Point of Grace Worship 7.11.21 Sermon Notes – Parables of the Kingdom – Why Parables? 7.11.21

Why Parables?

Jesus knows people need Him but, they can’t have Him unless they “get” Him!

Parable - A small past-time narrative that Jesus tells in order to communicate a deeper meaning. They communicate indirectly via metaphors extended to the level of narratives. They “hide” before they “reveal” … subversively making the listener think, consider, question etc.

Matthew 13 That same day Jesus went out of the house and sat by the lake.

The Back Story – In chapters 11 and 12 we see a committed yet frustrated Jesus compassionately reaching out with works and words meeting resistance at all levels. He knows - they need Him but can’t _______ Him unless they ”____” Him! 2 Such large crowds gathered around him that he got into a boat and sat in it, while all the people stood on the shore. 3 Then he told them many things in parables, saying: “A farmer went out to sow his seed. 4 As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up. 5 Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow. 6 But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root. 7 Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants. 8 Still other seed fell on good soil, where it produced a crop—a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown. 9 Whoever has ears, let them hear.”

10 The disciples came to him and asked, “Why do you speak to the people in parables?” Something shifted?

11 He replied, “Because the knowledge of the secrets of the kingdom of heaven has been given to you, but not to them. 12 Whoever has will be given more, and they will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what they have will be taken from them. 13 This is why I speak to them in parables: “Though seeing, they do not see; though hearing, they do not hear or understand.

14 In them is fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah: “‘You will be ever hearing but never understanding; you will be ever seeing but never perceiving. 15 For this people’s heart has become calloused; they hardly hear with their ears, and they have closed their eyes. Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts and turn, and I would heal them.’ 16 But blessed are your eyes because they see, and your ears because they hear. 17 For truly I tell you, many prophets and righteous people longed to see what you see but did not see it, and to hear what you hear but did not hear it.

18 “Listen then to what the parable of the sower means: 19 When anyone hears the message about the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in their heart. This is the seed sown along the path. 20 The seed falling on rocky ground refers to someone who hears the word and at once receives it with joy. 21 But since they have no root, they last only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, they quickly fall away. 22 The seed falling among the thorns refers to someone who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the word, making it unfruitful. 23 But the seed falling on good soil refers to someone who hears the word and understands it. This is the one who produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown.”

Remember what He knows; people need Him but, they can’t have Him unless they “get” Him!

Why this parable?

The seed sower -

The 3 unproductive seed/soil situations –

The 1 productive seed/soil situation

How is Jesus and His parable affecting;

- the crowds?

- the disciples?

- You?

o As you contend with the King and His Kingdom

o So you can contend for the King and His Kingdom

Prayer of the Week

Heavenly Father, I thank and praise You this day for revealing Yourself to me through Jesus! Thank You, Jesus for loving me so much that You passionately and persistently keep reaching out to me with Your word, by Your Spirit and through people so that I might “get” You by faith and live now the meaningful life You intend for me. To be honest though, I want to “get” You more ... I know I “get” You some but I want to “get” … really “get” You and Your kingdom reign in my life and the world … more!

Jesus, I praise You for the creativity and passion that You revealed in using parables to reveal truth to all of us. As I pray through a portion of the sower parable I ask You to reveal afresh, today, what You know I need from You. Speak Lord, Your servant is listening.

Matthew 1319 When anyone hears the message about the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in their heart. This is the seed sown along the path. 20 The seed falling on rocky ground refers to someone who hears the word and at once receives it with joy. 21 But since they have no root, they last only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, they quickly fall away. 22 The seed falling among the thorns refers to someone who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the word, making it unfruitful. 23 But the seed falling on good soil refers to someone who hears the word and understands it. This is the one who produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown.” (Take a few moments to listen.) Jesus, I also lift up to You by name people that I know are trapped in “unproductive soil” lives and I contend in prayer for them now. (Take a moment to name people now who need to be “good soil” hearers of the word.) I pray that Your kingdom would come in their hearts and Your name would be hallowed in their lives Jesus! Reign Jesus reign over them.

Thank You Father for revealing Yourself to me. I desperately desire to live the meaningful life Christ intends for me this day!

Amen

Resources for this Week

Here are some suggested readings for each day of this week. The Meditation Hints below may help you listen and receive all God has for you.

Mon – Matthew 13:18-23 Tue – Matthew 13:10-15 Wed – 1 John 2:15-17 Thu – 2 Peter 1:3-9 Fri – 1 Corinthians 1:18-25 Sat - Psalm 19:1-4,7-11

Meditation Hints:

Solitude – Spend TWO minutes quietly alone. Take some deep breaths… Just be… “Holy Spirit, speak to me through Your Word! I rest in You!”

Scripture – Read the scripture slowly, out loud if possible, listen, reread, dwell, notice words & phrases you are drawn to & return there! Reflect on what you are noticing and where He is leading your thoughts.

Prayer – Have a conversation with God, “What are You saying to me, God?” Talk about what you notice is on your heart. Begin to own the “word of God” being revealed to you.

Finish - Spend TWO minutes again with God, resting and listening and being loved.