A Picture is worth a thousand Words

Scripture Reading

We will be starting our series today on the Parables of Jesus.

If you like Today is an Introduction to the Parables of Jesus.

We have three short bible readings today.

They will be on the screen.

Each is the first time we see the word Parable in Matthew, Mark and Luke.

Also called the Synoptic Gospels because they describe many of the same accounts of Jesus and his teaching.

The Greek word for Parable is , “Para-bol-a”.

There are no Parables are found in the Gospel of John.

Mark 4:2 NKJV

Then He taught them many things by parables, and said to them in His teaching:

Matthew 13:3 NKJV

Then He spoke many things to them in parables, saying: “Behold, a sower went out to sow.

Luke 5:36 NKJV

Then He spoke a parable to them: “No one puts a piece from a new garment on an old one; otherwise the new makes a tear, and also the piece that was taken out of the new does not match the old.

Introduction

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The Parables of Jesus - “A Picture is worth a thousand Words”

The Rich Man

There was a very rich man who lived in the Capital City. He had started life in the countryside with nothing, living with his parents and brothers. But opportunity, fame and fortune had come His way. Now He was rich, famous and lived in a beautiful mansion. His business empire was second to none. He gave speeches at all the big business conferences and sat on the executive boards of many large corporations. His advice was sought out by all. He was also a prominent member of the church, funding many important building projects. He had a lovely family. A wife of many years and three grown children, all doing so well in University and in their careers.

One day while everyone else was out working hard he decided to take a day off and just relax. After all he did deserve some me time. He went for a walk and then saw a beautiful woman who he knew was the wife of one of his hard working employees, who had been sent to a distant land to work on a key business opportunity. The Rich man wanted her. He took her. In due time she sent him a message to say she was with Child. The Rich man decided to have the husband brought home from his business assignment oversea so that the child could be his. But the business man refused. He was in the middle of a key deal and wanted to show the Rich man, his boss, his dedication.

The Rich man feared the consequences on his reputation and his business empire that a scandal would cause, so he decided to have his employee killed overseas. He then divorced his wife of many years and married the woman pregnant with his child. He would even seem to be doing a noble thing in looking after the widow now with child. And his wife of so many years would be well looked after financially subsequent to the divorce.

After some time his close church friend came to the Rich Man and told him this Parable. The Rich Man’s name was David and his friend’s name was Nathan.

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After some time his close church friend and counsellor came to the Rich Man and told him this Parable. The Rich Man’s name was David and His Friend’s name was Nathan,

2 Samuel 12:1–4 NKJV

Then the Lord sent Nathan to David. And he came to him, and said to him: “There were two men in one city, one rich and the other poor. The rich man had exceedingly many flocks and herds. But the poor man had nothing, except one little ewe lamb which he had bought and nourished; and it grew up together with him and with his children. It ate of his own food and drank from his own cup and lay in his bosom; and it was like a daughter to him. And a traveler came to the rich man, who refused to take from his own flock and from his own herd to prepare one for the wayfaring man who had come to him; but he took the poor man’s lamb and prepared it for the man who had come to him.”

The New King James Version Chapter 12

There were two men in one city, one rich and the other poor. 2 The rich man had exceedingly many flocks and herds. 3 But the poor man had nothing, except one little ewe lamb which he had bought and nourished; and it grew up together with him and with his children. It ate of his own food and drank from his own cup and lay in his bosom; and it was like a daughter to him. 4 And a traveler came to the rich man, who refused to take from his own flock and from his own herd to prepare one for the wayfaring man who had come to him; but he took the poor man’s lamb and prepared it for the man who had come to him.”

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2 Samuel 12:5–6 NKJV

So David’s anger was greatly aroused against the man, and he said to Nathan, “As the Lord lives, the man who has done this shall surely die! And he shall restore fourfold for the lamb, because he did this thing and because he had no pity.”

