thankyou for this well thought out extension of the parable of the good samaritan. It certainly left me with a lot to think about.

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I don't fully undertsand this one.... God calls these people at diffrent times, and gives each person the same reward for thier diligance, I understand that, but I do not understand the lines:
(15) Is it not lawful for me to do what I will with mine own? Is thine eye evil, because I am good?
(16) So the last shall be first, and the first last: for many be called, but few chosen.

Were all not called and chosen? They all were rewarded. Why was he calling those questioning him evil? Was he calling them evil? What is this about first and last? Did they all not come up for pay at the same time?

Can anyone help me out with this one?

--Asherea
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the way a minister explained it to me, God always welcomes those that are lost back. The older son was never lost and he was never tempted to leave, so he didn't do anything unusual. of course his father loved him, but the point is that, like sheep, most people are not tempted into riotous living. they stay with the flock by choice.
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Actually the son that stayed at home was also wayward...not in location...but in relationship to his Father! His relationship was built on duty and perfection and not on love!!!
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what is the significance of the two silver coins when the good samaritan gives them to the man in the inn?
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I believe GOD was the Father in the story of the prodigcal son and He taught His child to love uncondionally by loving Him uncondional
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Although Jesus says through this parable that God will restore you to what you`ve been before you left, and I take by that he also means that the Holy Spirit will come and live in us once again. The Apostle Paul says that once we let go of the Spirit that gives life (i.e the Holy Spirit) it would be impossible to get it back. Would you please clear this out for me `cause I tend to find this confusing. Thanx
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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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please send me a pictures of mustard tree.
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Fred what did you mean by yet he was saved yet so as by fire. I don't understand what you are saying here?


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The mustard seed is seen growing after an abnormal fashion, showing Satan's success in stopping Christian from bearing fruit through causing and unnatural growth in their ranks. And not only so, but the mustard seed is seen devoloping so abnormally that it eventually becomes a tree; and this tree is seen to be of such a nature that " the birds of the air ," individuals doing the work of Satan, found a lodging place in the braches .

There are multiplied warnings numerous places in Scripture concerning false teachers who would arise and teach " perverce things," Particularly related to the faith," THE WORD OF THE KINGDOM". And these false teachers would arise, not from the world, but from Christendom itself. These false teachers would arise from the ranks of Christians, in the Churches( Acts 20:29-32; cf. 1 Tim.4:1-3; 2 Tim.2:8,18; 3:7,8; 4:1-4; 2 Peter 2:1ff; Jude 3ff ).
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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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if someone read this message!!! please email me!!! and teach me more about christ!!!
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The older brother had kept the First Commandment but not the Second, i.e. love of brother. The Second Commandment is like it - like the First. Therefore, there is no 'Second', but only two 'Firsts'.
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Just seems like a good farmer to me. the tree is barren because of the poor ground that the dressser selected for the planting. the owner of the vinyard wonders why thre is no fruit and suggest that the dresser cut the tree down and maybe plant somethhng usefull in its place.
the dresser wants to wait another year after he fertilizes the tree and see if fruit is then carried.

I cannot see what else there is there. this is a story about a good farmer and his Land lord.
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The father does represent God.
The younger son represents sinners - those seperated from God.
The older brother represents the Pharisees. In verse one we see that Jesus was speaking to tax collectors and and sinners. In verse 2 we see that Pharisees and scribes are listening also. The Pharisees were angry resentful that sinners were being welcomed into God's Kingdom. The Pharisees, like the older brother thought that deserved the greatest reward because they had done so much. Did either have a heart of forgiveness?
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The "fig tree," without fruit, represented fruitless Israel. Christ had sought fruit for three years, and had found none[Luke13:6-9]. There was nothing but leaves. Thus, the tree was to be "cut down", with a view to the Church being called into existence to bring forth fruit in relation to the kingdom of the heavens, in the stead of Israel [Matt. 21:43].
And, though Israel would be restored at a future time, Israel could never again be placed in the fruit-bearing position in relation to the heavenly sphere of the kingdom[Matt.12:31,32]. The nation, through a failure to bring forth fruit in this realm, had forfeited this right forever. Israel, when restored, can only bring forth fruit in relation to the earthly sphere of the kingdom
Thus, in Genesis, fig leaves only, apart from the figs themselves [fruit], depicted man's condition following the fall. He was in a fallen state, in no position to bring forth fruit relative to the reason surrounding his creation. Then, in the gospel accounts, Israel, though in a position to bring forth fruit surrounding the reason for the nation's existence[ as Gods first born son,in possession of the passover lamb], didn't bring forth fruit. And Christ used a fig tree without leaves only to respresent not only Israel's condition at that time [fruitless] but to also show, through the cursing of the fig tree, what was about to befall Israel.
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Interesting post you guys have,and I wanted to share Be wise!Keep Your Lamp Lit with(JESUS CHRIST)Filled With oil(As with the Holy Ghost)

