A Few Thoughts About Parables

The Parable of the Sower

Luke 8:1-10 WEL

1 It came about afterwards, that he went throughout every city and village, announcing and preaching the Good News about the Kingdom of God. The Twelve were with him, [as well as]

2 Certain women, who had been healed of evil spirits and sicknesses, Mary called Magdalene, from whom seven demons were cast out,

3 And Joanna, the wife of Chuza, Herod’s steward, and Susanna, and many others who assisted him from their assets.

4 When many people had come together and had come to him from every city, he spoke a parable.

5 “A seed planter went out to plant seed, and as he planted seed some fell by the roadside. It was trodden on and the birds of the air ate it.

6 “Some fell on a rock, and as soon as it was sprung up, it withered away, because it didn’t have enough moisture.

7 “Some fell among thorns. The thorns sprouted up with it and choked it out.

8 “Others fell on good ground, sprouted, and bare seed—a hundred times more.” After he had said these things, he called out, “He, who has ears to hear, must hear.”

9 His disciples asked him, saying, “What does this parable mean?”

10 He said, “It is given to you to know the mysteries of the Kingdom of God, but to others in parables, so that seeing, they might not see and hearing, they might not understand.

Why did Jesus speak in parables?

B1 Jesus had been ministering over 2 years. The people had heard Him and seen resurrections from dead, people healed of physical illness and demonic possession, the weather controlled, people feed from small amounts of food, etc. Some had believed; most did not.

B2 Those who did believe are His sheep (read all of John chapter 10 but especially John 10:14-27). The nonbelievers are not His sheep. Even though all Jews were part of the chosen nation and chosen people.

B3 The nonbelieving Jews are being punished. They still hear but do not understand. They could have asked but did not.

C1 Compare Matthew 21:45

C2 Clarke writes: The chief priests - perceived that he spoke of them - The most wholesome advice passes for an affront with those who have shut their hearts against the truth. When that which should lead to repentance only kindles the flame of malice and revenge, there is but little hope of the salvation of such persons.

B4 The believing Jews did not understand either, but they ask Him to explain the parable, at least most of the time. In our passage above, they do ask.

Didn’t Jesus want people to understand His teachings?

B1 Yes, but most did not choose to believe.

C1 Refuse to believe, even though they could have. John 3:36 NIV Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God's wrath remains on them.

C2 Unbelievers chose to disbelieve. 2 Thessalonians 2:12 NLT Then they will be condemned for enjoying evil rather than believing the truth.

B2 God opens their heart to believe.

C1 Example. The word was preached, and God initiated grace for people to believe. Acts 16:14 NIV One of those listening was a woman from the city of Thyatira named Lydia, a dealer in purple cloth. She was a worshiper of God. The Lord opened her heart to respond to Paul's message.

C2 People did spiritual help to understand. 1 Corinthians 2:14 HCSB14 But the unbeliever does not welcome what comes from God’s Spirit, because it is foolishness to him; he is not able to understand it since it is evaluated spiritually.

C3 The Holy Spirit does that for all people, someplace and sometime in their life. John 16:8 GW He will come to convict the world of sin, to show the world what has God's approval, and to convince the world that God judges it.

Why are they hard to understand?

B1 Jesus did this on purpose. Those who seek an answer, asked Him.

B2 For us it is more difficult. Some are explained, as the Parable of the Sower and some are not.

How can we understand them?

B1 Read them in context.

B2 Interpret them in the plain, normal sense, not in the allegorical sense.

B3 Under who Jesus is speaking to, their beliefs, their culture, and the situation.

B4 Search for cross references of the same terms. Compare the 11 verses that have the word leaven to help understand the Parable of Leaven in Matthew 13:33.

List of parables. Various lists have from lower 30s to uppers 40s. Some explanations are partial. I didn’t include parallel passages. Study to be approved. All that Jesus did teaches a truth, a principle.

