• Jesus uses them to reveal spiritual truths in ways that only those seeking God will understand. For others, parables might seem like riddles, as seen in Mark 4:12—so "they may be ever seeing but never perceiving."

• Notice: In Mark 4:11, Jesus said, "You are permitted to understand the secret of the Kingdom of God."

• Question: Who can understand the secret of the Kingdom of God?Answer: Only disciples.

• Question: Why do many, or even the majority of believers, not understand the secret of the Kingdom of God?Answer: Because they have not become true disciples of Jesus. Jesus does not reveal the secret to outsiders, only to insiders.

• Points: To understand the secret of the Kingdom of God, you must become an insider—a disciple of Jesus. (V11b)

• • Purpose of Concealment: Jesus’ use of parables allows individuals to respond according to their hearts. Those who seek God will dig deeper, while others might dismiss the message.

Main Passage: Matthew 5:33-37(NLT)"You have also heard that our ancestors were told, ‘You must not break your vows; you must carry out the vows you make to the Lord.’ But I say, do not make any vows! Do not say, ‘By heaven!’ because heaven is God’s throne. And do not say, ‘By the earth!’ because the earth is his footstool. And do not say, ‘By Jerusalem!’ for Jerusalem is the city of the great King. Do not even say, ‘By my head!’ for you can’t turn one hair white or black. Just say a simple, ‘Yes, I will,’ or ‘No, I won’t.’ Anything beyond this is from the evil one." “As a believer, every word that comes out of our mouth carries the weight of who we are and whose we are.” Words can be treated like pennies—casually thrown out with little value—or like precious gold, each carrying weight and importance. In fact, God values your words, especially when you are a child, follower, disciple, and servant of God. For prayer request, please feel free to contact us at www.globalicc.org/contact To give please click www.globalicc.org/give Cash App $iccglobal Venmo App @iccglobal Subscribe to our weekly podcast Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/international-christian-church/id1076335656 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1mKKhWqCqr7rkXsdsqpgRx?si=1f717cde8a5846c2 Live streaming Copyright License #20714391

Matthew 5:31-32(NLT) “You have heard the law that says, ‘A man can divorce his wife by merely giving her a written notice of divorce.’ But I say that a man who divorces his wife, unless she has been unfaithful, causes her to commit adultery. And anyone who marries a divorced woman also commits adultery.” ‭‭ The Sermon on the Mount calls us to live in a way that often contrasts sharply with the norms of society. (Counter cultural message) Understanding God’s standards for marriage can help us navigate challenges, offer support to others, and uphold the covenantal nature of this sacred bond. From a biblical perspective, marriage is the foundation of society because it is the first institution established by God, designed to reflect His covenant love and unity. In Genesis 2:24, marriage is depicted as a union where a man and a woman become “one flesh,” symbolizing deep commitment, love, and partnership. This relationship mirrors God’s faithful love for His people, providing stability, nurturing environments for raising children, and fostering community. Strong, godly marriages lay the groundwork for building healthy families, which in turn form the core of a stable, thriving society. For prayer request, please feel free to contact us at www.globalicc.org/contact To give please click www.globalicc.org/give Cash App $iccglobal Venmo App @iccglobal Subscribe to our weekly podcast Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/international-christian-church/id1076335656 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1mKKhWqCqr7rkXsdsqpgRx?si=1f717cde8a5846c2 Live streaming Copyright License #20714391