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

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

Another point to be noted is that there is very little leeway for us to justify ourselves by means of contextual explanations of our disobedience. Once we are convinced of our error, the only way back to His grace is through confession and renunciation. Remember the Pharisee and the tax collector at the synagogue, and the contrasting cases of the two thieves on the crosses flanking our Lord's cross on Calvary.
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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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There are several ways to look at this parable and still fulfill gods love.I am sure that Jesus was being very specific though when he spoke at the time.Our Lords words just seem to touch each persons life in a little different way.Our Lord was all things to all people and this parable reaches all in one way or another.This parable to me shows me that even the type of person that might outwardly in appearance be rough and offensive, may just be the person that the Lord uses to touch your life in a blessed way, or to pull you from the gutter.Who knows truly about anyone around us but the Holy Spirit that guides us and speaks to us.Our jobs as christians is to be as accepting as possible and to follow the lead of the Holy Spirit.We are to set the example like christ , being Good samaritans and to lift others into the position of Good Samaritans.God Bless and keep your Hearts to all who read this.
Your Brother in Christ,
Chris
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Hello, I'm new here and looking for some 'peace' re: the Prodigal Son story. This has bothered me for years...

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

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

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

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

Someone higher up in this discussion pointed out that they were having this same type of problem with the story and would like to find resolution. I am also in the same position and did not see the answer. I hope I didn't miss it.
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thats it, brother
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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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Like the other parables of Jesus, this one is about fruit-bearing, and the un-fruitful are thrown into hell. Those who hear the TRUE word of God, they are cleansed by it by doing it. Christ abides in the TRUE hearers and doers. Luke 6:47 - Whosoever cometh to me, and heareth my sayings, and doeth them..." John 8:47 - He that is of God heareth God's words: ye therefore hear them not, because ye are not of God. 1 Corinthians 4:15 - For though ye have ten thousand instructers in Christ, yet have ye not many fathers: for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel." The branch cannot bear fruit by itself. 1 Corinthians 2:12 - Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. 2 Corinthians 3:5 - Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think any thing as of ourselves; but our sufficiency is of God" Philippians 3:9 - And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith" 3 John 1:11 - Beloved, follow not that which is evil, but that which is good. He that doeth good is of God: but he that doeth evil hath not seen God." Who can do good, but the true ones on the vine? Even TRUE faith is not from flesh and blood, but from God. John 3:27 - John answered and said, A man can receive NOTHING, except it be given him from heaven." 1 Corinthians 12:9 - To another FAITH by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit;" Not one man can TRULY say that Jesus Christ is the son of God nor can any man truly tell people,(so-called preachers, ministers, or pastors) Matthew 16:15 He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am? 16 And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. 17 And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven." Also, to put an end to false teachers that say if you believe in Jesus Christ and accept him as your Lord and saviour, you'll be saved, NO MAN can come to Jesus unless God Himself decides that he would. Acts 16:31 - And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house." But then, those people heared the TRUE word of God, and the words of JESUS CHRIST, John 6:44 No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day. 2 Thessalonians 2:14 - Whereunto he called you by our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ." Then again, same gospel, 65 And he said, Therefore said I unto you, that no man can come unto me, except it were given unto him of my Father. 66 From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him. 67 Then said Jesus unto the twelve, Will ye also go away? 68 Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life. 69 And we believe and are sure that thou art that Christ, the Son of the living God.(God revealed it to them, and had faith in him, that faith is not from their own heart, but from God) 70 Jesus answered them, Have not I chosen you twelve(God approved those 12, not the other disciples, because if He did give it to them to come to Jesus, they would of stayed, like the true disciples), and one of you is a devil?" Now all you people that read this, the false christians will not believe this, but the true christians will. John 15:20 - Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also." These sayings are in the bible, those who just ignored them in the bible will ignore my words(no, not truly mine) also. Those who believe these things, or knew them already, please, please contact me, at dallascourchene @ hotmail.com (NOTE: there are no spaces in the address.) Also to the so-called born-again christians, what did God call you to do? Live a normal life? I don't think so. People who are truly called are CALLED to do something for the LORD, not just worship Him and those who are called, know what they have to do by a certain wonder, or phenomemon. Acts 16:10 - And after he had seen the VISION, immediately we endeavoured to go into Macedonia, assuredly gathering that the Lord had CALLED us for to preach the gospel unto them." Romans 1:1 - Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, CALLED to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God," Romans 8:28 - And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose." 1 Corinthians 7:20 - Let every man abide in the same calling wherein he was called." Ephesians 4:1 - I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called," We MUST be also worthy of this calling. 2 Timothy 1:9 - Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began," 1 Peter 2:21 - For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:" 1 Peter 5:10 - But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you PERFECT, stablish, strengthen, settle you." 2 Peter 1:3 - According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue:" And yes, we can be perfect like Jesus. Romans 8:29 For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. 30 Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified." 2 Corinthians 4:4 - In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them." Philippians 2:6 - Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:" John 16:33 - These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world." 1 John 2:13 - I write unto you, fathers, because ye have known him that is from the beginning. I write unto you, young men, because ye have overcome the wicked one. I write unto you, little children, because ye have known the Father." 1 John 3:9 - Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God." Revelation 3:21 - To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne." We are called to be made into the image of Christ, who is the image of God. Jesus said so himself, the called can and will be like him. Matthew 10:25 - It is enough for the disciple that he be as his master, and the servant as his lord..."
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(19) When any one heareth the word of the kingdom, and understandeth it not, then cometh the wicked one, and catcheth away that which was sown in his heart. This is he which received seed by the way side.

He hears the Gospel but never believes!

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(20-21) But he that received the seed into stony places, the same is he that heareth the word, and anon with joy receiveth it; Yet hath he not root in himself, but dureth for a while: for when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word, by and by he is offended.

