Parables and Understanding

Parables and Understanding

While Jesus taught more than thirty parables, only two of them are explained. He used these earthly stories to convey heavenly truths, and the message of each of these stories becomes obvious to those who seek to understand them. These two parables both deal with the planting of the seed (the word of God) in the hearts of men. After Jesus told the parable of the sower, He said, “Do you not understand this parable? How then will you understand all the parables?” (Mark 4:13).Are your roots deep?

There is a danger as one studies the parables of trying to find truths beyond the primary message the Lord had in mind when He taught them. However, since Jesus revealed the meaning of some of the details, we must not overlook their meaning.

In God’s divine plan, the seed of the kingdom (the gospel) was to be deeply planted in the hearts of those who heard it. The emphasis in the parable of the sower is to reveal that those who heard the gospel would respond in different ways. The seed was always the same but the soils determined the outcome of the seed planted. When that seed was planted, most of the seed failed to produce fruit, but in the right soil it produced amazing fruit.  The fruit is described in the second parable as “the sons of the kingdom” (Matt. 13:38).

The application in our lives is that we have become the children of God because when we heard the message, we understood it and began to produce fruit (Matt. 13:23). Now contrast this with the failure of that seed when it was planted on stony ground. They heard, but they had no root (Matt. 13:6, 21).  Think of what this implies about the “root” of those who are in that kingdom of heaven planted by Jesus.

Christians have deep roots. Solomon said, “The root of the righteous cannot be moved” and “the root of the righteous yields fruit” (Prov. 12:3, 12). Paul told the Ephesians that Christ dwelt in them and that they were “…rooted and grounded in love” (Eph. 3:17). He also reminded the Colossians that they were “…rooted and built upon Him and established in the faith” (Col. 2:7).

Notice that those in Colosse had their roots established in the faith. There are no deep roots which are not founded in the faith, the word of God. He also urged them to “…continue in the faith” and to not be “…moved away from the hope of the gospel which you have heard” (Col. 1:23).

What does this have to do with each of us? We will be fruitful children of the kingdom as we continue to read His word and let it sink deep within our hearts. Our deep roots are from Him who is described as the Root of David (Rev. 5:5; 22:16). Stay grounded in His teaching! Bear much fruit!

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Boundaries of God’s Grace

Boundaries of God’s Grace

If we are saved by grace alone, then all men would be saved, for His saving grace for all mankind had appeared to all men by the time Paul wrote to Titus (Tit. 2:11). If grace immediately covers all sin, then there is no reality to sin, for it would be impossible for sin to separate us from God (Isa. 59:2). It is vital that we understand the boundaries of God’s grace.

The previous paragraph shows that while His grace is infinite, it does have boundaries. The first time the word “grace” is found in the Bible is when God was about to bring judgment on a world filled with corruption. “But Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord” (Gen. 6:8). His grace is truly “amazing grace,” but it does have boundaries.

Grace originates in the heart of God and He is the one who sets its limit. Because He is sovereign, He could destroy hell and send no one there, but that is not His nature. We are the ones who have wronged Him by our rebellion, and we humbly ask Him, “How can I make it right again?” It is not our right! He is the one to answer that question. Micah speaks directly to this. “With what shall I come before the Lord, and bow myself before the High God? …Shall I give my firstborn for my transgression, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul? … He has shown you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justly, to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God” (Micah 6:6-8).

Christendom has moved that boundary in two opposing directions. The idea fostered by wrongly defining predestination, which was adopted centuries ago by the Protestants who taught that atonement was specifically set so firmly that the number in heaven cannot be increased or decreased at all, denies the closing words of the Bible. “Whosever will, let Him come.” The same is true of those who have set the number at 144,000. When men move the boundaries in either direction, the result is religious division.

The boundaries of grace are clearly fixed and revealed in the Bible. We must never ignore the words of God about any matter by adding anything to these words or by removing anything from them (Rev. 22:18-19). There is no mortal who has ever lived who has been given this right. The words of God are so fixed that on the final day we all will be judged by the words He has given to us (John 12:48).

Think about how God set the boundaries for the tribes of Israel as they settled in the Promised Land. They were fixed by God and defined by Him. Think about these words from Solomon: “Do not remove the ancient landmarks set by your fathers” (Prov. 22:28). We cannot remove the ancient landmarks set by our Father.

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A Religion of Sadness?

A Religion of Sadness?

Christianity was never designed to be a religion of sadness. The words “joy” and “rejoice” are found more than 400 times in the Bible. How could any relationship with God be anything other than the most marvelous experience one could have on this earth? When Paul described the fruit of the Spirit working in our lives, the second word he used was “joy.” Life with Him can never be a life of despair and gloom.no sadness

There is joy associated for those who teach others. There is great joy for those who teach. When Jesus told His disciples that the fields were ready to be reaped, He said that both those who sow and those who reap shall rejoice together (John 4:36). The psalmist said that those who sow shall without doubt come rejoicing (Psa. 126:5-6).

There is joy for those who are taught about Jesus.  On the day of Pentecost, there were 3,000 who received the word with joy (Acts 2:41). When Philip preached in Samaria, “There was great joy in that city” (Acts 8:8). The Ethiopian “…went on his way rejoicing” (Acts 8:39). The man who found the treasure of the kingdom, “…for joy over it goes and sells all he had and buys the field” (Matt. 13:44). Think about your own experience. Has there ever been any day surpassing the day your sins were forgiven?

There is joy in the midst of trials as a Christian. When adversity comes into our lives, God tells us to “…count it all joy when you fall into various trials” (Jas. 1:3). How can this be? God gives the answer in the verses that follow. It is the trials in our lives which make us “…perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.” Notice also that God said, “count it all joy”! We must not focus on the trials of adversity but on the results of them.

