Philippians 4 – Don’t Worry, Be Happy

Philippians 4 – Don’t Worry, Be Happy

·         History and Background

o   Written by Paul while he was in prison in Rome awaiting his trial.

o   Written to the Philippian Church which was established by Paul on his second missionary journey.

o   The church was the first Christian Congregation in Europe, which was located in Macedonia.

o   The Church at Philippi supported Paul through prayer, money, and goods.

o   Paul starts this chapter by admonishing 2 of the woman leaders of the Philippi Church to work out their differences.   Paul encourages them to be of the same mind

o   .  His uses this encouragement to further encourage others within the Philippi Church.

·         6 Promises we have from God  

o   (verse 5)               The presence of God to accompany us.

o   (verse 6)               The privilege of prayer to help us in our life.   (Matthew 6:25-34, Psalm 1:2)

o   (verses 7 and 8)  The peace of God to help us.                              (Daniel 6, Psalm 19)

o   (verse 11)             The policy of contentment to calm us.

o   (verse 13)             The power of Jesus Christ to strengthen us.

o   (verse 19)             The promise of God’s provision for us.

·         Main Themes

o   We should be full of joy as God has all things and God is in control.

§  Our rejoicing is a testimony that can be seen by others.

o   Take everything in Prayer to God

§  Prayer brings peace and removes our cares and worries.

§  The peace of God will produce a calm heart and mind.

o   Be thankful in everything.

§  Paul acknowledged that God would supply him with everything he needed for the work in his ministry.

§  Paul was thankful that God used the Philippian Church to provide for his needs.

o   Offering encouragement to others.

§  Paul encouraged the Church to stay involved in the ministry because their fruits would be added to their account in heaven.

§  God’s blessing would be upon them because their involvement in God’s work

o   To glean Paul’s secrets for joy peace, contentment, and strength.

·         Questions to Ponder/Life Lessons.

o   In what are we to always rejoice?

§  In the Lord always.

o   Why are we to let our gentleness be known to all?

§  The Lord is at hand.

o   What is the antidote for anxiety?

§  Letting our requests be made known to God with an attitude of thanksgiving.

o   What will the peace of God do in response to our thankful prayer?

§  Guard our hearts and mind through Christ Jesus.

o   Upon what things should we meditate?

§  Things that are noble (high moral principles and ideals), Just, pure, lovely, things of good report (give an account of), anything of virtue, and anything of praise.

o   What had Paul learned about his journey through life with Jesus as his Lord and Savior?

§  To be content in whatever state he found himself in.

o   How was Paul able to do all things?

§  Through Christ who strengthens him.

Parables of Jesus - Lesson 18

The Parables of Jesus

Lesson 18 

·         Smaller and Shorter Parables of Jesus

o   The Pharisee and the Tax Collector (Publican).    (Luke 18: 9 - 14)

§  This parable concludes our studies of the Parables of Jesus.  This parable was taught sometime before Jesus made his trip to Jerusalem to be crucified.

§  To better understand this parable let us look at the 3 different elements involved.

·         The temple was the center of worship for the people of Jerusalem.  They would go there often to pray.

·         The word Pharisee translates to mean “the separate ones”.  A Pharisee was a member of a Jewish sect that emphasized strict observance of the Mosaic Laws in both its oral and written form.  The Pharisee would separate themselves from others to obey all the rules they created in addition to the Law of Moses.   They were meticulous and zealous about obeying the do’s and don’ts.  Because of this they did not mingle with believers, but instead looked down upon them.   Jesus often criticized the Pharisees because of their knowledge of the Old Testament.   They failed to see the fulfillment of the Messiah through the words of the Prophets.

