Leonard C

I haven

If you want to follow Jesus, you can

Israel declines God

The original guests represent God

The original guests represent God

The original guests represent God

The original guests represent God

The original guests represent God

The original guests represent God

The factors that make up a person

When we are successful, the fruit of our labors belongs to God. We are only independent entrepreneurs in the sense that God never compels us to use the talents He has given us, as was the case with the servants. In that sense, we are the stewards of the talents given us

The talents represent our God-given gifts. I am gifted with the ability to teach Mathematics and English grammar and have an analytical, logical and discerning mind. I am faithful, discerning and compassionate with an ability to teach and exhort. I have a sound knowledge of the New Testament, knowing several chapters by heart, but am probably a little lazy with regard to the Old Testament, using it primarily as a reference to the New Testament. I believe that I have used my teaching talents well. God is presently calling me into leadership and I have taken certain steps. I am endeavoring to enter each door that He opens. Everything I have belongs to God. He has both given and taken

The Kingdom is small because the seed has just been planted. The Kingdom grows as new disciples enter by the narrow gate and earnestly strive to create and remain in a relationship with the Lord. The Kingdom door is narrow because it is difficult to give up a lifetime of bad habits, or worldly things, as in the case of the rich young ruler (Mt 19:16-26). The Kingdom banquet is, on the one hand, large and diverse because disciples will come from all corners of the earth, but it is selective, on the other hand, because few are willing to lay down their lives to accept the one Jesus offers.

Jesus says that the way that leads to life is difficult and few find it. We must earnestly strive to enter the door to the Kingdom and to do what is required of us. People delay entering because they don't want to give up their ways.

The guests from all over the world are people who have faithfully accepted the Word of God and observed His requirements. The ones thrown out will be those who did not make a genuine effort to enter by the narrow gate. They did not earnestly desire a relationship with the Lord and so have no affiliation with Him

Both parables indicate small beginnings, large endings, but in different ways. I believe that the Parable of the Mustard Seed teaches the destined greatness of the Kingdom. The Kingdom fulfilled by Jesus now looks insignificant, but its greatness will be apparent in its consummation at the end of the Age. I believe that the Parable of the Leaven teaches that, at present, the Kingdom is not fully manifest, but at the consummation in the Age to Come, it will be known to all. Meanwhile, it does its work of permeating human society, penetrating evil, and transforming lives. These parables would have encouraged the disciples, most of whom were simple fishermen, that the process of building the Kingdom is really not difficult. To all, these parables say,

"Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us." That is surely a self-inflicted curse if you're not good at forgiving. Forgiving in order to be forgiven is a false form of righteousness by works, if indeed you can have such. In Matthew 18:35, Jesus states, "So My heavenly Father also will do to you if each of you, from his heart, does not forgive his brother his trespasses." God knows the state of a man's heart - you can't fake it.

Jesus' statement shouldn't frighten us. Keep in mind here that the brother seeks mercy, seeks forgiveness. Jesus is very serious. Again, keep in mind what Jesus went through in an ultimate act of forgiveness. And His incredible statement while suffering enormous pain: "Forgive them, Father, for they know not what they do." Forgiveness is a foundational principle of the Kingdom. "I say to you that likewise there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine just persons who need no repentance." (Luke 15:7)

God forgives us much. He asks us to forgive a little in return. We owe our lives to our Lord and Savior. We are owed nothing in comparison. The unmerciful servant displayed ingratitude for the incredible mercy shown him.

In terms of forgiveness, seventy times seven must be taken figuratively. It means that our forgiveness should have no bounds. God is long-suffering. He leads and allows us to pass through circumstance after circumstance in order to teach us how He wants us to live. Some of us are probably well past seventy times seven yet He never tires of reaching out to us.

John 3:16 is both the core and the summary of the New Testament and, as a result, it is the favorite Scripture verse of many Christians. John 3:16 teaches us that God is a tender, loving Father who cares dearly for all His created beings, made in His image. What father would love sinful humans to such an extent that He would allow His unique, begotten Son to suffer unspeakable pain, even death, for their sake! John 3:16 shows us that salvation is never earned by us but is an incredible gift for those who will accept the sacrifice of the Son on their behalf. It is an incredible scenario

Isaiah 12:3 states,

Quite simply, as Jesus states, we cannot enter the Kingdom of God unless we are born of water and the Spirit. (John 3:5) Paul explains in Titus 3:5 that

Jesus teaches that one cannot see the Kingdom unless he is born again, nor can he enter it unless he is born of water and the spirit. Nicodemus does not understand Him because he refers to being