This person believes in part but has not received the Holy Spirit!
The person can't read his Bible because he doesn't understand it.
He also confesses I am saved but is not truly Born Again!
It says that because of the Word of God by and by he is offended.
When somebody tells this person what the Bible says they are offended because what they hear in Church doesn't match what the Bible says!
They usually end up making comments like this:
Jesus didn't die on the cross and tell us all we had to do wuz believe in him and we were in Heaven. That would be too simple. A lot of people believe in him. It's that you have to confess that Jesus is your savior and that he died on the cross so that we could go heaven. We have to pray to him and ask him into our hearts.
John 3:16 destroyed by Theology! This person was a 16 year old baptist! Simple it is!!!!!!!!!!!!

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(22) He also that received seed among the thorns is he that heareth the word; and the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becometh unfruitful.

This person believes in part but has not received the Holy Spirit neither!
The person can't read/understand his Bible because he doesn't understand it.
This person cares for sin and money more then God!
He also confesses I am saved but is not truly Born Again!

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(23) But he that received seed into the good ground is he that heareth the word, and understandeth it; which also beareth fruit, and bringeth forth, some an hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.

This person believes and has received the Holy Spirit!
The believe has been turned into a fact!
This can tell you when he believed and when he received the Holy Spirit!
The person can read his Bible and understand it.
He also confesses I am saved and is truly Born Again!

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"Talents," as I translate them, are the strengths that God gives us--intellect, health, wisdom, empathy. compassion, etc. It is about what you do with those strengths--do you feed the homeless, do you help your neighbor, do you vote for taxes that benefit fire departments and schools, do you help with man with AIDS who is your neighbor with a meal? It seems to me that our talents must go toward actions that benefit our communities. I found it very hypocritical that despite the fires that ran through these wealthy foothill communities, most of these folks will still refuse to pay taxes that fund those public services that saved their homes. Talent is wasted, in my opinion.
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Can we be a good samaritan in this era...? can we humble ourselves and help others despite of everything; being a stranger or an enemy? how can we be like the good samaritan when we ourselves don't know how to love and to be humble in every actions we did...
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Dear Friends,
Ecxuse me please, let me attract your attention
my interesting observation about the Holy Spirit in the New Testament, when
Jesus Christ baptized.
There is in the Luke 3:22 we see the next:
"And the Holy Spirit descended in a bodily shape like a dove upon Him" (Luke 3:22).
There is the Holy Scripture said, that the Holy Spirit descended in a
bodily shape like a dove, not in a dove shape. Everywhere in the Holy
Scripture we see only "like a dove", and nowhere "in a dove shape".
(Matthew 3:16, Mark 1:10, John 1:32).
It is possible to descend in any shape like a dove, but there is in a dove
shape is only in a dove shape. And the phrase “like a dove” is meaning,
that it is not a dove. For example, “ like a man” is meaning, that it
is not a man.
Why two thousands years all artists in the episode of baptism of
Jesus Christ are drawing the dove, and there are
in the many theologize works we see the words "in a dove shape"?
Please see the pictures of well-known artist, and you will see the
dove. And there is in all temple you will see the dove.
"And the Holy Spirit descended in a bodily shape like a dove upon Him"
(Luke 3:22), not "in a dove shape".
(Please see the attached file Image_6).
"Therefore I say to you, every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven men,
but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven men"
(Matthew 12;31).
Excuse me please my mistakes in English, I am sorry, I don't speak
English.
Thank you.

