We have been studying about Enormous Lessons from Small Parables. Today we discover another aspect of the lives of people of the kingdom. Let’s look at the one of the verses of the parable, and then we will do some thinking. And when it comes, it finds the place swept and in order (Luke 11:24…
Small Parables 02 | Lost
We continue in the series, Enormous Lessons from Small Parables.To set the stage for the parable of this lesson, I want you to think of your most valuable possession. What is your most valued possession? What is it worth in the marketplace? What is it worth to you? The two may not be the same,…
Mediterranean Moments | The Parable of the Wedding Feast
As you can probably tell, the parables that begin with “the kingdom of heaven is like” are fascinating. Although we taste a bit of the flavor of the kingdom of heaven while we are on earth, the experience of the kingdom in heaven surely provides a feast beyond our imagination. Today’s parable leaves us with…
Small Parables 01 | The Pointe of Yeast
We have been looking at Enormous Lessons from Small Parables. In the first study, our thoughts have focused on Matthew 13:33 and the parable of the leaven or yeast in the loaf of bread. Can we glean an understanding of the point that Jesus was making as He told the story? Let’s think about the…
What is Faith?
A brother posted greetings this morning and writes, “Please help to answer the following question: What is faith?” What a powerful question that involves so many things! Faith is a word that we use almost every day, but perhaps we use it in so many settings that it can lose a little of its impact.…
Mediterranean Moments | The Parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus
Our studies have been looking at truths found in enormous lessons found in small parables. This series examines some of the lesser-known parables of Jesus. The parable of focus today contains an enormous amount of controversy. Many theologians debate whether or not the story is even a parable. The story helps us understand what are…
Does God Predestine Our Choices?
One of the most difficult concepts in Scripture is introduced and developed in the beginning verses of Paul’s letter to the Ephesians. Understanding the word “predestine” creates a challenge. The passage (Ephesians 1: 4-12 NIV) tells us that God chose us from before the creation of the world, and that He predestined (προορίσας, PRO-OR-IH-SAS) us…
More Than I Deserve – Step Six
We are continuing in our study Enormous Lessons from Small Parables. Before we make application for today from a passage, it is important to determine if the Bible has other teaching on the subject. While an immediate context which includes the historical setting helps us determine meaning, we must remember that the best interpreter for…
More Than I Deserve – Step Seven
The study of Enormous Lessons from Small Parables has been teaching us how to build the context for a passage of Scripture. Our final step in the process of determining a sound, biblical interpretation of the parable is to understand, “How does this speak today?” Based upon the historical setting, the lessons will be consistent…
More Than I Deserve – Step Five
The study Enormous Lessons from Small Parables continues building the interpretation of our parable. After the immediate context of a passage is determined, the main teaching or comparison established, and the audience identified, the student of Scripture will examine the parable to notice the surprising details. While our purpose is not to get bogged down…