From: "Phil Rembleski" <PHIl@rescuechurchofchrist.org>

To: "1111RESCUEMEMBERS"

Cc:

Sent: Mon, Jan 3, 2022 at 5:56 AM

Subject: 1-3-22 THOUGHTS

1-3-22   THOUGHTS

There is a summary below that requires some extra reading on your part.  Jesus told stories to help us understand the nature of the kingdom of heaven.  It is VITAL that we see the nature of the kingdom clearly and rightly.  Col 1:13  For He rescued us from the domain of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son,     1Thes 2:12   so that you would walk in a manner worthy of the God who calls you into His own kingdom and glory.    2Pet 1:11  for in this way the entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ will be abundantly supplied to you.
Ps 78:2  I will open my mouth in a parable; I will utter dark sayings of old,
Matt 13:34-35    All these things Jesus spoke to the crowds in parables, and He did not speak to them without a parable.  35  This was to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet: "I WILL OPEN MY MOUTH IN PARABLES; I WILL UTTER THINGS HIDDEN SINCE THE FOUNDATION OF THE WORLD."

Matt 13:24  Jesus presented another parable to them, saying, "The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a man who sowed good seed in his field.
Matt 13:31  He presented another parable to them, saying, "The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and sowed in his field;
Matt 13:33  He spoke another parable to them, "The kingdom of heaven is like leaven, which a woman took and hid in three pecks of flour until it was all leavened."
Matt 13:44-45   "The kingdom of heaven is like a treasure hidden in the field, which a man found and hid again;and from joy over it he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field. 45  "Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant seeking fine pearls,
Matt 13:47  "Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a dragnet cast into the sea, and gathering fish of every kind;
Matt 13:52  And Jesus said to them, "Therefore every scribe who has become a disciple of the kingdom of heaven is like a head of a household, who brings out of his treasure things new and old."
Matt 18:1   At that time the disciples came to Jesus and said, "Who then is greatest in the kingdom of heaven?"
Matt 18:23  "For this reason the kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who wished to settle accounts with his slaves.
Matt 20:1  "For the kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out early in the morning to hire laborers for his vineyard.
Matt 22:2  "The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who gave a wedding feast for his son.

My Prayer:
Help us O God of heaven to always seek our knowing from you and your word.  Keep us from developing our vision of the kingdom from the culture around us.  May we study for the true, rather than absorb as we stumble along through this life.  Teach us O Father to sell what doesn’t matter and buy what does matter that lasts forever.  Focus our hearts and minds on you, and keep us from the flood of activity that converts our souls to mediocrity.  May our hearts be pure before you always.
In the precious name of our Lord and Savior       Amen