THE PARABLES FROM THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO SAINT LUKE

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STORIES OF JESUS

• THE PARABLES FROM THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO SAINT
  LUKE

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Script and producer Dr. N. J. Paul
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There are 28 parables in the book of Luke

• and a dozen more in other gospels

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• PARABLES LISTED IN THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO LUKE
• LUKE 536 THE NEW CLOTH
• LUKE 537 NEW WINE
• LUKE 647,49 THE HOUSE ON THE ROCK
• LUKE 741-43 THE TWO DEBTORS
• LUKE 85-8 THE SOWER
• LUKE 1030-37 THE GOOD SAMARITAN
• LUKE 115-8 THE FRIEND AT MIDNIGHT
• LUKE 1216-21 THE RICH FOOL
• LUKE 1236-39 THE WEDDING FEAST
• LUKE 1242-43 THE WISE STEWARD
• LUKE 136-9 THE BARREN FIG TREE
• LUKE 1320-21 THE LEAVEN
• LUKE 1319 THE MUSTARD SEED
• LUKE 1416-24 THE GREAT SUPPER
• LUKE 153-7 THE LOST SHEEP
• LUKE 158-10 THE PIECE OF MONEY THAT WAS LOST
  AND FOUND
• LUKE 1511-32 THE PRODIGAL SON

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Introduction to Parables from the book of LUKE
In this study you will find an entirely
different interpretation of the parables you
might not thought of or read else where. Though
it may appear that Jesus spoke parables at
random, we can find they were linked to each
other and have a continuity of theme. Each
parable is an outcome of some discussion or
dispute with the people or the Pharisees who
disagreed with the doctrines of Jesus on some
aspect or other. But Jesus made it clear, that
the purpose of His visit on earth was not to
fight and liberate them from the Romans as the
Messiah expected, but something different.
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It is difficult to imagine how Jesus could have
introduced a totally different scheme of Gods
forgiveness than what they believed or practiced
for ages. It is easy for us to preach
forgiveness of sins through sacrifice on the
cross. But How could Jesus preach it before He
died on the cross? More over, His disciples never
liked Jesus talking about His death on the cross.
How much more the public who wanted Him to stay
with them for ever? Jesus therefore gently
introduced the doctrine step wise in the three
years of His ministry. First He talked of Gods
love and the need for a change in peoples
thinking How Gods word alone can help to change
them and make them fruitful Secondly He preached
them about judgment and eternity and how the time
of Grace was running out and that God is willing
to receive.
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Thirdly He preached the damnation for those who
are unfaithful and the reward of being fruitful
in His kingdom on earth Thus He showed the
kingdom of God is the door way to kingdom of
heaven Some of the parables are twin parables and
therefore the meaning are identical or they talk
of the some thing. Parables are short but they
are so deep in meaning. We should be therefore
careful in their interpretation. Example the
wine in old bottle and the new cloth patched on
the old The mustard seed and the leaven You will
be happy to see the meaning is so different than
what you thought of!
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They fall under three topics

• God loves you. Come back to Him
• There is a judgment day. But God is willing to
  receive
• There is a reward and a punishment- Which would
  you choose

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THE PURPOSE OF THE PARABLES

• Jesus did not come only to die on the cross but
  to establish His power on earth and challenge the
  enemy.
• He showed that His teaching had the same power as
  the Father had at creation
• Jesus LOGOS Gods authority to do miracles or
  forgive

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THE PARABLES TO EXPLAIN THE PURPOSE OF HIS
VISIT
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THE PURPOSE OF HIS VISIT LUKE 418

• He came to
• To preach the gospel to the poor
• To heal the broken hearted
• To proclaim liberty to the captives
• And recovery of sight to the blind
• To set at liberty those who are oppressed
• To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD

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WHAT DID PEOPLE SAY ABOUT HIS TEACHINGS?

• Taught in the synagogues being glorified by all
  415
• Marvelled at the gracious words that came out of
  His mouth 422
• They were all amazed saying What a word is
  this? 436
• Many demons came out crying, you are the Son of
  God. 441
• One day He was teaching .. And the power of the
  LORD was present to heal them.

