Hearing & Parables Bishop Ronald K. Powell

Parables - “The word parable means to ‘cast alongside’. A parable is a story that teaches something new by putting the truth alongside something familiar. A parable starts off as a picture that is familiar to the listeners. But as you carefully consider the picture, it becomes a mirror in which you can see yourself, but many people do not ask for help. For those who ask for help, the mirror becomes a window through which we see God and His grace. To understand a parable and benefit from it, demands honesty and humility on our part.”

Parables - “The primary purpose of the parables is to reveal some aspect of the coming of the kingdom of God in the person and teaching of Jesus. But Jesus also intended that the parables conceal his teaching while being a vehicle for it. Even the disciples of Jesus did not understand the parables without fail. But their adherence to Jesus caused them to seek and receive understanding of the parables. Understanding is made subject to whether a listener is willing to identify with Jesus or wishes to remain ‘outside’ (hold Jesus at arms length). The disciples inquiry arose from commitment and was itself hearing which was in contrast with others failure to hear.” Eerdmans Bible Dictionary

Parables , What do We Know? 1. They used everyday objects, events and images to communicate important truth. -Matthew 13: 1-7

Matthew 13: 1-7 The Parable of the Sower 13 That same day Jesus went out of the house and sat beside the sea. 2 And great crowds gathered about him, so that he got into a boat and sat down. And the whole crowd stood on the beach. 3 And he told them many things in parables, saying: “A sower went out to sow. 4 And as he sowed, some seeds fell along the path, and the birds came and devoured them. 5 Other seeds fell on rocky ground, where they did not have much soil, and immediately they sprang up, since they had no depth of soil, 6 but when the sun rose they were scorched. And since they had no root, they withered away. 7 Other seeds fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked them.

Parables , What do We Know? 2. They were designed to test, not the intelligence but the spiritual responsiveness of the hearer. -Matthew 13:11-13

Matthew 13:11-13 11 And he answered them, “To you it has been given to know the secrets of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been given. 12 For to the one who has, more will be given, and he will have an abundance, but from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away. 13 This is why I speak to them in parables, because seeing they do not see, and hearing they do not hear, nor do they understand.

Parables , What do We Know? 3. Great insight about God and his Kingdom can be ours by listening carefully to these parables -Matthew 13:16-17

Matthew 13:16-17 16 But blessed are your eyes, for they see, and your ears, for they hear. 17 For truly, I say to you, many prophets and righteous people longed to see what you see, and did not see it, and to hear what you hear, and did not hear it.

Parable of The Weeds – Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43 Basic Observations - There are two planters, the owner and the enemy. “The kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field. But while everyone was sleeping, his enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat, and went away.” vs24-25 - There are two plants, the wheat and the weeds “When the wheat sprouted and formed heads, then the weeds also appeared.” vs.26

God’s To Judge Parable of The Weeds - Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43 Basic Observations - There are others involved, noticing two plants growing and wanting to fix the problem “The owners servants came to him and said, 'Sir, didn’t you sow good seed in your field? Where did the weeds come from?” “Do you want us to pull them up?” vs. 27-28 - Harvest separates the valuable and worthless “Let both grow until harvest. At that time I will tell the harvesters: First collect the weeds and tie them in bundles to be burned; then gather the wheat and bring it into my barn. Vs. 30

Parable of The Weeds - Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43 Parable Explained Two Planters - Son of Man and the Devil Two Plants - Son’s of the Kingdom, Son’s of the evil one Those Involved - Angels who notice the difference Harvest - The separation of everything that causes sin and all who do evil separated from the righteous. Outcome - Weeping and gnashing of teeth or being with the Father in heaven.

God’s To Grow Parable of The Mustard Seed “The Kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and planted in his field. Through it is the smallest of all your seeds, yet when it grows, it is the largest of garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and perch on it’s branches.” vs.31-32 Basic Observation - The Seed Is Planted Intentionally in a Garden - The Smallest Of Their Seeds - Grows To Be The Largest

God’s To Grow Parable of The Mustard Seed Simple Truth - In God’s Kingdom there is intentional planting - Size of the Seed not important, God will care for the Growth. - When God is involved, what the plant is used for… is His business.

God’s To Change Parable of The Yeast - vs. 33 “The kingdom of heaven is like yeast that a woman took and mixed into a large amount of flour until it worked all through the dough.” Simple Truth - Yeast mixed into the flour would affect the dough. - The dough would be affected through and through for all to see. - The kingdom of God affects not a small part of us, but all of us.

So What God’s To Judge 1. We should not be surprised at weeds 2. Results will expose the wheat and weeds 3. Our job is to produce fruit, not watch for weeds 4. There will be a harvest that will bring all to account

So What God’s to Grow 1. We are expected to put in a Garden! 2. The smallest thing done for God can bear great results! 3. What God does with what He grows is up to him!

So What God’s To Change 1. Being part of the Kingdom of God will affect all of you! 2. It will be a visible change that makes us different! 3. It is a work done in us that cannot be faked or duplicated by actions!

So What God’s To Judge God’s To Grow God’s To Change He starts the work, He finishes the work.