·         A Tax Collector was a hired official by the Roman Government.   A Tax Collector would provide a bid to the Roman Government for the Province that he lived in.   The bid was for the amount of Taxes he would collect for the Government.   The person with the highest bid would be hired to collect the bid Tax in that Province.   The Tax Collector then had 1 year to collect the Tax Money.   Any money that was above and beyond the Tax Bid was kept by the Tax Collector.   They were typically very rich and shrewd people.  They were considered traitors, extorters, and exploiters by their fellow Jews.  Matthew and Zaccheus  are Tax Collectors that we are familiar with from the New Testament.

§   In this parable we notice that both men, the Pharisee and the Tax Collector, went into the same temple on the same day.  They were also praying to the same God.

§  The difference between these 2 men can be easily seen.  The difference between these 2 men was not their outward actions or words, but in their hearts.  The Tax Collector realized that he as a sinner and that he needed God’s mercy, forgiveness, and grace.   The Pharisee went to the temple to announce to anyone who could hear his prayer that he was a good and righteous person, while the Tax Collector went to recognize his sins.

§  Related Readings

·         Psalms 24:3-4, Leviticus 6:2-5 (Pharisees view of Tax Collectors), Luke 19:8 (Zaccheaus), Romans 7:18, Revelation 3:17, Jeremiah 17:9, Luke 14:11, Jeremiah 31:19

·         Questions to Ponder/Life Lessons.

o   Self-righteousness can lead to pride, which can hinder our learning anything from God.

o   Are we humble in our response to God who has given us everything in Jesus Christ?

o   What is the intent of our Prayers?    The prayer of the Tax Collector should be our prayer as we need God’s grace and mercy every day.

o   Do we depend upon our performance before God to receive God’s acceptance?

o   Do not let pride in our achievements distract us from our relationship with God, being mindful God blesses us with our talents and possessions.  God is the true owner of all things as we are here as Stewards of God’s creation.

o   Jesus knows that man cannot save himself.  He did not come to condone sin, but to save them and turn them from their wicked ways and past.

o   Definition of Pride from today’s Parable: Coming to trust in our own abilities rather than trusting in God.  Coming to regard other people with contempt and disrespect rather than seeing them as created equally in the image of God.

Parables of Jesus - Lesson 16

The Parables of Jesus

Lesson 16

·         Smaller and Shorter Parables of Jesus

o   The Lowest Seat at the Banquet.    (Luke 14: 7 - 14)

§  A prominent Pharisee had invited Jesus to his home.  The intent of the Pharisee was to catch Jesus into breaking one of the Pharisee’s Laws on the Sabbath or trapping him in discussion.  We find it is the Sabbath and Jesus has just healed a man with dropsy.  If you remember from previous lessons, Luke was a doctor.

§  At a banquet meal during Jewish times the places of honor would have been closest to the host.  Couches for a meal were usually set in a ‘U’ shape with 2 to 4 guests reclining on each couch.   The host sat at the base of the ‘U’ with the honored guests to his left and right.  After the guests were seated they would wash there hands.

§  Jesus taught 2 lessons with this parable.  First he spoke to the guests instructing them not to seek the places of honor to be seated at a banquet.  Second he talked to the hosts telling them not to exclude guests who are needy as the Kingdom of God is open to everyone who is invited.

§  Jesus’s point is not that we should connive to receive greater honor, instead Jesus is telling us that honor cannot be seized.  Honor is awarded.   Jesus was not against giving honor to someone who deserves it, but he was against using power and prestige for recognition.  God honors the humble, as the humble person recognizes how strong his need for God is, and not his need for a blessing from God.

§   Jesus’s instructions to the host were to open their dinner table to the needy that are unable to repay the host for his kindness.   Typically a person who hosted a festive meal would be placed on the invitation lists for future meals at the guest’s home.   Hospitality should be open to all.   ‘Payback’ should not be the motive for our hospitality.

§  To be moved from an honor chair to a lower seat would bring shame and dishonor to this person.   Jesus was using this point to illustrate the inward appearance of a person, not his outer appearance or status.   Humbleness and modesty are more important to God than arrogance.

