Bible Study series: Luke 18:9-14. The tax collector had the right attitude, which pleased God. “Everyone who exalts himself shall be humbled, and everyone who humbles himself shall be exalted.”
Bible Study series: Luke 18:1-8. You have to keep at it, in your prayer, whether you are praying for justice or healing or the salvation of your loved one.
Bible Study series: Matthew 22:1-14. The parable predicts the destruction of Jerusalem and the temple establishment. Then ordinary Jews and Gentiles will be included in the new community.
Bible Study series: Luke 17:7-10. You got to do your work before the Lord, not to get the applause of people. Get his approval, if you do his work and complete his mission. He may ask you to do the hard thing, too.
Bible Study series: Luke 16:19-31. This is a beloved parable about justice. It should be read in conjunction with the Parable of the Shrewd Manager.
Bible Study series: Luke 16:1-13. Sometimes he is called the “dishonest manager.” What does this mean? Why would Jesus tell such a parable? It is becoming my favorite because of its moving parts and subtleties. It should be read in conjunction with the Parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus.
Bible Study series: Luke 15:11-32. It’s about the Father’s love, forgiveness, and acceptance, once the sinner genuinely repents and turns around to prove his repentance.
Bible Study series: Luke 15:1-10. God seeks for wanderers and sinners. That’s how much he loves lost people.
Bible study series: Matthew 20:1-16. Sometimes it is titled Parable of the Workers.
Bible Study series: Luke 13:18-21. The kingdom starts small in the one figure of King Jesus, but grows big, after his ascension.
Bible Study series: Luke 13:6-9. Israel or more specifically Jerusalem and the temple are issued a warning. Repent or face judgment.
Bible Study series: Matthew 18:10-14. Jesus is willing to get the one that is lost, when it is in danger.
Bible Study series: Matthew 13:47-50. Please be sure that you are a true citizen of the kingdom because people who seem to be in the kingdom actually cause sin and practice lawlessness. Angels will make the final determination.
Bible Study series: Matthew 13:36-43. As noted in the companion post, leave judgment of the world up to God. Don’t cut down the weeds that look like wheat. You may damage the wheat.
Bible Study series: Matthew 13:24-30. We must leave judgment of the world in God’s hands. Let’s not presume to judge worldly people before God’s time.
Bible Study series: Matthew 13:10-17. You have to dig for the answers, showing your hunger for the kingdom. You must also have humility.
Bible Study series: Matthew 13:1-9. Where is your heart? Hard? Prepared? Let’s see.
Bible Study series: Luke 8:4-8. Where is your heart when you hear the gospel? Soft? Ready? Hardened? Anxious? Vulnerable to Satan?
Luke 18:9-14: Are we humble enough to admit our sins, or do we listen to religion and believe we do not have very many sins to confess?
Luke 18:1-8: We are challenged to pray and not give up, until we get an answer.
Luke 17:7-10: This parable challenges us to serve God even when we do not receive applause. Are we humble enough to serve him in this situation?
Luke 16:19-31: This parable is about doing good to the poor and needy. The parable challenges us not to be like Ebenezer Scrooge in Dicken’s A Christmas Carol. It also explains God’s justice on those who do not help.
Luke 16:1-13: This parable is difficult to understand.
Luke 15:11-32: The lost son’s father ran out to meet him and hugged him and kissed him, thrilled to have him back home.
In Luke 15:8-19 Jesus loves you so much that he will look everywhere for you.
In Luke 14:16-24, Jesus challenges a large crowd following him to count the cost to be his disciple. It ain’t easy.
In Luke 14:15-24, we are challenged to ask: How long can we reject the call to come into the kingdom of God?
In this parable (Luke 14:7-11), we must be careful about self-promotion, which is rampant in the American church.
This parable in Luke 13:6-9 is about Israel and Jerusalem and judgment on both. But can we learn lessons about our own unproductive discipleship?
In this parable (Luke 12:13-21), we are called to ask ourselves this question: How attached are you to your possessions?
In the Parable of a Friend in Need (Luke 11:5-8), Jesus teaches us to persist and be bold in prayer.
In Luke 10:30-37 Jesus challenges his listeners to love their neighbor in need, when religious people ignore him.
Jesus forgave a sinful woman in Luke 7:39-50. This parable teaches us about gratitude for God’s forgiveness.
Are you ready for the Lord’s return?
Parables are purposed to challenge us (among other things). As a kingdom citizen, are you ready to allow the kingdom of God do its work, overseen by God? It is his kingdom after all. Mark 4:26-29.
God is searching for you, out of his love. He sent his Son to look for you. That’s how much he loves you.
Dr. Jim's Essential Bible Teaching 