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THE PARABLE OF THE SOWER

The Oxford Dictionary defines a parable as “ a simple story used to illustrate a moral or spiritual lesson.”  Jesus made extensive use of parables in explaining the principles of the Kingdom of Heaven in down-to-earth terms to those who were unfamiliar with them.  He used analogies of familiar activities that the farmers, shepherds, vinedressers and fishermen that heard Him could easily understand and relate to.  Late in Jesus’ ministry, before He was betrayed, He told His disciples that the time was coming when He would no longer speak to them in parables, but would plainly reveal the Father and His ways to them (see John 16:25).  He was referring to the time after His resurrection when the Holy Spirit would be poured out upon His disciples on the day of Pentecost.  Of that day Jesus said, “…when He, the Spirit of truth, is come, He will guide you into all truth .” (John 16:13).   Chapter 13 of St. Matthew holds a wealth of parables.   The first...
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BE NOT CONFORMED TO THIS WORLD

"I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.  And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God ." (Romans 12:1, 2).   St. Paul issues a solemn exhortation to the church in Rome in this twelfth chapter of his letter to the Romans.   He warns them not to conform themselves to this world, but, instead, to be transformed by the renewing of their minds.   The Greek word that Bible scholars translated "conformed" in this passage means to conform oneself – one’s mind and character – to someone else’s pattern.   I have always thought that these verses warn us not to copy the evil practices of the world: the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life are clearly "of the world" and we must avoid them.   Th...
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A BRAND-NEW WORLD

The story of Noah and his ark reveals some important principles about God's Kingdom and its relationship to the world.     We cannot overstate the corrupting influence that the world has on mankind, or the insidious way in which it infiltrates every area of our lives.   The world often comes to us innocently, dressed in its finest clothes, full of lofty promises and with its best intentions; and we are often duped by such a masquerade.   We should not be surprised, "...for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light." (2 Corinthians 11:14).     In Noah’s day, the whole world had become so corrupted that God determined to destroy everything.   Man's condition was so vile that God was grieved, and He regretted making man.   "And GOD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually .   And it repented the LORD that He had made man on the eart...
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