Parables of Jesus in Matthew

 CONTENTS
- Parable of the Lamp (Matthew 5:14-16)
- Parable of New Cloth and Old Coat (9:16-17 )
- Parable of the Speck and the Log (Matthew 7:1-5 )
- Parable of the divided Kingdom ( Matthew 12:24-30 )
- Parable of the Sower ( Matthew 13:1-13) 
- Parable of the Weeds among the Wheat ( Matt 13:24-30)
- Parable of the Mustard Seed ( Matthew 13:31-32)
- Parable of the Leaven ( Matthew 13:33-34 )
- Parable of the Hidden Treasure ( Matthew 13:44)
- Parable of the Pearl of Great Price ( Matthew 13:45-46)
- Parable of the Net ( Matthew 13:47-50)
- Parable of the Heart of Man ( Matthew 15:10-20)
- Parable of the Lost Sheep ( Matthew 18:10-14)
- Parable of the Unforgiving Servant ( Matthew 18:23-35)
- Parable of the Workers in the Vineyard ( Matthew 20:1-16)
- Parable of the two Sons ( Matthew 21:28-32)
- Parable of the Tenant Farmers ( Matthew 21:33-45)
- Parable of the Marriage Feast or Great Banquet ( Matthew 22:1-14)
- Parable of the Budding Fig Tree ( Matthew 24:32-35)
- Parable of the Faithful and Wicked Servant ( Matthew 24:45-51)
- Parable of the Talents or Gold ( Matthew 25:1-13)
- Parable of the Ten Virgins ( Matthew 25:1-13)

Parable of The Talents

14 For the kingdom of heaven is as a man traveling into a far country, who called his own servants, and delivered unto them his goods. 15 And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one; to every man according to his several ability; and straightway took his journey. 16 Then he that had received the five talents went and traded with the same, and made them other five talents. 17 And likewise he that had received two, he also gained other two. 18 But he that had received one went and dug in the earth, and hid his lord's money. 19 After a long time the lord of those servants comes, and reckoned with them. 20 And so he that had received five talents came and brought other five talents, saying, Lord, you delivered unto me five talents: behold, I have gained beside them five talents more. 21 His lord said unto him, Well done, you good and faithful servant: you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things: enter you into the joy of your lord. 22 He also that had received two talents came and said, Lord, you delivered unto me two talents: behold, I have gained two other talents beside them. 23 His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things: enter you into the joy of your lord. 24 Then he which had received the one talent came and said, Lord, I knew you that you are an hard man, reaping where you have not sown, and gathering where you have not strawed: 25 And I was afraid, and went and hid your talent in the earth: lo, there you have that is yours. 26 His lord answered and said unto him, You wicked and slothful servant, you knew that I reap where I sowed not, and gather where I have not strawed: 27 You ought therefore to have put my money to the ex changers, and then at my coming I should have received mine own with usury. 28 Take therefore the talent from him, and give it unto him which has ten talents. 29 For unto every one that has shall be given, and he shall have abundance: but from him that has not shall be taken away even that which he has. 30 And cast you the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. (Matt 25:14-30) God has given each person talents. God expects us to use those talents for His service. It is not acceptable to hide the talents in the earth and earns nothing. The return God expects from us is according to our given ability. The servant who received one talent was not condemned for failing to increase his talent. He was condemned because he did nothing with what he was given. We are to use whatever God has given to us for His service. We are to invest our lives. We are not to waste our lives. We are to invest our talents. We are to gather and eat our manna each day. Those who hoards the manna , will be disappointed because the manna will become stale. Investing is righteous if it is accomplished according to God's purpose. We are to invest our talents. We are to invest our abilities and our skills and our resources. We are to use our talents for the affairs of the kingdom of God. The Master praised the two trustworthy servants, well done , good and trustworthy servants The Master cares about the results. Their methods are good. Their motivation is trustworthy. The parable shows the end result when a person doe not seek to prosper and increase what he has been given. The Scriptures does not prohibit trade, investing or doing business. The believers are to do their business according to God's standards. The position of a person's heart provides riches. How you handle what the Lord has given to you , makes you a candidate for more. After Job was blessed , Job still have to have the talent to manage what God has given him. There is no evil in being a talented businessman , investor and becoming wealthy while doing it. Just make sure you handle your business in a righteous way. The Master gave out large sum of talents. Every servant had as much as he could work with. Two trustworthy servants used their talents wisely. They were able to increase the amount. The Master praised them .As trustworthy servants the Master gave them greater responsibility. The servant with one talent tried to make excuses because he wasted his opportunity . He did nothing with the talent. He was lazy and ignore his responsibilities. He hid the talent in the earth. The wicked servant even insulted the Master. So the the Master asked him wicked and lazy. If the person does not do the good thing , he is sinning . People should use the gift that the Lord gives them. They will find that their talents will increase. But people will lose their talents, gifts, and opportunities if they fail to use them. One day the Lord will ask each person to give an account of his talents. The Lord will judge them. The Lord will judge how they have used their talent The bad servants will be punished. The Parable of the talents teaches us what we are suppose to do while we wait for the return of the Lord. We are to love God , using our God given talents to glorify God. Because we love God , we must also love our neighbor as ourselves. We are to work diligently with love , using all the talents God has given us to produce the fruitful returns expected by the Lord. How much is a talent worth ? Is a talent worth million pieces of gold ? Or is a talent worth a billion pieces of gold ? A talent is a large sum. The servant who received one talent wasted his opportunity. He was given more than enough to meet the Master's expectation. The Master called the untrustworthy servant , wicked and lazy. The lazy servant hid his talent in the earth. The Master expects his servants to produce fruits from what he have entrusted to the servants. The Lord expects us to generate a return by using our talents. The believers are given enough to produce more. God has given us gifts to produce more fruits of love. Paul wrote, For we are God's handiwork created in Christ Jesus to do good works which Christ Jesus to do good works which Christ prepared in advance for us to do. The Master knows the servants. The Master understands that the one talent servant was not capable of producing as much as the five talents servant. The Master gives each servant talents each according to his ability. The servants are not all given the same number of talents. One servant gets five talents. Another servant gets two talents. And the third servant gets one talent. But the Master expects the servants to give all to the Master. The Lord gives a person five talents. The Lord gives another person two talents. And the Lord give the third person one talent. But the Lord expects each servant to give all his mind , all his heart, all his soul , and all his strength to the Lord. The Lord gives us all His love , and the Lord expects us to give all our love to the Lord. The parable teaches us that we labor in love for the Lord. The Lord loves us when He gives us the talents. Remember that you do not work for your own selfish purposes. The talents given to the servants are not their own. The servants are stewards of the Master's talents. The talents the servants earn with the capital is not for the servants to keep. The Master measures the quality of their stewardship. Maximize the use of your talents not for your own selfish purposes. Maximize the use of your talents to honor and glorify the Lord. Because