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John Vs Jesus-teachings

• Jesus did not tell stories to entertain the
  people.
• Who needed change- people or Pharisees?
• Jesus and John preached the same theme
• John was abrupt talking of Eternity
• Jesus told them of Gods rule on earth- Kingdom
  of God.
• And the need for thinking about eternity.

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NEED FOR REPENTANCE
PART I COME BACK TO GOD
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people need to change their attitudes
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A twin Parable

• Two short parables almost in one or two verses.
  That shows the emphasis of the lesson and mean
  the same thing.
• Jesus told these parables because they tried to
  compare their doctrine with that of Jesus and of
  John.
• Jesus told them by trying to fit one into another
  would only do more damage.
• Forgiveness of sins thru sacrifices was according
  to law of Moses.
• It is God who forgives. Sacrifices dont earn it!

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1. NEW AND OLD PIECE OF CLOTH- Luke 536

• Amazing that Jesus as a carpenter talked
• about tailoring! How did He know about it.
• Garments were woven those days than tailored.
  There were no sewing machines!
• Even modern housewives dont know the truth
  because they try to do patch work using both old
  and new!
• The new cloth shrinks and so the tear is likely.
• New doctrine of Christ brings restrains in life
  style which people dont like!. They cannot mix
  it with their old doctrines.

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2. NEW WINE OLD BOTTLE- Luke 537

• WINE IS DOCTRINE. BOTTLE ARE PEOPLES MIND
• In olden days bottles were made of leather or
  sheep skin bags.
• New wine when it starts fermenting will produce
  more gas which will exert more pressure which the
  bag cannot sustain. So it will burst
• Peoples idea of forgiveness through sacrifices
  was from the time of Moses. Though they saw
  changes in the life of people thru teachings of
  John they could not accept it. It was easier for
  them to pay the sacrifices and do the same
  mistakes again and again than to repent and put
  an end to it once and forever.
• Devil took advantage of that doctrine and blinded
  the eyes of the people. It would certain rend
  their hearts to accept the doctrine of repentance

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3. SPECK A BEAM- Luke 642

• Jesus healed a sick man on the Sabaath. The
  Pharisees were angry that He violated the law of
  Moses. They were also angry that He pronounced
  forgiveness to people while they believed in
  pardon through sacrifices. So they were finding
  fault with Him.
• A beam is a log of wood used for supporting the
  roof or in a cloth weavers device. When two
  friends are in an attic or working on a weaving
  job and if a speck of dust falls on the eyes of
  one, his first reaction would be to rub it off.
• And if the friend offers to help but a beam his
  blocking the view he cannot help his friend.
• The Pharisees were blind to the Goodness and love
  of God and were trying find small mistakes in the
  ministry of Jesus.
• When people think high of themselves, they tend
  to despise others

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4. TWO BUILDERS Doers of the word. Luke 647-49

• Both are the same superstructure.
• Only they differed in the foundation
• The foundation goes below the ground and no one
  sees it
• It needs digging and costs money and time.
• Get rich quick and taking things for granted or
  looking for easy results are wrong motives in
  life
• People are concerned about church attendance and
  rituals easily seen by others. But digging deep
  into or soul searching is not done. They will
  find one day all will collapse.
• Rituals traditions will collapse. Repentance
  and firm foundation only would help

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5. TWO DEBTORS- Luke 741-43

• Jewish people are noted for the exorbitant rate
  of interests they charged and their merciless
  attitudes.
• Law of Moses dictated that at the jubilee year
  all debts should be forgiven . Yet people would
  not do it.
• One man generously forgave a person a debt of
  500 Denarius which is equal to 500 days wages.
• God forgives our daily mistakes known and
  unknown. But we fail to forgive others even once
  in a while. How do we expect them to love us and
  serve us?
• How dare we say the LORDs prayer forgive our
  debts even as we forgive their debts!

