Category: PARABLES

PROBLEMS OF THE PRODICAL
Our Lord gave three parables concerning lost things:
The lost sheep…..Stupidity (sheep are dumb)
The lost coin………Carelessness
The lost son……….Deliberate self-centered pride
It’s interesting that all were restored.
Looking at the lost son … Note that both boys were members of the same family. Both were given their portion. Put yourself in the traditions of the time. Now let’s look at the younger son:
SEVEN STEPS DOWN
15:12 SELF WILL He wanted to do his own thing (today he’d be called “a free spirit”.
He was a non-conformist, he rejected the good things, he decided he knew best.
He wasn’t about to be molded (Self Will in young usually leads to sin)
SINS OF YOUTH
Jeremiah 3:25 Shame and remorse
Psalm 25:7 Bitter memories
Job 20:11 Disease and death
15:13 SELFISHNESS Total disregard for others (What about his fathers dreams)
What about his brothers plans? 2nd step away from God – All About Me!
SEPERATION I’ll do as I please! I’ll move out. Away from authority.
Why do we think we can run away? (Remember Jonah? He tried it.) When God has His hand on you, where are you gonna hide? (Christians in sin try to hide from God).
SENSUALITY Please self. Nothing around to stop me from doing what I want!
Remember Sins of Youth. There is a price to pay … and it will be paid. These steps (sins, problems) can only lead in one direction – DOWN. Down takes us to the next step:
15:14 SPIRITUAL DESTITUTION Moral Poverty! What was the cause?
Self Will, Selfishness, Separation, Sensuality… The young man knew what was best for Him:
He didn’t want to work at home. Proverbs 19:15, 20:4
He had a love of pleasure. Proverbs 21:17
He had a love for drinking and gluttony. Proverbs 23:21
He ran with the wrong crowd. Proverbs 28:19
The troubles sin brings us into. Out of God’s will, no fellowship, it’s time to turn back, admit failure…WRONG!
15:15 SELF ABASEMENT I’ll do it myself! I’ll pay my own way. He sells himself into slavery.
How many young people today do the same thing!
Proverbs 26:11 As a dog returneth to his vomit, so a fool returneth to his folly.
Yes, our young man is a fool, and so are believers who refuse God’s forgiveness.
All these steps lead to the final problem:
15:16 STARVATION Yes, he was hungry, for food and fellowship. But the husks of this world are deceitful (not filling), like ashes (dry), unsatisfying (tasteless), perishable (don’t last).
When you reach this place, no one cares. Friendless.
The Believer, out of God’s will soon finds himself in this same state.

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Reviewing the Son’s Problems:
SELF WILL … Give me, I want
SELFISHNESS … gathered all together
SEPERATION … took off alone
SENSUALITY … riotous living
SPIRITUAL DESTITULION … found himself lost
SELF ABASEMENT … relied on self
STARVATION … without food, friends
The story could end right here. And for many it has and does, BUT it doesn’t.
It would seem the lad had been raised in a good home. One that worshipped God. One who knew Scripture.
15:17 REALIZATION He came to himself. “What have I done”.
15:18 RESOLUTION I WILL ARISE (he knew Scripture, Knew whom he had sinned against).
15:19 REPENTANCE It begins in the heart
15:20 RETURN Need to put it into action
RECONCILIATION Note the father’s reaction. What were the father’s feelings? While the son was gone … reports came back (15:30) Rumors … Stories of his sinful son.
The father thought, “Where have I failed?”. No doubt many accusations, too strick, too many spankings, too much scripture, too much Temple … etc. The only thing Dad could hope for was PROVERBS 22:6
(today, we would add: 2 Timothy 3:6, Ephesians 6:4). Dad, Mom, raise your kids according to the Bible, not the world or it’s standards.
This lad had probably been raised knowing Proverbs 22:15, 23:13-14, 29:15. Why then did he stray? Philemon 1:15 For perhaps he therefore departed for a season, that thou shouldest receive him for ever;
15:21 REPENTANCE Full repentance, not only to God but to his father, whom he had wronged.
15:22 RECLOTHING The father restores his son.
15:23-24 REJOICING The son had returned and was restored.
Today it gives great joy when one is saved o restored to the presence of the Lord.
As the Lord Jesus says: Luke 15:10 Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth.

Believers many times are like the Son, they stray from God…
for the same reasons:
SELF WILL … Give me, I want
SELFISHNESS … gathered all together
SEPERATION … took off alone
SENSUALITY … riotous living, pleasing self
And they can be reunited following these steps:
REALIZATION of their sin
RESOLUITION to remove that sin
REPENTANCE, RETURNING, RECONCILUTION

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Remember the younger brother’s problem: SELF
Remember the Father’s Forgiveness: Forget past and Rejoice
But what about the Older Brother?

