Parables
Learning from the Stories of Jesus
Give God One Year
July 28, 2019 • Corey Bragg
“God’s Kindness leads you toward repentance.” Romans 2:4 Part eight, the last message in our teaching series on the parables of Jesus, Pastor Cory Bragg preaches on repentance, which simply means to change the direction of your life and thinking. Throughout this series we have gone through the parables, the stories that Jesus taught, and what we can learn from them. A parable is a simple story used to illustrate a moral or spiritual lesson. In today’s message from Luke 13:1-9, Pastor Cory shows us that this passages teaches us that “borrowed time is temporary” and “God is for you.” What could God do in your life if you gave something to him for one year? This one year could be a milestone in your life that turns into someone else’s marker 100 years from now. Give something to God for one year.
Unwavering Pursuit of Your Purpose
July 21, 2019 • Jamie Heiner
“He makes the whole body fit together perfectly. As each part does its own special work, it helps the other parts grow, so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love.” Ephesians 4:16 Part seven of our teaching series on the parables of Jesus, Pastor Jamie Heiner preaches from the passage where Jesus predicts His death. Throughout this series we will going through the parables, the stories that Jesus taught, and what we can learn from them. A parable is a simple story used to illustrate a moral or spiritual lesson. In today’s message from Mark 8:27-36, Pastor Jamie reminds us to look out for the prosperity of others. We need to seek God’s perspective not our own through spending time in the Bible, spending time in prayer, and then stoping, reflecting and listening. To gain life we have to lose our life, to gain prosperity we have to look for the prosperity of others. Revelations 12:11, Romans 12:2, James 1:2-4, Jeremiah 29:11, Jeremiah 29:7, Matthew 16:16-19, Ephesians 4:16
Parable of the Weeds
July 7, 2019 • Russ Stutzman
“…The kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field. But while everyone was sleeping, his enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat, and went away. When the wheat sprouted and formed heads, then the weeds also appeared.” Matthew 13:24-26 Part six of our teaching series on the parables of Jesus, Pastor Russ Stutzman preaches on the parable of the weeds. Throughout this series we will going through the parables, the stories that Jesus taught, and what we can learn from them. A parable is a simple story used to illustrate a moral or spiritual lesson. In today’s message from Matthew 13:24-43, Pastor Russ explains that Jesus decided a long time ago that the wheat and the weeds would live together. How do we live a successful Christian life when we are asked to live among weeds? We do so by remembering our role. We are to be a witness, to love God and people, to respond with mercy and grace, to allow Jesus to change us from the inside out, and to trust in God’s protection and plan.
Parable of the Talents
June 30, 2019 • Molly Polletta
“His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!'” Matthew 25:23 Part five of our teaching series on the parables of Jesus, Molly Polletta preaches on the parable of the talents. Throughout this series we will going through the parables, the stories that Jesus taught, and what we can learn from them. A parable is a simple story used to illustrate a moral or spiritual lesson. In today’s message from Matthew 25:14-30, Molly Polletta explains that we can respond to Jesus’ calling on our life by living a life of love. Responding to Jesus is doing what what God asks us to do. Mark 12:30-21, 1 Corinthians 13:4-7, Philippians 2:3
The Prodigal Son
June 23, 2019 • Rod Olson
"But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him . . ." Luke 15:11-32 Part four of our teaching series on the parables of Jesus, Rod Olson preaches on the parable of prodigal son. Throughout this series we will going through the parables, the stories that Jesus taught, and what we can learn from them. A parable is a simple story used to illustrate a moral or spiritual lesson. In today's message from Luke 15:11-32, Rod Olson explains that God is teaching us three things throughout this parable. First, Jesus redefines who God is, He is a father who initiates love. Second, Jesus redefines what sin is, "normal rebellious sin" shown through the younger son, and "self righteous sin" shown through the older son in the story. Third, Jesus redefines salvation, obey God in faith and find true joy, love and grace!
Wise Builder
June 16, 2019 • Scotty Priest
"Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against the house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundations on the rock." Matthew 7:24-25 As we start part three of our teaching series on the parables of Jesus, Pastor Scotty Priest preaches on how our actions make all the difference. Throughout this series we will going through the parables, the stories that Jesus taught, and what we can learn from them. A parable is a simple story used to illustrate a moral or spiritual lesson. In today's parable from Matthew 7:24-27, we learn that we are responsible for our decisions. "We get to where we should be the same way we got to where we shouldn't be." We took one step in the wrong direction over and over again, and then we have to walk it back out the opposite way. Jesus doesn't offer us a fix, but he does promise us a new direction. It is what we "do" that makes all the difference. You can know all the spiritual truths, but it is what we act on that makes all the difference. You only really believe what you act on, "unapplied truth is like unapplied paint" it doesn't do anyone any good.
Persisten Friend and Widow
June 9, 2019 • Scotty Priest
"Jesus always used stories and illustrations like these when speaking to the crowds. In fact, he never spoke to them without using such parables." Matthew 13:34 As we start part two of our new teaching series on the parables of Jesus, Pastor Scotty Priest preaches on the idea of prayer and how to petition God in prayer. Throughout this series we will be talking about the parables, the stories that Jesus taught and what we can learn from them. A parable is a simple story used to illustrate a moral or spiritual lesson. Parables take these enormous spiritual truths and boil them down to something we can grab a hold of and apply to our lives. Luke 11:5-8 and Luke 18:2-8 The theme through these two stories is persistence, the idea of consistency and the tenacity of asking our heavenly Father for what we need. God always responds to our "shameless audacity." God is great not just because nothing is too big for Him; He is also great because nothing is too small. It's not our job to answer but it is our job to ask!
Hidden Treasure
June 2, 2019 • Scotty Priest
"Jesus always used stories and illustrations like these when speaking to the crowds. In fact, he never spoke to them without using such parables." Matthew 13:34 We are so excited to kick-off the summer with a new teaching series on the parables of Jesus. Over the next several weeks we will be talking about the parables, the stories that Jesus taught and what we can learn from them. A parable is a simple story used to illustrate a moral or spiritual lesson. Parables take these enormous spiritual truths and boil them down to something we can grab a hold of and apply to our lives. "The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy wen t and sold all he had and bought that field. Again, the kingdom of heave is like a merchant looking for the pearls. When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it." Matthew 13:44-46 Today's story is about priorities and what matters most in our lives. We have to chose between the immediate or the ultimate. "I will prioritize what I value most over what I want now." Most people never discover what the value until it's too late. We make sacrifices in joy for the things we make a priority.