can you give me any information on the scientific name of bread and where it was originally found?
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The fig tree without fruit represents our fruitless life. The leaves represent the word of God. You see we can have a lot of word in us but not produce fruit. The word of God in us has to be watered, birth in our spirit and then preached to the people. When the Lord told the man that he was going to cut the tree down and the man told the Lord no give me a year I will dig it up and fertilize it this reminded me of how Jesus interceeds on our behalf. Even Moses interceeded for the people of Israel when they were worshipping the golden calf. Even though this was a tree the man loved that tree and he knew that if he was given the chance to dig up the ground and fertilize it there would be fruit the following year. This is the same love the Lord has for us he always gives us a second chance
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Sounds like you're grinding an ax with a church leader somewhere. May I recommend you handle it the way Jesus told his disciples to deal with the offended Pharisees?

"Every plant that my heavenly Father has not planted will be pulled up by the roots. LEAVE THEM; THEY ARE BLIND GUIDES. If a blind man leads a blind man, both will fall into a pit." (Matt. 15:13,14)

Make your appeal to the flock and leave corrupt leadership to the wrath of God (if in fact they really are corrupt). Those who have ears to hear and eyes to see CANNOT be mislead by false--or as you call them--"evil servants". How can someone who sees be lead around by someone who cannot see? And that's Jesus's point exactly. He didn't get overly concerned about the wolves in sheep's clothing. Neither did Paul. They both warn us of their presence, but Paul reminds Timothy that even though false teaching "destroy(s) the faith of some...Nevertheless, God's solid foundation stands firm, sealed with this inscription: 'The Lord knows those who are his...'" (2 Tim. 2:18,19)
Take comfort in that.

I'm guessing there is a lot more going on here than we readers know about. I don't know exactly what the contention is you're having with this paster in Illinois, and I don't want to know, but let it go and be careful to "not entertain an accusation against an elder unless it is brought by two or three witnesses." (1 Tim.. 5:19). Truthfully, warning the world about a leader in faraway Urbana, IL will only serve your own purposes and not those of the world-wide body of Christ (unless he has a world-wide ministry).

Don't resort to rebuking an elder by name on a public forum without witnesses, much prayer, and a sober investigation of your own motives.
It's amazing how personal agendas motivate some of our so-called Christian duty. Often it is pride or envy disguised as zealous Christian duty. Let love be your guide as you examine the teachings of Christ and the example he has left recorded for us in scripture.

A good example of a mis-guided agenda could be this issue of giving that Jesus addresses in the scriptures. Nobody could argue with his desire for all of us to be hilariously generous with our worldly wealth. Like other things the Lord wants us to do (witnessing, giving, praying...) someone will come along who doesn't struggle with one of these and is quite productive in them. So now his life's mission seems to be to beat the rest of us Christians over the head with what that person now feels is the essential command of the scriptures--essential because he feels it so strongly in his own life and is so good at it.

It can be, for instance, a veiled form of pride. A way of boldly standing up and saying "look what a generous giver I am". We resort to condemnations, heaping heavy loads onto the backs of other believers, and not lifting a finger to help carry those loads. In effect saying, "I did it, so can you!" The self-righteous pride of glorying in one's service to God, as if they did it all by themselves, comes out in criticism and condemnation of those who don't do it like you, or to the same extent. In this example the exhortation to give, looks righteous, but is really motivated by the ugly sin of PRIDE! There is NO reward waiting for that work!

Anyway, I've learned alot about myself through this kind of self-examination. Maybe it will be helpful to others too--help to discern the true will of God for specific areas of our lives guided by the pure love that God has.

I'm flipping over to your words about the Luke 16 parable to learn more about the role of the rich man. I don't quite understand your pitch, but before I ask anymore I'll check out your statements, and because this page is dedicated to the parable of the talents.
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Mustard trees are mentioned in Matthew 13:31; 17:20 and Mark 4:31. The mustard tree of Scripture is found along the banks of the Jordan, near the Sea of Galilee, and near Damascus. Mustard plants may reach about 15 feet (4 metres) high in those areas.
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I have been tyig to figure out a parable my pastor gave me it goes as follows

I have friends but no friends

the second one is

Sometimes i laugh sometimes i cry can you help me figure out why

Any help would be appreciatd
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I’ve read what you’ve written under the mustard seed and the leaven parables and I think I see the light…I think.

Correct me if I’m wrong but are you saying that Jesus taught two different analogies pertaining to the heart of man? The one likening it unto a garden in which the fruit are brought forth in relation to the seeds planted (ideally the Word)? And the leaven parable in which the heart of man would be like a lump of dough that the yeast of God’s word is “hid” in? It in turn manifests the fact that yeast was put in. Or it tells the story that something was “hid” in it. In other words “there’s nothing hid that will not be manifest”. Kind of like a candle shinning light (metaphoristically speaking). Is that right? Are these two parables saying in essence the same thing but from different angles?

Are you saying that THIS is Gods endorsed way of getting his Word manifest in our lives, or receiving a fulfillment of a biblical promise?

If that’s true, then do you have any idea how we “hide” the Word of God in our hearts? Or is it buried in metaphors that no one can figure out? Anything that you can share with me would be much appreciated.

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I have read many different explanations for this group of parables in many commentaries and on many websites (including this one). It never ceases to amaze me how often we try to draw out of scripture our own viewpoints. In trying to interpret these parables certain guidelines of interpretation have been distorted, and ignored. In an attempt to draw out "our" viewpoints we often approach a passage bringing additional info that could corrupt and distort the actual meaning.
The following are some very basic guidelines to follow: 1) observe, observe, observe! Don't try to break everything down to the smallest component in such a way that you miss the main point but rather try to see the big picture and how the small components relate to it. 2) Start with the text you are looking at! We often want to take other passages and "bring" them into our study. This has it's place, but should be done later. 3) Setting and Context are essential, not optional! What is going on? Who is involved? What happens before? What happens after? Are there any "keys" within the text that give us any clues or insight? Are there any themes? 4) Try and draw out what is being said or taught! What is being stated or taught in the passage is more important then what I want it to mean. Write out the results of your study of the text. 5) Check and double check! Now you can go to other passages and compare. Ask: Is there any scripture or biblical principle that conflicts with or contradicts the results of the study? We often get hung up on this one. Word studies, and cross-referencing are great, but when we do this we must also understand the context of those words and passages as well ( YEAH MORE STUDY! ). It is improper to take something outside the passage studied (including other scripture) and use it to completely change it's meaning just because we can. There must be valid reasons for doing so (e.g. The reults conflict or contradict other scripture). If there is no valid reason then it is probably best to leave the results as they are if you have spent adequate time and effort studying ( reading through it a few times and then seeing what everyone else says is not adequate studying). Just because we are not sitting in a classroom doesn't mean we stop learning and should stop studying!! I believe that if we will take the time and put forth the effort, these parables are not as difficult and confusing as we are making them out to be! So enjoy the journey and adventure of studying God's Word, hiding it in your herats and allowing it to transform our hearts and lives for God's Glory!

P.S The majority view isn't always the right one!
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Just because someone with riches who wishes to keep them dare insult a beggar as a thief does not imply that Jesus would consider the beggar to have even thought about stealing anything, as if it were a sin to ask. On the contrary, Jesus Christ taught His followers to keep on asking, seeking, and knocking, expecting to receive, find, and benefit from opened doors! (Matt. 7:7, Greek )

The warning for dealing with such people is in Matt. 7:6. The Word of God is "sacred [stuff] to dogs" or "pearls [cast] before pigs" to any person who dare insult any beggar as a thief without awareness of any actual theft. Our warning from Christ is that these people might turn on us and tear us to pieces if we present the Word unwelcomely. What will happen in heaven in all cases of a Christian who has suffered for asking and been treated as a thief, the word "stealing" in the insult will fail to translate to the Hebrew root in "Thou shalt not steal" (Ex. 20); if the insult came from another believer, such a Christian shall be compelled to repent as a liar and a lover of money. Still, we must watch out in the here and now for pretended Christians who accept the world's definition of "stealing".

Legally, the crime of larceny, the legal name for simple theft, has been committed when someone has illegally deprived someone else of the use of his goods by taking something away without consent. The evil person who accuses someone making a material request of "stealing" has no charges whatsoever to press until the item is physically stolen. Still, if the evil person be a store manager or cashier, they can impose ejection and announce permanent unwelcomeness. That is not punishment for theft, but martyrdom for begging. Do not believe the evil claim that the beggar accused of stealing has stolen anything without a physically stolen item!

