The Parables of Jesus: The kingdom of God is like ...

He said therefore, "What is the kingdom of God like? And to what shall I compare it?  It is like a grain of mustard seed that a man took and sowed in his garden, and it grew and became a tree, and the birds of the air made nests in its branches."  And again he said, "To what shall I compare the kingdom of God?  It is like leaven that a woman took and hid in three measures of flour, until it was all leavened." - Luke 13:18‭-‬21 ESV

Rev. Dwight Yoo

"The kingdom of God, already present but not fully realized, is the exercise of God's sovereignty in the world toward the eventual redemption of all creation." - The Gospel Coalition

In this passage, Jesus is teaching some specific things about the kingdom. The context of this teaching comes from a previous situation. A woman has a debilitating disease. Jesus lays hands on her and heals her. But the ruler of the synagogue opposes him and rebukes Jesus because it was the Sabbath. Healing was considered work. People had preconceptions of what the kingdom looks like.

From minute and mundane to majestic

The kingdom starts as something small and inconsequential. Christianity was initially seen as a sect of Jews. Jesus picks a very common seed. He doesn't talk about an exotic plant. He speaks of birds nested in a tree. This is a common metaphor used to speak of great kingdoms that would shelter smaller, weaker kingdoms. Jesus could have said the cedars of great strength, but he picks such a mundane and unassuming thing.

So how does God's power work in this world? It is unimpressive. This is not a fireworks display. The change of people happens in community. Common everyday things is what God works through. We should be encouraged and heartened. God often works in us through common mundane things. But we don't see it, we don't have faith that God is here in our mundane moments. He is at work; convicting us of sin, growing our faith, and challenging us to walk closer to God.

Transformation by infiltration

Fermented dough, leaven, about a fistful worth, can affected fifty pounds of dough.  Faith in God is small, but it will change our lives, each and every part. Not only for ourselves, but it will also impact the world. A changed person will change the world.

The Parables of Jesus:

"Will any one of you who has a servant plowing or keeping sheep say to him when he has come in from the field, 'Come at once and recline at table'?  Will he not rather say to him, 'Prepare supper for me, and dress properly, and serve me while I eat and drink, and afterward you will eat and drink'?  Does he thank the servant because he did what was commanded?  So you also, when you have done all that you were commanded, say, 'We are unworthy servants; we have only done what was our duty.'" - Luke 17:7‭-‬10 ESV

Rev. Dan Whang

Our heavenly home should shape our day to day life. This parable is no different. The are many things where our sense of love and desire are not aligned with what we should do. This is where our sense of duty should kick in.

Our service and obedience to our Master, Jesus, is not to be looked as a cause of merit.

For all followers of Christ, we are called to serve Christ. Maybe not in official capacity, but we are all called to serve.

The Master comes first; His food, comfort, and desires. It is common sense. Servants are not thanked after doing their duty, that is what they were hired for...

For those who serve, we desire immediate rewards. For example, we want thanks and expressions of appreciation. This desire is not bad in itself. But it speaks about our heart, especially when we don't get appreciation for our service. We are used to getting things done, and getting them done well. It makes us feel important and accomplished. Or feeling like God owes you something for our service. That God should bless us or give us comfort for our service.

Character of servanthood

Unworthiness of the servant/service. It can be seen as being of little worth. That the work is of little impact. It is a sober view that all things we did for God does not really give us grounds to make a claim on Him.

God has given us the resources and talent to serve, what do we really contribute? Not much in the great scheme of things.

Inspiration of servanthood

Jesus served. The king of kings laid it all down to serve the sinner. That is our servant king. This is our Muse in service. Serve people, worship God. One who deserved all to serve Him, came to serve. We, as servants, can make no outright demands of God. Your kingdom come, your will be done.