God bless you,

Vladimir Rumyantsev
St. Petersburg, Russia,
E-mail: bigroad@olvex.ru

Son of God – King of the Old Testament

Many assert, that Lord Jesus Christ is the Son of God, but that He is not the God, completely ignoring that
fact, that under law of Moses the Son of God means only one – “equal to the God” and “the God, as well as His
Father”. Verses of the Holy Scripture where Jews condemn Jesus Christ that He names himself Son of God testify to
it:
“Therefore the Jews sought all the more to kill Him, because He not only broke the Sabbath, but also said that
God was His Father, making Himself equal with God” (John. 5:18);
“The Jews answered Him, saying, “For a good work we do not stone You, but for blasphemy, and because You, being
a Man, make Yourself God” (John. 10:33).
Therefore any person who declares itself, that he is the Son of God, under law Moses makes itself equal to the
God, makes itself by the God, naming the Father of the God, that under law Moses is classified as blasphemy, and
adequately death what of Jews and have declared Pontius Pilate, condemning Jesus Christ on death:
“The Jews answered him, “We have a law, and according to our law He ought to die, because He made Himself the
Son of God” (John. 19:7).
From what follows, that if Lord Jesus Christ is not the God as well as His Father Jews have acted fairly, having
condemned Jesus Christ on death. Who today will dare to make the similar application?
Law of Moses speaks that Lord Jesus Christ is the true Son God, equal to the God and the God, as well as His
Father.
Words “sons of God” in relation to the man in the Holy Scripture specify that it sons of God on good fortune,
instead of by the nature as Jesus Christ, and to confuse these two concepts is inadmissible:
“For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God” (Romans 8:14);
“nor can they die anymore, for they are equal to the Angels and are sons of God, being sons of the resurrection”
(Luke 20:36).
And only Jesus Christ is Son God by the nature, is equal to the God and the God, as well as His Father:
“For to which of the Angels did He ever say: “You are My Son, today I have begotten You?” (Hebrews 1:5).
“I have made the earth, and created man on it” (Isaiah 45:12)
Sons of God are creature of God, but only Jesus Christ is begotten Son, not created.
God the Father and the Son of God Jesus Christ are the two separate Persons having the nature of the God, and to
mix the Father and the Son in one Person is inadmissible.
The God is one, but the Persons having the nature of the God, not one.
“Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one” (Deuteronomy 6:4);
“I will announce the definition: God has told to Me: You are My Son, today I have begotten You” (Psalm 2:7).
Set of these two verses gives the full basis to name Lord Jesus Christ “one more Person”, having the nature of
the God. To name Jesus Christ “one more God” in aggregate with told in Deuteronomy 6:4 “the Lord is one” - means
to contradict to definition of God, what Jesus Christ announced in Psalm 2:7.
From what follows, that the “God is one” is definition of God, which the Son of God in 7-th verse of 2-nd Psalm
has solemnly declared.
“I will announce the definition’ - the words of 7-th verse of 2-nd Psalm to which today it is not given any
value, as if these words in the Holy Scripture is not present. But these words in the Holy Scripture are, and
they are told by somebody, but Lord Jesus Christ, and they have the most direct attitude to the nature of the
God.
At reading the Holy Scripture at the person the impression is created, that on behalf of the God in the Old
Testament is submitted speaking only one Person, God the Father, but at close examination it is simple to define,
that it is far from being so.
“God said to Moses, “I am Who I am (Jehovah)”; and He said, “Thus you shall say to the sons of Israel, I am has
sent me to you. » (Exodus 3:14).
Who is submitted speaking in the Exodus 3:14 Father, the Son or Holy Spirit? Today practically everyone, not
reflecting will answer, that it is the God the Father while except for the Father speaking can be submitted both
the Son and Holy Spirit.
Let's result a verse of the Old Testament in which Father is submitted speaking only:
“Thus says God the Lord, who created the heavens and stretched them out, who spread out the earth and its
offspring, who gives breath to the people on it and spirit to those who walk in it,” (Isaiah 42:5).
Verses of the Old Testament in which the Son is submitted speaking only:
“Surely My hand founded the earth, and My right hand spread out the heavens;
when I call to them, they stand together” (Isaiah 48:13);
“You are My witnesses,” declares the Lord, “and My servant whom I have chosen,
so that you may know and believe Me and understand that I am He.
Before Me there was no God formed, and there will be none after Me” (Isaiah 43:10,11);
Verse of the Old Testament in which it is submitted speaking only Holy Spirit:
“The Lord said to Moses, “How long will this people spurn Me” (Numbers 14:11).
About a verse in which it is submitted speaking Holy Spirit, prophet Isaiah has mentioned:
“But they rebelled and grieved His Holy Spirit;” (Isaiah 63:10).
The special attention should be turned on verses of the Old Testament in which the word “King” in relation to
the God because in all these verses King is only the Son of God Lord Jesus Christ about what the God the Father
has told to us in 6-th verse of 2-nd psalm is mentioned:
“Yet I have set My King on My holy hill of Zion” (Psalm 2:6).
Therefore further in all verses in the Old Testament in the Holy Scripture where the word “King” in relation to
the God is mentioned the Son, not Father and not Holy Spirit is submitted, and to confuse these concepts besides
is inadmissible:
“I am the Lord, your Holy One, the Creator of Israel, your King” (Isaiah 43:15);
Speaking only about the Father, we speak about the one God, speaking only about the Son, we speak about the one
God, speaking only about the Holy Spirit, we speak about the one God, speaking about the Father, the Son, the
Holy Spirit, we speak about the one God, but not about one Person. That is why King is only one Person, the Son,
and to name King of the Father or Holy Spirit, it means to suppose mixture of Persons that to make it is
impossible. The Son of God is the one God, eternal King:
“In the year that king Uzziah died I saw also the Lord sitting upon the throne, high and lifted up, and His
train filled the temple.
Then said I, Woe is me! For I am undone; because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a
people of unclean lips; for mine eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts” (Isaiah 6:1,5).
“These things said Isaiah, when he saw His glory, and spoke of Him” (John 12:41), about Son of God, Lord Jesus
Christ, King, Lord of hosts.
“And about the Son: You, LORD, in the beginning laid the foundation of the earth, and the heavens are the work
of Your hands” (Hebrews. 1:8,10);
“Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout, O daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your King is coming to you; He is
just and having salvation, lowly and riding on a donkey, a colt, the foal of a donkey” (Zechariah 9:9);
“And the LORD shall be King over all the earth. In that day it shall be. “The Lord is one,” And His name one”
(Zechariah 14:9);
“Then the King will say to those on His right hand, "Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom
prepared for you from the foundation of the world” (Matthew 25:34);
“Pilate also wrote an inscription and put it on the cross. It was written, “Jesus the Nazarene, the King of the
Jews” (John 19:19);
“These will make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb will overcome them, for He is Lord of lords and King of kings;
and those who are with Him are called, chosen, and faithful” (Revelation 17:14);
“And He has on His robe and on His thigh a name written: King of kings and Lord of lords” (Revelation 19:16).
“Your arrows are sharp in the heart of the King's enemies; the peoples fall under You” (Psalm 45:5);
“For the Lord Most High is awesome; He is a great King over all the earth” (Psalm 47:2);
“Sing praises to God, sing praises! Sing praises to our King, sing praises!
For God is the King of all the earth; Sing praises with understanding” (Psalm 47:6,7);
“For the LORD is the great God, and the great King above all gods” (Psalm 95:3);
“Your eyes will see the King in His beauty; they will see the land that is very far off» (Isaiah 33:17);
“Lift up your heads, O you gates! And be lifted up, you everlasting doors!
And the King of glory shall come in.
Who is this King of glory? The Lord strong and mighty, the LORD mighty in battle.
Lift up your heads, O you gates! Lift up, you everlasting doors! And the King of glory shall come in.
Who is this King of glory? The Lord of hosts, He is the King of glory” (Psalm 24:7-10).
“And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifested in the flesh, justified in the
Spirit, seen by angels, preached among the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up in glory” (1 Timothy
3:16).
“Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and
of the Holy Spirit” (Matthew 28:19).

