Parables And Prophecy

PARABLES & PROPHECY

Sunday (9/17), gather with your church family as we turn our attention to Matthew 13:24-43. Jesus, facing increasing opposition from the spiritual leaders of Israel, began speaking to the vast multitudes following Him in parables. So, what is a parable?

A parable is a story from everyday life that points to or illustrates a spiritual truth. Their purpose? They are told to provide understanding to those who seek a relationship with Jesus and, simultaneously, hide the truth from those who have hardened their heart.

Parables also are prophetic. Jesus shared them, describing the opposition that He faced would also be met by the church. A spiritual conflict that began with Jesus’ incarnation will continue until His Second Coming. It is characterized by increasing deception and infiltration of satan into the church, attempting to lead astray those following Christ.

In the first parable (13:1-9), Jesus shared the parable of the Sower and the Seed. He is the Sower, and the Seed is the Word of God. As Jesus and His followers proclaim the gospel, those who hear will respond differently. According to His interpretation, only one out of four comes to saving faith.

In the following three parables (13:24-33), Jesus described the hostile and deteriorating conditions that His followers will endure as they proclaim the gospel, first to their families and then everywhere He sends them.

When the disciples followed Jesus back into the house where He was residing, they asked Him the meaning of the parable of the wheat and tares (13:24-30). He gladly sat with them and patiently stated their meaning (13:36-43).

Jesus’ motive in explaining the parables to His followers was multi-faceted. First, parables are easy to remember, as they are simple stories from everyday life with a single point.
Second, parables can bridge the Old and New Testaments in that they are prophesied in the Old and fulfilled in Jesus’ ministry in the New.
 
Third, they are a clarion call to His followers to be alert and aware of satan’s tactics in trying to resist the work of the Holy Spirit in their lives.
 
Fourth, parables equip His followers to share and defend the gospel and conduct the good fight of faith in their war against the flesh, world, and satan.

I look forward to our time together. Please pray for a fresh outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon the entire Calvary Chapel family.

There are several opportunities for worship. On-campus (10:00 am), drive-in church (92.1fm), and online (Facebook, YouTube: Calvary Inverness); (website: calvaryinv.com


In His Strong Love,
Pastor

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