#18

1. #18

2. Many seem to believe that Jesus Christ never preached anything that was controversial. They would have us to believe that Jesus always preached about things that would not offend nor call on anyone to make a change. They would have us to believe that His preaching was easy to take. Let’s examine the preaching of Jesus and see if we are hearing preaching like He did in our pulpits today.

3. It required total allegiance (Mt. 6:33) • It called for His followers to be persecuted. • It drew lines (Mt. 19:9). • It was an exclusive message (Mt. 6:24) • It was divisive (Mt. 7:13- straight and narrow way). • It was life changing (Mt. 7:21)

4. In the second year of Jesus’ ministry he turned to teaching in parables. • Parables were designed to teach and instruct those who wanted to see and to confuse those who refused to see (Matt.13). • Mark records only four. Luke records 18 peculiar to his book and Matthew records 10 exclusive to his gospel.

5. Simple. Jesus is the only one in the New Testament that employed this type of teaching. • Similes- a simile is a figure of speech that utilizes comparisons of one event with another. It utilizes the words, ‘like’ and ‘as’ to indicate the comparison. • Parables reveal and conceal. Jesus began to use them when it became obvious that the Jewish leaders were going to cling tenaciously to their idea of a restoration of the physical kingdom of Israel. They refused to accept that His kingdom was spiritual.

6. I. Definition Of "Parable" A. Two different Greek words are translated "Parable" (Vine) a) Literally "a placing beside" b) paraballo -"to throw or lay beside, to compare. It signifies a placing of one thing beside another with a view OT comparison." 2. gr: paroimia -denotes a wayside saying, Jn 10:6; 16:25,29

8. John 10:9-11 9 I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture. 10 The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. 11 I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.

9. John 10:12-14 12 But he that is an hireling, and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth: and the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep. 13 The hireling fleeth, because he is an hireling, and careth not for the sheep. 14 I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine.

10. A parable is not a... • FABLE: R.C. Trench in The Parables of the Lord says, "The parable is constructed to set forth a spiritual truth; while the fable is essentially of the earth, and never lifts itself above the earth. The fable just reaches that pitch of morality which the world will understand an approve...The parable differs from the fable, by moving in the spiritual world, and never transgressing the actual order of natural things."

11. A parable is not a... • FABLE: Fables teach human wisdom through fairy-tale like stories with speaking trees and animal. Parables teach divine wisdom through realistic, true to life stories. See Judges 9:8-15; 2 Chronicles 25:17-19. In the story of the Rich man and Lazarus, Luke 16:19-31 is viewed by Jehovah's witnesses as Parable, actually they view it as a fable. Why would Jesus use Jewish false doctrine and Pagan fables in the core of His teaching?

12. A parable is not a... MYTH: Trench, "The mythical narrative presents itself not merely as the vehicle of the truth, but as being itself the truth: while in the parable we see the perfect distinction between form and essence, shell and kernel"

13. A parable is not a... • MYTH: The myth unconsciously mixes the symbol with the deeper meaning, the parable keeps the two separate. A myth claims to be the truth itself, not a vehicle for truth like parables do. Myths confuse fantasy and reality. Modernists view the creation story, miracles and the resurrection of Christ as mythical fantasy stories.

14. A parable is not a... PROVERB: Although sometimes used interchangeably with the Greek word "parable", (Jn 10:6; 16:25,29) the parable is a comparison extended beyond the short use of the "wayside saying" of the proverb. See 2 Pe 2:22 for example of use.

15. Fables are knowingly untrue, unrealistic fantasy stories that illustrate previously discovered human wisdom. • Parables are true or realistic stories that illustrate a deep spiritual truth not previously understood by man. • Myths are fantasy/untrue stories that are accepted as reality/truth themselves. • Parables clearly divide between the story part and the spiritual lesson being taught.

16. A. To sort the audience into righteous and wicked: Mt 13:10-17; Mk 4:10-12; Lk 8:9-10 1. Parables either attracted, inquiry, and thus sowed seed for future development; or left the self-righteous and stubborn in spiritual blindness. Parables sifted the audience and found out the willing hearers. B. To reveal truth to the righteous and conceal it from the wicked: Mt 13:11 C. To teach new truth to the righteous: Mt 13:17; 1 Pe 1:12 D. To fulfill prophecy: Mt 13:34-35; Mk 4:33-34 (Isa 6:9-10; Ps 78:2)

17. 10 And the disciples came, and said unto him, Why speakest thou unto them in parables? 11 He answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given.

18. 13 Therefore speak I to them in parables: because they seeing see not; and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand. 14 And in them is fulfilled the prophecy of Esaias, which saith, By hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and shall not perceive: 15 For this people's heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed;…

19. 15 …lest at any time they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them. 16 But blessed are your eyes, for they see: and your ears, for they hear. 17 For verily I say unto you, That many prophets and righteous men have desired to see those things which ye see, and have not seen them; and to hear those things which ye hear, and have not heard them.

