SERMON SERIES INTRODUCTION

The future can feel uncertain. We wonder what’s next, what’s coming, and where we’re headed. What’s in your future? What have you planted in the past that will likely sprout in the future? What are you worried will happen in the future? What are you hoping for the future? While you’re future may feel uncertain, haphazard, and up to chance, God has a plan and a purpose for your life and future. Jesus’s storytelling invited his followers to discover God’s plan for his people and the urgency of preparing for the future.

WHY STUDY THE PARABLES OF JESUS?

Jesus told stories—parables—that reveal deep truths about what’s to come and how to live in light of that future. The Kingdom of Heaven is not just a distant reality; it is breaking into the present.

Why study the parables? Jesus used them to communicate profound truths in ways that connected to everyday life. Initially teaching plainly, he shifted to storytelling as opposition from religious leaders grew, culminating in their rejection of his miracles and message. Their hardened hearts led Jesus to conceal deeper truths from those unwilling to receive them while still offering insight to those who sought understanding. His parables used everyday imagery to illustrate spiritual realities, inviting listeners to be open, perceive God’s Kingdom, and apply his teachings to their lives. His stories weren’t just good illustrations; they were invitations—calls to action. When we understand these parables, we gain clarity about the future God has prepared for those who trust him.

This series walks through four key parables that illuminate the future of believers: the mustard seed, the tenants, the wedding feast, and the ten bridesmaids. Each parable reveals an aspect of God’s Kingdom and how we should live in anticipation of what’s coming.