Sermons About Parables
The One About The Useless Tree
Jesus Stories III: The One About The Useless Tree Reconnect – August 9, 2009 Text: Luke 13:1-9; Colossians 1:9-10 Key Thought: God expects evidence of his presence and work in our lives to the extent of our relationship with Him. About this time Jesus was informed that Pilate had murdered some people from Galilee as they were offering sacrifices at the Temple in Jerusalem. “Do you think those Galileans were worse sinners than other people from Galilee?” he asked. “Is that why they suffered? Not at all! And you will also perish unless you turn from your evil ways and turn to God. And what about the eighteen people who died when the Tower of Siloam fell on them? Were they the worst sinners in Jerusalem? No, and I tell you again that unless you repent, you will also perish.” Then Jesus told this story: “A man planted a fig tree in his vineyard and came again and again to see if there was any fruit on it, but he was always disappointed. Finally, he said to his gardener, ‘I’ve waited three years, and there hasn’t been a single fig! Cut it down. It’s taking up space we can use for something else.’ The gardener answered, ‘Give it one more chance. Leave it another year, and I’ll give it special attention and plenty of fertilizer. If we get figs next year, fine. If not, you can cut it down.’” (Luke 13:1-9, NLT)
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The One About The Sleepy Friend
Jesus Stories II: The One About The Sleepy Friend Reconnect – August 2, 2009 Text: Luke 11:5-13; Philippians 4:6-7 Key Thought: Prayer should reflect our relationship with God: the courage to ask for what we need, with the confidence that He works for our good. Then, teaching them more about prayer, Jesus used this story: “Suppose you went to a friend’s house at midnight, wanting to borrow three loaves of bread. You say to him, ‘A friend of mine has just arrived for a visit, and I have nothing for him to eat.’ And suppose he calls out from his bedroom, ‘Don’t bother me. The door is locked for the night, and my family and I are all in bed. I can’t help you.’ But I tell you this – though he won’t do it for friendship’s sake, if you keep knocking long enough, he will get up and give you whatever you need because of your shameless persistence. And so I tell you, keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And to everyone who knocks, the door will be opened. You fathers – if your children ask for a fish, do you give them a snake instead? Or if they ask for an egg, do you give them a scorpion? Of course not! So if you sinful people know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him.” (Luke 11:5-13, NLT)
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The One About The Good Neighbour
Jesus Stories I: The One About The Good Neighbour Reconnect – July 26, 2009 Text: Luke 10:25-37; Galatians 5:13-14 Key Thought: Whether it’s from God or us, real love doesn’t look for loopholes – it just does what’s right. One day an expert in religious law stood up to test Jesus by asking him this question: “Teacher, what should I do to inherit eternal life?” Jesus replied, “What does the law of Moses say? How do you read it?” The man answered, “‘You must love the LORD your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your strength, and all your mind.’ And, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’” “Right!” Jesus told him. “Do this and you will live!” The man wanted to justify his actions, so he asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?” Jesus replied with a story: “A Jewish man was traveling on a trip from Jerusalem to Jericho, and he was attacked by bandits. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him up, and left him half dead beside the road. “By chance a priest came along. But when he saw the man lying there, he crossed to the other side of the road and passed him by. A Temple assistant walked over and looked at him lying there, but he also passed by on the other side. “Then a despised Samaritan came along, and when he saw the man, he felt compassion for him. Going over to him, the Samaritan soothed his wounds with olive oil and wine and bandaged them. Then he put the man on his own donkey and took him to an inn, where he took care of him. The next day he handed the innkeeper two silver coins, telling him, ‘Take care of this man. If his bill runs higher than this, I’ll pay you the next time I’m here.’ “Now which of these three would you say was a neighbour to the man who was attacked by bandits?” Jesus asked. The man replied, “The one who showed him mercy.” Then Jesus said, “Yes, now go and do the same. (Luke 10:25-37, NLT)
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Risking Everything
Jesus used every day objects and experiences to illustrate the most important things in life, showing that he was fully acquainted with human life. Here, Morris explores the parables of the Hidden Treasure and the Pearl.
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Bread and Boldness
Jesus used every day objects and experiences to illustrate the most important things in life, showing that he was fully acquainted with human life. Here, Tim explores some of Jesus examples of prayer.
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The Wise and Foolish Builders
Jesus used every day objects and experiences to illustrate the most important things in life, showing that he was fully acquainted with human life. Here, Jason explores the parable of the wise and foolish builders.
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The Tiny Mustard Seed & a Little Yeast
Jesus used every day objects and experiences to illustrate the most important things in life, showing that he was fully acquainted with human life. Here, Tim explores the parables of the mustard seed and the yeast.
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Wheat and Weeds
Jesus is the sower in this parable where he teaches how wheat and weeds grow together until the harvest. The same is true with believers and nonbelievers who must learn to coexist until Judgment Day. The reality is that as believers, we live in two kingdoms on earth—the Kingdom of God and the Kingdom of man. Whether in the church or in the world, the way we behave morally is the same, but the way we present that morality must be a bit different. The main difference comes through expectation. The church can be held to a higher authority because we adhere to the teaching of scripture and the way of Jesus, but the world is not like that. As Christians, we need to understand that the world is not always going to see things the same way as us. Right or wrong, we need to see it and be tolerant of it without being accepting of it.
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