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6. THE SOWER THE SEED LUKE 85-8

• JESUS CALLED THIS PARABLE AS A MYSTERY- 810
• BECAUSE IT SHOWS WHY PEOPLE ARE NOT FRUITFUL IN
  LIFE.
• WHAT IS THE SEED?
• WHAT IS WAY SIDE?
• WHAT IS ROCK?
• WHAT ARE THORNS?
• WHAT IS GOOD GROUND?
• WE REAP WHAT WE SOW
• GODS WORD HAS POWER TO TRANSFORM OUR LIVES TO BE
  FRUITFUL IN OUR OWN LIVES AND TO HIS KINGDOM.

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7.The Good Samaritan LUKE 10 30-37THE REJECTED
THE RELIGIOUS CLASS OF PEOPLE

• Read the story why Jesus said it. Who is
  Samaritan and a levite?
• Who is the one that helped the dying traveller?
• The Samaritan was an unwanted rejected person
• Are people satisfied with attending church like
  the levite and the priest?
• The story was addressed to a righteous law keeper
  who obeyed the law from child hood.
• We are blind to those who are in need of help and
  in critical situation.
• God wants us to show mercy to others which is
  more important than going to church and doing
  things like that.
• What should we do to inherit eternal life?
• Jesus said, Go and do like wise
• Luke 10 37 infers showing mercy to others who
  are need wins Gods approval to inherit eternal
  life

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8.LAST MINUTE RUSH- Luke115-8

• A guest arrived at midnight. The host had
  nothing at home to feed him.
• So he went to his neighbor and asked for two
  loaves of bread as loan. It was an awkward
  situation to wake up some one from sleep.
• Still the neighbour was kind and obliged because
  of the perseverance in asking
• God is willing and waiting to help any one even
  though it is the last hour

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9. Armed and Ready not to be defeated or miss the
Eternal life- Luke 11-28- 41

• Jesus told them how they should put on the
  armour and fight the evil
• Holy spirit Seek His help 1110 ,13
• Word of God-Keep it 1128
• Dont see evil things 1134,35
• Give alms to the poor 1141. 1233,35
• Dont trust in riches 1220,21
• Feed the poor 1413,14
• Forsake all and be a disciple 1433

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10. Lamp under the cot or a bushel- Luke 1133

• Lamp is word of God.
• Where to keep a lamp?
• Why was it kept under a bushel or cot?
• A bushel is used to measure the grains. It is
  busy all day transferring grains. But at the end
  of the day not one grain sticks to it. The lamp
  is also put out. People who are busy with their
  work and have no time for God are like that. At
  the end of their life they find nothing sticks to
  them.
• Why was it kept under a cot?
• Cot shows comfort of life. He keeps it under
  because he cannot sleep with lights on. But it
  may catch fire. What would happen in both cases?
• In both cases it ended in loss. Lamp is word of
  God. It should be kept high in our life.
• In the olden days people did not have match
  sticks and to light a fire it was difficult. So
  it was easy to keep the lamp on all the time.
  But it is difficult to sleep with light on.
• A busy life a lazy life will stump all
  spiritual growth

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11.THE RICH FOOL -Luke 1216-21

• A rich man planned for his retirement. What is
  harm in planning?
• It was only the fruit of his own hard
• work and a rightful earning.
• But he planned to store all only for himself
• and more than what he needed.
• He was not bothered about eternity. Therefore God
  called him a fool because if he dies he cannot
  take anything with him.
• He was not bothered about the needs of others.
• Heaven is not a place for selfish beings.

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12.Missing guests? Luke 1236-39

• A king invited some of his noble men for a
  dinner.
• But they were too proud or too busy to attend it.
• May be they did not want to meet some body at
  that dinner
• So each of them said an excuse and stayed behind.
• The king became angry and invited all the poor
  people to the dinner. So the noble men were
  rejected.
• Cant they do those jobs after the dinner?
• So also a lot of people miss Gods blessings
  while others rise up to do His work. We shall
  miss the chance to sit at the banquet if we are
  too busy with our matters.- Dont reject Gods
  invitations

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13.WATCHFUL AND READY AT ODD HOURS- Luke 1236-48

• The Master went abroad leaving the properties to
  the custody of the steward.
• The steward is one who should take care of all
  the workers, their work, the property and the
  returns and the safety of every thing.
• But if he bosses over the people and ill treats
  them and does not care for the property and
• If the master would return at unexpected time
• What would the Master do with such unfaithful
  servant?
• Jesus said, that He also would come at odd hour
• Or death may over take us by surprise. What duty
  was
• assigned to us that we may be accounted for?
• God has blessed us with so many good things in
  life. What did we do with that for Him? Are we
  supposed to lead a life according to our wishes?
  Jesus warned of a Sudden coming 1240-48

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Summary of part 1- What are the changes needed in
our lives?

