In all my 13 years as a professional marriage counselor, I've never seen an unbiblical divorce cause less pain and suffering than it would have taken to “fix” the marriage... When a Christian initiates an unbiblical divorce, it's always because he's hardened his heart against God… It’s his self-centeredness and discontentment that causes a man to forsake his wife and family, separate himself from them, seek his own desire, and look for greener pastures elsewhere.
Lou Priolo

The Purpose Of Parables

The Purpose Of Parables THE PURPOSE OF PARABLES B2-16-6A Lu. 8:9-10 & Is. 6:9-12

INTRODUCTION: Teaches religious truth by the analogy of common experience.

I. DIRECTION TO THE SINCERE

  1. God will always honor a sincere heart
  2. The plan of salvation is not meant to be hard
    1. “Fools, should not ere therein” (Is. 35:8)
    2. “If thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.” (Ro. 10:9)
  3. God loves the sinner & wants to reconcile him
    1. “Having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself” (Col. 1:20)
    2. “Ministry of reconciliation” (2 Co. 5:18)
  4. It is our ministry to share with others

II. CONFUSION TO THE HYPOCRITES

  1. “Cast pearls before swine” (Mt. 7:6)
    1. “Trample them under their feet”
    2. “Turn again and rend you”
  2. We should not put the Gospel in a position of

    possible harm lest:

    1. It should suffer reproach
    2. Our testamony to others be reproached

III. POINT OF DECISION TO ALL

  1. Numerous places state: “so there was a division among the people because of him” (Jn. 7:43)
  2. Son of man came to “give peace on earth? I tell you, Nay; but rather division.”(Lu. 12:51)
  3. “Stone that the builders rejected” (Mt. 21:42) YOU HAD BETTER CHOOSE CORRECTLY!!

SUMMARY:

  1. We must, “Go, & tell this people, Hear ye indeed”
  2. Some will not hear, understand, or perceive
  3. “How long? And he answered, Until… the land be utterly desolate….and there be a great forsaking in the midst of the land.”