Judge not, lest you be judged

 

Luke 6:36 - 42 Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful. 

37  “Judge not, and you will not be judged; condemn not, and you will not be condemned; forgive, and you will be forgiven; 

38  give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you.” 

39  He also told them a parable: “Can a blind man lead a blind man? Will they not both fall into a pit

40  A disciple is not above his teacher, but everyone when he is fully trained will be like his teacher. 

41  Why do you see the speck that is in your brother's eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? 

42  How can you say to your brother, ‘Brother, let me take out the speck that is in your eye,’ when you yourself do not see the log that is in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take out the speck that is in your brother's eye. 

Come in before you miss the banquet

                            Come the Banquet is Ready right now !

Luke 14:16-24  But he said to him, “A man once gave a great banquet and invited many. 

17  And at the time for the banquet he sent his servant to say to those who had been invited, ‘Come, for everything is now ready.’ 

18  But they all alike began to make excuses. The first said to him, ‘I have bought a field, and I must go out and see it. Please have me excused.’ 

19  And another said, ‘I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I go to examine them. Please have me excused.’ 

20  And another said, ‘I have married a wife, and therefore I cannot come.’ 

21  So the servant came and reported these things to his master. Then the master of the house became angry and said to his servant, ‘Go out quickly to the streets and lanes of the city, and bring in the poor and crippled and blind and lame.’ 

22  And the servant said, ‘Sir, what you commanded has been done, and still there is room.’ 

23  And the master said to the servant, ‘Go out to the highways and hedges and compel people to come in, that my house may be filled. 

24  For I tell you, none of those men who were invited shall taste my banquet.’” 

Jesus explains

 John 15:26-16:4  “But when the Helper comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth, who proceeds from the Father, he will bear witness about me. 

27  And you also will bear witness, because you have been with me from the beginning. 

16:1  “I have said all these things to you to keep you from falling away. 

2  They will put you out of the synagogues. Indeed, the hour is coming when whoever kills you will think he is offering service to God. 

3  And they will do these things because they have not known the Father, nor me. 

4  But I have said these things to you, that when their hour comes you may remember that I told them to you. “I did not say these things to you from the beginning, because I was with you. 

 

Let our sorrows turn to joy

 John 16:16-22  “A little while, and you will see me no longer; and again a little while, and you will see me.” 

17  So some of his disciples said to one another, “What is this that he says to us, ‘A little while, and you will not see me, and again a little while, and you will see me’; and, ‘because I am going to the Father’?” 

18  So they were saying, “What does he mean by ‘a little while’? We do not know what he is talking about.” 

19  Jesus knew that they wanted to ask him, so he said to them, “Is this what you are asking yourselves, what I meant by saying, ‘A little while and you will not see me, and again a little while and you will see me’? 

20  Truly, truly, I say to you, you will weep and lament, but the world will rejoice. You will be sorrowful, but your sorrow will turn into joy. 

21  When a woman is giving birth, she has sorrow because her hour has come, but when she has delivered the baby, she no longer remembers the anguish, for joy that a human being has been born into the world. 

22  So also you have sorrow now, but I will see you again, and your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take your joy from you.

               Advice from the Lord

1Pe 2:11-21  Beloved, I urge you as sojourners and exiles to abstain from the passions of the flesh, which wage war against your soul. 

12  Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation. 

                                                         Submission to Authority

13  Be subject for the Lord's sake to every human institution, whether it be to the emperor as supreme, 

14  or to governors as sent by him to punish those who do evil and to praise those who do good. 

15  For this is the will of God, that by doing good you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish people. 

16  Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God. 

17  Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the emperor. 

18  Servants, be subject to your masters with all respect, not only to the good and gentle but also to the unjust. 

19  For this is a gracious thing, when, mindful of God, one endures sorrows while suffering unjustly. 

20  For what credit is it if, when you sin and are beaten for it, you endure? But if when you do good and suffer for it you endure, this is a gracious thing in the sight of God. 

