What did the prodigal son’s father do?

Question: I am curious about the parable of the “prodigal son”, probably one of the best-known of all parables. Nothing is said about what the father does or does not do after his son leaves and goes to a far country. He seems very comfortable with giving his son his inheritance.  As many instances as…

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The Parable of the Unjust Steward

https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/The-Parable-of-the-Unjust-Steward.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton I.         Luke 16:1-13             A.        Many find this parable confusing because of the praise of the lord in verse 8.             B.        How is it that an unfaithful steward, about to be relieved of his position, gains praise from his employer when he ends his career stealing more from him? II.        This parable follows three other…

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Reading Matthew 25 as a Unit

by Matthew W. Bassford The wise and the foolish virgin by Jan Adam Kruseman, 1848 Through the years, God has managed to hammer a few insights about the Bible into my thick head. One of them is that in the gospels, the order of stories matters. It’s common for the Evangelist to arrange material so…

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Is the mustard seed the smallest of all seeds?

Question: I have a Bible question, sir. In Matthew 13:31-32 and in Mark 4:30-32, does Jesus say that the mustard seed is the smallest of all seeds? I have read that the orchid seed is the smallest seed. I’m a little confused. Can you please tell me what Jesus meant when he said that the…

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The Parable of the Prodigal Son

https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/The-Parable-of-the-Prodigal-Son.mp3 by Wayne Fancher I. The Prodigal Son Leaving Was His Fault Alone Luke 15:20-21 “And he arose and came to his father. But when he was still a great way off, his father saw him and had compassion, and ran and fell on his neck and kissed him. 21 And the son said to…

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Is the Parable of the Prodigal Son solely about God’s grace?

Question: Could you please speak on the parable of the prodigal son? I had a family member who has been in Christ’s church her whole life saying that repentance has nothing to do with this parable. She focuses solely on the father’s loving compassion as being the whole point of the parable, and while I…

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I am just amazed at how beautiful and clear you made Luke 16:9

Question: I just had to send you an email. I was reading Luke 16. Part of it made no sense to me. I searched, looking for an answer. I came across your site. I am just amazed at how beautiful and clear you made Luke 16:9. All I can say is Thank You and God bless you. Hope…

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Could you explain Jotham’s parable of the trees?

Question: Would you please give your understanding of the story of the trees in Judges 9:7-15? Thank you. Answer: “Now when they told Jotham, he went and stood on top of Mount Gerizim, and lifted his voice and cried out. And he said to them: “Listen to me, you men of Shechem, that God may listen…

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The Parable of the Vineyard Workers

https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/ParableOfTheVineyardWorkers.mp3 https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/ParableOfTheVineyardWorkers.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Matthew 20:1-16   I.         When speaking of the nature of our heavenly reward, the parable of the vineyard workers is often cited to prove that each will receive a similar heavenly reward.             A.        Whether a Christian has lived a long life serving the Lord, or only found the Lord late…

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