Epaggelia

New Wine with Old Wineskins or New Patch with Old Clothes

Matthew 9:16–17, Mark 2:21–22, Luke 5:36–38

The Pharisees were the people of the Law who did a lot of good things outwardly, but many were prideful & had very hardened hearts. The Pharisees were threatened by the popularity of Jesus and His ways that seemed to them to be against the law, even though we know that Jesus lived a perfect life and fulfilled the law, abolishing the old law on the cross, 1st Pet. 2:22, 2nd Cor. 5:21, Heb. 4:15.

People asked Jesus why the Pharisees were fasting but not the disciples of Jesus. Then Jesus answered them, “How can the guests of the bridegroom fast while he is with them? They cannot, so long as they have him with them. But the time will come when the bridegroom will be taken from them, and on that day they will fast” Mark 2:20. Matthew uses the word “mourn”, Mt. 9:15.

Jesus was telling the people that He was in their midst, the Savior of the world was standing in front of them, so their religious act of fasting was not as valuable as being with Him. Is this not a great message for us today? Jesus is inviting us into a relationship with Him, so why do we often worry about our religious practices more than simply being in a relationship with Christ? We have everything in Him, and our works will flow out of our gratitude and love for Him. Being a Christian does not mean that we are going to do everything right, sometimes we do sin (1st Jn. 1:10) In reality Jesus Christ gave us the new covenant in his blood, as the Logos (living word) He is our new wine. We can celebrate today that He gave His blood as an atoning sacrifice for our sins, He tore the veil. He removed our sins from the East to the West, He gives us grace upon grace. If we try to box the grace of the gospel into our legalized religious package, it will burst forth because grace cannot be hidden. Jesus breaks through all sin, all legalism, all old wineskins. Because of Jesus, He is freeing us from the same stumbling block of Pharisaic fake-christians today. It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. 

Before the parable is told, what do you think the purpose of fasting was for the disciples in their question?

What do you think should be good reasons for fasting today?

The Sower (Matthew 13:3-23, Mark 4:3-20, and Luke 8:5-15)

The gospel writers spend more time & effort recording this parable, than any other, it’s importance can not be over estimated, an emphasis is put on the way his listeners are hearing it Mt. 13:9, Mk. 4:3 7 9, Lk. 8:8. What are the four different kinds of soil representing?

1. __________

2. __________

3. __________

4. __________

What does the seed represent?

What are three responsibilities of the sower?

1. ________________________

2. ________________________

3. _________________________

Make a list of things you believe hardens human hearts. Does God harden a person’s heart before a person themselves harden their own heart?

1. ___________________________________________

2. ____________________________________________

3. ____________________________________________

How does the good hearer receive the seed? See Matthew 13:23

How does the good hearer, bear fruit? See Luke 8:15

How much of what we do as a Christian is based on genuine understanding instead of superficial knowledge?

Parables Teaching on The Spirit’s Purpose: Luke 11:9-13, Matthew 12:44-45 & Mat. 25:1-14

The hardness of hearts, was mentioned in the most popular parable of the gospels, and we know God has been active historically in hardening hearts of rebellious people. So do we consider the human heart as something God could condition?

Do we see The Spirit of Christ affecting the condition of the Christian’s heart in view of His fruit? See the Parable of the Seed in Mark 4:26-29, and compare it to John 3:8.

Luke 11:9-13,  Fathers & Their Children = The Spirit is the Best Gift God Gives !!!

Matthew 12:44-45 & Luke 11:24-28, Seven Unclean Spirits = Be Filled With God’s Spirit !!!

Matthew 25:1-13, Ten Virgins = Don’t Run Out of Oil !!!

What does the oil represent? See the following passages:

1st Samuel 16:13

Priests, Kings & Prophets were anointed with oil with the purpose of sanctification for the work and presence of God in their lives.

Isaiah 61:1-3

The prophetic promise of salvation and healing for lost Israel is in Isaiah 61 & 62, which can not be made without the use of oil in it’s language.

Acts 10:38, Jesus is anointed with the Spirit and with power!

1st John 2:20-27 & 5:6-8 Christians are taught the Spirit, Anointing, Water, Truth & Blood are all pointing to the same purpose. Sanctification of our spirit in salvation. Can you run out of this?

According to Titus 3:4-6, what does the Holy Spirit do? 

What is the promise God is making in Acts 2:38-39?

