Parables and Plenty
Intro: Gospel of the Kingdom
A. Ears, Eyes & Hearts
- Open our access points to Jesus
- Imagination vs imaginary.
- Hearing the Shepherd. 6 Ways God Speaks
- Alignment with the Word, the whole Word of God as found in the Spirit-inspired Scriptures. (2 Peter 1:20-21)
- Confirmation by a loving, discerning, and maturing faith community where humility, honesty, and honor are being practiced. (1 Corinthians 12-14.)
- Diligence in seeking knowledge, insight, and understanding will increase wisdom.
- First stop is the Scriptures and Prayer, not the news, public opinion, social media, or even others.
- In longing & seeking wisdom and revelation from God, we will receive in abundance.
- Secrets revealed
B. Planting Seeds
- Gospel Seed
- Produces Holiness (sanctification)
- Sets us apart from sin and unto God
- Cleanses and purifies
- Offers us fullness in the Holy Spirit and abundant, everlasting life
- Positions us for healing and over time makes us whole
- Produces Righteousness
- Through confession, returning to God, forgiveness, and reconciliation restores a right relationship with God and others
- Produces Redemptive Love
- “Love is large and incredibly patient. Love is gentle and consistently kind to all. It refuses to be jealous when blessing comes to someone else. Love does not brag about one’s achievements nor inflate its own importance. Love does not traffic in shame and disrespect, nor selfishly seeks its own honor. Love is not easily irritated or quick to take offense. Love joyfully celebrates honesty and finds no delight in what is wrong. Love is a safe place of shelter, for it never stops believing the best for others. Love never takes failure as defeat, for it never gives up. Love never stops loving. 1 Corinthians 13:4-8 TPT
- “When I was a child, I spoke about childish matters, for I saw things like a child and reasoned like a child. But the day came when I matured, and I set aside my childish ways. For now, we see but a faint reflection of riddles and mysteries as though reflected in a mirror, but one day we will see face-to-face. My understanding is incomplete now, but one day I will understand everything, just as everything about me has been fully understood. Until then, there are three things that remain: faith, hope, and love—yet love surpasses them all. So above all else, let love be the beautiful prize for which you run.” 1 Corinthians 13:11-13 TPT
C. Plenty: Leftovers
- Preaching Gospel – Evidence of the Kingdom. Now & Not yet
- Motivation: Compassion & living for the Glory of God
- Sheep without a Shepherd
- Abiding Prayer
- Thanksgiving
- Receiving, Carrying & Imparting Blessing
- Abundance, acceptance, authority, and anointing.
- Satisfied. Not satisfactory
- Placing blame
- Leftovers
- Cultivating hearts and souls that are ready to be fruitful and multiply
- Saving, Sanctifying & Sustaining Faith
- Repentance & Righteousness – Courage & Character
- Growing in Knowing through Listening and Obeying
- Practice what we now know. Practice His Presence, rely on the Holy Spirit
- Persevere in what we practice
- Results in an Abiding Faith demonstrated in godliness, mutuality, and redemptive love
So What?
- The purpose of the Gospel Seed is for it to be worked throughout our whole lives.
- The seed is to be planted, watered, nurtured, harvested, and reseeded in the lives of others.
- We need open eyes, ears, and willing hearts to listen & obey in order for this to be effective and for us to be fruitful.
- God demonstrates His Abundance, Acceptance, Authority, and Anointing for the sake of His Glory as we Abide in Him.
- There is Plenty.
Now What?
Do we have a willing heart, with ears to hear, and eyes to see the Kingdom?
- Are you practicing presence with Jesus and others?
- Are you listening, abiding, and obeying?
- Are you faithfully spreading the Gospel seed?
- Is your Home an outpost for the Kingdom?
- Do you trust that He can multiply so there is plenty?
Discipling Conversation Opportunities
If this connected with you… then let’s Journey Farther this week.
- Make an appointment with Drew and/or LeeAnn.
- Gather with a LifeGroup Fellowship on Friday or Sunday Evenings