21  For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps.

The Good Shepherd of ALL

                         JESUS IS THE GOOD SHEPHERD

 John 10:11-16  I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. 

12  He who is a hired hand and not a shepherd, who does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees, and the wolf snatches them and scatters them. 

13  He flees because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep. 

14  I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me, 

15  just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for the sheep. 

16  And I have other sheep that are not of this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. So there will be one flock, one shepherd. 

1Pe 2:21  For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps.

         JESUS IS TRULY THE SHEPHERD OF ALL

1Peter 2:22-25  He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth. 

23  When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly. 

24  He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed. 

25  For you were straying like sheep, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls. 

Jesus appears

                                                        Jesus Appears to the Disciples

John 20:19-29  On the evening of that day, the first day of the week, the doors being locked where the disciples were for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.”

20  When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord.

21  Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you.”

22  And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit.

23  If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you withhold forgiveness from any, it is withheld.”

                                        Jesus and Thomas

24  Now Thomas, one of the twelve, called the Twin, was not with them when Jesus came.

25  So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord.” But he said to them, “Unless I see in his hands the mark of the nails, and place my finger into the mark of the nails, and place my hand into his side, I will never believe.”

26  Eight days later, his disciples were inside again, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.”

27  Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here, and see my hands; and put out your hand, and place it in my side. Do not disbelieve, but believe.”

28  Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!”

29  Jesus said to him, “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”

He is Risen!

                                                              The Resurrection

Mark 16:1-8  When the Sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices, so that they might go and anoint him. 

2  And very early on the first day of the week, when the sun had risen, they went to the tomb. 

3  And they were saying to one another, “Who will roll away the stone for us from the entrance of the tomb?” 

4  And looking up, they saw that the stone had been rolled back—it was very large. 

5  And entering the tomb, they saw a young man sitting on the right side, dressed in a white robe, and they were alarmed. 

6  And he said to them, “Do not be alarmed. You seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He has risen; he is not here. See the place where they laid him. 

7  But go, tell his disciples and Peter that he is going before you to Galilee. There you will see him, just as he told you.” 

8  And they went out and fled from the tomb, for trembling and astonishment had seized them, and they said nothing to anyone, for they were afraid.....

15  .... And he said to them, “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation. .....

Jesus' story/words, leading up to His crucifixion and to His burial (Mathew 26:1-27:66)

Matthew 26:1-27:66

The Plot to Kill Jesus (1-5)

1  When Jesus had finished all these sayings, he said to his disciples,

2  “You know that after two days the Passover is coming, and the Son of Man will be delivered up to be crucified.”

 Jesus Anointed at Bethany (6-13)

10  But Jesus, aware of this, said to them, “Why do you trouble the woman? For she has done a beautiful thing to me. 

11  For you always have the poor with you, but you will not always have me. 

12  In pouring this ointment on my body, she has done it to prepare me for burial. 

13  Truly, I say to you, wherever this gospel is proclaimed in the whole world, what she has done will also be told in memory of her.” 

  Judas to Betray Jesus (14-16)

 The Passover with the Disciples (16-25)

18  He said, “Go into the city to a certain man and say to him, ‘The Teacher says, My time is at hand. I will keep the Passover at your house with my disciples.’”

23  He answered, “He who has dipped his hand in the dish with me will betray me. 

24  The Son of Man goes as it is written of him, but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would have been better for that man if he had not been born.”

 25  Judas, who would betray him, answered, “Is it I, Rabbi?” He said to him, “You have said so.” 

Institution of the Lord's Supper (26-29)

26  Now as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and after blessing it broke it and gave it to the disciples, and said, “Take, eat; this is my body.” 

27  And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, saying,“Drink of it, all of you, 

28  for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. 

29  I tell you I will not drink again of this fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father's kingdom.” 

Jesus Foretells Peter's Denial (30-35)

31  Then Jesus said to them, “You will all fall away because of me this night. For it is written, ‘I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.’ 

