The resources God has given us to live a thriving life are His Word, Spirit, and People.
Read God’s Word:
Matthew 13:1-53, Mark 4:1-34, Luke 8:1-18
Act 3: God’s New Covenant People
Scene 2: Christ’s Ministry; God’s True King Manifests His Kingdom
Background Information: Matthew 13:1-53, Mark 4:1-34, Luke 8:1-18
Parables are just stories or even puzzles without a point to those whose hearts are not open to God. To those whose hearts are open and to whom God grants wisdom, they reveal specific truths about the Kingdom of God. They are not like Proverbs, merely highlighting some principles of wisdom. Parables give facts about how the Kingdom of God operates, such as what it means to enter it, how it expands and grows, and what are the privileges and responsibilities of membership. At one point in his ministry, Jesus began to speak publicly exclusively in parables, while in private conversations he spoke in clear language. This fulfilled Old Testament prophecy that said Israel would hear the Lord’s words but not understand them or obey them. Parables are not allegories where each point or character is a veiled reference to something else entirely. Parables have a main point, and that point is to reveal truth about the Kingdom of God. Why did Jesus speak in parables? Was he trying to be vague? No, he spoke this way because he was seeking to reach the average person, not the theologically astute. He used everyday language in order to convey eternal truth. He used examples from the world around them to explain the world they could not see with their eyes. He also spoke this way because to understand required more than mere human intellect. In fact, human pride and a heart hardened to God were barriers to understanding. The truth of the Kingdom was literally standing in front of them in the person of the Lord Jesus. They rejected him and they rejected his message. In so doing, they refused to enter the Kingdom with its forgiveness, joy, purpose, and hope. Those who did humble themselves and become like children were given eyes to see and ears to hear. The parables are not complex, but they do contain hard truth for those who refuse to bow the knee to King Jesus. To those who do bow to him as Lord, they contain good news of great joy.
Pray:
Praise God for…
Thank God for…
Confess your sins to God
Pray for Joey & Lia during a heavy time of Buddhist festivals in South Asia. Pray for the hearts of the lost to feel the emptiness that comes from false gods and that they would instead search for the one true God.
Ask God for… (what else concerns you?)
Reflect:
Write down one passage of scripture that stood out to you today.
Write down why this passage stood out to you.
Engage Community:
Text or call someone now and tell them…
– What you are praying for.
– What stood out from God’s word today.