Kevin,
I too have a desire of a Reward! I want to earn a Crown, I can lay at the Feet of My Lord Jesus Christ, for He only is worthy to receive Glory, Praise and Honour from His Servants!
He died for me, He changed me, and He saved me, the only reward I want for myself, is to Hear Him say, Well done My faithful servant!
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Read Matt. 24:24-26. The rise of false prophets and false Christs (Messiahs) able to deceive some of the very elect was prophesied by our Lord Jesus Christ. Many Christians have been ruined by the evil servants in charge of today's churches.
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Emilee, I have just come across this site as I gave a children sermon on having the faith of a mustard seed. If you still have this picture that you mentioned above, would you email it to me? It is amazing that these trees grew so large in the days Jesus was here on earth and we never hear of a mustard tree. I would find this very amazing to see one. Thank you so much for your time. God bless!
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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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Yes, the symbolic name of the younger son is Ephrahim. The older's name is Judah.

Selah,
Donimus
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the parable of good samaritan is very interesting topic because what good deeds do we want to do is in the topic.and we know that love is very important in this world and without this is everywhere is chaos.
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I was searching for the pic of brassica to do my botony proj. I wonder if u have... (at least accoring to google description u do)...can u send me one?..
By the way, wat type of min is this?.. christians right?
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And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

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Jon, (John-15-1) I am the Vine, and My Father is the Husbandman: Remember, Jesus said, no man come to Me, except My Father draw him? Jesus is the Root (Romans-15-12) There shall be a Root of Jesse, and He that shall rise and regin over the Gentles: in Him shall the Gentiles Trust! Christ was the Seed Promised to the Nation, Israel, the Seed promised to Abraham, The Lamb of God, The Sacrifice unto whom the Nations of the earth might be Blessed when they receive Him. and the Seed Promised to David, according to the flesh, However, Israel received Him not, therefore, cut them off, then He turned to the Gentile, (Romans-11-18) Boast not against the branches. But if thou boast, thou beaest not the Root, but the Root thee. (19) Thou wilt say then, The branches were broken off (Israel) that I (Gentile) might be grafted in. (20) Well: because of unbelief they were broken off, and thou standest by faith, Be not highminded, but fear: (21) For if God spared not the natural branches, take heed lest He also spare not thee. (16) For if the Firstfruit be Holy, the lump is also holy, so are the branches. As He is Holy, be you also holy! (Romans-8-29) Christ is the Firstfruit, the Firstborn, among many brethen, that we might be conformed like unto His image, to know no sin! The Work of the Spirit of Holy God, in the heart of His children. However, God also warned of the danger of falling away from the Spirit of Holy God, Who speaks from Heaven unto His children (Hebrews-12-25) See that you refuse not Him that speaks, For if they escaped not, who refused Him that spoke on earth (Israel) much more shall we not escape if we turn away from Him that speaks from Heaven! (now, to the Gentile) Satan deceived the children of Israel, in their conceit of the flesh, as the Seed of Abraham, (John-8-33-44) the warning to the Gentile, do not think too highly of the flesh, but of the Spirit of Christ Jesus, in us, and us in Him (John-15-5) for without Him, we can do nothing! Satan deceived Israel, and we are warned not to be highminded, but to fear, because satan will try and also destroy the Gentile! (Jeremiah-4-7) The Lion is come up from his thicket, and the destroyer of the Gentile is on his way; he is gone forth from his place to make thy land desolate: and thy cities shall be laid waste, without inhabtant. So you see, we cannot put our trust in any man, any Religion, trust no man with your SOUL, our only hope is in Him and Him only, down on our kness seeking Him, with all our heart, mind and soul, and He said, you will find Me! Trust Him and Him only, repent of your sins, for He is faithful and just, to forgive us of our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness, ask Him to come into your life that you might be strengthened with might against future sin, by His Spirit inside of your heart! (Ephesians-3-16) that the work of the devil, sin and death, against you, might be destroyed, the very reason He came! (1John-3-4-8) that everything we lost in first Adam, might be restored unto us! No reason to fear satan, Holy God is the only One we must fear, when you truly turn to Him, with all your might, heart, mind and soul! Then you will know, Greater is He that is in you, then he that is in the world! We know, satan is the god of this world, (Romans-16-19-20) But the God of Peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly, Obey Christ Jesus-- sin no more, that you might receive His Spirit, giving you the victory over both sin and death, and you shall find Peace! God Bless You!
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In response to one of the postings found below, there is no question that leaven has been traditionally deemed a contaminating element. That being said, was Jesus bound to using that pattern in relation to the leaven and the dough parable?