The Parables of Jesus: Holy Shrewdness

He also said to the disciples, "There was a rich man who had a manager, and charges were brought to him that this man was wasting his possessions.  And he called him and said to him, 'What is this that I hear about you? Turn in the account of your management, for you can no longer be manager.'  And the manager said to himself, 'What shall I do, since my master is taking the management away from me? I am not strong enough to dig, and I am ashamed to beg.  I have decided what to do, so that when I am removed from management, people may receive me into their houses.'  So, summoning his master's debtors one by one, he said to the first, 'How much do you owe my master?'  He said, 'A hundred measures of oil.' He said to him, 'Take your bill, and sit down quickly and write fifty.'  Then he said to another, 'And how much do you owe?' He said, 'A hundred measures of wheat.' He said to him, 'Take your bill, and write eighty.'  The master commended the dishonest manager for his shrewdness. For the sons of this world are more shrewd in dealing with their own generation than the sons of light.  And I tell you, make friends for yourselves by means of unrighteous wealth, so that when it fails they may receive you into the eternal dwellings.  "One who is faithful in a very little is also faithful in much, and one who is dishonest in a very little is also dishonest in much.  If then you have not been faithful in the unrighteous wealth, who will entrust to you the true riches?  And if you have not been faithful in that which is another's, who will give you that which is your own?  No servant can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money." - Luke 16:1‭-‬13 ESV

Rev. Dwight Yoo

This is a very challenging passage. In this story, Jesus appears to commend dishonest behavior. How do we handle this? It is a very difficult story to accept. Is Jesus telling us to be like Bernie Madoff? Why is this dishonest manager commended for shrewdness?

Here's an interpretation that seems​ to best fit what we know of Jesus. Charging interest was sinful. Usury was held up with adultery as sinfulness. So how did this work? Money managers were hired by the rich. And managers were blamed, if the charging of interest was discovered.

So why does this matter? The manager probably cut the interest from these debts. Since charging interest is sinful, the rich man cannot claim the interest without incriminating himself. Not only that, but the rich man looks generous. And the dishonest manager curries favor with the people around him since he was about to be fired. This is some Oceans Eleven type of thinking. The manager was using the resources around him to secure his future.

The world is so much better than Christians in being shrewd. We look at it as negative, but that isn't how we should see it. Shrewdness is insight, foresight, and diligence. We are called to be shrewd as snakes, innocent as doves.

The application of holy shrewdness

How to apply this in our lives? Firstly, we cannot allow money to master our lives. We cannot look to money for security. Money masters us quietly and quietly. We are very much like the Pharisees. We can look like God fearing and spiritual people, but what will Jesus see inside our hearts?

We need to examine our hearts in regards to finances. Consider tithing. We do eGiving here. It can easily be a set it and forget it, kind of thing. But we can think that just by tithing, we are being obedient financially. But we should consider everyday, what we spend, what we save, what we spend money on.

We should be creatively and diligently considering everything we do to maximize the impact for God's kingdom and His glory. Examine the passions, strengths, stewardship, and opportunities that God has given us.

The result of holy shrewdness

If you have invested your money and resources well, may those who you have served and ministered to... be the ones to welcome you into heaven. Generosity done well points to Christ. But not only that, but it points to Christ in you. If you can't handle earthly riches well, then you cannot handle heavenly riches. Shrewd stewardship doesn't save, but it shows that we know Jesus, who poured out all his resources in our behalf. If we are gripped by Christ, who gave his all for us, then we will desire to pour ourselves out for others.

The Parable of Jesus: A Lifestyle of Readiness

"Stay dressed for action and keep your lamps burning,  and be like men who are waiting for their master to come home from the wedding feast, so that they may open the door to him at once when he comes and knocks.  Blessed are those servants whom the master finds awake when he comes. Truly, I say to you, he will dress himself for service and have them recline at table, and he will come and serve them.  If he comes in the second watch, or in the third, and finds them awake, blessed are those servants!  But know this, that if the master of the house had known at what hour the thief was coming, he would not have left his house to be broken into.  You also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect."  Peter said, "Lord, are you telling this parable for us or for all?" And the Lord said, "Who then is the faithful and wise manager, whom his master will set over his household, to give them their portion of food at the proper time?  Blessed is that servant whom his master will find so doing when he comes.  Truly, I say to you, he will set him over all his possessions.  But if that servant says to himself, 'My master is delayed in coming,' and begins to beat the male and female servants, and to eat and drink and get drunk,  the master of that servant will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour he does not know, and will cut him in pieces and put him with the unfaithful.  And that servant who knew his master's will but did not get ready or act according to his will, will receive a severe beating.  But the one who did not know, and did what deserved a beating, will receive a light beating. Everyone to whom much was given, of him much will be required, and from him to whom they entrusted much, they will demand the more. - Luke 12:35‭-‬48 ESV

Rev. Dwight Yoo

Many of the parables spoke of what it is required to be a disciple. It is freely given, but it will cost everything. It is not a nice comfortable coast into heaven. Jesus spoke of daily taking up our cross. It is difficult. We don't need grace only to start a relationship with Jesus, but rather we need grace for our daily Christian walk. Our Christian walk begins with, is sustained by, and is finished by the grace of God.