The New King James Version Chapter 12

As the LORD lives, the man who has done this shall surely die! 6 And he shall restore fourfold for the lamb, because he did this thing and because he had no pity.”

The New King James Version Chapter 12

There were two men in one city, one rich and the other poor. 2 The rich man had exceedingly many flocks and herds. 3 But the poor man had nothing, except one little ewe lamb which he had bought and nourished; and it grew up together with him and with his children. It ate of his own food and drank from his own cup and lay in his bosom; and it was like a daughter to him. 4 And a traveler came to the rich man, who refused to take from his own flock and from his own herd to prepare one for the wayfaring man who had come to him; but he took the poor man’s lamb and prepared it for the man who had come to him.”

uch did they pay these guys?

It still remember the event well.

Then Nathan replied, “You are that man”

About 200 of us were invited to a two day meeting in San Francisco.

We were all working on a major new project, the introduction of a major new enterprise Computer System that would be rolled out worldwide in Hewlett Packard.

From “Quote to Cash” was the term used for its scope.

To be honest, the project was not going well.

Part of the conference was to improve team work, especially virtual teams.

Act out a some movements with our body, hands and feet and then the other person had to mirror the same movements.

To say the least it was beyond weird.

I was paired with the German man who showed even less emotion than the British person

Only in San Francisco. How much did they pay these guys?

Bottom line, I still remember it today and I still remember what it was trying to teach us.

How many of us remember a sermon 7 days later or even 24 hours later?

Now at this point you may be worried I am about to ask you all to stand up, find a partner...

You would remember it!

What would you say was the

I hope I did not offend anyone by giving the story of David and Nathan a modern twist.

Nathan’s parable is timeless and can be applied to many situations today.

I beleive

David’s repentance for what he did is captured in .

It is heart felt and comprehensive.

It is a model of true repentance.

David was forgiven and David was restored.

But there were consequences that affected David for the rest of his life.

God would have us learn these lesson so we avoid such trials and self inflicted wounds to our hearts

In this account we have one of the most famous Parables in the OT.

That can be applied today, even if murder is not involved.

I would even suggest this parable is very relevant for today with the selfish pursuit of wealth and pleasure for the few often at the expense of the many.

In all these accounts, God would have us learn key lessons so we avoid self inflicted wounds to our hearts.

“Then He taught them many things in Parables”

In Mark it says,

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Mark 4:2 NKJV

Then He taught them many things by parables, and said to them in His teaching:

Today we are introducing our series on the Parables of Jesus.

The series will start with the first parable in February.

Have you ever asked yourself why Jesus taught using Parables?

Have you been in a situation where there is clearly and visibly something wrong wioth someone but no one is saying anything to them. Person with Food on their chin or between their teeth. . Some food or something.

It would not surprise me if Jesus acted out dramatically some the these parables as He told them

We just had an example of a parable in the OT.

There are parables in the OT. We just read one.

We just read one.

But so few compared to the Parables of Jesus.

That all changes in the NT.

Jesus taught extensively using Parables.

Not just a few Parables!

In fact, Parables are the majority of the teaching by Jesus.

There are over 40 Parables! Some scholars even list 70 .

The bottom line is that Parables were the most common, the most distinctive and the most dramatic form of teaching employed by Jesus.

Jesus is an exceptional story teller.

It would not surprise me if Jesus acted out dramatically some of the parables

Matthew 13:3 NKJV

Then He spoke many things to them in parables, saying: “Behold, a sower went out to sow.

Parables tend remind me more of what we hear today during children story, than most sermons do.

And I don’t mean that in a condescending way.

That should give us pause for reflection.

3 Then He spoke many things to them in parables, saying: “Behold, a sower went out to sow.

So why did Jesus teach using so many Parables?

Have you been in a situation where there is clearly and visibly something wrong with someone but no one is saying anything to them. For example, Person with Food on their chin or between their teeth. . Some food or something.

A Parable is a Mirror for us, highlighting some

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What is a Parable?

