Title: Jesus and the Word
Theme: To understand that Jesus puts emphasis in receiving the Word.
Text: Mark 4
Mark 4:1. And he began again to teach by the sea side: and there was gathered unto him a great multitude, so that he entered into a ship, and sat in the sea; and the whole multitude was by the sea on the land. 2 And he taught them many things by parables, and said unto them in his doctrine, 3 Hearken; Behold, there went out a sower to sow: 4 And it came to pass, as he sowed, some fell by the way side, and the fowls of the air came and devoured it up. 5 And some fell on stony ground, where it had not much earth; and immediately it sprang up, because it had no depth of earth: 6 But when the sun was up, it was scorched; and because it had no root, it withered away. 7 And some fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up, and choked it, and it yielded no fruit. 8 And other fell on good ground, and did yield fruit that sprang up and increased; and brought forth, some thirty, and some sixty, and some an hundred. 9 And he said unto them, He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.
Just before these verses Christ had been in a house. Around this area we see from Matthew 12 three things happened. 1) a man was brought before him who was demon possessed and he cast them out, then Christ was accused by the Pharisees to be of the devil(a false prophet) 2) probably from this debate the Pharisees begin to ask Christ for a sign (what was the evidence that he was sent from God) 3) his family tried to get in with him thinking that because they were family they could be a part even though as we know from scripture it was not until after the resurrection of Christ did they truly believe who he was.
I believe all of these had to been discouraging moments for Jesus. He was rejected by the very leaders who were suppose to be from God. He was mocked because he would not perform a magic act before them and then his very own family did not understand his vision and his purpose from God.
This could probably prove disappointing to the disciple of why so many rejected him. I mean in Christianity if we were to decide how true it is by how many people accepted Christ then we could be in trouble. It is not the most popular or sought after “religion”. But Jesus said in Matthew 22:14,” For many are called, but few are chosen.”
10 And when he was alone, they that were about him with the twelve asked of him the parable. 11 And he said unto them, Unto you it is given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God: but unto them that are without, all [these] things are done in parables: 12 That seeing they may see, and not perceive; and hearing they may hear, and not understand; lest at any time they should be converted, and [their] sins should be forgiven them.
Jesus speaks in parables not to harden their hearts but because their hearts are already hardened. Some people don’t listen to what you say except to try to find an argument against you. Sometimes its just not worth the effort to talk about.
Some people say, “I want to know, I want to know Christ”. They say it but it is not true. They don’t want to make the sacrifices. They don’t want to give into the ways of Christ. They like the idea of salvation but giving up something is to hard. This even happens to Christians.
In each of these situations you discover that there is only one variable in each situation or one thing that changes. The sower is the same it is God. As we know God does not change “he is the same yesterday, today and forever”. The Word does not change. It has been the same for close to two thousand years and it will not change. It is a closed revelation. There is nothing being added to it.
The only variable is the soil. In each section the soil or the individuals response to the Word that changes.
13 And he said unto them, Know ye not this parable? and how then will ye know all parables? 14 The sower soweth the word.
So the sower is Jesus himself and the what the sower soweth is the word which is a seed.
There are many references to the word seed in the Bible. One is the seed of the line of Adam to Abraham to David to Jesus , the Old Testaments coming Messiah. But it is also used as showing growth. A seed that is planted in the lives of individuals. This is done through preaching, teaching, witnessing, or just living.
But the main thing is what happens to the seed. When thinking about this I am reminded of the verse in scripture that says," Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it." Why because that seed is there. Let us look at what Jesus said to be the reactions of those to the seed of God’s word.
In these next verses we will see four reactions to the preaching and reading of Gods word.
I. Wayside or Indifferent Heart
No reception at all. A person is too far gone. The Word of God no longer affects them
The Hard-heart or the hardened life
15 And these are they by the way side, where the word is sown; but when they have heard, Satan cometh immediately, and taketh away the word that was sown in their hearts.
This wayside is:
A. A hard place
may be regular hearer but the path is beaten and worn by any idea that comes along. More worried about self and what God can do for him that what he can do for God.
Very open to the pleasures of sin
B. A dangerous place
1. it is exposed to:
a. the fowls of the air
Luke 8:12 Those by the way side are they that hear; then cometh the devil, and taketh away the word out of their hearts, lest they should believe and be saved.
b. the feet of every passer by.
It is always in danger until it is hid.
¶ Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee. (Psalms 119:11 AV)
Christians
This parable was applied mainly to the non-Christians but I would like to apply it to the Christians. Sometimes the Lord is teaching us something. Sometimes he is trying to allow us to grow through a seed that he puts in our hearts.
Satan may not literally take it out from us like he does some non-Christians but he finds ways so we may miss it. He finds distractions. He makes you feel tired and sleepy. You are so focused on yourself that you cannot receive the word.
It is true that Satan and his demons cannot posses a Christians but he can do the next best thing and try to stop them from growing and try to stop the seed from growing inside of them.
Many of people I have talked to in life who just don’t have time for Jesus. He can wait. When they hear the word of God they put him off. Over and over again until finally they fall by the wayside.
II. The stony Ground or emotional Hearer
The shallow heart or the shallow life
16 And these are they likewise which are sown on stony ground; who, when they have heard the word, immediately receive it with gladness; 17 And have no root in themselves, and so endure but for a time: afterward, when affliction or persecution ariseth for the word’s sake, immediately they are offended.
A. joyfully received
In this part it is different. Here you have a person who receives the Word maybe gets all emotional during the service but something happens. They begin to see that it is not all joy, it is not easy then they begin to fall away. And notice it does not say that Satan took it away. It was the flesh.