the curse of Adam's sin, our work in the fallen world is difficult. But fear not. We will be filled with joy from doing our best with what God has given to us. Wherever the providence of God put us , we will seek His will in order to honor God. The parable is about how we use our labor of love to fulfill our earthly calling. It is about our whole life of stewardship. The unfaithful steward wasted his opportunity. As the result he was judged to be wicked and lazy. We are stewards of the Lord. We are responsible for what we do for the Lord with what the Lord has given to us. One day the Lord will ask us to give an account of what He has given to us. The Purpose For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that who ever believe in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life(John 3:16) The Message Jesus had a gospel message he wanted people to hear. Seek ye the kingdom of God and His righteousness and all other things shall be added unto you (MATTHEW 6:33) Disciples Despite His divine power , Jesus didn't try to save the lost world by Himself. Jesus enlisted the help of others. Come follow me Jesus said, And I will make you fishers of men (Matthew 4:19) Jesus knew he was going to die on the cross for the sin of the world. Jesus had to raise up others to succeed him after he died on the cross. His followers would carry on the Gospel message of Jesus Christ. Signs And Wonders Jesus made great things happen. Jesus performed signs and wonders. Jesus made the impossible possible. And here's what Jesus has to say, Truly, truly , I say to you, Whosoever believes in me will also do the works that I do, and greater works than these will he do because I am going to the Father. (John14:12) FRUITS How many souls are you winning ? A good steward builds a profitable business. The Lord Jesus expects his servants to at least double his initial investment. A HUNDREDFOLD INCREASE 29 And every one that has forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name's sake, shall receive an hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life. (MATT 19:29) May the Lord the God of your ancestors , increase you a thousand times and bless you as He has promised. (Deuteronomy 1:11) Trees that bear no fruits are destroyed. Jesus destroyed the fig tree that produced no fruit. 31 When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory: 32 And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divided his sheep from the goats: 33 And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left. 34 Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, you blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: 35 For I was an hungred, and you gave me meat: I was thirsty, and you gave me drink: I was a stranger, and you took me in: 36 Naked, and you clothed me: I was sick, and you visited me: I was in prison, and you came unto me. 37 Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we you an hungred, and fed you? or thirsty, and gave you drink? 38 When saw we you a stranger, and took you in? or naked, and clothed you? 39 Or when saw we you sick, or in prison, and came unto you? 40 And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as you have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, you have done it unto me. 41 Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, you cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels: 42 For I was an hungred, and you gave me no meat: I was thirsty, and you gave me no drink: 43 I was a stranger, and you took me not in: naked, and you clothed me not: sick, and in prison, and you visited me not. 44 Then shall they also answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we you an hungred, or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister unto you? 45 Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as you did it not to one of the least of these, you did it not to me. 46 And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal. (Matt 25:1-43) Our Daily Bread Lord ,give us our daily bread. The believers do not hoard in this world. Jesus is the bread of life. God wants us to completely depend on Him. God is the Giver of the bread that keeps us alive.God is more important than the food. God wants us to feed on Him, who is the bread of life. The Lord is the food for the soul.We need our heavenly Father's provision for our daily existence. It has taken God five days to restore the earth. Then on the six day God creates man. God prepares everything for man's need, before God creates man. Only trusting in God can we get rid of our anxiety.God will supply our needs. God knows what you have need of these things. God will fill our needs but God is not bound to satisfy our selfish demands.Sometimes these demands are for selfish reasons. So don't expect God to satisfy your demands. Jesus said," Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what you shall eat , or what you shall drink ; nor yet for your body, what you shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than clothes ? " ( Matt 6:25) Be not anxious about your earthly life . Don't worry about your human needs. Don't waste your time thinking about unimportant things in your earthly life. Do not waste your precious time trying to figure out what you shall eat or what you shall drink.Don't waste your time worrying about what kind of clothing you shall put on. The purpose of your life is more than just eating and drinking. Don't waste your time decorating your body with clothing. This intense concern for food , drink, and clothing will distract your mind from God. Jesus said, "Behold the fowls of the air : for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them.Are you not much better than they? "(Matt 6:26) Look at the birds of the air . The birds do not worry abour their daily needs. They don"t toil uselessly for their daily food. The birds sow no seeds . Neither do the birds reap any crops. The birds are not anxious about tomorrow.Yet your heavenly Father feeds them.Are you not much better than birds? When the Creator is your heavenly Father , why do you waste your time worrying about your basic needs? Have faith in your heavenly Father to take care of your basic need for food , drink , and clothing. Which of you by taking though can add one cubit unto his stature? (Matthew 6:27) Man can not control his own physical growth. Man has no control of the laws of the physical nature. No matter how clever man is , he is not capable of controlling life. God makes the laws of nature. everything acts according to God's law. Man's physical growth moves according to God's law that governs nature. And why take you thought for raiment? consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not , neither do they spin. and yet I say unto you , That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.(Matt 6:28-29) Don't waste your time worry about your clothes . God controls food essential for all growth. Since God provides food and clothes for the simple lilies , should we not trust Him to provide for us when He has told us that we are more important than flowers and wild beasts? When you pray , don't waste your time asking for basic needs.God has already supplied your needs. Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is cast into the oven, shall He not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? (Matt 6:30) The beauty of the lilies is short-lived. It is beautiful today . Tomorrow it is out with the grass and used for man's fuel. God has told us that we are more important than these simple plants. If He will provide for the grass, surely God will provide for us. Therefore take no thought , saying , What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink ? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? (Matt6:32) Don't waste your time worrying about your food and clothing. God will take care of your basic needs. (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knows that you have need of all these things.(Matt 6:32) Don't waste your time worrying about you food and clothing.God will take care of your basic needs. (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knows that you have need of all these things (Matt 6:32). God is not the Father for the pagans. God is the Father for the believers.Our heavenly Father knows you have basic needs and He provides for you. But seek you first the kingdom of God , and His righteousness ; and all these things shall be added unto you (Matt 6:33). Use your precious time to seek first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness.God will take care of your basic needs while you seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness. Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself .Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof (Matt 6:34) FORGIVE And forgive us our debts. Sin is debt owed to God.Sins are moral and spiritual debts to God's righteousness. Forgiveness always is by the grace of God and based on Christ's atonement. Since God has such an abundant forgiving spirit, it is expected that the believer should have a forgiving spirit. God has already forgiven us so much .(Eph 4:32) An unforgiving spirit is sin. The forgiveness here has to do with the covering of sins of daily weakness and faults of the saved. We are not perfect yet. But we are perfect in Christ, who is perfect and without sin. The Lord tells that asking forgiveness, we must always say, As we forgive". We are to reconciled with our neighbors before we offer our gift at the altar. God does not forgive an unforgiving spirit. Our hearts must reach out for our debtors in compassion and in forgiving love. THE LORD LEADS US IN THE PATH OF RIGHTEOUSNESS Jesus appears at the Sea of Galilee. 5 Then Jesus said unto them, Children, have you any meat? They answered him, No. 6 And he said unto them, Cast the net on the right side of the ship, and you shall find. They cast therefore, and now they were not able to draw it for the multitude of fishes.(John 21:5) The Lord takes care of our daily bread. The Lord is in charge of your needs. God gives you the strength to gather food each day. Each day gather your manna. A Thousand Times More Increase God has the blessing for you. But you have to reach out and take it. 8 For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, said the LORD. 9 For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts. 10 For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater: 11 So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it. 12 For you shall go out with joy, and be led forth with peace: the mountains and the hills shall break forth before you into singing, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands. 13 Instead of the thorn shall come up the fir tree, and instead of the brier shall come up the myrtle tree: and it shall be to the LORD for a name, for an everlasting sign that shall not be cut off. Isaiah 55:11-13 3 That then the LORD your God will turn your captivity, and have compassion upon you, and will return and gather you from all the nations, whither the LORD your God has scattered you. 4 If any of your be driven out unto the outmost parts of heaven, from thence will the LORD your God gather you, and from thence will he fetch you: 5 And the LORD your God will bring you into the land which your fathers possessed, and you shall possess it; and he will do you good, and multiply you above your fathers. 6 And the LORD your God will circumcise your heart, and the heart of your seed, to love the LORD your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, that you may live. 7 And the LORD your God will put all these curses upon your enemies, and on them that hate you, which persecuted you. 9 Then the LORD your God will make you most prosperous in all the work of your hands and in the fruit of your womb, the young of your livestock and the crops of your land. The LORD will again delight in you and make you prosperous, just as he delighted in your fathers, 6 The LORD your God will circumcise your hearts and the hearts of your descendants, so that you may love him with all your heart and with all your soul, and live. 10 if you obey the LORD your God and keep his commands and decrees that are written in this Book of the Law and turn to the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul. 11 Now what I am commanding you today is not too difficult for you or beyond your reach. 12 It is not up in heaven, so that you have to ask, "Who will ascend into heaven to get it and proclaim it to us so we may obey it?" 13 Nor is it beyond the sea, so that you have to ask, "Who will cross the sea to get it and proclaim it to us so we may obey it?" 14 No, the word is very near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart so you may obey it. 15 See, I set before you today life and prosperity, death and destruction. 16 For I command you today to love the LORD your God, to walk in his ways, and to keep his commands, decrees and laws; then you will live and increase, and the LORD your God will bless you in the land you are entering to possess. 17 But if your heart turns away and you are not obedient, and if you are drawn away to bow down to other gods and worship them, 18 I declare to you this day that you will certainly be destroyed. You will not live long in the land you are crossing the Jordan to enter and possess. 19 This day I call heaven and earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live . 20 and that you may love the LORD your God, listen to his voice, and hold fast to him. For the LORD is your life, and he will give you many years in the land he swore to give to your fathers, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. (Deuteronomy 30:3-13) 1 And it shall come to pass, if you shall hearken diligently unto the voice of the LORD your God, to observe and to do all his commandments which I command you this day, that the LORD your God will set you on high above all nations of the earth: 2 And all these blessings shall come on you, and overtake you, if you shall hearken unto the voice of the LORD your God. 3 Blessed shall you be in the city, and blessed shall you be in the field. 4 Blessed shall be the fruit of your body, and the fruit of your ground, and the fruit of your cattle, the increase of your kine, and the flocks of your sheep. 5 Blessed shall be your basket and your store. 6 Blessed shall you be when you come in, and blessed shall you be when you go out. 7 The LORD shall cause your enemies that rise up against you to be smitten before your face: they shall come out against you one way, and flee before you seven ways. 8 The LORD shall command the blessing upon you in your storehouses, and in all that you set your hand unto; and he shall bless you in the land which the LORD your God gives you. 9 The LORD shall establish you an holy people unto himself, as he has sworn unto you, if you shall keep the commandments of the LORD your God, and walk in his ways. 10 And all people of the earth shall see that you have called by the name of the LORD; and they shall be afraid of you. 11 And the LORD shall make you plenteous in goods, in the fruit of your body, and in the fruit of your cattle, and in the fruit of your ground, in the land which the LORD swore unto your fathers to give you. 12 The LORD shall open unto you his good treasure, the heaven to give the rain unto your land in his season, and to bless all the work of your hand: and you shall lend unto many nations, and you shall not borrow. 13 And the LORD shall make you the head, and not the tail; and you shall be above only, and you shall not be beneath; if that you hearken unto the commandments of the LORD your God, which I command you this day, to observe and to do them: 14 And you shall not go aside from any of the words which I command you this day, to the right hand, or to the left, to go after other gods to serve them. (Deuteronomy 28:1-14) Give and it will be given unto you. 38 Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that you mete withal it shall be measured to you again. (Luke 6:38) 3 And Joab said unto the king, Now the LORD your God add unto the people, how many soever they be, an hundredfold, and that the eyes of my lord the king may see it: (2 Samuel 24:30) Be content with what the Lord has given to you. A faithful believer believes in the Lord. A doubtful person lacks faith in the Lord. A doubtful person receives nothing from the Lord, 28 Then Peter began to say unto him, Lo, we have left all, and have followed you. 29 And Jesus answered and said, Verily I say unto you, There is no man that has left house, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my sake, and the gospel's, 30 But he shall receive an hundredfold now in this time, houses, and brethren, and sisters, and mothers, and children, and lands, with persecutions; and in the world to come eternal life. (Mark 10:28-31) 12 Then Isaac sowed in that land, and received in the same year, an hundredfold: and the LORD blessed him. 13 And the man waxed great, and went forward, and grew until he became very great: 14 For he had possession of flocks, and possession of herds, and great store of servants: and the Philistines envied him. (Genesis 26:12-140 23 But he that received seed into the good ground is he that hears the word, and understands it; which also bears fruit, and brings forth, some an hundredfold , some sixty, some thirty. (Matthew 13:23) 29 And every one that has forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name's sake, shall receive an hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life. (Matthew 19:29) 36 And he said unto them, What would you that I should do for you? 37 They said unto him, Grant unto us that we may sit, one on your right hand, and the other on your left hand, in your glory. 