So, what is a Parable?

That would seem like a reasonable place to start.

We are going to spent allot of time this year on the Parables of Jesus ..

So it is good to ask this basic/ 101 question.

What is a Parable?

So let us go through some key points around “What is a Parable”

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1) A Parable is a narrative, or a story, placed alongside certain spiritual truth for the purpose of comparison and clarity.

Have you heard the expression or idiom, "A picture is worth a thousand words"?

Have you been in a situation where there is clearly and visibly something wrong with someone but no one is saying anything to them. For example, Person with Food on their chin or between their teeth. . Some food or something.

That is the title of Today’s sermon.

Because Jesus parables are in reality pictorial narratives or stories.

A parable is a mirror, firstly and foremost for Me (not someone else), highlighting a key spiritual truth.

Look at this Parable,

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Which Parable is this?

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This is actually the first parable we will start with in February.

It is only found in Matthew.

Matthew 13:45–46 NKJV

“Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant seeking beautiful pearls, who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had and bought it.

The Kingdom of God is like

“Is Like”.

This is what we can call an Extended Metaphor.

What is the key spiritual point in this Parable of Comparison?

We are going to be somewhat interactive today!

Single Narrowed Dominant Point

The value of the Kingdom of God, it is priceless, and that it can be found by all.

The Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary, Volume 5 IV. Parables and Their Interpretation

In the Gospels a parable is a narrative “placed alongside” a certain spiritual truth for purposes of “comparison.”

So, 1) A Parable is a narrative, or a story, placed alongside certain spiritual truth for the purpose of comparison and clarity.

2) A Parable is a mirror by which truth can be seen, it is not truth itself.

Let us look at this Parable,

Have you been in a situation where there is clearly and visibly something wrong with someone but no one is willing saying anything to them. For example, Person with Food on their chin or between their teeth. . Some food or something.

A parable is a mirror highlighting a key spiritual truth.

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Which Parable is this?

It is found only in Luke.

Luke 16:19–23 NKJV

“There was a certain rich man who was clothed in purple and fine linen and fared sumptuously every day. But there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, full of sores, who was laid at his gate, desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man’s table. Moreover the dogs came and licked his sores. So it was that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels to Abraham’s bosom. The rich man also died and was buried. And being in torments in Hades, he lifted up his eyes and saw Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.

What is the key spiritual truth in this Parable?

Is it teaching about life after death, that those in torment in hades or hell can view and communicate with those in the bliss of Abraham’s bosom?

Can you imagine!

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Jesus always gives us the key spiritual lesson for the Parable, immediately or eventually.

Remember the bible interprets the bible. That is a safe guard for us.

Jesus normally always gives is the interpretation of the Parable.

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Luke 16:31 NKJV

But he said to him, ‘If they do not hear Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded though one rise from the dead.’ ”

This parable is such an extreme exaggeration to make its point.

So what is the key spiritual truth in this Parable?

It is all about utilising our present opportunities. There is no excuse for anyone. Today is the day of salvation.

Hebrews 3:15 NKJV

while it is said: “Today, if you will hear His voice, Do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion.”

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3) Parables are predominately from nature or human life to illustrate spiritual truth.

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Which Parable is this?

This is not a great picture.

It is meant to be at midnight. Hint.

This Parable is only found in Luke.

Luke 11:5–8 NKJV

And He said to them, “Which of you shall have a friend, and go to him at midnight and say to him, ‘Friend, lend me three loaves; for a friend of mine has come to me on his journey, and I have nothing to set before him’; and he will answer from within and say, ‘Do not trouble me; the door is now shut, and my children are with me in bed; I cannot rise and give to you’? I say to you, though he will not rise and give to him because he is his friend, yet because of his persistence he will rise and give him as many as he needs.

Here Jesus uses a real human life situation

One that we can all relate to in one way or another.

What is the key spiritual truth in this Parable?

It is all about Prayer. To not give up in our Prayer life. To be persistent in our Prayer Life.

