HOW POWERFUL AND PROFOUND that artical is. It describes exactely howI feel for THE LORD GOD our FATHER the HOLIEST of HOLY! AMEN thank you for it. May GOD BLESS you + KEEP you
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Quote:Leaven is always represented as a bad thing in the Bible and in the context the women also.

Mat 13:33 KJV Another parable spake he unto them; The kingdom of heaven is like unto a bad thing, which a bad women took, and hid in three measures of meal, till the whole was a bad thing.

Are you sure you wish to say this? Kingdom of Heaven = Leaven? Kingdom of Heaven = A bad thing?

Maybe I'm confused or missing something? When I read the above it doesn't sound right. I don't think Jesus would call or refer to the Kingdom of Heaven as a bad thing?



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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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I do not share the strength of the Apostle Paul to content himself in whatever circumstances he found himself. Through the evil servants in charge of contemporary churches and their worldly recourses and ignorance and heedlessness of Luke 16:9-13 (KJV or Greek), the devil has long wreaked havoc with my woefully weak walk with God. My wo...e..s are impossible for the poor to console, and I will demand the most corporal vengeance in the form of the Judgement of the Servants in Charge (Matt. 24:45-51 ) and of the Lazy Stewards (Matt. 25:14-30 ) (see the Ten Virgins page) if I remain yet to be consoled when it becomes too late for a genuine Christian, destined to be raptured, to receive vast fortunes and see fit to use it at will subject to human government rather than having to give it away to whoever might ask (Matt. 5:42, Greek) as Jesus will later require.

We Christians should bear each other up (Gal. 6:2 ). It is not for boasting, but with self-warning against similar sins, that those among us who are spiritual are called to restore those in Christ caught in habitual sin (Gal. 6:1 ). I will not claim to love Jesus Christ any more than you love Him, or even as much. Nevertheless, I have studied the original languages of the Scriptures, and I can pry great spiritual understanding out of the raw texts. By shedding light on the truth, I let my light shine and do not hide it under a bushel. The devil counterattacks against me in my own life, and I deserve compassion, not attacks.

If I continue to find myself treated as lost on this site, I shall be compelled to quit and seek a new place to teach. Have you read my prayer request? I want to become faithful even in the unrighteous mammon of Luke 16:9 and only later endeavour my ministry. This is righteous because Jesus Christ has taught us not to undertake what we lack the means to complete. I cannot promise any particular mission before I get funded. For instance, it would be too costly to teach and help the mentally ill outpatients on psychiatric drugs in Christ to flee their persecution and to take care of them with any usual amount of wealth for a church under 500 members. Therefore, I seek the Judgements of the Servants in Charge and of the Stewards, but first I must get myself into a shipshape position regarding these judgements.

I will never content myself with lack of faithfulness in (with) the unrighteous mammon throughout "my" church. If I value Luke 16:9, I value the words of Jesus Christ, my Saviour. I honour him; may all glory be to our Lord, the risen Jesus Christ.

+++ Kevin D. Rosenberg
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Very recently I had two opportunities to talk about the parables of the kingdom of God with friends. It amazes me how dull of hearing people can be. They look at you like you’re from another planet (huh?). As if to say why on earth would anybody show such an interest in the words of Jesus (kingdom parables)? It reminds me of the old expression “batting their eyes like a calf with a new gate”. WHY you might ask? You REALLY have to ask?

The creator was talking about MANIFESTATIONS!

Mark 4-22 for there is nothing hid, which shall not be MANIFESTED; neither was any thing kept secret, but that it should come abroad.

Look at what dictionary.com says that manifest means:

Manifest
adj : clearly apparent or obvious to the mind or senses; "the effects of the drought are apparent to anyone who sees the parched fields"; "evident hostility"; "manifest disapproval"; "patent advantages"; "made his meaning plain"; "it is plain that he is no reactionary"; "in plain view" [syn: apparent, evident, patent, plain] n : a customs document listing the contents put on a ship or plane v 1: provide evidence for; stand as proof of; show by one's behavior, attitude, or external attributes; "His high fever attested to his illness"; "The buildings in Rome manifest a high level of architectural sophistication"; "This decision demonstrates his sense of fairness" [syn: attest, certify, demonstrate, evidence] 2: record in a ship's manifest; "each passenger must be manifested" 3: reveal its presence or make an appearance; "the ghost manifests each year on the same day"

Look at what the last sentence says.

“Reveal its presence or make an appearance; "the ghost manifests each year on the same day".

Has it ever occurred to you that Jesus Christ-the miracle worker, God almighty, was walking around in a physical body teaching people how he was doing his miracles via the kingdom parables?

“HE THAT HATH EARS TO HEAR LET HIM HEAR”

Isn’t that what a “manifestation” is? A miracle? I realize holy Joes will lament “NOW THAT’S GOING TOO FAR! But is it? If a ghost were to “appear” before you right now, wouldn’t that be a miraculous experience? Wouldn’t it be a “manifestation”?

Now, there’s more to it. Jesus was doing his miracles by the HOLY Ghost, but how do you think he got the Holy Ghost? How about by these teachings of the Kingdom?