20. God's expectations for Israel 1. Big Dinner: Lk 14:16-24 2. Marriage Feast: Mt 22:1-14 3. Wicked Vine-growers: Mt 21:33-46; Mk 12:1-12; Lk 20:9-19 4. Fruitless Fig Tree: Lk 13:6-9 5. Old & New Treasures: Mt 13:52

21. Advice on Evangelism Sower: Mt 13:3-8; Mk 4:4-8; Lk 8:5-8 2. Tares: Mt 13:24-30 3. Mustard Seed: Mt 13:31-32; Mk 4:3-32; Lk 13:18-19 4. Leaven: Mt 13:33; Lk 13:20-21 5. Mystery of the Growing Seed : Mk 4:26-29 6. Hidden Treasure: Mt 13:44 7. Pearl of Great Price: Mt 13:44 8. Fish Net: Mt 13:47 9. Lost Sheep: Lk 15:3-7 10. Lost Coin: Lk 15:8-10 11. Lost Son (prodigal): Lk 15:11-32

22. God-Pleasing Service Parables 1. Two Foundations: Mt 7:24-27; Lk 6:47-49 2. Pounds: Lk 19:11-27 3. Talents: Mt 25:14-30 4. Labourers in the Vineyard: Mt 20:1-16 5. Two Sons: Mt 21:28-32 6. Counting the Cost: (Tower & King) Lk 14:25-33 7. Dishonest Steward: Lk 16:1-14 8. Unworthy Servant: Lk 17:7-10 9. Blind Leading Blind: Lk 6:39; Mt 15:14 10. Good Shepherd: Jn 10:1-18 11. Defiled Man: Mk 7:14-23; Mt 15:10-20 12. Narrow Door: Lk 13:22-30

23. Life As A Christian In Kingdom 1. Love for neighbor: Good Samaritan: Lk 10:25-37 2. Wealth: Rich Fool: Lk 12:13-21 3. Prayer: Friend's Request at Midnight: Lk 11:5-8; Widow and Unjust Judge: Lk 18:1-8 4. Humility: Pharisee and Publican: Lk 18:8-14 5. Forgiveness: Unmerciful Servant: Mt 18:23-25; Two Debtors: Lk 7:40-47 6. Alertness: Fig Tree: Mt 24:32-33; Watchful servants & Thief: Lk 12:35-48; Mk 13:32-37; Mt 24:42-51 7. Steadfastness: Ten Virgins: Mt 25:13 8. Proper Timing: New/old Garments & Wineskins: Mt 9:14-17; Mk 2:18-22; Lk 5:33-39

24. Instructions for actual conduct: 1. Take low seat: Lk 14:7-11 2. Feast for the poor: Lk 14:12-14 Foretelling of future events: 1. Sheep & Goats: Mt 25:45-46 2. Rich man and Lazarus:Lk 16:19-31

25. 3 And he spake many things unto them in parables, saying, Behold, a sower went forth to sow; 4 And when he sowed, some seeds fell by the way side, and the fowls came and devoured them up: 5 Some fell upon stony places, where they had not much earth: and forthwith they sprung up, because they had no deepness of earth:

26. 6 And when the sun was up, they were scorched; and because they had no root, they withered away. 7 And some fell among thorns; and the thorns sprung up, and choked them: 8 But other fell into good ground, and brought forth fruit, some an hundredfold, some sixtyfold, some thirtyfold. 9 Who hath ears to hear, let him hear.

27. Interpretation Of Mt. 13:3-9 Matt 13:18-23 18 Hear ye therefore the parable of the sower. 19 When any one heareth the word of the kingdom, and understandeth it not, then cometh the wicked one, and catcheth away that which was sown in his heart. This is he which received seed by the way side. 20 But he that received the seed into stony places, the same is he that heareth the word, and anon with joy receiveth it;…

28. Interpretation Of Mt. 13:3-9 21 Yet hath he not root in himself, but dureth for a while: for when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word, by and by he is offended. 22 He also that received seed among the thorns is he that heareth the word; and the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becometh unfruitful. 23 But he that received seed into the good ground is he that heareth the word, and understandeth it; which also bearethfruit, and bringeth forth, some an hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.

29. Luke 14:25-33 25 And there went great multitudes with him: and he turned, and said unto them, 26 If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple. …

30. Luke 14:25-33 27 And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple. 28 For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it? 29 Lest haply, after he hath laid the foundation, and is not able to finish it, all that behold it begin to mock him,….

31. Luke 14:25-33 30 Saying, This man began to build, and was not able to finish. 31 Or what king, going to make war against another king, sitteth not down first, and consulteth whether he be able with ten thousand to meet him that cometh against him with twenty thousand? 32 Or else, while the other is yet a great way off, he sendeth an ambassage, and desireth conditions of peace.

32. Luke 14:25-35 33 So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple. 34 Salt is good: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be seasoned? 35 It is neither fit for the land, nor yet for the dunghill; but men cast it out. He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.

33. Cannot love mother, father, wife, children, brothers, sisters and your own life more than the Lord or cannot be His disciple. • How many put their families before the Lord? • How many follow blindly in a family religion, due to not wanting to hurt relatives? Relatives do not mean more than the Lord.

