Prepared by: Richard G.

Pazcoguin 1 UST Institute of Religion

 THE GREAT SERMON THE PARABLES OF THE KINGDOM

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MATTHEW 5-7

THE MEMBERS OF THE KINGDOM THE NEW RIGHTEOUSNESS THAT FULFILLS THE OLD LAW SINGLE-HEARTED LOYALTY TO GOD
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The BEATITUDES present eight characteristics that describe a person who aspire to live under Gods rule. In contrast to the standards of happiness presented by the world, the beatitudes make up Jesus answer to the questions: What is a good life? What should a person desire for in life? Which is the path to true and lasting happiness? In reality, the Beatitudes is a self-portrait of Jesus, He who accepted Gods will without reservation. The members of the Kingdom, therefore, are characterized by the same profile.
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THE POOR IN SPIRIT Those who stand before God in humble gratitude, making no claims, knowing they owe everything to Gods goodness. THOSE WHO MOURN - Those who are moved with compassion for the grief and suffering of others. THE MEEK - Those who devote their lives to the service of the Kingdom without seeking their own ends. They courageously fight for the rights of others, but are never self-assertive at slights to themselves. THOSE WHO HUNGER AND THIRST FOR RIGHTEOUSNESS Those who long and work for the triumph of goodness.

THE MERCIFUL - Those who strive to be righteous, yet not censorious or critical of those who fail, realizing their own weaknesses. THE PURE OF HEART Those who are single minded and uncompromising in their loyalty to God and to the things of God. THE PEACEMAKERS Those who take the spirit of reconciliation with them wherever they go. THOSE WHO ARE PERSECUTED FOR RIGHTEOUSNESS SAKE Those whose presence become a rebuke to the evil ways of others or a threat to their selfish interests.
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YOU ARE THE SALT OF THE EARTH YOU ARE THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD
Those who belong to the Kingdom of God, through their deeds, must influence the world to become better. Those who claim to be members of the Kingdom, yet fail in good works, are as useless as flavorless salt.
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NO MURDER NO ADULTERY
NO DIVORCE ON CONDITION

NO ANGER
NO LUSTFUL THOUGHT NO DIVORCE

NO FALSE SWEARING
AN EYE FOR AN EYE LOVE YOUR FRIENDS

NO SWEARING AT ALL NO RETALIATION

LOVE YOUR ENEMIES
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ON ACTS OF PIETY Almsgiving, Praying, and Fasting are laudable forms of religious activism, but the person who performs them must be careful for these can cover up an unspoken desire for public approval. ON POSSESSIONS The Heavenly Father is a great provider, therefore the followers of Christ must live a worry-free life. They must however be cautious about treating earthly things as greater than God, as this becomes a form of idolatry. SEEK FIRST THE KINGDOM OF GOD AND HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS, AND ALL THESE THINGS WILL BE GIVEN UNTO YOU.
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ON TREATING OTHERS Do unto others what you would have them do to you. Those who follow Christ refrain from judging others, realizing that they are also sinners. ON TRUE DISCIPLESHIP - The true disciples of Jesus is not simply those who profess him as Lord and do great things in His name, but those WHO DO THE WILL OF THE FATHER IN HEAVEN.

An old Chinese proverb says: One picture speaks a thousand words. Parables are picture stories. The etymological origin of the word Gk. Parabole suggests that they present comparisons. In the teaching ministry of Jesus, parables were used to present heavenly things through earthly stories.

PARABLES ON THE GOOD NEWS OF THE KINGDOM

PARABLES ON THE CHILDREN OF THE KINGDOM

PARABLES ON THE KINGDOM OF GOD AS JUDGMENT

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1. 2. 3. 4. 5.

THE CONFLICT BETWEEN THE NEW AND THE OLD The Children of the Bride-chamber Mt.9:14 New Patch and Old Garment Mt. 9:16 New Wine and Old Wineskins Mt. 9:17 Treasures Old and New Mt. 13:51-52 SIMILITUDES OF THE KINGDOM Spontaneous Growth Mk 4:26-29 Mustard Seed and Leaven Mt. 13:31,33 Hidden Treasure and the Pearl Mt. 13:44-46 Dragnet Mt. 14:47-50 RESPONSIBILITY OF HEARING The Sower Lk. 8:4-8 EARNESTNESS TO TRANSLATE HEARING INTO DOING Children at Play Lk. 7:31-35 Wise and Foolish Builders Lk. 6:46-49 THE KINGDOM AND THE PERPLEXING PRESENCE OF EVIL The Tares Mt. 13:26-30,36-43

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1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6.