Get the picture: The Father had a plan for his sons.
But the youngest rebels and leaves. The older brother stays.
Now the parable reveals two forms of sin:
Active .. the youngest son
Passive … the older son
Back to the text: Luke 15:25-27 Now his elder son was in the field: and as he came and drew nigh to the house, he heard musick and dancing. And he called one of the servants, and asked what these things meant. And he said unto him, Thy brother is come; and thy father hath killed the fatted calf, because he hath received him safe and sound.
The passive sin is about to surface. Luke 15:28-32
15:28 Jealousy … Anger … Hate … Pride
The father sees something wrong and goes to his elder son.
(God always comes seeking the lost, the one in sin, No man seeks God.
God seeks us. He loves Us).
2 Peter 3:9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.
15:29 Jealousy, Anger … “thou never gavest me a kid, that I might make merry with my friends:”
15:30 Hate … Pride … he left I stayed and served
15:31 The father, in love, tried to console him.
15:32 It’s time to rejoice and be glad.

Which brother sinned?

Both needed to get right with their father.

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P = Stated as a Parable in the text
M = Not stated in text but Maybe a parable
E = Probably an actual Event

(E) The Two Debtors – Mark 7:41-43
Pharisees Self-righteous Reflections – Love to Christ Proportions to Grace Received
(E) The Unclean Spirit – Matthew 12:43-45 Luke 11:24-26
Scribes Demand a Miracle – Hardening power of unbelief
(E) The Good Samaritan – Luke 10:30-37
The Lawyer’s Question – The Golden Rule for All
(E) The Three Loaves – Luke 11:5-8
Disciples ask lesson in prayer – Effect of importunity in prayer
(E) The True Shepherd – John 10:1-16
Pharisees reject Testimony of Miracle – Christ, the only way to God
(E) The Strait Gate – Matthew 7:13-14 Mark 13:24
Are there few that can be saved? – Difficulty of Repentance
(E) The Great Banquet – Luke 14:16-24
Pharisee’s Sabbath Dinner – Salvation Depends of Proper Response
(E) The Wedding Garment – Mark 22:10-14
Pharisees seeking to arrest Jesus – Necessity of Purity
(E) The King going to War – Luke 14:31-32
Multitudes surrounding Christ – Need of Deliberation
(E) The Rich Man and Lazarus – Luke 16:19-31
Derision of the Pharisees – Salvation not connected with wealth

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P = Stated as a Parable in the text
M = Not stated in text but Maybe a parable
E = Probably an actual Event

(M) Children in the marketplace – Matthew: 11:16-17 Luke 7:32
Pharisees reject John’s baptism – Evil of a faultfinding disposition
(M) The Salt – Matthew 5:13
To the Disciples alone – Effect of Good Example
(M) The Wine Bottles – Matthew 9:17 Mark 2:22 Luke 5:37
To the Disciples of John the Baptist – The Newness of Christ’s Message
(M) The Harvest – Matthew 9:37-38 Mark 10:02
To the Disciples in Samaria – Need for true witness
(M) Two Insolvent Debtors –
Peter’s Question – Need to Forgive
(M) The Guests –
Pharisee’s Sabbath Dinner – Chief places not to be usurped
(M) The Tower – Luke 14:28-30
Multitudes surrounding Christ – Need of Deliberation
(M) The Servant’s Duty – Luke 17:7-10
Teaching the Disciples – Man’s Obedience
(M) The Man of a Journey – Mark 13:34
Teachings of End Times – Duty to Watch for Christ’s Return
(M) The Vine and Branches – John 15:1-11
The Last Supper – Disciples Bear Fruit

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P = Stated as a Parable in the text
M = Not stated in text but Maybe a parable
E = Probably an actual Event