There will be wise and foolish believers!

In the parable of the ten virgins, King Jesus Christ reveals that there will be wise and foolish believers in the day of His coming. He compares five wise virgins with five foolish virgins, they were ALL VIRGINS!

2 Corinthians 11:2

For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy: for I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste (virgin to Christ)

The WISE are those who usher a deep Love,and Personal Relationship with the Bridegroom and know King Jesus Christ is coming again for His bride.

(The Wise are Awake,and Watching)

Jesus Christ is the lamp,the light of the world John 8:12

Five/Half were Wise

Five/Half were Foolish!

The Foolish once lived in the wonderful joy of being ready and watching, but turned back to accept the careless lifestyle of worldly living and conduct(Back Sliding,Lukewarm) as Shared in Revelation 3:16 So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth)

The Lord is our LAMP

2 Samuel 22:29

For thou art my lamp, O LORD: and the LORD will lighten my darkness.

Psalm 119:105

Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.

Only the WISE had OIL! Only the wise had received the infilling of the Holy Spirit.Throughout Scripture, the oil is used as the symbol for the Holy Spirit.

Only the wise hungered and thirsted for righteousness and received God's promise of His fullness. They received,and ushered the fruit of the Spirit(Galatians 5:22-26)The fruit is produced as you abide in His infilling, as you abide in His fullness. The fruit of the Holy Spirit is the oil that makes your light shine, that makes you an overcomer, that empowers you to overcome your sinful nature producing garments that are clean and white without spot or wrinkle.

OIL in the dwelling of the WISE

Proverbs 3:35

(The wise shall inherit glory:) but shame shall be the promotion of fools.
Proverbs 14:35

(The king's favour) is toward a (wise servant) but his wrath is against him that causeth shame.

Proverbs 21:20

(There is treasure to be desired) and (oil in the dwelling of the wise) but a foolish man spendeth it up.

Proverbs 28:26

He that trusteth in his own heart is a fool (but whoso walketh (wisely) he shall be delivered)

The Wise Virgins(As Pure Heart)The Children of God who abide(Intimate)Who have a personal Relationship(Born Again)with JESUS CHRIST!Lamps Lit,and filled with oil(As Holy Ghost)

The Foolish Virgins were not thankful,and were not grateful enough to love King Jesus Christ more than anything,and everything(with all their Heart,Soul,and Mind)

This is the first and great commandment)as Shared in Deuteronomy 6:5,Matthew 22:37-38,and Mark 12:30

The foolish had none of the oil that comes from surrender of self. They did not replenish the oil of the Holy Spirit. They did not hunger and thirst for righteousness and become filled.

The Foolish let their Love,and fire for the Lord dwindle to a lukewarm ember as Shared in Revelation 3:16 So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.

(Matthew 25:10) This is incredible language that leaves no room for misunderstanding. The door is shut on these foolish virgins and they miss the welcome into the wedding chamber. The warning would suggest that these foolish virgins are just like much of our church world. They once lived in the wonderful joy of being ready and watching, but turned back to accept the careless lifestyle of worldly living and conduct(Back Sliding,Lukewarm)

To read More of the Message about The Rapture, WISE,and Foolish visit http://www.raptureprophecy.com and see the webpage called (Rapture of His Bride)


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[ Luke.16:13 ] [Bible] NewAmerican Standard. No servent can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and wealth[cf.Luke:16:9].
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Why aren't all the characters in this parable Jewish?
Why did Jesus pick a Samaritan to be the neighbor in this story?