By the latter definition of manifestation found above; couldn’t we conclude that Jesus merely obtained a “manifestation” of the Holy Spirit?

I believe that everything that we will ever need or obtain from God in reference to the fulfillment of his word is routed through the teachings of Mark chapter four.

And people wonder why I spend so much time pursuing understanding into the teachings of the Kingdom of God.

I WANT GOD MANIFEST IN MY LIFE!

Is that really that hard to understand?

And yet people are clueless as to the fact that there is a system laid down by Christ whereby we can tap into these things, calling them into existence (make them a reality).

But it doesn’t come from crying and whining and asking for Manifestations.

DID YOU GET THAT!

It comes from HIDING the things that we want, within our hearts. We do the “hiding” (planting, sowing, covering, “keeping secret”, it’s the idea of planting a seed) and God “rewards us openly”…-MANIFESTATION.

I have heard Godly people pray and make the biggest blunder possible in prayer. They use the word manifestation. THAT’S A NO-NO (it will produce fear. “Hiding” produces faith-now you know where fear comes from).

Learn the secret of humility. HIDE his word in your heart and keep it hidden (the opposite of manifesting it-in and of ourselves-as though we could-PRIDE). So that God-through the seed planting, cultivation, process, CAN reward you openly.

Have you noticed that everything in the teachings of the Kingdom seem backwards of the way that we do things? Actually we’re the backwards ones.

“There is a way that seems right unto man but the end thereof is death”...

“The first will be last and the last will be first”.

These are the “secrets” that Jesus came to bring to light. And yet Christians are more interested in Hollywood than they are in obtaining the ability to manifest Gods word to the world around us. I know people that will give you the biggest grinniest smile when talking about a Hollywood production (just for fun tell them that there’s full backal nudity and watch that smile grow). But if you ever mention the word of God they’ll turn that smile upside down (I call it the baby diaper look i.e. an imaginary baby diaper beneath the nose). They’ll “manifest” the spirit of sourpuss. No excitement. No glee. NO NOTHING!

Why is that? That’s not right. AND THEY JUST DON’T GET IT. That’s what Jesus called hard heartedness (seeds that fell upon the rock). And they could just decided to HEAR what Jesus is saying but no. Hollywood’s better apparently

Weather you believe that a manifestation is a miracle or not it doesn’t matter. But if something appears out of the blue and it’s a good thing, then I’m going to want more of the same. And THAT IS A MANIFESTATION.
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What if you had a whole body of believers that had this ability to produce fruit unto God in this way and instruct others as to how to do so as well? Wouldn’t that be wonderful? But instead of learning what Jesus taught (this is what HE chose to teach), we’re out fussing about water baptism, or weather you can have a swig of beer. Dear Lord (lamenting vehemanently)!

But as long as we’re going to blind as bats, I guess we’ll be experts on water baptism.

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This is simple. The seed is Jesus which is planted in the world. The birds are the people of the world whom are given the chance to eat of the tree which is planted for them.
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May I respectfully suggest the following : Every other reference to leaven in scripture has a bad connotation. You have already pointed out "Beware of the leaven of the pharisees" (also of the sadducees; also of Herod). In the Old Testament the first mention of leaven is that Lot (and despite everything, the New Testament refers to him as a righteous man) baked UN-leavened bread for the angels who visited him and warned him prior to the destruction of Sodom. On the day of the passover the lamb was to be eaten with bitter herbs and UN-leavened bread, and the subsequent celebration of the passover was to be characterised by "no leaven in all your houses". When Paul says "a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump" he was clearly warning against an evil influence (and may have been deliberately borrowing terminology from Christ in this parable). Seems to me difficult to set aside this uniform testimony of scripture in the case of this parable.

Second, note that the idea of "hiding" the leaven in the measures of meal suggests a degree of subterfuge and under-handedness. Then, (I know this will meet with some objections) bearing in mind that the woman is forbidden in scripture from teaching or exercising rule in the church, the fact that this leavening was done by "a woman" may stand for irregularity of procedure.

So the idea seems to be this : There will always be a drift towards the exercise of irregular authority and underhand effort (by whom? - by Satan) intended to infiltrate and pollute the true soul-saving gospel of Christ (thereby making it a NON-gospel, and ineffective for the rescue of guilty sinners) "until the whole is leavened" - i.e. polluted, neutralised and rendered useless and unacceptable to God. Of course the sovereign power of God will never permit things to come to this position. But the means by which He will prevent it is by just the sort of warning implicit in this parable, which puts believers on their guard against teachers who will seek as "grievous wolves" to "enter in among you, not sparing the flock..." This is in line with Jude's clarion call to "earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered to the saints."

