27 Parables of Jesus - Week 7 - Sheep and Shepherds

When I hear the parable of the lost sheep I think, “What about us, the ninety-nine?” Unless, of course, I am the lost sheep. Then my concern for the ninety-nine seems to diminish.

We are all one turn away from being lost. No, not condemned to Hell, but rather, not getting fed and susceptible to the dangers of wolves.

Wolves keep circling the pack to get to the weak ones or those that wander away. The Good Shepherd keeps track of the sheep to know how many are there.

Our second parable is about just that-the Good Shepherd.

In biblical times, the shepherd was the gate to the pen where the sheep were kept. If they wanted to get out or an enemy wanted to get in; they would have to step over the shepherd and he would be awakened.

So, be at ease flock, the Good Shepherd watches over your souls and He will not be intimidated or swayed by any outsiders or influences that might have overtaken you in the past. He is, and will, fight for you and win because He is the ultimate Good Shepherd.

Pastor Brent

27 Parables of Jesus/Two Groupings - Week 6

This morning we will look at two “groupings” of parables, one, is about the power of the kingdom of heaven and the other is about the worth or value of the kingdom.

Jesus has many parables about the kingdom of heaven because it is so important to our psyche.

We need the idea and the reality of the reward waiting for us because of God’s choosing. Something to keep our heads in the game.

This is no longer a self-help program, but one in which God reveals Himself and we continue to be amazed that He is who He says He is.

We go through awful things in this world and I hate reading or hearing about terrible people can be. So God reveals to us the things that are waiting for those who have a mind to live for that day instead of this one.

We are a people most blessed. Not because of how we might be treated here, but how we most certainly will be treated there and for eternity to come.

Listen to the parables, accept what God is doing with you, and with us as a fellowship and join in to the best of your ability and beyond and know that God is pleased with you.

Pastor Brent

27 Parables of Jesus - Week 5

So this week we looked at seeds and weeds.

The first parable is about a farmer and the condition of his crop.

The second is about the enemy polluting the planting of the Lord.

Both have to do with our way of looking at our circumstances. When do we put our trust in the Lord and when do we keep distractions and disturbances out of our own way?

God has a magnificent way of telling a story. One that let’s us choose but also gives us choices that determine our level of commitment and sincerity.

Before you get all convicted, note that this is a teaching moment. One that can help us understand our relationship to God and what He’s willing to do to foster a better vision for our future.

Your weed free,

Pastor Brent

27 Parables of Jesus - Week 4

Jesus talks about faithful servants many times in His parables. Because servants are willing to serve. It’s their job.

But there are many kinds of servants. One is a hard worker and learns what the master is like and goes over and above what is required of him because he knows the master’s heart and how the master feels in return.

The other kind of servant also knows what the master is like; but instead of going above and beyond what the master may want he barely does what is required. And, if he thinks he can get away with it, will not perform his tasks at all.

The parable is really about what we do when nobody is looking. What is our real character like?

The second is about patience and outcome.

How long should we toil at a task that Is not producing.

The fig tree gives us an example. And though not a formula; it does say that four years is a good time line to nurture someone, with the third year being an all out effort to see if the tree will produce any fruit.

And then, it is up to God to do a new planting with that person. We can’t produce for someone else, they have to want God for themselves. We get to water and make their ground as receptive as possible, but the fruit is their own with God’s supply.

Pastor Brent

27 Parables of Jesus - Week 3

When Jesus taught in parables the people (us) could choose to think about themselves or they could say, “I know who this is talking about!”

It is so often the case that we believe it’s the other person that needs the work and we are simply the watchers to see if those people Jesus is talking to are going to change.

This week it is two contrasting messages—one about what God wants us to do with blessing and two, that we need to stay vigilant to the end.

Both messages have to do with what we do with our time and how we view what is our responsibility.

But one is about us as the absolute ruler of our lives (which we are not) and the other is a servant which is doing well but receives the warning that the enemy waits for the opening to begin his attacks.

Parables are there to make us think, not to wonder who He is talking to. In some sense, He is always talking to us.

We are His children, and He is continually teaching those who will listen.

Never take for granted that Jesus is not talking to us. Every lesson is one in which we will learn or we will have to learn later. Take the opportunity to be taught by the Holy Spirit.

Pastor Brent

27 Parables of Jesus - Week 2

As we go through the parables, some will be repeated. Take notice of how many are and what they speak about.

Anything in scripture that repeats is like something in all caps or something that is underlined. God is emphasizing His Word to us. And we need to pay attention.

In last weeks message, our last parable was spoken at the end of the “Sermon on the Mount”. There are a lot of things said at this sermon, and yet Jesus asks us to hear, with understanding, to be able to build on a firm foundation. And He also warns us that not to do so ends in destruction.