As Robert Mendez Jr. previously pointed out, Samaritans were "a product of mixed interbreeding between jews from the Northern Kingdom and other people after Israel's exile. They were considered heretics." The Jews saw them as half-breeds. Samaria was directly north of Israel. When Jews needed to get on the other side of Samaria ... they literally walked all the way around so they didn't have to pass through. Why bother? Because that's how strongly the Jews felt about Samaritans.

But before we look down on the Jews we must admit that there is still racism in our society today. So who is our neighbor? Jesus felt the need to point out that the person we find hardest to love is our neighbor.

What's an example for modern times? Being from the US, to me this question is the same as asking "What group of people do Americans want to love the least?"

Arabs, Muslims, Iraqis ... these people are our neighbors.



--Peter

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dera sirm
iam a priest,
i would like get your semon on goodsheped,
thanks lot
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Please send me a picture of the mustard tree. All my life I have thought they were talking about mustard greens for some reason, but could not understand how they thought it grew into a tree. A friend told me about the mustard tree and I am searching the internet for a picture of one.
Thank you
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I like what you wrote for the parable but I need something different for childrens church. Something the can understand. If you know of anything please let me know. Thanks for all you do in Christ name!

Mary Rogers
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I'm giving a speech to a group of over achievers and using this parable as my core idea....but i'm relating it to the mantra found in Spiderman which says that with "great power comes great responsibility"....
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All 3 servants were given talents to work with. The talents were given according to the ability of the servant. (The Master knew what they were capable of). The servants who receieved the 5 & 2 talents both did the same thing: went at ONCE and put his money TO WORK and GAINED five more. Although they were given the talents, they were not told how to invest (or use) them. (but they did understand that they were expected to produce an increase.) The Master expected a return on the talents he trusted the servants with. The servants who produced an increase were called good and faithful and had their responsibilities increased. The servant who hid his talent was called WICKED and LAZY, had his talent taken away, and was thrown outside. Was he called wicked solely because of his failure to use his talent wisely or was it because of his reasons why? ("You are a hard man, reaping where you did not sow)" Is the word "afraid" in Matt. 14: 25 an accurate translation?

Finally, the faithful servants made no mention of the Master's methods or practices. They saw the giving of the talent to they as a sign of trust & belief in what they could do (or what fruit they could produce) and understood that they were to produce an increase.

I think this parable has layers of meaning with the most obvious one being that God has gifted us for service in His Kingdom and when His Son returns, we will have to give an account of how we made use of the many blessings he gave us while we were on this planet. God means for us to impact a lost world through His gifts in us.

I hope this helped you. Just continue to ask the Holy Spirit to guide you into all truth & understand and He will reveal to you what God has for you in this parable.
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What do you think the symbolism of the water is?I think its truth Gods word that the rich man didn't seek while here .I believe the rich man was "saved" but it recieve judgement for a time maybe 1000 years if he was really in what we see as hell why would he want just a taste of cool water? Just a though I going to study it out and would be interested in what others see from the scripture.
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Title of Message: The authority of the kingdom now and its full power later
Central Point or Truth: The power and authority of the Kingdom of God is in operation now. “The kingdom of God involves two great moments: fulfillment within history, and consummation at the end of history” (Ladd, A Theology of the New Testament, 91). The kingdom of God is not only a future realm but the present dynamic power and dominion of Jesus in this present history as it is known. The parable conveys the point that “the ‘kingdom’ in question was not a realm or a people but the right to reign as king. According to this passage, Jesus speaks of the Kingdom of God in terms of the exercise of divine royal power” (Ladd, Jesus and the Kingdom, 132). The kingdom of God now is not only God’s rein, which is similar to the concept that rabbinic Judaism held, “it is rather a dynamic power at work among men” (Ladd, 235). The power as demonstrated in the person and mission of Jesus the Christ. Those who did not recognize the present power and rule of the kingdom would be condemned at the future consummation of God’s kingdom.