38 But Jesus said unto them, You know not what you ask: can you drink of the cup that I drink of? and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with? 39 And they said unto him, We can. And Jesus said unto them, You shall indeed drink of the cup that I drink of; and with the baptism that I am baptized withal shall you be baptized: 40 But to sit on my right hand and on my left hand is not mine to give; but it shall be given to them for whom it is prepared. 41 And when the ten heard it, they began to be much displeased with James and John. 42 But Jesus called them to him, and said unto them, You know that they which are accounted to rule over the Gentiles exercise lordship over them; and their great ones exercise authority upon them. 43 But so shall it not be among you: but whosoever will be great among you, shall be your minister: 44 And whosoever of you will be the chiefest , shall be servant of all. 45 For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many. (Mark 10:39) 29 And Jesus answered and said, Verily I say unto you, There is no man that has left house, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my sake, and the gospel's, 30 But he shall receive an hundredfold now in this time, houses, and brethren, and sisters, and mothers, and children, and lands, with persecutions; and in the world to come eternal life. (Mark 10:29-30) 11 Blessed are you, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. 12 Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you. (Matthew 5:11,12) 10 Bring you all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, said the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it. Malachi 3:10 14 He is the LORD our God; his judgments are in all the earth. 15 Be you mindful always of his covenant; the word which he commanded to a thousand generations: (1Chronicles 16:15) 6 The LORD our God spoke unto us in Horeb, saying, You have dwelt long enough in this mount: 7 Turn you, and take your journey, and go to the mount of the Amorites, and unto all the places nigh thereunto, in the plain, in the hills, and in the vale, and in the south, and by the sea side, to the land of the Canaanites, and unto Lebanon, unto the great river, the river Euphrates. 8 Behold, I have set the land before you: go in and possess the land which the LORD swore unto your fathers, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, to give unto them and to their seed after them. 9 And I spoke unto you at that time, saying, I am not able to bear you myself alone: 10 The LORD your God has multiplied you, and, behold, you are this day as the stars of heaven for multitude. 11 (The LORD God of your fathers make you a thousand times so many more as you are, and bless you, as he has promised you!) (Deut 1:6-11) The anointing will help us defeat our enemies. 7 And the women answered one another as they played, and said, Saul has slain his thousands, and David his ten thousands. (1 Samuel 18:7) 10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. 11 Put on the whole armour of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. 13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. (Ephesians 6:10-13) The anointing will give natural and Supernatural provisions for the believer. 10 So he arose and went to Zarephath. And when he came to the gate of the city, behold, the widow woman was there gathering of sticks: and he called to her, and said, Fetch me, I pray you, a little water in a vessel, that I may drink. 11 And as she was going to fetch it, he called to her, and said, Bring me, I pray you, a morsel of bread in your hand. 12 And she said, As the LORD your God lives, I have not a cake, but an handful of meal in a barrel, and a little oil in a cruse: and,behold, I am gathering two sticks, that I may go in and dress it for me and my son, that we may eat it, and die. 13 And Elijah said unto her, Fear not; go and do as you have said: but make me thereof a little cake first, and bring it unto me, and after make for you and for your son. 14 For thus said the LORD God of Israel, The barrel of meal shall not waste, neither shall the cruse of oil fail, until the day that the LORD sends rain upon the earth. 15 And she went and did according to the saying of Elijah: and she, and he, and her house, did eat many days. 16 And the barrel of meal wasted not, neither did the cruse of oil fail, according to the word of the LORD, which he spoke by Elijah. (1King 17:10-12) 25 Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what you shall eat, or what you shall drink; nor yet for your body, what you shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than clothes? 26 Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much better than they? 27 Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature? 28 And why take you thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin: 29 And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. Matthew 6:25-28 27 And it shall come to pass in that day, that his burden shall be taken away from off your shoulder, and his yoke from off your neck, and the yoke shall be destroyed because of the anointing. (Isaiah 10:27) David is speaking of a thousandfold blessing. David asked the help of the Lord. 9 I will sing a new song unto you, O God: upon a psaltery and an instrument of ten strings will I sing praises unto you. 10 It is he that gives salvation unto kings: who delivers David his servant from the hurtful sword. 11 Rid me, and deliver me from the hand of strange children, whose mouth speaks vanity, and their right hand is a right hand of falsehood: 12 That our sons may be as plants grown up in their youth; that our daughters may be as corner stones, polished after the similitude of a palace: 13 That our garners may be full, affording all manner of store: that our sheep may bring forth thousands and ten thousands in our streets: 14 That our oxen may be strong to labour; that there be no breaking in, nor going out; that there be no complaining in our streets. 15 Happy is that people, that is in such a case: yea, happy is that people, whose God is the LORD. (Psalm 144:13) David is appealing to the Lord to the unlimited multiplying power. Take what we have and multiply it abundantly. Ten Thousand people were fed. Jesus did that with the fish and the loaves of bread. They gave to Jesus the two fishes and five loaves of bread. 13 When Jesus heard of it, he departed thence by ship into a desert place apart: and when the people had heard thereof, they followed him on foot out of the cities. 14 And Jesus went forth, and saw a great multitude, and was moved with compassion toward them, and he healed their sick. 15 And when it was evening, his disciples came to him, saying, This is a desert place, and the time is now past; send the multitude away, that they may go into the villages, and buy themselves victuals. 16 But Jesus said unto them, They need not depart; give you them to eat. 17 And they say unto him, We have here but five loaves, and two fishes. 18 He said, Bring them hither to me. 19 And he commanded the multitude to sit down on the grass, and took the five loaves, and the two fishes, and looking up to heaven, he blessed, and brake, and gave the loaves to his disciples, and the disciples to the multitude. 20 And they did all eat, and were filled: and they took up of the fragments that remained twelve baskets full. 21 And they that had eaten were about five thousand men, beside women and children. (Matthew 14:13-21) There were more than ten thousand people .Men, women and children did eat and were filled . ..................................