§  Related Readings

·         Luke 11:37-53, Philippians 2:1-11, James 2:1-5, James 4:6, James 5:1-6, Mark 7:1-4, Ezekiel 17:24, Luke 6:20-26, Luke 18:9-14

o   The Great banquet   (Luke 14: 16 - 24)

§  This parable was told right after our last parable, ‘The Lowest Seat at the Banquet’.

§  During biblical times, as we had mentioned in an earlier parable, it was customary to send out 2 invitations to a party.   The first invitation was to announce the event.   The second invitation was then sent to tell the guests that everything was ready.   To accept the first invitation and then reject the second invitation was considered an insult to the host.

§  The guests in the parable insulted the owner by making excuses as to why they could not attend the banquet at the second invitation.  Jesus uses the excuses to show the foolishness of them.

·         Only a fool buys a piece of land and then goes to inspect it.

·         Only a fool buys 10 oxen and then tests them after his purchase.

·         A man who put his family before everything as he had just married a wife.

·         By saying ‘I cannot come’ suggests that someone had made up his mind and was no longer open to any argument.

§  In Israel’s history, God’s first invitation to the Jewish people came from Moses and the Prophets.  The second invitation to the Jews came from Jesus, God’s only begotten son.   The religious leaders had accepted the first invitation, as they believed God had chosen them as his people.  These same religious leaders rejected the invitation, of God’s son, Jesus Christ.  Just as the Master sent his servant out into the streets to invite the needy to the banquet, God sent his son, Jesus, into this world to the needy to tell them that God’s Kingdom had come and it was ready and open to them.

§  Jesus also stresses against seeking status in this parable as well.  Jesus extends his favor to hard work and suffering instead.  God never asks us to suffer for the sake of suffering.   God is calling us to use humility and self-sacrifice so that we too can join in the Wedding Supper of the Lamb.

§  Related Readings

·         Isaiah 25:6 (Feast for All), Revelation 19:9, Acts 13:46-47.

·         Questions to Ponder/Life Lessons.

o   In today’s culture, people are eager to raise their social status.  This can be done through being with the right people, how we dress, or driving the right car.

o   Do we look for a place to serve instead of a place of prestige?

o   How can we humble ourselves?   Truly humble people compare themselves to Jesus and realize their sinfulness and they understand their limitations.

o   What do we perceive as heavenly rewards in comparison to earthly rewards?

o   If Christianity is so true and so good, why don’t more embrace it?   Why don’t more accept the invitation?

o   ‘Excuses are fashioned for convenience and clung to in desperation’.

Parables of Jesus - Lesson 17

The Parables of Jesus

Lesson 17 

·         Smaller and Shorter Parables of Jesus

o   The Cost of Discipleship.    (Luke 14: 28 - 33)

§  There was a large crowd following Jesus and he had just told them what it would take to be a disciple of his.   (Luke 7: 25 – 27)

§  Jesus uses these 2 stories to show the necessity of “Counting the Cost” of discipleship.   Jesus commands a commitment to finish the discipleship journey that begins or not beginning at all.  Following Jesus is an all or nothing proposition.

§  Jesus is calling us to a discipleship that is not cheap, not easy, and not to be entered into without a deep consideration of the consequences and costs.   This passage speaks of loyalty and allegiance to Jesus over all other competing loyalties.

§  Jesus’s command to “Follow Me” is both a gift and a demand.  We should not only speak about God’s grace through salvation, but we should also be mindful of what is expected in our relationship by being loyal to God.

§  Those who become Christians should be prepared to make the sacrifices required in the Gospel.  Christians should consider these costs even before Baptism and commit themselves to fully follow the teachings of Jesus

§  Related Readings

·         Philippians 3:7-21

o   The Master and His Servant   (Luke 17: 7 - 10)

§  Jesus was speaking directly to the 12 Apostles who were asking Jesus how they could increase their faith.