• Traditions may not fit in with the doctrine of
  Jesus- Self righteousness
• Finding fault with others will not help us-
  Accusations
• God does not approve and outward show of
  religion- Hypocrisy
• God forgives both a great and an ordinary sinner-
  Self esteem
• Worldly matters make us unproductive to God-
  Disregard for word of God
• Showing mercy to helpless and needy is an
  accepted service before God- Merciless
• God is waiting to receive us. Time of Grace is
  running out - Procrastination
• If we are not armed enemy will defeat us in no
  time.- Lack of vigilance
• People are too busy or very lazy will lose all
  spiritual blessings soon- Worldliness
• A man who lives for himself is not worthy of
  Eternity in Heaven.- selfishness
• If are not watchful and faithful we will lose the
  Blessings in store for us-Unfaithful
• Jesus will come suddenly to judge the earth.
  Should we continue in a life of self will?

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PART II Be prepared for God's judgment day
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KINGDOM OF HEAVEN
KINGDOM OF GOD
HOW TO CHANGE
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14.Barren Fig Tree- Luke 136-9

• Why did Jesus say this story?
• Because the people thought the people who perish
  are wicked.
• Jesus told them all would perish but the time of
  Grace is finishing soon.
• Fig tree is supposed to yield fruit or else it
  would be cut off
• People who enjoy Gods goodness must be fruitful.
  What is fruitfulness? A tree produces fruits for
  others to enjoy. A good Christian life is not
  selfish one.

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15.TIME OF GRACE running out-Lk 13. 6-9

• The gardener is compassionate about the fig tree.
  Why? He knows the hard work in raising a tree.
• Why was the landlord upset? He wants returns.
• Because the land has a price and the farmer gets
  paid but he gets nothing!
• A fig when it brings new leaves means it is going
  to yield. But this tree was just deceiving!
• Does it reflect bad on the farmer or the tree?
• Do we live on Grace? What is the fruit expected?
• Cut it off and cast in the fire, was the
  decision.
• Jesus told them about the Judgment Lk1012-14
• And Eternal life Luke 1025,37
• Do we play hide seek with God?

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Another twin parable!

• Leaven is yeast that is useful for making bread.
  But if it works too long it will make the whole
  dough useless.
• Mustard is a herb that is used in festival and
  food.
• But too much of it will cause bitterness
• Bible says, be angry but sin not.. We are human
  beings with anger, envy, jealousy hatred,
  bitterness and wickedness. But if it goes out of
  control and measure, it will destroy our whole
  life!

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• 16.MUSTARD SEED IN A FRUIT GARDEN?
• YEAST THAT DESTROYS SLOWLY- Luke 1319-21
• Mustard seed and the leaven- A twin parable
• Mustard seed- A sign of bitterness
• Fowls of the air (as in the sowers parable)
  represent agents of the devil.
• Birds coming to shelter under the mustard shrubs
  will make the place a stench.
• Hatred and anger and envy adultery
• are called as leaven in the Bible.
• Leaven is something hidden and unseen at work
  leaven is unwanted in festival. It is the
  hypocrisy of the Pharisees- pride and arrogance.
• Some sins are hidden deep inside the heart and
  destroys the person totally.