These have been called, “Alka-Seltzer Christians, they have a lot of fizz but there is nothing when it dies down.”
B. Quickly starved
They are not rooted so they blow away.
Pr 12:3 ¶ A man shall not be established by wickedness: but the root of the righteous shall not be moved.
Pr 12:12 ¶ The wicked desireth the net of evil men: but the root of the righteous yieldeth fruit.
Eph 3:17 That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love,
We are to get rooted in his word. We are to be as a tree planted by the water. I shall not be moved.
Mt 7:22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? Mt 7:23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
We must not give up when we are faced with trials of this world
Php 1:6 Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:
Mt 5:10 Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Mt 5:11 Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Mt 5:12 Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.
C. Completely scorched
there is no nourishment
III. The Thorny Ground, or Double minded Hearer
The over-crowded heart or the over crowded life
18 And these are they which are sown among thorns; such as hear the word,
19 And the cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things entering in, choke the word, and it becometh unfruitful.
A. Abundant soil
Here we see a third kind of people. We said that in the first one the Word was stolen by whom? Satan. Why was it gone in the second person? The flesh. Now who took this one? the world
So we see three culprits all only given up to what we allow them to.
This one here all is good and well. Life is good. God has touched and delivered. This last for a while until again troubles come our way. Then worries. Financial problems, family problems, relationship problems, job problems, wife problems. Then it is gone.
But they were double minded
Mt 6:24 No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.
B. They were preoccupied
Luke 18:24 And when Jesus saw that he was very sorrowful, he said, How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God!
Mt 6:25 ¶ Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment?
In Genesis 13 Lot received the word for a while but when he saw the temptations of the world at Sodom he began to join them. So the same happened to Achan in Joshua 7, and Gehazi Elijah’s servant 2 Kings 5
Luke 14:16 Then said he unto him, A certain man made a great supper, and bade many: Luke 14:17 And sent his servant at supper time to say to them that were bidden, Come; for all things are now ready. Luke 14:18 And they all with one consent began to make excuse. The first said unto him, I have bought a piece of ground, and I must needs go and see it: I pray thee have me excused. Luke 14:19 And another said, I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I go to prove them: I pray thee have me excused. Luke 14:20 And another said, I have married a wife, and therefore I cannot come. Luke 14:21 So that servant came, and shewed his lord these things. Then the master of the house being angry said to his servant, Go out quickly into the streets and lanes of the city, and bring in hither the poor, and the maimed, and the halt, and the blind. Luke 14:22 And the servant said, Lord, it is done as thou hast commanded, and yet there is room. Luke 14:23 And the lord said unto the servant, Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled. Luke 14:24 For I say unto you, That none of those men which were bidden shall taste of my supper.
C. Soil wound up being unfruitful
Sin will finally show it self in a persons life. Worry will show it self.
Non-Christian
To a non-Christian. This is one who accepts the word at face value. Maybe they heard of heaven or hell and the decision was based on it. Maybe someone was kind to them or they got something for it. Maybe they were inticed into a decision. Some preachers word up Christianity so much. They make it look so glorious and richly. People beg to get in.
But then when they see the world and see it is not what they thought they begin to drift away and not grow. First of all the cares of the world begin to interfere. Oh man how many have been distracted by the cares of the world. By the priorities in life. The delight in the world. It seems that all others prosper. It is a big distraction.
Christian
Christians sometimes get caught up the same way. They themselves allow the seed to die. They get caught up in the cares of the world. It is so easy to be distracted. How many excuses have I heard about not being in church? How many? How many have I heard for not paying tithes or reading the Bible? Or even growing? Man I could write a book on excuses.
IV. Conversion
The good heart or the receptive life
20 And these are they which are sown on good ground; such as hear the word, and receive [it], and bring forth fruit, some thirtyfold, some sixty, and some an hundred.
God gives the increase we just take hold and hold on. It is the effort that we take on.
Three areas that help to have good soil
1) a prepared heart
2) an understanding heart ( full liberty of the soil)
3) a fruitful heart
I close with this. We had a great revival last week. I believe the Lord really moved and convicted the hearts of people. My burden now is how do these people receive it. What now? Where do we go from hear?
I want to ask you a question. With heads bowed and eyes closed. How many of you are willing to say today, Pastor, I want a closer walk with the Lord. I want to put the past aside. Now I want a closer walk with the Lord. Are you willing to say that and commit yourselves to that? I ask you to raise your hands for two reasons 1) it shows a commitment to the Lord 2) I want to pray especially for your need.
Closing Song: "Just a closer walk with thee" Hymns of the Spirit pg.
Song: I shall not be moved pg. 339
If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you. Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples. (John 15:7-8 AV)
John 10:10 The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.
Communion
Wherefore, my dearly beloved, flee from idolatry. ¶ I speak as to wise men; judge ye what I say. The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ? For we being many are one bread, and one body: for we are all partakers of that one bread. (1 Corinthians 10:14-17 AV)
I believe you will find that there are many reasons that the Lord insituted communion. I believe one is to make us focus on the past (what Christ did) present ( what Christ is doing) and the future (what Christ will do). I believe also that he gave it as a time of affirmation, affirming with God who we are. As a time of proclamation, to proclamation, proclaiming to the world who he is. A time of reflection.
But during this time of communion I want to focus on one area and that is the area of unity. The Corinthian’s were battling disunity. Rich vs. poor. Jew vs. Gentiles. It was a struggle. They would come together to show off. But Paul reminds them in vs. 14-17 that we are united in this communion. United in one body and one blood.
One thing that unites all Christian churches is communion. I don’t know of a Christian church that does not take communion. This is the reason I like for us to gather around the altar of God. In unity, in togetherness.
