The Incompatible Gospel
The Parables Of Jesus • Sermon • Submitted
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· 1 viewSession 1 of Unpacking The Word. The gospel is incompatible with anything else
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What is a Parable?
What is a Parable?
Greek word “Parabole” - literally means “cast alongside”, “putting things side by side”, with the purpose to compare.
Jesus’ parables were stories “cast alongside” truth in order to illustrate that truth
A picture story
Dictionary.com “A simple story used to illustrate a moral or spiritual lesson”
Jesus’ parables more than just some stories. (Secrets, mysteries, treasures…)
2 that their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, to reach all the riches of full assurance of understanding and the knowledge of God’s mystery, which is Christ,
3 in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.
18 Now John’s disciples and the Pharisees were fasting. And people came and said to him, “Why do John’s disciples and the disciples of the Pharisees fast, but your disciples do not fast?”
19 And Jesus said to them, “Can the wedding guests fast while the bridegroom is with them? As long as they have the bridegroom with them, they cannot fast.
20 The days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast in that day.
21 No one sews a piece of unshrunk cloth on an old garment. If he does, the patch tears away from it, the new from the old, and a worse tear is made.
22 And no one puts new wine into old wineskins. If he does, the wine will burst the skins—and the wine is destroyed, and so are the skins. But new wine is for fresh wineskins.”
Why did Jesus speak in parables?
Why did Jesus speak in parables?
mark 2
Misconceptions
Misconceptions
So that children could understand it
So his teachings would be more entertaining
The by product of these misconceptions is preachers become story tellers
The by product of these misconceptions is preachers become story tellers
Nothing wrong with using a story in a message
Stories are not better than the actual truth of Gods word
44 “The Kingdom of Heaven is like a treasure that a man discovered hidden in a field. In his excitement, he hid it again and sold everything he owned to get enough money to buy the field.
45 “Again, the Kingdom of Heaven is like a merchant on the lookout for choice pearls.
44 “The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and covered up. Then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.
45 “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls,
46 who, on finding one pearl of great value, went and sold all that he had and bought it.
Why did Jesus speak in parables?
Why did Jesus speak in parables?
10 His disciples came and asked him, “Why do you use parables when you talk to the people?”
11 He replied, “You are permitted to understand the secrets of the Kingdom of Heaven, but others are not.
12 To those who listen to my teaching, more understanding will be given, and they will have an abundance of knowledge. But for those who are not listening, even what little understanding they have will be taken away from them.
13 That is why I use these parables, For they look, but they don’t really see. They hear, but they don’t really listen or understand.
14 This fulfills the prophecy of Isaiah that says, ‘When you hear what I say, you will not understand. When you see what I do, you will not comprehend.
15 For the hearts of these people are hardened, and their ears cannot hear, and they have closed their eyes— so their eyes cannot see, and their ears cannot hear, and their hearts cannot understand, and they cannot turn to me and let me heal them.’
10 And when he was alone, those around him with the twelve asked him about the parables.
11 And he said to them, “To you has been given the secret of the kingdom of God, but for those outside everything is in parables,
12 so that “ ‘they may indeed see but not perceive, and may indeed hear but not understand, lest they should turn and be forgiven.’ ”
10 His disciples came and asked him, “Why do you use parables when you talk to the people?”
11 He replied, “You are permitted to understand the secrets of the Kingdom of Heaven, but others are not.
12 To those who listen to my teaching, more understanding will be given, and they will have an abundance of knowledge. But for those who are not listening, even what little understanding they have will be taken away from them.
13 That is why I use these parables, For they look, but they don’t really see. They hear, but they don’t really listen or understand.
14 This fulfills the prophecy of Isaiah that says, ‘When you hear what I say, you will not understand. When you see what I do, you will not comprehend.
15 For the hearts of these people are hardened, and their ears cannot hear, and they have closed their eyes— so their eyes cannot see, and their ears cannot hear, and their hearts cannot understand, and they cannot turn to me and let me heal them.’
16 “But blessed are your eyes, because they see; and your ears, because they hear.
13 And if the house is worthy, let your peace come upon it, but if it is not worthy, let your peace return to you.
14 And if anyone will not receive you or listen to your words, shake off the dust from your feet when you leave that house or town.
15 Truly, I say to you, it will be more bearable on the day of judgment for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah than for that town.
mat 13
Mark 4:
10 Later, when Jesus was alone with the twelve disciples and with the others who were gathered around, they asked him what the parables meant.
11 He replied, “You are permitted to understand the secret of the Kingdom of God. But I use parables for everything I say to outsiders,
12 so that the Scriptures might be fulfilled: ‘When they see what I do, they will learn nothing. When they hear what I say, they will not understand. Otherwise, they will turn to me and be forgiven.’”
Mark
33 With many such parables he spoke the word to them, as they were able to hear it.
mat
The reason Jesus spoke in parables was not so that they could understand more, it was to hide the truth
But why would Jesus be hiding the truth?
D.A. Carson says “Jesus’ message blinds, deafens, and hardens
Why does Jesus’ message blind, deafen, and harden?
