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Current Sermon Series (July 2 - August 27)

     "The Parables"  Reference: The Life Application Study Bible (NLT)

July 2, 2017 | The Mustard Seed | Mark 4:30-32, Matthew 17:17-21 (NKJV)

Jesus used this parable to explain that although Christianity had very small beginnings, it would grow into a worldwide community of believers. When you feel alone in your stand for Christ, realize that God is building a worldwide kingdom. He has faithful followers in every part of the world, and your faith, no matter how small, can join with the others to accomplish great things.

The disciples were unable to cast out this demon, and they asked Jesus why. He said their faith was too small. It is the power of God, plus our faith, that moves mountains. The mustard seed was the smallest particle imaginable. Jesus said that faith even as small or undeveloped as a mustard seed would have been sufficient. Perhaps the disciples had tried to cast out the demon with their own ability rather than God’s. There is greater power in even a little faith when we trust in God’s power to act. If we feel weak or powerless as Christians, we should examine our faith, making sure we are trusting God’s power, not our own ability to produce results.

July 9, 2017 | Two Men Went Up to the Temple | Luke 18: 10-14a (NLT)

The people who lived near Jerusalem often went to the Temple to pray. The Temple was the center of their worship. The Pharisee did not go to the Temple to pray to God, but to announce to all in earshot, how good he was. The tax collector went recognizing his sin and begging for mercy. Self-righteousness is dangerous. It leads to pride, causes a person to despise others, and prevents him or her from learning anything from God. The tax collector’s prayer should be our prayer because we all need God’s mercy every day. Don’t let pride in our achievements cut us off from God.

July 16, 2017 | From Jerusalem to Jericho | Luke 10:30-35 (NLT)

The legal expert viewed the wounded man as a topic for discussion; the bandits, as an object to exploit; the priest as a problem to avoid; and the Temple assistant as an object of curiosity. Only the Samaritan treated him as a person to love.

From this illustration we learn three principles about loving our neighbor: (1) Lack of love is often easy to justify even though it is never right; (2) Our ‘neighbor’ is anyone of any race, creed, or social background who is in need; and (3) Love means acting to meet that person’s need. Wherever we live, there are needy people close by. There is no reason to refuse to help.

July 23, 2017 | Closed Door | Matthew 25:1-13 (NKJV)

Jesus told the following parable to clarify what it means to be ready for His return and how to live until He comes. In the story of the 10 bridesmaids, we are taught that every person is responsible for his or her own spiritual condition.

This parable is about a wedding. On the wedding day the bridegroom went to the bride’s house for the ceremony. Then the bride and groom, along with a great procession, return to the groom’s house, where a feast took place, often lasting a full week.

These bridesmaids were waiting to join the procession, and they hoped to take part in the marriage feast. But when the groom didn’t come at the expected time, five of them were out of lamp oil. By the time they had purchased extra oil, it was too late to join the feast.

When Jesus returns to take His people to heaven, we must be ready. Spiritual preparation cannot be bought or borrowed at the last minute. Our relationship with God must be our own.

July 30, 2017 | A Man Had Two Sons | Luke 15:11-32 (NKJV)

If a father had two sons, the younger son’s share of his estate traditionally would have been one third, with the older son receiving two thirds. In most cases he would have received this at his father’s death, although fathers sometimes chose to divide up their inheritance early and retire. What is unusual here is that the younger one initiated the division of the estate. This showed arrogant disregard for his father’s authority as head of the family.

The younger son, like many rebellious and immature youth, wanted to be free to live as he pleased, and he had to hit bottom before he came to his senses. It often takes great sorrow and tragedy to cause people to look to the only one who can help them—Jesus. Are you trying to live life your own way; selfishly pushing aside any responsibility or commitment that gets in your way? Stop and look before you hit bottom. You will save yourself and your family much grief.

It was hard for the older brother to accept his younger brother when he returned, and it is just as difficult to accept the “younger brothers and sisters” of today. People who repent after living notoriously sinful lives are often held in suspicion; churches are sometimes unwilling to admit them to membership. Instead, we should rejoice like the angels in heaven when an unbeliever repents and turns to God. Like that younger son’s father, accept repentant sinners wholeheartedly, and give them the support and encouragement that they need to grow in Christ.

That father forgave because he was filled with love. The brother refused to forgive because he was filled with bitterness about the injustice of it all. His resentment rendered him just as lost to the father’s love as the younger brother had been. Don’t let anything keep us from forgiving others. If we are refusing to forgive people, we are missing a wonderful opportunity to experience joy and share it with others. Let’s make our joy grow by forgiving somebody who has hurt us!

August 6, 2017 | Children in the Marketplace | Matthew 11: 16-19 (NLT)

Jesus condemned the attitude of his generation. No matter what He said or did, they took the opposite view. They were cynical and skeptical because He challenged their comfortable, secure, and self-centered lives. Too often we justify our inconsistencies because listening to God may require us to change the way we live.

August 13, 2017 | A Widow and A Judge | Luke 18: 2b-5 (NLT)

When we live by faith, we are not to give up. God may delay answering, but His delays always have good reasons. As we persist in prayer, we grow in character, faith, and hope.

Widows and orphans were among the most vulnerable of all God’s people, and both Old Testament prophets and New Testament apostles insisted that these needy people be properly cared for.

August 20, 2017 | A Man Entrusted His Money | Matthew 25:14-30 (NKJV)

The master divided his money among his servants according to their abilities. No one received more or less than he could handle. If he failed in his assignment, his excuse could not be that he was overwhelmed. Failure would indicate laziness or hatred toward the master. The bags of gold represent any kind of resource we have been given. God gives us time, gifts, and other resources according to our abilities and He expects us to invest them wisely until He returns. We are responsible to use what God had provided for us wisely. The issue is not how much we should have, but how well we use what we do have.

Jesus is coming back–this we know is true. Does this mean that we must quit our jobs in order to serve God? No, it means we are to use our time, talents, and treasures diligently in order to serve God completely in whatever we do. For a few people, this may mean changing professions. For most of us, it means doing our daily work out of love for God.

August 27, 2017 | The Weather Report | Matthew 12: 38-42 (NLT)

The Pharisees were asking for another miracle, a sign, but they were not sincerely seeking to know Jesus. Jesus knew they had already seen enough miraculous proof to convince them that He was the Messiah—if they would just open their hearts. But they had already decided not to believe in Him, and more miracles would not change that.

Many people have said, “If I could just see a real miracle, then I could really believe in God.” Jesus’ response to the Pharisees also applies to us. We have plenty of evidence…Jesus’ birth, death, resurrection, and ascension, and centuries of His work in believers around the world. Instead of looking for additional evidence or miracles, accept what God has already given and move forward. He may use our lives as evidence to reach other people!

In Jonah’s day, Nineveh was the capital of the Assyrian Empire, and it was as evil as it was powerful. But the entire city repented at Jonah’s preaching. The queen of Sheba traveled far to see Solomon, king of Israel, to learn about his great wisdom. These Gentiles recognized the truth about God when it was presented to them, unlike these religious leaders, who ignored the truth even though it starred them in the face. How have we responded to the evidence and truth that we have?