From the Pulpit...

In this message Pastor Matt leads our continued study in the book of Matthew, where we see the Disciples asking Jesus why he spoke to the people in parables. Jesus answered them, "because it has been given to you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been given." Jesus spoke these words signifying that unbelievers would not understand His words because of the hardness of their hearts. Nevertheless, Jesus fulfilled the prophecy in Isaiah which says, "hearing you will hear and shall not understand, and seeing you will see and not perceive; for the hearts of these people have grown dull. Theirs ears are hard of hearing, and their eyes they have closed, lest they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears, lest they understand with their hearts and turn, so that I should heal them." A believer can understand God's Word because their heart, mind, soul, and strength resides on drawing nearer to Him.