Jesus said that he would reveal things kept secret from the foundations of the earth. The idea of leaven traditionally being bad is taught all over the bible. Is that a big secret? The leaven and the dough is a parable of the kingdom (secret).

Jesus used supernatural power to open the ears of those who had a good heart and intended to hear by saying “he that hath ears to hear, let him hear”.
Obviously those who were attempting to ensnare him in his words would not get the jest of what he was conveying. And Jesus did this intentionally. He declared they have eyes and don’t see, they have ears and don’t hear…and when they’re converted…

I don’t see any problem with using a prominent teaching or custom to express a different aspect or analogy.

But still I don’t think it’s contextually logical for Jesus to after saying in Mark Chapter four verse 20, one thing, and then to meander off into another subject.
(Amplified bible):

20And those sown on the good (well-adapted) soil are the ones who hear the Word and receive and accept and welcome it and bear fruit--some thirty times as much as was sown, some sixty times as much, and some [even] a hundred times as much.
21And He said to them, Is the lamp brought in to be put under a [6] peck measure or under a bed, and not [to be put] on the lampstand?
22[[7] Things are hidden temporarily only as a means to revelation.] For there is nothing hidden except to be revealed, nor is anything [temporarily] kept secret except in order that it may be made known.
23If any man has ears to hear, let him be listening and let him perceive and comprehend.
24And He said to them, Be careful what you are hearing. The measure [8] [of thought and study] you give [to [9] the truth you hear] will be the measure [10] [of virtue and knowledge] that comes back to you--and more [besides] will be given to you who hear.

Now, are people aware that they are saying that Jesus, after laying down the foundation of the parable of the sower, that he immediately began talking about sin, the church, immoral women and Satanic infiltration? And thereby totally changing the subject? Isn’t it more logical to stay on the same theme and maybe say the same thing in a different way? That’s what I believe he did. Remember; know body knew what he was saying anyway until he said, “he that had ears to hear let him hear”.

Are we to believe that Jesus went on hiatus in verse 21-25 and picked up on the idea again in verse 26?

26And He said, The kingdom of God is like a man who scatters seed upon the ground,

Or is it more logical to believe that he stayed on the same subject matter? What if I was to say, after saying all this, “the cream rises to the top-all we are is dust in the wind”. Wouldn’t you think, “what on earth is he talking about? That has nothing to do with what he just said”. And yet people are accusing Jesus-the Son of God of doing the same thing. In the presence of possibly hundreds of people.

The reason I chose the Amplified version of this scripture is to bring out something that isn’t as strong in the other translations. Look at verse 22. Things are HIDDEN temporarily only AS A MEANS to revelation. For there is nothing hidden EXCEPT TO BE REVEALED, nor is anything [temporarily] kept secret EXCEPT in order that it may be made known. Notice the purpose or intent in this scripture. A person HID something in his heart FOR THE PURPOSE OF bringing it to light. They got on the front end of the deal. It worked against the scribes and the Pharisees in the negative.

Luke 12
1 In the mean time, when there were gathered together an innumerable multitude of people, insomuch that they trode one upon another, he began to say unto his disciples first of all, Beware ye of the LEAVEN of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy.
2 For there is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed; neither hid, that shall not be known. (The same thing stated in Mark’account)
3 Therefore whatsoever ye have spoken in darkness shall be heard in the light; and that which ye have spoken in the ear in closets shall be proclaimed upon the housetops.

The above verse shows the tie between Mark chapter four “there is nothing hid…” and the parable of the leaven. Now, someone will probably say, “SEE, leaven is a bad thing”. Then why would somebody purposefully hide something in their heart if it were a wicked thing? No, it’s the principle that Jesus is laying down. Leaven isn’t good or bad. It’s just an agent that reacts with our hearts that eventually gets painted on the picture screen of our lives. Why can’t it be the Word of God? Why couldn’t righteousness be the leaven? The person in the above scripture hid it AS A MEANS to revelation. HE WANTED IT MANIFESTED.