This interpretation of the parable of the leaven seems in line with the preceding three parables of Christ, all of which demonstrate a similarity of thought - that the progress of the gospel will NOT go un-challenged. Parable of the Sower : A harvest only succeeds in 1 out of 4 soil types; Parable of the Wheat and Tares : Satan deliberately sows "the children of the wicked one" among them to create opposition/subversion etc. Parable of the mustard seed (also often disputed) : Growth of the mustard seed into a great tree is unnatural (indeed grotesque) growth, and seems to indicate that the original simplicity which was in the Lord Jesus Christ has suddenly been hi-jacked to become something it was never intended to be - namely a great, outwardly impressive, monolithic structure (you can think of the establishment of Christianity as "official" "proper" and "professional" religion under Constantine, subsequent development of Roman Catholicism, Eastern Orthodoxy, Episcopalianism, Connectional denominationalism etc. - these bear very little resemblance to the true nature of Christianity characterised by our Lord in the Beatitudes ("Blessed are the poor in spirit..." etc.)) Note that "The birds of the air come and lodge in the branches" - again, as recently as the parable of the sower, the birds of the air have the negative connotation of "the wicked one" who "catches away that which was sown..." so the nesting of "the birds of the air" - Satan and his forces - in the topmost branches of the unnatural overgrowth of ecclesiastical structures, is not just something that we see in the unscriptural practises of some organisations calling themselves churches, it is also something which the Saviour anticipated and warned us about.

So the gospel application is this : Do not be diverted into accepting every modern idea which claims to be Christian. Recognise that much of what masquerades as Christian is actually opposed to the true Christ who is revealed in the Bible. Salvation - rescue from sin (not just the consequences of sin) - and eternal life are to be found in Jesus Christ and His work of atonement on the cross. Salvation cannot be found anywhere else. There are many people and ideas seeking to influence the church today to modify this straightforward gospel message and take on board other things as being equally important. But they are like cuckoo's eggs. There is never room in the nest of the true church for Christ's gospel and something else tagged onto it. If allowed to stay, the "something else" will sooner or later push the gospel out. It has happened many times down through the history of the Christian church. Of course we are not required to live in a state of constant suspicion - that would not be Christlike - but neither are we to be naive. There is a constant need for vigilance, lest our churches and gospel preaching should be neutralised by compromise with the creeping pollution of ideas and philosophies antagonistic to the absolute authority of Christ and the holy scriptures.
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Hitch (and others): Bighouse has pegged the kingdom parables of Matt. ch. 13.
Consider that Jesus explained two of them (vs 18-23, 37-43). If the focus would have changed wouldn't our Lord have said so. Especially since the disciples understood the other parables without explaination (v 51).
Leavened bread was prescibed for peace offerings in Lev. 7:13. All other instances of peace offerings is represented by animal sacrifice and/or the fat thereof. As for Lev 7:13; "Leaven, commonly used at social feasts, was permitted in the thank offering because this was the spontaneous expression of devotion from lives that were not entirely rid of sin and evil in every case(v 13). It taught that everything eaten is sanctified by the Word of God and prayer. (1Tim. 4:4-5; 1Cor. 10:23, 30) and that food which enters the stomach does not defile a man (Mt. 15:11)." --Dake commentary on Lev. 7:13
As for the 'foul fowls', certainly the dove denotes the Holy Spirit, but here again if we keep the train of thought being taught by the Lord in Matt. 13, these particular birds must be evil.
As for Strongs ref. 3772; it could mean --- the sky, right?
Consider this. The kingdom parables are taught as a warning to the Church. Dovetail this with the letters to the churches in Rev. and the endtime teaching on false teachers and doctrine. The church will be and has been infultrated by false doctine. Now reread the kingdom parables and consider what the Lord is warning. "Who hath ears to hear, let him hear." v.9.

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i am no bible scholar or a person of great intelligence, but the other day i was figuring it to be in 2008 also , its funny how i came accross your message, but again the bible says no one knows the appointed time that the lord shall return but he dose give us clues to follow and gives us warning. amen amen
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This may not be a popular interpretation, but from the parable itself it is hard to conclude too much more than this being about God and His activity in growing the 'seed.' It is tempting to allegorize this (i.e. say that JC is the farmer), and it is tempting to say its about our 'producing fruit' or 'miracles.' Although scripture talks about this, this particular parable does not. The point...and I think this is very good news...is that God does the growing. He is the one able to do the unthinkable; grow His word in the midst of a sinful world. For this I am thankful, and don't take this as a license to be lazy, but an invitation to be faithful to the great grower.
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i am doing an essay on this parable and it is very interesting i think that it really is sincere in this conventional way of constitutionalized decons.
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The ten virgins represent those to whom the offer of the kingdom of heavens is presently being extended. They, thus, could only represent ALL of the saved ["ten"showing ordinal completion] during the present despensation [ all of the saved ], would represent those who will form the bride[those called out of the called]. All ten of the virgins possessed lamps with oil.The request of the five foolish virgins in Matt. 25:8 should read," Give us of your oil; for our lamps are going out'[ ref,ASV, NASB,NIV]. The difference between the wise and foolish virgins lay, not in the thought that the foolish had no oil[ otherwise, their lamps could not be "going out"], but in the fact that the wise virgins possessed an extra supply of oil. "OIL" is symbolic of the Holy Spirit[1Sam. 10:1,6;16:13; Lev.8:10-12;21:12]. The five wise virgins possessed an extra supply of oil typify Christians possessing an extra supply of the Holy Spirit , i.e., Christians filled with the Holy Spirit; and the five foolish virgins lacking the extra supply of oil typify Christians lacking an extra supply of the Holy Spirit, i.e.,Christians not filled with the Holy Spirit. All ten of the virgins in Matt.25 went forth to meet the bridegroom together- just as all Christians will go forth will go forth to meet the bridegroom together. But only those five wise virgins with an extra supply of oil entered into the marriage festivties [v.10]. Thus, will it be in the future experience of Christians relative to being filled or not being filled with the Holy Spirit
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you cant ask the internet a question you got from mr. mcgowan.. geez man
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Historical and cultural understanding of the Jews customs is essential
to interprete the Gospel.

