|
BACKGROUND
GOD
GOD
I. His Being
II. His nature
III. His character
IV. His will
V. His subsistence
VI. His Fatherhood
MAN
WOMAN
FALL OF MAN
MAN
a. Man in nature
b. Man’s destiny
c. Man ‘s structure
d. Man’s sin
e. Man in God’s image
WOMAN
The
full background to this teaching is available online at this link
DEFINITIONS (For serious students)
|
Online links to scriptures (New International Version [NIV] unless otherwise stated) are shown in blue
| THE PARABLES OF JESUS
His Secret Messages To Us His Followers |
|
Jesus often spoke in parables to reveal God's truths to those, then and now, who were, and are, spiritually aware.
The parables (story with a hidden meaning) mean little or nothing to the non-believer but for the Christian are magnificent jewels of spiritual truth. Being directed specifically at believers, they reveal God's concern for His followers.
It is therefore, both interesting and important to analyse the general themes of the parables to get an overall picture of the teachings Jesus was trying to get across to those who follow Him. By this method, we can get a better understanding of God's requirements of us as we walk with Him, the results of not walking in His path, and the main problems we are likely to encounter along the way.
|
| TOPICS REFERRED TO IN THE PARABLES OF JESUS |
|
 The topics are, in order of most mention:
Riches/Love of Money. (24%)
Judgement for No Fruit. (24%)
Fruit/Christian Values. (20%)
First/Last. (11%)
End Times. (5%)
God Cares. (5%)
Obedience. (4%)
Our Sacrifice. (4%)
New Life. (3%)
|
| THE 3 DOMINANT THEMES OF THE PARABLES |
|
|
| <B>1. Riches/Love of Money</B> |
|
 The biggest threat to an individual's ability to live for God is the love of wealth and money - whether you already have it and are trying to keep it, or you are striving to get it! Jesus frequently stated the basic truth that it is far easier for the poor and weak to find the way of salvation than the rich and famous. We cannot serve two masters, God and money.
WHERE DO YOU STAND?
|
| <b>2. Fruit/Christian Values</b>
|
|
 The only sign of a genuinely saved believer is the production of 'good fruit' in their life. Salvation MUST be reflected in action!
WHERE DO YOU STAND?
|
| <b>3. Judgement For No Fruit.</b> |
|
 The picture is very clear. If the 'tree of our life' does not produce righteous fruit there has been no salvation. Unless you live the life you profess to believe in, you are not saved and will not have received God's gift of eternal life!
WHERE DO YOU STAND?
|
| 'Easy Believer' Christianity with one foot in the world and the other in the Church results in Eternal Damnation. Eternal life begins at Salvation (1 John 5:11-12) and God requires us to live that life from the day we are saved. |
|
Half measures and compromises are not acceptable to God.
1 John 5:11-12
|
| 25 SPECIFIC COMMANDMENTS OF JESUS
As Contained in the 4 Gospels |
|
Split into 3 categories, we will consider 1 this week and the other two next time.
You will need to research the details for yourself from the scriptures provided. Just click on the scripture references for instant reference in the NIV.
|
| <i>NEXT WEEK</i> GOD AND MAN continues... |
|
 as we look at the remaining 18 specific commands of Jesus in the 4 Gospels.
|
| A NOTE FROM DAVID |
|
 It is one thing to know, even to understand, Scripture, but another to do what it says!
That is the challenge of living the Christian life, of following in the path of Jesus.
Each of us, me included, need to review our lives frequently to see if we are indeed following in His footsteps.
THE SILENT YEARS: Sadducees
Under Simon's son John Hyrcanus, the orthodox Jews no longer supported the Maccabean revolt due to political compromise. Judah was not happy with just religious rule they wanted political control which was not supported by the orthodox Jews. This gave rise to the party of the Sadducees. They were made up of the rich and although their numbers were small held a great deal of political and religious power especially in the priesthood. They only accepted the Pentateuch and thus rejected the doctrine of the resurrection. Matthew 22:23-33; Acts 23:6-8 Both the Sadduceses and Pharisee are first mentioned by Josephus during this period.
|
So until next week.......
MAY GOD BLESS YOU AND YOU BLESS GOD!
His servant and yours
Learn more about us at...
www.wwj.org.nz/about.php
|
A DAVID'S DOODLING
241. A believer seeks forgiveness for sin but the disciple also determines not to walk that path again.
David Tait
|
Check
out the WWJ website for….
More David's Doodlings: www.wwj.org.nz/dd.php
PGIM! Weekly Encouragement Ezine : http://www.wwj.org.nz/wwword.php
Reports on past Ministry visits: http://www.wwj.org.nz/diary.php
Eagles Fly High!: http://www.wwj.org.nz/eagle.php
Eagles Fly High! (Pastors, Teachers and Students): http://www.wwj.org.nz/eaglepts.php
|