Reason for readiness

Stay dressed for action. People of that day wore robes. In order to run or fight, they had to wear a belt to hold their robe out of the way.

Keep your lamp ready. In an age without electricity, they had to prepare. The lamp had to have oil. It has to be lit before night comes.

Servants had to be prepared for the Master of the house. They had to keep watch during ungodly hours of night. They could be caught sleeping or slacking off at any time.

Jesus was speaking of the kingdom of God. It comes unexpectedly. So are we distracted, spiritually asleep, or otherwise unready for the second coming of Jesus?

The second coming is not something that only cult leaders focus on. We are not to try and predict it. Jesus says we cannot predict it. But the New Testament speaks of the second coming once every 13 verses in the Epistles. It is a central doctrine in Jesus' message.

Lifestyle of readiness

Some servants stop working and start drinking and feasting for themselves. But other faithful servants keep focused on their tasks and the desires of their master. It is a proactive waiting. The second coming is spiritually sobering. We see with clarity how some things are so petty and not worth our attention. We don't want to waste our time.

Readiness is found in steadfast prayer. They are loving others in sincerity. They are working faithfully for the kingdom of God by the grace of God.

Response of the Master

Those who are found not living for Jesus, eating and feasting, are cut into pieces and put with the unfaithful. Those who only pay lip service to Christ will be judged. The servants' punishment differs depending upon those who are blatantly disobedient, consciously disobedient, or unknowingly disobedient. We will be judged by the time, talent, and ability we have been given from God.

This is not directed to unbelievers. This is spoken to Christians. So what does that mean for those who are dependent​ upon grace and faith alone? The life and resurrection of Jesus secures our salvation. So then how do we reconcile this? Heavenly reward for living rightly. There is a reward for lives lived out fully and completely for the kingdom of God. The ones who don't will still make it to heaven, but only as "one escaping through the games". So there is a sense of loss for the one who lives unready for the coming kingdom. It is opportunity cost. Not living urgently for the kingdom of God will bring eternal regret.

The Parables of Jesus: The Cost of Discipleship

Now great crowds accompanied him, and he turned and said to them, "If anyone comes to me and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple.  Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple.  For which of you, desiring to build a tower, does not first sit down and count the cost, whether he has enough to complete it?  Otherwise, when he has laid a foundation and is not able to finish, all who see it begin to mock him,  saying, 'This man began to build and was not able to finish.'  Or what king, going out to encounter another king in war, will not sit down first and deliberate whether he is able with ten thousand to meet him who comes against him with twenty thousand?  And if not, while the other is yet a great way off, he sends a delegation and asks for terms of peace.  So therefore, any one of you who does not renounce all that he has cannot be my disciple. - Luke 14:25‭-‬33 ESV

Rev. Dwight Yoo

Forgiveness is available to everyone. Salvation is not by what we have done, but a gift from God. It is freely accepted, but it will cost us everything.

Salvation is not a thing that happens to us, but it is someone. Consider marriage, we don't pay others for their love. We freely choose to live each other. But there is a weighty cost, our money/time is no longer our own.

The context of the call

Jesus had become popular. Crowds had started to follow him. But many people were following him for the wrong reasons. Some wanted healing and miracles. Others heard about free food. Still others thought he was going to Jerusalem to set up a new earthly kingdom.

But Jesus does not gloss over things. He says what constitutes discipleship. He was not about just being popular.

The building of the tower was about considering whether a person starting a task has what is required to complete the project.

The king being attacked must see whether he can handle the cost of war. He must use foresight and wisdom. He is outnumbered. It is not a choice, the war is coming. If he cannot fight off the other army, he must ask for terms of peace. Regardless, there is a cost of either direction.

Choosing discipleship or not has a cost either way. The king in the parable was forced to choose. Both choices have a cost.