Context:
Jesus was possibly speaking to the crowd, the disciples, and the scribes, his opponents. The scribes had been entrusted with the spiritual leadership of the nation. These leaders did not accept Jesus’ authority. A recent political incident was a part of their memory. “This parable closely parallels the details of the trip of Archelaus, son of Herod the Great, to Rome in 4 B.C. to receive imperial ratification of his hereditary claim to rule Judea, along with the Jewish embassy which opposed him and Archelaus’s subsequent revenge of the Judeans” (Blomberg, 218). There was an expectation by some that the kingdom of God would appear immediately (Luke 19:11). Jesus was on his way to Jerusalem and it was there that some possible believed he might set up the manifestation of the Kingdom of God. The parable of the talents, particularly in Luke’s account, relates to his triumphant entry into Jerusalem as king. “The progression towards Jerusalem takes place ‘after he had said this’. These words establish a link with the preceding periscope. That periscope has indicated that the kingdom will not appear immediately in Jerusalem. However, the subsequent story has an almost immediate declaration of Jesus’ kingship in Jerusalem. The apparent futurity of the kingdom in v. 11 must be read in the context of the presence of the kingdom in v.38 (Guy, 128). Not only is the event after the parable significant. The event prior to the parable is also important to understand the parable. “Luke’s introductory clause, ‘as they were listening to this’ v. 11, counsels against making any significant structural separation after v 10 and deans that we grapple with the relation of the parabolic teaching in vv 12-27 to the preceding account of Jesus’ encounter with Zacchaeus (vv 1-10)” (Green, 674). Luke makes reference to the presence of salvation, today.

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After much study and deliberation I have come to the conclusion that there is a pre-tribulation rapture of the church. 1st Thes 4;14-17 is quite clear about the way in which Christ will return "WITH" the saints. Then those of us still alive will be caught up in the air to meet him. Rev19:8 refers to the bride of Christ being arrayed in white linen described as the righteousness of the saints. Then in verse 14 it speaks of the army that followed Jesus from Hevan as being clothed in the same linen fine white and clean and ride white horses. So we must have been taken up before we could have descended to the Mt. of Olives.
Now then God always made a way to save his loyal remnant from earthly disaster. Noah and his family were saved by an ark. Lot and his family were told to flee Sodom&Gomorrah. So it stands to reason that his church should be removed from the face of the earth before God pours out his judgement upon the wicked. Besides "He" the Holy spirit must remove his restraining prescence so that the man of lawlessness can be revealed. God made a covenant to the church with his Holy Spirit that He would never leave us nor forsake us. So that means that we too must be removed befor the antichrist can be revealed.
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I think this story gives us the clearest explanation in the bible of what happens to a person after they die
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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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webmaster a quote from you....

I'm also curious about the word leaven. Why are we but it's bad? I know it's used in several other places as a reference to something as bad but does it not also have another use in the original language? Does it not make bread rise "yeast" could have been used for that reference also. Something that makes something like meal flour rise and grow. I consider the kingdom of heaven as growing as a good thing. I know there are a LOT of tares in with it but that's part of doing busniness, you get the bad with the good then the seperation at the end.

For what is worth i agree Anyone who bakes knows the value of leaven without leaven many things would be flat, tastless, hard, If have a few minutes look at leaven and first fruits.....unleaven-passover ... leaven- penticost?




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The Jungian view would be to see these two sons as parts of ourselves. The Shadow side would be the son we deny (hide). The Father represents Individuation, or Wholeness.
Many haggle over which brother should receive the most praise. If we consider that the risk-taking adventurer and the dutiful cautious law abider are just two slices to investigate within ourselves, we may deepen our understanding of how God can love both when we are centered in Him (or home). The older son "projects" his shadow on the younger instead of owning it. This is like the pharisee who prayed (regarding the sinner( "I thank you God that I am not like him".) Or like the woman about to be stoned by those who probably fantasized about what she did, but never dared act it out. Shadow issues come out when we get critical and judgemental.
Regardless of which brother moves us or yanks our chain, the Father symbolizes the wholeness (in Christ) that can come when we don't split-off (judge) and we come home to forgiveness (reconciation) and a wholeness that gives us peace. I am a Christian as well as a Jungian psychotherapist (pastoral).