As for the Apostle Paul's command in Eph. 4:28, it applies only to genuine thieves. The command to work with one's hands does not take effect because a beggar got insulted as if he were a thief, but because a real theft was committed. Sometimes, as in 3 John 7, an utterly uncooperative mission field will force Christians to accept that there will be no help from the pagans and to work for all the money for ministry. Still, the command from our Lord Jesus the Messiah is to make friends with "the mammon of unrighteousness" so that the rich folk of this world might take care of us in times of trouble and might endow our congregations financially. Not all such friends, however, will. Yet if the rich folk of this world will take care of us in hard times or grant us wealth for our ministries, not only are we commanded by Christ to accept it, we are commanded to seek the ties that lead to it (Luke 16:9, KJV).

I will not defend sins of idleness or actual theft as a Christian. Great is the mercy of God! Will seeking the favour of rich folk would make us idle? I believe that shallow Christians might be made idle by oodles of money, yet firm believers will try to use such money to spread the Good News throughout the whole world! Instead of living in these Unites States where most unbelievers have heard and rejected our Gospel, we could go among such peoples as the Miao of China who have no testimony of Jesus Christ if we had plenty of wealth and did not have to live there as impoverished outsiders.

I hope never again to hear you later consider the moocher as stealing. The seeker of permission to take something has not stolen until the item is taken without consent. A supermarket grazer is a thief, but it is not really "stealing" to ask for something and be told, No. Jesus indeed commanded us to continue to ask, seek, and knock!

Yours in Christ,

+++Kevin Douglas Rosenberg

a martyr for continuing to ask, seek, and knock (Matt. 7:7 )

P. S. We ignore the meaning of one translated text alone in favor of interpretation because the original, fully inspired Scriptures were written in Hebrew, Aramaic, and Ancient Greek. They do not translate word for word into Modern English!

As for misguided, fleshly yet litteral interpretations of Scripture, consider the following three kinds of backslidden Christians:

(1 ) The evil servants in charge who run their churches in personal sin as if judgement were not coming upon them through humans on this earth (Matt. 24:45-51 ). (Ten Virgins comments)

(2 ) Those treated as mentally ill, caused to sin in idleness. The curse from Matthew 18:5-7 stalks somebody else for causing their habitual sins...

(3 ) Anybody who got persecuted among even one other believer and got called to flee but could not. Have sympathy for such people, as for me. My evangelist was persecuted as mentally ill, and I got persecuted within ten days of my conversion along with him for my "baby Christian" testimony among Hindus at the University of Illinois. We got called to flee together (Matt. 10:23 ), yet we had not read that passage yet. About ten weeks later, he withdrew from the U of I and fled to Texas without me. Without transportation, I could not ask his church for help. I had implored him to take me there to stay, but he would not. Still believing, still insisting that my calling was to remain to pursue my degree and eventually a PhD (?-- Matt 23:1ff ) in Chemistry (?-- Col. 2:8 ), he refused to take me unless I promised to return with his car that horrible day in December 1991. God knew that I was headed for deepening trouble at the U of I and that no church there was able to meet my needs.

The believer who has missed his missionary calling through failure to flee in the Modern English speaking culture deserves compassion. I had no one to ask to take me to Texas. My departed evangelist would not do his part to escape his brother's church in Arlington TX in order to seek another in neighbouring Dallas TX which might have shown me a welcome and my need to go out as a missionary rather than struggling to build a life of my own in these United States. No one should blame me for the failure of the churches of Urbana and Champaign to bring me in and lead me to the one which might have rebuked my career plan and led me out into the mission field.




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Please forward photo of mustard tree.

Thanks much.
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in response to Gary:
the man who God gives the one talent to is the man with 5 talents who has earned an extra 5 (total 10 talents).
Also the Luke version states that there were 10 servants who were all given 1 mina (NIV). Also in the Luke version the servant is sent to slay the Master's enemies and is not sent into the darkness. My personal opinion on this is that the Matthew and Luke are not in fact the same story, just very similar stories. Jesus probably told the same parable dozens of times to different audiences and so adapted the parable to suit the audience. This may be the explanation why the two versions are differ in the two records. I hope that helps you.

