OURUF

Small Stories, Big Ideas #5- A Story of Great Significance

 31 He put another parable before them, saying, "The kingdom of heaven is like a grain of mustard seed that a man took and sowed in his field.

 32 It is the smallest of all seeds, but when it has grown it is larger than all the garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and make nests in its branches." (Matthew 13:31-32 ESV)

Small Stories #4- The Parable of the Sower

 2 And he was teaching them many things in parables, and in his teaching he said to them:

 3 "Listen! Behold, a sower went out to sow.

 4 And as he sowed, some seed fell along the path, and the birds came and devoured it.

 5 Other seed fell on rocky ground, where it did not have much soil, and immediately it sprang up, since it had no depth of soil.

 6 And when the sun rose, it was scorched, and since it had no root, it withered away.

 7 Other seed fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked it, and it yielded no grain.

 8 And other seeds fell into good soil and produced grain, growing up and increasing and yielding thirtyfold and sixtyfold and a hundredfold."

 9 And he said, "He who has ears to hear, let him hear."

 10 And when he was alone, those around him with the twelve asked him about the parables.

 11 And he said to them, "To you has been given the secret of the kingdom of God, but for those outside everything is in parables,

 12 so that "they may indeed see but not perceive, and may indeed hear but not understand, lest they should turn and be forgiven."

 13 And he said to them, "Do you not understand this parable? How then will you understand all the parables?

 14 The sower sows the word.

 15 And these are the ones along the path, where the word is sown: when they hear, Satan immediately comes and takes away the word that is sown in them.

 16 And these are the ones sown on rocky ground: the ones who, when they hear the word, immediately receive it with joy.

 17 And they have no root in themselves, but endure for a while; then, when tribulation or persecution arises on account of the word, immediately they fall away.

 18 And others are the ones sown among thorns. They are those who hear the word,

 19 but the cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches and the desires for other things enter in and choke the word, and it proves unfruitful.

 20 But those that were sown on the good soil are the ones who hear the word and accept it and bear fruit, thirtyfold and sixtyfold and a hundredfold." (Mark 4:2-20 ESV)

Small Stories #3- The Practical Problem of Evil

 24 He put another parable before them, saying, "The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a man who sowed good seed in his field,

 25 but while his men were sleeping, his enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat and went away.

 26 So when the plants came up and bore grain, then the weeds appeared also.

 27 And the servants of the master of the house came and said to him, 'Master, did you not sow good seed in your field? How then does it have weeds?'

 28 He said to them, 'An enemy has done this.' So the servants said to him, 'Then do you want us to go and gather them?'

 29 But he said, 'No, lest in gathering the weeds you root up the wheat along with them.

 30 Let both grow together until the harvest, and at harvest time I will tell the reapers, Gather the weeds first and bind them in bundles to be burned, but gather the wheat into my barn.'" (Mat 13:24-30 ESV)

 36 Then he left the crowds and went into the house. And his disciples came to him, saying, "Explain to us the parable of the weeds of the field."

 37 He answered, "The one who sows the good seed is the Son of Man.

 38 The field is the world, and the good seed is the sons of the kingdom. The weeds are the sons of the evil one,

 39 and the enemy who sowed them is the devil. The harvest is the end of the age, and the reapers are angels.

 40 Just as the weeds are gathered and burned with fire, so will it be at the end of the age.

 41 The Son of Man will send his angels, and they will gather out of his kingdom all causes of sin and all law-breakers,

 42 and throw them into the fiery furnace. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

 43 Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father. He who has ears, let him hear. (Mat 13:36-43 ESV)

Small Stories #2- Mr Short Term Memory

 21 Then Peter came up and said to him, "Lord, how often will my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? As many as seven times?"

 22 Jesus said to him, "I do not say to you seven times, but seventy-seven times.

 23 "Therefore the kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who wished to settle accounts with his servants.

