Living the Parables of Jesus

5/21 Will Jesus Find Faith on Earth?

May 21, 2023 • Jason Swick • Luke 18:1–14

Will Jesus find faith on earth? This is a question Jesus asks sandwiched between two parables that teach us to pray.

5/7 It's Not Fair

May 7, 2023 • Jason Swick • Matthew 20:1–16

That's not fair. Have you ever said or thought this? Jesus engages this 'not fairism' in a parable and challenges how we might consider both this parable and become laborers in his kingdom.

4/30 The Ultimate Debt Eraser

April 30, 2023 • Jason Swick • Matthew 18:21–35, Luke 7:36–50

What is the ultimate debt eraser? Is it something that has to do with money or something deeper? Jesus uses two parables about debt to draw us deeper into discipleship.

4/16 The Rich Fool

April 16, 2023 • Jonah Strand • Luke 12:13–34

4/2 Faithfully Following Forever

April 2, 2023 • Jason Swick • Matthew 21:8–44

On Palm Sunday Jesus enters Jerusalem. He's a king coming but he doesn't have an army. Matthew describes Jesus entering the temple and symbolically cleansing it. Then he challenges the religious elite with two parables. Today these parables challenge us. What kind of a son are you? What kind of a tenant are you? It's another example of Jesus challenging us to live out of the love and forgiveness we have received. Our hope and prayer is that these words will encourage you to faithfully follow forever a king who was willing to challenge everything because of his love for you.

3/26 Building a Foundation

March 26, 2023 • Jason Swick • Luke 6:46–49, James 2:18–20

How important is a foundation? In Luke 6 Jesus tells us a good foundation is essential. Join us as we look at what a good foundation in Jesus looks like and how it can change everything when life gets rough.

3/19 Is It Really My Money?

March 19, 2023 • Jason Swick • Luke 16

We make money and have money but how do we decide what to do with it? Jesus shares with us two parables in Luke 16 that help us consider what home we are using our time and money to obtain.

3/12 Parable of the Good Samaritan

March 12, 2023 • Jonah Strand • Luke 10:25–37

3/5 Are You Able to Be a Disciple of Jesus?

March 5, 2023 • Jason Swick • Luke 14:25–35

What an unusual question, am I able to be a disciple. This lesson explores two unfamiliar parables of Jesus that challenge a typical view of discipleship and what it means to be a Christian. I hope you are challenged, blessed, and choose to be a disciple who follows Jesus as Lord.

2/26 All is Ready, Will You Come?

February 26, 2023 • Jason Swick • Luke 14:8–24, Luke 11:27–28

There is a banquet being prepared and you are invited. Will you come?

2/19 Taking a Chance on Jesus

February 19, 2023 • Jason Swick • Matthew 13:44–52

Using parables, Jesus describes those who are righteous who will sacrifice in order to obtain the kingdom of heaven. The question for us is, will we have the ears to hear and the courage to consider our treasures and whether they are made of sand and even worth the investment. Will we take a chance on pursuing the kingdom of heaven like Jesus describes? 

2/12 The Kingdom of Heaven is What?

February 12, 2023 • Jason Swick

What is the Kingdom of Heaven? Is it something in the future or something we are called to be involved in today? Join us as we explore what Jesus says about this in parables we have heard but maybe not been able to hear in the past. 

2/5 What to Do with a Dull Heart?

February 5, 2023 • Jason Swick • Matthew 13:1–23

Jesus offers the parable of the sower as a way to consider the status of our hearts. We all think we are good soil but when we have the ears to hear Jesus’ interpretation we realize that maybe our hearts are dull and that we need to be transformed daily to follow Him. 

1/29 Can God Find Me?

January 29, 2023 • Jason Swick • Luke 15

Sometimes we feel lost, sometimes we are lost. Today we look at how YWHW feels about those who are lost and what He does about it. Can God find you if you are lost? Yes…if you want to be found. Then get ready to celebrate.

1/22 Using Our Gifts to Honor God

January 22, 2023 • Jason Swick • Matthew 23:37–39, Matthew 25:14–46

Jesus is in Jerusalem for the last time. WIth a deadline looming Jesus talks about preparing for the coming of the kingdom of heaven. The people wanted to know a date and time. Jesus wants us to focus on being ready by using our gifts and talents to honor God and grow closer to Him today.