The Parables Of Jesus

Written by :   Zac Poonen Categories :   Disciples Spirit Filled life
Article Body: 

1. Entering God's Kingdom

1. Sower and seed (Mk.4:3-8; Lk.8:15) – 3 types of bad soil and 3 types of good soil (30,60 & 100)

2. Invitees to wedding feast (Mt.22:2-14) – Man refused to wear the freely-offered wedding-garment

3. Houses on rock and sand (Mt.7:24-27) – The importance of a good foundation - of obedience

2. Paying the Price

4. Seedtime to harvest (Mk.4:26-29) – Growth comes effortlessly, if we follow the laws of the Spirit

5. The mustard tree (Mt.13:31, 32) – Artificial growth invites Satan's agents to settle in our midst

6. Building a tower (Lk.14:28-30) – "Disciple-making" (v.26,27,33) alone will complete the tower

7. Fighting the enemy (Lk.14:31, 32) – The Lord can fight Satan with a few - if they're wholehearted

8. Hidden treasure (Mt.13:44) – We have to pay a price for some things in the Christian life

9. Pearl of great price (Mt.13:45, 46) – We must value Jesus Himself over everything else

3. Loving God and Man

10. Two debtors (Lk.7:41-43) – Love for God comes from knowing how much we've been forgiven

11. Unforgiving servant (Mt.18:23-35) – We must forgive all others, because we've been forgiven much

12. Good Samaritan (Lk.10:30-37) – We must be alert to human need around us – in our home first of all

13. Sheep and goats (Mt.25:31-36) – The "righteous" helped their needy brothers and sisters

4. The Danger of Legalism

14. Two sons (Mt.21:28-31) – We must mean what we say to God - unlike the Pharisees

15. Blind leading the blind (Lk.6:39, 40) – If we don't practice what we preach, we're spiritually blind

16. Wheat and tares (Mt.13:24-30) – The hypocrites look just like other believers - on the outside

17. Fig tree without figs (Lk.13:6-9) – Fig-leaves symbolize human righteousness – cursed by God

18. New cloth on old garment (Mt.9:16) – You can't put a patch of Jesus' life on to your Adamic life

19. New wine in old wineskins (Mt.9:17) – Grace (new wine) won't fit into the old religious system

20. Wise and foolish virgins (Mt.25:1-13) – Love for Jesus (oil) alone will make our light shine forever

5. Four Types of Backsliders

21 . Lost sheep (Lk.15:3-7) – Some go astray through carelessness and lack of fellowship

22. Lost coin (Lk.15:8-10) – Some go astray through the failure and neglect of the church

23. Prodigal son & Elder son (Lk.15:11-32) – Some go astray through rebellion or spiritual arrogance

24. Yeast in meal (Mat.13:33) – Corruption spreads easily in any church - so we must be watchful

6. Spiritual Pride

25. Seating at wedding feast (Lk.14:7-11) – Always seek for the lowly place - as Jesus did

26. Laborers in vineyard (Mt.20:1-16) – There is hope for those who come to the Lord late in life

27. Master and slave (Lk.17:7-10) – When we have obeyed everything, we're still unworthy

28. Pharisee and tax-collector (Lk.18:9-14) – God opposes the proud and those who despise others

29. Children in market (Lk.7:31-35) – Religious people will criticize us no matter what we do

7. Watching and Praying

30. Persistent widow (Lk.18:1-8) – A weak believer can prevail in prayer with his heavenly Father

31. Persistent neighbor (Lk.11:5-8) – We must seek for the gifts of the Spirit - to help others

32. Father and children (Lk.11:11-13)– God is better than the best of earthly fathers

33. Watching servants (Mt.24:45-51; Mk.13:34) – We must be alert – especially the doorkeepers

34. Fig tree and other trees (Lk.21:29-32) – Israel's return to the land is a sign of Christ's return

8. Being Faithful With God's Gifts

35. Wicked tenants (Mt.21:33-41) – All we have is a loan from God - for which we are accountable

36. Rich fool (Lk.12:16-21) – He who is not "rich toward God" with his earthly life and things is a fool

37. Talents - 5,2 and 1 (Matt.25:14-30) – We must be faithful with the smallest gifts God gives us

38. Minas - 1 each (Lk.19:12-27) – Time is a gift that God has given in the same measure to all

39. Dishonest steward (Lk.16:1-8) – We must use money & material things to win people for heaven

40. Good and bad fish (Mt. 13:47, 48) – God will finally separate His people from others for all eternity