And that our Father in heaven is so much more than this miserable “friend” that only responds because he wants a quiet life.

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4) Parables were given not only to reflect spiritual truth but to provoke reflection and decision.

And that refection and decision starts with Me!

It starts with me.

Hebrews 3:15 NKJV

while it is said: “Today, if you will hear His voice, Do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion.”

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Which Parable is this? It is not actually even classified as a Parable.

It could be. It is party of the Sermon on the Mount.

Jesus tells this humorous story of the person who has a 2 by 4 blank in his own eye but is obsessed with taking the spec out of everyone else's eye.

It is the spirit of being censorious. That is being severely critical of others.

That is being severely critical of others.

[MB1]Severely critical of others.

It is the spirit of elevating ourselves over others.

How is your New Year diet going? The story is told of the husband on his new year diet He comes home, starving, and there is their favorite snack in the fridge, so that is eaten quickly. Then he sees that Mars bar. Love a Mars bar, so that is eaten. Then there is the packet of crisps, in his favorite flavour, so that is demolished. After all that he languishes on the sofa looking like and feeling like a beached whale. (This is an illustration and not a personal account). Then eventually the wife comes in and has a tiny piece of her favorite chocolate bar, and the husband says, “Ha, I thought we had a deal about our diets”…

IThe story is told of the husband on his new year diet He comes home, starving, and there is their favorite snack, so that is eaten quickly. Then they see that Mars bar. Love a Mars bar, so that is eaten. Then there is the packet of crisps, in their favorite flavour, so that is demolished. After all that they languish on the sofa looking like and feeling like a beached whale. This is an illustration and not a personal account. Then eventually the wife comes in and has a little piece of her favorite chocolate bar, and the husband says, “Ha, I thought we had a deal about our diets”…

Let us look at this Parable,

Parables provoke reflection

And Parables provoke decision making.

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Which Parable is this?

It is found in Matthew, Mark and Luke.

Luke 8:5–8 NKJV

“A sower went out to sow his seed. And as he sowed, some fell by the wayside; and it was trampled down, and the birds of the air devoured it. Some fell on rock; and as soon as it sprang up, it withered away because it lacked moisture. And some fell among thorns, and the thorns sprang up with it and choked it. But others fell on good ground, sprang up, and yielded a crop a hundredfold.” When He had said these things He cried, “He who has ears to hear, let him hear!”

I can see Jesus acting out this Parable as he taught it.

What would be your reaction to this Parable?

With discomfort?

Pretend this is the first time you hear it.

Which soil am I ?

And hopefully with reflection, how do I become the good soil!

Parables spark Interest and are Memorable

Sometimes Jesus taught directly, like the Sermon on the Mount.

But often Jesus taught indirectly with Parables.

Look at David’s reaction

Especially when a Parable intersects with something going on in our lives.

We might not remember every point but we generally remember the main and plain details

Parables. Treasure and Pearl. Parables about the Kingdom. Can be found and made ones own. Mustard seed and Dough. The kingdom is growing. Weed and wheat and fish and net. Evil and good grow Together. Kingdom grows together with evil in wordFarmer and four types of soil. Response.

Parables cause us Discomfort

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Parables cause us discomfort without directly offending us.

Finally, for today,

They put over critical spiritual lessons in a way that all can listen to and think up.

5) A Parable illustrates a Narrow Dominant Spiritual Truth

Jesus gives that key spiritual truth in the Parable itself or in the explanation of the Parable.

Remember, the bible interprets the bible.

And if the Bible is silent on something we should be very careful about adding to it.

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The Safety Briefing

How many of you like the safety briefings on a plane prior to take off?

There has been a growing trend going on with Safety briefings.

When I first started flying, some 30 years ago, there were those nice flight attendants, well dressed, smiling ever so sweetly, that got up and did a safety demo for you.

They still do on some smaller planes.

I just loved those hand movements.