It’s very clear that some people just don’t do their studying. And that’s a shame because the Son of God put it in a way that can be figured out, if people will spend some time meditating on it.

I often wondered how Jesus could say to a man “tell no man” without violating the precepts of this very principle. Isn’t he declaring something a secret? Isn’t he whispering something in the ear that will be proclaimed form the housetops? Check out the results of his doing that.

31 And again, departing from the coasts of Tyre and Sidon, he came unto the sea of Galilee, through the midst of the coasts of Decapolis.
32 And they bring unto him one that was deaf, and had an impediment in his speech; and they beseech him to put his hand upon him.
33 And he took him aside from the multitude, and put his fingers into his ears, and he spit, and touched his tongue;
34 And looking up to heaven, he sighed, and saith unto him, Ephphatha, that is, Be opened.
35 And straightway his ears were opened, and the string of his tongue was loosed, and he spake plain.
36 AND HE CHARGED THEM that they should TELL NO MAN:

Now look at the results.

but the more he charged them, SO MUCH THE MORE A GREAT DEAL THEY PUBLISHED IT.

Go figure!

If these things are hard to glean from scripture, it may be because of something else. There is a spirit of humility that rests upon all the teachings of Jesus, and if you don’t understand that, then you won’t get the jest of what Jesus is saying. For more on that, see what I wrote in the article “true humility” under the subject, the parable of the Pharisee and the publican. It may help you to understand these things.



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Robert , I say this out of Love for a Brother in hopes that you will see the truth that the Lord Jesus Christ has given us.
We must believe with our hearts and confess with our mouths that Jesus Christ is Lord and that God raised him from the dead in order to be saved. There is a differance between judging and knowing the simple truth that our Lord gives us. Romans 10:9 . I hope that I only misunderstood what you were saying .
The only way to the Father is through the Son , Jesus Christ Our Lord. Matthew 11:27.
God Bless you much .You are in my prayers.
Your Brother ,
chris
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Dear Pastor

Who is mammon?

What does it mean 'to make for yourselves friends with mammon of unrighteousness' so they may receive ye in everlastings habitations?'.
Which friends? which habitations?
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The meaning of this scripture is very simple if you allow the other scriptures concerning the kingdom to interpret it. All that's being said hear is that "there is nothing hid which shall not be manifest". It's an example of how the word of God reacts with the human spirit and together they radiate the fact that his word was put in. If you take two balls of dough, insert yeast in one of them and come back in twenty minutes, it doesn’t take a genius to say "hey someone put yeast in that one". Yeast is not good or bad it's just a catalyst that works with something else for a desired end. Certainly it can be bad, "beware of the leaven of the scribes and Pharisee’s-hypocrisy" for there is nothing covered that shall not be revealed (same idea). But it also says that the kingdom of God is like leaven.

The meaning is this. When we "hide" the word in our hearts, the leaven of god’s word will work with our spirit to "manifest" or bring to light or "reveal" the fact that we "sowed" to our hearts the word. It will manifest. Now, if there's nothing hid that shall not be manifest, shouldn't we as Christians be asking "then how on earth do I "hide" something? This is the idea here. We have a treasure hid in our hearts, and the person who discovers how to hide something, will be able to "manifest" or tap into that hidden treasure. He'll bring forth fruit.

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What does Pharisee mean? What was a Publican?

Pharisee: The word itself comes from a Hebrew word meaning "to set apart" or "to separate". The Pharisees were a sect of the Jews. They believed in God, but they also believed that he operated according to their actions. (Your rewards/punishments were based on your works) They added their own traditions to the law, and seemed to think themselves holier because of it. They seemed to pride themselves on following what they said to be law to the letter, and to think this made them better than those they disagreed with.

Publican: These were the tax collectors. Just like today, they weren't the most popular people in town! Often they were said to cheat the people, overcharging or extorting money from them. Thus they were regarded with disgust and contempt. They interacted with the "heathen Romans", which made them even more distasteful in the eyes of the Pharisees.