34. If one does not bear his cross, he cannot be the Lord’s disciple. • What it means to bear your cross: • To consider and know that it will cost you much to be a Christian. You must bear up under any burden or trial of life. You must be willing to go all the way to the cross and be willing to die on it (figuratively) if need be. Nothing is more important than following the Lord in obedient faith.

35. Three Areas To Consider • Planning to Build • We must make plans to succeed in serving God, but the best laid plans are no good without a followup. To many stop with just planning and say “One day I will do what God wants”

36. Three Areas To Consider • Counting the Cost • Anyone getting ready to build a house, must consider, all the supplies necessary and plan for the unexpected expense as well as the expected ones. We must not only consider the expense of serving the Lord, but also the perils.

37. Three Areas To Consider • Going to war • the life of a Christian will involve conflict. Jesus tells them this clearly. No one should come into the Christian life thinking it is going to be easy sailing. Satan is out to take us in every way he can. He is relentless and will not rest (1 Peter 5:8- he goes about seeking to devour)

38. The way of the Christian is no place for those who are uncommitted. • It will cost a person all they have. • How many times have you heard about “bargain religion” Some preacher tells you “it won’t cost you anything to be a member here- we accept you as you are.” Jesus did not preach that way. He is calling here for total commitment and allegiance and stresses that anything less is a pretense. This caused some to leave him. They did not like the cost of discipleship. Jesus did not try to deceive people into serving Him, He honestly told them how much it would take to serve Him. How many do the same today?

39. The Good Samaritan-Lk. 10:25-37 25 And, behold, a certain lawyer stood up, and tempted him, saying, Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life? 26 He said unto him, What is written in the law? how readest thou? 27 And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself. 28 And he said unto him, Thou hast answered right: this do, and thou shalt live. 29 But he, willing to justify himself, said unto Jesus, And who is my neighbour?

40. 30 And Jesus answering said, A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, which stripped him of his raiment, and wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead. 31 And by chance there came down a certain priest that way: and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. 32 And likewise a Levite, when he was at the place, came and looked on him, and passed by on the other side. 33 But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was: and when he saw him, he had compassion on him,….

41. 34 And went to him, and bound up his wounds, pouring in oil and wine, and set him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him. 35 And on the morrow when he departed, he took out two pence, and gave them to the host, and said unto him, Take care of him; and whatsoever thou spendest more, when I come again, I will repay thee. 36 Which now of these three, thinkest thou, was neighbour unto him that fell among the thieves? 37 And he said, He that shewed mercy on him. Then said Jesus unto him, Go, and do thou likewise.

42. In this parable, Jesus says things that may be offensive to His hearers. • He uses a “Samaritan” a race that was not well thought of among those He was teaching. • Jesus used examples that had the potential to hurt feelings, but He used them to make His point. He was clear and to the point with those who were opposed to Him.

43. Denial Of Self Illustrated • The good Samaritan teaches us that serving the lord faithfully will involve our time and our energy. It will not always be convenient to serve the Lord and others. We must be willing to give not only our funds, but ourselves and our time to help others. • Gal. 6:10; James 1:27

44. Denial Of Self Illustrated • It will most certainly cost us our time and resources to serve the Lord faithfully. • We must give to others, our time and energy (for the concern of their souls first and for their sustenance second). • Jesus is teaching the necessity of compassion and involvement with others as a condition of discipleship in His kingdom.

45. He risked losing people as His followers to tell them the truth. • He preached what needed to be preached without regard for the numbers that would follow Him. • He preached a distinct gospel and although he was plain and clear in His preaching, it was clear He preached what He did at great expense. He was urgent in His preaching and called for people to drastically change from what they were into what they should be.

46. Paul’s Plea 2 Tim 4:2-5 2Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. 3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; 4 And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables. 5 But watch thou in all things, endureafflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry.

47. Application For Us? • Preachers who preach less than the pure gospel are not preaching as Jesus did. • Preachers who are more concerned with numbers in the pews or who has the best social program, are not pleasing to God. • Preachers who are not willing to give all they have to preach Christ are not preaching as He did. • Preachers and Christians who are not concerned with the souls and needs of others are not able to be pleasing servants of the Lord.

48. Preach It Brother • Brother, roll up your sleeves and thunder forth that message that rocked the hills and vales around the Jordan long ago — that pierced the hearts and convicted thousands on the day of Pentecost and subsequent days — that vibrated through the hills and valleys of Kentucky and Ohio in the days of the restoration, and that still thrills and influences the hearts of men when it is given its rightful place and emphasis!

49. Preach It Brother • Preach it because you can do nothing greater. Preach it because you love it. Preach it because you are afraid not to preach it. And preach it exactly as it is written, neither fearing nor favoring men. Preach it every time you go into the pulpit like that time will be your last time. Preach it as “a dying man to dying men” • Foy L. Smith, Firm Foundation Vol. 80, Num. 5

50. Gospel preaching is designed to change lives and storm the will. • It is to be clear not confusing. • It is to be preached without fear or favor of any man or group of men. • It is to be preached when it is popular to preach it and when what you have to say is unpopular.