Vladimir Rumyantsev
E-mail: bigroad@olvex.ru
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One of the greatest things I’ve learned about Mark chapter four is how Jesus in his analogies talks about the same thing but from different angles. Many people have thought that after the parable of the sower Jesus might have become disoriented or lost train of thought so as to start talking about candles, candlesticks and hiding things under beds. But in reality he used a slick analogy for saying the same thing that he said in parable of the sower. There is a lot of misconception about the subject matter. Some say it’s the Word some say it’s the world and some say it’s evangelism. But consider if you will that he was talking about a reaction between a catalyst and an agent. The agent being the heart of a man, and the catalyst being the Word of God. Seizing upon this idea will help understand the “mysteries” that lie in the parables of the kingdom.
After saying that some bring forth fruit in measures, Jesus immediately says, “is a candle brought to be put under a bushel or under a bed and not to be set on a candlestick?” When the catalyst of Gods word is fed into our hearts, we are not putting it in a place where the light will be covered up or extinguished, like under a bushel or bed. To the contrary, we are placing it in a place where the light can be emitted the most, like on a candlestick. Have you ever seen the type of candlestick that has a shiny plate behind it? I believe that’s what he’s talking about. It is something that is designed to utilize the light to the utmost. Jesus is saying that this is what your heart is like. It is a refractor of the light of Gods word-put in. “Let your light so shine…….”.
He continues “for there is nothing hid which shall not be manifested and neither was anything kept secret but that it should come abroad. Hidden where? Kept secret where? How about in the ground of the human heart? Aren’t seeds covered? Aren’t seeds hidden in soil? So then the secret of manifesting things is to learn how to hide them.
Consider this parable. “The kingdom of God is like leaven which a woman took and hid in three measures of meal till the whole was leavened”. Might this be an example of the idea of “there is nothing hid that shall not be manifested”? The woman sowed, hid, covered up yeast in a ball of dough. And before long its was manifested to those who could se it; the fact that yeast had been secretely added.
If you keep this idea of the two working together, the Word and the heart of man, I think this will help you in other parables of the kingdom.

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Thansks to the Lord for my life in him and joy witht thanksgiving for my rich experience in heavenly faith and journey to evelasting victory in heaven and for Jesus who die for me and my sickness thanks to him for every second and big praise and love,thanks and bles and pray for gospel,keijo sweden
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Sorry! I mis-spelled the word SATIN in my last reply. It should be spelled, SATAN.

Satan is definitely not satin.
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"So we learn that there is rejoicing in heaven over every sinner who repents; but those who are faithful and transgress not any of the commandments, shall inherit 'all that the Father hath,' while those who might be sons, but thought their 'riotous living' waste their inheritance, may come back through their repentance to salvation to be servants, not to inherit exaltation as sons.
"The wonderful story of the prodigal son has been misinterpreted almost universally. How frequently is the statement made from sectarian pulpits that because this younger son transgressed and committed all manner of sin and then repented, he was better off than his older brother who did not sin. By many the real lesson in this parable is lost. The younger son asked for his inheritance and received it. He went out and spent it in the vilest wickedness. When his substance was gone, he was forced by physical suffering and degradation to repent. Had his substance held out longer, he would have sinned that much more. It is needless to repeat all the circumstances of this story. It is sufficient to say that when he returned his father received him, but did not promise to reinstate him in the fullness of the inheritance; this is apparent in the answer made to the obedient son: 'Son, thou art ever with me, and all that I have is thine'." (The Way to Perfection, p21)

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The parable is about the kingdom of Heaven, Jesus said the kingdom is inside of us(his true disciples). What was inside of his disciples? His word. Jesus Himself was a humble man, showing us an example to follow. He existed before we were all created, the Word was with God in the beginning, the Word was God. The Word dwelt in the flesh and was so humble, more humble than any man, because of that, he was exalted to sit beside the highest. The parable has connection with the sower and the seed, the seed can be related to the mustard seed, and He interpeted the seed to be the word of God. Jesus is the bread of life, and whoever eats his flesh, has eternal life. But bread must come from wheat, from a seed. And water must feed the seed. And people must tend and labour for the harvest. We must tend to the word of God, not only hear it, but do it, not be a slothful servant(proverbs talk about slothful servants, they are overcome with thorns and tares). When we tend to it, it grows, the word of God increases(the bible talks about this, I wont tell where the exact scriptures are, you'll have to work for that yourself) inside of us,(Jesus said one must be born of water and Spirit to inherit eternal life) the word of God is like water, washing our conscience(so we have a new conscience, born to abstain from all sin) so we can be baptised and then baptised with the Holy Spirit, born of Spirit. But before that we labour for the word to grow so the birds of the air with nest in it(the Spirit of God, there are gifts of the Spirit, working miracles, speaking differant languages, prophecy, revelation, faith, knowledge and wisdom), be not deceived, Paul said that everyone attending to the TRUE church of God, will and has to bring these things to every gathering. 1 Corinthians 14:26 - How is it then, brethren? when ye come together, EVERY ONE of you hath a psalm, hath a doctrine, hath a tongue, hath a revelation, hath an interpretation. Let all things be done unto edifying." Most of these so called churches are worshipping in vain if the gospel is not preached with power also, not with wisdom of words, lest the cross have no effect. 1 Corinthians 1:17 - For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect." 1 Corinthians 2:4 - And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power:" Hebrews 4:12 - For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart." 1 Corinthians 4:20 - For the kingdom of God is not in word, but in power." 1 Thessalonians 1:5 - For our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance; as ye know what manner of men we were among you for your sake." 2 Thessalonians 1:11 - Wherefore also we pray always for you, that our God would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfil all the good pleasure of his goodness, and the work of faith with power:" 2 Peter 1:3 - According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue:" 2 Corinthians 3:6 - Who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life."
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I think this story gives us the clearest explanation in the bible of what happens to a person after they die
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And new hidden door to blessing iIwill open today in Christ and many treasure may the Lord give to me and joy that go an and win the lost to him and teach them of the bibles wisdom and holiness in righteousness and joy,thanks and bless and pray,keijo sweden
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This is not the complete story about the two sons.
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The father does represent God.
The younger son represents sinners - those seperated from God.
The older brother represents the Pharisees. In verse one we see that Jesus was speaking to tax collectors and and sinners. In verse 2 we see that Pharisees and scribes are listening also. The Pharisees were angry resentful that sinners were being welcomed into God's Kingdom. The Pharisees, like the older brother thought that deserved the greatest reward because they had done so much. Did either have a heart of forgiveness?
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I read a story years ago in a booklet entitled the "Good News." It said that at some point in history, the people who lived in the area the good Samaritan was from, departed from their homeland. They were led by an old man with a long beard, possibly Ezekial (this might be wrong). However they rolled a large stone with them as they left, and eventually reached England......and today (said this article) the stone they rolled all this long distance now sits HIDDEN UNDERNEATH the throne of the English Queen/King. Was this just my imagination??? Does anyone have any information on this?
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The very point I have been telling you, if you don't have the strength God gave to Paul, it's because you have not received the Spirit of Living God in your inner man, therefore not Saved! No wonder you keep Knocking, But your problem, you are knocking for the wrong things!
First seek the Kingdom of God, then the things needed for the body will come to you!
(Romans-8-9) For we are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if be that the Spirit of God dwell in you: Now if any man has not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of His!
The Riches of His Glory, which does strengthen you with might, by His Spirit in the inner man, just like God gave Paul!
God has promised His Children, all things work out for the good, to those that love Him! Your words speak who it is that you truly love, which is YOURSELF!
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please can l have someone help me with the sermon on the prodigal son.the lessons we learn from the story as l am to preach the sermon soon.
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Consider the usage of the word "Earth" elsewhere in Jesus' parables. The word earth is always used in reference to a man's heart. We sew seeds (the Word) in the earth (men's hearts).