§  The context of this passage depicts the relationship between a Master and his Slaves.   The slave was expected to obey whatever his Master told him to do.   The slave obeyed because he knew it was his task to do so.  There was no need for the Master to thank the slave.

§  Notice how Jesus uses the word “All/Everything” in verse 10.   The disciples could not pick and choose what to obey.  

§  The word “Unworthy” does not imply useless, but means “Not Yielding Gain”.  From the perspective of the parable, we are all unprofitable servants because our best service does not bring gain to God.  We do not add anything to God that he didn’t have before.  At best, we have done our duty, to have God’s name glorified instead.

§  A Disciple/Christian should never forget his position before God.  We have been bought to the Kingdom of God by the precious blood of Jesus Christ.   Because Jesus paid the price with his blood, a believer can not take credit for the work he does in God’s kingdom.  A believer’s attitude should be that of a humble and grateful servant.

§  Jesus is not rendering our service as meaningless or useless, nor is he doing away with rewards.  He is attacking our self-esteem and spiritual pride

§  Related Readings

·         I Corinthians 9: 15 -23.

·         Questions to Ponder/Life Lessons.

o   When a builder doesn’t count the cost or estimates it inaccurately, his building may not be completed.   Will our Christian life be partially built and then abandoned because we did not count the cost of our commitment to Jesus?  What are those costs?

o   Christians can face loss of social status, wealth, and health.   They may have to give up control over their money, their time, their possessions, or their career.   They can be hated, separated from their family, and even face death.   Following Jesus does not mean a trouble free life.  We must count the cost of becoming Christ’s disciples so that we will know what we are getting into and we won’t be tempted later to turn back.

o   If we have obeyed God, we have only done our duty and we should regard it as a privilege.  Do we sometimes feel that we deserve extra credit for serving God?

o   Remember, obedience is not something extra we do, it is our duty to God.

Parables of Jesus - Lesson 15

The Parables of Jesus

Lesson 15 

·         Smaller and Shorter Parables of Jesus

o   The Watchful Servants.    (Luke 12: 35 - 40)

§  This parable is found in the Gospel of Luke and it was one of several parables that Jesus used to tell about his seconding coming and the future events.

§  The theme of this parable is the return of Jesus Christ to Earth and that we need to be ready for his return.

§  During Biblical times, servants wore long flowing robes that went down to their feet.  The robe was gathered up, tied, and tucked under their belts so it would not be a hindrance while working and serving their Master.   This is where the phrase ‘Gird your loins’ comes from.   When evening came they would sleep in their robe and untuck it from the belt, so their feet would keep warm during the cold nights. 

§  Jesus also mentions to “keep your lamps burning”.   This was in reference to the Master possibly returning when it would be dark or evening.   The servant would be prepared by not falling asleep and having a light when his Master knocked at the door to be let in.

§  Jesus’s reference to “the thief is comes at an unknown hour” warns us to be ready.  If we fail to be ready we could suffer eternal separation from God.  There is a heaven to gain and a Hell to shun.

§  Jesus’s return at an unexpected time is not a trap or trick by God to catch us off guard.  God has delayed Jesus’s return so more people will have the opportunity to be saved.   God’s will is that none should perish.

§  All our plans for the future should be influenced by our knowledge of Jesus’s unexpected return.   We should live our lives each day as it is our last.  We should be heavenly minded, not earthly minded.

§  Jesus does promise a reward to those who are ready for his return.  “It will be good” translates to “Blessed”.   Jesus will treat us as honored guests by welcoming us into heaven, filling us with everlasting joy, and he will secure our everlasting well-being.

§  Related Readings

·         Matthew 24:42-46, Matthew 25:13, I Thessalonians 5:1-3, 2 Peter 3:8-13, Revelation 3:3, Revelation 16:15, I John 3:2-3 (Live pure and holy lives), Mark 10:45, Matthew 24:37-39

o   The Unfruitful Fig Tree   (Luke 13: 1 - 9)

§  This parable can also be found in the Gospel of Luke and it was told shortly after the parable we just looked at.