CONDITION OF DISCIPLESHIP The Empty House Mt. 12:43-45 The Uncompleted Tower Lk. 14:25-30 The Kings Rash Warfare Lk. 14:31-33 HUMILITY Chief Seats at a Feast Lk. 14:1-11 Pharisee and Publican Lk. 18:9-14 FORGIVENESS Two Debtors Lk. 7:40-49 Unmerciful Servant Mt. 18:21-35 PRIVILEGE AND DUTY Barren Fig Tree Lk. 13:1-9 The Bondservant Lk. 17:7-10 RESOURCEFULNESS AND FORESIGHT Unjust Steward Lk. 16:1-9 LIFE AND MUCH GOODS The Rich Fool Lk. 12:13-21

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7. SPRINGS OF SYMPATHY Rich man and Lazarus Lk. 16:19-31 8. TRUE NEIGHBORLINESS Good Samaritan Lk. 10:25-37 9. GODS APPRAISALS AND REWARDS Laborers and the Hours Mt. 20:1-16 10. THE GOD WHO ANSWERS PRAYERS Friend at Midnight Mt. 18:12-14 Unjust Judge Lk. 15: 8-10 11. THE GOD OF THE LOST The Lost Sheep Lk. 15:1-7 The Lost Coin Lk. 15:8-10 The Prodigal Son Lk. 15: 11-24 The Elder Brother Lk. 15: 25-32
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1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6.

THE TEST OF DEEDS The Two Sons Mt. 21:28-32 THE REJECTED OVERTURES OF GOD Cruel Vinedressers Mk. 12:1-9 Rejected Cornerstone Mk. 12:10-11 MAKING LIGHT OF THE KINGDOM The Great Feast Lk. 14:15-24 Banquet of the Kings Son Mt. 22:1-10 Wedding Robe Mt. 22:11-14 PREPAREDNESS AND EMERGENCY Wise and Foolish Bridesmaids Mt. 25:1-13 OPPORTUNITY, FIDELITY, AND REWARD The Talents and Pounds Lk. 19:11-27 JUDGMENT OF THE KINGDOM The Last Judgment Mt. 25:31-46
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1. THE KINGDOM: VALUABLE BUT DEMANDING Discovering the Kingdom brings joy to life, but to enter it, one has to make a stand, make a decision and live by it. 2. PROPHETIC AND CONTEMPORARY The parables of the Kingdom echoed through concrete life-situations (which we still experience till now) what the ancient prophets preached about neighborliness, social justice, love, humility, service, etc. 3. URGENT AND SERIOUS One accept the Kingdom and postpone action. The Kingdom of God is no fairy tale. While its message brings joy to the hearer, the Kingdom is not simply good feeling. In fact, the Kingdom can be an uncomfortable message to a person who adheres to the value of the world.
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MIRACLES ety. Lt. mirari to wonder at

MIRACLES WERE WORKS OF CHRIST THAT WERE: Contrary to the laws of nature or Contrary to what was known about the laws of nature Signs of the revelation of God Gods activity is hidden, seen only through the eyes of faith.

MIRACLES WERE SIGNS THAT THE KINGDOM HAS COME!

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HEALING MIRACLES Jesus restored the wholeness of man.

EXAMPLES: The Royal Officials Son (Jn 4:46-54) The Leper (Lk. 5: 12-19) Servants Ear Healed (Lk. 22: 49-51)

NATURE MIRACLES Jesus is the Lord of the Universe

EXAMPLES: Water to Wine (Jn. 2:1-11) Calming of the Storm (Mt. 8:23-27) Feeding of Multitude (Mk. 8:1-9)

EXORCISMS Jesus power is greater than all the evil than can inflict humanity
EXAMPLES: Cure of the Demoniac (Mk. 1:23-28) Possessed Mute (Mt. 9:32-34)

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In referring to miracles, the synoptic gospels used the term dynamis which is Greek for power. Indeed, the miracles of Jesus were manifestations of the power of God. On the other hand, John, in his gospel, used the term semeion, which means signs. Miracles were performed by Christ not to amaze people, but to lead them towards realizing a deeper reality: God has broken into human history.
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Miracles happen only to those who have faith. For those who do not have faith, a miracle is simply a magic show.

For the person who has faith, a miracle is Gods direct intervention in the history of humanity. A MIRACLE IS A CALL TO CONVERSION AND BELIEF IN THE GOOD NEWS. A person who does not have faith is always skeptical, refusing to accept the relationship of things with the Divine.
Hence, it is only a person with faith who can truly appreciate a miracle.

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Many nights we pray With no proof Anyone could hear And our hearts a hopeful song We barely understand Now we are not afraid Although we know Theres much to fear We were moving mountains Long before we knew we could. There can be miracles when you believe. Though hope is frail, its hard to kill. Who knows what miracles you can achieve When you believe, somehow you will You will when you believe.

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In this time of fear When prayer so often proves in vain Hope seems like the summer birds Too swiftly flown away And now I am standing here My heart's so full I can't explain Seeking faith and speaking words I never thought I'd say

They don't always happen when you ask And it's easy to give in There can be miracles when you believe. to your fear Though hope is frail, its hard to kill. But when you're blinded Who knows what miracles you can by your pain achieve Can't see you way safe When you believe, somehow you will through the rain You will when you believe. Thought of a still resilient voice Says love is very near 21

Douglas Elwood and Patricia Magdamo CHRIST IN PHILIPPINE CONTEXT Manila: Christian Literature Society, 1971 James Finley and Michael Pennock JESUS AND YOU: DISCOVERING THE REAL CHRIST Ind.: Ave Maria Press, 1977

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