Parables

Jesus told many parables to the people to help them understand the things of God.  Well, here are a few that I like to think that the Lord showed me:

The parable of the church system as cruise liners:

The church system is like a cruise line with each line being another denomination and the ships are actually the church building.  The ships are of all sizes and classes.  Some are small and unimpressive while others are huge and beautiful.  Inside they have their activities and programs.   They have their officers and staff.  Then they have their customers.  The customers are well entertained and feed lots of carbs.  The longer they stay on the lazier and fatter they get.

The ocean is God and His Kingdom that the ships are floating on.  The ships don’t really go anywhere and after awhile there is a feeling of wanting more or a feeling of something just isn’t right amongst the people on the ship both by the staff and customers.  You get tired of the same entertainment, the same jokes the same food.  Then there is even competition amongst the cruise lines to see who can build the biggest ship that can hold the most people.  But after awhile you get tired of the same old thing so you jump overboard or in some cases are thrown overboard that is if you start questioning the captain.

So now you struggle to keep your head above the water.  You start off just treading water.  Some at this point get tired and climb back on board the ship.  Some will climb on board the next ship that comes by.  Some will find others in the water to hang on to and use them for floatation while others will find some other type of floatation device.  And then there will be some that just give up and go ashore.

Floating on top of the water is religion.  Even the ships are touching God but haven’t experienced Him fully.

Not realizing that all along we were meant to be submerged (baptized) into the water.

But once you relax and allow yourself to be changed you can go and live underwater and experience the abundant life you were meant to experience.  At this point you see how big the ocean really is teaming with thousands just like you and you start a whole new journey In God instead of On God.

Another sad thing is that most don't jump overboard.  They just find another cruise liner thinking it will be different or they just go on land and give up on God all together because they never find the truth.

JUST JUMP!!!!

Told another way:

The Kingdom of God is like the ocean. Full of life.
Adam lived in this ocean with Eve. They had gills.
Satan got Adam and Eve to distrust God.
Satan’s domain became the land.
Adam and Eve moved out of the ocean and onto land. They lost their gills.
We are all born on land.
People did nothing but evil except for Noah.
God had Noah build an ark and flooded the land.
Because people didn’t have gills they drowned.
Noah and his family were safe because they floated on God.
God had Moses build another boat. This one had officers and staff.
God’s desire was to have people once again be in God and be in the water instead of just on the water.
God sent His son Jesus to show us the way.
Jesus was both a land and ocean dweller.
Jesus made the way for others to follow by being the first to die for us.
We can follow by us repenting of our land dwelling ways and trust God and His Son. Then be baptized thus having gills once again.

Now since man can go under the water he can now fully experience God and His kingdom once again.
But man has built cruise liners on this ocean.
These boats have a captain with officers, staff and crew.
Now the passengers come to experience all the programs and activities that the cruise line puts on.
They are feed lots of carbs and well entertained.
Most people just go on a short day cruise.
Some of these cruise lines have snorkeling and scuba expeditions so they can experience some of God.
They talk a lot about the cruise line and very little about the ocean.
People fall in love with the cruise line and captain and invite others to come with them next time.
If people don’t like one cruise line they just try another. They might even go to another destination.
If the staff or crew questions the captain they might find themselves being accused of insubordination and have to walk the plank.

Some people on this cruise line have even jumped off willingly.
Now in the water by themselves they still want to float because that it all they have known. Some people get tiered and climb back on board. Some people find another cruise line. Some go back to land.

But what God wants is that we repent, trust in Christ and be submersed and then we can be in God and experience His Kingdom.

Soon God will burn everything on land and on the ocean. So we need to be In God to survive.