One talent is equel to eighteen years work.

This master reap where he sowed not, and gather where he have not strawed. Secondly, he even disgraced his servant with one talent by taking it away to give it to the one with more. The master tried to praise the one that earn more by discrediting another.

The master entrusted the talents to the servants. He asked them to look after the talents. He did not asked them to invest the talents. What if the servants lost their talents in their investment? How would the master treat the servants in this case?

In our age, when one entrust his money to me and if I help to invest, I would be committing a criminal breach of trust.







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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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Webmaster,
Yesssss! Love it! Like we're all trying to get into that BAD heaven. I used to call that hell!

The operative word is LOGICAL.

If the kingdom of heaven is BAD as Bighouse5 is implying by his statements (if we LOGICALLY state them for him), then what about the BAD heaven that was a BAD man seeking BAD pearls? Matt 13:45 The BAD man that sowed BAD seed so that the really BAD tares could make it worse? Matt 13:24 The BAD Word coming from the BAD kingdom? I don't think that God's Word is BAD! Matt 13:19 The BAD mustard seed of the BAD woman whose BAD branches hide all those BAD birds? Matt 13:31, How about the good seeds of the BAD kingdom? Matt 13:38, The BAD treasure in a field? Who wants to search for a BAD treasure? Matt 13:44 The BAD net gathering all those good and BAD fishes so that the good can be separated forever from the BAD? Matt 13:47

This negativity lacks inspiration. Inspiration is uplifting and GOOD.

No, you're not confused or missing something, Webmaster. Bighouse5 has missed the point and hasn't logically thought this through. You're a scholar and a gentle man. YOU understand.


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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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I posted too early. I am not sure of the last part of the parable. If all of the servants were believers, then was salvation taken from the one talent servant. I believe that believers are sealed until the day of redemption...one saved, always saved. My pastor and I discussed the ending. At this point, we agree that the talents are gifts and abilities. That everyone, saved and unsaved alike, have free will to use these gifts and abilities for God or for themselves. Those that choose to live for Christ will be given great rewards in heaven and God will provide for them on earth. Those that choose to serve themselves with their talents, may receive rewards on heaven, but will lose everything upon death. They will be cast into darkness (hell) where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
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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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our theater group has been staging passion plays for the past 30 years. Our theme for this year is about faith, we need to know more about the mustard seed and mustard plant. if you could possibly give us a picture of the plant and seed and what is its significance to faith perse as described in the parable. thanks and more power. God bless
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Have you ever planted a garden?
Some seeds never grow.
Some grows then withers away.
Some grow several inches then start to die.
Some dying plants catch ahold of good ground or water and sprout back to life.
Some dying plants are tended to by the gardener and sprout back to life.

I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy,
and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion.
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I believe that the rich fool is meaning that anyone who is blessed with goods that he/she needs to thank God and his workings that he made before we just think we can sit back and be lazy. I also believe that this passage means that sometimes we take things that we have for granted and we always expect these things but we never kno when we will lose these things and/or waste these things.
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The bridegroom,Jesus Christ actually comes(Raptures) the Wise righteous (born again) New Creatures! In fact, this passage says that after trying to buy oil from the wise virgins, the foolish virgins had time to go to the marketplace in pursuit of the oil(Matthew 25:9) Similarly in (Revelation 3:18) the Laodiceans are a picture of the foolish virgins left behind! They are told to go,and buy gold tried in the fire,and to buy white raiment.

[Matthew 25:9]

[Matthew 25:9] But the (wise)answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and (buy for yourselves.

Revelation 3:18

I counsel thee to (buy) of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich, and (white raiment) that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear, and (anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see)

The white raiment represents the robes of righteousness that these foolish virgins will have to obtain in the tribulation. The fire of the furnace of tribulation that these Laodicean, foolish virgins will go through will motivate them to be on fire for the Lord. The heat that they go through during the tribulation, will skim off their impurities, purifying them, and qualifying them to join the Bride for the Judgment Seat of Christ and Marriage Supper of the Lamb as the Wrath of God falls on this earth.

Door is associated with the rapture. In this verse Matthew 25:10 when it says the door is shut, the rapture of the Bride is over and the door or gate into the New Jerusalem at that time is shut.

Door in Greek can be seen as Portal,

Notice the Door is open in Revelation 4:1,and Matthew 25:10 shares the Bridegroom(Jesus Christ) came,and those who were Ready(Wise)Lamps Lit,and filled with oil(Holy Ghost) went in with him to the Marriage,and then the Door was shut.