 24 When he began to settle, one was brought to him who owed him ten thousand talents.

 25 And since he could not pay, his master ordered him to be sold, with his wife and children and all that he had, and payment to be made.

 26 So the servant fell on his knees, imploring him, 'Have patience with me, and I will pay you everything.'

 27 And out of pity for him, the master of that servant released him and forgave him the debt.

 28 But when that same servant went out, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii, and seizing him, he began to choke him, saying, 'Pay what you owe.'

 29 So his fellow servant fell down and pleaded with him, 'Have patience with me, and I will pay you.'

 30 He refused and went and put him in prison until he should pay the debt.

 31 When his fellow servants saw what had taken place, they were greatly distressed, and they went and reported to their master all that had taken place.

 32 Then his master summoned him and said to him, 'You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you pleaded with me.

 33 And should not you have had mercy on your fellow servant, as I had mercy on you?'

 34 And in anger his master delivered him to the jailers, until he should pay all his debt.

 35 So also my heavenly Father will do to every one of you, if you do not forgive your brother from your heart." (Mat 18:21-35 ESV)

Climbing out of Hell- Luke 16- RUF Sunday at CTK

 19 "There was a rich man who was clothed in purple and fine linen and who feasted sumptuously every day.

 20 And at his gate was laid a poor man named Lazarus, covered with sores,

 21 who desired to be fed with what fell from the rich man's table. Moreover, even the dogs came and licked his sores.

 22 The poor man died and was carried by the angels to Abraham's side. The rich man also died and was buried,

 23 and in Hades, being in torment, he lifted up his eyes and saw Abraham far off and Lazarus at his side.

 24 And he called out, 'Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus to dip the end of his finger in water and cool my tongue, for I am in anguish in this flame.'

 25 But Abraham said, 'Child, remember that you in your lifetime received your good things, and Lazarus in like manner bad things; but now he is comforted here, and you are in anguish.

 26 And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been fixed, in order that those who would pass from here to you may not be able, and none may cross from there to us.'

 27 And he said, 'Then I beg you, father, to send him to my father's house--

 28 for I have five brothers-- so that he may warn them, lest they also come into this place of torment.'

 29 But Abraham said, 'They have Moses and the Prophets; let them hear them.'

 30 And he said, 'No, father Abraham, but if someone goes to them from the dead, they will repent.'

 31 He said to him, 'If they do not hear Moses and the Prophets, neither will they be convinced if someone should rise from the dead.'"

 (Luk 16:19-31 ESV)

Small Stories - Big Ideas #1 - Painting the Picture of the Prodigal

ESV  Luke 15:1 Now the tax collectors and sinners were all drawing near to hear him.

 2 And the Pharisees and the scribes grumbled, saying, "This man receives sinners and eats with them."

 3 So he told them this parable: (Luke 15:1-3 ESV)

 11 And he said, "There was a man who had two sons.

 12 And the younger of them said to his father, 'Father, give me the share of property that is coming to me.' And he divided his property between them.

 13 Not many days later, the younger son gathered all he had and took a journey into a far country, and there he squandered his property in reckless living.

 14 And when he had spent everything, a severe famine arose in that country, and he began to be in need.

 15 So he went and hired himself out to one of the citizens of that country, who sent him into his fields to feed pigs.

 16 And he was longing to be fed with the pods that the pigs ate, and no one gave him anything.

 17 "But when he came to himself, he said, 'How many of my father's hired servants have more than enough bread, but I perish here with hunger!

 18 I will arise and go to my father, and I will say to him, "Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you.

 19 I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Treat me as one of your hired servants."'

 20 And he arose and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him.

 21 And the son said to him, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.'

 22 But the father said to his servants, 'Bring quickly the best robe, and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet.

 23 And bring the fattened calf and kill it, and let us eat and celebrate.

 24 For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found.' And they began to celebrate.

 25 "Now his older son was in the field, and as he came and drew near to the house, he heard music and dancing.