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By Alexander Viktorov

The 1917 Socialist Revolution in Russia is nearing its centennial in 2017. The antiglobalization movement, actually anticapitalist, is growing world over. Three fourths of the world do not seem to be willing to live on $1 a day by 2015, as the UN report predicts... And Russia is Russia...

2017. THE PRODIGAL SON FLEES HOME AGAIN

His comeback seems now to be made in vain,
And the prodigal son leaves home again.

In vain the fatted calf was for him slaughtered -
He got only a snippet of it and a cup of water.
And the bulk was devoured less than in an hour
By those who were not prodigal any
And who had stayed at home to save every penny,
Who skin prodigal sons and daughters
Having taken them alongside with calves to slaughter.

The prodigal son's father got stuffed to the gills and preaches:
"Look, only at home you can find real riches.
Together with you we can slaughter calves twofold
Then skin them, sell skins and get tenfold in gold.
What good is seeking other ways across life?
You had hardly half a cake a day - now you can have five!
All our folks will be glad:
Our business will thrive!
To our business you were dead,
And now you are back alive.
You've got a robe, a ring, and Le Monti shoes now.
All you must do, paying back, is to take a vow
That you stay and help me and your elder brother
Market our calves,
In that business we'll go halves:
You'll get more shoes, rings, and robes
Provided you live up to our hopes."

The elder brother came scowling and grinning:
«It seems to be paying - not working but sinning:
Behold, a fatted calf has been killed in your honor
And me - I am looked at as if I'm a donor..."
But the father cut his elder son short:
"Stop seeing a mote in your brother's eye!
He is back to become yours and mine ward
To stop him for ever from saying "good-bye"...
Well, I've had enough, 1 am tired and gonna couch...
But I don't want you to have a fight with your brother,
I am too old now to organize you another...
Since for peace this night neither of you can vouch
I'll put you, my prodigal boy, under lock and key
In our guest room so I have a guarantee
That I find you alright tomorrow,
You have given me, quitting once, enough sorrow..."

So the prodigal son got accommodated,
But all familial cares now come to him belated.
He can't sleep because of his heartfelt battle:
No, he's unprepared to skin and sell cattle,
He'd left his home for a freedom's mock...
And then he heard someone tamper with the lock,
He heard a key-turning rattle
And he readied himself for a home battle.
He turned to face the comer - one or another,
And the comer came to be his eider brother,
Who smirked a grin: "Brother, now it's my sin.
You won't anyway bring any grist to our mill,
You have got your own flagpole to shin
Who knows, maybe one day you'll win...
So you may go or do as you will."
"Thank you, brother, I thank you for that brotherly cup.
It was my error to have returned
To disturb you and our father and what you have earned...
Now I have to go - the time is up
To see again plains and trees, and waters, and birds,
And walk on, on and on
Along mountain paths and in all kind of dirts
To see in the very end The Kingdom of John ."*

“Okay, brother, you may go
To spare our family another woe...”
They parted without kiss,
And the prodigal son walked
Across the pain trying not to miss
The path so the East that people had talked
To be the path to the real bliss.

As he was just in the very start,
He heard a voice as if it was a dart:
“Stay, brother, don't be that speedy!
Share your way with me, be not so greedy.
I want also to see plains and trees, and waters, and birds,
To hear other nations talk, to learn foreign words.”
The prodigal son delayed and waited
For his elder brother to join him.
They had never been indeed closely related
And he believed his elder brother's word just a whim.
But the elder brother put his hand on the younger one's shoulder
And they walked on and on, the younger and the older...

The prodigal son's new history yet has not got much renown.
Maybe you have seen the two brothers passing thru your village or town?

*The Kingdom of Presbyter John was a legendary kingdom in the medieval East believed to be a hypothetical "Golden Age" state founded by a British crusader..

