My 15 Acres

 

The Purpose of the Parables

This Sunday, the pastor of the church we are attending now gave a great sermon on the purpose of the parables. This is not his sermon, but I am going to use part of it. If you’d like to see his sermon,
click here. https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1B8tkGBMd4/   

Matthew 13:10-13 (ESV)
Then the disciples came and said to him, “Why do you speak to them in parables?” And he answered them, “To you it has been given to know the secrets of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been given. For to the one who has, more will be given, and he will have an abundance, but from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away. This is why I speak to them in parables, because seeing they do not see, and hearing they do not hear, nor do they understand.

Matthew 13:16-17 (ESV)
But blessed are your eyes, for they see, and your ears, for they hear. For truly, I say to you, many prophets and righteous people longed to see what you see, and did not see it, and to hear what you hear, and did not hear it.

These scriptures reminded me of this:
2 Corinthians 4:4 (ESV)
In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.

The pastor shared a story about when he and his wife went on vacation to France. They visited a cathedral where, from the outside, the windows appeared dark, and they couldn’t see inside. But once they entered, the sunlight streaming through the windows revealed the beauty of the stained glass and the biblical stories depicted within.

I thought, what a great parable that is in itself! The world stands outside, looking at what they perceive as the church. They see only brick and mortar because they are blind to what the true church is. This is why we, as true believers in Christ, must die to self and let Christ’s light shine through us.

 

Colossians 3:10 (ESV)
and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator.

1 Peter 3:13-15 (ESV)
Now who is there to harm you if you are zealous for what is good? But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled, but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect,