Kingdom Parables Wrap-upMatthew 13:51-52 Points of the wrap-up:Jesus wanted His disciples to understand the parables. (51)Jesus expected His disciples to become educated in the scriptures. (52)Mature disciples treasure and share their faith growth. (52) Main Point: Maturing disciples will value and tell others about kingdom living.  What do we do now? A kingdom citizen must be willing to:Sow gospel seeds. (the Sower)Grow among the weeds. (the Weeds)Benefit those around you. (the Mustard plant)Affect culture with the gospel. (the Yeast)Abandon everything for the cause of Christ. (the Hidden Treasure and the Pearl)Be saved by Jesus (the Net)

The Hidden Treasure and the PearlMatthew 13:44-46Points of the parable:The Kingdom of Heaven is coveted. The Kingdom of Heaven is concealed.The Kingdom of Heaven is costly. The Main Point of this pair of parables: It would be foolish to refuse the opportunity to own something so valuable.

The Mourning, the Miracle, and the Meeting1 Cor. 15:1-8, ESV The gospel story has been retold today. The question is, "Do you believe that story?" Millions have, and I have to tell you, the trajectory of their lives was changed forever. I know it sounds crazy. But it's true. On My granddaddy's grave, it's true. Do you believe it? You might ask, "So what? Why do I have to believe that? " Oh friend, you don't have to believe it. God gives you that option. But if you do, and I hope you do, your life's destiny will change. Maybe not physically when it comes to your situation here. You still live on earth. You will still face today's problems, but your attitude will change towards those things.  And catch this: Your eternal story will be rewritten, and your name will be recorded in His book with the millions of other people found worthy to live as citizens of heaven with Jesus forever. Can you believe His story today? You bet. I did. You see, the Bible is true. And it says that if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved for heaven. You will inherit citizenship in heaven. Do you want that? I know you do.And since you do, would you confess your sins to God today, right now, and believe he has the power over death, the ability to give you eternal life? Agree to live under His authority and for His glory, and it will be yours.

The Eating, the Examinations, and the ExitLuke 22:14-20, 66-71; 23:44-53 The EatingJesus was looking forward to this Passover meal. (15)Jesus would not eat it again until the millennial kingdom. (16)Jesus would not drink again until they would be reunited. (18)Jesus instituted the Lord’s Supper. (19-20) The ExaminationThe Pharisees were fishing for an excuse to kill Jesus. (66-67a)Jesus gave a leading answer. (67b-69)The Pharisees jumped to a conclusion. (70a)Jesus told them what they wanted to hear. (70b-71) The ExitUnexplainable things happened right before Jesus died. (44-46)Some disciples noticed that other onlookers had a change of heart. (47-49)A Pharisee buried Jesus. (50-53)

The LeavenMatthew 13:33 The Communicated PartThe cook already had flour.The cook added yeast to the flour.The yeast leavened all of the flour. The Learned ConclusionThe flour mixture would increase in size. What do we do with that knowledge? We pray God will work here.We join in that work by sharing the gospel.

The Mustard SeedMatthew 13:31-32 The Growth of the Kingdom of HeavenThe Kingdom’s startup was small. The Kingdom’s promotion will be huge.The Kingdom’s growth will be exponential. The Kingdom's growth will be incomparable. The Kingdom’s benefit would be universal.

The WeedsMatthew 13:24-30; 36-43, ESV Ten explanations:1.      Jesus is the Sower. (37)2.       The field is the entire world. (38)3.      The seeds are the disciples of Jesus. (38)4.      The weeds are people who seek to thwart His work. (38)5.      The weeds are sown by the devil. (39)6.      The devil is the enemy of Jesus. (39)7.      The harvest happens at the end of days. (39)8.      The angels will do the harvesting. (39)9.      The enemies of Jesus will go to Hell. (40-42)10.  Righteous people will go into the Kingdom of God. (43)Points of the parable:1.      Every person on Earth is wheat or a weed. 2.      Wheat will be saved and weeds will be burned.

The Four Kinds of SoilMatthew 13:1-9; 18-23 Matthew 13:1-9 – The Parable 1.      A reasonable context: teaching parables (1-3a)2.      A relatable character: a gardener (Jesus) (3b)3.      A regular occurrence: sowing seeds (sharing the gospel message) (4a)4.      A recognizable outcome: plant life (responses to the gospel message) (4b-9)Matthew 13:18-23 – The Explanation1.      Four Kinds of Soil (Hearts)                a.       Hardened (19)          b.      Rocky (20-21)          c.       Weedy (22)          d.      Fertile (23)2.      Points of the parable:          a.       Main – A person’s salvation is determined by the condition of their heart.           b.      Secondary –Salvation is more than a superficial belief. It is a faithful commitment proven by spiritual growth and fruitfulness.