§  In the Old Testament a fruitful tree was often used as a symbol of Godly living.

§  The theme of this parable is that God is patient with sinners, but his patience should not be abused.   Jesus is warning that God would not tolerate our lack of productivity forever.

§  Jesus used this parable to correct the people’s thinking about sinning and to emphasize that we are all sinners and we all need to repent.  Jesus used the example of Pilate’s killing of innocent Galileans who were offering sacrifices to illustrate the point he was making.  The crowd assumed the Galileans were killed because of God’s judgment against them for being wicked.   He reminded the crowd that they we are also all sinners as well and that they need to repent of their sin otherwise, they too could perish.   Jesus wanted the crowd to examine their own hearts, not the hearts of others.   God is the ultimate judge of the heart.

§  Repent means to have a change in mind about the wrong we are guilty of.   We need to acknowledge we are sinners, to turn away from our sins, and to turn to God.

§  Jesus also used this parable to challenge the Jews.  The Jews assumed God would forgive them without repentance, as they were God’s chosen people.   Jesus could see in their hearts that there was no evidence that their lives had changed, or they did not love God, or else they were living as they pleased.

§  The fig tree deserved to be cut down as it was not fruitful.  A plea from a man, possibly the gardener, asking the Owner to wait another year for the tree to bear fruit, saved the tree temporarily.  Failure to produce fruit the following year would mean the tree would be cut down.

§  God is represented as the owner of the fig tree.  Jesus is the man who cared for the tree and pleaded for the owner to wait another year.  The fig tree can be represented by either the nation of Israel or an individual person.   The significance of the 3 year period refers to both the time span of John the Baptist’s teaching and the length of time of Jesus’s teaching as well.

§  Can we see from this parable how God is patient with us and he wishes that none shall perish?  We can see that we also have an intercessor between us and God through Jesus Christ.   The delay in God’s judgment and our failure to respond to his waiting leaves no one who fails to do so without any excuse.

§  Related Readings

·         Isaiah 55:6-7, Romans 3:23, Job 4:7, Job 22:5, John 9:2, Acts 17:30, Luke 3:7-9, John 3:1-12.

·         Questions to Ponder/Life Lessons.

o   Borrowed time is not permanent.  God’s patience does have a limit.

o   Are we eagerly awaiting the return of our Master and are we ready for him?

o   Do we understand the return of Jesus could occur at any moment?

o   Are we sincere instead of hypocritical?   Are we ready to witness or are we fearful?   Do we trust or do we worry?   Are we generous or are we greedy?   Are we diligent or are we lazy?

o   Have we judged others without looking at our own lives?  Do we repent of our sins?

o   Have we been enjoying God’s grace without sharing it with others?

Parables of Jesus - Lesson 14

The Parables of Jesus

Lesson 14 

·         Background

o   The first two parables are found in the Gospel of Matthew.   These parables were spoken after Jesus had arrived in Jerusalem and they were part of his teaching on the Mount of Olive where Jesus was teaching about the future and his return.

o   The last parable is found in the Gospel of Mark.  Mark was not one of the 12 apostles, but he was a follower of Paul the apostle.   The parable was spoken after Jesus had selected his 12 apostles.

·         Smaller and Shorter Parables of Jesus

o   The Fig Tree.    (Matthew 24: 32 - 35)

§  Jesus had just left the temple and he was walking with his disciples.   Jesus used this parable and several others to prophesy about the nation of Israel and his return in the future.   He was preparing them for what would take place in the future.   This parable was Jesus’s response to his disciples asking when the end times would occur and what would be the signs of his coming again.

§  To understand this parable better we need to understand the elements involved.

·         The Fig Tree – Representing the nation of Israel

·         The Twigs – Represented all the Jews that would be eventually be scattered around the world.

