Sunday, August 22, 2010

The Parable of the Dishonest Manager

Jesus sometimes shocked people, particularly those who didn’t understand his message. Here is a prime example: The Parable of the Dishonest Manager: Luke 16:1-9. This is one of the most difficult to fathom passages in the Bible. Even more than usual in the case of Jesus’ parables, there is not an obvious answer to the question of what it means. What do we think?

Listen to the Parable of the Dishonest Manager

Sunday, August 15, 2010

The Parable of the Mustard Seed

Jesus tells three parables – The Parables of the Lighted Lamp, Seed Growing, and Mustard Seed – in quick succession in the book of Mark to give us insight into the kingdom of God. In the first one, he wants us to understand that Jesus came to be the light of this world. In the second, that God is like a farmer who sows, grows, and harvests his crops on his own. In the third, the Mustard Seed, he shows us that the kingdom may start small, but it will grow (and has grown) to a point where everyone can see it.

Listen to the Parable of the Mustard Seed

Sunday, August 8, 2010

The Parables of the Lighted Lamp, Seed Growing, and Mustard Seed

Jesus tells three parables - The Parables of the Lighted Lamp, Seed Growing, and Mustard Seed - in quick succession in the book of Mark to give us insight into the Kingdom of God. In this lesson, we look at the first two of these three parables. In them, Jesus wants us to understand that God is in control of his kingdom. He sent Jesus to the world to serve as a light who shines into the darkness, and he serves as a farmer who sows, grows, and harvests his crops on his own. We should never fall into the trap of thinking we are in control. Only God is.