32  But after I am raised up, I will go before you to Galilee.” 

33  Peter answered him, “Though they all fall away because of you, I will never fall away.” 

34  Jesus said to him, “Truly, I tell you, this very night, before the rooster crows, you will deny me three times.”

35  Peter said to him, “Even if I must die with you, I will not deny you!” And all the disciples said the same.  

Jesus Prays in Gethsemane,(36-46)

36  Then Jesus went with them to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to his disciples, “Sit here, while I go over there and pray.” 

37  And taking with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, he began to be sorrowful and troubled. 

38  Then he said to them, “My soul is very sorrowful, even to death; remain here, and watch with me.” 

39  And going a little farther he fell on his face and prayed, saying, “My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will.” 

40  And he came to the disciples and found them sleeping. And he said to Peter, “So, could you not watch with me one hour? 

41  Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” 

42  Again, for the second time, he went away and prayed, “My Father, if this cannot pass unless I drink it, your will be done.” 

43  And again he came and found them sleeping, for their eyes were heavy. 

44  So, leaving them again, he went away and prayed for the third time, saying the same words again. 

45  Then he came to the disciples and said to them, “Sleep and take your rest later on. See, the hour is at hand, and the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. 

46  Rise, let us be going; see, my betrayer is at hand.” 

Betrayal and Arrest of Jesus, (47-56)

47  While he was still speaking, Judas came, one of the twelve, and with him a great crowd with swords and clubs, from the chief priests and the elders of the people. 

48  Now the betrayer had given them a sign, saying, “The one I will kiss is the man; seize him.” 

49  And he came up to Jesus at once and said, “Greetings, Rabbi!” And he kissed him. 

50  Jesus said to him, “Friend, do what you came to do.” Then they came up and laid hands on Jesus and seized him. 

51  And behold, one of those who were with Jesus stretched out his hand and drew his sword and struck the servant of the high priest and cut off his ear. 

52  Then Jesus said to him, “Put your sword back into its place. For all who take the sword will perish by the sword. 

53  Do you think that I cannot appeal to my Father, and he will at once send me more than twelve legions of angels? 

54  But how then should the Scriptures be fulfilled, that it must be so?” 

55  At that hour Jesus said to the crowds, “Have you come out as against a robber, with swords and clubs to capture me? Day after day I sat in the temple teaching, and you did not seize me. 

56  But all this has taken place that the Scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled.” Then all the disciples left him and fled. 

Jesus Before Caiaphas and the Council (57-68)

64  Jesus said to him, “You have said so. But I tell you, from now on you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of Power and coming on the clouds of heaven.”

 Jesus Foretells Peter's Denial  (from Luke)

Luke 22:31-34  “Simon, Simon, behold, Satan demanded to have you, that he might sift you like wheat, 

32  but I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned again, strengthen your brothers.” 

33  Peter said to him, “Lord, I am ready to go with you both to prison and to death.” 

34  Jesus said, “I tell you, Peter, the rooster will not crow this day, until you deny three times that you know me.” 

Peter Denies Jesus (69-75)

75  And Peter remembered the saying of Jesus, “Before the rooster crows, you will deny me three times.” And he went out and wept bitterly. 

(Math 27:1-66)

Jesus Delivered to Pilate (Mat 27:1-2)

Judas Hangs Himself (3-10)

 Jesus Before Pilate (11-14)

11  Now Jesus stood before the governor, and the governor asked him, “Are you the King of the Jews?” Jesus said, “You have said so.” 

The Crowd Chooses Barabbas(15-23)

 Pilate Delivers Jesus to Be Crucified (24-26)

 Jesus Is Mocked (27-31)

The Crucifixion (32-44)

The Death of Jesus (45-56)

46  And about the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” that is, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” 

Jesus Is Buried (57-61)

The Guard at the Tomb (62-66)

If we do not believe Jesus, we call Him a liar

John 8:43-58  Why do you not understand what I say? It is because you cannot bear to hear my word. 

 44  You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father's desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies. 