Parable of the Lamp (Matthew 5:14-16)

Jesus tells the parable of the lamp to encourage his followers to stand out ,to be examples and not hide away. The parable's message would have been challenging for the first Christians. They were threaten with death. They were cruelly persecuted. The first Christians may have hidden their faith as they did not wish to be imprisoned, tortured , or killed because of their faith. Jesus uses the example of an lamp. The lamp was brought into the home to provide light. The lamp is not hidden under the bed. The lamp is set on a lamp stand where it could have shine. 21 And he said unto them, Is a candle brought to be put under a bushel, or under a bed? and not to be set on a candlestick? 22 For there is nothing hid, which shall not be manifested; neither was any thing kept secret, but that it should come abroad. 23 If any man have ears to hear, let him hear. 24 And he said unto them, Take heed what you hear: with what measure you mete, it shall be measured to you: and unto you that hear shall more be given. 25 For he that has, to him shall be given: and he that has not, from him shall be taken even that which he has. 26 And he said, So is the kingdom of God, as if a man should cast seed into the ground; 27 And should sleep, and rise night and day, and the seed should spring and grow up, he knows not how. (MARK 4:21- 27 ) 14 You are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. 15 Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it gives light unto all that are in the house. 16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.(Matt.5:14|-16) Jesus wants the believers to spread and develop. Jesus wants believers to proclaim and show faith. The world reads the believers. You are the light of the world . Jesus tells a parable about a lamp and what it means to us. In order to get the most light , the lamp is set on a lampstand where their light could spread throughout the room. For obvious reasons a lamp is not placed under the bed because it would hide their light. And the lamp could not fulfill is purpose. As a lamp you wish your light to shine. And Jesus said unto them, Is a lamp brought to be put under a bushel, or under a bed? and not to be set on a stand , where its light will shine ? The believers who receive the light of the gospel are not to conceal it. They are let the light shine through them for others to see. Light is Christ. Light is truth. Light is the spiritual life of Christ. Jesus does not want us to hide what He has done in our life. We have an obligation. We have received the gospel. We are to live the gospel openly and share the gospel with others. We are to love others regardless of race and religion like a Good Samaritan. You are the light of the world. Let your love shine before the world so that they will see the love of Christ through you. Be open about your love for Jesus. Be open about your love for others. You love them because Jesus loves you. Let Jesus be seen through you. Your love and good deeds is the light that God uses that causes others to praise God. Let your light shine. When others are rude , you will be patient. When others are harsh , you will be kind. When others hate , you will show love. When others are filled with panic , you will be calm. When others are living with fear , you will live by faith. Let your love and good deeds shine out for all to see , so that folks will praise your heavenly Father. As a lamp , your light will shine. The believer has been transformed by Christ are to present His love and truth to others. 14 You are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. 15 Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it gives light unto all that are in the house. 16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.(Matt.5:14|-16) God's truth and light shines into the dark. In the light you will be able to see. Within time , as love and truth is being shared , the hard ground reveals itself , the shallow rocky ground reveals itself , and the worldly and thorny ground reveals itself. The hidden reality of your love is made clear for all to see. Love defeats evil. Love shines into the darkness of evil. When evil people see the light , they soon abandon their wickedness and began to love, The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light: they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them has the light shined. (Isaiah 9:2) Jesus came not just to identifies with mankind. He also came to reconcile the world unto God. Evil folks dwell in the land of the shadow of death. Evil folks walked in darkness. Your light will shine upon them, They will see the great light and give up their evil and praise your heavenly Father. 21 And he said unto them, Is a candle brought to be put under a bushel, or under a bed? and not to be set on a candlestick? 22 For there is nothing hid, which shall not be manifested; neither was any thing kept secret, but that it should come abroad. 23 If any man have ears to hear, let him hear. 24 And he said unto them, Take heed what you hear: with what measure you mete, it shall be measured to you: and unto you that hear shall more be given. 25 For he that has, to him shall be given: and he that has not, from him shall be taken even that which he has. 26 And he said, So is the kingdom of God, as if a man should cast seed into the ground; 27 And should sleep, and rise night and day, and the seed should spring and grow up, he knows not how. (MARK 4:21- 27 ) 21 And he said unto them, Is a candle brought to be put under a bushel, or under a bed? and not to be set on a candlestick? (Mark 4:21) Don't hid your light under the bed. No one will see your light under the bed. Don't hide your love under the bed. No one will see your love under the bed. Your love will be wasted under the bed. Set your light on a candlestick so that all will see. Set your love on the lamp stand so that all will see it. 22 For there is nothing hid, which shall not be manifested; neither was any thing kept secret, but that it should come abroad. 23 If any man have ears to hear, let him hear. Those folks who have receive Christ's love and truth are not to conceal it. You are to let your love shine for others to see. Let your light of Christ truth and love shine for others to see. Christ does not want you to hide what He has done in your life. 22 For there is nothing hid, which shall not be manifested; neither was any thing kept secret, but that it should come abroad. 23 If any man have ears to hear, let him hear. 24 And he said unto them, Take heed what you hear: with what measure you mete, it shall be measured to you: and unto you that hear shall more be given. 25 For he that has, to him shall be given: and he that has not, from him shall be taken even that which he has. For he that has the love of Christ to him shall be given. He that has not, from him shall be taken even that which he has. These are the false believers. The rocky ground folks and the thorny ground folks may claim to have spiritual life. But in reality they are not spiritual . They may profess to know God , but their works deny God. Be careful what you hear. For those people who are not listening ; even what they think they understand will be taken away from them. You are the light of the world. You are like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. Be open about your love for Christ. Be open about your love for others. Your love and good deeds is the light that God uses that causes others to praise Him. As a lamp you reveal what is hidden. The secret is the kingdom of God. Before Jesus came the kingdom of God was not clear. But when Jesus came , He made the secret of the kingdom of God more clear and understandable. A lamp of God lives by the kingdom truth of love. We share the kingdom truth of love with others. We help to bring God's kingdom of love into the light. We help others understand the Good News of Jesus. We help others understand that Jesus died for us. God's secret about salvation will be brought to light. 26 And he said, So is the kingdom of God, as if a man should cast seed into the ground; 27 And should sleep, and rise night and day, and the seed should spring and grow up, he knows not how. (MARK 4:26- 27 ) We let our love shine into the darkness . We love others regardless of race .We have patient with others. We do good deeds to others. We give generously. So the kingdom of God ,as if a man should cast love into the ground , and should sleep , and rise night and day , and love should spring up , he knows not how. God makes love grow among others.

