MARK 4: 1-20
According to this parable.. Christians respond differently... According to the word
Wayside,– Satan immediately steals the word
Stony Ground, – Hear the word, receive it, NO ROOT, Cant withstand troubles
Thorns, – Care of the world, Deceitfulness of riches, desires for other things
Good Ground– The word stays and yields a harvest of word.. Hear & Accept
We must learn to hear the word & Accept it
It’s clear... How much word you retain..
Determines how you respond
We see Christians who fall off....Cuss & Gripe... Give up.. Get mad .. Leave church
Our response in everything is determined by HOW WE RETAIN THE WORD
Every Christian goes through spiritual highs and lows
Get saved... Pinnacle...
Renewed...New creation...
The old is gone.. New has come
Many times it’s not noticeable... It’s GRADUAL...
It’s important we keep our commitment to CHRIST
Keeping your commitment to Christ
Luke 22:54-62
1. Don’t follow at a distant— Vs 54
When trying times come... We question God
His loyalty, His faithfulness, His Commitment
We’re the ones following at a distance
Hebrews 13:15 “For God himself has said, ‘I will never leave you or forsake you’”
After pastoring here over 5 years... It’s easy to see the decent.
Offended, Troubles, Hurt Feelings, Embarrised...
They begin to distant themselves from the People... Then the teaching... Then the worship
THEN THEY”RE GONE
We used to able to tell by where they sat....
If they we’re serving.. Quit
If they we’re dedicated...Weren’t
We know... The farther we can get away from real love... The less we have to show it
2. Don’t Change who you fellowship with— VS 55
I preach this over and over and over... Choose friends wisely
6th grade... TERRY TAYLOR..........
MYSPACE.COM— Friends
Peter changed his who he fellowshipped with
When you distant yourself from Christ...
And the church....Find wrong fellowship
The crowd that was there that night.. Was uncommited about JESUS
W/In a matter of minutes... SO IS PETER
VS. 57 “But he denied him saying, “woman I do not know the man”
Your faith becomes affected
You can’t function in life without a compass.. Jesus said, “I am the way...”
HE’S THE COMPASS
They’ll change your opinions, your values, morals, speech, dress, attitude
If you want to stay committed to CHRIST.. HANG OUT W/ COMMITTED PEOPLE
Not people who need to be committed ... There’s Some of those in the church TOO
We can assess ourselves by whoe we hang out with... Find out who we are
Go to a football game... Call Sports fan... Don’t want to go by yourself
Go to the bar..................Call Party People... Don’t want to be alone
Why won’t people do the same within the church
Godly Counsel will keep you committed to CHRIST
3. Don’t deny what you now is true Vs 59-60
News flash... Peter knew Jesus
Our need for space from God can turn into Not even believing
God’s Funny... Even if you give up on him.. He loves you Forever
Peter was so adamant... He had to deny his faith... To prove his point
He knew better.... Didn’t want to be held accountable
Satan will convince you... It’s easier to live his life,,,, THAN CHRIST’S
That’s True... It is easier... IF you can deal with the Repercussions
Satan will convince you The Truth is a lie...
Only if you agree with him
All Satan Can do is talk
Once you agree with his talk... He begins destroying
Satan has no great power... Jesus isn’t afraid of Satan
Adam and Eve... He talked.... TILL THEY WE’RE IN AGREEMENT
He tried it with Jesus.... DIDN’T WORK
Up your level of commitment to Christ
1. Don’t Follow at a distance
2. Don’t change who you fellowship with
3. Don’t Deny what you know is true
