baptized by him. (Luke 7:30)

October 16, 2022November 5, 2024

There is a Great Harvest, but Few Labourers

– PARABLES OF JESUS –
The Parable of Plentiful Harvest

The Parables of Jesus, the plentiful harvest

Matthew spoke of the Lord’s work as He journeyed, taking the gospel from village to village. The apostle recorded:

…when He saw the multitudes, He was moved with compassion for them, because they were weary and scattered, like sheep having no shepherd. (Matthew 9:36)

October 9, 2022November 5, 2024

The Parables of the Bridegroom, Patches and Wineskins : Jesus’ Teaching on the New Covenant

– PARABLES OF JESUS –
The Parables of the Bridegroom and Patches and Wineskins

The Parables of Jesus, patches and wineskins

The disciples of John the Baptist and the disciples of the Pharisees asked Jesus:

Why do the disciples of John fast often and make prayers, and likewise those of the Pharisees, but Yours eat and drink? (Luke 5:33)

September 25, 2022November 9, 2024

Jesus, The Great Physician: Bringing Restoration to the Spiritually Ailing

– PARABLES OF JESUS –
The Parables of the Physician

Immediately after Jesus called Levi to follow Him, this new disciple hosted a feast at his home. Matthew 9:10 tells us that many tax collectors and sinners came and sat downn at his table. Even at this early stage in Jesus’ ministry, the Pharisees and scribes were keeping tabs on what Jesus was doing. Mark 2:16 reveals they saw Him eating with this motley crew at Matthew’s house. And so, they asked His disciples why He ate with such people.

September 18, 2022November 11, 2024

The Wise Man Built His House On The Rock

– PARABLES OF JESUS –
The Parables of the Wise Man who Built His House on the Rock

For about 15 years in the 1990s and early 2000s, General Motors used Bob Segar’s song, “Like A Rock” in their truck ads. Of course, they wanted to convey the idea that their trucks are strong and reliable. I’ve never owned one, so I don’t know if the image is appropriate or not. But two millennia ago, Jesus used the stability of a rock to speak about the faithfulness of a child of God.

September 11, 2022November 11, 2024

Watch Out! Wolves in Sheep’s Clothing & Trees Known By Their Fruit

– PARABLES OF JESUS –
The Parables of the Wolves in Sheep’s Clothing & A Tree Known by its Fruit

The Parables of Jesus, wolves in sheep's clothing

Jesus said the way to heqaven is narrow, and then Immediately spoke of some who will hinder those who seek to walk the heavenly way. He identifies them as false prophets (Matthew 7:15), and used two images to speak about them. The first speaks of their methods (Matthew 7:15) and the second speaking of their mannner of life (Matthew 7:16-20).

September 4, 2022November 11, 2024

The Lamp of the Body: Insights for Spiritual Life

– PARABLES OF JESUS –
The Parable of the Lamp of the Body

Last week, we looked at Jesus’ use of salt and light in the sermon on the mount to describe the influence a Christian should have on the world. Our focus this week is a chapter later, but in the same sermon. The Lord said:

The lamp of the body is the eye. If therefore your eye is good, your whole body will be full of light. But if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in you is darkness, how great is that darkness! (Matthew 6:22-23)

August 21, 2022November 12, 2024

Salt And Light: Powerful Images Of The Christian’s Role

– PARABLES OF JESUS –
The Parables of Salt and Light

In Matthew 5:13-16, Jesus used two simple images to speak about His people, identifying us as the salt of the earth and the light of the world.