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Bitter herbs

• Mustard grows into a short bushy plant not more
  than five feet high and have yellow flowers.
  Birds do find shelter under them. Hatred and
  bitterness are small seed that grows into a bush
  and shelters many wicked things like hatred,
  anger, murder etc.
• It is like the bushes and shrubs under which the
  penguins in Australia find shelter under because
  they do not know how to build a nest. They make
  so much of noise and make the whole place a
  stench.
• A herb is not supposed to be grown among fruit
  trees in a garden. The man threw the seed
  casually there.
• At Passover the Jews used bitter herbs to denote
  the hard life they had in Egypt and a warning
  they should not do the same with strangers

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Leaven at Passover

• Leaven or yeast was used for baking the bread
  throughout the year.
• But once in a year at Passover it was totally
  removed from the land.
• Yeast works quietly and hidden and makes the
  dough puffed up.
• If it is not baked in time it would continue to
  work and finally the whole dough would be wasted
  away.
• A timely correction is needed to remove all our
  pride arrogance and evil nature or else the whole
  life would be destroyed
• Notice this is also a twin parable as at the
  beginning.

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17.The guests who did not attend a kings feast
Luke 1416-24

• A king made a great feast and invited his lords.
• They missed the great banquet because they
• were too busy with their own matters
• Cant they do those jobs after the dinner?
• The king became angry and ordered that all the
  poor people be gathered in for the feast. So the
  unexpected people rushed in
• Dont we see that a lot of people getting
  spiritually blessed and not rising up to do the
  ministry?
• We shall miss the chance to sit at the banquet if
  we reject His invitation to repent and are too
  busy with our own matters.

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• 18. A king Goes to war Luke.14 28-33
• A king who goes to war or a man who wants to
  build a tower will plan before they launch
• We plan for everything in life and nothing comes
  free
• But people dont plan for their life after death
• Jesus said we cannot serve God and worldly
  things.
• We have to give up one thing.
• A king who cannot fight is not
• ashamed to give up.
• If we are not planned for Eternity we will
• end up in shame and loss

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19.LOST SHEEPGods goodness. Lk. 153-7

• Sheep are of great concern to the
  shepherdbecause he sacrifices much of his
  comfort and health to care for the sheep.- Not
  let it fall a prey to the wolf or fall into the
  hands of the robber who dont benefit the sheep
  but themselves.
• Did the shepherd get angry at the foolishness of
  the sheep which goes astray seeking its own
  pleasure? It was lost and found.
• Think of Gods love seeking sinners

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20.The lost coin Lk. 158-10

• Jesus told this parable because the Pharisees
  accused
• Him for receiving sinners. Neither they
  would
• accept Him nor would allow the poor to stick
  to Him!
• The coins mentioned in the parable were a part of
  jewelry worn on the forehead as a sign of
  chastisity of a virgin. A lost coin indicates a
  lost character.
• The woman who lost it was not bad. It was her
  careless ness that caused the problem. That is
  why she was more concerned about searching for
  it.
• Why do people commit sin? Whose fault if they are
  not guided properly?
• Hidden and found out. Earnestness in setting the
  life right
• Make a good heart search

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21. Who was left out?- Not the Prodigal Lk.
1511-32

• Jesus told this story because the Pharisees
• criticized Him for eating with sinners.
• It is true that the prodigal lost the wealth
  because of his recklessness and disobedience. He
  was like a stray sheep who brought damage to
  himself and the father
• The elder brother was not happy about his
  brothers return. He was standing outside not
  participating in the celebration. Is that the
  attitude we have towards people who have gone
  astray? Do we stand with the elder son outside?
  God wants earnestness in coming back
• Be compassionate to sinners if you are to be a
  soul winner. Do we criticize their culture or
  sympathize?
• God is waiting to receive sinners. Do we help
  them?

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Summary of Part 2- Judgment and Eternity

• God expects us to be fruitful in our lives.- Be
  fruitful
• Bitterness envy anger and hypocrisy will destroy
  us totally If we reject Gods invitation to
  return we will lose the blessings He wants to
  give us.- Be watchful of hidden sins
• If we dont plan for eternity we will end up in
  shame and loss- Live with eternity in view.
• God is seeking after a lost sinner. Be kind to
  sinners
• If we faithfully seek we will be redeemed- Be
  earnest
• Thinking that we are better than others will find
  us only standing outside the door- Be
  compassionate
• Part 2 is addressed to the believers also

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PART III
Why to change?
REWARD AND ETERNITY
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22. Unprofitable servants Luke 17. 7-10

• Disciples asked Jesus to Increase their faith.
• They wanted to do great miracles like Him
• Jesus did not suggest that kind of change
• Miracles are done only by grace
• And are not to be done for self esteem or honour
• Jesus wanted them to learn humility. When we call
  ourselves as unworthy servants, God will do
  great things through us.
• God does great things thru humble people
• The Pharisees were proud and arrogant but their
  ministry did not benefit people and God. So they
  needed a change.

