Dr. Michelle G. Wiener has written an excellent paper on the temple and unity. As her paper points out, the four traditional methods of unifying the Saints, “(1) Faith and Order, (2) Life and Work, (3) Common missionary efforts, and (4) A renewed commitment to theological education,” historically fall flat repeatedly.
“When Israel was a child, then I loved him, and called my son out of Egypt.” -Hosea 11:1 The greatest example was and is Jesus Christ. In the New Testament, when children were brought to Him to be blessed, his disciples try to turn the children away. The Savior rebukes them telling them saying: “Permit the little children and forbid them not to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 19: 14).
The influence of the reformation is over. Spiritual decline has essentially run its course. The power and pull of traditional denominational sectarianism is declining, if not dead. The woman (sectarianism) has leavened the entire meal (Church). And the Church has transitioned into a post-reformation period. I’m referring to our present situation.
Christianity is the “least of all seeds,” flourishing during the first century with its simple message of love and community.
The parables of Matthew thirteen reveal to us some of the grandest endtime truths Jesus ever uttered. Truths for our day. Our Lord chronicles for us certain events of the church age by using veiled language; i.e., a sower sowing seed, a mustard seed, leaven in a loaf, treasure hid in a field, pearl of great price, the dragnet, and a scribe. Read part one on the Parables of Matthew Thirteen here, and part two here. Our Church Fathers After…
There is no material gain we can achieve that will fill the void in our spirits. Only Jesus Christ can do this.
Matthew thirteen is divided by two simple but very meaningful phrases: “Jesus [went] out of the house” (vs.1) and “Then Jesus went into the house” (vs.36). Our Lord leaves the House of Israel, then returns to her later. The first four parables deal with the Spirit’s chronology of the Church age. The last four have to do with the Church’s transition into the kingdom age.