Why does Jesus’ message blind, deafen, and harden?
The truth hurts
Before Jesus started speaking mainly in parables Jesus spoke the truth plainly
The sermon on the mount
example: many ways to heaven...
Jesus speaking in parables was a judgement on the people that were rejecting his teachings
Even His disciples didn't understand them
Lukes account in chapter 8 “What does this parable mean?”
So who can understand the parables? Those who wanted to!
mat 13:
10 His disciples came and asked him, “Why do you use parables when you talk to the people?”
11 He replied, “You are permitted to understand the secrets of the Kingdom of Heaven, but others are not.
12 To those who listen to my teaching, more understanding will be given, and they will have an abundance of knowledge. But for those who are not listening, even what little understanding they have will be taken away from them.
33 Jesus used many similar stories and illustrations to teach the people as much as they could understand.
He would explain it to those who wanted to know. But take away from the people that rejected Him. “But for those who are not listening, even what little understanding they have will be taken away from them.”
The secrets of the Kingdom of God are
Privileged information
Something given rather than something deciphered
It was judgement but speaking in parables was also merciful
The people can’t handle the truth. They’ve rejected Christ because of it.
Now Jesus is still teaching, but in the form of hidden truths about the mysteries of heaven.
It’s merciful because the more you know, the more you’re accountable for.
The more truth they know, the worse the eternal punishment.
47 “And a servant who knows what the master wants, but isn’t prepared and doesn’t carry out those instructions, will be severely punished.
48 But someone who does not know, and then does something wrong, will be punished only lightly. When someone has been given much, much will be required in return; and when someone has been entrusted with much, even more will be required.
(NLT): 47 “And a servant who knows what the master wants, but isn’t prepared and doesn’t carry out those instructions, will be severely punished. 48 But someone who does not know, and then does something wrong, will be punished only lightly. When someone has been given much, much will be required in return; and when someone has been entrusted with much, even more will be required.
Recap:
Jesus didn’t NEED illustrations
He wasn’t trying to simplify the message
The reason why He spoke in parables was because of judgement (fulfilling the prophecy in ) and also because of mercy! He’s still a loving God!
Jump right into the parables
Jump right into the parables
Who knows which books in the Bible are known as the gospels?
Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John
First 3 books of the new testament (Matthew, Mark, Luke) are know as the synoptic gospels (“see together with a common view” (the word synoptic literally means “together sight”)
This is important because all of Jesus’ parables are found in the synoptic gospels
Their are no parables in the book of John
Parable: New wine in old winskins
Text: , ,
18 Now John’s disciples and the Pharisees were fasting. And people came and said to him, “Why do John’s disciples and the disciples of the Pharisees fast, but your disciples do not fast?”
19 And Jesus said to them, “Can the wedding guests fast while the bridegroom is with them? As long as they have the bridegroom with them, they cannot fast.
20 The days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast in that day.
21 No one sews a piece of unshrunk cloth on an old garment. If he does, the patch tears away from it, the new from the old, and a worse tear is made.
22 And no one puts new wine into old wineskins. If he does, the wine will burst the skins—and the wine is destroyed, and so are the skins. But new wine is for fresh wineskins.”
Context
The question is “Why don’t your disciples fast?
Who asked the question?
says, “The disciples of John...”; says, “They...” implying the Pharisees, but says, “John’s disciples and the Pharisees...”
says, “The disciples of John...”; says, “They...” implying the Pharisees, but says, “John’s disciples and the Pharisees...”
What did the Pharisees and John’s disciples have in common? The Pharisees were all about the law and living this “holy” life, that was in fact more hypocritical than anything. The disciples of John, in pursuit of holiness, got caught up in the rituals and customs of the Jewish law.
What did the Pharisees and John’s disciples have in common? The Pharisees were all about the law and living this “holy” life, that was in fact more hypocritical than anything. The disciples of John, in pursuit of holiness, got caught up in the rituals and customs of the Jewish law.
Being followers of John didn’t mean they were followers of Jesus.
Difference between the Pharisees and the Disciples of John is that the Pharisees heard the truth and wanted Jesus killed because of it. It’s highly unlikely that the disciples of John wanted Jesus killed. They weren’t the same type of people.
What is fasting?
When you abstain from eating food for a certain period of time
The Law only required fasting on the Day of Atonement (yom kippur)
The IVP Bible Background Commentary: New Testament 2:18–22—The Right Time to Fast
but many other fasts had been added by religious Jews, especially by groups like the Pharisees (many of whom may have fasted without water twice a week
But as time past many other fast had been added by the religious Jews, namely the pharisees. The pharisees to show off how religious they were would fast twice a week. “Their commitment to God”
Now John’s disciples and the Pharisees were fasting. And people came and said to him, “Why do John’s disciples and the disciples of the Pharisees fast, but your disciples do not fast?”
”
16 “And when you fast, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces that their fasting may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward.
16 “And when you fast, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces that their fasting may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward.
17 But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face,
18 that your fasting may not be seen by others but by your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.
