Good Shepherd Lutheran Church of Old Bridge, NJ

The Parable of the Prodigal Son may be the most famous of all of Jesus’ parables. It is a story of grace. It is the story of God’s relationship with his people. It is the story of a loving God who wants nothing more than for his children to come home. It is also a reminder that our relationship with him is not one based upon our performance but on his love.

This week we continue our message series on the Parables of Jesus. This week’s parable is the Parable of the Unmerciful Servant found in Matthew 18:25-30. In this parable, we learn a lesson on forgiveness. We learn that we have been forgiven a tremendous debt because of Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross. The forgiveness given to us empowers us to forgive others. While forgiveness is hard, it is necessary. It frees us from a prison of bitterness, anger, resentment, pride, and envy.

This week’s message is on the Parable of the Talents. In this parable, a Master entrusts his servants with uncommon wealth. He has the expectation that they would put the treasure to work and see a return. But one servant buries the treasure and receives the harsh rebuke of his master. This parable causes us to assess the blessings we have been given by God and consider how we use those blessings for the good of the kingdom

You can find this parable in Matthew 25:14-30.

We have been studying the Parables of Jesus at Good Shepherd. This week we look at the Parable of the Persistent Widow found in Luke 18:1-8. Jesus tells this parable to urge us to consistently and persistently to pray and not to lose heart.

It is a lesson on the grace of God. The story urges us to be bold in what we ask of God and to not give up praying. God is patient and wise. If a corrupt and cold-hearted judge would grant the widows request for justice, how much more will your righteous and compassionate Father God give you his gracious blessing.

This week we look at the Parable of the Wedding Banquet. The King calls those who are invited to the banquet to come. But they refuse his invitation. Instead, the King invites others who were not invited to come. The invitation is given to everyone who would receive the invitation. It is given even (especially) to those who are the least deserving of the invitation.

This parable is a picture for us of God’s grace. We do not receive an invitation into his kingdom because we deserve it. But once we receive that invitation we are called to treasure that invitation and to honor the one who gave it to us. We pray you are encouraged by this message.

This summer we will be looking at the Parables of Jesus. Pastor Phil began this week with the Parable of the Sower. A sower went to sow seed. Some seed fell on the path, some on the rocky soil, some among the thorns, and some on the fertile soil. What is this simple story about? How does it relate to our life and faith? What are the lessons for us to learn?

The Scripture for the week is Matthew 13:1-23.

This weekend we prepared 90,000 meals for children in Haiti. It was a good thing. It was a God thing. We praise him for giving us the opportunity to take part in his work. This week we hear from Janiel Owen from Mission of Hope, Haiti as he shares about the work of the Kingdom.

In the Gospel of John, there are seven times when Jesus claims to be “I AM.” He shows himself to be God. We will be looking at each one of these seven “I AM” statements throughout this message series, exploring the significance of each. Each “I AM” statement points to something unique about Jesus.

* April 15: The Gate (John 10:1-10)

* April 22: The Good Shepherd (John 10:11-18)

* April 29: The True Vine (John 15:1-11)

* May 6: The Light of the World (John 8:12-19)

* May 13: The Bread of Life (John 6:25-40)

* May 20: The Resurrection and the Life (John 11:17-27)

* May 27: The Way, the Truth, and the Life (John 14:1-17)

Today, we conclude this message series as we look at how Jesus declares he is the Way, the Truth, and the Life.

When we come to the Gospel of John, there are seven times when Jesus claims to be “I AM.” He shows himself to be God. We will be looking at each one of these seven “I AM” statements throughout this message series, exploring the significance of each. Each “I AM” statement points to something unique about Jesus.

* April 15: The Gate (John 10:1-10)

* April 22: The Good Shepherd (John 10:11-18)

* April 29: The True Vine (John 15:1-11)

* May 6: The Light of the World (John 8:12-19)

* May 13: The Bread of Life (John 6:25-40)

* May 20: The Resurrection and the Life (John 11:17-27)

* May 27: The Way, the Truth, and the Life (John 14:1-17)

Today, we explore how Jesus is the Resurrection and the Life.

When we come to the Gospel of John, there are seven times when Jesus claims to be “I AM.” He shows himself to be God. We will be looking at each one of these seven “I AM” statements throughout this message series, exploring the significance of each. Each “I AM” statement points to something unique about Jesus.

* April 15: The Gate (John 10:1-10)

* April 22: The Good Shepherd (John 10:11-18)

* April 29: The True Vine (John 15:1-11)

* May 6: The Light of the World (John 8:12-19)

* May 13: The Bread of Life (John 6:25-40)

* May 20: The Resurrection and the Life (John 11:17-27)

* May 27: The Way, the Truth, and the Life (John 14:1-17)

Today, we explore how Jesus is the Bread of Life.

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