2 Samuel 22:29

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

Proverbs 21:20

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


The foolish neglect the Word of God. The Foolish become deceived by man made religion,and fall for the ways of the world(back sliding,and lukewarm)

God is preparing His bride,His righteous born again New Creatures for the rapture and the wedding of His Son. The day is coming, in our lifetime! Some will be taken, but many will remain to suffer God's wrath.

Jesus tells us to pray that you may be able to escape all that is about to happen.(Luke 21:34-36)

Luke 21:34-36

(And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares)

35For as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth.

36(Watch ye therefore) and pray always) that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.

king Jesus Christ prophetically warned, Take heed to yourselves, lest at anytime your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting (overindulgence)and drunkenness, and the cares of this life, so that day come upon you unawares.(Watch ye) therefore, and (pray always) that you may be accounted worthy to escape all these things .

(Luke 21:34-36) Here, in praying always, it is the Christians that are instructed to be sober,and not to be overtaken with overindulgence and the cares of this life,not just the unbeliever (1 Thessalonians 5:6-8) First, note that unbelievers do not believe.

Secondly, unbelievers do not pray,and Worship God! nor will they pray always,and Watch which is an explicit Christian directive for saved Christians to be Watching in preparation for King Jesus Christ! Lest That Day overtake them unawares.

We must continue to share,and teach the Powerful Gospel with anyone,and everyone at all Times!

One must remember to Pray the Back sliders,Lukewarm,and unbelievers Wake up(Romans 13:11)get Saved,and abide in King Jesus Christ!

Also we must continue to share,and teach that the Christians need to (Wake up) (Watch)and (Abide) in our wonderful King Jesus Christ!
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I ask you please read the webpage called(Rapture of his Bride) on the website www.raptureprophecy.com




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Can anybody offer anything in way of how we plant this mustard seed? If we are going by faith and there is no evidence to support that it really got planted, then it seems to me that it would be imperative that we know exactly how to do it. Wouldn't it? If were judged according to the fruit that we produce by the planting of this seed, then wouldn't everything START with that knowledge? Is that not a valid question? Am I missing something? Does anybody know?
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The ring is a symbol to represent apart of the convenant again. The robe is his robe of righteousness. The shoes identify him as a son as opposed to a servant.
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The father loved both sons equally. He celebrated the return of his lost son because he was found, not because he loved him more or less than the other (older) son. The older son was reminded by the father that all he has was his and that he should not be upset by the celebration for his younger brother but to rejoice with the father over the return of the younger son (brother). The father is still trying to teach us about the very basic meaning of love. Love is a choice and God's Love is enduring!
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i think it really teaches about thing what about you?
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Contrary to what many think, I would submit that the point of this parable is NOT to stress repetitious prayer. Jesus said, “Pray not vain repetitions as the heathen do, thinking they will be heard for their much praying.”

Just think about it for a moment. You could really get on the nerves of a friend by forever questioning their veracity, if they were to agree to help you out financially or in some other way. A non-stop “will you do it” would drive them right up the wall. Why on earth would God want us to beg and gravel, Squall and whine? Does that really build character? Wouldn’t it show more character to take a person at their word and then never bring the subject up again?

The word importunity is a bad translation for the Greek word translated such. It does not mean a persistent badgering-as though he doesn’t want to do it-though he may not want to. It means barefacedness, boldness, having the ba__…-you know what, to approach this person in the middle of the night because your in a jam and will not be denied. This person didn’t have time to keep coming again and again. He needed the answer right there and then.

Paul says in Hebrews “come boldly unto the throne of grace that we might receive grace and mercy in a time of need”.

This type of behavior demonstrates the highest type of friendship. “If my friendship means anything in the world to you, you’re going to do it and do it now!”

One time I came home in the late evening to find a friend waiting for me. It was very clear that he would not be denied. He needed help. Do you know what I did? Even though I was not in a position to help him out, I practically went into hock helping him out.

Trust me on this. The attitude, and the sound of his voice, didn’t leave any alternative. He was bold and he walked away with the help that was needed.

Showing this type of attitude with God is the highest compliment. For he is the one who calls us friends.



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My conscience simply will not let me solicit the friendship of someone (saved or unsaved) just to realize some financial gain for myself or the ministry. The thought of it is completely contrary to what God has been teaching me about what reaching out in true love really is. I can't think of a more selfish way to use somebody.

Partiality and favortism is at the very heart of our sinful nature--entertaining people for whatever benefit they can provide. That is precisely the 'old man' I want to see crucified.

Thank God that He (God) did not do that to me, leaving me an example to follow. Just when I had nothing to offer Him, He saved me:

"...because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ EVEN WHEN WE WERE DEAD IN TRANSGRESSIONS..." (Ephesians 2:4)

"You see, at just the right time, when we WERE STILL POWERLESS, Christ died for the ungodly." (Romans 5:6)

One of my favorite scriptures that almost always causes me to well up in tears is Luke 14:12-14 (THIS is the very heart of God!)

