The Parable of the Weeds Matthew 13:36-43   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.” He answered, “The one who sows the good seed is the Son of Man. The field is the world, and the good seed is the sons of the kingdom. The weeds are the sons of the evil one, and the enemy who sowed them is the devil. The harvest is the end of the age, and the reapers are angels. Just as the weeds are gathered and burned with fire, so will it be at the end of the age. The Son of Man will send his angels, and they will gather out of his kingdom all causes of sin and all law-breakers, and throw them into the fiery furnace. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father. He who has ears, let him hear. Things we can look for to discern the “wheat” from the “weeds”:Trust each other, but don’t be stupid!   Trust, but verify.Be careful of “theological gymnasts”!  It’s great to have questions, but beware of those questions that are actually an attempt to justify sin.Gravitate towards humility and obedience.    Simple. Authentic. Jesus. Prairiebible.org

The Parable of the Weeds

Mathew 9:16-17   No one puts a patch of unshrunk cloth on an old garment, for the patch will tear away and make the tear worse. And neither should you put new wine into old wineskins, for the new wine will cause the old skins to burst. Instead, put new wine into new wineskins and both shall be preserved.

New Wineskins

Who Am I to Judge?Matthew 7:1-5 Biblical discernment is the ability to distinguish good from evil according to the Bible. Living with biblical discernment is not just an option, it is a God-given responsibility. We need to recover biblical discernment in our churches, and it starts with understanding what it means to “judge not.” Sadly, Christians have often neglected their responsibility to confront serious sin in the church by saying, “Who am I to judge?” This is a misunderstanding of what it means to “judge not” (1 Cor. 5:12-13). So, what does it mean to have biblical discernment? Take Home Message: God has given us the responsibility of biblical discernment. Biblical discernment means…We treat each other fairly.Matt. 7:1-2– “Judge not, that you be not judged. 2 For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you. We see each other clearly.Matt. 7:3-4– Why do you see the speck that is in your brother's eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? 4 Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when there is the log in your own eye?We correct each other gently.Matt. 7:5– You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother's eye.” Take Home QuestionsAre you in the Word?Are Christians in your life?Are you practicing what you preach? Simple. Authentic. Jesus. Prairiebible.org 

Who Am I to Judge?

Simple Worship. Authentic Discipleship. Serve like Jesus. If you were on trial for being a Christian, would there be enough evidence to convict you? Matthew 5:13-16, Parable of Salt & Light:  “You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people's feet. “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden.  Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house.  In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.Simple. Authentic. Jesus. prairiebible.org

Simple Worship. Authentic Discipleship. Serve like Jesus.

The Parable of the SowerA parable can either “reveal” or “conceal” a message. It all depends on the condition of the person’s heart! Meaning, if you’re not looking for the TRUTH, you could get lost in the details and miss it altogether!Scripture: Matthew 13Simple. Authentic. Jesus.prairiebible.org

The Parable of the Sower

The Purpose of the ParablesMatthew 13:10-17Every time you hear the Word of God, you take a risk. That is because we will be judged based on what we have been given. The people in Jesus’ day had the law and the prophets, yet many were disobedient. But for those who truly knew God, Jesus’ parables were enlightening. The parables reveal truth to believers and veil truth from hardened hearts. Jesus says, “So pay attention to how you hear. To those who listen to my teaching, more understanding will be given. But for those who are not listening, even what they think they understand will be taken away from them.” (Luke 8:18) Take Home Message: Are you listening?  The Parables teach us to…Be faithful with what we have (10-12).-       Matt. 13:12– For to the one who has, more will be given, and he will have an abundance, but from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away.Pay attention to how we hear (13-15).-       Matt. 13:15– For this people's heart has grown dull, and with their ears they can barely hear, and their eyes they have closed, lest they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears and understand with their heart and turn, and I would heal them. Give thanks for God’s grace (16-17).-       Matt. 13:16-17– But blessed are your eyes, for they see, and your ears, for they hear. 17 For truly, I say to you, many prophets and righteous people longed to see what you see, and did not see it, and to hear what you hear, and did not hear it.

