On Sunday, June 10, 2018 at Wildwood Community Church, I preached a sermon based on Matthew 13:10-17, 34-35, 51-52.  This message was part 1 of the “Like” sermon series.  Below are questions related to the message for personal reflection or group discussion.

 

Sermon Questions:

1. Pray
2. Read Matthew 13:10-17, 34-35, 51-52
3. When you think about the truth God has revealed to the world through creation, through the written Word (Old and New Testament) and through the living Word (Jesus) — do you typically think that God intended that message for you, or do you think it is largely for other people.  Why or why not?
4. What are some of the historical events AND prophecies that point to Jesus being the Savior of the world? 
5. What are some of the “treasures” of God’s Truth that you possess in the “household” of your soul?  What do you think God wants you to do with those truths?
6. What is a particular “truth treasure” that you have neglected, but God is leading you to put to use?
7. What is one particular application you took away from this message?

 

To access these questions in pdf format, click here.

 

While Jesus was on the earth, He healed many people, fed the hungry, walked on water, and lived a perfect life.  That is quite a resume!  One other thing that Jesus was known for was His teaching.  People had never heard anyone teach quite like Jesus of Nazareth. 

As Jesus taught, He often told stories to make His points.  These stories (called parables) were filled with symbols anchored in this world, to help us understand the Heavenly Kingdom that was to come. 

As Jesus introduced these parables, He would often begin by saying “The Kingdom of Heaven is like _______.”  In these stories we learn how the Kingdom of Heaven is like “weeds growing in a garden,” “seeds tossed on different soils,” “mustard seeds,” “fishing nets,” “treasure,” and “pearls” (among other things.

Over the next month at Wildwood, we are going to look at a collection of stories Jesus told from Matthew 13 that described the Kingdom of Heaven to the residents of earth (you and me).  This Sunday, we will begin this series by talking about WHY Jesus used parables at all, as we try to answer the question – does God want to be known, or is He hiding?

If you’ve ever asked that question, join us this Sunday as we begin our new series (called “Like”) in our 9:45 and 11:00 service.   We hope to see you Sunday!