"...When you give a luncheon or dinner, do not invite your friends, your brothers or relatives, OR YOUR RICH NEIGHBORS; if you do, they may invite you back and so you will be repaid. But when you give a banquet, INVITE THE POOR, THE CRIPPLED, THE LAME, THE BLIND, and you will be blessed. Although they cannot repay you, YOU WILL BE REPAID AT THE RESURRECTION OF THE RIGHTEOUS."

God, create in me THIS kind of love that you might be glorified and my joy will be complete.

"...the ONLY thing that counts is faith EXPRESSING ITSELF THROUGH LOVE." (Galatians 5:6)
















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Yes there is a case to be made about the elder son. In my Christain Fellowship we spent two weeks on this one parable; the first week we looked at how we can put ourselves in the shoes of the older son, and the sencond we talked about how, if we don't necesarily identify with the younger son, we probably do with the older one.
We talked about how sometimes as Christians we view that there are certain things we feel we have to do in order to recieve God's love. We have to go to church, not swear, follow the commandments, give to the poor....etc. And then we see/realize that there are other who are not doing all of the "required" things, and yet they still recieve God's love.
But the point that (I think) Jesus was trying to make is that there is no list of things you have to do to be loved by God. God loves all His children no matter what. And at the end of the parable Jesus never said whether or not the older son decides to go in and recieve his father's love, or stay out and get nothing.
Hope that helps!
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hey I'm 17teen years old, and I am trying to find my talents b ut i don't know how to begain? can you give me some bible verse or some infomation on where to begain looking for those talents God has given me. do all people have talents or just some ? i'm not talking like spiritual gifts i'm talking like drawling , playing a music insterment or something like that to let you know.

thanks your sista in christ

sarah drury
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Dear Peter,

Your note on the web touched me. It sounded like a cry for help from a young man struggling to stay afloat. Internet correspondence with people I don't know is not my habit but I feel a concern for you.

I am not privy to all that is in your situation.

How old are you and how long have you been a Christian?

Are both of your brothers Christians?

Does your brother who stayed home share your feelings?

On what terms was the returning brother brought into the business? Is he an employee or did he buy into the business?

Are you involved in an unequal yoke, ie. are both of your brothers believers? You could be faced with selling your interest and starting a business of your own.

How does your father see the situation? Can you appeal to him for guidance?

If you and your brother bought the business why do you still retain the irritations?

If your father has a will how can others take what is not theirs?

There is so much that I don't know but it sounds like it is time for a family conference to clear the air and redefine everybody's limits and responsibilities.

The closer we come to home the more crucial relationships become.

Have you thought of seeking advice from a wise business man in your church or community?

Above all don't become weighed down with resentment and bitterness. You need to forgive your brother and deal with him graciously. It only takes one to forgive. To forgive wrongs gives the soul buoyancy and joy.
It is a reminder that we also are forgiven by One who was offended by our sin in a way that we will never understand.


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cornell
I dont have the scriptures.. but the way i understand it is ...
There is repentance and blasphemy of the holy spirit.. i am not to clear on it either.. but here is what i do know

When we sin, if we confess our sins and turn God will forgive us.
Sin could be murder, murders,stealing, hate lust, lying, gossiping

Blasphemy as i understand it, not quite sure is when a person totally reject God , they have been given over to reprobate mind, they have
completly sold out and have no desire to come back home to God the Father

God knows the diffenence and he is not confuse when someone has completely rejected and refuse his Love, Him, His Son, His Spirit, His ways...

a story, testimony i love in the bible, is saul that perscuted, killed christians, one day on the road to Damascus was stop in his tracks
turn around repent of his evil ways was forgiven and greatly use by the same God, the same Jesus he tried to kill, and destroy his name and his people.....What a great testimony....God loves it when we turn, he is not a tricky God is not trying to trick us, sometimes the enemy tries to trick us into thinking i have gone to far God will never accept me now, look how i reject him,look at all those time he spoke to me, warn me and i walked away, rejected him and would not listen, will he listen to me now.... this is want the prodigal son parable son 's essence of the message is he will accept you, love you, bless you, if you come back home, return, repent confess, Lord, Father God i have sin against you
i have rejected you,i have(you fill in the blanks)
i want to come back home
i believe in You Father God, I believe in Your Son Jesus that he died for my sins, and that he arose on third day, and now i am made free by
The Blood of Jesus, and i ask for you The Holy Spirit to come into my heart and live inside of me,
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Found in the postings below is a case that I’ve made for what I believe is the secret of the kingdom of God. Mark chapter four calls it Jesus’ doctrine.

Mark 4: 2And he taught them many things by parables, and said unto them in his DOCTRINE…

The principle that Jesus talked about referred to a prayer or words being placed in a “secret” place. The context of the kingdom teachings support that this secret place is none other then the human spirit. However, it’s not just that. Jesus said that “the kingdom of God is within you”. Wherever this “secret” place is it’s where God abides. Jesus said “Our Father which art in HEAVEN, Hallowed be thy name”.

Matthew 6:6
But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.