45  But because I tell the truth, you do not believe me. 

46  Which one of you convicts me of sin? If I tell the truth, why do you not believe me? 

47  Whoever is of God hears the words of God. The reason why you do not hear them is that you are not of God.” 

Before Abraham Was, I Am

John 8:48  The Jews answered him, “Are we not right in saying that you are a Samaritan and have a demon?” 

49  Jesus answered, “I do not have a demon, but I honor my Father, and you dishonor me. 

50  Yet I do not seek my own glory; there is One who seeks it, and he is the judge. 

51  Truly, truly, I say to you, if anyone keeps my word, he will never see death.” 

52  The Jews said to him, “Now we know that you have a demon! Abraham died, as did the prophets, yet you say, ‘If anyone keeps my word, he will never taste death.’ 

53  Are you greater than our father Abraham, who died? And the prophets died! Who do you make yourself out to be?” 

54  Jesus answered, “If I glorify myself, my glory is nothing. It is my Father who glorifies me, of whom you say, ‘He is our God.’ 

55  But you have not known him. I know him. If I were to say that I do not know him, I would be a liar like you, but I do know him and I keep his word. 

56  Your father Abraham rejoiced that he would see my day. He saw it and was glad.” 

57  So the Jews said to him, “You are not yet fifty years old, and have you seen Abraham?” 

58  Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I am.” 

Do not worry: turn to Jesus

 

 WORRIED?  DISCOURAGED?  DEPRESSED?                                           DISSATIFIED? CONFUSED?

                           IF SO, TAKE IT ALL TO JESUS

1Peter 5:6-7  Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, 7 casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.

 John 14:27  Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.

 Isaiaha 41:10  fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

Jeremiah 31:14 ....., and my people shall be satisfied with my goodness, declares the LORD.” 

Proverbs 3:5-6  Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. 6 In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. 

Don't look to God for suggestions; but heed His warnings and commands

                                                          Jesus and Beelzebul
 Luke 11:14-23  Now he was casting out a demon that was mute. When the demon had gone out, the mute man spoke, and the people marveled. 

15  But some of them said, “He casts out demons by Beelzebul, the prince of demons,” 

16  while others, to test him, kept seeking from him a sign from heaven. 

17  But he, knowing their thoughts, said to them, “Every kingdom divided against itself is laid waste, and a divided household falls. 

18  And if Satan also is divided against himself, how will his kingdom stand? For you say that I cast out demons by Beelzebul. 

19  And if I cast out demons by Beelzebul, by whom do your sons cast them out? Therefore they will be your judges. 

20  But if it is by the finger of God that I cast out demons, then the kingdom of God has come upon you. 

21  When a strong man, fully armed, guards his own palace, his goods are safe; 

22  but when one stronger than he attacks him and overcomes him, he takes away his armor in which he trusted and divides his spoil. 

23  Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters.

                                                              Walk in Love

Ephesians  5:1-21  Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. 

2  And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. 

3  But sexual immorality and all impurity or covetousness must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints. 

4  Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking, which are out of place, but instead let there be thanksgiving. 

5  For you may be sure of this, that everyone who is sexually immoral or impure, or who is covetous (that is, an idolater), has no inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. 

6  Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. 

7  Therefore do not become partners with them; 

8  for at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light 

9  (for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true), 

10  and try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord. 

11  Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them. 

12  For it is shameful even to speak of the things that they do in secret. 

13  But when anything is exposed by the light, it becomes visible, 

14  for anything that becomes visible is light. Therefore it says, “Awake, O sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.” 

15  Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, 

16  making the best use of the time, because the days are evil.  Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, 

17  Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. 

18  And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit, 

19  addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart, 

20  giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, 

21  submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ. 

Even the Dogs receive

                           The Faith of a Canaanite Woman

Matthew15:21-28  And Jesus went away from there and withdrew to the district of Tyre and Sidon. 

22  And behold, a Canaanite woman from that region came out and was crying, “Have mercy on me, O Lord, Son of David; my daughter is severely oppressed by a demon.” 

23  But he did not answer her a word. And his disciples came and begged him, saying, “Send her away, for she is crying out after us.” 