This weeks parables might contain one of the most important in Jesus’ whole teaching.

How do we gauge ourselves? By what standard are we operating from? And how do we quantify the forgiveness that we have received versus what we think others need or even if they qualify for forgiveness at all.

May we always be the woman willing to expose to herself to ridicule to thank Jesus for His love and grace. And may we never enter into the arena of telling God who deserves His mercy and adoption.

Pastor Brent

27 Parables of Jesus - Week 1

The disciples asked Jesus why He spoke in parables. And He answered them with this quote, “Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given.”

“Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given.”

— Jesus

Parables are not direct answers. They must be thought about, contemplated, and even, in some cases, interpreted.

So, if you don’t have an interest, or are not compelled by the speaker or the subject they become like fairy tales or the musings of someone who can’t or won’t tell you straight out what you want to hear.

We get the privilege of getting the insider’s look at the parables and yet we probably don’t consider the things Jesus said as often as we should.

Are we really driven to find out what was on Jesus’ mind when He gave insight into what the Kingdom of Heaven is like?

Compare that with what Jesus said when He told His followers that the Kingdom of Heaven is within you. I think we might want to know what is in us, or at least what should be within us.

The New Testament, especially the gospels, contain many things that Jesus said. Your interest determines your belief in Him and also, our love for Him.

It’s one thing we have control of—-how much we seek Him.

Ever on a quest,

Pastor Brent

The Glory

“And all the people answered, “Amen, Amen” with lifting up their hands: and they worshiped the great God with their faces to the ground.”

— Nehemiah 8:6

These people went from being banished from the land to having a city, with walls and gates in less than two months.

Nehemiah accepted The Burden, The Plan, withstood The Interference, went forth with the Build, and got to experience the Glory and joy of obedience and perseverance for the Lord.

Won’t you do the same?

Then, they feasted; and they were able to celebrate the feast of tabernacles once again. This had not happened since Joshua was leading the people.

What have you and I neglected to do for the Lord? This is not a law question; this is a freedom question. If we don’t remember what God has done for us: we lose perspective on what He can do.

In Nehemiah’s time they rehearsed what God had done to get them to this place. Not even just for them, but for their ancestors.

And they made a covenant with God (thank God we don’t have to) that they would not forget what He had done.

When they dedicated the wall, God visited them with great joy. And the people were lead in great singing by inspired worship leaders and songs written by David and Asaph. Then, they set themselves apart for the intention of being God’s people alone.

God is looking, seeking people who have time and honor for Him. Nehemiah did even though he had a great job far away from his former homeland.

But he accepted The Burden, The Plan, withstood The Interference, went forth with the Build, and got to experience the Glory and joy of obedience and perseverance for the Lord.

Won’t you do the same?

Pastor Brent

The Building

“So the wall was finished in the twenty and fifth day of the month Elul in fifty and two days. ”

— Nehemiah 6:15

And all of their enemies were cast down in their eyes, because they knew it was the work of God.

But we’ll find out that that didn’t stop them from trying to derail the complete work of God.

Same in our lives. People can see the change but can’t accept that it is real and happening to you. Same as if you go on a diet or work out. “Oh, it always comes back or, you won’t last.”

Why do we do that? Or allow someone else to dictate what we can or cannot do? Stop it!

God is in charge and if you have heard (like Nehemiah did) what God has said, seen and made a plan, dealt with the interference, then build. Carry on with the project according to what you know and what the Lord will reveal.

Make sure the people you let in to your confidence are worthy of your trust.

The Bible encourages us to know them that labor among us. So, make sure you do, and let them be the ones to give you Godly advice and wisdom.

Then wait for the glory of God to reveal itself as you complete what God has asked you to do. It will be glorious.

Pastor Brent

Nehemiah-The Opposition

“When Sanballat, Tobiah, and Geshem heard that Nehemiah and the Jews had set forth to rebuild the walls and city of Jerusalem; they all laughed them to scorn.”

— Nehemiah 2:19

Does this sound like any of your “friends” when you told them you had gotten saved?

Do you know what they all have in common? None are part of what you are doing! They have no clue what Jesus has been saying to you, or what His plans are for you.

Don’t listen!

I heard one of the most interesting things I had heard for a while. We were listening to a preacher and he was really making the point about Jesus taking our sin.

When Jesus took our sin, do you think He knew what He was doing? Did He know the severity of the sin in the world? Did God, the Father, know what He was asking of Jesus?

So, when we say we have sin and we dwell on it, we run the risk of not believing that God has taken all of my sin and as Jesus resides in me there is no room for the sin to live.

My sin nature has changed. I no longer run to or look for sin and I am abhorred when I stumble—but I don’t need to be dismayed, for that sin also has been purchased with the blood of Jesus Christ. And no one can convince me different.

Pastor Brent