Likewise, earth is used in this parable. He who was only given one talent (given one gift) hid it in his heart, afraid to use it for God's gain, and he lost it.

He who was given many gifts used them all, and was given more, because he has shown faith in what he all ready had, and would surely do the same if he had more. God is using his servants wisely.
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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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Yes, the symbolic name of the younger son is Ephrahim. The older's name is Judah.

Selah,
Donimus
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I have found the role of the older brother in this story quite fascinating as well. Of the three parables told to the same groups at the same time this one alone addresses the issue at hand, in that he speaks directly to the pharisees and scribes about their attitude toward the "sinners" Jesus is investing time in.

I have to believe that this is significant in the understanding of the story. The proud, selfish desires of those who remain in the faith can overshadow the true and significant finding of the lost. I dont know how many times I have encountered people who say they desire to see the lost saved, but then when the lost come the house of worship the very same people who cried out for their souls wish the lost would have chosen another place to seek out God. We are all lost without Christ, for crying out loud!!!

Many times it does not makes sense to us how in our faithfulness we find the same grace as the one who has wondered off and then returned. It seems only fair to us that they should recieve a lesser gift or a smaller portion of grace. We only need to look as far as the closest mirror to find the one has "earned" less grace. That is the wonder of the gospel.

His grace is indeed sufficient for each one of us. Those who remain 'faithful' and those who do not.
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Here is what I see fits better.

1.The leaven is the Gospel. 2.The woman is Israel which hid or cut off the Gospel in the world. 3.The 3 measures of meal can mean the Jews, the Gentiles, and the people during the melennial reign of Christ.

When a new believer is added to the body of Christ, the number of the redeemed grows. Similiar to leaven, it grows until it is fully grown, and then it is finished. This does not mean that everyone will be saved, but that the harvest is ripe to reap at this time.

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In the parable of the sower Jesus lays down a scriptural truth that all fruit production in the kingdom of God comes as a result of a mans receiving Gods word and holding fast to it until God manifests it in our lives.

It’s very clear that Jesus is playing this out as he’s speaking (a sower going forth to sow). He’s talking about a sower and yet he IS that sower. The question arises then, if Jesus has left the earth and we aren’t privileged to hear him speak, how do we do what he said and receive the seed of his word into our hearts thereby utilizing the idea of seeds being planted in soil?

Thank God that this isn’t all that he said. He also spoke of a man who cast seed into his own garden. Why would it be necessary to sow seeds in our own gardens? Well, why is it necessary for farmer to plant seeds in their fields? How about that they might want a harvest? Do you want a harvest in your life? Then plant the seed.

Mathew 13:31. Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is like to a grain of mustard seed, which a man took, and sowed in his field:
32Which indeed is the least of all seeds: but when it is grown, it is the greatest among herbs, and becometh a tree, so that the birds of the air come and lodge in the branches thereof.

Jesus said that the ones who produced fruit are those who “received” the seed.

Isn’t it interesting that the one scripture in which Jesus tells his disciples how to get their prayers answered-Mark 11:24, also has the word “receive” in it.

Mark 11:24 (King James Version)
24Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.

Could the underlying principle that makes prayer work be none other then the idea of the “sower sows the word”?

Jesus said “what things soever you desire, when you pray, believe that you “receive” them, and you shall have them”.

Is it me or is there a similarity in idea between the two contexts? In the sower parable a person received the word of God, and with patience produced fruit.

Notice with patience.

Do you know what that indicates to me? It means that the guy had absolutely nothing-except Gods word on the matter (he had it by faith). It wasn’t manifest at that time.

In Mark 11:24 Jesus again invokes this idea of believing or receiving Gods word on a matter, that matter being, if you’ll accept Gods word that he gave you the very thing that you asked for, you shall have it-eventually. But because it’s not manifest at the time, it’s very clear that you received it “by faith” (“I have it by faith”).

But it’s very clear that there is a time in which we do not have the thing that we prayed for, or in the case of the parable of the sower, planted the seed for.