Crowd followers are not disciples. They are not useful for the kingdom of God. So the following passage on salt that losses saltiness speaks to this. A church that looks and acts like the world is worthless. It dilutes the witness of Christ.

Cost to be counted

These are the marks of salvation. Giving these up will not save, but they mark a true disciple of Christ.

One can be both wealthy and a true follower of Christ. They prize Jesus over possessions. If God so calls us to it, they would give up everything they have. A Christian can have possessions, but those possessions shall not possess us. They are not where we find our security, our worth, and our ultimate possession. Jesus is what we treasure most.

Jesus is prized above all other relationships. He says we should hate our family. But at the same time, he tells us to love our enemies. He also says that he was not here to abolish the law, but to fulfill it. So what does it mean? Jesus must be loved much more than family and friends. A true Christian must choose to offend family and friends rather than Jesus. Who has the most control and influence over your finances, your thought life, & the way you spend your time? Married folks, do you love Jesus more than your spouse? Parents, do you love Jesus more than your kids?

Jesus is worth more than our own lives. Jesus brought up the cross. It was clear as day to the crowds that day what Jesus meant. The cross meant death and humiliation. And a disciple cannot be above their teacher. We are to die to ourselves. We are to go against our personal preferences, desires, and dreams. We must submit to the Lord's will in all areas of our lives... our wishes, dreams & personal inclinations.

The comfort in the call

For a man to ask these things is insane. This is what a cult leader would sound like. But Jesus is God. And so all of this is perfectly appropriate. But in taking up our cross and following Jesus, we are given more than what we leave behind and give up. God will give so much more than anything we can get from following our personal dreams and desires. He will give us life and eternal glory.

But Jesus is not a cold unfeeling leader. He gave up so much to come to save us. He experienced all these things himself. And if we also take up our cross daily and follow Christ, we also will be lifted into glory as He was.

The Parables of Jesus: Log and Speck Removal

"Judge not, and you will not be judged; condemn not, and you will not be condemned; forgive, and you will be forgiven;  give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you."  He also told them a parable: "Can a blind man lead a blind man? Will they not both fall into a pit?  A disciple is not above his teacher, but everyone when he is fully trained will be like his teacher.  Why do you see the speck that is in your brother's eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye?  How can you say to your brother, 'Brother, let me take out the speck that is in your eye,' when you yourself do not see the log that is in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take out the speck that is in your brother's eye. - Luke 6:37‭-‬42 ESV

He also told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and treated others with contempt: "Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector.  The Pharisee, standing by himself, prayed thus: 'God, I thank you that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector.  I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I get.'  But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, 'God, be merciful to me, a sinner!'  I tell you, this man went down to his house justified, rather than the other. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted." - Luke 18:9‭-‬14 ESV

Rev. Charles Han

Not judging is taken out of context. We are called in the very next set of verses to judge a tree by it's fruit. He isn't condemning judgement, he is calling for avoiding a judgemental attitude.

Judgemental people jump to conclusions. They don't give the benefit of the doubt. They don't take the time to consider. They condemn others and distance them.

Our horizontal relationship with others illuminates the state of our vertical relationship with God. Those who are judgemental do not know the grace and mercy of God. If we are judgemental and harsh with others, it reveals our understanding of God's love for us.

In the parable of the tax collector and the Pharisee, don't be too quick to judge. This was a very devout and zealous man. He thought his actions in tithing & fasting provided righteousness. This self righteousness was what made the Pharisee condemn the tax collector. The tax collector felt sinful and unrighteous, but ironically, was accepted by God. The Pharisee was blinded by his sin. He did not see rightly. Pharisees saw themselves as guides in spiritual matters and Jesus called them blind. So it is with us, we are largely blind to our own sin.

So then what is the foremost issue? Our personal sins are a priority over others. That is what we need to focus on. We should not be so focused on others. We need to be humbled by our own sins.

Real life application

In our family and friends, what do we really need to do? We must stop trying to get others to change. We must see our own sins as the log and other person's sin as a speck. The biggest problem isn't the other person; it is our own sin. That is the right perspective. This can break the stalemate between broken people. It can allow grace, mercy, and reconciliation come into our broken relationships.

This is not only for adults, but parents and their children. For grace filled parenting, we need to remember that the parent is also a sinner. Not one of us can graduate from grace. It will allow our parenting to be gracious and loving rather than harsh.