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Those who hear and understand the parables are of God, those who don't are not of God. Jesus said that. Also warned in proverbs 30:5 Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him. 6 Add thou not unto his words, lest he reprove thee, and thou be found a liar." That is a really bad thing to be found as too. Proverbs 6:16 These six things doth the LORD hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him: 17 A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood," What happens to liars? Proverbs 6:19 - A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren." Proverbs 19:5 A false witness shall not be unpunished, and he that speaketh lies shall not escape." Proverbs 19:9 A false witness shall not be unpunished, and he that speaketh lies SHALL PERISH."
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I don't know which subject you are speaking of, since I was the last one before your comment, let me share the Scripture in God's Word, concerning continued sin in the life of a believer! First, Jesus said unto sinner that came unto Him and were forgiven their sins, sin no more less a worse thing come upon you! The Judgment of God!
(Hebrews-10-26) For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the Truth (Christ) there remains no more sacrifice for sins,
(27) But CERTAIN fearful looking for of Judgment and fiery indignation which shall devour the adversaries.
Satan has always been the liar and murderer that deceived mankind, from the beginning, to take of the tree of knowledge, knowing good and evil!! (Genesis-3-4-5) (2-17) But God said, The day you eat thereof, knowing good and evil, you shall die!
(Romans-6-16) Know you not to whom you yeild yourselves servants to obey, his servant you are to whom you obey: whether of sin unto death (continued sin) or of obedience unto Righteousness! We cannot obey God, and the Devil! God never changes, (Genesis-2-17) that wages of sin is death, neither does Satan! (Genesis-3-4-5) you shall not surely die!
(11Thess-2-3-12! That all might be Damned who believed not the Truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness!
Also note, (1John-3-7) Little children, let no man deceive you: he that does righteousness is righteous, even as He is Righteous!
(8) He that COMMITS SIN is of the Devil, for the devil sinned from the beginning, For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might DESTROY (not justify) the works of the Devil!
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My take is first thing I have read the tree by the rivers take and I must say I disagree. Jesus never has need for anything. He is the almighty, omnipowerful God. He wants something he has it.
Anyway, My take is that Jesus had come to the barren fig tree and used it to symbolize the man. The man as a christian had not beared fruit for three years and I think God is trying to tell us that if our christian tree doesn't bear fruit then it is more useful to be cut down. As christians we have a spiritual fig tree and It is our job to make it bear fruit. And that comes through studying the Bible,praying, and believing and working for the Lord. If we do not do these things and our tree's do not bear fruit than we are useless as christians. That's my take. Love ya Jim
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My take is....
The purpose of the Fig Tree is to produce FRUIT. Just like the product of Christians is their works aka their FRUITs. One day Jesus approach the fig tree, cause He was in need, but when He looked, He saw none and cursed the tree. A closer look, you will see that it was out of season for the tree to produce FRUIT, but Jesus had need! There is no excuse!

Lesson: One day Jesus will comes down the road in need, and sees you, a Christian standing there. Will you be FRUIT-less? If so be prepared to be cursed and withered away! Remeber no excuses!

DP
P.S My Fruit!! I hope u enjoy!!!
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I see the Father's blessing the Obedient son even though he had a less than perfect, loving attitude. The father said, "All that I have is yours."

I would like to see more emphasis on the Obedient, Respectful son.