Personally I believe the jest of the matter is this: No matter what you do in your spiritual walk, you will never reap any fruit that the kingdom of God has to offer until you:

1. Accept Gods word by faith-in prayer, believing that he heard you, and that he granted it to you upon your requesting it.
2. And holding fast to it for a period of time until this plant so to speak of faith becomes strong enough to manifest.
3. Also, I think it’s good to bring up the resoluteness of the person who is successful at fruit production. Because the only thing that kept a person from producing was his not having any “root in himself”. All this means is that your going to have to grit you teeth and be patient giving your seed that you planted time to grow strong enough to sustain itself. IT DOESN’T HAPPEN OVER NIGHT. The waiting is indeed the hardest part.

As you can see there is a part that the believer plays in the receiving of Gods word i.e., planting the seed. And it’s done through prayer, speaking Gods word out loud in private. I.e. “HEAVENLY FATHER I RECEIVE BY FAITH NOW YOUR PRECIOUS HOLY SPIRIT…” Or “HEAVENLY FATHER, I BELIEVE THAT I RECEIVE IT NOW, YOUR PRECIOUS HOLY SPIRIT…” Or whatever it is that you are requesting.

Until you’ve done these things you really haven’t appropriated faith for anything. Just be resolved to “hold fast that thou hast…” and if diligent God will reward you with a manifestation of that very thing.

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I am sorry that somehow the last clause of paragraph 2 was missing from my post in my second paragraph. I meant to send

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

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

Yours in Christ,

+++ Kevin Douglas Rosenberg
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Jesus is " the author of eternal salvation [' salvation for the age'] unto all them that obey him"
[Heb.5:9,cf.Gen.42:55,56;
Matt.7:24-29;John.15:1-15]. A Christian must follow that which the Lord has commanded [which will result in his keeping himself unspotted by the world].

Sin is disobedience to that which the Lord has commanded. And though Christians- presently in a body of flesh, housing the old sin nature-may fall, cleansing is available. That's why Christ is presently exercising the office of High Priest in the heavenly sanctuary [cf.John 13:8-10; Heb. 10:19-22; 1 John 1:6-2:2].

Sin must be dealt with prior to the battle. Then, believing that the Lord will do exactly what He has promised,victory after victory can ensue as the person moves forward, keeping his eyes fixed on the goal. There can be no such thing as defeat if one moves in accord with the Lords instructions.
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In both parables of the talents and the parable of the pounds, unfaithfulness on the part of the Lords servants and the end result of unfaithfulness are shown in the latter part of each parable. Such unfaithfulness resulted in rebuke and loss in each instance; and also in each instance, the unfaithful servant was not associated in any manner whatsoever with positions of power and authority in the kingdom.

Those who refuse to use the initial investment will not only remain profitless but they will , as a consequence, suffer "Loss" {cf Matt.25:15, 18, 19, 24-30; Luke 19:15, 20-26}. They will experience the loss of their souls {cf.Matt. 16:24-27 }.

Consequenly, that which is involved in James 2:14, as explained in subsequent verses, is simply faithfulness to one's calling [ resulting in works ], or unfaithfulness to one's calling [ resulting in no works or valueless works not assocated with faith]. Works of this nature referred to in this verse emenate out of faith and bring faith to its proper goal, which is the salvation of one's soul [ James2:22; 1 Peter 1:9]. Apart from such a manifestation of faith, giving rise to works, there can be no profit; nor can the inherently connected salvation follow [ the savation of the soul]. We must obey the Lords commandments overcome the world,the flesh,and Satan. Works are believing what the Lord has said in his word ...
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My personal view on the parable is that our Lord Jesus would like to warn us of guarding ourselves against all kinds of greediness. This, i think is a one simple truth God wants us to consider. In addition, God calls for an immediate response of anybody that's warned as said in verse 20 which tells for the urgency of time.
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The sandals represent that the prodigal son was taken back not as a servant or slave but as a son. That goes along with the ring. The servants and slaves did not wear sandals!
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Father God in the name of Jesus I pray please deliver me from this deep depression that I am fallen into. God I pray please bring people around myself, Kevin, Kim, Christy, Betty, Dean, Delbert, Wanda, and all other family members that are under the Blood of Jesus. God I pray please put the love of Jesus in the hearts of my family members. God I pray please lead, guide and direct me by your spirit. God I pray please bind up fear, doubt, unbelief, lying spirits, pain, confusion, witchcraft spirits and all other demonic spirits that are attacking me. God I pray please send the right person to my sister Dean. God I pray please bring my sister Betty someone that will love her and get her out of that situation that she is in. God I pray go ahead of me next week and please keep the devil and his demons off of my back. God I pray please strengthen my faith and help me through these terrible times that I am going through. God I pray please clear the way for the person you are sending to get me out of bondage and that will love me and take care of me. God please give me your blessed assurance that help is on the way. God I ask all of these things in the Holy name of Jesus Christ. Amen
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Dear Bob,

I'm intrigued by your questions. I'm not sure how to answer them satisfactorily but here goes.

1. Luke records 19 parables not found in the other Gospels. This is also true of the other writers. Not all of them tell the same stories. There is no simple answer. It may be helpful to study Luke's purpose, readers, style, emphases etc. Have you read or studied the Synoptic Problem. This would be helpful. How do we explain the similarities and the differences if there are common sources?

2. Parables usually make a single point. This parable is one of three in Luke 15 that deal with the grace of God in seeking and saving what was lost. The lost sheep and the lost coin stress the work of God in the search for what is lost. and the subsequent joy when found. The third looks at the experience of the lost but it is underlined by the unfailing love of the father in welcoming home the lost son.

While the third is set in a family context it is not about family but about the father's love for the lost son. All three parables are a stinging rebuke to the Pharisees who, in their self righteousness legalism, despised sinners. It is part of Jesus' running debate with the Pharisees on the nature of salvation; is it by works or by grace? In illuminating the character of our Heavenly Father. Luke apparently did not think it necessary to include the mother.

