Parables of Great InstitutionsLuke 13

Institutional Religion – 6/2012

44% of Americans have a great deal or quite a lot of confidence in "the church or organized religion" today, just below the low points Gallup has found in recent years, including 45% in 2002 and 46% in 2007. This follows a long-term decline in Americans' confidence in religion since the 1970s

In 1973, "the church or organized religion" was the most highly rated institution in Gallup's confidence in institutions measure, and it continued to rank first in most years through 1985, outranking the military and the U.S. Supreme Court, among others. [Source: http://www.gallup.com/poll/155690/confidence-organized-religion-low-point.aspx]

Religious Byproducts in Luke 131. Offended by the goodness of Jesus

The leader in charge of the synagogue was indignant that Jesus had healed on the Sabbath day… Luke 13:14

2. Alienated from God “I don’t know you or where you come

from.” Luke 13:25 • "Strive to enter through the narrow door; for many, I tell you, will seek to enter and will not be able. Luke 13:24

Solution

Parables of God’s KingdomJesus was saying, “What is the kingdom of God like, and to what shall I compare it?” Luke 13:18

• Jesus presented another parable to them, saying, "The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a man who sowed good seed in his field.

• But while his men were sleeping, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat, and went away. But when the wheat sprouted and bore grain, then the tares became evident also.

Context – Matthew 13:24

Parables of God’s KingdomJesus was saying, “What is the kingdom of God like, and to what shall I compare it?” Luke 13:18

Wheat & Tares Harvest Bonfire

Parables of God’s KingdomJesus was saying, “What is the kingdom of God like, and to what shall I compare it?” Luke 13:18

Sower / Field Wheat / Tares Enemy Angels

Parables of God’s KingdomJesus was saying, “What is the kingdom of God like, and to what shall I compare it?” Luke 13:18

Sower / Field Wheat / Tares Enemy Angels• “…His angels…will gather out of His kingdom all stumbling blocks, and those who commit lawlessness, and will throw them into the furnace of fire; in that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Matthew 13:41-42

God Judges

Parables of God’s KingdomJesus was saying, “What is the kingdom of God like, and to what shall I compare it?” Luke 13:18

Sower / Field Wheat / Tares Enemy Angels

• “Let them grow together”• Believer / Unbeliever

The Point

Parables of God’s KingdomJesus was saying, “What is the kingdom of God like, and to what shall I compare it?” Luke 13:18

Sower / Field Wheat / Tares Enemy AngelsThey WantedUniformity

Jesus SaidPluralism

Parables of God’s KingdomJesus was saying, “What is the kingdom of God like, and to what shall I compare it?” Luke 13:18

Parables of God’s KingdomJesus was saying, “What is the kingdom of God like, and to what shall I compare it?” Luke 13:18

Seed Tree / Branches

Birds: Enemies

Parables of God’s KingdomJesus was saying, “What is the kingdom of God like, and to what shall I compare it?” Luke 13:18

Seed Tree / Branches

Birds: Enemies

They Expected

Quick Growth

Dominate &

Subjugate

Jesus Said

Slow Growth

Persecuted &

Poisoned

Parables of God’s KingdomJesus was saying, “What is the kingdom of God like, and to what shall I compare it?” Luke 13:18 "It is like leaven,

which a woman took and hid in three pecks of flour until it was all leavened." Luke 13:21 Sneak

y1 Rotte

n2

Parables of God’s KingdomJesus was saying, “What is the kingdom of God like, and to what shall I compare it?” Luke 13:18 "It is like leaven,

which a woman took and hid in three pecks of flour until it was all leavened." Luke 13:21

They Expected

PurityJesus Said

Seeded With Dirty Culture

Institutional Personal

The Mistakes in Church History

What We Build What Jesus BuildsPurity

Dominating

Fast Results

“Marketplace of

ideas”

Servanthood

Slow Growth

Personal

God’s Work Behind Church History

Growth within culture

Small, inconspicuous

Impact the world with his

love

An underground, grass-roots approach

Personal

God’s Work Behind Church History

And every day, in the temple and from house to house, they kept right on teaching and preaching Jesus as the Christ. Acts 5:42 I did not shrink from declaring to you anything that was profitable, and teaching you publicly and from house to house Acts 20:20 With all the dirty problems:At the same time they also learn to be idle, as they go around from house to house; and not merely idle, but also gossips and busybodies, talking about things not proper to mention. 1 Timothy 5:13

Personal

God’s Work Behind Church History

1 Cor. 1:25-29 The foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men. For consider your calling, brethren, that there were not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble; but God has chosen the foolish things of the world to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to shame the things which are strong…so that no man may boast before God.

IMPROBABLE

IRONIC

Personal

God’s Work Behind Church History

IMPROBABLE

IRONIC

Jesus WasA “Bastard”

JewishPoor

ObscureDisgraced/Crucified

With Commoners

God’s Work Behind Church History

Results

Reaching nearly 90,000 people per day

Over 3,000

churches planted

each week

Africa - 20,000 people per day

Korea - 1900 no

Christians, now 35%

Christian

China: from 1 to 90 million

under intense

persecution

What It Means…As A

GroupREACHING PEOPLE,

not building institutions…CLUMPING

is a looser strategy.

BE NOT PARANOID about “the Birds”

As A Believer

EACH OF USare responsible…

PLUG IN! HC/CG is Ground

Zero!STEP UP!

We need leaders!