 26 And he called one of the servants and asked what these things meant.

 27 And he said to him, 'Your brother has come, and your father has killed the fattened calf, because he has received him back safe and sound.'

 28 But he was angry and refused to go in. His father came out and entreated him,

 29 but he answered his father, 'Look, these many years I have served you, and I never disobeyed your command, yet you never gave me a young goat, that I might celebrate with my friends.

 30 But when this son of yours came, who has devoured your property with prostitutes, you killed the fattened calf for him!'

 31 And he said to him, 'Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours.

 32 It was fitting to celebrate and be glad, for this your brother was dead, and is alive; he was lost, and is found.'" (Luke 15:11-32 ESV)

A Story of God's Love

ESV  Luke 15:1 Now the tax collectors and sinners were all drawing near to hear him.

 2 And the Pharisees and the scribes grumbled, saying, "This man receives sinners and eats with them."

 3 So he told them this parable:

 11 And he said, "There was a man who had two sons.

 12 And the younger of them said to his father, 'Father, give me the share of property that is coming to me.' And he divided his property between them.

 13 Not many days later, the younger son gathered all he had and took a journey into a far country, and there he squandered his property in reckless living.

 14 And when he had spent everything, a severe famine arose in that country, and he began to be in need.

 15 So he went and hired himself out to one of the citizens of that country, who sent him into his fields to feed pigs.

 16 And he was longing to be fed with the pods that the pigs ate, and no one gave him anything.

 17 "But when he came to himself, he said, 'How many of my father's hired servants have more than enough bread, but I perish here with hunger!

 18 I will arise and go to my father, and I will say to him, "Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you.

 19 I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Treat me as one of your hired servants."'

 20 And he arose and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him.

 21 And the son said to him, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.'

 22 But the father said to his servants, 'Bring quickly the best robe, and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet.

 23 And bring the fattened calf and kill it, and let us eat and celebrate.

 24 For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found.' And they began to celebrate.

 25 "Now his older son was in the field, and as he came and drew near to the house, he heard music and dancing.

 26 And he called one of the servants and asked what these things meant.

 27 And he said to him, 'Your brother has come, and your father has killed the fattened calf, because he has received him back safe and sound.'

 28 But he was angry and refused to go in. His father came out and entreated him,

 29 but he answered his father, 'Look, these many years I have served you, and I never disobeyed your command, yet you never gave me a young goat, that I might celebrate with my friends.

 30 But when this son of yours came, who has devoured your property with prostitutes, you killed the fattened calf for him!'

 31 And he said to him, 'Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours.

 32 It was fitting to celebrate and be glad, for this your brother was dead, and is alive; he was lost, and is found.'" (Luk 15:1-32 ESV)

The Undisputed King Sermon from the AM Baptism Service at CTK

ESV  Daniel 6:1 It pleased Darius to set over the kingdom 120 satraps, to be throughout the whole kingdom;

 2 and over them three high officials, of whom Daniel was one, to whom these satraps should give account, so that the king might suffer no loss.

 3 Then this Daniel became distinguished above all the other high officials and satraps, because an excellent spirit was in him. And the king planned to set him over the whole kingdom.

 4 Then the high officials and the satraps sought to find a ground for complaint against Daniel with regard to the kingdom, but they could find no ground for complaint or any fault, because he was faithful, and no error or fault was found in him.

 5 Then these men said, "We shall not find any ground for complaint against this Daniel unless we find it in connection with the law of his God."

 6 Then these high officials and satraps came by agreement to the king and said to him, "O King Darius, live forever!

 7 All the high officials of the kingdom, the prefects and the satraps, the counselors and the governors are agreed that the king should establish an ordinance and enforce an injunction, that whoever makes petition to any god or man for thirty days, except to you, O king, shall be cast into the den of lions.

 8 Now, O king, establish the injunction and sign the document, so that it cannot be changed, according to the law of the Medes and the Persians, which cannot be revoked."