Parable	Taught In	Explained In
Sower	Matthew 13:1-9	Matthew 13:18-23
Wheat and Tares	Matthew 13:24-30	Matthew 13:36-43
Mustard Seed	Matthew 13:31-32
Leaven	Matthew 13:33
Hidden Treasure	Matthew 13:44
Pearl of Great Value	Matthew 13:45-46
Net	Matthew 13:47-48	Matthew 13:49-50
What Defiles	Matthew 15:10-14	Matthew 15:15-20
The Two Sons	Matthew 21:28-30	Matthew 21:31-32
Wicked Tenants	Matthew 21:33-41
The Cornerstone	Matthew 21:42-44
Wedding Feast	Matthew 22:1-14
Ten Virgins	Matthew 25:1-13
Talents	Matthew 25:14-28	Matthew 25:29-30
Blasphemy	Mark 3:22-25	Luke 3:26-30
The Light Under Basket	Mark 4:21-25	Luke 8:17
Growing Seed	Mark 4:26-29
New and Old	Luke 5:36-39
Good Samaritan	Luke 10:25-35	Luke 10:29, 36-37
Rich Fool	Luke 12:16-20	Luke 12:13-15, 21
Barren Fig Tree	Luke 13:6-9
Narrow Door	Luke 13:22-27	Luke 13:28
Guests at Honor	Luke 14:7-10	Luke 14:11
Banquet Invitations	Luke 14:12-24
Lost Sheep	Luke 15:1-6	Luke 15:7
Lost Coin	Luke 15:8-9	Luke 15:10
Prodigal Son	Luke 15:11-32	Possibly Luke 15:10
Dishonest Manager	Luke 16:1-9	Luke 16:10-13
Persistent Widow	Luke 18:1-5	Luke 18:6-8
Pharisee and Tax Collector	Luke 18:9-13	Luke 18:14
Ten Minas	Luke 19:11-25, 27	Luke 19:26
Sprouting Leaves	Luke 21:29-30	Luke 21:31

Other illustrations, etc. could be added to this list as many do; see Luke 7:40-48.

Another list can be found here.

Another helpful article Parable by Kitto

The principal is to believe the Scriptures, see the basic principle, and live it.

A Few Thoughts about God’s Character Traits from 1 Corinthians 13:4-8a Part 3

1 Corinthians 13:4-8a WEL Love is very patient and kind; love is not envious; love doesn’t brag about itself, is not haughty, 5 Doesn’t behave improperly, is not self-seeking; love isn’t easily aggravated, doesn’t keep a list of wrongs, 6 Doesn’t rejoice in injustice, but rejoices with the truth, 7 Bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, calmly endures all things. 8 Love never falls away,

The actions of love are in public and private. These definitions of love are character traits of God.

Part 1, Part 2

Questions

C11 Rejoices with the truth

D1 Most do not like the truth if it exposes them. John 3:20-21 NRSV For all who do evil hate the light and do not come to the light, so that their deeds may not be exposed. 21 But those who do what is true come to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that their deeds have been done in God.

D2 Any lie will do for many people, if they gain power and money without accountability. Isaiah 59:4 NLT No one cares about being fair and honest. The people’s lawsuits are based on lies. They conceive evil deeds and then give birth to sin.

C12 Bears all things

D1 This is the idea of never gives up (NRSV), keeps out resentment (Vincent), puts up with, protects (NIV), covers the faults of others rather than delighting in them (Expositor’s Bible Commentary), keeps private things private (doesn’t gossip or betray secrets). Of course, if someone is in danger, we do not keep secrets because we love that person. Remember the Lord Jesus said to Love your neighbor as yourself (Matthew 22:39 NLT).

D2 Verses

E1 Love must not tell secrets. Proverbs 11:13 NLT A gossip goes around telling secrets, but those who are trustworthy can keep a confidence.

E2 Not even in arguments. Proverbs 25:9 NLT When arguing with your neighbor, don’t betray another person’s secret.

E3 Ecclesiastes 3:7 NLT A time to tear and a time to mend. A time to be quiet and a time to speak.

C13 Believes all things

D1 This does mean to be gullible. It means reasonable. For example, if one comes and reveals to you that they have been abused or molested. We believe them.

D2 This idea is seen in judging people. We may be misunderstanding their actions. We need to examine this.

D3 True love does not accept public appearances, actions, speech as the highest thing to believe. What people do in private is more revealing. We are not to be gullible.