The Purpose of ParablesMatthew 13:10-17, 34-35Why did Jesus choose to teach in parables?  In a general sense, The use of parables in teaching was common in those days.The desired truth was easier to remember when using a parable.The listener could easily relate to the characters in a parable.The parable was effective in altering behavior or thought.  In a spiritual sense, Jesus used parables because:The truth needed to be told, but people would reject it.The truth was essential, but people wanted the sensational.How Jesus justifies His decision :New truth builds on the acceptance of previous truth. (12)It is futile to teach people who do not want to learn. (13-14)

The Family of JesusMatthew 22:46-50Points:Jesus drove His point home using His earthly family. (46)Jesus did not demean His earthly family. (48)Jesus delineated between His earthly and eternal families. (49)Jesus defined His eternal family. (50) Application:Jesus knows the spiritual condition of those who showed up at His house today.Jesus is acutely aware of who loves Him more than anything else and who does not.Jesus will give preferential treatment to those who are in His spiritual family.If Jesus is revealing Himself to you today, you need to see the unique position that puts you in.

That will only make it worse!Matthew 12:43-45 The analogy:A demon will look for a human host. (43)A removed demon will return to a previous host if that host is empty. (44)If a demon has previously stayed there, he will bring others with him. (45 a-b) The Point:Just as a person who is freed from a demon is worse off in the end if the Holy Spirit does not inhabit him, likewise, a man’s sins are compounded if he had his mind opened to the truth about Jesus and still rejects that truth. The Application: We have been given the most evident sign.Some will still never hear about it.There is a reason why you have.

The Proof of Your NatureMatthew 12:33-36 Jesus told the Pharisees:Make up your mind. (33)Snakes only speak “snakanese”. (34)Spiritual nature determines personal actions. (35) Watch what you say. (36) God will consider your words when determining your fate. (37) You should: Reject blasphemy. Recognize why you say and do what you say and do.

Blaspheming the SpiritMatthew 12:22-32 Context:Jesus healed a demon-possessed person. (22)The people were amazed. (23)The religious leaders said that Jesus was working by the power of Satan, not the Holy Spirit. (24)Jesus explained why this could not be. (25-29)Jesus delineated between blasphemy and blasphemy of the Holy Spirit. (31) “Can I accidentally do this and be lost forever?” NO!No one “accidently” stiff arms salvation. “Can I do this and lose my salvation?” NO!A true Christian can't blaspheme the Holy Spirit and lose their salvation.

A Message for JosephMatthew 1:18-25HCP’s:1.       Joseph and Mary were betrothed. (18b)2.       Mary was pregnant before being with Joseph. (18c)3. Joseph was a just and merciful man. (19)4.      God chose an angel to deliver His message. (20)The Primary Message:1.      Don’t break off the engagement. (20)2.       You will name your son. (21)Joseph's Response:1. Joseph was obedient. (24a)2. Joseph guarded the reputation of Jesus. (24b - 25a)3.  Joseph named his son, Jesus. (25b) The Holy Spirit is delivering a 3-part message to Christians.1.      Drop the pride.2.      Obey the Lord.3.      Guard the reputation of the bride of Christ.

A Message for MaryLuke 1:26-38 The HCP’s:Huge contextual point #1 – God chose an angel to deliver His message.Huge Contextual point #2 – God sent the angel to Nazareth.Huge contextual point #3 – Jesus was in the lineage of David. Huge contextual point #4 – Mary was a virgin. The Primary Message The Lord is with you. (28) You will have a son. (31-33) The Response and the Response to the Response1. Mary was troubled. (29)The Angel said, “Do not be afraid.” (30)2. Mary questioned, “How?” (34)The angel responded:God will cause this to happen. (35)God can do anything. (36-37)3. Mary submitted to the will of God. (38)The angel left. (38) 4-part message to you.I made a plan.I am going to use you to carry it out.Don’t be afraid.Submit to me.