Take the log out of your own eye first. Then help with removing the speck. We are all called to speak the truth with love. We are called to confront and teach each other. Reproof, rebuke, exhort... but in gentleness.

How is speck removal done?

Carefully, gently, and slowly. A speck in the eye is removed by gently putting their head back, focusing on the speck carefully, and gently removing the speck. This is the love agenda of Christ. We are not purely in the business of log removal, we must also confront others for their specks.

For those on the receiving end, being confronted. Be humble, be teachable, and listen. If sin blinds, then we need others. Don't overly focus on how they confront you, just consider whether they speak rightly of a sin in your life. This is an act of love. God meets us in our sin, but He does not leave us there.

The Parables of Jesus: The Older Brother

"Now his older son was in the field, and as he came and drew near to the house, he heard music and dancing.  And he called one of the servants and asked what these things meant.  And he said to him, 'Your brother has come, and your father has killed the fattened calf, because he has received him back safe and sound.'  But he was angry and refused to go in. His father came out and entreated him,  but he answered his father, 'Look, these many years I have served you, and I never disobeyed your command, yet you never gave me a young goat, that I might celebrate with my friends.  But when this son of yours came, who has devoured your property with prostitutes, you killed the fattened calf for him!'  And he said to him, 'Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours.  It was fitting to celebrate and be glad, for this your brother was dead, and is alive; he was lost, and is found.'" - Luke 15:25‭-‬32 ESV

The translators of the Bible titled this story, the prodigal son. But this is not in the original text. We often overlook the older son. Sermons address the younger son, those living in a morally corrupt lifestyle. But this parable has two sons. The older son is also important. He represents the Pharisees, and in this day, those who grew up in the church and those who serve in ministry. Jesus addresses not only the prodigal, but also the religious.

The older brother was the responsible and dutiful one. He stayed behind and worked in the fields. But when he hears about the party for his younger brother, he is angry. In this culture of hospitality, for the older son to not come into the party that the father threw was shameful. This brought shame on the father. To treat his father like this is dishonoring. It points to an unhealthy relationship.

The irony of the older brother

The older brother was physically close, but did not understand the heart of the father. He did not engage in immoral and outrageous behavior, but his heart was far from his father. Their relationship was not a healthy one. This describes the religious types who are church-going, serving, and ministry.

Aspects of an older brother

An "older brother" is characterized by anger and frustration towards God. They feel unfairly treated by God. They are envious of what others have received from God. They feel they have given so much for God and received so little. So what's wrong with duty and obedience? Because a relationship like this is purely transactional, God is not a genie.

We should not serve God so he gives us what we want. If that is why we serve, then at the end of it, we are serving ourselves. We want status, wealth, and answered prayer. We are using God to get what we want. The younger and older brother are both rebellious, just that the former was overt and the latter was covert.

Older brothers are concerned with their inheritance. They slave not for their father, but the inheritance. They are driven by fear. Many of us within the church are older brothers. Their service is shallow and joyless. They are only working and serving so that God will bless them. They are apt to cut corners. It is a joyless drudgery. Their righteousness is shallow. Slaves work hard because they fear the Master.

This is not to say that there is no place for duty and obligation. But if all of our service to God is bereft of joy and gladness, then something is wrong with their relationship with the heavenly Father.

Older brothers are highly critical. They cast themselves in the best possible light. They cast others in the worst possible way. This is self righteousness at the root. There is little grace and compassionate. They are harsh with others and themselves. They believe that they can save themselves and are self reliant. They not only cannot forgive others, but they cannot forgive themselves. Older brothers make it so that prodigals don't want to come home (to church).

The father's words to the older son

The father's response is gracious. To the older brother, he speaks words of reassurance and security. In this culture and time, the firstborn was to inherit the lion's share of the father's assets. The father tells him that everything is his. Everything the father has is given to the older brother. To the older brother types, this is what God says. We have a secure inheritance in Christ. We need not fear. We are also his heir. We need not worry about status or love. God will not reject us for our sins, nor be won over by our service to Him. In the life and death of Jesus, all of our sins are covered and forgiven. Both for the overt rebel and the covertly rebellious, Jesus has bought forgiveness, grace, and mercy.