Series: The Parables of Christ
Topic: Here’s Your Sign
Matthew 13: 1-3, 10-17, 34-33
["The Parables of Jesus: Introduction To The Parables" From a sermon series on the parables found at: http://www.higherpraise.com/outlines/pa.htm.]
Introduction: song "Here’s Your Sign" by Billy Engvall
That same day Jesus went out of the house and sat beside the sea. And great crowds gathered about him, so that he got into a boat and sat there; and the whole crowd stood on the beach. And he told them many things in parables...Then the disciples came and said to him, "Why do you speak to them in parables?" And he answered them, "To you it has been given to know the secrets of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been given. For to him who has will more be given, and he will have abundance; but from him who has not, even what he has will be taken away. This is why I speak to them in parables, because seeing they do not see, and hearing they do not hear, nor do they understand. With them indeed is fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah which says: ‘You shall indeed hear but never understand, and you shall indeed see but never perceive. For this people’s heart has grown dull, and their ears are heavy of hearing, and their eyes they have closed, lest they should perceive with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and turn for me to heal them.’ But blessed are your eyes, for they see, and your ears, for they hear. Truly, I say to you, many prophets and righteous men longed to see what you see, and did not see it, and to hear what you hear, and did not hear it."...All this Jesus said to the crowds in parables; indeed he said nothing to them without a parable. This was to fulfil what was spoken by the prophet: "I will open my mouth in parables, I will utter what has been hidden since the foundation of the world."
I. The Definition of "Parable"
A. During His earthly ministry, as Jesus went about preaching and teaching, He frequently used parables. It has been estimated that at least one-third of Jesus’ recorded teaching is found in the parables.
B. The Word "PARABLE"
1. Is a transliteration of the Greek "parabole" (para-bow-LAY)
2. Comes from ‘para’-next to; along side; & ‘ballow’-to cast
3. Means "to place beside, to cast alongside"
4. As defined by Vine’s Expository Dictionary of N.T. Words, it "signifies a placing of one thing beside another with a view to comparison"
5. As "a story that places one thing beside another for the purpose of teaching"
6. "It puts the known next to the unknown so that we may learn"
II. Power Of A Story
Use of story’s to communicate truths are nothing new.
Stories:
1. Stretch the imagination
2. Are able to communicate truth in a non-condemning manner
3. Enable us to actively engage the experience of the story
Ill- Reading Rainbow, the TV series
4. Allow us to view things from a different perspective.
Jesus loved to tell stories. Although Mark deals with the ministry of Jesus (what He did), Matthew and Luke emphasize what He said. As I mentioned earlier, most of what He said was by means of stories/ parables.
III. The Purpose Of The Parables Of Jesus
Then the disciples came and said to him, "Why do you speak to them in parables?" And he answered them, "To you it has been given to know the secrets of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been given. For to him who has will more be given, and he will have abundance; but from him who has not, even what he has will be taken away. This is why I speak to them in parables, because seeing they do not see, and hearing they do not hear, nor do they understand. With them indeed is fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah which says: ‘You shall indeed hear but never understand, and you shall indeed see but never perceive. For this people’s heart has grown dull, and their ears are heavy of hearing, and their eyes they have closed, lest they should perceive with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and turn for me to heal them.’" Matthew 13:10-15 (RSV)
A. The Primary Purpose Was To "Conceal"
"And he said, "Go, and say to this people: ‘Hear and hear, but do not understand; see and see, but do not perceive.’ Make the heart of this people fat, and their ears heavy, and shut their eyes; lest they see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their hearts, and turn and be healed."" Isaiah 6:9-10 (RSV)
Make them satisfied/ comfortable, so that they become blinded to the truth of the situation. The people were turning away from God; trusting rather in men/kings.
"Hear this, O foolish and senseless people, who have eyes, but see not, who have ears, but hear not." Jeremiah 5:21 (RSV)
Jesus speaks in parables to conceal the truth from those who have hardened their hearts.
"However, we speak wisdom among those who are mature, yet not the wisdom of this age, nor of the rulers of this age, who are coming to nothing. But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, the hidden wisdom which God ordained before the ages for our glory, which none of the rulers of this age knew; for had they known, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. But as it is written:
"Eye has not seen, nor ear heard,
Nor have entered into the heart of man
The things which God has prepared for those who love Him."
But God has revealed them to us through His Spirit. For the Spirit searches all things, yes, the deep things of God." 1 Corinthians 2:6-10
For those who trust in their own might/ strength; for those who set their confidence in human leadership God has purposed their eyes to be closed.
The people were coming out for a Messiah. They wanted a great man. Jesus responds, not by giving them a great man to admire, but by telling them of a great God to admire.
B. Another Purpose Was To "Reveal"
"Even though the primary purpose in telling parables was to conceal the "mysteries of the kingdom of heaven" from the multitude" Christ makes the same truths clearly known to His disciples.
"He made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His kind intention which He purposed in [Christ]." Ephesians 1:9
"He replied, "You’ve been given insight into God’s kingdom. You know how it works. Not everybody has this gift, this insight; it hasn’t been given to them. Whenever someone has a ready heart for this, the insights and understanding flow freely. But if there is no readiness, any trace of receptivity soon disappears. That’s why I tell stories: to create readiness, to nudge the people toward receptive insight. In their present state they can stare till doomsday and not see it, listen till they’re blue in the face and not get it." Matthew 13: 11-13
"By resorting to parables, Jesus effectively separated the truth-seekers from the curiosity-seekers!" What Jesus is saying is this. If you put your confidence in men/ trust in money/ if you put your hope in anything besides God you won’t understand what God’s about. "can stare till doomsday and not see it, listen till they’re blue in the face and not get it."
But, for those who are seeking, God says this:
"You will seek me and find me; when you seek my with all your heart" Jeremiah 29:13 (RSV)
"And I tell you, Ask, and it will be given you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For every one who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened. What father among you, if his son asks for a fish, will instead of a fish give him a serpent; or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!" Luke 11:9-13 (RSV)
Ill-stereograms
Conclusion: How’s your eyesight/ vision? When confronted with the truths of God’s word are you left scratching your head wondering what its all about? Or, can you see clearly the revelation of His word?
How’s your hearing? Are you attuned to that still small voice?
Ill-Elijah great wind, earthquake, fire, small voice
"You will seek me and find me; when you seek my with all your heart" Jeremiah 29:13 (RSV)