3. There are interessting parallels of the grace of God to each but since there is neither reference nor allusion to Jacob I doubt if Luke has him in view. Luke is writing to a Gentile, mainly Greek audience. Jewish history would be of little help there.

4. I think that the robe, the ring, the shoes and the welcoming feast all indicate a complete reconciliation and restoration of sonship.

5. There are many paradoxes in the Christian faith. The tension between grace and justice is only one of them. Others would be the tension between love and fear. We are to both love and fear the Lord.
There is tension also between God's Sovereignty and Human Responsibility. We like things to be simple, black and white, but it simply is not that way. The older I become the more I see the paradoxes as not only a mental challenge but, more importantly, a great means of growth in plumbing the depths of the Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ.

I pray that this is of some help to you. It has been a privilege to interact with you.

Sincerely,

Tom
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Would you help me in my project about the parable of the prodigal son???
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Please send me a picture of a mustard tree/plant. I need it for church. Thanks, HEIDI
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I encountered different opinions about the parable of the mustard seed...
but during the times of Jesus mustard is considered as the tiniest seed and concluded as the tallest of all the herbs before.with so much discoveries as of now,different interpretations come out.as for me Jesus compares heaven in to a mustard seed that started to a person,to a group then to a much bigger one...the world...now known as christians.the kingdom of God started into a scraped work but as years have passed,it grew and influenced each and everyone.if you'll observe a growth of a mustard,it is small before you'll plant it.but as it grows,its roots deepens down to the ground sucking up all the nutrients to live to grow tall.if you'll interpret it in the life of Jesus,he started as one, a carpenter and a poor man.as he grew old,he met some people.he called them and became his followers.he preached and preached until his words reached everyone,even alarmed the church before for he was considered as the awaited messaih,the savior.the small packed of Jesus grew and his teachings influenced each and everyone.as the faith of the people were united they stand tall to all obstacles against the people who are in contrast with the faith like Nero's occupation in roman history.if you'll see it the seed that was the tiniest one during Jesus time was him and the kingdom of God,the growth of the mustard is the apostles of Jesus,its roots is Jesus teachings influencing every jew,the nutrients is people's belief or faith and the height is the strength of christianity and its success doing its very best to reach the highest peak of the sky.
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My team at my chruch is going to be teaching this to K-5th graders what should we do to help them learn.
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teachers - profits

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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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Kevin,

You made some heavy references to Luke 16:1-13. Considering how important it seems to you, how could you have overlooked Luke 16:13? "No servant can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and wealth."

Be wary in your pursuit of money.
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On behalf of everybody who like me has been martyred by the evil servants in charge of churches through calling the police to remove us from church or arranging hostile psychiatric hospitalization on account of spoiled rotten begging, I thank God for His words which justify us (Matt. 5:42, 6:24ff, 7:7) and promise our deliverance (Matt. 24:45-25:30).

We who have suffered such abominable punishments deserve to know well that we have no rewards waiting in heaven for us for patiently enduring under punishment from evil servants in charge or, especially, for going over the line between right and wrong in our begging... because Matt. 7:6 and I Peter 2:20 were printed in copies of the Holy Bible available to us long before our sufferings. Therefore, such a pastor as may dominate us now to keep our grievances quiet has no crowns in heaven to offer us for accepting his church discipline, and our rewards in heaven will be far greater if we cry out and call the church leaders completely to account for such failings as broken promises to spread the Gospel throughout the whole world by the year 2000.

Jesus Christ will be far more satisfied with us and able to bless us if we become completely frank with Him in prayer and no longer hold back our hearts. Failing to help us in our times of greatest need on earth through needed divine intervention, He has provided for absolutely incredible vengeance against the evil servants in charge (Matt. 24:45-51) in place of more years of freedom to apostatize in which to enjoy being completely healed and established as we might prefer. That the churches have already failed to fulfill their promises to evangelize the world by the year 2000 has changed the proper interpretation of Matthew 24:45-25:30 incredibly adversely for the evil servants in charge from offices to pulpits.

Because so many church leaders and evangelists have made and broken these promises, it is now patently apparent that they are unable to plan to spread the Gospel throughout the world with a testimony to all peoples (Matt. 24:14, Mark 14:9) and follow through on their promises. Well, the clock is ticking! The generation of Jews who saw Israel become a nation when they were twenty years old is aging, and God's holy Name is at stake to return before they all pass away. For this reason, the loss of morale among missionaries from failing to fulfill their promises to evangalize the world by the year 2000 cannot continue to drive churches inward to build the home church building and congregation and ignore world evangelism. In this context, the pastors' pretext that the judgements of Matthew 24:45-25:30 would be carried out in Heaven with the ever forgiving character of Jesus Christ as master must be torn to shreds; for if they should get their way, world evangelism will NEVER happen to make Jesus Christ return when He promised! Let us examine the judgements of Matthew 24:45-51 as possibe on earth with human masters or groups of humans as masters. This is now necessary to bring about world evangelism and the rapture of the saints.

Now seek I to bring about the judgement of the servants in charge as soon as possible on this earth (Matthew 24:45-51) so that without the hindrances of the Church Growth Movement, world evangelism may be attempted under faithful leadership, which unlike the Church Growth Movement will remember the need to memorialize Mary's anonymous anointing of Jesus Christ at Bethany if our spread of the Gospel really be worldwide (Mark 14:9, John 12:1-3). The power to judge is not yet in the right hands, yet our omnipotent Lord, praised be his name!--is surely able to bestow it. Promises from the American government such as our First, Fifth, and Eighth Amendment rights must fail, however that may happen, in order to judge the evil servants in charge with amputations and floggings as Jesus said would be done (Matt. 24:45-51, Luke 12:42-48); still I say, our awesome God is omnipotent and able to accomplish this, and both to those who pray to keep America safe and secure and to national enemies who would rejoice in an invasion or a coup d'etat I remember my citizenship in heaven and offer the Lord's Prayer just the same. American constitutional rights are defending injustices which Jesus Christ will not tolerate just before His return. Still, unless the United States Congress and the state legislators wake up to the reality of the end times and find some way to permit the imposition of the judgements upon the evil servants in charge prescribed by Jesus Christ, God's will could turn in an extremely adverse direction very fast in order to allow the ousting of bad pastors so that world evangelism may be accomplished.

