Ignoring the Parables taught by Jesus
Why do so many "Christians" ignore the parables Jesus taught?
Jesus taught in parables so that those who don't love Him won't get it...
So they wouldn't be saved...
Mat 13:10 And the disciples came, and said unto him, Why speakest thou unto them in parables? He answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given. For whosoever hath, to him shall be given, and he shall have more abundance: but whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken away even that he hath. Therefore speak I to them in parables: because they seeing see not; and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand. And in them is fulfilled the prophecy of Esaias, which saith, By hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and shall not perceive: For this people's heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them.
So those who don't love Him and His truth would not be saved!
Do you understand and comprehend the parables? Are you obedient to them?
Do you get it?
Do you know how many times I've had people tell me, "You shouldn't have said that, Dan", or "You preach too strong, Dan".
No, I don't, and I need to say these things! Sometimes I need to yell these things!
So many people are carefree about God, and way too concerned with their life and their desires...
Luke 21:34 So be careful, or your hearts will be loaded down with carousing, drunkenness, and cares of this life, and that day will come on you suddenly.
Remember that Paul said we should work out our salvation with fear and trembling?
Remember that Peter said we should give diligence to make our calling and election sure?
Remember that the fear of the Lord is just the beginning of wisdom?
Being carefree about God and worried about the cares of this life is the opposite of where our heart should be!
Luke 12:22 And he said unto his disciples, Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat; neither for the body, what ye shall put on. The life is more than meat, and the body is more than raiment. Consider the ravens: for they neither sow nor reap; which neither have storehouse nor barn; and God feedeth them: how much more are ye better than the fowls? And which of you with taking thought can add to his stature one cubit? If ye then be not able to do that thing which is least, why take ye thought for the rest? Consider the lilies how they grow: they toil not, they spin not; and yet I say unto you, that Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. If then God so clothe the grass, which is to day in the field, and to morrow is cast into the oven; how much more will he clothe you, O ye of little faith? And seek not ye what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink, neither be ye of doubtful mind. For all these things do the nations of the world seek after: and your Father knoweth that ye have need of these things. But rather seek ye the kingdom of God; and all these things shall be added unto you. Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom. Sell that ye have, and give alms; provide yourselves bags which wax not old, a treasure in the heavens that faileth not, where no thief approacheth, neither moth corrupteth. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.
Why do we pursue worldly riches, and worldly worries, when the only thing that matters is our treasure in heaven?
Seek the kingdom of God! Get rid of everything you desire in the world and give to God...
Matthew 5:14 Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
Why do we think we can just sit and hide the light of Christ and think that God is ok with that?
Matthew 25:14 For it is like a man, going into another country, who called his own servants, and entrusted his goods to them. To one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one; to each according to his own ability. Then he went on his journey. Immediately he who received the five talents went and traded with them, and made another five talents. In the same way, he also who got the two gained another two. But he who received the one talent went away and dug in the earth, and hid his lord’s money. Now after a long time the lord of those servants came, and reconciled accounts with them. He who received the five talents came and brought another five talents, saying, Lord, you delivered to me five talents. Behold, I have gained another five talents in addition to them. His lord said to him, Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a few things, I will set you over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord. He also who got the two talents came and said, Lord, you delivered to me two talents. Behold, I have gained another two talents in addition to them. His lord said to him, Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a few things, I will set you over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord. He also who had received the one talent came and said, Lord, I knew you that you are a hard man, reaping where you didn’t sow, and gathering where you didn’t scatter. I was afraid, and went away and hid your talent in the earth. Behold, you have what is yours. But his lord answered him, You wicked and slothful servant. You knew that I reap where I didn’t sow, and gather where I didn’t scatter. You ought therefore to have deposited my money with the bankers, and at my coming I should have received back my own with interest. Take away therefore the talent from him, and give it to him who has the ten talents. For to everyone who has will be given, and he will have abundance, but from him who doesn’t have, even that which he has will be taken away. Throw out the unprofitable servant into the outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
Do you understand what these "talents" are? It represents something of value in the parable, and the moral of the story is that it is the precious Truth that we have been given, that is the thing of great value.
Matthew 13:44 Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto treasure hid in a field; the which when a man hath found, he hideth, and for joy thereof goeth and selleth all that he hath, and buyeth that field.
The parable is about us sitting on the most valuable thing we have and "hiding" it when we're around people who "don't want to talk about that religious stuff", or just not saying anything because you know you'll be laughed at and mocked.
Galatians 6:12 As many as desire to make a fair shew in the flesh, they constrain you to be circumcised; only lest they should suffer persecution for the cross of Christ.
These went along with the persecutors so they wouldn't have to suffer! This is a sin!
You understand that the parable is teaching that those who do that will not be saved, right?
Do you understand that?
Matthew 16:24 Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it. For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?
Don't ignore these parables! Don't ignore the teachings of Christ!
Stop believing your pastor or priest or church friends and family and start believing Jesus!
Stop working for and caring about worldly things!
Start working for and caring about God!
My Lord and my God, our Lord Jesus Christ, I pray that whoever hears these words really hears them and does not forget them!
What does it mean to be a Christian, really?