If you traveled often enough you could say some of the lines with them.

“In the event of a loss of cabin pressure, an air mask will come down. Pull it gently to you and place it over your mouth and nose. It may not inflate but oxygen is flowing. Make sure you fit your mask before helping anyone else”

My interpretation “In the event of a loss of cabin pressure, if by some miracle you are not sucked out of the place, grab your oxygen mask and make sure you don’t break it in your utter panic. Oxygen will flow unless there is a manufacturing defect. What is the point of trying to help anyone else with their oxygen mask if you pass out because you did not fix your own oxygen mask first.”

Or

Or...“If for any reason you need to exit the plane due to an emergency follow the lights on the ground that will guide you to your nearest exit. Please remember your nearest exit may be behind you.”

My Interpretation “ Good luck!”

The Safety Comedy Sketch

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So Have you noticed with the advent of video in each seat that safety briefing are becoming humorous and will also use well known persons to star in them.

They are basically becoming mini comedy sketches.

Have you seem one?

This is the British Airways one playing at the moment.

It is very good.

It is very smart.

The life Jacket has even become a fashion accessory .

But What is the key point of a safety briefing?

Basically a safety briefing is telling you what to do in an event of a catastrophic event while traveling in a steel or aluminum tube at 500 mph at 30000 Feet.

No matter what they do or how humorous it is, at the end of the day it is a safety briefing!

But they tell you so nicely and in a way that is encouraging.

It is designed to inform us, but it also makes us fundamentally uncomfortable!

Let me say at the beginning of this journey that the Parables of Jesus are going to inform us and they are going to make us uncomfortable!

Unless you are not paying attention!

Jesus Parables are designed to inform us of key spiritual truths, but also they will make us uncomfortable, they will make us ask questions, they will make us reflect and lead us to decisions.

Please Pay Attention!

Please pay attention as we undertake this journey together.

Can you spot those Frequent Flyers on the plane?

They seldom pay attention to the Safety Briefings.

They have become so use to the message that it goes in one ear and out the other.

I actually think that is why the trend is to make the announcements more humorous

It is all about trying to get people’s attention.

Unfortunately that is can be like so many who come to church.

In one ear and out the other, at the speed of sound.

Please Pay Attention to the Parables of Jesus!

It is vital for our safety as we travel this Christian journey.

Basically telling you what to do in an event of a catastrophic event on the Plane at 30000 Feet.

Ecclesiastes 12:11 NKJV

The words of the wise are like goads, and the words of scholars are like well-driven nails, given by one Shepherd.

Pay Attention!

Goads. Used to stimulate and produce results.

Single Narrowed Dominant Point

It may be painful to be prodded, but prodding often secures results that would not otherwise be achieved.

Jesus is a wonderful shepherd and His words are life.

They do not provide all the answers, often open ended.

You are sensible people, think on these things.

They make you uncomfortable

Parables are there for us.

They are vital for your safety as we travel the Christian journey

Christ’s Object Lessons

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As I said, the series on the Parables of Jesus will start in February.

We have a book for each of you to accompany this series.

If you like a safety manual to go along with the ride.

The book is called COL, by Mrs White.

There is a chapter in this book for each Parable we will cover in the sermon series.

You may have read allot or very little of Mrs White’s work.

You may have heard good or not so good things about her work.

Why not read first hand. Make up your own mind. I think You will be blessed.

The series will start in February.

We will highlight that each week.

I am asking all the speakers to highlight the relevant chapter.

And we start Today, with the first chapter of the book which is an “Introduction to the Parables of Jesus.”

That is your “home work”.

We have copies of the book for all adults and youth.

One per Adult.

Parents there is enough for each of you to have one.

Ask the Deacons to give those out.

Conclusion

I will end there for today.

The Parables of Jesus.

A story in pictures that paints critical spiritual truths.

As relevant today as they were when first told 2000 years ago.

A picture is worth a 1000 words!

Jesus Parables are worth far more!