Otherwise, the parable is an excellent lesson on the differance between Relationship and Fellowship with the Father.
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the HolyBible says, "he who speaks in a tongue edifies himself.' Do it!
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The man who left Jerusalem and started out on his way to Jericho is a picture of a man who is leaving the presense of God (Jerusalem), and is going downhill or backsliding to the fleshly way of life (Jericho), a city that was known for its immorality. When he started down the dangerous path of backsliding, he left himself open to thieves and robbers, a type of spiritual wickedness and demonic activity. He was pounced upon and robbed. The first things the thieves took from him was his robe, a type of the robe of Christ's rightousness. While he lay at deaths door on the backslidden path, a priest walked by. The priest is a type of "religion". When your soul is in desperate need of a touch from God, "religion" is worthless. Your religious tag is of no value whatsoever. The priest, or "religion, passed the wounded man by. Then a Levite came by. A Levite was a lawyer. When your desperate and out of touch with God, the "law" can't save you. The law is good, but only for letting you know you are a sinner. The law can't save you. The Levite walked on by. Then came the Samaritan. The Samaritan's were mongrel Jews. They were Jews who had married with other nationalities. The Jews were commanded not to do that, so Samaritans were outcasts. The Samaritan is a perfect type of Christ, because you see, Jesus was also somewhat of a mongrel. If you read his geneology, you will find Rahab the harlot mentioned, as well as Ruth. These women were not Jewish by blood, but had married into the Jewish race. ---------let me inject here that interacial marriage has never been contrary to God's Law except for the Jews, and that only because of God's Divine Purpose for the Jewish people and the Jewish nation for the reconciliation of all things-----------The Samaritan, or Jesus in type, placed the injured man on His jackass and took him to the Inn, a type of the Church. The innkeeper (a type of the five ministry-pastor) was told to take care of the man and the Samaritan (Jesus), paid the price for his care.
The man of Law was being taught by Jesus through this parable that the Samaritan, the man of grace, was his neighbor. In salvation, the law is very important because it convinces man of sin. Religion is important, if it is pure and undefiled religion. But we are saved by Grace through faith and that not of ourselves lest any man should boast, but it is the gift of God.
One of the most important points in the story is the fact that the Samaritan (Jesus), placed the wounded man on his jackass. The jackass is a type of you and I, average joe Christian. God wants us to be obedient in going into the highways and hedges and compelling souls to come. The jackass followed Jesus and took the injured man to church so he could be placed in the hands of the five-fold ministry and be healed mentaly, physically,and spiritually. I would encourage all of us to be jackasses for Jesus until his return.
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The kingdom of heaven is like to a grain of mustard seed,
which a man took, and sowed in his field:
Which indeed is the least of all seeds:
but when it is grown,
it is the greatest among herbs,
and becometh a tree,
so that the birds of the air come
and lodge in the branches thereof.

heaven = mustard seed.
mustard seed = a tiny tiny seed.
mustard seed = a herb.
least of all seeds = a tiny tiny seed.
But when a mustard seeds grows it becomes the greatest among herbs.

The Kingdom of heaven started with a few Jews getting in to the
marriage, then the rest rejected him and killed the prophets, so he
sent his son and they killed him also, So he sent his servants
which are us Christians to go into the streets & invite everybody
who would come into his Kingdom for the wedding.

The growth of the tree doesn't represent a monstrosity!

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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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ok...um good?
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Hello; When Christ was on earth the first time there were two major religious parities in Judaism--the Pharisees and the Sadducees. The Pharisees were the fundamental legalists. They believed the letter of the law. They believed in a future resurrection, in angels, and in the spirit realities. The Sadducees though were more liberal in their theology. They rejected any thought of a future resurrection, and they didn't believe in angels or in spirit realities [ Acts 23:8 ]

But the Pharisees and the Sadducees did have one thing in common. Neither would have anything to do with the message surrounding the proffered kingdom [Matt. 16:1-6 ]

The Pharisees followed Christ about the country, seeking to counter the signs being manifested , and seeking to bring about unbelief on the part of the people. They formed, by far, the largest religious sect in Israel. And, because of there numbers, they held undisputed sway over the people and masses. The sadducees were the second largest sect in Israel and sometimes joined themselves with the pharisees who controlled the religious like of the nation. They sat "in Moses seat" [Matt.23:1,2]. I hope this helps , Bye.....
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The 10 virgins are bridesmaid. They are NOT brides to the groom. It was devasting because they could not fulfil the role they were were supposed to play. The characters are used to convey the story of the certainty of the wedding. In interpreting the parable, we are not to allegorise the parable (like the lamp means this and the oil means that) - because all parables carry a central message and a main thrust. (The school of allegory belongs tot he times of Oriegen that follows the school of typology. )

The central thrust of the parable is this:

The Kingdom of God is coming with all certainty. We must be prepared like the 5 prudent virgins. The essential consequence is that those who are unprepared will miss the boat - hence will not enter the Kingdom of Heaven.