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Dear Christine, Peace and joy. I too am a CGS catechist, email me and I will be happy to share what I have found. *U* Kathleen
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The Ten Vergins are not the Church they represent the Virgin daughters of Zion. The Jews were to keep their lamps lit to show the every lasting covenant not the Church. It will be the Virgin daughters of ZION that go forth IN THE DAY OF DARKNESS to meet their Lord with their LAMPS Lit! When jesus returns he will be returning from the wedding Luke 12, so then these are not Christians at all! The oil in this parable is not the Holy Spirit. In acts when Simon tried to buy the Holy Spirit he was told it was a SIN to even THINK such a thing. So, no one is going to be able to say that Jesus in a parable is implying that these unwise Virgins can go buy the Holy Spirit. This can not happen and it contridicts all scripture to say that you can buy the Holy Spirit.

This is actually a closer to literal picture of the believing and non believing Jews who will go forth IN THAT DAY. But remember he is returning from the Wedding Luke 12. So, the Church is no longer on earth but returning with Jesus!
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I see so many different answers above. I can tell you that most of you guys are wrong. Those who said that the birds of the tree are a good thing has a misunderstanding of the scriptures. Please read Job 28:21. For those who believe the leaven parable is a good thing, I suggest you read Leviticus 2:11. Jesus was prophesying the apostasy of the church in the last days. One reader said that mustard seeds don't grow to be trees. He made a good point because they grow to be herbs, and were never meant give shade to the birds. The Roman Catholic church has become the mustard tree in this parable.
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I first believed this was a great parble but now I don't. After much research I feel it lacks morale. What is it telling us stay at home and be a good person and GOd will love you less! I get the samemessage from th lost sheep?
ANy one want to debate this to the end?
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I am sorry. I thought this was about the prodigal son. This is indeed the complete text for this parable.
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teaching grandchildren faith is as a mustard seed

please send info as described

greatly appreciated

louise

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The best sermon I ever heard was about "the other son". It is also why this parable to me is NOT the most easiest to understand. When is it ok to say "what about me???" Perhaps "the other son" was really "the lost son".
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The parable of the wheat and tares continues with the same subject matter introduced in the previous parable, the parable of the sower. Christ gave these first four parables" out of the house", and down by the seaside.[Matt.13:1].
The parable of the wheat and tares centers around those bearing fruit from the previous parable in order to reveal the method of Saten's attack against them. In this respect, this parable moves a step beyond that revealed at the end of the parable of the Sower. This parable continues with the same thought but then reveals a concentrated attack against those individuals bearing fruit. It reveals the exact method which Satan uses as he goes about seeking to stop that which is occurring.
Satan seeks to prevent fruit-bearing through a number of means revealed in the first three parts of the parable of the sower. And throughout the dispensation, he has been successful in his confrontation with the vast majority of Christians. He has succeeded in preventing most from bearing fruit.
But the preceding has not been true of all Christians. Many have been victorious over Satan's methods and schemes. They have overcome the World, the Flesh, and the Devil. And, as a result, they have brought forth and continue to bring forth fruit. And it is these Christians, the ones bearing fruit, that Satan is seen directing his attack against in the parable of the wheat and tares, seeking to stop that which is occurring.
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ok...um good?
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Hello, I'm new here and looking for some 'peace' re: the Prodigal Son story. This has bothered me for years...

It all makes sense to me except for the older son.

Why does everyone say that he didn't go into the party because it was for the younger son?

I think he didn't go into the party because he was left out in the field working and uninvited. He came upon the party by chance... then his father says, "Oh, come on in to the party."

I don't interpret him as being judgemental or ill-feeling toward having the younger brother home... I think he's feeling like his father doesn't appreciate him. And in response, the father negates his feelings as if they are invalid.

Someone higher up in this discussion pointed out that they were having this same type of problem with the story and would like to find resolution. I am also in the same position and did not see the answer. I hope I didn't miss it.
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The sandals represent that the prodigal son was taken back not as a servant or slave but as a son. That goes along with the ring. The servants and slaves did not wear sandals!
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what is your thought on the idea that the leaven refers to the trinity...after all the idea of a trinity didn't come about until 345A.D.
please reply.
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Being a son that stayed home I am cursed by the brother who came home.
The relationship between my father and I has been cursed by the returning son with the promise of 3 things.
1) To take all of the possessions of our parents for only himself
2) To ruin the relationship between our father and I.
3) To do everything possible to ruin the business that our father sold to me and my other brother.
By reading some of the comments of others, I see that the father wants a whole relationship with all his sons. This relationship is not whole with the two sons that stayed home.
However the boistrous demands, the negative statements and the guilt that he has placed on all of us is a tremendous burden to carry for the rest of our lives.
I am seeking words of wisdom to find peace in our lives.
Please respond with insights.
peter

