Matthew 13:44-50The Parables of the Hidden Treasure and of the Priceless Pearl44 “The kingdom of heaven is like treasure, buried in a field, that a man found and reburied. Then in his joy he goes and sells everything he has and buys that field.45 “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls. 46 When he found one priceless[a] pearl, he went and sold everything he had, a...  Read More

Matthew 13:36-43 (HCSB)Jesus Interprets the Wheat and the Weeds36 Then He dismissed the crowds and went into the house. His disciples approached Him and said, “Explain the parable of the weeds in the field to us.” 37 He replied: “The One who sows the good seed is the Son of Man; 38 the field is the world; and the good seed—these are the sons of the kingdom. The weeds are the sons of the evil one, ...  Read More

Matthew 13:31-35 (HCSB)The Parables of the Mustard Seed and of the Yeast31 He presented another parable to them: “The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed that a man took and sowed in his field. 32 It’s the smallest of all the seeds, but when grown, it’s taller than the vegetables and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the sky come and nest in its branches.” 33 He told them another parable: ...  Read More

Matthew 13:24-30 (HCSB)The Parable of the Wheat and the Weeds24 He presented another parable to them: “The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a man who sowed good seed in his field. 25 But while people were sleeping, his enemy came, sowed weeds among the wheat, and left. 26 When the plants sprouted and produced grain, then the weeds also appeared. 27 The landowner’s slaves came to him and said, ...  Read More

RECEIVING GOD'S WORDJesus used parables in His teaching. Parables are stories that illustrate biblical truth..KEY TRUTH: God’s truth is revealed to those willing to accept and practice it. (Matthew 13:1-17)KEY TRUTH: Those who accept and practice God’s Word bear fruit. (Matthew 13:18-23)FAMILY CONNECTION: CONTINUE THE DISCUSSION AFTER CHURCH!In the parable of the sower, what is the seed and who do...  Read More

February 17, 2024What is a parable and why did Jesus teach using this form of communication?  Do we, or should we, use parables today?  While the parable of the sower can be about evangelism, it can also be about your heart today.  Is your heart the hard ground, thorny soil, rocky ground, or the fertile soil that God is sowing into right now?  What is God trying to plant that you are trying to rej...  Read More

Matthew 13:18-23 (HCSB)The Parable of the Sower Explained18 “You, then, listen to the parable of the sower:  19 When anyone hears the word  about the kingdom and doesn’t understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in his heart. This is the one sown along the path.  20 And the one sown on rocky ground—this is one who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy.  21 Yet...  Read More

Matthew 13:10-17 (HCSB)Why Jesus Used Parables10 Then the disciples  came up and asked Him, “Why do You speak to them in parables?” 11 He answered them, “Because the secrets of the kingdom of heaven have been given for you to know,  but it has not been given to them. 12 For whoever has, more will be given to him, and he will have more than enough. But whoever does not have, even what he has will b...  Read More

Matthew 13:1-9 (HCSB)The Parable of the Sower13 On that day Jesus went out of the house and was sitting by the sea.  2 Such large crowds gathered around Him that He got into a boat and sat down, while the whole crowd stood on the shore. 3 Then He told them many things in parables,  saying: “Consider the sower who went out to sow. 4 As he was sowing, some seed fell along the path, and the birds cam...  Read More

Matthew 11:16-30 (HCSB)An Unresponsive Generation16 “To what should I compare this generation? It’s like children sitting in the marketplaces who call out to each other: 17 We played the flute for you, but you didn’t dance; we sang a lament, but you didn’t mourn! 18 For John did not come eating or drinking, and they say, ‘He has a demon!’  19 The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ...  Read More

Matthew 11:1-15 (HCSB)In Praise of John the Baptist11 When Jesus had finished giving orders to His 12 disciples, He moved on from there to teach and preach in their towns.  2 When John heard in prison what the Messiah was doing, he sent a message by his disciples  3 and asked Him, “Are You the One who is to come, or should we expect someone else?” 4 Jesus replied to them, “Go and report to John wh...  Read More

JESUS SENDS HIS DISCIPLESJesus chose 12 disciples.  They were Simon Peter, Andrew, James, John, Philip, Bartholomew, Thomas, Matthew, James (son of Alphaeus), Thaddeus, Simon the Zealot, and Judas.KEY TRUTH: Jesus gives His disciples a clear purpose. (Matthew 9:35-10:15)KEY TRUTH: Jesus lets His disciples know what to expect. (Matthew 10:16-42)FAMILY CONNECTION: CONTINUE THE DISCUSSION AFTER CHURC...  Read More