The Kingdom of Heaven refers to the sovereign reign of God here on earth and also eternally in Heaven. Only those who believe in Jesus Christ, the promised Messiah will enter the Kingdom of God and will be counted as the SAVED. Salvation is only in Jesus ALONE! We are not saved by our titles or respectable religion but only on our trust in the Lord Jesus.

Jesus saved us from the penalty of sin because sin is cupable. Here is 3 basic Steps in entering God's eternal kingdom.

1. "Sorry"
"Dear Lord Jesus, I am sorry that I have greviously sinned against you. Please forgive my sins and wipe away all my trangressions. (1 Jn 1:9 says that when we confess our sins, God is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and cleansed us of all unrighteousness.)

2. "Please"
"Please take full rein of my life. Please enable me to live with a sense of God in my life so that I will transfer alll my trust in you. Please give me your guidance how to live a life worthy- that I may be your disciple."

3. "Thank You"
"Thank you for your saving grace, so that I do not need to face the eternal damnation of hell. Thank you for leading me into your kingdom."


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Matthew 7:24-27

(24) Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock:
(25) And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock.
(26) And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand:
(27) And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it.

Hi, my name is Ashleigh and I am 13 years of age, my friend, Shannon and I are doing a religion assignment on that parable, worth 45% We just need some help of a few questions. Here they are:

An explination of the meaning of the parable
Revlevance for today
Catholic Beliefs evident in the parable.

If you can help us, because this is hard for us and need some 'fresh' help. Please email me on ashleigh.mansell@stclaresc.act.edu.au or you can email my friend whos email is shannon.talbot@stclaresc.act.edu.au

Thanks a bunch!

We really hope you can help me!
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Once saved is always saved is true but in the right perspective.Because a promise is a promise and if it comes from God then why doubt it at all! But it does not end there as it is not just an orde rissued by choice but rather a call to special life. It is in fact a freedom to be obedient to God now at least. We are saved at the instance of our Faith recognition by God or His representatives but we are also known to the Graceful God that we are always in need of constant grace. It is the lamb who is sacrificed for our sins and it should be we who should acknowledge Him to be our necessary saviour, we who were sinners, and are not intending to be now ,but yet weak at times and are given an helping hand by the Lord Himself. Our attitude needs to be right towards God's Love and Loving redemption and it should be the reason to make an effort to produce fruit in life since after all we are saved once and for all. We still have our free will intact to refuse such salvation.. It is not we but the Lord in us who reaches us safely to God who saves people at all times.
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This is my parable. All my life I have coasted on the opportunities God gave me, rather than striving to use them to increase his kingdom. I called it humility or being satisfied with small things, when deep down it was fear and laziness.

This parable reached deep in me and challenged me. It spoke the words my father always asked me: Why didn't you do your best? What are you afraid of?

Now I am in law school. For the first time in my life I am laying it all on the line and doing my best, not caring whether I'm first in the class or last. Doing my best for God with with talent he gave me. It is scary to do your best, because then you have no excuses if you don't succeed, no ifs or buts to comfort your pride.

What would the servant had felt if he had gambled and lost the talent, seeing the other two with their riches?

I don't know, but this is what he would have heard:
"Well done, my good and faithful servant."
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If the wise virgins are the Church as many of us(including me) why did they not tell the foolish virgins to come as you are to the master? We as the Church often fail to see the wideness of Gods mercy and grace. God welcomed the prodigal as he was not requiring that he go to those who sell oil first. The wise virgins basically told the foolish to go and cleanse yourself and make yourself ready for God. We cannot do this. Justification comes from God alone and through Grace we are sanctified. We too tell those who are seeking Christ that they must pray a certain way, act a certain way, tithe etc. in order to be the right kind of Christian. In short we send the foolish out for the oil of the world, that is works. But praise be to God, even though we who have tasted salvation continue to be blind to the wideness of Gods mercy we are still welcome at the Lords Table. I am fully convinced if the foolish virgins came out and fell at the Bridegrooms feet he would have embraced them. And further if when they came to the gate and told him that they had tried the oil that the world offered but now have come to God for salvation that God would have thrown wide the door and let them in. When they came however they came still trying to gain entry with the oil of the world. Let the Church stop offering the oil of the world and start offering Christ.
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