Bless the Lord

Parables - The Pharisee and the Tax Collector

LUKE 18:9-14 I. THE PARABLE'S CONTEXT (v9) A. A COMMITMENT TO THE LAW B. A CONFIDENCE IN LEGALISM C. A CONTEMPT FOR THE LOWLY II. THE PARABLE'S CONTENT (v10-14) A. A HAUGHTY PRAYER B. A HUMBLE PRAYER C. A HEAVENLY PARDON III. THE PARABLE'S CALL A. EXAMINE YOUR MOTIVES B. ESCAPE MORALISM C. EMBRACE GOD'S MERCY

Parables - The Treasure Worth Everything

Matthew 13:44-46 The surpassing value of Christ & His Kingdom moves us to joyfully Surrender everything to Him. I. THE SURPASSING VALUE OF THE KINGDOM      A. KINGDOM DISCOVERED - When we see the kingdom of heaven, its immeasurable worth becomes self-evident.      B. THE KINGDOM DEFINED - The Kingdom is not first a realm but a reign. To have the kingdom is to have the King! II. THE JOYFUL SURRENDER TO THE KINGDOM      A. THE KINGDOM REJOICED OVER - They did not surrender everything with bitterness, but with joy. When Christ becomes our treasure, surrender becomes gain.      B. THE KINGDOM RECEIVED - We do not buy the Kingdom. We receive it freely by grace. But when we truly receive it, we treasure it above everything else. "He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose." What does my life reveal that I treasure most?

Parables - The Rich Fool

LUKE 12:13-21 I. THE PARABLE'S CONTEXT A. A DISCUSSION ABOUT FINAL JUDGMENT (V 4-5) -DON'T CONCEAL THE GRAVITY OF SIN -DON'T CHEAPEN GOD'S SALVATION B. A DEMAND FOR FINANCIAL JUSTICE (V 13) C. THE DANGER OF FLEETING JOY (V 14-15) II. THE PARABLE'S CONTENT A. A SURPLUS OF PROVISION (V 16-17) B. A SELFISH PLAN (V 18-19) C. A SUDDEN PASSING (V 20-21) Ill. THE PARABLE'S CALL A. GUARD AGAINST GREED (V 15) B. CHOOSE FAITH OVER FEAR (V 22-26)

Bless the Lord

PSALM 103 I. THE CALL TO PERSONAL WORSHIP A. Stir Your Soul (v.1) B. Survey His Benefits (v.2) II. THE CAUSE FOR PERSONAL WORSHIP A. His Gracious Benefits (v.3-5) 1. He forgives your Iniquity 2. He heals all your diseases. 3. He redeems your life from the pit. 4. He crowns you with love and mercy 5. He satisfies you with good B. His Covenant Love (v. 6-10) C. His Immeasurable Love (v. 11-13) 1. The Height of His Love 2. The Vastness of His Forgiveness 3. The Depth of His Compassion D. His eternal love. (v.14-19) 1. From Everlasting to Everlasting 2. From Generation to Generation 3. Established Forever. Ill. THE COSMIC CALL TO WORSHIP A. All the Angels (v. 20) B. All of Creation (v. 21-22)

Parables - The Unforgiving Servant

MATTHEW 18:21-35 I. THE PARABLE'S CONTEXT A. INSTRUCTIONS ON FORGIVENESS (V 15-17) - SEEK CONVERSATION - SEEK COUNSEL -SEEK CONVERSION B. AN INQUIRY ABOUT FORGIVENESS (V 21) C. AN INSIGHT ON FORGIVENESS (V 22) II. THE PARABLE'S CONTENT A. A MASSIVE DEBT (V 23-27) B. A MINOR DEBT (V 28-30) C. THE MASTER'S DECISION (V 31- 35) III. THE PARABLE'S CALL A. REMEMBER YOUR FORGIVENESS B. RESPOND WITH FORGIVENESS C. RESTORE YOUR FELLOWSHIP