Category Archives: Folders
July 28: “A Generous Employer” (Matthew 20:1-16)
God is like the generous landowner in today’s parable. He does not hire and pay the workers according to merit, but according to his compassion and grace. In today’s parable, do you identify with the workers hired first or the workers hired last? The last workers are filled with deep gratitude toward the generous landowner. […]
Continue readingJuly 21: “The Merciful King & the Unmerciful Servant” (Matthew 18:21-35)
The Parable of the Unmerciful Servant teaches us a few things about God’s kingdom. First, we see the seriousness of our sin and God’s lavish grace in forgiving our sins. Second, we see our responsibility to forgive others. Third, we see that the unforgiving cannot enter the kingdom of God. We are motivated by God’s […]
Continue readingJuly 14: “Kingdom of Joy” (Matthew 13:44-46)
The parables of the hidden treasure and the pearl teach us three things about God’s kingdom. First, the value of the kingdom eclipses all others. Second, there is a great joy in discovering the kingdom. Third, we have to make sacrifices for the kingdom. But we don’t make sacrifices out of duty, but out of […]
Continue readingJuly 7: “The Parable of the Weeds” (Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43)
If God’s kingdom is here on earth, why is evil not eliminated? The Parable of the Weeds deals with the question of evil. The children of God and the children of the evil one will be distinguished and separated on the judgment day. So we are to wait for God’s judgment with patience. In the […]
Continue readingJune 30: “The Parable of the Sower” (Matthew 13:18-23)
The parable of the sower reveals the hidden power of the seed, which is the gospel of the kingdom. Since the gospel is the power of God for salvation, our responsibility is to “under-stand” or believe the gospel. Our mission is to sow the Word patiently, expecting a final victory of the Word.
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