Jesus used some amazing words to describe our response when we are hated by others for His sake. “Rejoice in that day and leap for joy” (Luke 6:23). He does not see such times of adversity as a time to weep but as a time to rejoice. But, even more than just a time for joy—a time to leap for joy!

There is immeasurable joy awaiting us at the end of our lives. As Paul journeyed to Jerusalem for the final time, he passed through many cities. In every one of them there were prophets who foretold the chains and tribulations which he would face when he arrived. Such did not deter his resolve, for he longed to “…finish my race with joy” (Acts 20:24). It was this same joy which Jesus spoke of when His disciples were rejoicing that they had the power to cast out demons. He said, “Do not rejoice in this … but rather rejoice because your names are written in heaven” (Luke 10:20).

“Rejoice in the Lord always. Again, I say rejoice.”

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Challenges in Evangelism

Challenges in Evangelism

Jesus was an evangelist. “Now after John was delivered up, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of God” (Mark 1:14). He said, “For the Son of man came to seek and to save that which was lost” (Luke 19:10). Jesus did an amazing job of evangelizing others, however, even Jesus had challenges when it came to evangelism. He told the parable of the sower (Matthew 13) to explain what some of those challenges are. Some will refuse to hear (the wayside soil). Some will hear but gain no depth (the rocky soil). Some will hear but leave for the world (the thorny soil). Some, however, will hear and bear fruit (the good soil).Evangelism

How many flat out refused to hear Jesus? There were many Pharisees who rejected the counsel of God. “But the Pharisees and the lawyers rejected for themselves the counsel of God, being not baptized of him” (Luke 7:30). Some would not confess Jesus because of peer pressure. “Nevertheless even of the rulers many believed on him; but because of the Pharisees they did not confess it, lest they should be put out of the synagogue” (John 12:42). Some could not handle the difficulty of Jesus’ teaching. “Upon this many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him” (John 6:66). Jesus never let this phase Him because He knew some would hear and repent.

Do we allow the challenges of evangelism to prevent us from evangelizing? Jesus did not. We must continue the effort even when many fail to respond. God will see those efforts and recognize them even if man does not. What are you doing to evangelize others? We have many resources available for you to do so. Ask me or call the office to get them.

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OnlyFans or Only Christians?

Only Fans or Only Christians?

There is a website subscription service that many Christian parents and grandparents know nothing about—but it has taken the world by storm. This website has over 50 million registered users and more than 1 million content creators. It’s called OnlyFans.Fornication

Founded in 2016, by British tech entrepreneur Timothy Stokely, OnlyFans was a place where content creators could offer exclusive content to their target audience. For instance, if you were a poet, you could read your poems online for people who paid a monthly fee to see your material. However, it didn’t take long for this site to become primarily about sexual content, lust, and debauchery.

Because it has few restrictions creators can post sexually suggestive images, pornography, and anything their creators are clamoring for. Creators get to pocket 80% of the earnings and OnlyFans keeps 20% as online host. Creators can pocket even more money with paid tips and paid private messages. One popular social media influencer made over 1 million dollars the first 24-hours after being a content creator. Did I mention this is a billion-dollar industry—and it’s not going away.

And so, what began innocently as a poet reading a poem, transformed into someone in their underwear reading poetry while thousands tune in to watch. According to their statistics, OnlyFans is adding about 1,000 new registered users every hour. Imagine a popular high school cheerleader who is able to profit from her popularity by posting exclusive and suggestive images. This is the new reality for our children and grandchildren.

I spent some time trying to think of any positive reason a Christian should be on OnlyFans. I admit up front that there are probably a few legitimate entrepreneurs out there who are still doing things like sharing cooking tips, giving parenting tips, or reading poems while fully clothed. But at this point, OnlyFans is known primarily for one thing—pornography.
Consider for a moment what this site is feeding. It is feeding lust, impurity, selfish ambition, debauchery, and even idolatry—as many of these content creators have become idols to paying customers. Is this website really worth risking eternity in heaven? Consider the inspired Words of Paul:

“Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God” (Galatians 5:19-21).

Paul doesn’t mince words. He boldly points out that “those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.” Paying a monthly subscription to view someone in a provocative setting is the definition of “practicing” such things. Oh, and just in case a married Christian sees no problem in watching some young lady undress in her bedroom since they are not “technically doing anything,” allow me to gently remind you that your marriage is supposed to be a reflection of Christ’s love for the church. Honor your marriage and love your wife! I can’t see Jesus having an OnlyFans account.

Church we need to have an open and honest discussion about these practices. This is not holy or Christian behavior. Christians do not need OnlyFans accounts—and this includes our children. John wrote: “Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world. And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever” (1 John 2:15-17).

Our children do not need to be content creators for OnlyFans! I understand they may be “making money they can use to pay for college.” But if their way of making money is sinful or feeds lust, fornication, and immorality then their “selfish ambition” is not in line with what God approves of—and it needs to be stopped. Look at what Jesus said about gaining the whole world but losing your soul (Matthew 16:24).

The Bible is crystal clear about lust and sins of the flesh. (i.e.,1 Peter 2:11, Romans 13:14, , Proverbs 6:25, James 1:14, Romans 8:13) It is equally clear that we are not to cause others to stumble. (i.e., Romans 14:13). As Christians we have been charged to be holy like He is holy (1 Peter 1:15-16).

If you are involved in OnlyFans as a user or content creator let me encourage you to quit immediately. Guard your soul. Take up the whole armor of God and fight against the works of darkness. This really is a life and death situation—souls are at stake. James wrote: “Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death” (James 1:15). Stop feeding the desire and you will avoid death.

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