Sunday School Lesson
Oct 7, 2001
PURPOSE OF PARABLES
Bible Background - Matthew 13:1-35
AIM:
1. To help us understand why JESUS taught in parables to teach valuable lessons.
2. How we as Christians will gain understanding once the TRUTH OF GOD is revealed and embedded in our Mind and Spirit.
KEEP IN MIND: “Therefore speak I to them in parables: because they seeing see not; and Hearing they hear not, neither do they understand “ (Matthew 13:13)
Parables are stories describing situations in everyday life that JESUS used to convey a SPIRITUAL MEANING. In general, the teaching of each parable relates to a single part. Not all parables may have a specific meaning, but ALL convey a SPIRITUAL MESSAGE. When JESUS spoke in parables, HE distinguished between HIS FOLLOWERS’ Spiritual Opportunities and the condition of those who were outsiders. ---- JESUS used this type of teaching because HE wanted to leave an impact on the persons hearing the story and affect their hearts.---- The words of the parable had such an impact that the hearers would have to rethink their position and their accountability for making a decision before acting.
In these verses (4-13),we deal with how JESUS uses parables as a means of divine communication. JESUS uses symbols within parables that represent Good and evil. The hearers can ACCEPT or DENY based on their understanding.
As concisely as possible, parables cause four types of responses upon the hearing of of GOD’S WORD, including the reactions of :
1. NO RESPONSE ---- Wherein there is a denial of the truth. Hearers can hear but are unwilling to open the heart to let the WORD OF GOD come in and renew their life. The message is given but it does not penetrate the heart. (v.19)
2. EMOTIONAL RESPONSE ---- Wherein the hearer receives the WORD with excitement; However , once trouble is encountered, the joy disappears because the hearer did not allow GOD’S WORD to be nurtured and grow. (v.20-21)
3. WORLDLY RESPONSE ---- Wherein the hearer understands the WORD but is unwilling to give up that which does not benefit and is harmful to him. He is involved in physical satisfaction and worldly possessions rather than SPIRITUAL FULFILLMENT.
4. FRUITFUL RESPONSE ---- Wherein the hearer understands and ACCEPTS JESUS AS LORD; obeys HIS COMMANDMENTS, and follow HIS TEACHING, which blesses his life more abundantly. The hearer opens his heart, receives the WORD OF GOD and is blessed physically, and most importantly, SPIRITUALLY.
GOD has something special for us, but we refuse to hear HIM. We ignore HIM and refuse to give up our worldly possessions rather than realize that the blessings HE has in store for us ARE PLENTIFUL!!!!
SPIRITUALLY YOURS,
Rev. Chris Lowe, Sr., DD