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23.DISHONESTY IN GODS WORK161-8

• Steward is one who is assigned responsibility and
  expected to be trust worthy. But he cheated in
  the accounts relating to oil and flour.
• Oil represents-Holy Spirit
• Wheat flour stand for word of god
• That shows how people in ministry are mishandling
  God given gifts for their own benefit and
  prestige
• People robbing the glory due to God in healing
  and prophetic and word ministry
• GOD cannot be cheated. Abusing Gods gifts?

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24.GOD IS ALWAYS MERCIFUL Luke. 181-8

• A judge is supposed to be kind merciful and at
  the same time be honest
• But if he is corrupt he will pervert justice.
• Do people blame God as unjust when disaster and
  difficulties come?
• Even unjust people sometimes change mind to be
  kind. How much more God?
• Do people blame God for not answering their
  prayer or for not punishing the wicked?
• How do we expect him to show mercy at the final
  day of judgment if we have a wrong idea of him
  now?

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25. WHO IS GOOD BEFORE GOD? Lk.18 9-14

• Pharisee and the tax collector went to pray. The
  tax collector shouts and brags before men but is
  a mouse before God! But the Pharisee pretends
  pious and quiet before men but brags before God!
• People go to a point of thinking themselves
  holier than God.
• The Pharisee could have
• been right. But not righteous.
• No one is righteous before God.
• It is only grace that gets us anything from God
  from blessings to pardon
• Dont think high of yourself

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26.The entrepreneurs Lk. 1912-27

• The receiving depend on not what we
• think of ourselves but on what the Giver
  thinks.
• It need not reflect on our honesty or ability but
  what we have in our dreams.
• We wont trust strangers with most expensive
  things or large sums of money.
• How do we expect God to trust us with great
  things or greater responsibilities if we have not
  produced any results with one life he gave us.
• Time is the one talent given to all rich or
  beggar . How do we handle it? We should show
  results for what we have received big or small
  less or more.

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27. The wicked Gardeners Luke209-16

• There is no limit to human un-gratefulness
• It is prevalent in all sections of society and
• in all parts of the world
• The gardeners failed to pay the dues to the land
  lord and on top of it they ill treated his
  servants and even murdered his son. That was
  atrocious. The basic desire to have all the
  greed is the root of that problem. Envy at those
  who have is that matters
• That is the root of all social unrest and crimes
  we see today
• Crime has no end. It begins small but the end
• is devastating.

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28. FIG TREE Luke 2129-31

• FIG TREE IS SPECIAL IN THAT IT YIELDS
• TWICE A YEAR.
• And throughout the year there could be some
  fruits on it.
• That is a sign of fruitfulness
• The Jewish nation was a sign of Fig tree.
• But they disobeyed God and suffered much in
  history.
• They crucified Jesus. Thirty years later they
  were defeated by Romans and were scattered
  throughout the world for 18 centuries.
• Any one who does not take note to change their
  lives after hearing the story of the Jewish
  nation would also perish like them.
• Watch the end time signs and get alert to be
  fruitful to God!

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Summary of part 3. Reward or regrets?

• Arrogance profits neither God or man- Humility
  that right quality of a servant- Arrogance
• God cannot be cheated- We cannot abuse Gods
  gifts-Dishonesty
• Be careful not to blame God as unkind and
  unconcerned to our lives happenings and problems-
  Blaming God!
• Our righteousness cannot take us any where near
  God!- Self righteousness
• God looks for results for whatever we received-
  Ungratefulness and unproductive life
• Greed is a wickedness that haunts even a saint
  Greed
• Watch for end time signs and be ready to meet
  Him- Preparedness
• Part 3 addresses some corrections needed even
  among servants of God

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Thank you and God bless

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