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"So I saw that there is nothing better for a man than to enjoy his work,because that is his lot.For who can bring him to see what will happen after him?"Many word and wisdom we may live and enjoy for this few days what God has give to us in our area too that upfil his will and be light and love with letters from Christ,so win and win more to him of lost ,pray for blessed revival soon,thanks and bless and hope.keijo sweden
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I too have the Greek meaning, but again, it does not say what you are trying to make it say! You have misquoted the Word of God, not by His Spiritual Truths, but according to the desires of your heart, which is earthy riches!
You want to use evil rich people that you might gain Riches, but did you not know,
(Proverbs-15-8) The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord: but the prayer of the upright is His delight!

Do you think for one second, Holy God would use money from the wicked, an abomination to the Lord, that He might reward His Servants?

Satan has always deceived man, by misquoting the Word of God!

(James-1-5) If any man lack wisdom, let him ask of God! Ask Him to guide you to His Truths, that you might understand the Word of God, because the carnal minded cannot receive the Spiritual Truths of the Word!
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If by agape love you mean Gods unconditional Love towards all, then you are right on.
God Bless You,
chris
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hi i am also looking for a picture of the mustard seed tree, i was wondering if you ever found one. If so would you please send it to me or tell me where you found it. If not would you still please reply. Thank You and God Bless You!!
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I think you are all missing the point. Why speculate when Jesus told us. Two of the parables are explained. should not all the others be understood in the same light?

1-leaven IS a bad thing in the Bible. I think you are missunderstanding the verse. Three measures of meals refers to fellowship. In the mid-east culture this is well understood. Leaven would never be included. It would be insulting and shocking. Jesus was Jewish, His disciples were Jewish. We have to understand this from a Jewish perspective. The leaven is hidden and corrupts the whole lot. This is a WARNING from the Lord.

2-No all the kingdom parables are not 'bad' so to speak. The treasure is not bad. The treasure is the remnant of the body of Christ. The field however, represents the world which IS bad. The man of course is the Lord who did give up everything to purchase the field. And yes it is a corrupt field, but He paid the full price in order to get the treasure.

3-All these parables must be kept in context. Remember - Jesus explained two of the parables, the rest can be understood from this. Use the Bible for context, not our assumptions or imaginations. Jesus explained the two then asked if He had to explain the others. The disciples said basicly, 'no need, we understand now."(Matt 13:51)

In Christ

Jeffrey


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how does the book of job abd the parable of the labourers in the vineyard demonstrate that God's justice is not our justice and that our rationality does not confirm God's freedom and wisdom?
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You asked, "Is it hinting that we should love the saviour figure who everyone despises - ie Jesus!!!"

Samaritan was a stranger to the one who was wounded, yet he showed mercy to some one whom he did not know. Jesus meant to explain it is easy to show sympathy to some one you know, but to show sympathy to a stranger is difficult. Going back to beginning of the story, Jesus narrated this parable in answer to the question,"What shall I do to have eternal life?" Some bible have interpreted as thus,"What shall I do to enter the kingdom of heaven? The parable was the answer to this question and not to the question, "who is my neighbor?" It means to enter kingdom of heaven or to have eternal life is as difficult as loving a stranger. Perhaps the people in kingdom of heaven would love strangers as well as we love our neighbors.

