November 17, 2019 AM
Dr. Michael Catt - 1931
#6 in series
Speaking in Parables
DON’T WASTE YOUR BLESSINGS
Luke 13:1-9
OVERVIEW
When I was in college, a professor told me that a parable is a “heavenly truth wrapped in earthly language.” The word parable refers to a Greek word which means a symbol, type, figure, or illustration. These stories from the lips of our Savior were a mystery to many, but the Lord had a purpose for speaking in parables. Parables have been depicted in art and stained glass, and their truths have been communicated for thousands of years across all cultures because they are easy to identify with. In the last message we talked about greed and how God provides for our needs. We looked at the damaging effect of materialism and learned how to combat the desire for more with the truth of God’s Word.
For further study, this series is available online at sherwoodbaptist.net/messages.
I. THE DECEPTION OF HYPOCRISY
“Jesus would much prefer a person to enter heaven with a bruised ego than enter hell with ego intact!” – Stuart Briscoe
Repentance is a call to the lost and the saved.
Matthew 3:8 “Bring forth fruit that is consistent with repentance [let your lives prove your change of heart];” – Amplified Bible
“Do those things that will show that you have turned from your sins.” – Good News Bible
“Prove by the way you live that you have really turned from your sins and turned to God.” – New Living Translation
“Therefore bear fruit in keeping with repentance;” – NASU “Let your lives then prove your change of heart” – Weymouth
“Produce, then, fruit that is consistent with the repentance you profess” – Williams
Matt. 7:20 “by their fruits you will know them...”
“The most difficult theological question I've ever faced is: ‘Why has God been so kind to me?’” – R. C. Sproul
II. THE DECEPTION OF APPEARANCES
III. THE DECLARATION OF CONSEQUENCES
Truths to Consider:
1) You’re in a privileged position as an American and a Christian. It's all about the __.
2) I will be judged based on the __.
3) The unrepentant will have __. The Word convicts, warns, and points us to grace.
“Barren fig tree! See how the Lord Jesus, by these very words, suggests the cause of your fruitless soul. The things of this world lie too close to your heart; the earth with its things has bound up your roots; you are an earth-bound soul.” – John Bunyan
Then Bunyan has Jesus, the caretaker, address the owner, the Father: “Lord, I will loosen his roots; I will dig up this earth; I will lay his roots bare. My hand shall be upon him by sickness, by disappointments, by cross providences. I will dig about him until he stands shaking and tottering, until he be ready to fall.”
4) God always warns before He __.