1. His mission: Call sinners to repentance & salvation - Lk. 5:32; 19:10; Matt. 11:28-30.

2. How accomplished? - Mk. 1:38; Jno. 12:49-50; Acts 10:36-37 - Through the word He taught.

3. Jesus used a variety of methods to teach: Sermons, visual aids, questions to incite examination, illustrations, parables, etc.

4. From His use of parables we learn what they are, their purpose & their results.

I. DEFINITION OF PARABLES.

  A. "Lit., Denotes A Placing Beside" - Vine, III:158.

    1. "It signifies a placing of one thing beside another with a view to comparison." -Ibid.

    2. A narrative drawn from nature or human circumstances whose object is to teach a spiritual lesson.

  B. What Parables Are Not:

    1. Not fables (Animals, trees, etc. don't talk in them) - Parable is true to life.

    2. Not myths (Myth told as if it really happened) -Parable an obvious illustration of truth based upon actual, day-to-day happenings.

    3. Not a proverb (Short, pithy truism) - Parable is a narrative which may or may not be lengthy.

  C. Jesus Did Not Invent The Use Of Parables.

    1. OT example of parable:  2 Sam. 12:1-4.

    2. His parables are full of wisdom & instruction. Were used by Him in His mission to "seek & save the lost."

II. THE PURPOSE OF JESUS' USE OF PARABLES.

  A. To Teach/Reveal Spiritual Lessons.

    1. Cf. the definition of parable.

    2. Was Jesus' constant purpose in teaching.

  B. He Did Not Use Parables To Intentionally Hide Truth From Certain People - Matt. 13:10-11; cf. Mk. 4:11-12.

  C. What Does Jesus Mean By "To Them It Is Not Given?" - Matt. 13:11-15

    1. That some men will not learn the truth.

    2. But, the real question is, Who? -Let the context help us.

    3. "Them" - Speaks of those in v. 10, 13 (seeing see not, hearing hear not, neither understand).

      a.  v. 14-15 - Those who don't desire truth, refuse to hear it & accept it.

      b.  Thus, they are unable of learning truth!  (cf. Rom. 8:6-7)

      c.  Those with hard hearts toward truth cannot learn it.  (cf. Jno. 8:43)

BUT--

    4. Matt. 13:16-17 - Those with open minds & honest hearts can learn truth!  (Jno. 7:17)

    5. And, since hearts can be changed, Jesus used various teaching techniques (incl. parables) in an effort to open hearts/minds!

III. THE RESULTS OF PARABLES - Mk. 4:11-12.

  A. A Two-fold Effect Of Parables: Enlighten & Conceal.

    1. "That" in v. 12 speaks of the result, not intent, of parables.

    2. We generally understand "that" as expressing aim or intent, but not always the case:

      a.  cf. Matt. 2:13-15 - Did they go to Egypt to save Jesus or to fulfill prophecy?

      b.  To save Jesus Þ Result was fulfilled prophecy.

    3.  So it is in Mk. 4:11-12:

-Not the intention of Master Teacher to hide His truth!

    4. The effect/result of His teaching by parables:

      a.  v. 11 - Open-minded Þ Given the mystery of the kingdom.

      b.  v. 11 - Hard-hearted Þ Reject truth (v. 12).

IV. THE PARABLE OF THE SOWER .

    A.  Typical Of All The Parables - Mk. 4:13.

- "This would seem to indicate that the understanding of all parabolic teaching is based to some extent on understanding the Parable of the Sower." (CM, Dee Bowman, II:2:11).

  B. Reasons Why This Parable Is Vital To Understanding The Parables Of Jesus.

    1. It teaches the value of listening - Mk. 4:3, 9, 15, 16, 18, 20.

      a.  Lk. 8:18 - Take heed how we hear!

      b.  To cause people to listen seems to be the design of all parabolic teaching.

    2. It teaches the need to remove prejudices & preconceived notions in order to learn & accept truth - Lk. 8:15.

      a.  Matt. 13:23 - These understand it!

      b.  Pure hearts enable us to know the truth & be freed from sin - Jno. 8:31-32.

    3. It teaches the need to remove every obstacle which hinders spiritual productivity - Lk. 8:13-14.

      a.  Cf. - No roots, thorns of sin, etc. - Hinder reception of truth.

      b.  Only when our minds are uncluttered w/ impurities can we accept truth & bear fruit!

Conclusion

1.  Jesus taught so that men might learn God's truth & be saved.

2.  He used parables to reveal truth concerning the kingdom of God.