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The Purpose of the Parables

Matthew 13:10-17

Every 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\\u2019 day had the law and the prophets, yet many were disobedient. But for those who truly knew God, Jesus\\u2019 parables were enlightening. The parables reveal truth to believers and veil truth from hardened hearts. Jesus says, \\u201cSo 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.\\u201d (Luke 8:18)

\\xa0Take Home Message: Are you listening?\\xa0

\\xa0The Parables teach us to\\u2026

Be faithful with what we have (10-12).

-\\xa0 \\xa0 \\xa0 \\xa0Matt. 13:12\\u2013 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).

-\\xa0 \\xa0 \\xa0 \\xa0Matt. 13:15\\u2013 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.\\xa0

Give thanks for God\\u2019s grace (16-17).

-\\xa0 \\xa0 \\xa0 \\xa0Matt. 13:16-17\\u2013 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.