Faith In The Storm Series

Faith in the Storm

Mark 4:21-41

Introduction

- Jesus is demonstrated in this book as a “servant”

-- Key verse: Mark 10:45, “For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

- Last time we saw one of the most important parables of Jesus’ ministry

-- The parable of the sower is a representation of what we should be doing

-- It is clear from Mark 4:20 what Jesus tells us what we MUST realize

∆ CHANGE SLIDE

- Very important for Christians to remember this CRITICAL lesson:

-- If we are not hearing, it’s because we’ve closed our ears off

-- If we are not accepting, it’s because we’ve chosen our way instead of God’s

-- If we are not producing, it’s because we’ve told God that it isn’t our job

- Today we see continue to see Jesus teaching to those who’ve come to Him

-- The application of what Christ calls us to do is APPLY what we’ve HEARD

-- We are going to finish Mark 4, but we will break it up into two parts today

- Read Mark 4:21-29

∆ Point 1 – Light is Needed (21-25)

- Lamps provide light and give us guidance as we live life out daily

-- IMP: God’s word is a challenge to our way of thinking, EVERY TIME

-- APP: We need to approach God’s word and look for how it applies to us

-- Remember, parables make us ask, “What do I need to change in my life?”

-- Psalm 119:105, “Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.”

- Jesus teaches us in this something common; but often misunderstood

-- IMP: Would you bring a light into the house only to hide it? Of course not!

- Light provides many things to different people:

-- 1) Ability to not be hurt when traveling at night

-- 2) Serve as a navigational method for the boater/fisherman

-- 3) Comfort in the darkness when we may be afraid

-- 4) Provides plants the ability to grow, etc. IMP: LIGHT IS CRITICAL!

- Jesus says, “Pay attention!” (v23) I’m telling you what you need to know

-- (v24/25) This is a warning to them: What you do you will receive back

-- IMP: Your life is not your own and we can’t focus on just ourselves anymore!

--- This goes against everything society says … but freedom in Christ is worth it!

- APP: If we are to ever succeed, we’ve got to be willing to stop taking control

-- We have to be able to admit that God’s ways are better, and He knows outcomes

TRANS: This includes our faith and knowing that God is ALWAYS working

∆ Point 2 – Sowing Matters (26-29)

- In discussing life, Jesus uses (again) a very common topic: Farming

-- Everyone at this time has farmed something, somehow, somewhere

-- His speaking to them allows them to see the need for impact immediately

-- The challenge is: “Do WE see where we need to be impacted?”

Jesus says (v26) “this is what the Kingdom is like …”

-- He speaks directly to the importance of sowing seed into good soil

-- It’s the application of giving the Gospel to other people that matters

-- APP: Life is NEVER going to be about what YOU can get out of it

-- APP: Jesus, likewise, is NEVER to be approached like a vending machine

- IMP: Too many preachers teach today that God just wants to give you something

-- This creates in us an attitude of entitlement, and of self-centeredness

-- This attitude is one of sin, and needs to be put in check immediately

-- Why? B/C we miss the application of Mark 1:15: REPENT and BELIEVE

- Crops grow because of the work that the farmer does initially

-- The farmer (us) spreads the seed, and then his job is basically done

-- The growth and the production is then out of the farmer’s (our) hands

-- The harvesting is what God allows us to do … and that’s a privilege! (IMP)

-- Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 3:6, “I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God has been making it grow.” He knew it wasn’t about HIS efforts!

- APP: Jesus says (v29) we harvest because it is ripe and the time is NOW

-- Your role in this is to go and harvest! We must first stop though by sowing

TRANS: Sometimes our faith seems weak & Jesus addresses this

- Read Mark 4:30-41

∆ Point 3 – Exploding Faith (30-34)

- v30, Once again Jesus talks about the Kingdom (not about His own desires)

-- He doesn’t focus on advancing an agenda, but on honoring God