Now, for the parable. We see both, a pharisee and a publican, entering the temple grounds to pray. The pharisee sees the publican, and starts his prayer thanking God, which in itself is a good thing, but look at what he's thanking him for. He's looking at his fellow man, pointing out his faults, and thanking God that he's not like him! Typical human nature, to think that we're better than others because of our actions, instead of recognizing that we've all been sinners just as unworthy of God's grace as the next person. He goes on to mention his own good works...that he fasted twice in the week (which was in ADDITION to the requirements of the law, another case of the Pharisees adding to the law and thinking it made them better people) and that he gave his tithes.

The publican's interaction with God is vastly different. Instead of seeing the sins of others and feeling himself to be better because he wasn't committing the same ones, he came to God acknowledging that he was a sinner. He didn't even dare to lift his eyes, but kept them lowered and smote himself, which was a common expression of sorrow. This action is telling, in that he was feeling remorse for his sins. Lastly, he doesn't offer any excuses, but begs God for mercy and acknowledges his sinful state.

The last verse in this parable tells us that the publican left justified.

The moral of the story? Proverbs 28:13 He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.

God wants us to acknowledge our sins, and to place our full trust in HIM for our forgiveness and to recognize that it is only through him that we can obtain it, not through works of our own. He will bring down the proud, but those who come to him humbly and with pure intentions will be exalted by Him. We are not to look at others as a barometer of whether we're serving God properly, but only at what God has decreed for us.

Chrys _________________ Teach me thy way, O Lord; I will walk in thy truth.


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Yes it is complete.
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Just like all these other folks, I would love to see a picture if you could possible email it to me. Thanks.
Karen
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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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Dear Sir" I Would like to get a copy of your sermon about the good shepher. In august I requeste one time, so far I did not get it. I am a foreign student in OU.
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ok, once again, don't take my word as gospel for this but i feel that God is telling me something here.

1. i honestly have no idea why this parably was only recorded by luke. maybe it touched luke in a different way than it touched the others, but i have no idea.

2. i think that the father might have symbolised God in this parable and considering there is only 1 god and there is no Mrs God, then maybe there is no need for a mother.

3. for sure, this story has many parallels and i think that it relates to many other stories in the bible as well.

4. i feel that the prodigal son was treated better than when he left. he was treated as royalty and we can see this by the gifts that the fther gives him. shoes for the feet, the ring, and the best robes.

5. the older son didn't get a party, because he already had everything that the father owned. would you want a party every time you see a non-christian come to the Lord? i'm not havinmg a dig at u here but im just showing how this relates to other examples in life.

once again, don't take my word for gospel, but i hope this gives u a better view of things

thanx
scott
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I have been told by a counselor, professional, that i have Cyclothymia, but I am also a christian, and I am wondering, can saten attack one who is saved, just like symptoms of depression, as well, to trick you into thinking you have this when you don't, or, if you do, it is a trial? How should I look at this. I don't want to take meds, I am not suisidal, or bad behaviour, but I wonder if it is a trial, or if it is saten messing with me, to get me to doubt God. Do you understand this? THanks for the help if you can . I am just now seeing this might be the case.
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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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I think I've got a thorough understanding of your interpretation of this parable, thank you.

If this parable is teaching us God's principle for paying ministry expenses, why didn't Paul use it? (1 Cor.9:12-15)? He refused the 'right of support' as an example to the flock. If he wanted to be an example of your view wouldn't he insist on support and how to get it from rich unbelievers?

Where are the unbelievers--why is Paul only talking to BELIEVERS of his 'right to support' (which he did not use)? (1 Cor. 9:1-2)

Why does Paul praise the POOR Macedonians for their generosity when they gave "beyond their ability...entirely on their own..." and encourage the Corinthians to do the same? (2 Cor. 8:2,3,7,8)

Why is "according to your means" and "according to what one has, not according to what he does not have" worthy of praise? (2 Cor. 8:11,12)

Why is Paul's instruction to the Thessalonians completely opposite from your interpretation of the parable of the unjust steward? (1 Thess. 4:11,12 and 2 Thess. 3:6-12 esp. vs. 9)

Why did Jesus and the disciples allow Judas to hold the money bag even though they knew he was stealing from it? (For time's sake I can't reference it right now). What does that say about the import that Jesus put on money and the ministry? What or who was his faith in?

Is there an example or supportive teaching in scripture that supports or confirms your interpretation? What should we do with teachings and examples that seem to be contrary to your view?