·         Leaves in Bloom – A representation of the Jews returning to their homeland.

·         This Generation – Talking about a whole multitude of Jews living at the same time.

§  We can see this prophesy fulfilled when the modern nation of Israel was re-established in 1948.

§  We know that the end is coming, but those without a Biblical Worldview will have doubts with some even dismissing this.  We must be reminded that each passing day brings us closer to the End Times.   Do we believe we are closer in time to the End of Times or the beginning of God’s creation?

§  The power of God’s word can be seen in verse 35, ‘Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away”.

§  Related Readings

·         Matthew 24:1-31 (Basis of this Parable), James 5:7-11

o   The Faithful and Wise Servant   (Matthew 24: 45 – 51)

§  This parable looks at two servants, the faithful and wise servant being compared to a foolish and evil servant.

§  The faithful and wise servant represents the person who is truly saved.   This servant served his master by bringing and doing honor to his Master consistently during the Master’s absence by acting righteous in all situations consistently.   This servant was considered wise as he cared for and took care of his Master’s fellow servants.   This servant did not take advantage of his fellow servants as well during the absence of his Master.   When the Master returned he found the servant doing exactly what he had expected the servant to do.

§  The ‘Meat’ referred to in this parable would be a metaphor for ‘Spiritual Food’.

§  Jesus is expecting us to spend the time waiting and taking care of others and doing his work through his command of the Great Commission, ‘Go and make Disciples of others’.   This command would include people both inside and outside of our church.

§  Since we know that Christ’s return will be sudden and unexpected, we should be motivated to always being prepared.  Being prepared includes doing God’s work.

§  This parable also reminds us again that God’s Judgment is real and it will occur.  We can again see the reference to the ‘Gnashing of Teeth and Weeping’.

§  Related Readings

·         Matthew 24:36-44, Luke 12:35-40

o   The Growing Seed   (Mark 4:26-29)

§  This is another parable about the Kingdom of God.   This parable reveals that spiritual growth is a continual and gradual process that will be completed once we have Eternal life in heaven with our Savoir and Creator.   This completion will occur with the Great Harvest or when physical death occurs.   In this parable Jesus is comparing our spiritual growth to the slow but certain growth of a seed.

§  We must realize that the growth of the Kingdom of God can be detected in certain stages.  As in the wheat seed, first the blade of wheat appears, then the ear, then the full grain of the ear, and finally the full stalk of wheat.  Though we cannot see a daily change in our lives, we can look back on our lives and see that something has changed.   We can compare what we have been in the past to what we have become.

§  Related Readings

·         Revelation 14:14-20

·         Questions to Ponder/Life Lessons.

o   Have we been saved?  Do we trust in Jesus Christ as our savior and do we believe in his finished work?   Jesus shed his blood for us during his brutal beatings and while he hung on the cross, as he died on the cross for all of our sins (past, present, and future).   The price we pay is surrendering our life to Jesus as our Lord and Savior.

o   Do we feel compelled to bring others to Christ?   Eternity is real and we never know when one’s time is up.

o   Are we content with our relationship with Jesus?  What else can I learn?   How else can I do God’s work in my life?

o   Do we reach out and make disciples of others?    Do we continue to disciple those whom we have led to Jesus?

o   Are we active in our church or community?  Are we self-absorbed instead?

Parables of Jesus - Lesson 13

The Parables of Jesus

Lesson 13 

·         Background

o   Today’s Parables come from the Gospel of Matthew.  

o   We find Jesus teaching these parables shortly after he was accused of being under Satan’s power, the religious leaders had asked Jesus to perform a miracle, and Jesus had just described who his true family was.  These parables were told shortly after the Kingdom of Heaven parables which we looked at earlier.

