The Parables

The Parables : “Understanding What Jesus Meant”
Discovery House, 1991, by Gary Inrig
Christian Spiritual Growth, Recommended by george

A book of a dozen stories to provide answers to many of our
questions and situations. These are the teachings of Jesus,
so we will hear His Words. These Parables of truth call us
to know our God, and see who we really are.

The first chapter is titled,” Knowing My Father”. Have you
ever had the feeling that not every Christian is, “our kind
of person”? Then ponder these three beautiful parables;about
a lost sheep, a lost coin, and a lost son.(NKJ, Luke;15:1-32)

We know of the feelings of loosing and finding things cared
about. The greater the value to us results in greater feelings
of either pain or joy.

This first chapter focuses on “Luke 15:11-32” the return of
the prodigal son and the appeal to the older brother. This
appeal to the older brother was intended for the Pharisees.

Luke 15:11 to 27; Tells of the wayward son, welcoming and
rejoicing father, also the respectable older brother‘s anger.
Luke 15:28: Tells us the father came to the older brother and
pleaded with him.
Luke 15:31; ” and he said to him, son you are always with me,
and all that I have is yours.
Luke 15:32; ’ It was right that we should make merry and be
glad, for your brother was dead and is alive again, and was
lost and is found.’”
Luke 15:31&32; Is one statement of gladness and joy both for
the father and for God.

Gary Inrig points out a cliff hanger; “did the older brother
enter and celebrate or not ? ” The Lords story shouts to all
brothers;” come home, come in the house”.

The message set before us; to reject the Fathers gracious
treatment of an unworthy sinner is to deceive ourselves
about our need for grace. As long as we reject the grace
shown to other sinners, then we are standing outside of
our Fathers House.

How well we “know God” is revealed by our feelings for those
that are lost and those that are found.

(if you want the next chapter “Loving My Neighbor” just ask)