 9 Therefore King Darius signed the document and injunction.

 10 When Daniel knew that the document had been signed, he went to his house where he had windows in his upper chamber open toward Jerusalem. He got down on his knees three times a day and prayed and gave thanks before his God, as he had done previously.

 11 Then these men came by agreement and found Daniel making petition and plea before his God.

 12 Then they came near and said before the king, concerning the injunction, "O king! Did you not sign an injunction, that anyone who makes petition to any god or man within thirty days except to you, O king, shall be cast into the den of lions?" The king answered and said, "The thing stands fast, according to the law of the Medes and Persians, which cannot be revoked."

 13 Then they answered and said before the king, "Daniel, who is one of the exiles from Judah, pays no attention to you, O king, or the injunction you have signed, but makes his petition three times a day."

 14 Then the king, when he heard these words, was much distressed and set his mind to deliver Daniel. And he labored till the sun went down to rescue him.

 15 Then these men came by agreement to the king and said to the king, "Know, O king, that it is a law of the Medes and Persians that no injunction or ordinance that the king establishes can be changed."

 16 Then the king commanded, and Daniel was brought and cast into the den of lions. The king declared to Daniel, "May your God, whom you serve continually, deliver you!"

 17 And a stone was brought and laid on the mouth of the den, and the king sealed it with his own signet and with the signet of his lords, that nothing might be changed concerning Daniel.

 18 Then the king went to his palace and spent the night fasting; no diversions were brought to him, and sleep fled from him.

 19 Then, at break of day, the king arose and went in haste to the den of lions.

 20 As he came near to the den where Daniel was, he cried out in a tone of anguish. The king declared to Daniel, "O Daniel, servant of the living God, has your God, whom you serve continually, been able to deliver you from the lions?"

 21 Then Daniel said to the king, "O king, live forever!

 22 My God sent his angel and shut the lions' mouths, and they have not harmed me, because I was found blameless before him; and also before you, O king, I have done no harm."

 23 Then the king was exceedingly glad, and commanded that Daniel be taken up out of the den. So Daniel was taken up out of the den, and no kind of harm was found on him, because he had trusted in his God.

 24 And the king commanded, and those men who had maliciously accused Daniel were brought and cast into the den of lions-- they, their children, and their wives. And before they reached the bottom of the den, the lions overpowered them and broke all their bones in pieces.

 25 Then King Darius wrote to all the peoples, nations, and languages that dwell in all the earth: "Peace be multiplied to you.

 26 I make a decree, that in all my royal dominion people are to tremble and fear before the God of Daniel, for he is the living God, enduring forever; his kingdom shall never be destroyed, and his dominion shall be to the end.

 27 He delivers and rescues; he works signs and wonders in heaven and on earth, he who has saved Daniel from the power of the lions."

 28 So this Daniel prospered during the reign of Darius and the reign of Cyrus the Persian.

 (Dan 6:1-28 ESV)

Freedom Project Part 13: Freedom from Suffering in Glorification

 18 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.

 19 For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God.

 20 For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of him who subjected it, in hope

 21 that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God.

 22 For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now.

 23 And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies.

 24 For in this hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees?

 25 But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.

 26 Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words.

 27 And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.

 28 And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.

 29 For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.

 30 And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified.

 (Rom 8:18-30 ESV)

Big Idea: God brings us from groaning to glory:

1) To a Place of Glory

2) To be a People of Glory

3) By the Person of Glory 

Is Jesus Awesome (to you)? Psalm 89 at CTK

 5 Let the heavens praise your wonders, O LORD, your faithfulness in the assembly of the holy ones!

 6 For who in the skies can be compared to the LORD? Who among the heavenly beings is like the LORD,

 7 a God greatly to be feared in the council of the holy ones, and awesome above all who are around him?

 8 O LORD God of hosts, who is mighty as you are, O LORD, with your faithfulness all around you?

 (Psa 89:5-8 ESV)

Jesus is Awesome in his pursuit, his passion, and his plan for sinners.