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I decided to google search Prodigal Son to try to get some insight and here I found all these great comments.

Today my son told me he wanted to withdraw his savings so he could buy a new drum set. I told him the story of the lost son (I think from now on I'm going to call him Prodigal) and his reply was, "Hey, this is not an inheritance, this is money I earned from my summer job!"

Anyway, I hope he got the point that I still love him even if he spends all his money on stuff that he won't remember in five years.
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I have recently womdered more about the 2nd and 3rd 'plants'. Many times I see people who have a sincere faith but have allowed the cares and wories to push them down. It is the same with those who face persecution. How wonderful that we have a Father of Mercy who sees the heart of the weariest and most discouraged of His children, and will call them home.

But at the same time, I wonder at the 4th 'plant'. Many feel secure that this about them...but where is their 30 and 60 and 100-fold harvest. Those who do not actively share their faith and live the life of Christ before ALL must take note.

God Bless.
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I am a catholic teacher and would love a copy of the mustard tree as we are looking at how our faith grows from a little seed. I want to use the parrable in our class prayer service.
Thanks and God bless Liz
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Is it truly possible to be called in a spirtual way for something, I have had such vivid color dreams of christ, I had a feeling of some presence pulling me, I had such a increadible felling of such great love and happeness flow through me i just would have died if i stayed in that state. I seem to know a thing, not just knowing it but know it as an absalute, then ill see it or live it, but the knowing first. I fell im being pulled, i cant stop if i wanted to, i cant shut up eaither, im driving my family nuts on realigion Sheryl stewart
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According to what I understand it was the custom for the Jewish bridegroom to pick up the bride to be and they walked to the grooms fathers house where the marriage takes place. All the virgins had oil in their lamps. Some believe the parable is saying they had empty lamps. The difference was that the wise took a back up supply of oil to refill if the bridegroom tarried! When he did not come as soon as the foolish five thought he would they were unprepared! There "oil" or fire had ran out! Then they begged for oil from the wise! I believe the "oil" represents faith, perservance, be on fire for the Lord etc. This is the responsibility of each one of us as it can not be loaned or borrowed! We can not put a time table on the Lords return so we must always be prepared no matter the hour he returns! We do not want to be on the outside and hear "I do not know you"
Darrell
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Abraham’s bosom was once a compartment of hell. But it never was a place of torment. It was housed in the lower parts of the earth. Old time prophets and men of God went there to await the coming redeemer. These are the ones in the New Testament where it says “he lead captivity captive” and lead them to heaven from there-Jesus. These are the ones who came out of the grave after the death of Jesus and were seen in the streets of Jerusalem. Jesus snatched the keys of death away from Satan and released them as soon as he had paid the full price for sin. They are now with Jesus in heaven.
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This matter has had my concern for some years now. I see that there is a great confussion in mainly wo the virgins realy represent.
My concern lies in the fact that if the virgins are wives to be of the groom, then Jesus was using a parable using poliginy (understandable for the jewish and new chritians). If these virgins are not the wives to be of the bridegroom, bu merely bride's maids, what is so devastating if 5 of the maids can not enter the marriage feast?

What is the relation 'Kindom of God" and not so significant brides maids?

If Jesus is the groom, should the parable not be talking about the wive(s) to be instead of the brides maids?

When we get a definite and eliable expanation on this matter, oter issues will become clearer.
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nice site
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I am currently doing a paper, for school, on the Parable of the Prodigal Son. I do not have much background in Christianity. I am to write a Modernized version of this parable and would greatly appriciate any advice or suggestion that you have.
Thank-You
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His name is geoffery james
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Try http://www.alsirhan.com/Plants_s/Salvadora_persica.htm (Salvadora persica is the Mustard Tree's scientific name) - you won't be able to read the page ;-) but the picture's superb!

God bless

Mike

Purbeck Vineyard, Wool, Dorset, UK
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Notice the simplicity of this parable. All of us live in a world where we see plants daily. All of those plants come about as a result of a seed falling to the ground and being buried. Have you ever considered that you’re walk with God may equally be as simple? According to Jesus it is that simple.