24  He answered, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” 

25  But she came and knelt before him, saying, “Lord, help me.”

26  And he answered, “It is not right to take the children's bread and throw it to the dogs.” 

27  She said, “Yes, Lord, yet even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters' table.” 

28  Then Jesus answered her, “O woman, great is your faith! Be it done for you as you desire.” And her daughter was healed instantly. 

The liar is still at work among us -- Let us know the consequences

 

                                                    The Fall

 Genesis 3:1-23  Now the serpent was more crafty than any other beast of the field that the LORD God had made. He said to the woman, “Did God actually say, ‘You shall not eat of any tree in the garden’?” 

2  And the woman said to the serpent, “We may eat of the fruit of the trees in the garden, 

3  but God said, ‘You shall not eat of the fruit of the tree that is in the midst of the garden, neither shall you touch it, lest you die.’” 

4  But the serpent said to the woman, “You will not surely die. 

5  For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” 

6  So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was to be desired to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate, and she also gave some to her husband who was with her, and he ate. ......

8 ..... the man and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God among the trees of the garden. 

9  But the LORD God called to the man and said to him, “Where are you?” 

10  And he said, “I heard the sound of you in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked, and I hid myself.” 

11  He said, “Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten of the tree of which I commanded you not to eat?” 

12  The man said, “The woman whom you gave to be with me, she gave me fruit of the tree, and I ate.” 

13  Then the LORD God said to the woman, “What is this that you have done?” The woman said, “The serpent deceived me, and I ate.” .....

 16 ..... To the woman he said, “I will surely multiply your pain in childbearing; in pain you shall bring forth children. Your desire shall be contrary to your husband, but he shall rule over you.” 

17  And to Adam he said, “Because you have listened to the voice of your wife and have eaten of the tree of which I commanded you, ‘You shall not eat of it,’ cursed is the ground because of you; in pain you shall eat of it all the days of your life; ....... 

22  Then the LORD God said, “Behold, the man has become like one of us in knowing good and evil. Now, lest he reach out his hand and take also of the tree of life and eat, and live forever—” 

23  therefore the LORD God sent him out from the garden of Eden to work the ground from which he was taken. 

                                The Temptation of Jesus

Matthew 4:1-11  Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. 

2  And after fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. 

3  And the tempter came and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become loaves of bread.” 

4  But he answered, “It is written, “‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’” 

5  Then the devil took him to the holy city and set him on the pinnacle of the temple 

6  and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down, for it is written, “‘He will command his angels concerning you,’ and “‘On their hands they will bear you up, lest you strike your foot against a stone.’” 

7  Jesus said to him, “Again it is written, ‘You shall not put the Lord your God to the test.’” 

8  Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. 

9  And he said to him, “All these I will give you, if you will fall down and worship me.” 

10  Then Jesus said to him, “Be gone, Satan! For it is written, “‘You shall worship the Lord your God and him only shall you serve.’” 

11  Then the devil left him, and behold, angels came and were ministering to him. 

The Way of Love

                                                            The Way of Love

1Corinthians 13:1-13  If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. 

2  And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. 

3  If I give away all I have, and if I deliver up my body to be burned, but have not love, I gain nothing. 

4  Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant 

5  or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; 

6  it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. 

7  Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. 

8  Love never ends. As for prophecies, they will pass away; as for tongues, they will cease; as for knowledge, it will pass away. 

9  For we know in part and we prophesy in part, 

10  but when the perfect comes, the partial will pass away. 

11  When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I gave up childish ways. 

12  For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known. 

13  So now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love. 

Sowing the good seed of God's Word

                                                             The Parable of the Sower

Luke 8:4-8  And when a great crowd was gathering and people from town after town came to him, he said in a parable, 

5  “A sower went out to sow his seed. And as he sowed, some fell along the path and was trampled underfoot, and the birds of the air devoured it. 

6  And some fell on the rock, and as it grew up, it withered away, because it had no moisture. 

7  And some fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up with it and choked it. 

8  And some fell into good soil and grew and yielded a hundredfold.” As he said these things, he called out, “He who has ears to hear, let him hear.” 

