FATHER'S DAY

One-Liners from Dads

"It’s OK to make mistakes. That’s why they have erasers on pencils."

"A father carries pictures where his money used to be." — Steve Martin

"My father didn’t do anything unusual. He only did what dads are supposed to do — be there." — Max Lucado

"Fathers, be good to your daughters … You are the guide and the weight of her world." — John Mayer

"The older I get, the smarter my father seems to get." — Tim Russert

PARABLES OF SUMMER: The Purpose of Parables

    We are in week three of a sermon series called the PARABLES OF SUMMER. We are looking at a different parable each week to discover its meaning and application to life in the Summer of 2022.

The Purpose of Parables

   It seems appropriate at this time to discover the meaning or purpose of parables in the Bible. It was Jesus' practice to use a parable as a teaching tool. Parables usually convey one meaning or central point or idea. The meaning was made clear to those with a right relationship with him. To those without a relationship with him the meaning was obscured. According to Jesus, the ungodly did not grasp the deeper meaning. When the disciples asked him why he spoke in parables He said (Mt. 13:11),

And he answered them, “To you it has been given to know the secrets of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been given.

   We cannot help but see the force of God's election here in this passage. "To you...to them." Clearly, there were some who were not given to know the secrets of the kingdom of heaven. God must open our eyes to the truth of Jesus' Words, the Bible. This is a work of the Spirit imparting understanding. "Illumination" is exclusively God's work by His Spirit. It is not a "new revelation" given to us, but a work of the Spirit that enables us to grasp and affirm the revelation of the Bible. This normally happens when it is read, preached or taught to us.  Sin can often cloud our minds and wills so that we miss and resist the force of Scripture. The Spirit, however, opens and unveils our minds and attunes our hearts so that we understand what God has revealed (Sproul, Reformation Study Bible). This work of the Spirit must take place if we are to understand the meaning and purpose of a parable, or for that matter, any part of the gospel of grace. The Spirit speaks through the law to convict sinners of sin and through the gospel the same Spirit convinces the sinner of God's saving grace. This is a lifelong process for the believer whereby the Spirit illumines the understanding leading to a deeper understanding, assurance of God's grace, and certainty of our election. The normal means of this grace of the Spirit is through the Word, prayer, and the sacraments in community.

The Parable of the Sower

   Jesus told the story of the sower (Mt 13:1ff) and it was followed by the question from the disciples, "Why do you speak to them in parables?" Jesus' answer seems hard, "seeing they do not see, and hearing they do not hear, nor do they understand." To those who have a relationship with Jesus, parables deepen understanding and foster that relationship, but to those who do not, parables increase the confusion and ignorance. Thus the purpose of parables is both to enlighten and to conceal. 

   This makes sense because point of the parable of the sower is to both enlighten and conceal.  Jesus takes time to explain the meaning of the parable to his disciples. Those who have a relationship with Jesus understand the different kinds of soil. It's all about the soil, not the seed! The seed (gospel) is sown on differing types of soil. But only the seed sown on good soil (those with ears that hear/eyes that see) bears fruit. Ahh! But what makes some soil good? Well, I'm glad you asked! The work of the Spirit illuminating the hearts and minds of some! The illuminating work of the Spirit is the reason anyone has ears to hear and eyes to see.  Pray that God's Spirit is at work illuminating those whom He is calling so that we may be a part of a great harvest...a hundredfold!  

More on this topic Sunday!

Baptism in the Gulf

July 24, 2022

This is part of the Great Commission! Matthew 28:19,

"Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit..."

Plan to celebrate this churchwide celebration of the sacrament of baptism. 

If you're not baptized you should speak with pastor Mike. The Bible teaches that this is a means of grace given to the church and the sign on the covenant believing community. 

Please see pastor Mike if you desire to be baptized. Church office 727 455-5999