He Spake in Parables

I. A Parable
   A. A certain man went to work one day and thought about all that he had.
   B. He reasoned with himself, "I have a nice house, great wife and kids, and 
   plenty of money.  In fact, I have so much money, I will no longer work."
   C. And so he retired, gloating in his wealth and his possessions.  Then God 
   came to him, saying, "Fool! Your soul is required of you at this very hour; 
   what do you have left?"
   D. This is the fate of all those who put their faith in the posessions of 
   this world.
   E. Isn't this more effective than just saying, "if you have faith in this 
   world, you will fail?"  
   F. The human mind understands best with examples and stories
   G. since the beginning of time, man has used story to convey moral lessons
   H. the best example of this is our Savior Jesus Christ, who spoke to people 
   in parables

II. What are Parables?
   A. From the Greek word parabolee, which means to put near or to compare
   B. English definition: "A comparison or similitude, in which one thing is 
   compared with another; especially spiritual things with natural, by which 
   means these spiritual things are better understood, and make a deeper
   impression on the attentive mind."
   C. Method of teaching
      1. effective
      2. very little variance of interpretation
   D. Six Kinds Given in the New Testament:
      1. General comparison (Matthew 24:32-38)
      2. Obscure similarities (Matthew 15:13-15)
      3. Simple allegory (Matthew 13)
      4. Simple adage (Luke 4:23)
      5. Illustration (Hebrews 9:9)
      6. Ancient Prophecies (Matthew 13:35)

III. Why Parables?
   A. Matthew 13:10-17
      1. out of the hardness of the people's hearts
      2. the disciples see, but the Jews do not see
      3. Yet God wants them to see
   B. Fulfillment of prophecy
      1. Matthew 13:34-35 (cf. Psalm 78:2)
   C. Effectiveness
      1. the human mind easily relates to these stories
      2. agricultural/pastoral people easily understand stories relating to
      fields and animals

IV. Applications of Parables
   A. Teaching about the Kingdom
      1. Matthew 13:24-30: the righteous and evil are pulled up together; 
      one burned, other redeemed
      2. Matthew 13:21-32,33: church begins small, becomes great
      3. Matthew 13:44, 45-46: Heaven worth more than anything else
      4. Matthew 13:47-50: the good and bad are separated
      5. Matthew 18:23-35: to be forgiven, forgive others
      6. Matthew 19:23-24: admonishment about riches
      7. Matthew 20:1-16: all receive the same gift in Heaven, no matter how 
      long their work
      8. Matthew 22:2-14: Many are called, few are chosen
      9. Matthew 25:1-13: Be ready for My return
      10. Mark 4:26-29: the harvest grows, and the harvester knows when to cut
   B. Teaching about Witnessing
      1. Matthew 13:3-9
         a. next to the road=Satan takes over the heart, do not understand
         b. rocky soil=immediate enthusiasm, fall away in persecution
         c. in the thorns=the Word is choked out by worldly concerns
         d. good soil=the gospel is accepted and lived
   C. Teaching about  Obedience
      1. Matthew 21:28-32: Repentance and doing is better than not doing
      2. Matthew 21:33-44: Slaves will be killed at the Master's return
   D. Teaching about Readiness
      1. Matthew 24:32-41: The time is come, Christ will return at any point
      2. Luke 6:46-49: Foundation of sand or stone
      3. Luke 12:16-21: similar to the one I gave: where are your stores?
      4. Luke 12:42-48: Be the ready steward
   E. Teaching about Worthiness
      1. Matthew 25:14-30: if nothing else, advance yourself in knowledge
      2. Luke 14:7-15: humble yourself so that you may be exalted
      3. Luke 14:16-24: give to all men as I have
      4. Luke 16:1-13: be a righteous steward
   F. Teaching about People
      1. Luke 6:39-45: blind cannot lead blind, you know them by fruit
      2. Luke 8:16-18: you cannot hide truth
   G. Teaching about this generation
      1. Luke 6:31-35: they cannot be pleased
   H. Teaching about Value
      1. Luke 15:4-7, 8-10: worth of one sheep/coin
      2. Luke 15:11-32: return of the prodigal
      3. Greater that one has been found/returned than those who were already 
      there
   I. Teaching about Prayer
      1. Luke 18:2-8: constant prayer produces good result
      2. Luke 18:10-14: humble in prayer=exaltation
   J. The Judgment
      1. Matthew 25:31-46: sheep vs. goats (righteous vs. wicked)

V. Conclusion
   A. The great teachings of Jesus are in parables
   B. Easy to understand
   C. Parable of the Invitation
      1. There were two men who came to church one Sunday evening, both of 
      which were not Christian.
      2. After the lesson, they both reasoned.
      3. One said, "I must accept Christ, for the time is near."  And he did so.
      4. The other said, "I am young, and have many days ahead of me.  Surely I
      can get away with delaying this decision."  And he just sat there.
      5. Lo, at the end of the service, both men were involved in a car 
      accident.  Which one was justified?  
   D. Part 2
      1. Then hear this parable: 
      2. two Christians came to church with sins on them
      3. upon hearing the invitation, they both knew that they needed to repent  
      4. one did so willingly; the other would not humble himself before God.
      5. After the service, the Lord returned in all of His glory
      6. Which one was justified?
   E. Come and do what is right- confess Christ, repent of sins, and/or be 
   encouraged.