Parable of new Cloth on Old Garment (Matthew 9:16-17)

Jesus is contrasting the old Mosaic covenant with the new covenant. It was foretold by the prophets . And it was revealed in the New Testament. In the old covenant salvation is based on performance. A person is saved if he live up to a certain level of performance. In the New covenant a person is saved through the forgiveness of sins , which requires only faith in Christ's atoning work . After having been saved , God regenerates the person . God causes him to live a way of life consistent with that of a child of God. Man's sinful nature has made the old covenant ineffective. There are those who fail to keep God's standards. They think that Christ came simply to help them become better people. They think they can be justified by their performance. This is putting new cloth on an old garment. Due to their sin , they have holes in their garment. They cut a cloth out of the gospel. And they try to attach it to a work-based salvation concept. They say salvation is obtained as a free gift. This a new cloth. Then they say that the salvation must be maintained by one's works or else they are lost. They think salvation is base on performance. That is the old garment. Their idea of work based salvation will fail them. 16 No man puts a piece of new cloth unto an old garment, for that which is put in to fill it up takes from the garment, and the rent is made worse. 17 Neither do men put new wines into old bottles: else the bottles break, and the wine runs out, and the bottles perish: but they put new wine into new bottles, and both are preserved. (Matt.9:16-17) 21 No man also sews a piece of new cloth on an old garment: else the new piece that filled it up takes away from the old, and the rent is made worse. 22 And no man puts new wine into old bottles: else the new wine does burst the bottles, and the wine is spilled, and the bottles will be marred: but new wine must be put into new bottles. (Mark 2:21) 36 And he spoke also a parable unto them; No man puts a piece of a new garment upon an old; if otherwise, then both the new makes a rent, and the piece that was taken out of the new agrees not with the old. (Luke5:36) A parable is a story that is easy to understand. A parable is used to explain things that are difficult to understand . especially spiritual truths. Parables are easy to remember. Jesus uses the parables to make the truth clear to those folks who were willing to hear. Parables are meaningless to those who lack spiritual interest. How is it that John's disciples and the disciples of the Pharisees are fasting, but Yours are not ? Jesus knew who He was. Jesus was the Messiah , the Lord , the Savior. Jesus knew He was the Son of God. Jesus understood His importance. Jesus understood the importance of His life and ministry. Jesus understood His mission Jesus is to proclaim the Good News about Himself. Jesus is to reveal God in a greater way . Jesus is to die a sacrificial death. Jesus is then to rise from death so that man can be reconciled to God. Jesus understood He is in the process of making a New Covenant. It is a new and better relationship between God and people. Immanuel (God with us) is with His disciples. Jesus knows that He is in the process of making a New Covenant . A new and better relationship between God and the people. Jesus knows that the Son of God becoming man and living among man is a thing of great importance. Fasting is in keeping with sadness and mourning. His disciples will not fast because Immanuel (God with us) is with them. Jesus said, How can the guests of the groom fast while he is with them ? The disciples will not fast as long as they have Jesus with them. But the time will come when the groom will be taken from them. Then on that day the disciples will fast. 36 And he spoke also a parable unto them; No man puts a piece of a new garment upon an old; if otherwise, then both the new makes a rent, and the piece that was taken out of the new agrees not with the old. (Luke5:36) No one sews a new cloth on an old garment. Otherwise , the cloth will pull away from the old garment , making the tear worse. The old garment is Judaism , including the tradition of fasting. God designed the Old Covenant to regulate the life of the Chosen people. Its laws governed of the people of the Chosen people. The New Covenant was designed by God , not to govern just one nation. The New Covenant was designed by God to govern the faith of individuals from all nations. The new cloth is New covenant The New Covenant must not be considered to be like a patch. It is not a minor addition to the Old Covenant. The New Covenant is too new , too important , too different for the Old Covenant. The Old Covenant is about laws and rituals and the temple and the priesthood and sacrifices. The New Covenant is different. The New Covenant is not focused on observing laws. It is freedom from law. The New Covenant is about God's truth. It is about having the amazement of Christ's presence in our lives. It is about the salvation Christ brings . It is about the power Christ brings to enables us to live a righteous life. It is about the love Christ brings to enable us to love the people of all nations.