D4 Someone may have great credentials, following, books, etc. but that does not mean they are more believable than others.

D5 We must believe, but we must be a little skeptical. Acts 17:11 NLT And the people of Berea were more open-minded than those in Thessalonica, and they listened eagerly to Paul's message. They searched the Scriptures day after day to see if Paul and Silas were teaching the truth. [Emphasis is mine. They searched. They did not exercise blind faith].

C14 Hopes all things

D1 Hope is defined by Websters 1913: To desire with expectation or with belief in the possibility or prospect of obtaining; to look forward to as a thing desirable, with the expectation of obtaining it; to cherish hopes of.

D2 Remember these are character traits of God. God has this character trait of hope.

D3 Hope has an element of patience. Romans 8:25 CSB Now if we hope for what we do not see, we eagerly wait for it with patience.

D4 Hope depends on another’s trustworthiness. Hebrews 10:23 NET And let us hold unwaveringly to the hope that we confess, for the one who made the promise is trustworthy.

C15 Calmly endures all things

D1 Precept Austin comment on this attribute: To reiterate, this attribute of love means the believer endures patiently and triumphantly and is not passively putting up with the deluge of difficulties. Obviously a love that supernaturally endures like this can only be carried out by a believer who is filled with and strengthened by the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 3:16-note; Ephesians 5:18-note). The suffering which the apostles and early Christians had to endure for the sake of the gospel is eloquent testimony of their authentic, fervent love for God.

D2 This is why God does not give up on our failures.

D3 2 Timothy 2:10 NIV Therefore I endure everything for the sake of the elect, that they too may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory.

D4 James 1:12 NLT God blesses those who patiently endure testing and temptation. Afterward they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.

D5 We are not to calmly endure sinful and bad attitudes, as well as what is unreasonable, foolish, proven to fail, etc.

C16 Never extinguishes

D1 Never comes to an end, is never replaced by anything else [Source is NIV Study Bible Notes]

D2 Love is superior to all other attributes or achievements because it never fails (13:8a). Of the familiar Christian triad—faith, hope, and love—which comprehends Christian existence as a whole for the present, love is the greatest (v.13), for it lasts forever. When the future age comes in its fullness, faith and hope will give way to sight (see Romans 4:14-22; 8:24-25). Then will remain only love, intimate, personal relationship with God (v.12). [Source is Asbury Bible Commentary]

D3 If we love the Lord Jesus as we must, we will obey His rules (John 14:15 and 1 John 2:5). If we do not love Him as we must, then Therefore, dear friends, since you have been forewarned, be on your guard that you do not get led astray by the error of these unprincipled men and fall from your firm grasp on the truth (2 Peter 3:17 NET).

D4 Psalm 6:4 NIV Turn, LORD, and deliver me; save me because of your unfailing love.

B2 How can we find strength to live this way?

Again, we learn about God character traits from Scripture. Think deeply about these things.

A Few Thoughts on Luke 2:8-18

 

Luke 2:8-18

The familiar news of the angels, the shepherds, Mary, Joseph, and the Messiah.

The angels were delegated to give a message.

They obeyed.

The shepherds heard the message.

They interpreted it in its plain, normal sense.

They believed the message.

They acted on the message.

They confirmed that the message was true.

They left with the message and its confirmation.

They told others the message.

The principle for us is clear to read the Scriptures, interpret them in the plain, normal sense, know its meaning, believe it, and to show we believe, we do the message.

Let us be encouraged to do the same.

 

A Few Thoughts on Titus 2:13-14

Titus 2:13-14 NIV while we wait for the blessed hope—the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, 14 who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good.

A reason to come.

The gift of all gifts.

The past gift—His birth in Bethlehem.

The coming gift—His return for His church

It is a blessed hope.

B1 Hope is the expectant fulfillment of promise.

B2 Blessed is the happy, joys, relieving, satisfaction of God’s joy.

It is the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ

B1 Jesus is God

B2 Jesus is Savior

B3 Glory is the majesty, the admiration, the beauty of character and wisdom that is God’s. The one who will, in wisdom, holiness, and love, destroy evil and make all things new.

It is a giving of Himself.

B1 He is the propitiating sacrifice, that is, our Passover Lamb, the volunteer who is fully qualified to be the substitute.

