2 Reflections on the story so far:

1--Why does God keep retelling the same story?

2--Notice how many ways God repackages the story to drive home his message–that in spite of our sin, he loves us and wants to be with us.  He speaks of his love for his people like the love a Father has for his children. He speaks of his love for his people like a husband has for his wife. He speaks of his love for his people like a shepherd has for his flock. He’ll repackage this message over and over again, so that the truth of it begins to dawn on our darkened minds and we finally believe it–that God really loves us! And despite everything–the evil attempts of the snake, the multiplication of his offspring, the curse of death that hangs over us, even our own wayward hearts–despite all of this, he will send the King of Glory to crush all these enemies and deliver us from their enslaving power–so that we can be with God, joyful and glad of heart for all the prosperity he grants to his people through their great King of Glory!

From Jacob’s prophecy, (Genesis 49) we learned that the King of Glory will descend from the line of Judah. We also learned that when he comes, he will not only rule Israel, but all the nations of the earth.

From Balaam’s prophecy, (Numbers 24) we learned that when the King of Glory establishes his reign, he will bring his earth-wide blessing by not only crushing the snake, but by crushing all the snake’s offspring.

1) Sin and Conflict abound in the new landscape outside of Eden. We see this right out of the garden where two warring lines emerge.

2) God begins to reveal a comprehensive plan to redeem all of creation. He’s not just going to crush the snake. He’s going to reverse the curse and restore Eden.

Genesis 3:14–15 taught us to look for the birth of a boy child who—through suffering—will destroy the snake, our ancient enemy who sought to undermine God’s creation and kill Adam and Eve.

Parable 1: Matthew 22:1–14 The Parable of the Wedding Guests

1. Context 
   1. Context in Jesus’ ministry: Chief priests and Pharisees offended at parables (Matthew 21:45–46)
      1. Leaders seeking to arrest Jesus 

Parable 2: Matthew 25:1–13 The Parable of the Waiting Virgins

1. Context
   1. Context in Jesus’ ministry: days prior to betrayal and crucifixion, teaching disciples about the end

1. Cry to Come
   1. Readiness revealed; all trimmed their lamps
      1. Foolish unprepared: lamps going out, presume upon the preparations of others

A Parable on Stewardship ... The Parable of the Talents 

Matthew 25:14–30

Pam Larson

What does it look like to be a good and faithful servant? Watchful? Expectant? Working?

Aim: Be faithfully working while you watch and wait eagerly for the return of King Jesus

3 Scenes

• Scene 1 (v14–15) before he goes
  

3 main characters

• Master, King

What does a good and faithful servant look like? 

Be faithfully working* while you watch and wait eagerly for the return of King Jesus

* “faithfully working” does not mean good works you do to earn salvation … NO! But works which are the fruit that comes from faith, from trusting in Jesus. The focus is not on your level of performance but on faithfully and gratefully responding to your relationship with Jesus!

Oh friends, be faithfully working while you watch and wait … be ready, faithful, wise, prepared, and eagerly expecting his return. Be watching, waiting, working. 

Parables on Prayer

The Unexpected Guest, The Unjust Judge and Widow, 

The Pharisee and the Tax Collector

Luke 11:5–13 and Luke 18:1–14

Lindsay Osborne

Pattern for Prayer  (Luke 11:1–4)

Unexpected Visitor (Luke 11:5–13)

• Pray boldly because God is a good father.

Unjust Judge & Persistent Widow (Luke 18:1–8)

• Pray persistently because God will give justice.

Pharisee & Tax Collector (Luke 18: 9–14)

• Pray humbly because only Jesus’s righteousness can justify.

How to Receive the Kingdom  (Luke 18:16–17)

16 But Jesus called them to him, saying, “Let the children come to me, and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God. 17Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.”

Parables of Preciousness

The Hidden Treasure, The Pearl of Great Price, and The Net

Matthew 13:44–50

Julia Dembeck

Aim: To find our supreme treasure in King Jesus.

Precious Treasure (v. 44–46)

By Surprise

• This treasure is hidden.

By Diligence

• This treasure is found in diligence.

Precious Treasure Application

Precious Warning (v. 47–50)

Context and Situation

Bad fish:

• What is the behavior?

Good fish:

• What is the behavior?

Application

Precious warning as an invitation

Precious warning as a call

Conclusion

Parables of the Lost and Found (Jenni Naselli)

The last parable’s themes: 

The last parable’s repeated words:

Application: So how do these parables apply to us today as Christian women?

Remember: Jesus ends these three parables with, “We had to celebrate and be glad, for this your brother was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found.” 

Parable of Forgiveness: The Unforgiving Servant

Matthew 18:21–35

Charisse Compton

Context: Matthew 18

Peter’s Question: v 21

Jesus’s Two-fold Answer:

• 77 times, v 22

Parable of the Unforgiving Servant: vv 23–34

• Scene 1:

Jesus’s Explanation: v 35

Applications:

• Humility leads to greatness.