TEACHING PARABLES (16)

(Message by Tanny Keng)

0. Introduction

a) The parables of Jesus are found in the three synoptic gospels (Matthew, Mark and Luke). They are short stories that teach a moral or spiritual lesson by analogy or similarity. They are often stories based on the agricultural life that was intimately familiar to His original first century audience. Some aspect of an unfamiliar concept, such as the kingdom of God, was compared to something from everyday life that could easily be understood.

b) It is the lesson of a parable that is important to us. The story is not important in itself; it may or may not be literally true.

c) Jesus was the master of teaching in parables. His parables often have an unexpected twist or surprise ending that catches the reader's attention. They are also cleverly designed to draw listeners into new ways of thinking, new attitudes and new ways of acting.

I. Teaching Parables

E. About Humility

1. The Wedding Feast

a) Luke 14:7-11

i) 7 So He told a parable to those who were invited, when He noted how they chose the best places, saying to them: 8 “When you are invited by anyone to a wedding feast, do not sit down in the best place, lest one more honorable than you be invited by him; 9 and he who invited you and him come and say to you, ‘Give place to this man,’ and then you begin with shame to take the lowest place. 10 But when you are invited, go and sit down in the lowest place, so that when he who invited you comes he may say to you, ‘Friend, go up higher.’ Then you will have glory in the presence of those who sit at the table with you. 11 For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.” (Luke 14:7-11 NKJV)

b) Other Gospel references

i) Matthew: None

ii) Mark: None


The End ...

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