B2 He did not have to this, He volunteered.

It is a redeeming of us.

B1 We were sold to sin.

B2 He paid the price to redeem us. This price was we would be sentenced to death. He died for us.

It is a redeeming of us.

B1 From the sin nature.

B2 To freedom to live the life God wants for us.

It is a purifying.

B1 From sin

B2 From sin’s guilt

It is a for a purpose.

B1 A people who are His own.

B2 A people to serve.

C1 Eager

C2 To do good

B3 A people whose lives bear much fruit (Galatians 5:22-23)

These blessings are eternal.

He is the best gift.

Merry Christmas.

What Child Is This

 

by William C. Dix 1865

 

A Few Thoughts about God’s Character Traits from 1 Corinthians 13:4-8a Part 2

1 Corinthians 13:4-8a WEL Love is very patient and kind; love is not envious; love doesn’t brag about itself, is not haughty, 5 Doesn’t behave improperly, is not self-seeking; love isn’t easily aggravated, doesn’t keep a list of wrongs, 6 Doesn’t rejoice in injustice, but rejoices with the truth, 7 Bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, calmly endures all things. 8 Love never falls away,

The actions of love are in public and private. These definitions of love are character traits of God.

Questions

B1In the following points, think of some examples in your life that God has shown these 16 facets of love, then some ways we should have and will do for others

C7 Is not self-seeking

D1 We are told to seek first the kingdom of God (Matthew 6:33), but there are those who seek themselves first.

D2 The Lord Jesus sought to honor His Father first. John 8:49, 54 NKJV Jesus answered, "I do not have a demon; but I honor My Father, and you dishonor Me. ... 54 Jesus answered, "If I honor Myself, My honor is nothing. It is My Father who honors Me, of whom you say that He is your God.

D3 TheLord also sought for the lost that they might be saved. Luke 19:10 NKJV for the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost.

D4 Barclay writes: In the last analysis, there are in this world only two kinds of people—those who always insist upon their privileges and those who always remember their responsibilities; those who are always thinking of what life owes them and those who never forget what they owe to life. It would be the key to almost all the problems which surround us today if men would think less of their rights and more of their duties. Whenever we start thinking about "our place", we are drifting away from Christian love.

C8 Not easily aggravated

D1 Not quick to defend oneself. Listens rather than lectures. Thinks about the situation before action.

D2 The Lord Jesus took many insults without revenge.

D3 An example of being easily aggravated is Cain. Genesis 4:5-8 NLT but he did not accept Cain and his gift. This made Cain very angry, and he looked dejected. 6 "Why are you so angry?" the LORD asked Cain. "Why do you look so dejected? 7 You will be accepted if you do what is right. But if you refuse to do what is right, then watch out! Sin is crouching at the door, eager to control you. But you must subdue it and be its master." 8 One day Cain suggested to his brother, "Let's go out into the fields." And while they were in the field, Cain attacked his brother, Abel, and killed him.

C9 Doesn’t keep a list of wrongs

D1 Doesn’t bring up past mistakes, errors, etc. Doing so is a form of abuse.

D2 Barclay writes: One of the great arts in life is to learn what to forget. A writer tells how "in Polynesia, where the natives spend much of their time in fighting and feasting, it is customary for each man to keep some reminders of his hatred. Articles are suspended from the roofs of their huts to keep alive the memory of their wrongs--real or imaginary." In the same way many people nurse their wrath to keep it warm; they brood over their wrongs until it is impossible to forget them. Christian love has learned the great lesson of forgetting.

C10 Doesn’t rejoice in injustice

D1 God’s justice is equal laws for all individuals and equal punishment not laws and punishment based on socioeconomic reasons, power, authority, celebrity, etc.

D2 1 Corinthians 13:6 NLT It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out.

D3 This is what we must not do. Proverbs 17:15 NRSV One who justifies the wicked and one who condemns the righteous are both alike an abomination to the LORD.

D4 True love does not like wrong (wrong according to God’s standards). 1 Peter 2:7-8 WEL But he delivered Lot, a just man, vexed by the filthy behavior of the wicked 8 For that righteous man lived among them. What he heard and saw vexed his righteous soul daily by their wicked actions.