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How blind people can be!! Jesus explains it in the parable itself!! Read the first sentence! Then read it again, and again, and again, let it sink in your ears, those who do Jesus' commandments are the wise builders!! John 14:15 - If ye love me, keep my commandments. John 14:21 - He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him. John 14:23 - Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him." Now, it would be wise to do what Jesus says, right?
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THE SPIRITUAL EXPLANATION IS THIS. A PERSON WHO LOVES HIS MAKER FATHER-GOD FOR HIM MONEY MATTERS PROPERTY JEWELS BONDS THE RICHES THAT WORLD GOES AFTER ARE NOT IMPORTANT AFTER-ALL ALL ARE CLASSIFIED AS MAMMON PERIOD. MOST IMPORTANT PART OF HUMAN LIFE IS WE ARE STEWARDS THAT MEANS WE WILL HAVE TO LOOK AFTER THE CREATIONS, LOVE AND RESPECT HIS CREATIONS AND HAVE COMMUNION WITH OUR MAKER FATHER-GOD ALL THE TIME. WE HAVE TO BE SMART NOT DUMB NOT ANTI-CREATION WHICH IS ANTI-LIFE THEREFORE ANTI-GOD THEREFORE THE BEAST. WE HAVE TO MANAGE THE RESOURCES WITH WISDOM. SHARE CARE COMPASSION FORGIVENESS AS JESUS SAID AND PRACTICED TO THE END WHEN HE WENT TO THE CALVARY AND SAID "IT IS FINISHED" AND WHAT IS FINISHED THE WORK FATHER-GOD WANTED AND HE BECAME THE SACRIFICE, SHED HIS PRECIOUS BLOOD GAVE HIS LIFE WILLINGLY TO WASH THE SINS OF THE WORLD THOSE WHO WHERE SACRIFICING OTHER CREATIONS FOR THEIR SINS AND FINALLY SO BELIEVE JESUS IS THE LAMB OF GOD WHO HAS TAKEN THE SINS OF THE WORLD "FATHER FORGIVE THEM FOR THEY KNOW NOT WHAT THEY DO" AND SEE THE RESULT THAT OUR LORD IS ALIVE AND WELL SITTING ON THE RIGHT HAND OF OUR FATHER-GOD WITH ALL THE ENEMIES AS FOOTSTOOLS AMEN. JESUS CHRIST ROSE FROM THE DEAD AMEN BECAUSE HE PRACTICED ALL SCRIPTURES TEACHINGS PERFECTLY BUT HE ALWAYS PRAYED COMMUNED WITH THE FATHER-GOD THE GOD OF ALL GOOD CREATIONS THE MAKER, THE FATHER OF ALL WHETHER WE LIKE IT OR NOT, GOD ALMIGHTY IS THE ULTIMATE FATHER OF ALL CREATIONS AND HE IS THE LIVING GOD THE GIVER OF LIFE IN ALL CREATIONS AMEN. IN HIM WE LIVE AND MOVE FOR OUR BEING IS IN HIM AMEN. GOD IS CLOSER THAN OUR BREATH AMEN. THANK-YOU FATHER-GOD FOR EMMANUEL GOD WITH us AMEN
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you cant ask the internet a question you got from mr. mcgowan.. geez man
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Seed=Plymouth Plantation

Large Tree=America as a Super power Nation(Daniel 4 Ezekiel 31)

Branches=Our Churches grafted onto our goverment, politics,money, patiotism rather than Christ.

Birds=not a good sign read Revelation 18 devouring faith and growth in our churches

The Bad News=These trees are always chopped down.

Good News=Seeds will come from chopped tree.After our cutting down faithful communities will grow.


www.seedofaith@injesus.com
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This parable teaches us about persistance and how God wants us to pray, pray, pray, and ask, ask, ask for what we need. Look at the context of the whole chapter when reading this. The man most likely lived in a one room home, as was common in the time and country spoken of in the chapter. It would have stirred everyone else in the home, but because the friend was (importune = urge or beg persistantly) the friend who had rose up anyhow and gave. Prayer works people! Chrys _________________ Teach me thy way, O Lord; I will walk in thy truth.

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Violation of any command is an act of disobedience or rebellion. Sin entered the world through the disobedience of one man. There are many commands from God unambiguously expressed in different parts of the Bible. Contravention of these commands is a sin punishable in different ways.

The most rtragic consequence of disobedience, however, is the hardening of heart due to habitual practice, which makes it impossible for the guilty to confess his/her sins and seek divine forgiveness. The sin of disobedience thus separates us from the glorious presence of God, an eventuality played out in the very early days of God-human interaction.

Another point to be noted is that there is very little leeway for us to justify ourselves by means of contextual explanations of our disobedience. Once we are convinced of our error, the only way back to His grace is through confession and renunciation. Remember the Pharisee and the tax collector at the synagogue, and the contrasting cases of the two thieves on the crosses flanking our Lord's cross on Calvary.
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Hello,

My Name is Jill Arrington. God gave me a vision for my company logo that includes the mustard tree. I am really interested in seeing what that looks like.