Ok, What’s the real meaning of this parable? Why would Jesus use this in conjunction with the statement “I will speak things that have not been revealed from the foundations of the earth”. Don’t we all know about seeds? Don’t we all know that seeds will not grow on a kitchen counter? Then what’s the “mystery”, what’s the “secret”? Well whatever it is I’m going to listen. What on earth is God almighty going to say when he has an opportunity to teach? Have you ever thought about that? Jesus’ time was limited and he was not a person to mix words.

In mark chapter four Jesus lays an important foundation that he builds on all throughout the gospels. The seed is the Word of God. The ground is the heart of a man. The word grows in a man’s heart the same way seeds grow in soil. My favorite portion of this scripture is “for the earth bringeth forth fruit of herself; first the blade, then the ear, after that the full corn in the ear”. Do you know what the Greek word for herself is? It’s automatos. Or in our vernacular automatic. The word produces fruit in our hearts automatically. The word automatic means: done without conscious thought or decision of the will (volition). Isn’t that interesting. There is a system that is set up by God whereby we can produce fruit without our even having to work at it or strive. “He knoweth not how”.

Jesus said “ you cannot add one cubit to your stature by taking thought”. Now think about that. Jesus is saying that there is no supernatural power in the thinking process. Might Jesus also be saying that there is a power to change the stature, which entails not thinking about it? Were dealing with the power of Gods word. I’ll admit that very few people have tapped into that power, but for Jesus to say that he will reveal things that have been kept secret from the foundations of the earth; is he talking about the wheel? Or maybe magnetism? No, he’s talking about miracles! A man of this caliber doesn’t lead people on to say something ludicrous. Unfortunately some people will never have “ears to hear” what Jesus was really talking about-the ability to transport something from the spiritual realm to the physical realm-a miracle, and according to Jesus it’s as easy as planting a seed.

Why don’t we then see more miracles? Well as simple as God made it, there is an adversary that forever confronts us in the growing time of this plant of faith. (That’s what were actually doing-cultivating faith). And subsequently these dark spirits typified by the fowls of the air attempt to devour that seed. If were not resolute to “hold fast” that seed for the duration of the cycle, all will be aborted and the glorious reality’s of Gods word will never materialize.

If you realize what’s at stake here you can see why Satan is going to attack with full fury the use of the principles of this parable. Because:
#1. He’s going to sit idly by as you “bring forth fruit” unto Gods Kingdom (if done right there is nothing he can do). And
# 2. He’ll watch his kingdom be systematically dismantled by the believer who understands this principle.

All in all, it’s good news for God and bad news for the adversary.

Just remember that Jesus is talking about miracles, and the person who gets a handle on the teachings of the kingdom will have a real tiger by the tail.

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Thank you for replying:My whole reason for writing the way I did was in case someone read it who does not know the word of God.Why refer to things some do not understand.Jesus used parables for a reason,b/c he knew everyone does'nt understand the word.(John 4:13)''Everyone who drinks this water will be thristy again,but whoever drinks the water I give him will never thrist.Indeed,the water I give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.'' This scripture speaks for its self.People cannot know God,Jesus Christ,nor The Holy Spirit through you.Yes we can wittness to others of God and His greatness,but that would only quench their thrist.People must get to know God for themselves,we are to witness to them yes,but they'll be judged alone.(Jerimiah 17:5)''Cursed is the one who trust in man,who depends on flesh for his strength and whose heart turns away from the Lord.'' People must trust God and know Him,not just read scripture;but have a intimate relationship with God.(Psalms 1:3)He is like a tree planted by streams of water,which yeilds its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither.Whatever he does prospers.The only way to obey this scripture is to be planted in a word church first.Futhermore,knowledge is good but wisdom is knowledge acted upon.Wisdom is very good ,but w/o the love of God both of these are void.I understand exacly where you are coming from and everything you said made sense,so this will be my last reply;B/C I don't intend on arguing the word w/ anyone.Perceptions are always different even when it comes to the word of God. So I pray that you be led by the Spirit of God. Love you with the love of the Lord!!!
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You need to remember the Prodigal Son never HATED his Father!
The people Paul was refering to HATED God in their hearts after receiving the Holy Spirit. Once you do that then basically the Holy Spirit will leave you and that person cannot be brought back unto repentance! It also crosses the line into the unpardonable sin. This person before he reaches this state should be turned over to satan for the destruction of the flesh that he might be saved during the day of Judgement otherwise he will burst the gates Hell wide open!
See the parable of sower for a reference
http://www.web-ministry.com/religious/parables/sower


But the Holy Spirit remained with the Prodigal Son and protected him from himself. Remember these points! The Holy Spirit kept him from crossing the line on numerous occasions and brought him safely back home after the lesson was learned! He always loved his Father! The Greatest Commandment Jesus Christ gave us!

Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment.
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this parable is very simple. Stay ever ready for ye know not when the master of the house will return.
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What happen to Barabas after Jesus Christ death.
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Often times when we stray away from the Body of Christ, we feel as if we can't return. We are often embarrassed and ashamed of our actions. Sometimes we feel as if God has somehow revealed to everyone the dirt that we have done. In similarity to the Prodigal Son for a while he rather stepped down from returning to his father because of the wrong he had done. He had went out and had a worldly time with his share of the wealth. He felt bad about his actions,but he knew his father, he didn't know what to expect but he knew his father. Just the same as we know the "FATHER", if you are saved, and you have fallen short, you still know God and can identify with his fogiving and loving spirit. You may not know the consequence, but you know that through the blood of Jesus, you are saved and forgiven if you go to our Lord with divine, and sincere repentance. All you have to do is call on the Father and we will restore you to your rightful place, just as the Prodigal Son was restored to his.
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The fig tree in this instance does represent us. ( In Gods Garden ).

Sometimes in life before we have excepted the Word of God we do not produce the desired fruit by God. (Compassion, kindness, wisdom etc)

In turn God "put shit on us" or fertilyzer. (A situation that stinks to us, but in turn allows us to grow spiritually.)

The Gardener, Jesus asks that God allow us to stay a little longer with the hope that we will one day fruit.

The fruit of God. - Gods Will.

If we fail to turn back to God and except His guidance, that we are indeed an unfruitful tree.

If this happens than we are not needed in Gods Green Garden.


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Mustard trees are mentioned in Matthew 13:31; 17:20 and Mark 4:31. The mustard tree of Scripture is found along the banks of the Jordan, near the Sea of Galilee, and near Damascus. Mustard plants may reach about 15 feet (4 metres) high in those areas.
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This is such a neat parable, and probably the most easily understood. prod·i·gal adj. Rashly or wastefully extravagant: prodigal expenditures on unneeded weaponry; a prodigal life. Giving or given in abundance; lavish or profuse: prodigal praise. n. One who is given to wasteful luxury or extravagance.

This son knew the comfort and security He would have if he would abide with his father, but the thought of his own money and freedom was alluring. He asked for what he thought he deserved, and the Father let him have it. Instead of the glamorous life he thought he would have, after the initial fun he ended up having to work with pigs just to barely survive. To a Jew, this was the ultimate disgrace, for pigs are considered the uncleanest of animals. But then look at what happens when he returns to his father, humbled, no longer feeling he had the right to be given anything, and with the intent of working for him. He is not driven away because of his previous actions and behavior....the father knew and was so overjoyed at his return he didn't even wait for his son to get all the way back...he ran out and met him! Not only did he meet him with joy, he gave him the best of what he had. The best clothes, the best food, and celebrated his return. Our Father is always there for us. He will not deny us if we come to Him, and He will not shame us for our past actions when we do. Like in the story, He knows we're coming, and is prepared and isn't thinking of our past, just rejoicing for our future. Chrys _________________ Teach me thy way, O Lord; I will walk in thy truth.