                                                         The Purpose of the Parables

Luke 8:9-15  And when his disciples asked him what this parable meant, 

10  he said, “To you it has been given to know the secrets of the kingdom of God, but for others they are in parables, so that ‘seeing they may not see, and hearing they may not understand.’ 

11  Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God. 

12  The ones along the path are those who have heard; then the devil comes and takes away the word from their hearts, so that they may not believe and be saved. 

13  And the ones on the rock are those who, when they hear the word, receive it with joy. But these have no root; they believe for a while, and in time of testing fall away. 

14  And as for what fell among the thorns, they are those who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by the cares and riches and pleasures of life, and their fruit does not mature. 

15  As for that in the good soil, they are those who, hearing the word, hold it fast in an honest and good heart, and bear fruit with patience. 

The last will be first, and the first last.

 

1Corinthians 9:24--10:5  Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it. 

25  Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. 

26  So I do not run aimlessly; I do not box as one beating the air. 

27  But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified. 

                                                   Laborers in the Vineyard

Matthew 20:1-16  “For the kingdom of heaven is like a master of a house who went out early in the morning to hire laborers for his vineyard. 

2  After agreeing with the laborers for a denarius a day, he sent them into his vineyard. 

3  And going out about the third hour he saw others standing idle in the marketplace, 

4  and to them he said, ‘You go into the vineyard too, and whatever is right I will give you.’ 

5  So they went. Going out again about the sixth hour and the ninth hour, he did the same. 

6  And about the eleventh hour he went out and found others standing. And he said to them, ‘Why do you stand here idle all day?’ 

7  They said to him, ‘Because no one has hired us.’ He said to them, ‘You go into the vineyard too.’ 

8  And when evening came, the owner of the vineyard said to his foreman, ‘Call the laborers and pay them their wages, beginning with the last, up to the first.’ 

9  And when those hired about the eleventh hour came, each of them received a denarius. 

10  Now when those hired first came, they thought they would receive more, but each of them also received a denarius. 

11  And on receiving it they grumbled at the master of the house, 

12  saying, ‘These last worked only one hour, and you have made them equal to us who have borne the burden of the day and the scorching heat.’ 

13  But he replied to one of them, ‘Friend, I am doing you no wrong. Did you not agree with me for a denarius? 

14  Take what belongs to you and go. I choose to give to this last worker as I give to you. 

15  Am I not allowed to do what I choose with what belongs to me? Or do you begrudge my generosity?’ 

16  So the last will be first, and the first last.” 

God says again "This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased."

                                             Christ's Glory and the Prophetic Word

2Peter 1:16-21  For we did not follow cleverly devised myths when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty. 

17  For when he received honor and glory from God the Father, and the voice was borne to him by the Majestic Glory, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased,” 

18  we ourselves heard this very voice borne from heaven, for we were with him on the holy mountain. 

19  And we have the prophetic word more fully confirmed, to which you will do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts, 

20  knowing this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture comes from someone's own interpretation. 

21  For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit. 

“This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.”

 

                                       The Baptism of Jesus

Matthew 3:13-17  Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to John, to be baptized by him. 

14  John would have prevented him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?” 

15  But Jesus answered him, “Let it be so now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.” Then he consented. 

16  And when Jesus was baptized, immediately he went up from the water, and behold, the heavens were opened to him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming to rest on him; 

17  and behold, a voice from heaven said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.” 

Rejoice in our suffering

                                       Suffering as a Christian

1Peter 4:12-19  Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. 

13  But rejoice insofar as you share Christ's sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed. 

14  If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. 

15  But let none of you suffer as a murderer or a thief or an evildoer or as a meddler. 

16  Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in that name. 

17  For it is time for judgment to begin at the household of God; and if it begins with us, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God? 

18  And “If the righteous is scarcely saved, what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?” 

19  Therefore let those who suffer according to God's will entrust their souls to a faithful Creator while doing good.