Parables Teaching on The Kingdom: The Darnel (weeds) ~ Matthew 13:24-30 & 36-43,

 The Cast-Trawl Net ~ Mt. 13:47-50, & Sheep & Goats ~ Mt. 25:31-46.

The idea of good and bad co-existing in the same field, or same net or same pasture creates a problem for many people, but for Jesus it was a reality that can help Christians learn to let Him be the King and/or Judge. On this fact, refer to Luke 19:12-27 for the Nobleman who worked with 10 servants in business, the servants were not all good. Notice that the servants are not the citizens! The citizens that sent the delegation in the beginning of the parable, are described as enemies at the end of the parable. It is the nobleman turning into the LORD that does the judging.

Who exactly are the good seed in the field of the parable of the ‘weeds’?

Who are the bad seed in the same field?

Who performs the judgment in the field?

How does Jesus define the Kingdom in Matthew 16:18-19?

In the parable of the “Cast-Trawl Net”, fish are either one of two things? 

What exactly is the net?

Do these 2 parables make the kingdom sound like the church?

Should we apply Matthew 7:1 in the church or in the world or both?

How should we apply John 7:24?

After the Kingdom/Church was established in Acts 2-10, how did the disciples preach judgment in Acts 17:30-31 ?

Paul teaches Christians in Rome that “ ________ of us will give an account of himself to God, therefore let us not pass judgment on one another any longer…” (Rom. 14:12-13)

Why was the brother in 2nd Corinthians 2:1-11, disfellowshipped?

The Parable of Budding Fig Tree ~ Matthew 24:32-35, Mark 13:28-31, and Luke 21:29-33

Fig trees have a prominent role in the life, work and teaching of Jesus. Luke also records the Parable of the Barren Fig Tree, Lk. 13:6-9 along with this parable of the “Budding” Fig Tree. Also notable is that both Matthew & Mark record the cursing of the fig tree during the last week Jesus had before he sacrificed himself, Matthew 21:18-22 & Mark 11:12-25. 

Why do you believe Luke says the Budding Fig Tree parable can be applied to all trees? (Lk. 21:29)

Luke points out that the coming of the Kingdom is imminent, (Lk. 21:31) while Matthew & Mark says it points to “all these things”. Name at least two other “things” that are connected to the coming of the Kingdom?

1. ____________________________________________________________________

2. ____________________________________________________________________

Compare the way the Kingdom is spoken of in Matthew 24:14 & Luke 17:20-21, then describe the contrast.

The fig tree that buds is bringing what very soon? ___________

According to Mark 9:1, the Kingdom will come with power. What kind of power was displayed on Pentecost in Acts 2, and who displayed the power?

Read Galatians 5:22-25, and ask yourself; Is there any kind of power mentioned in this passage? Yes or No?

When Jesus cursed the fig tree in Matthew 21:18-22 & Mark 11:12-25, why did he kill it?

The Parable of The Faithful Servant, Matthew 24:42–51, Mark 13:34–37 & Luke 12:35–48

Can You Identify The Characters?

There is a Master/Householder.

There is a Servant/porter/manager.

There are many Servants.

There is a Thief.

This parable is recorded by each author a little differently, but it’s essentially the same story. Luke gives more details than Matthew & Mark. Many English versions use the word “slave” instead of “servant” because the word in Greek is Doulos, best translated, “bondservant” (ASV) it indicates one who willingly sells himself into slavery to another. But as this is archaic, few today understand its force. Also, many slaves in the Roman world became slaves through Rome’s subjugation of conquered nations, kidnapping, or by being born into slave households. Luke uses Doulos as a slave who was regarded with some degree of affection, possibly a personal servant.

“Prepared & Dressed for Service”: What do you think the proper dress represents?

Burning Oil Lamps: What does the oil represent? 

See the following passages: 

Matthew 25:1-13 & 1st Samuel 16:13 & Isaiah 61:1-3

Priests, Kings & Prophets were anointed with oil for the purpose of The Holy Spirit’s sanctification in the work and presence of God. The prophetic promise of salvation and healing for lost Israel is in Isaiah 61 & 62, which can not be made without the use of oil in it’s language.

Serviceable Table Waiters: Why are the servant-waiters waiting on tables?

Serviceable Watchmen/Guards: The Master representing the “Son of Man” being Christ wants his house protected for what purpose?

Does Jesus answer Peter’s question in Luke 12:41 with clarity?