A SYNOPSIS OF THE PARABLES FOR YOUR PUROUSAL
TURNING PROBLEMS INTO PRAISE
With the parables of Matthew Thirteen
By the Rev. Dr. Marshall L. Hoffman
CONTENTS
Introduction ……………………………………….......…………2-3
Chapter 1. Parable of the Sower
The Conditions of Praise................................................................................4-21
Chapter 2. Parable of the Tares
The Enemy of Praise………………………………………………………….22-39
Chapter 3. Parable of the Mustard Seed
The Potential of Praise……………………………………………………….40-48
Chapter 4. Parable of the Leaven
The Influence of Praise……………………………………………………….49-59
Chapter 5. Parable of the Hidden Treasure
The Thrill of Praise…………………………………………………………..60-70
Chapter 6. Parable of the Pearl
The Worth of Praise…………………………………………………………..71-79
Chapter 7. Parable of the Drag Net
The Inclusiveness of Praise…………………………………………………..80-90
Chapter 8. Parable of the Householder
The Responsibility of Praise………………………………………………….91-97
Conclusion…………………………………………………………………………..98-100
Bibliography……………………………………………………………………….101-102
Appendix…………………………………………………………………………..103-105
INTRODUCTION
The Psalms are widely known and loved as the praise literature of the Old Testament and the hymnal of the early church. This inspired source of praise provides the key to our approach to the parables. “I will open my mouth in a parable; I will utter dark sayings of old, which we have heard and known, and our fathers have told us. We will not hide them from their children, telling to the generation to come the praises of the Lord….” (Psalm 78:2-4, New King James Version, hereafter referred to as NKJV). That’s what Jesus did so well throughout his public ministry. He opened his mouth in parables not to “hide” but to highlight the “praises of the Lord.” This book is based upon that premise.
In a less obvious, more subtle sense, the parables may be regarded as the praise literature of the New Testament. These praise points, like gems just below the surface, may be dug out by in-depth Bible study and used to adorn a more positive attitude. They give us the principles and insights we need to grow into a life-style of praise.
As we begin our adventure in praise, we do well to take our mission statement from Scripture. “But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light” (1 Peter 2:9, New International Version, hereafter referred to as NIV). We have our marching orders. Let’s resolve, here and now, to be loyal to the “royal” that is within us by following those parable pointers that can direct us toward a
life of praise. Nothing could do more to brighten the image of God in our hearts and to promote our spiritual growth.
On our journey, we will discover that there are road blocks which make the path of praise an obstacle course. Many of these hindrances are presented in the eight kingdom parables of Matthew chapter thirteen. Just when we think that we are making splendid progress there will be setbacks that may discourage us and certainly remind us that without the daily enabling of the Holy Spirit we are doomed to failure. With that divine empowerment we can discover and practice the principles of these parables that will enable us to transcend real-life problems and accelerate our spiritual maturity.
The medieval alchemists tried in vain to turn the base metals into gold. They searched for a mythical philosophers’ stone that could trigger this transformation. The “Cornerstone” of this book, “the Stone which the builders rejected” is our Lord Jesus Christ. He is the “Rock” of our salvation. By His grace we propose to take the iron of our daily duties and our common humanity and turn them into the gold of Christian character by using the touch stone of praise. With our marching orders in hand, we are ready to begin our adventure.
PARABLE OF THE SOWER
The Conditions of Praise
A summary of the praise points in this chapter:
#1. In spite of everything, the hard ground, rocky ground and thorny ground; there is still more good ground than any other kind.
#2. The good ground can get better. Jesus spoke of 30, 60 and 100 fold. No matter how far you have gone in your Christian walk there are miles more to travel.
#3. Even the bad ground can become good ground with the proper care and cultivation. No one is beyond redemption, as long as there is life there is hope.
#4. The seed is fertile and the sower is faithful. It all depends on the soil. Praise can flourish in our lives when we avoid the blame game and take full responsibility.
The Gospel of Mark suggests, understanding the Parable of the Sower is the key to understanding all the parables. “Don’t you understand this parable? How then will you understand any parable” (Mark 4:13)? Slip this key parable into the lock and open wide the door of the kingdom of God and the spiritual laws that govern it.
What do you see as you step over the threshold?
Unless otherwise cited all quotations are from the New International Version (NIV).