Thanks,

Jill Arrington


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Gospels V. Letters the bible, as we know it today, was compiled by the Roman Catholic Church in the 11th and 12th century by religious counsels, this Latin bible was then translated to English by a counsel authorized by King James of England. Why are the Letters treated with the same amount of authority (law) as the Gospels? The Letters seem to be just that letters from one church leader to another about contemporary problems of the day with their specific churches in the fist century, the Gospels seem to hold the actual philosophy and religiosity of Christ, or how Christ wants us to act.
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the moral of this story is you have many people in your life and many

people who do the works of God and have gifts and talents, but your real

neighbor is the one who shows mercy , compassion and love. That's the

one who is your neighbor. that is true religion.
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Dear Sir: May I have a copy of your good shepherd sermon? I am not a pastor, just ibterest you sermon. also I am a forener student in OU.
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This is one of any number of "Odd God" stories meant to overturn our notion of how God works and how we are to relate to one another. The younger son in effect tells his father to 'drop dead' or at least recognize that he is so senile, it is time for his sons to take over. The Father does what is most undignified for a semite, 'runs' out to meet his son. This Father, like our heavenly Father forsakes all dignity demonstrates the initiative to embrace us with love. Then all that is asked of us is what is asked of the older brother, that we in turn embrace one another.

I take exception to the persistent suggestion that the younger son has committed the most vile of sins. A consistent reading of the Gospels shows almost scandalously easy forgiveness for those who have committed sins of weakness and momentary lapses. Jesus reserves his strong condemnation for those who misuse power and authority, take advantage of the helpless, scorn those in need, or stand in the way of his mission. This provides a key to understanding the older brother whose sin of self-righteous comes dangerously close to the later category.
Dave Rogerson
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To this woman who wrote the reply above me, you use man's wisdom. Those who have ears to hear will hear what the parables mean. Other people are deaf.
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The prodigal son is an awesome parable. It is a great way God showes us his grace. Think about it. The youngest son wants all his inheritance and he leaves the house. The father does not get mad at him or anything he just is concerned for him and wants him to come back home. So the youngest son is out hanging with prostitutes, drinking, gambling, doing all the things that he shouldnt do. Then he ran out of money and he had to start working and staying with the pigs. He was so embarrased to come back home but he did and when his father saw his youngest son instead of being upset at him he ran to him and put his arms around him and showed him how much he loved him. We do the same thing as the youngest sons. We go out into the world and take God for granted and have sex, drink, do all the things we shouldnt do. Then we are to embarrased to admit to it and we loose out on salvation. Well there is no need to be embarrased God is wating for us to come back home and when he see you he is not going to punish you he is going to put his arms around you and take you back in.
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copy this url to your address bar, it not a picture but it may help :)


http://www.khouse.org/6640_media_serve.php?show_id=229&show_day=wednesday
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First of note in the Parable of the Wise and Foolish Builders is the word "these" (Matt. 7 : 24 ). "These sayings," in Greek "tous logous toutous," accusative plural of "ho logos houtos," are the entire Sermon on the Mount (Matt. 5 : 3 - 7 : 27 ) and the parallel accounts in the other Gospels, exclusive of everything that Jesus later taught. Therefore, if we would be like the wise builder, we would obey everything He commanded in His Sermon on the Mount -- and would be found wise even if we never understood His later teachings such as the camel passing through the eye of the needle in Matthew 19.

Conversely, dare we ignore the Sermon on the Mount, for instance, by asserting that it is intended for heaven but no earthly way to live life, Jesus has warned that then He will liken us unto the foolish builder regardless of otherwise good works, scriptural training, and understanding of the rest of the Bible. In light of this, it is a good sign for me that my comments on the Parable of the Ten Virgins (which I take together with those of the good and evil servants and of the talents) refer to the Sermon on the Mount, particularly when I make a moral claim. Now, let us examine the details of the wise and foolish builders: how we use the Sermon on the Mount. Do we obey Jesus' words therein, or dare we shove it aside for our convenience?

Far shorter than any compilation of everything that Jesus taught on earth, the Sermon on the Mount is still not easy to follow in practice. Teaching those Gentile Christians who know some of the Jewish Law to obey it as God's will because their consciences are aware of it among Gentile believers presumed ignorant and able to tell the Jews "I didn't know better" is not easy, for "all" was not "fulfilled" at the time of the Resurrection in Matt. 5 : 17 - 20 , for example, prophecies from Yichzeqi'el (Ezekiel 38) concerning modern Israel. Therefore, for a Gentile believer in Christ who knows the Jewish dietary laws to let his light shine before men (people) in Matt. 5 : 15 - 16 must include keeping those laws in his own home (also Matt. 23 : 1 - 3 ). Jesus knows our awareness or ignorance about keeping kosher kitchens; whoever knows God's clear commands yet disobeys sins. Settling out of court (Matt. 5 : 25 ), refraining from leering (v. 28 ), and amputating the part of the body that brings scandal (vv. 29, 30 ) are not all easy. The wise builder's communication will be full of clear Yes or No answers in place of the usual hedging or sworn answers from unbelievers. The difficult verses in Matt. 5 : 39 - 41 require interpretation in the context of the Roman Empire, and verse 42 requires absolute generosity from Jesus' followers!