PARABLE OF THE SPECK AND LOG (Matthew 7:1-5)

Jesus warns us to remove the log before going to remove the speck .Jesus warns us against hypocrisy while seeing the sin in other folks while ignoring the obvious sin in our own life. Do you see the splinter in someone else's eye and never notice the log in your own eye. The faults of other are easier to see than one's own. Why do you see the splinter in someone's else's eye and never notice the log in your own. 1 Judge not, that you be not judged. 2 For with what judgment you judge, you shall be judged: and with what measure you mete, it shall be measured to you again. 3 And why behold you the mote that is in your brother's eye, but consider not the beam that is in your own eye? 4 Or how will you say to your brother, Let me pull out the mote out of your eye; and, behold, a beam is in your own eye? 5 You hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of your own eye; and then shall you see clearly to cast out the mote out of your brother's eye. Matt. 7:1-5) 41 And why behold you the mote that is in your brother's eye, but perceive not the beam that is in your own eye? 42 Either how can you say to your brother, Brother, let me pull out the mote that is in your eye, when you yourself behold not the beam that is in your own eye? You hypocrite, cast out first the beam out of your own eye, and then shall you see clearly to pull out the mote that is in your brother's eye. (Luke6:40-42) How can you get the saw dust out of your brother's eye if you have a huge log in your own eye. Some people can find fault in the lives of others because they are so familiar with the sin themselves. They can find certain things in another person's life because they are guilty of the same sin. If God forgives us, then we should forgive others, Don't be a hypocrite. First remove the log out of your own eye. And then you can see clearly to remove the tiny speck of dust out of your brother's eye. It is impossible for a person to completely clear away his own flaws (sins). Thus, the opportunity to judge other people will never arise. The opportunity to be without sin is not possible. We are all sinners. Jesus warns us about hypocrisy. Don't focus on the flaws (sin) in others while you ignore the sin in your own life. Judging is to be done by God the Father. You should be concern yourself with making your soul ready for the acceptance into the kingdom of God. We should root out the sin in our lives. We should not be concern with the sins of other people. Jesus condemns the hypocritical selfish criticism of other people. Judging other people as if we are the standard of goodness is evil. God does not give man authority to judge the righteousness of others using our standards.We are all sinners. We are in no position to pronounce judgment because we ourselves can be guilty of sin. We are blind to our own sin. Judging others is foolish. Why are we so skilful to judge the speck of sawdust in a brother's eye and to forget to notice the log in our own eye. You can recognize the tiny speck in the lives of others while we walk around with huge ugly sin of our own. God forbids us to assume our role as judge over brothers and sisters. ------------------------------

PARABLE OF THE SOWER (Matt 13:1-9)

1 The same day went Jesus out of the house, and sat by the sea side. 2 And great multitudes were gathered together unto him, so that he went into a ship, and sat; and the whole multitude stood on the shore. 3 And he spoke many things unto them in parables, saying, Behold, a sower went forth to sow; 4 And when he sowed, some seeds fell by the way side, and the fowls came and devoured them up: 5 Some fell upon stony places, where they had not much earth: and forthwith they sprung up, because they had no deepness of earth. 6 And when the sun was up, they were scorched; and because they had no root, they withered away. 7 And some fell among thorns; and the thorns sprung up, and choked them: 8 But other fell into good ground, and brought forth fruit, some an hundredfold, some sixty fold, some thirty fold. 9 Who has ears to hear, let him hear. (Mark 4:1-20) 1 And he began again to teach by the sea side: and there was gathered unto him a great multitude, so that he entered into a ship, and sat in the sea; and the whole multitude was by the sea on the land. 2 And he taught them many things by parables, and said unto them in his doctrine, 3 Hearken; Behold, there went out a sower to sow: 4 And it came to pass, as he sowed, some fell by the way side, and the fowls of the air came and devoured it up. 5 And some fell on stony ground, where it had not much earth; and immediately it sprang up, because it had no depth of earth: 6 But when the sun was up, it was scorched; and because it had no root, it withered away. 7 And some fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up, and choked it, and it yielded no fruit. 8 And other fell on good ground, and did yield fruit that sprang up and increased; and brought forth, some thirty, and some sixty, and some an hundred. 9 And he said unto them, He that has ears to hear, let him hear. 10 And when he was alone, they that were about him with the twelve asked of him the parable. 11 And he said unto them, Unto you it is given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God: but unto them that are without, all these things are done in parables: 12 That seeing they may see, and not perceive; and hearing they may hear, and not understand; lest at any time they should be converted, and their sins should be forgiven them. 13 And he said unto them, Know you not this parable? and how then will you know all parables? 14 The sower sows the word. 15 And these are they by the way side, where the word is sown; but when they have heard, Satan comes immediately, and takes away the word that was sown in their hearts. 16 And these are they likewise which are sown on stony ground; who, when they have heard the word, immediately receive it with gladness; 17 And have no root in themselves, and so endure but for a time: afterward, when affliction or persecution arises for the word's sake, immediately they are offended. 18 And these are they which are sown among thorns; such as hear the word, 19 And the cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things entering in, choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful. 20 And these are they which are sown on good ground; such as hear the word, and receive it, and bring forth fruit, some thirtyfold, some sixty, and some an hundred. (Luke 8:1-15) 1 And it came to pass afterwards, that he went throughout every city and village, preaching and showing the glad tidings of the kingdom of God: and the twelve were with him, 2 And certain women, which had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities, Mary called Magdalene, out of whom went seven devils, 3 And Joanna the wife of Chuza Herod's steward, and Susanna, and many others, which ministered unto him of their substance. 4 And when much people were gathered together, and were come to him out of every city, he spoke by a parable: 5 A sower went out to sow his seed: and as he sowed, some fell by the way side; and it was trodden down, and the fowls of the air devoured it. 6 And some fell upon a rock; and as soon as it was sprung up, it withered away, because it lacked moisture. 7 And some fell among thorns; and the thorns sprang up with it, and choked it. 8 And other fell on good ground, and sprang up, and bare fruit an hundredfold. And when he had said these things, he cried, He that has ears to hear, let him hear. 9 And his disciples asked him, saying, What might this parable be? 10 And he said, Unto you it is given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God: but to others in parables; that seeing they might not see, and hearing they might not understand. 11 Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God. 12 Those by the way side are they that hear; then comes the devil, and takes away the word out of their hearts, lest they should believe and be saved. 13 They on the rock are they, which, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no root, which for a while believe, and in time of temptation fall away. 14 And that which fell among thorns are they, which, when they have heard, go forth, and are choked with cares and riches and pleasures of this life, and bring no fruit to perfection. 