(P) The Marriage – Matthew 9:15 Mark 2:19-20 Luke 5:34-35
To the Disciples of John the Baptist – Joyous response to Jesus
(P) The Patched Garment – Matthew 9:16 Mark 2:21 Luke 5:36
To the Disciples of John the Baptist – The Newness of Christ’s Message
(P) The Adversary – Matthew 5:25-26 Mark 12:58-59
Sermon on the Mount – Need of prompt repentance
(P) The Marriage Supper – Matthew 22:2-9
Pharisees seeking to arrest Jesus – Rejection of Unbelievers
(P) The Lost Sheep – Matthew 18:12-14 Luke 15:4-7
Pharisees objected to His receiving the Wicked – Christ’s joy over Sinner’s Salvation
(P) The Lost Coin – Luke 15:8-10
Pharisees objected to His receiving the Wicked – Christ’s joy over Sinner’s Salvation
(P) The Prodigal Son – Matthew 15:11-32
Pharisees objected to His receiving the Wicked – Christ’s joy over Sinner’s Salvation
(P) The Unjust Steward – Luke 16:1-9
Teaching the Disciples – Prudence in using Power and Possessions
(P) The Importunate Widow – Luke 18:1-8
Teaching the Disciples – Perseverance in Prayer
(P) The Pharisee and the Publican – Luke 18:10-14
Teaching the Self-righteous – Humility in Prayer
(P) Laborers in the Vineyard – Matthew 20:1-16
Teaching the Disciples – Attitude toward Rewards
(P) The Talents – Matthew 25:14-30 Mark 19:11-27
Teachings of End Times – Stewardship is rewarded
(P) The Wicked Husbandman – Matthew 21:33-44 Mark 12:1-12
Luke 20:9-18
Chief Priests demand His Authority – Rejection of the Jewish people
(P) The Fig Tree – Matthew 24:32-33 Mark 13:28-29 Luke 21:29-31
Teachings of End Times – Duty to Watch for Christ’s Return
(P) The Watching Servants – Luke 12:36-38
Teachings of End Times – Duty to Watch for Christ’s Return
(P) The Watching Householder – Matthew 24:43-44 Luke 12:39-40
Teachings of End Times – Duty to Watch for Christ’s Return
(P) Character of two Servants – Matthew 24:45-51 Luke 12:42-48
Teachings of End Times – Duty to Watch for Christ’s Return
(P) The Ten Virgins – Matthew 25:1-12
Teachings of End Times – Duty to Watch for Christ’s Return

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Matt 13:10-11 And the disciples came, and said unto him, Why speakest thou unto them in parables? He answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given.

P = Stated as a Parable in the text
M = Not stated in text but Maybe a parable
E = Probably an actual Event

(P) The Mote and Beam – Matthew 7:1-6 Mark 6:37-43
Reproving the Pharisees – Do NOT presume to judge others
(P) The Two Buildings – Matthew 7:24-27 Luke 6:47-49
Sermon on the Mount – Discipleship demands obedience
(P) The Rich Man’s Meditation – Luke 12:16-21
Dispute of Two Brothers – Folly of reliance upon wealth
(P) The Barren Fig Tree – Mark 13:6-9
Giving a second chance – Danger in the unbelief of the Jewish people
(P) The Soils/Sower – Matthew 13:3-23 Mark 4:3-20 Luke 8:5-15
Sermons on the Seashore – God guarantees the Harvest
(P) The Tares – Matthew 13:24-30, 36-42
Sermon on the Seashore – Final separation of the righteous and evil
(P) The Candle – Matthew 5:14-16 Mark 4:21 Luke 8:16, 11:33
To the Disciples Alone – Effect of Good Example
(P) The Seed – Mark 4:26-29
Sermon on the Seashore – Mysterious Growth of the Kingdom
(P) The Grain of Mustard Seed – Matthew 13:31-32 Mark 4:31-32 Luke 13:19
Sermon on the Seashore – Mysterious Growth of the Kingdom
(P) The Leven – Matthew 13:33 Luke 13:31
Sermon on the Seashore – Kingdom’s power of change
(P) The Hidden Treasure – Matthew 13:44
To the Disciples Alone – Joy of the Kingdom
(P) The Pearl of Great Price – Matthew 13:45-46
To the Disciples Alone – Value of the Kingdom
(P) The Net – Matthew 13:47-50
To the Disciples Alone – Proclaim the Gospel to all
(P)The Householder – Matthew 13:52
To the Disciples Alone – Varied methods of teaching truth
(P) False Leadership – Matthew 15:10-20 Mark 7:14-23
To the Multitude – From the heart comes the truth

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There was a man, who because of a famine in the land, had to leave his family and go to a far off country. There he found work, but he was sad and lonely. For even though he loved and served the Lord, those with whom he worked were seekers of pleasure and not seekers of God. At first they were friendly and invited the man to join with them in their gaiety but as he refused, for it would dishonor the Lord, the invitations came less and less.

One day he discovered a group of people who loved and served the same Lord he did. His heart was filled with gladness. They joined together 3 times a week for fellowship and worship of the Lord. As he attended these meetings, the hand of fellowship was offered, he was made to feel welcome, his soul was refreshed, but sadness and loneliness soon vexed his soul again. Because for as friendly as the group were at each meeting, the friendliness stopped there.

The man was never invited to partake of fellowship after the meetings. So as long as the man stayed in the far off country, he was sad and lonely.

1 John 1:7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.
Acts 2:42 And they continued stedfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.

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