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We who are familiar w/ Church speak usually assume that when one hears the word Master it automatically means God. What kind of a loving, caring, justice seeking God gives more to the one who has more and less to the one who has less? My hairbrained idea is that the master in this story is not God but a man. In Jesus time they did not have the resources that we now have in the US. Usually if someone were to gain it meant that someone else had to lose. What if Jesus were saying that this is not the way it is intended to be? Perhaps the master was an "observant" Jew and in order to circumvent the Mosaic Law he had others do his dirty work ie. usuary. The man who buried the talents was doing nothing wrong in the eyes of the law. He was the faithful one. The others gave in and could have used the master as an excuse. He made us do it. That may be but does that excuse us from standing in the gap for justice? We are to stand apart from the world in order to bring the world to Christ who offers salvation. At least this is the way I think I will preach this parable on Sunday. Grace, Peace and Christian Perfection.
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There were three main Jewish feast. Pass Over had no leaven, Penecost had leaven, And Tabernacles had no leaven in the bread. Passover speaks symbolically of the shed blood of Jesus and there is no leaven in that blood. Penecost speaks of the law/church age and there is plenty of division and separation and malice etc be it now or though out this long 2000 years. Tabernacles speaks the fullness of time when God will bring forth a new Kingdom of heaven. There will be no sin in that age. The Law pointed to grace but the law was not the answer. God will have a church with out spot or wrinkle. In fact he does right now if you understand the Kingdom of God is with in us.
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I'm writing to you because visiting your site I saw pictures of the mustard tree. I have a group of children that I will be speaking of the mustard seed parable and would very much like to show them a picture of the mustard tree.
Could you send me one?
I would really appreciate that
God Bless you.
Claudia
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Hey, Rick......I don't know you personally, but I saw you were from home town, I thought I would say hello. I go to Spanish River and have lived in Boca 32 years now. How 'bout you?
There are quite a few interesting comments on this web-site. I think it's neat how people break stuff down and look for meanings. Like, "what do the sandals represent?"
I've been the prodigal son recently. got really off track. wheh! I mean really off track. It's so wonderful to be able to come to God with a broken and contrite heart and accept His forgiveness. What a pleasure being back in fellowship. Let me hear from you.
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Please help me find congregations already faithful in the unrighteous mammon of Luke 16. I call on another Scripture passage for help:

"Ask [keep on asking] and it will be given to you; seek [keep on seeking] and ye shall find; knock [keep on knocking] and the door will be opened unto you. For everyone who asks [continues to ask] receives, and everyone who seeks [continues to seek] finds, and everyone for everyone who knocks [continues to knock] the door is opened unto him." (Matt. 7:7; I read in Greek)

I am at a loss for where to turn to find a congregation already faithful even in the unrighteous mammon of Luke 16, and I continue to knock on my keyboard despite medical hindrances so that doors from your replies may open up for me. Such a congregation must not be full of members who claim not to know any rich people, and it must not turn its bankrupts over to unbelieving lawyers out in the world. Our God is great with His rich heart, yet the vast majority of American churches professing faith in Him remain severely limited financially because they are trying to earn almost all the wealth for Christian endeavors. Budgets are tight because most of today's building-based ministries have served Mammon rather than God. Now, brethren, I ask you where this is not so, and I am willing to look far away, so far as to have to flee, if such a congregation have welcome and great wealth to give me.

I despair of becoming a bankruptcy lawyer because I believe that Jesus will return too soon. If I do not know where or how to meet rich people somewhat near me, that leaves me a horrible search for a church or Christian gathering or organization which already has done as I have written that the churches should have done to assure plenty of wealth, for if I must strike out in search, I can expect to run into many tens or even hundreds of wrong churches still financially limited and unwilling to be taught Luke 16:1-13. Each of these has a terrible surprise or a concealment of their limitations in store for me when I press on and persist for faithfulness according to Jesus Christ (Luke 16:1-13). Obviously, I refuse to waste Sunday morning attendance on them out of tact (Matt. 7:6). Overwhelmed, I ask you for guidance which the Lord has not given me clearly.

After establishing ties to such a group of Christians mostly obedient according to Jesus (Luke 16), I shall at long last possess the wealth for my ministry and be free of many worries (Matt. 6:24) which have plagued me ever since I was browbeaten and harmed and ruined by the evil servants Richard Smith and William Meier of Twin City Bible Church in Urbana, IL in 1993 (Matt. 24:45-51). I have had to pursue the education for ruined careers before because God's people failed me; please help me build my life on the solid Rock of faith by showing me where to turn for a congregation you know to be already faithful in the unrighteous mammon as I have described.

Please post your replies here because oppressive spam has forced me to acquiesce in exclusively filtered e-mail. If you do not happen to be aware of any congregation already faithful according to Luke 16:1-13, please ask around. Great will be your reward in heaven. Amen.
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I am looking for a picture of a mustard seed. Can you kindly let me know where I can find one? Thanks.

Greg Nam
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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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u dont kno wat ur talkin about. da church is lieing 2 u. jesus never said worship me.u can read da bible u will never see him say dat
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