15 But that on the good ground are they, which in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience. And Jesus spoke many things unto them in parables, saying , Behold , a sower went forth to sow . And he sowed , some seeds fell by the way side , and the fowls came and devoured them up. Some fell upon stony places , where they had not much earth and forthwith they sprung up . because they had no deepness of earth. And when the sun was up . they were scorched, and because they had no root they withered away. And some fell into among thorns , and the torn sprung up, and choked them. But other fell into good ground , and brought forth fruit , some an hundredfold, some sixtyfold , some thirtyfold. Who has ear , let him hear. The Lord Jesus is sowing the seed. This defines the work of Jesus in the world. Jesus is doing the work of a farmer , sowing seed. Jesus is king but he does the work of a farmer, today. The seed represents the Word of God. The field symbolizes the world. In the world there are multitudes of people. The Word is given to the one. The Word is given to another. One accepts the Word. Another does not accepts it. Our business is to sow the seed. Our business is to sow the Word. Although not everyone will receive it. The Lord Jesus has charge of business of sowing the seed. My business is to sow the Word while I am in the world, and it is your business to sow the World while you are in the world. The seed falls in four types of soil. Three fourth of the seed do not grow. The soil was the problem. There was nothing wrong with the seed. As far as the seed is concerned the condition of the soil is extremely important. The Lord says that some seed fell by the wayside. And the birds come and ate it up. Jesus explains to his disciples When anyone hears the the Word of the kingdom, and understands it not , then comes the wicked one and catches away that which was sown in his heart. This is he which receive seed by the wayside. The birds represent the evil one. The devil takes away the seed sown by the wayside. The wayside represents the Word of God , but they are in the sideline . Some of them have fallen away. And do they belong to lodge? Do they belong to a club ? Do they belong to a cult ? 20 But he that received the seed into stony places, the same is he that hears the word, and anon with joy receives it; 21 Yet has he not root in himself, but endures for a while: for when tribulation or persecution arises because of the word, by and by he is offended. (Matt 13:20-21) The rocky ground folk have problem with the flesh. They have no relationship with Christ. They just have an emotional high. The third group of hearers is like thorny ground folks. 22 He also that received seed among the thorns is he that hears the word; and the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becomes unfruitful.(Matt 13:22) With the thorny ground folks the world crowds out the Word of God . The devil got the wayside folks. The flesh took care of the rocky ground folk. Sometimes it's the deceitfulness of riches. Sometimes it's poverty. The cares of the world crowd out the Word of God. And the world chokes out the the Word of God for the thorny ground hearers. The flesh took care of the rocky ground folk. And the world chokes out the Word for thorny ground hearers. The cares of the world moves into the rocky ground folk. These three types of soil does not represents the believers. They are not believers. They have heard the Word of God and have not receive it. Thank God. Some seed are in good ground. 23 But he that received seed into the good ground is he that hears the word, and understands it; which also bears fruit, and brings forth, some an hundredfold , some sixty, some thirty. The hearers who receives the Word understand it. Some of the hearers bring forth thirty fold. Some of the hearers bring forth a hundred fold. In the world Jesus is the sowing the seed of the Word of God. And the Holy Spirit applies the Word to the hearers who want to believe. 10 And the disciples came, and said unto him, Why speak you unto them in parables? 11 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. 12 For whosoever has, to him shall be given, and he shall have more abundance: but whosoever has not, from him shall be taken away even that he has. 13 Therefore speak I to them in parables: because they seeing see not; and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand. 14 And in them is fulfilled the prophecy of Esaias, which said, By hearing you shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing you shall see, and shall not perceive: 15 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. 16 But blessed are your eyes, for they see: and your ears, for they hear. 17 For verily I say unto you, That many prophets and righteous men have desired to see those things which you see, and have not seen them; and to hear those things which you hear, and have not heard them. 18 Hear you therefore the parable of the sower. 19 When any one hears the word of the kingdom, and understands it not, then comes the wicked one, and catches away that which was sown in his heart. This is he which received seed by the way side. 20 But he that received the seed into stony places, the same is he that hears the word, and anon with joy receives it; 21 Yet has he not root in himself, but endures for a while: for when tribulation or persecution arises because of the word, by and by he is offended. 22 He also that received seed among the thorns is he that hears the word; and the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becomes unfruitful. 23 But he that received seed into the good ground is he that hears the word, and understands it; which also bears fruit, and brings forth, some an hundredfold , some sixty.(Matt 13:10-23) There are different responses to the gospel of Jesus Christ. The sower is Jesus Christ and the seed is the Word of God. The human heart is like the soil to the seed of the Word of God. The soil that the seed fell in represents four types of human hearts. There are four different reactions to the Word God : - the hard heart - the shallow heart - the crowded heart - the fruitful heart The seed falls along the roadside. The hard heart people who hear the Word of God , but they never really believe. The shallow heart folks have no root to sustain them. They whither and, die. The shallow heart folks hear the Word of God. They receive it with joy , but because they don't have root to sustain them , they whither and die. The crowded heart folks is choked out by the world. The seed falls here are busy with the cares and rich ground where weeds choked out its growth. These folks are busy with the cares and riches of the world. They lose interest in the things of God. The faithful heart folks received the Word of God. The seed falls in good ground and the plants produce a rich harvest. People are the ones who determine what kind of soil their hearts will be. They decide whether they will have a hard heart, a shallow heart , a crowded heart or a fruitful heart. Therefore lat aside all filthiness and overflow of wickedness , and receive with meekness the implanted word , which is able to save your souls (James 1:21) The Word of God can not work in our lives unless our hearts open and receive the Word of God. How does the human heart respond to the Word of God ? The Word of God falls on the path. And the birds come and eat the seed. This is the hard hearts folks. The hard heart folks sits under the preaching of the gospel. It does not penetrate their heart. The Word of God hit their eardrums and bounce off. The hard heart folks never hear it. The Word of God never penetrate. And the hard heart folks walk away completely unaffected by the Word of God. This is the shallow heart folks . The seed of the Word of God falls on the thorny soil. The seed sprouts up. They want to live according to the gospel. But then the thorns or cares of the world , rise up and choke it out. The shallow heart folks begin to get distracted by money or by the pursuit of power or the pursuit of worldly pleasures. And before long , the plant that grew the out of the seed of Word shrivels and die. This is the crowded heart folks . The seed falls on the ground where weeds choke out its growth. The crowded heart folks , busy with the cares and riches of the world , just lose interest in the things of God. The seed falls on the rocky soil. This is the crowed heart folks. This kind of soil is very shallow because there is rock underneath it. The seed falls on the rocky ground . It germinates immediately. The plant shoots up because the roots don't get very deep. And when the sun comes out it burn the roots. The Word has not had any deep rooting in the person's heart. Under persecution the plant dies. The fruitful heart folks receives the Word of God. The Word of God falls in a deep fertile soil. It sends down foundation with the soil. It grabs on and begins to get nourished by the soil. The plant sprout up. It begins to produce fruits. This is the kind of fruitful life you should have . You ought to have this kind of response to the Word of God. It is not choked out. It does not shrivelled up by persecution. It is not me that does not care. The fruitful heart folks care about the things of God. It is not me that does not has no penetration at all. But the fruitful heart folks is the one that receives the Word of God. The fruitful heart folks is the one that sends down roots with it. It begins to get nourished by it. And it produces fruit.