The Purpose of the Parables

Who is Jesus?John 14:6 Each Christmas we celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. But who is Jesus? Why was He born? Why is He still relevant to our lives 2,000 years later? These are important questions. When Thomas asks Jesus, “How can we know the way?” Jesus responds, “I am the way.” What is the Christmas season all about? It is about Jesus, the only bridge between God and man.Take Home Message: Jesus Christ alone bridges the gap between God and man.John 14:6– Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. Christmas is all about Jesus, who is… -       Equal with God.-       “I am.”-       The Way.-       “I am the way.”-       The Truth.-       I am… the truth.”-       The Life.-       I am… the life.”-       The Only Way.-       “No one comes to the Father except through me.”Simple. Authentic. Jesus.prairiebible.org

Who is Jesus?

Luke 2: 8-18 8 And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. 10 And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12 And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” 13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,14 “Glory to God in the highest,    and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!”15 When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.” 16 And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger. 17 And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child. 18 And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them.Simple.  Authentic.  Jesus.prairiebible.org

The Shepherds

God’s Purpose in Our PainMatthew 1:18-21Have you ever been a situation where there seems to be no right answer? That must have been how Joseph felt when he first learned that Mary was pregnant. How did he handle this painful situation? We often forget about Joseph when it comes to the Christmas story. Joseph has no words recorded in Scripture, but he speaks by his actions. We will see that just as God chose Mary to raise Jesus, he also chose this quiet, righteous carpenter. Joseph, though dead, still speaks through his faith (Heb. 11:4). Take Home Message: God can use our greatest pain for his greatest purposes. Joseph walked with God through…-       The Pain.-       Matt. 1:18– Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. -       The Wrestling.-       Matt. 1:19– And her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to divorce her quietly. -       The Relief.-       Matt. 1:20– But as he considered these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. -       The Purpose.-       Matt. 1:21– She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.”Take Home QuestionsDo you believe that God is in control?Do you believe that God is good?Will you trust and obey God when things don’t make sense?

God’s Purpose in Our Pain

Simple. Authentic. Jesus.-  Simple Worship-  Authentic Disciples-  Serve Like Jesusprairiebible.org

Mary's Awkward Christmas

Remember to Surrender Every day God has an assignment for you.  Have you figured out yet what it is?   You need to remember to surrender to God every day.  Let the Holy Spirit work through you to discover the adventure that Jesus has in store for you.  Luke 9:23   And he said to all, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. Simple. Authentic. Jesus. prairiebible.org

The Surrender

Come to Me and DrinkJohn 7:37-39There is no substitute for contentment in Christ. When Jesus Christ is our pursuit, He leaves our hearts so satisfied that we don’t need anything else. To those who thirst, Jesus says, “come to me and drink.” Whoever drinks of the water that Jesus gives will never thirst again (Jn. 4:14). As Augustine once said, “You have made us for yourself, O Lord, and our hearts are restless until they rest in You.” John 7:37-39– 37 On the last day of the feast, the great day, Jesus stood up and cried out, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink. 38 Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, ‘Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.’” 39 Now this he said about the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were to receive, for as yet the Spirit had not been given, because Jesus was not yet glorified.Take Home Message: There is no substitute for contentment in Christ.Contentment in Christ flows from…Running to Him first.-       Jn. 7:37– On the last day of the feast, the great day, Jesus stood up and cried out, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink.”Trusting in Him alone.-       Jn. 7:38– “Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, ‘Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.’”Being filled with the Spirit.-       Jn. 7:39– Now this he said about the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were to receive, for as yet the Spirit had not been given, because Jesus was not yet glorified.”

Come to Me and Drink

The AdventureJohn 1:47-50 A life lived for Christ, in the Spirit, should NOT be an obligation…o   It’s a privileged adventure that you don’t want to miss!  Setting up our passage for today:o   When Jesus is baptized, almost immediately John the Baptist proclaims that He is the very “Lamb of God”!§  From that moment on Jesus sets out on a great adventure to Save the world!·         What’s cool is, Jesus invites others to join Him on the adventure.o   One of those that He invites is a guy named Nathaniel.John 1:47-50o    Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward him and said of him, “Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom there is no deceit!”  Nathanael said to him, “How do you know me?” Jesus answered him, “Before Philip called you, when you were under the fig tree, I saw you.”  Nathanael answered him, “Rabbi, you are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!”  Jesus answered him, “Because I said to you, ‘I saw you under the fig tree,’ do you believe? You will see greater things than these.” Jesus’ message to all of us?o   This adventure I’m calling you to is not an obligation… it’s a privilege!