Because of the added rules of fasting it was highly regarded in that time. It was a super important practice
So you can see from the pharisees perspective and John the baptist’s disciples, why it would be unusual for these men who call themselves disciples not to be fasting
Contrast between Jesus’ ministry and old Jewish law, customs and traditions. They didn’t mix
18 Now John’s disciples and the Pharisees were fasting. And people came and said to him, “Why do John’s disciples and the disciples of the Pharisees fast, but your disciples do not fast?”
19 And Jesus said to them, “Can the wedding guests fast while the bridegroom is with them? As long as they have the bridegroom with them, they cannot fast.
20 The days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast in that day.
Mark 2:
Wedding Feast
Wedding feast required 7 days of festivity
During those 7 days you were not allowed to fast, mourn, or do any hard labor. It was a CELEBRATION! It was a party with the bridegroom and his friends
Jesus’ point was, the reason the disciples were not fasting was because they were with the bridegroom and its a time for joy not sadness.
Jesus is the bridegroom
Jesus’ is the bridegroom
29 It is the bridegroom who marries the bride, and the bridegroom’s friend is simply glad to stand with him and hear his vows. Therefore, I am filled with joy at his success.
28 You yourselves bear me witness, that I said, ‘I am not the Christ, but I have been sent before him.’
29 The one who has the bride is the bridegroom. The friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly at the bridegroom’s voice. Therefore this joy of mine is now complete.
Notice also how Jesus didn’t say they will never fast.
20 The days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast in that day.
He’s just saying right now ain’t the time
He’s just saying right now isn’t the time
Unshrunk cloth on old garment
21 No one sews a piece of unshrunk cloth on an old garment. If he does, the patch tears away from it, the new from the old, and a worse tear is made.
Mark 2:21
New cloth has not been shrunk
The two don’t mix. They don’t go together
New wine into old wineskins
22 And no one puts new wine into old wineskins. If he does, the wine will burst the skins—and the wine is destroyed, and so are the skins. But new wine is for fresh wineskins.”
Mark 2:
What were wineskins?
Wineskins were made from cleaned animal skins, usually goats, that were sewn together and were used for carrying or storing new wine.
As the wine inside continued to ferment, the skin would stretch to the point of losing it’s elasticity - it could no longer stretch.
If you put fresh new wine into an old wineskin that was already stretched to capacity, it would burst.
Then you’d lose not only the wine, but also the wineskin.
The two don’t mix. They don’t go together
What do you think is the point of these two parables?
Both parables tell you how Jesus’ new message about the kingdom of God did not mix with the old forms of religion and tradition that existed
The old garment meaning
Both parables tell you how Jesus’ new message about the kingdom of God did not mix with the old forms of religion and tradition that existed
vs the old forms of religion and tradition that existed
The gospel message cannot be mixed with anything else
The old garment meaning
The old garment represents the old rules and ways of the jewish leaders and culture of that time.
Jesus’ message, Christianity as we know it, was not meant to PATCH up jewish religion and tradition.
Jesus was the beginning of something new. A new journey away from the burdens of fasting, and many other obligations and rules put on by the jewish leaders
“The sorrow of the old era had to give way to the joy of the new”
The new wine meaning
The new wine represents our new life in Christ and the power of the Christian faith
The old wineskins were the old forms and rituals of Judaism
Jesus is making it clear through these parables that salvation is not a patching up or mixing with your old life
It is a whole new life in Christ
17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.
17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.
Lukes account
38 But new wine must be put into fresh wineskins.
39 And no one after drinking old wine desires new, for he says, ‘The old is good.’ ”
What can we learn from these parables? How can we apply this to our lives?
The truth of the matter is that people are resistant to change
They want to mix their old habits and ways of life with their new life in Christ
Our culture LOVES a good buffet-style religion where people pick and choose what they want to believe, what rules (if any) they need to follow, or what standards they need to live by.
Buffet-style religion where people pick and choose what they want to believe, what rules (if any) they need to follow, or what standards they need to live by.
Jesus is simply a side item mixed among the many other choices in their lives
It don’t work like that
What are some examples of areas that some of us try or have tried to mix with our new life in Christ?
Areas We Sometimes Try to Keep the Same:
Areas We Sometimes Try to Keep the Same:
Friends in our lives
Friends in our lives
Social Media! Is your Instagram saved?! What stories do your posts or pics tell?
The way we party and have a “GOOD TIME”
Sometimes old habits just linger in our lives...
Relationships with the opposite sex. (Sex before marriage, living together before marriage.)
Lying - Second nature for some.
At work: Cheating on time. Lying to our bosses. Engaging in inappropriate conversation with our co-workers.
Cursing - Some people think it’s no big deal.
Flirting with other females at work, the gym, church
What we watch...
Just like with computers, input affects output: garbage in, garbage out. Same with what we allow in our lives.
Fortune-telling. Tarot card reading. Horoscopes. “Don’t get with what’s his name cause he’s a Gemini and Gemini’s are CRAZY!!!”
Trying to combine your old life with your new life in Christ doesn’t mix
22 throw off your old sinful nature and your former way of life, which is corrupted by lust and deception.
23 Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes.
24 Put on your new nature, created to be like God—truly righteous and holy.
Eph