Sermon

The Parables Of Jesus

February 14, 2021 - May 30, 2021

When we think about Jesus’ teaching in the parables we tend to think of them as cute stories that Jesus told to make the truth more acceptable to the general public, but in actuality they were something more.A Parable is a short story or pithy statement used with the intent to invoke our imagination, capture our hearts, expose our sin and our need for a savior. Jesus used the parables to speak about the Kingdom of God. “Jesus was a metaphorical theologian. That is, his primary method of creating meaning was through metaphor, simile, parable and dramatic action rather than through logic and reasoning. He created meaning like a dramatist and poet rather than like a philosopher. – Kenneth Bailey, Jesus Through Middle Eastern Eyes, 279-280 So we see the parables are more than teaching tools, they offer us glimpses into the the new life and power people are granted when they belong to the Kingdom of God. This new life of the Kingdom of God often starts in hidden and unremarkable ways. It is often vulnerable to rejection and opposition and this can lead some to reject it, some to oppose it and others to grow frustrated with its apparent slowness and walk away. However, for those who have eyes to see and ears to hear are made part of a progressive and unstoppable movement of God that will one fill the earth with his glory. Join us on this journey looking at the parables over the coming months using the categories of the Kingdom, Grace and Judgement.