The Adventure

Our Response to “the Gift”When was the last time you were “filled with the Holy Spirit”?  The biggest stumbling block to having a relationship with the Holy Spirit is whether or not we are willing to let HIM be in control of our lives. You need to ask yourself, “Have I given control of my life to Him? Simple. Authentic. Jesus. prairiebible.org

Our Response to “the Gift”

I Chose YouJohn 15:16Jesus told his followers, “You did not choose me, but I chose you.” What an amazing statement! Have you considered that God chose you? For God “saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works but because of his own purpose and grace, which he gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began.” (1 Tim. 1:9) God doesn’t call the equipped, He equips the called. If He has called us, He will provide his Holy Spirit for us. Through the power of the Holy Spirit, we are able to overcome every obstacle as we live out His calling for our lives. Take Home Message: Because God chose us, He will also equip us.John 15:16- You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you.Because God chose us, He will…Assign our position.- “I… appointed you”Empower our work.- “that you should go and bear fruit”Preserve our reward.- “and that your fruit should abide”Answer our prayers.- “so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you”Simple. Authentic. Jesus.prairiebible.org

I Chose You

Series: What’s so spiritual about your gifts?Theme: Whom God uses…Scripture: Romans 12:1-3 Romans 12:1- “Give your body as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God.”    o The first thing God’s looking for when deciding who He will use: Are you available? Romans 12:2- “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed in the renewing of your mind.”    o The second thing God’s looking for: Who/what governs you? The opinion of God or the opinion of Man? Romans 12:3- “Do not think of yourselves more highly than you ought, but with sober judgement, according to the measure of faith that God has given.”    o The final thing god’s looking for: Are you Humble? Simple. Authentic. Jesus. Prairiebible.org

Whom God uses…, Prairie Bible Message, October 30, 2022

 Have You Embraced the Giver of Spiritual Gifts? Series:  “What’s so spiritual about your gifts?”Theme: The “Talent Trap”Scripture: Acts 2:42-47   42 And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. 43 And awe[a] came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. 44 And all who believed were together and had all things in common. 45 And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. 46 And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, 47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being savedSo what’s so dangerous about not recognizing the difference between natural gifts and spiritual gifts? Simply this: As valuable as our natural gifts are, they are not as valuable as “THE GIFT” of the Holy Spirit working within you!  Simple. Authentic. Jesus. prairiebible.org

Have You Embraced the Giver of Spiritual Gifts?

The RelationshipThe Relationship What kind of relationship do you have with the Holy Spirit? John 16:7- “I tell you the truth. It is to your advantage that I go. For if I do not go, the Helper will not come. But if I do, I will send Him to you.” In other words, anyone who accepts Jesus as Lord will be indwelled by God, the Holy Spirit! The Holy Spirit will be in you, guiding you, and empowering you, for the mission of bringing the gospel to the world! Simple. Authentic. Jesus. prairiebible.org

The Relationship

A Call for Unity2 Corinthians 13:11 No church is perfect. In fact, the moment you walk into a church it becomes an imperfect church. Why? Because, though we’ve been declared righteous by the work of Christ, we are still sinners. And because we are sinners, unity takes work. In John 17, Jesus repeatedly asks the Father that Christians be united for the sake of our testimony. In a world so divided, what a bright light Christian unity shines to those around us!  Take Home Message: When we lose our unity, we lose our testimony. 2 Corinthians 13:11– Finally, brothers, rejoice. Aim for restoration, comfort one another, agree with one another, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you. Gospel unity calls us to pursue…-              Wholeness.-              “Rejoice. Aim for restoration.”-              Agreement.-              “Comfort one another. Agree with one another.”-              Peace.-              “Live in peace.” Simple. Authentic. Jesus. prairiebible.org

A Call for Unity

Power through WeaknessWhat is a person’s greatest strength?    Recognizing their greatest weaknesses!  Corinthians 12:8-10   Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me. But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore, I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong. Simple. Authentic. Jesus. prairiebible.org

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