I think it’s more proper to regard the spirit of a man as a crossroads-so to speak-that heaven (the realm of the spirit) converges upon or is routed through.

Jesus taught that everyman has a spirit that works like an inner candle resplending things upon the picture screen of our lives. Good and bad.

But there is an inherent dilemma that occurs when attempting to understand the application of kingdom principles. Being that it thrives off of “secret” things “spoken in darkness”-Jesus being the grand master “covered” his prayers to perfection. In other words, you’ll never know what he prayed and the words that he chose.

What’s a believer to do in terms of finding examples?

Well thank God there are some things that can be used as examples. God wouldn’t leave us blind to the application of these things when he taught that we are to live by them.

Look at this scripture: Matthew 6:19-21.

19Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal:
20But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:
21For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.

Consider the idea of “laying something up”. Can you see how that heaven is almost considered a plateau or a realm above our heads? It’s really not; it’s just another realm that is obviously distinct from the world around us. Apparently you can place things there. Might this be this proverbial plateau where things are “hidden” I.e., “there is nothing hid that will not be manifest”?

Now don’t scriptures like these take on new meaning?

Psalm 37:5
Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass.

Proverbs 16:3
Commit thy works unto the LORD, and thy thoughts shall be established.

I Peter 5
5Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble. 6Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: 7CASTING ALL YOUR CARE UPON HIM; for he careth for you.

I guess all that I’m saying is that when you pray for something, make sure that you commit it into the hands of God who dwells in heaven and see’s in secret. Then leave it with him refusing to exalt yourself by attempts to bring it to pass. In the long run it may take a little longer pursuing “Gods reward”. But look at Abraham and Sara in their stint of foolishness creating a son with a different woman. Can you see how that mans reward can get you into trouble?


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What significance did the ring have? Why did his father put a ring on his finger? How does that relate to the church?
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The Mustard Parable was a fulfilled Prophecy from Ezekiel 17!
Quote:
Ezekiel 17
22. Thus saith the Lord God; I will also take of the highest branch of the high cedar, and will set it; I will crop off from the top of his young twigs a tender one, and will plant it upon an high mountain and eminent:
23. In the mountain of the height of Israel will I plant it: and it shall bring forth boughs, and bear fruit, and be a goodly cedar: and under it shall dwell all fowl of every wing; in the shadow of the branches thereof shall they dwell.
24. And all the trees of the field shall know that I the Lord have brought down the high tree, have exalted the low tree, have dried up the green tree, and have made the dry tree to flourish: I the Lord have spoken and have done it.












Other info....

Psalms 104
12. By them shall the fowls of the heaven have their habitation, which sing among the branches.

Proverbs 11
28. He that trusteth in his riches shall fall; but the righteous shall flourish as a branch.

Isaiah 4
2. In that day shall the branch of the Lord be beautiful and glorious, and the fruit of the earth shall be excellent and comely for them...

Isaiah 11
1. And there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots:
2. And the spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the Lord;

Isaiah 60
16. Thou shalt also suck the milk of the Gentiles, and shalt suck the breast of kings: and thou shalt know that I the Lord am thy Saviour and thy Redeemer, the mighty One of Jacob.
17. For brass I will bring gold, and for iron I will bring silver, and for wood brass, and for stones iron: I will also make thy officers peace, and thine exactors righteousness.
18. Violence shall no more be heard in thy land, wasting nor destruction within thy borders; but thou shalt call thy walls Salvation, and thy gates Praise.
19. The sun shall be no more thy light by day; neither for brightness shall the moon give light unto thee: but the Lord shall be unto thee an everlasting light, and thy God thy glory.
20. Thy sun shall no more go down; neither shall thy moon withdraw itself: for the Lord shall be thine everlasting light, and the days of thy mourning shall be ended.
21. Thy people also shall be all righteous: they shall inherit the land for ever, the branch of my planting, the work of my hands, that I may be glorified.


Jeremiah 23
5. Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, that I will raise unto David a righteous Branch, and a King shall reign and prosper, and shall execute judgment and justice in the earth.
6. In his days Judah shall be saved, and Israel shall dwell safely: and this is his name whereby he shall be called, THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS.

Jeremiah 33
15. In those days, and at that time, will I cause the Branch of righteousness to grow up unto David; and he shall execute judgment and righteousness in the land.
_________________

The Harvest is soon......
and
If any person comes to Jesus Christ,
and doesn't love Jesus Christ over,
their father,
or their mother,
or their spouse,
or their children,
or their brethren,
or their sisters,
or even their own life,
they are not able to be a followers of Jesus Christ!

The Truth Shall Set You FREE!
http://www.freejesus.net/salvation.php
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This is the only parable we are told(!) to learn.

could be '48 or '67.

starts with Adam 'n Eve weaving APRONS (not face masks) of FIG leaves to cover the sin; winds up in Revelation.

it meshes directly with the Parable of the Wheat & Tares... which also starts in the Garden and culminates in Revelation.

just like the Word of God.

phil

http://WordStudy.org
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Amen.
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This has been a great study to learn how to apply this parable to my own life and pass on my findings in the LORD. I have a wonderful time looking at this small but great seed for my life.
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is the lord sparing our physical life or our spitural?
i pray spirual.
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hey do you hav picture of the parable of the seed and the sower... i need it for my project pls. reply me to my email if do you have
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I WOULD LOVE TO SEE THE IMAGE OF THE The Mustard Seed TREE.