 

A Few Thoughts about God’s Character Traits from 1 Corinthians 13:4-8a Part 1

1 Corinthians 13:4-8a WEL Love is very patient and kind; love is not envious; love doesn’t brag about itself, is not haughty, 5 Doesn’t behave improperly, is not self-seeking; love isn’t easily aggravated, doesn’t keep a list of wrongs, 6 Doesn’t rejoice in injustice, but rejoices with the truth, 7 Bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, calmly endures all things. 8 Love never falls away,

The actions of love are in public and private. These definitions of love are character traits of God.

Questions

B1In the following points, think of some examples in your life that God has shown these 16 facets of love, then some ways we should have and will do for others

C1 Suffers long/very patient

D1 Instead of being impulsive and having a “knee jerk” response, love waits patiently.

D2 Barclay (be cautious) writes:

The Greek word (makrothumein, Greek #3114) used in the New Testament always describes patience with people and not patience with circumstances. Chrysostom said that it is the word used of the man who is wronged and who has it easily in his power to avenge himself and who yet will not do it. It describes the man who is slow to anger and it is used of God himself in his relationship with men.

C2 Kind

D1 Instead of a reaction of harshness, one is kind.

D2 There is an attitude of mercy before any other action. Though that time may be short, it is present.

D3 It is understanding what the other person is communicating before judging someone.

D4 Love is kind - The idea is that the kind person is disposed to be useful or helpful, even seeking out the needs of the other person in order to selflessly meet those needs without expectation of being repaid in kind! This quality of love inclines one to be of good service to others. [Source—Precept Austin]

C3 Not envious

D1 Matthew 27:17-18 NLT As the crowds gathered before Pilate’s house that morning, he asked them, “Which one do you want me to release to you—Barabbas, or Jesus who is called the Messiah?” 18 (He knew very well that the religious leaders had arrested Jesus out of envy.)

D2 Envy is to want what the other has—money, spouse, status, following, book sales, etc.

D3 Envy often leads to dangerous tactics as assault/battery, murder, kidnapping, etc.

C4 Doesn’t brag about itself

D1 I’ve heard sermons where the preacher just gave an inflated resume of himself. There was no teaching.

D2 Lenski - When love sees another prosperous, rich, high, gifted it is pleased and glad of his advantages. Love never detracts from the praise that is due another nor tries to make him seem less and self seem more by comparison. The practice of the world is the opposite. he negatives used in Paul’s description suggest corresponding positives. Instead of being envious love is satisfied with its own portion and glad of another’s greater portion.

D3 Judgment from God happens to those who do not give God credit for what He has done and thankful. Romans 1:21 NIV For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened.

C5 Is not haughty

D1 Clarke writes: There is a phrase in our own language that expresses what I think to be the meaning of the original, does not set itself forward - does not desire to be noticed or applauded; but wishes that God may be all in all.

D2 Colossians 2:18 NLT Don’t let anyone condemn you by insisting on pious self-denial or the worship of angels, saying they have had visions about these things. Their sinful minds have made them proud,

D3 Acts 12:21-23 NLT and an appointment with Herod was granted. When the day arrived, Herod put on his royal robes, sat on his throne, and made a speech to them. 22 The people gave him a great ovation, shouting, “It’s the voice of a god, not of a man!” 23 Instantly, an angel of the Lord struck Herod with a sickness, because he accepted the people’s worship instead of giving the glory to God. So he was consumed with worms and died.

C6 Doesn’t behave improperly (rudely)

D1 Barclay writes: ...it is not rude or willingly offensive to any one, but renders to all their dues, suitable to time, place, person, and all other circumstances.

D2 Unbecoming in English describes behavior which is unseemly, unsuitable, inappropriate or unflattering or not attractive (certainly not attractive in a person who claims to know the Gospel of Jesus Christ (Mark 1:1) which is the very essence of divine love (cf John 3:16, Romans 5:8)! And remember both believers and unbelievers are watching you responses...all the time!) [Source—Precept Austin]

D3 Dake writes: Courtesy-love in society: does not behave unseemly; always polite; at home with all classes; never rude or discourteous.