“Through the Looking Glass”

The Kingdom of Heaven as seen through the parables of Jesus

“For now we see through a glass…” – I Cor. 13:12

 Without faith, we are SPIRITUALLY BLIND.

II Corinthians 4:4 ⁴ The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot

            see the light of the gospel that displays the glory of Christ, who is the image of God…

Matthew 6:22-23 ²² “The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are healthy, your whole body will

            be full of light. ²³ But if your eyes are unhealthy, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then

            the light within you is darkness, how great is that darkness!

 As we grow in our faith, our VISION IMPROVES.

Jesus to Thomas the doubter (John 20:29): “Thomas, because you have seen me, you have

            believed. Blessed are those who have not seen, and have yet believed.”

II Corinthians 4:6 ⁶ For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” made his light shine in our

            hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of God’s glory displayed in the face of Christ.

Ephesians 1:18-19 ¹⁸ I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may

            know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy

            people, ¹⁹ and his incomparably great power for us who believe.

I Cor. 13:12 ¹² For now we see as through a glass, dimly, but then, face to face. Now I know in

            part, but then I shall know even as I am known (fully).

Jesus’ parables are a “LOOKING GLASS” INTO THE KINGDOM.

       “The kingdom of heaven is like…”

“No Foolin’!”

The Hidden Treasure and The Pearl of Great Price – Matthew 13:44-46

Matthew 13:44-46

⁴⁴ “The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field. ⁴⁵ “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls. ⁴⁶ When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it.”

 The world is fooled by “FOOL’S GOLD.”

Matthew 16:26 ²⁶ What good will it be for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul?

 The wise will CHOOSE THE BEST INVESTMENT.

I Peter 1:7 …the proven genuineness of your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes

even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is

revealed.

The wise will REAP ETERNAL RETURN ON INVESTMENT.

I Corinthians 2:9 “What no eye has seen, what no ear has heard, and what no human mind has

conceived” — the things God has prepared for those who love him.

  Let’s not be fooled!