Sermons on Parables
Sheep and Goats
This message explores the parable of the sheep and the goats from Matthew 25:31-46. SERMON OUTLINE “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these, you did for me.’” (Matthew 25:40) The Meaning of Maranatha Watchword of Early Christians Jesus’ 2nd Coming and Last Judgment Jesus’ Parable of the Sheep and Goats Who are the sheep and the goats? On what basis are people sent to heaven or hell? The “Big…
Stewards of the Kingdom
This message from Matthew 25:14-30 explores Jesus’ parable of the talents. SERMON OUTLINE Be excited about Jesus’ return Know what Jesus teaches by reading His word You cannot live off of someone else’s talents Surrender your talents to Christ and be ready for Him DISCUSSION QUESTIONS When you think of Jesus’ return, what emotions do you feel? What talents and abilities do you know that God has given you? Are there times where you have used those abilities for your…
Keep Your Lamps Lit
This message will explore Jesus’ parable of the ten virgins from Matthew 25:1-13. SERMON OUTLINE “Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day or the hour.” (Matthew 25:13) “At that time the kingdom of heaven will be like…” (25:1) That time and Jesus’ coming (parousia) The kingdom of heaven An Overview of the Parable (25:1-12) The setting of the wedding and anticipation of meeting the bridegroom (1-2) The two categories of young women: foolish without oil &…
The Unknown Hour
This message will focus on Jesus’ teaching about no one knowing the day and the hour of the end. (Matthew 24:36-51) SERMON OUTLINE “Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come.” (Matthew 24:42) The Unknown Hour of Jesus’ Coming (24:36-41) The nature of Jesus’“coming” (parousia) The timing is unknown It will catch people unaware: Like in Noah’s day Like those interrupted in their work Disciples Keep Watch and Are Ready (24:42-44) Like a…
Pictures of the Kingdom
Jesus tells three parables that explain who He is and what He has come to do. In response, the religious leaders begin their focused effort to arrest and eliminate Jesus. (Matthew 21:28-22:14) Sermon Outline “Truly I tell you, the tax collectors and the prostitutes are entering the kingdom of God ahead of you….I tell you that the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people who will produce its fruit.” (Matthew 21:31, 43) Introduction…
Jesus on Taxes, Wealth, and God’s Generous Kingdom
Jesus talks a lot about money. In two different episodes, He addresses the paying of the temple tax and the payment of taxes to Caesar. He uses both discussions as opportunities to talk about greater matters. Then He encounters a wealthy young man who wants to walk with God but his heart is ensnared by riches. Following it with the parable of the workers, Jesus speaks to the generosity of the kingdom of God. (Matthew 17:24-27; 19:16-30; 20:1-16; 22:15-22) Sermon…
Mixed-Up Priorities
Jesus is confronted by religious leaders, who again ask for a sign. He challenges their mixed-up priorities about God and life. Matthew 16:1-12 Sermon Outline “Why is it you don’t understand that when I told you, Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees, it wasn’t about bread? Then they understood that he had not told them to beware of the leaven in bread, but of the teaching of the Pharisees and Sadducees.” (Matthew 16:11-12) Jesus tested by Pharisees…
The Treasure, the Pearl, and the Net
Jesus describes the kingdom in terms of three different items, all of which are strongly sought after for good reason. Matthew 13:44-50 SERMON OUTLINE The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field.” (Matthew 13:44) The Parable of the Treasure and the Pearl (Matthew 13:44-46) The kingdom of God is more valuable than anything…
The Mustard Seed and the Yeast
This Sunday, Pastor Matt continues our sermon series on Jesus’ parables from Matthew with a message on the Parable of the Mustard Seed and the Parable of the Yeast from Matthew 13. SERMON OUTLINE “He told them another parable: ‘The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and planted in his field.’” (Matthew 13:31) The Parable of the Mustard Seed (Matthew 13:31-32) The small size of the mustard seed – the smallest seed that Jews…
The Wheat and the Weeds
Jesus tells a parable about weeds in a wheat field, then explains it later to His disciples. Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43 SERMON OUTLINE “Jesus told them another parable: ‘The kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field. But while everyone was sleeping, his enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat.’” (Matthew 13:24-25) Elements of the Parable (Matthew 13:37-39) The Present: Wheat and Weeds Together in the Field (Matthew 13:28-30a) The reality of good and…
The Sower
Jesus shares the parables of the sower and the seed scattered on different sorts of soil, then explains it later to His disciples. Matthew 13:3-8, 13-23 SERMON OUTLINE “Then he told them many things in parables, saying: ‘A farmer went out to sow his seed….’” (Matthew 13:3) The Seed “The knowledge of the secrets of the kingdom of heaven has been given to you” (13:11) “The message of the kingdom…sown in his heart” (13:19) The Soils Basic contrast: good soil…
Why Parables?
Jesus teaches with parables and even His closest disciples are confused with why He does this. Jesus explains and even His explanation can be hard to understand. Matthew 13:1-3a, 10-17 SERMON OUTLINE What is a Parable? παραβολή [parabole] is a combination of para (along-side) and ballo (to throw), thus “to throw alongside.” “an earthly story with a heavenly meaning”. Why did Jesus teach in Parables? To reveal truth (Matthew 13:11) Two things about this truth the parables reveal: The Kingdom…