Part 3: the Immanency of the RaptureVarious ScripturesPoints of this passage1.      "Now" is evidence of a change of topic. (1)2.      "Day of the Lord" refers to judgment and wrath. (2-3)3.      The church does not belong to "that day." (4-5)4.      Christians live differently than non-Christians. (6-8)5.      It is not for Christians to experience wrath. (9-10)6.      Christians are to be encouraged. (11) Three things will happen in the future. 1.      The Rapture 2.      The Tribulation 3.      The Millennial Reign of Jesus Ten reasons why you can believe in a pre-tribulation rapture 1.      Jesus said that He would return and take us away. John 14:1-3, ESV.2.      Jesus paid the penalty for our sins, justifying us once and for all in with God. 1 Peter 3:18, Romans 5:9, ESV.3.      It is clear that the Tribulation is a time allotted for Israel. Daniel 9:24, ESV4.      The Bible calls the church "the Bride of Christ." Ephesians 5:25b-27, ESV5.      The Marriage Supper of the Lamb happens before the 2nd Coming of Jesus. Revelation 19:6-9, ESV 6.      Believers are given a "blessed hope." Titus 2:11-13, ESV.7.      The restrainer will be taken from the earth so the world can follow the lawless one. 2 Thess. 2:7, ESV8.      There is a precedent of deliverance and rapture events in the past. 9.      Evangelism occurs in the Tribulation, but not from the church. 10.  God made it abundantly clear how we should live in the vast majority of the New Testament, and then He is silent about how we should do so in the worst time of human existence.

Part 2: The Uniqueness of the RaptureRevelation 19: 11-21 The points of the 2nd Coming Passage:Jesus is coming for war. (11-13)The church returns with Jesus. (14)Jesus is coming to take over. (15-16)An angel rings the dinner bell. (17-18)The armies of the earth line up against Jesus. (19)Jesus wins the battle. (20-21) The differences in the two events.Jesus comes for the church at the Rapture and He returns with the church at the 2nd Coming.Jesus stops in the clouds at the Rapture and lands on the ground at the 2nd Coming.Jesus meets Christians in the air at the Rapture and non-Christians on the battlefield at the 2nd Coming. Jesus brings blessings at the Rapture and brings wrath at the 2nd Coming. Christians fly in the Rapture and ride in the 2nd Coming.Christians are taken away in the Rapture and brought back at the 2nd Coming.A Christian gets a new body in the rapture and new clothes at the 2nd Coming.There is re-creation in the Rapture and destruction at the 2nd Coming.The Rapture will occur in secret and the 2nd Coming is visible. The rapture could happen at any minute and the 2nd Coming is scheduled after the tribulation. The Rapture and the 2nd Coming are two different events.

Part 1: The Assurance of the Rapture1 Thess. 4:16-17; 1 Cor. 15:50-58; John 14:1-3  Points:1.      The Rapture is a real event. - 1 Thess. 4:16-172.      The Rapture is a reserved event. – 1 Cor. 15:50-583.      The Rapture is a promised event. – John 14:1-3Other Biblical things to keep in mind: 1.      The seven dispensations2.      The three groupings of peopleFour pathways to destiny: 1.      The Jews have a path to destiny.2.      The Gentiles have a path to destiny.3.      The Church has a path to destiny.4.      The tribulation saints have a pathway to destiny.

Worldviews: How God sees itPoliticsRomans 13:1-7Points of the passage:1.      Government is instituted by God and uses His authority. (1)2.      Anti-government is anti-God. (2)3.      Government is created to reward good and punish evil. (3-4)4.      We live under authority to escape God’s wrath and preserve good conscience. (5)5.      Governmental authorities are ministers of God. (6)6.      Godly subjection includes paying taxes and revenue to the government and showing it respect and honor. (7)Three groups of political people in today’s culture:1.      Political Conservatives 2.      Political Liberals 3.      Political Libertarians What do we do when government oversteps its bounds?Remember that government can never replace the church, and the church can never replace the government.See the futility of utopia. Be concerned with accountability more than efficiency and the benefit of all humans more than the accumulation of power. We may need to disobey the government.We take the penalty of our disobedience in hopes that our neighbors and leaders will be moved to restore justice.

Worldviews: How God sees itLawActs 5:17-32Points of the passage:1.      The legal system was in effect. (17-18)2.      The legal system was expected to work. (18-24)3.      The legal system was ineffective. (25-29)4.      The disciples pointed to a higher legal system. (30-32) We Christians believe that law consists of 6 basic precepts:1.      All divine law is founded on the character and nature of God.2.      A moral order comes from God and reflects who He is. 3.      We are created in God’s image and have His law written on our hearts.4.      We possess a nature that is in rebellion to the laws of God.5.      Jesus became the Redeemer by taking on the very human form He had created and died for sin against God’s law.  6.      God will judge the world through Jesus by His standard of good and evil.