#Parables

You Are Welcome

Uncategorized, , , , , Leave a comment

By Karen Polich

Dr. Trey Sullins continued The Parables of Jesus sermon series with thoughts on where we are regarding God’s great invitation. Listen to the podcast here. Are we full of excuses?

The Scripture finds Jesus sharing a meal on the Sabbath with the Pharisees. Remember, they don’t see heaven as a place for the outcast or anyone else “beneath” them. In fact, they were not spending time with Jesus to learn from Him, they were spending time with Him because they were out to get Him. Jesus told them in Luke 14:11, “For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”

Jesus then shared the parable of the great banquet to illustrate just how off track they were when it came to who He had come to save. The idea of saving “everyone” was not a comfortable thought to the Pharisees. Read Luke 14:1-24.

We find the story full of people with excuses. Would you blow off a party invite from someone you greatly admire? Jesus was talking about THE party. He illustrated how everyone should be invited and nothing should be a bigger priority. The “banquet” represents heaven. Everyone is welcome. God has a place for each of us. While the Pharisees would exclude, Jesus was teaching that everyone is included in the invitation.

The catch is accepting the invitation. Excuses won’t work. Excuses are worthless. Anything given greater priority than God is misplaced, sinful and disobedient. Anything that comes between you and a “yes” will cost you.

What is your eternal perspective? Let’s not wait. If you haven’t accepted Christ’s invitation to the table, choose Him today. Make Him the Savior of your life and watch your life change in a mighty way. If you have accepted His invitation, be an active pursuer of Him. Grow. Don’t sit and watch others miss the banquet. Make sure they know they have an invitation.

Ultimately, nothing else matters. Be obedient to God’s call in your life. Rejoice in His love for everyone and share the joy with those around you.

 

Hide and Seek

Uncategorized, , , , , Leave a comment

By Karen Polich

Are you a seeker or a hider? Jesus’ teaching, using parables, will help us understand where we are and how to make a choice about our obedience.

Parables are meant to point us in one direction, towards God. Dr. Trey Sullins continued, The Parables of Jesus, with Hide and Seek. Stories of the lost sheep and the lost coin take us to the core of what Jesus is asking us to decide. (Luke 15:1-10, Matthew 18:12-16) Listen to the podcast here. Will we hide, not choosing to follow Jesus? When we know Him, will we seek Him and the lost?

Jesus has a heart for the outcast. He calls the righteous to go out and find the lost. When they are found – rejoice! Just as He teaches in the parables, the love of God is huge. He will always seek us out when we are lost. When we know Him, He equips us to seek after the lost for His name’s sake.

Who are the lost? The lost are those who are without a relationship with Christ, a follower who has wandered off or a follower hiding from God. The righteous know God but aren’t doing anything about it or are doing good deeds but missing something related to doing the right things.

“You are either lost and need to be found or found and need to go find the lost.” – Dr. Trey Sullins

God’s Word tells us to go and do, so we need to get up and get going. We can choose to be found; we can choose to seek the lost. Anything less is disobedience. Seek God’s will in your life.

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways, acknowledge Him and He will direct your path.” Proverbs 3:5-6

We don’t have to rest on our understanding. When we seek God’s will in our lives, He will direct us. Trust Him. Today, make a choice. Make the decision to follow Christ and to do what He has called you to do.

 

 

Foundations, the Wise Man & the Foolish Man

Uncategorized, , , , , , Leave a comment

By Karen Polich

Building a firm foundation is not cheap or easy. It takes time. It requires an investment. We must seek God, spend time with Him and follow what He says. A strong foundation readies us for life’s storms. It prepares us for whatever lies ahead, grounding us in His truth and grace. If we wait until the storm is raging, it’s too late to lay a foundation that will last.

The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash. Matthew 7:25-27

Sunday Dr. Trey Sullins began teaching on Jesus’ parables. What can we learn to live a life built on the Rock? Listen to the podcast here.

Are you prepared? Have you put your faith and trust in God? Jesus taught not everyone who hears these words will listen. There is a simple difference between the wise man and the foolish man. The wise man hears the words and puts them into practice. The foolish man hears the words and does nothing.

What a difference our choices can make!

In order to have a firm foundation, Jesus must be the center, the cornerstone of life. If He is not, we will fail. – Trey Sullins

As for everyone who comes to me and hears my words and puts them into practice, I will show you what they are like. They are like a man building a house, who dug down deep and laid the foundation on rock. When a flood came, the torrent struck that house but could not shake it, because it was well built. But the one who hears my words and does not put them into practice is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. The moment the torrent struck that house, it collapsed and its destruction was complete. Luke 6:47-49

The wise man heard and did what Jesus said, building his foundation on God and His promises. He is not easily swayed by circumstances. The foolish man heard, did not listen and act on Jesus’ words, putting his trust in people, gathering things on earth.

There is a warning in this story; not if a storm is coming but when storms come. Our foundation is everything. If you don’t have Jesus as your foundation, wait no longer.

Today’s challenge: Firm up your foundation. Hear the words of Jesus and live like the wise builder. Invest in God’s Word, focus on His journey for your life and keep Him at the center.