Kingdom Parables 4 Series

Chico Alliance Church

Pastor David Welch

“Parables of the Kingdom” Part Four

Review

Through the summer we have examined some of the parables of Jesus.

Parables are stories made up out of practical everyday happenings that graphically illustrate some spiritual truth vital for kingdom living.

Jesus told many stories to show the basic principles of how life should work in His kingdom.

Each parable encourages us to make adjustments to our way of living.

1. Good Samaritan – be a good neighbor

2. Lost Sheep coin and son – seek and save the lost

3. The wise man and the foolish man – Come, listen, live the truth

4. Parables of the kingdom

Today’s message really will conclude our study of the specific parables related to the kingdom.

These are parables (stories) intended to show what the kingdom is like.

In fact, each of them somewhere has a phrase “the kingdom is like”.

The kingdom of God and the kingdom of heaven are two terms used for the same thing.

It speaks of a group of people bound together by a common heritage.

Born into a kingdom

Apply for citizenship by swearing allegiance to the kingdom.

Peter so eloquently describes those in God’s kingdom.

But you are A CHOSEN RACE, A royal PRIESTHOOD, A HOLY NATION, A PEOPLE FOR God's OWN POSSESSION, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; for you once were NOT A PEOPLE, but now you are THE PEOPLE OF GOD; you had NOT RECEIVED MERCY, but now you have RECEIVED MERCY.

Beloved, I urge you as aliens and strangers to abstain from fleshly lusts which wage war against the soul. 1 Peter 2:9-11 (NASB-U)

Paul reminded the Colossians of the wonder of God’s call.

For He rescued us from the domain of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.

He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things have been created through Him and for Him. He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together. He is also head of the body, the church; and He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that He Himself will come to have first place in everything. For it was the Father's good pleasure for all the fullness to dwell in Him, and through Him to reconcile all things to Himself, having made peace through the blood of His cross; through Him, I say, whether things on earth or things in heaven. Col. 1:13-20 (NASB-U)

Jesus told at least 17 parables dealing with the kingdom of God which attempt to describe the indescribable.

These parables all identify some principle related to God’s kingdom.

Each revelation regarding the kingdom urges a response.

I. The Kingdom is open to all but not accepted by all

A. Parable of the Wedding feast – some refuse to accept the invitation

B. Parable of the Sower – some refuse to assimilate kingdom truth

Open your heart and accept the invitation while you have a chance.

II. Entrance to the Kingdom requires life change

Put your faith in Christ who alone can accomplish the changes necessary to function in God’s kingdom.

A. Requires personal preparation.

Parable of the Ten Virgins Matthew 25:1-13 (need for oil in the lamp)

B. Requires a core change (need new birth)

C. Requires a robe of righteousness --Parable of the Wedding Feast (need Rt)

D. Entrance to the kingdom of heaven may include tribulation on earth

E. Requires an immortal body 1 Cor. 15:50-57; Philip 3:20-21 (mortal must put on immortal)

III. Citizenship in the Kingdom demands kingdom participation

Parable of the Master and slaves – all expected to invest resources into the kingdom

Dedicate your God-given resources for the sake of the King and His kingdom.

IV. Kingdom citizenship is worth the sacrificial investment

A. Parable of the Hidden Treasure (sell everything acquire the treasure)

B. Parable of the Priceless Pearl (sell everything to acquire the priceless)

“Seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. Matt 6:33

V. Citizenship in God’s kingdom focuses on forgiveness

God’s kingdom is all about receiving and reciprocating forgiveness

To forgive is to clear a debt; to release from obligation to repay.

The one owed forgives.

The one indebted receives forgiveness, release from bondage.

There are really only two elementary elements involved.

One – a debt.

Two – a release from debt.

There are debts that can and should be repaid.

• Monetary debt

• Social debt i.e. “debt to society”