It is the stinginess of most American churches and pastors toward the needy which has me most convinced that the Church Growth Movement along with the rest of the Great Apostasy (II Tim. 4 : 3 - 4 ) is like the foolish builder who built his house on the shifting sands. Many churches nowadays are sinning in trying to serve both God and Mammon (wealth) as masters and expecting prudence from their followers and from the needy (Matt. 6 : 19ff ; also Luke 16 : 1 - 13 , the Parable of the Unjust Steward). Without the generosity of Jesus Christ in our hearts, we look an awful lot like the foolish builder. Punishment is coming soon after it becomes certain that the hypocritical churches never will spread the Gospel throughout the whole inhabitable earth in time to fulfill Jesus' prophecies at the Mount of Olives (Matt. 24 : 14 , 34) without uprooting the evil servants in charge on this earth (Matt. 24 : 45 - 51 ).

I look to LUKE 16: 1 - 13, the Parable of the Unjust Steward, for the means to live the bountifully generous way our Lord commanded. That Luke 16 is neglected and not tolerated at many churches shows that entire congregations are foolishly building their Christian lives on sand. Still, we have a choice to learn and follow the Sermon on the Mount to the letter by beginning with LUKE 16 to make it practical.

Yours in Christ,

+++ Kevin D. Rosenberg
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Is it true that when the small mustard seed is planted should grow into a large garden plant instead of a tree....?
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Yes it is complete.
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I am sorry that somehow the last clause of paragraph 2 was missing from my post in my second paragraph. I meant to send

"The Judgement of the Good and Evil Servants in Charge is coming right up! (Matt. 24 : 45 - 51 ) Should these judgements occur on this earth, the evil servants will be most thoroughly chastened with amputations, assignments of their portions with the hypocrites, rejections of their pleadings with weeping and gnashing of teeth, and floggings according to their former knowledge of their moral wrong before Christ, and only if afterwards they repent Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour for real ***will they be saved indeed.***

Thank you for your patience as I struggle with carpal and cubital tunnel syndromes in both arms, poverty and dependence upon my parents outside the Lord, and computer viruses such as the source of smiley faces replacing final verse numbers. I have no help save Jesus Christ in this.

Yours in Christ,

+++ Kevin Douglas Rosenberg
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You confuse rich believers with rich folk of this world. The Apostle James condemned favoritism in the "church" or assembly of believers. It is rich believers who were dragging their poor brethren into court, and it is the poor among believers (that is, Jewish) whom Jesus most commended.

Wealth is not condemned; it is rich people of this world who pretend to be Christians and call themselves our brethren and sisters who are condemned. Jesus sent the rich young man away with His enormous demand because He could not speak favorably to his illiteracy and materialism. The need to hide the written Word in his heart was too great fot the rich young man to endure. Our command from Jesus in this Parable of the Unjust Steward is to make (more) friends with rich folk of the unrighteous mammon, all without mention of trying to keep them.

Resort to the magic of a rich sorcerer was rebuked as sin because sorcery itself was sin in Israel and because counsel for Christians should come from other believers (Psalm 1). If the request had been for money instead of magic powers, no sign of sin would be present. Please accept our need for friendship with rich folk of this world. If you try to earn all the money for ministry, sooner or later God will let it be given away unless you sin by withholding it, and poverty should show the need for the favour of the rich.

+++Kevin D. Rosenberg


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What's the difference between a Pharisee and a Sadducee? Is it true that the Pharisees were based in the synagoges while the Sadducees were based in the Temple? What kind of "traditions" did the Pharisees adhere to? Why were they perceived to be so rigid?
I was told that the Publicans at the time of Christ were Jews themselves who collected taxes from their own people and got as much as possible because they were paid on commission. I was also told they were paid not in currency but in goods. Is this the case? Can you tell me more about the Publicans at the time of Christ.

Thanks
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