·         Smaller and Shorter Parables of Jesus

o   The Mustard Seed.    (Matthew 13: 31 - 32)

§  The mustard seed was one of the smallest seeds that was planted in a herb garden.  Jesus was not comparing this mustard seed to other seeds, as there were smaller seeds then the mustard seed. The Khardal Mustard was typical in biblical times and this particular variety would grow into a bush that could grow 12 to 15 feet tall.

§  This parable is likened to the kingdom of heaven, “a man” is represented by Jesus Christ, “a field” is represented by the world, “the seed” represents the word of God, “growing” refers to the spreading of the church, and the presence of evil is represented by the birds of the air.

§  Jesus was using this parable to make a prediction on how the Gospel would spread.  It first started with Jesus, it then grew to his 12 apostles, it next grew to 120 people hiding in the upper room and receiving the Holy Spirit, it then grew to 3,000 when Peter preached to a crowd, the Gospel then spread throughout the Roman Empire, and the Gospel is now being spread to all the corners of the earth.   The church would start small and will continue to grow.  The church would become a source of food, rest, and shelter for both believers and non-believers that seek to take advantage of what the church offered.  This parable is both a warning and a prediction of the churches growth.

§  Related Readings

·         Matthew 17:20, Luke 17:6, Galatians 1:6-9, 2 Corinthians 11:12-15

o   The Yeast.   (Matthew 13: 33)

§  Typically Jesus would use the word ‘Yeast’ as a symbol of evil in his teachings.  This parable uses a much different meaning and Jesus uses yeast to show the positive growth of the church.   Yeast is the smallest portion of the ingredients used to make a loaf of bread, but yet it permeates (spread throughout) and affects the whole loaf.

§  In some bible versions the yeast is replaced by the word ‘leaven’.   In Jewish homes, a piece of fermented dough was reserved for making leavened bread.   The reserved dough was hidden in the new dough to permeate.  

§  As in the Mustard Seed parable, the kingdom of God would have a small beginning, but it would also continue to increase and grow.   Just as it takes time for the yeast to spread through the dough, the Kingdom of God will take time to grow.   As yeast is placed inside the dough, God also influences his church from the inside by changing our hearts.  Christians then slowly transform their lives and slowly begin to transform the lives of others around them.  The ultimate benefit of the Kingdom of God would to be spread world-wide.   The nature of yeast is to grow and change whatever it contacts.

§  Related Readings

·         Galatians 5:7-10, Luke 17:20-21 (the Kingdom is Spiritual), 2 Corinthians 3:15-18 (Transformed as in Yeast)

o   The Owner of the House   (Matthew 13:52)

§  The Head of a Household is responsible for the family.  It would be his responsibility to ensure that the storeroom contained everything to feed the family.  He would handle serving the old food along with the new food to insure the food was not being wasted.   In the same context, the minister/teacher is to use what he has learned and experienced for the benefit of his spiritual family.   Jesus wanted his ministers to teach carefully by balancing the Old and New Testaments together.

§  The Old Testament reveals the way to the Messiah, Jesus Christ.   Jesus was revealing that the Kingdom of Heaven is the treasure we seek.   Both the Old and New Testaments are guidelines for faith and living in this world.   The religious leaders during Jesus’s time were trapped in the Old testament and blind to Jesus’s teachings of the New Testament.   They were looking for a future kingdom preceded by judgment.   Jesus taught the Kingdom of Heaven is now and judgment was for the future.   The religious leaders failed to acknowledge the Spiritual Kingdom of Jesus.

§  Related Readings

·         Galatians 6:12-16, Matthew 5:17-20, Ephesians 4:7-14, Matthew 10:5-7, Matthew 28:16-20

·         Questions to Ponder/Life Lessons.

o   How can we help to spread the Gospel to others?   Are we being like yeast?

o   If we feel that we have limitations or weakness, do we remember that all things are possible through Jesus Christ?   Do we remember what we can do if we had the faith of a Mustard Seed?

o   Have we passed at opportunities God has clearly shown us as an opportunity to share the Gospel with another?