THX, GOD BLESS,

JOSEPH
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Verse 12 - He divided unto them... I believe to be a type of the church and Israel. The older brother still under law, yet a son. The younger a type of the apostate church, leaving the spiritual and leaning on the arm of the flesh. We have programs for everything. If God were to die Saturday night 85% of churches would open their doors Sunday morning and never miss a beat. The church for the most part is blind and wretched like the Laodacians and yet the Lord is ever knocking at the door of His own church pleading for entrance. The Father let the son leave. Unlike most of what goes on today, begging people to stay in church, visitation, special concerts, and just about anything you can think of; joined to a citizen of that far country. Teaching lost people how to be religious. But Hallalujah, conviction does come and the church will come to herself and rise up and come out from among them and be ye seperate. The younger repents, returns home and the Father runs to meet him. Galatians 2:20 - Maranatha
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Amen, we can get a blessing from this parable for the mordern church. However, i have been studying parables in my study group and have recieved such a blessing by reading the parbale in context to who Jesus was speaking to at the time.... here is my study.

Parable actually means "to place along side of" Jesus spoke in parables to illustrate a truth.

In the parable of the lost sheep, Jesus is speaking to the Pharisees. The Pharisees believed that they did not need to repent... keep this in mind.

Luke 15:4
"What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he finds it?"

Jesus is relating this parable to who he is speaking to, so that they will understand.

Also, God sent Jesus, the great and good Shepherd to seek and save His lost sheep... {Luke 19:10 "For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which is lost"} God didn't send a servant, but His only begotten Son.

5. "And when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders, rejoicing.

Rejoicing in the Greek means, to cheer and to be well off. [The Hebrew-Greek Key Study Bible, King James Version]

What stood out to me is that he actually lays the lost sheep upon his shoulders, a labour of love. (Just as Jesus carried all our sins upon His shoulders... a labour of love.)

6. And when he cometh home, he calleth together his friends and neighbours, saying unto them, Rejoice with me; for I have found my sheep which was lost."

The Lord takes pleasure in our return and celebrates with his friends.

7. I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance.

The Pharisees, who Jesus was speaking to, felt they did not need to repent. Jesus illustrates the truth that God REJOICES over the one lost sheep that repented.

I was blessed by this beacuse I always looked at this parable as highlighting God's love for us, the lost sheep, and how He searches for us. But by looking at this in the context of who it is written to, I have come to see that the truth in this parable is actually of Repentance!


Love and Blessings
Sarah, Australia
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Jesus gives the example of the Good Samaritan for us to pattern ourselves after when it comes to loving our neighbor and other points of living.Anyone can be a Good Samaritan if Jesus is in your Heart and you are operating from the Love that he gives you.Help others . Not just the ones that you know , but be ready to share his love and Charity with all.
God Bless You,
chris
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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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Interesting and varied comments thus far. I have given this parable some thought. I do not agree with the reverse parable conclusion. Jesus spoke to his audience in a way that they would understand. Servants or managers were entrusted to carry out the business of their master. Each of the servants were chosen to manage the talents according to their abilities. God does not entrust great authority and responsibility to a new believer.
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i love jesus sooo much
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Thanks Brother Prater,
OPEN HEAVEN!
It is a wonderful revelation to experience inheritance. Some will receive and others will be looking right at it and never experience any more. OUR LORD CAME TO TAKE BACK WHAT THE ENEMY HAD STOLEN. We are joint heirs with Jesus Christ and sons of God. We are all wanting more, but the level of wanting is only quickened by the Holy Spirit. HAVE WE ASKED? Father God I want more of YOU?
This warning to us about the two sons is a sad story to say the least when one brother takes what is given and runs with it and loses all, ending up in the pig slime. The other stays in his boundaries, limited, shutting himself down. wanting inheritance but not wanting to spend quality time with the Father The son who stayed home has set his limits and will never take the fullness of all that has been given to him. Faith, believing in the Word Of The Lord. receiving revelation to all that had been given and how THE KINGDOM OF GOD is not by works or presumption, It is a wonderful koinonia relationship, intimate, and personal. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, The love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit. (2 Cor. 13:14). This is where we receive inheritance, and this is how we become full of the Glory of God. Romans 14:17 (Righteousness, Peace, and Joy In The Holy Ghost).
Rev. 3:20 is the key to knowing (YADA) Him. He's knocking, Open the door and let Him in. He wants to banquet with us. The Father said prepare a feast as he gazed at his son coming home. A couple of verses later there was a open door in heaven. Our Father has a open door policy and we can all come home to his banquet table. Have we taken the time to sup with Him lately? Do we know how to? Let's Ask OF HIM!
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Would it be possible for me to read how Brenda T:urner napplies this parable to her life to pass it on for tomorrow morning as a sermonette to children age 5 thru 4th grade?
Thank you.
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