And now I announce judgements. The demands of all the flock's wealth and amputations made by telephone in 2001 of the Meier family at Twin City Bible Church in Urbana, IL 61801, in place of failure to provide fifty million dollars requestewd in 1997 and 1998 to be obtained by begging to compensate Kevin Douglas Rosenberg for ruinous, utterly needless, admittedly mistaken psychiatric captivity and drugging (sin of witchcraft, Gal. 5:19, Greek), will accrue more demanded amputations before God: a thumb's weight weekly if evil servant in charge Bill Meier dare escape what was demanded before into the afternoon of December 26, 2003 UT. I myself cannot impose this, yet I dare ask Jesus his Lord, and He encourages me to keep on asking (Matt. 7:7). I have had to sin habitually because of Bill's influence on pastors to keep me quiet until I had to junk church after church to escape their domination, and I call down Matt. 18:5-7 to curse Twin City Bible Church like the fig tree in the name of Jesus Christ and send Bill's flock destitute for nearby churches to send out.

I do not possess such power as to bring this all about, yet still I thank God again for the Scriptures to show my current ways right before Him and to deliver me from the power of the evil servants in charge of today's churches through His will for vengeance. May God help our mentally ill brethren and everyone else in Him who needs assistance and has trouble asking for it among English speakers in authority. In Jesus' name, Amen.
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The second message is more complete, it has more to it at the bottom!
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hi i am also looking for a picture of the mustard seed tree, i was wondering if you ever found one. If so would you please send it to me or tell me where you found it. If not would you still please reply. Thank You and God Bless You!!
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I think that this parable is a great way of christian love. I think it is good because, the samaritan and the jews never liked each other and the only person that helped the jew on the road of jericho was a samaritan. Tnis is showing that the man that helped the jew wasn't racist. In the same way as this samaritan loved this man as much as he loved his own people, we also should have the same kind of love for all races. We shouldn't have a grudge against people of certain races. Loving all races is a positive kind of love. This is a great example of Agape love. Christian love.
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I agree, the unfaithful servant is simply not saved and therefore incapable of serving the master.

"...his commands are not burdensome, for everyone born of God has overcome the world." (1 John 5:3b,4a)

Jesus said, "If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching...He who does not love me WILL NOT OBEY MY TEACHING." (John 23, 24)

"Those controlled by the sinful nature CANNOT PLEASE GOD. You, however, are controlled not by the sinful nature but by the Spirit, IF THE SPIRIT OF GOD LIVES IN YOU. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, HE DOES NOT BELONG TO CHRIST." (Romans 8:8,9)

Abraham was circumcised as a requirement of the covenant God made with him. This circumcision, or absence of the flesh, was the outward proof or evidence that Abraham was indeed in covenant with God:

"You are to undergo circumcision, and it will be the SIGN OF THE COVENANT between me and you." (Genesis 17:11)

In the same way today the absence of the flesh (specifically the sinful deeds of the flesh) is the outward proof or evidence that our hearts have been circumcised by the Spirit and that we are in fact in covenant with God through Christ.

"In him you were also circumcised, in the PUTTING OFF OF THE SINFUL NATURE (or flesh), not with a circumcision done by the hands of men but with the circumcision done by Christ..." (Col. 2:11)

"We know that we have come to know him if we obey his commands. The man who says, 'I know him,' but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But if anyone obeys his word, God's love is truly made complete in him. This is how we know we are in him: Whoever claims to live in him must walk as Jesus did. "
(1 John 2:3-6)

Love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgement, BECAUSE IN THIS WORLD WE ARE LIKE HIM."
(1 John 4:17)










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Hi...
I think your Israel/Church interpretation is a good one. However, I would put a slightly different spin on the Church. Instead of Apostate, I think of the younger son symbolizes those penitent in the Church. Since Jesus was criticized for spending time with sinners and unclean people, I see Him using this to remind us that only those who are aware of their sin need a saviour. The younger son represents to me the new covenant, and the son brooding at home one who is sticking to the Law for his inheritance. I am teaching on this Sunday.
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I'll just quote a sentence from this mail then put my oppinion....

In this view, who would Gods mercy fall favor on in salvation?

My oppinion...............God looks apon the heart............people miss the point of this story, because they look at it through their eyes, and through their justification, so ofcourse those that are poor and suffer are more worthy than those who dont, God said their is none righteous no not one, rich people will go to hell exactly the same as poor people, we can sympathize with the poor but it is only aggreeing that envy has a place in Gods kingdom it doesnt............Jesus could have told the same story in reverse because gauranteed he knows one poor man that is going to Hell and one rich man that is not, but that would have not had the same appeal to our views on justification, we have to be led to the truth, line upon line precept on precept............. tell me when they shouted crucify him to pilate, were there more rich than poor? When Jesus said you seek me because your bellies were filled, ie they followed him fore the bread, and said Abraham was their father, and he said if Abraham was your father you would Love me................are these poor going to heaven?...............God looks upon the heart, it doesnt matter if youve lived the best life ie rich, or the worst life ie begger............circumstances wont change your heart, rich or poor if you have no love for God you have no love for God............10 lepers got healed only 1 came back to thank God........... I believe this story is not about rich vs poor it is about the heart of Lazurus and he had a heart for God ..................and it is a story of the Beauty of God because he is no respecter of persons.
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