PARABLE

PARABLE.

Why are the parables so important to our understanding of how to live in the kingdom today?

The disciples wondered this and Jesus gave them the answer.

Kingdom living is not understood, indeed ridiculed by, non-believers and sadly, many Christians too. So Jesus took the step of explaining the Christian lifestyle in a way that could only be truly understood through the revelation of the Holy Spirit. In this way, no-one is offended! But all believers with a longing to discover the heart of God, are truly challenged!

The parables then, contain His secret messages to us, His followers.

Several years ago I went through these, and made a summary list of the topics referred to in them. This summary shows the emphasis that Jesus placed on the positive attributes we are to develop, but at the same time deals in detail with the areas in which we are most likely to be tempted to go astray. For He knows us better than we know ourselves! I am glad about that, for often it seems, I don't know much about myself! God is so practical!

The summary is contained in the pie chart.

What then, is the most important attribute required to live the kingdom lifestyle?

Reading the Word? Experiencing Holy Spirit anointing? Deep theology? No, no and no!

The single most important factor in kingdom living is in the production of fruit in our lives. No, it is not apples, which is a pity really, for we live in Hawkes Bay, one of the foremost apple growing areas of the world! But rather, spiritual fruit, which Paul summarised as being;

Developing spiritual fruit in our lives is the key to kingdom living.

Jesus was a very practical person, understanding us better than we understand ourselves. So He also took the opportunity, through the parables, to warn us of the key areas in which we can, more likely will, go astray.

First of all, there is the logical area of living a life no, or little difference, to that which we lived before we knew Jesus. Commonly called, 'one foot in the kingdom, one in the world.' Seeking the benefits without being prepared to pay the price!

Jesus was tough on this! We will see this as we go through the parables individually. A quarter of them deal with the judgment that will come upon us if we don't bear fruit in our lives! Don't know about you, but it certainly gives me food for thought. And motivation for action too!

We live in a time when the love of Jesus is promoted, almost to the exclusion of the other side of His, and the Father's, balanced character, which is ultimately, His judgment, should we choose to continually ignore His will for us.

We need to understand that, just because we have accepted Jesus as Saviour, we are not excused from judgment. Don't believe me, believe the Word! In fact, it is repeated twice in this passage, in both verses 12 and 13.

So Jesus warned us both in the parables, written specifically for believers, and here in the description of Judgment Day, what would happen if we ignored His instructions to produce spiritual fruit in our lives. This warning is again confirmed in Hebrews.

And again in Romans...

The choice is ours.

The second practical warning of Jesus, once again contained in round a quarter of the parables, is a warning against the love of money and accumulating riches.

I can see the hairs rising on the back of your head!

Alternatively, you may be thinking 'I don't love money', as you sit back relaxing in your armchair watching the news about the Haiti earthquake on your 100 inch screen, surround sound, blu-ray, home theatre system thinking, I am so blessed that I don't live there!

The reality is, in the natural, we all like money, whether we admit it or not! If we don't have it, we want it, if we do have it, we want more. That simply is human nature.

Of course, Jesus understood this reality and spent a great deal of time talking about money and warning us of the dangers involved.

But even before Jesus came, the Old Testament books of wisdom contained similar warnings.

The Pharisees were quoted as a worldly example.

Leave your VISA card at home, would seem to be the advice here!

Some inspired wisdom from Timothy.....

Before we get into the individual parables next week I thought I should share a little about my life in regard to the 'love of riches'. If you have heard this from me before, please forgive me.

By nature and inheritance I am a businessman. And how do you measure success in business? By profit - or loss. That is - money. Although I am bit different to most, for I like the challenge of doing something different, in the end, success or failure is judged in monetary terms.

To briefly sum up my business life I have

1. Been very successful in business, then failed - without knowing Jesus.
2. Came to know Jesus personally through the desperation of bankruptcy.
3. Was again successful in business before going bankrupt once more!
4. Got to know Jesus much better through this bankruptcy.
5. Started Seekers, as a charitable trust, without personal payment, for the benefit of others.

Maybe, hopefully, I have learned my lessons this time!

While there are a few businessmen Jesus followers who have managed to avoid getting caught up in the 'love of money', continuing to live on a small amount while giving the rest away, most want a bigger house and a better car, even though they may still give lots away too.

We can be 'double tithers' (churches love us!), give to the poor, promote Gods Word, do all the right things, but let go of our intimate relationship with Jesus through our busYness and good works.

No, I am not talking of an alternative 'poverty mentality' as being the way to go, but certainly one where our reliance is upon Jesus rather than our 'Super (or not so super in recent times!) Fund'.

Now Kathy and I live on her wages in a rented house, owning only personal items. It is challenging at times, and people question us on what we will do in our retirement. Most don't understand the only answer possible. Do you?

Last week I mentioned the 70 who were sent out with nothing. Interestingly, I did a trip to Africa in that way, although my airfares had been paid. I had 50c a day to live on for 2 months. After 10 days my $30 was down to $2 with 50 days to go! Then the Lord started bringing the money in. I left Africa with no money but having been provided for throughout my trip also. Everyone was surprised - the Africans and me!

In whom, or what, do we put our trust?

We start looking at the individual kingdom parables of Jesus.

It is my heartfelt desire that this series will convict you to live the 'life of Jesus'.

May the Holy Spirit work to change my life and yours.

IMAGES AND ART: Jerusalem

Church of the Holy Sepulcher

Originally built by the mother of Emperor Constantine in 330 A.D., the Church of the Holy Sepulcher commemorates the hill of crucifixion and the tomb of Christ's burial.

On grounds of tradition alone, this church is the best candidate for the location of these events. The Garden Tomb was not identified as such until the 19th century.