Luke 8:1-18
I. THE KINGDOM
A. The driving theme of the ministry of Jesus is the Kingdom of God.
1. The Kingdom of God is the realm of God, visible or invisible, where God’s systems and ways of doing things are already established and working.
B. Throughout the New Testament we see the development of the Kingdom of God.
1. Matthew 3:1-2: John the Baptist declared that the Kingdom of Heaven was at hand!
2. Luke 17:21: Jesus declares that the “Kingdom of God is in the midst of you.”
3. Luke 19:14: Israel refuses to accept the Kingdom
4. Luke 8:10: Because Israel originally rejected the Kingdom of God our Heavenly Father established it in the earth through the Church. He said, “Unto you it is given to know the mysteries of the Kingdom of God.”
a) 1 Corinthians 4:1 calls ministers “stewards of the mysteries of God.”
b) 1 Corinthians 13:2 alludes to the fact that through the supernatural ministry of the prophetic we can understand all mysteries and knowledge.
c) 1 Corinthians 14:2 declares that those who speak with other tongues are speaking spiritual mysteries. (Herein lies the necessity for the interpretation of tongues.) - JESUS WAS A HOLY GHOST MAN!
d) Today His Kingdom is manifested in ministry form through the Church.
5. Rev. 11:15, 19:16, 20:4: The Kingdom of God will eventually manifest itself in literal form on the earth at the Second Coming of Jesus Christ. This is known as the Millennial Reign of Christ
6. 2 Peter 1:11 For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. - The final phase is the establishment of God’s Kingdom forever throughout the endless ages of eternity!
II. THE SEED IS THE WORD - LUKE 8:11
A. The Seed IS the Word of God!
1. There have been many opinions about what “the seed” is from various ministers throughout the ages but Jesus said, “THE SEED IS THE WORD OF GOD!”
a) The message of redemption (purchased out of) through Jesus Christ is “the seed of the Word of God.”
b) The message of salvation from sin and justification by faith…
c) The message of sanctification, holiness and righteousness
d) The messages of healing and miracles provided in the atonement are…
e) The message of divine provision, unexplainable peace, supernatural joy…
f) Preach the Word Preacher! You are responsible for casting seed.
(1) It’s the peoples responsibility to provide the soil! (Become Good Ground!)
B. 4 Types of Soil: The parable of the sower addresses the different responses of people as they respond to the seed (the Word of God)!
1. 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.
a) These are the skeptical, superficial Christians. Those who punch the clock and go home…
b) It’s very easy for the devil to talk them out of the truths of God’s Word.
2. Luke 8:13 They on the rock are they, which, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no root, which for a while believe, and in time of temptation fall away.
a) These are those who are shallow in their faith. There is a lot of flash, desire for attention, attempts to appear spiritual but when the tough times hit they wither and die because they have no real root system. They are the shouters and professors but not the possessors!
b) They can’t be taught because they are unrepentant. Its very easy for Satan to destroy their seed because they have so depth…
3. Luke 8:14 And that which fell among thorns are they, which, when they have heard, go forth, and are choked with cares and riches and pleasures of this life, and bring no fruit to perfection.
a) These are the folks who allow the desire for worldly things to choke out the Word. They get offended when you talk to them about living separate and holy. The term “sanctification (set aside for a holy purpose) is viewed as an “old school doctrine” so they reject it in favor of a “more modern” theology.
b) They are easily offended because their faith is more about them and what they can receive than about servanthood and Christ. They are usually busybodies and become troublemakers especially when things don’t go their way.
c) They are very easy targets for Satan. All He has to do is promise them the moon, convince them that if they’re in a battle it means they have missed God and tell them they don’t have to be accountable to Spiritual Authority.
d) This is where most of the modern church is today. (But, God still has a remnant!)
4. Luke 8:15 But that on the good ground are they, which in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience.
a) These believers not only receive the Word of God with joy but they allow it to shape and mold their lives. They are teachable, obedient to the instructions of God’s Word, have Godly Character and are Jesus focused!
b) You know them because they are producing good fruit fit for God’s Kingdom.
c) They have a servant heart and they are hungry for God’s Word.
d) They love to worship and fellowship around the Kingdom of God.
e) This is the real Church, the Body of Christ, attached to the Head of the Church which is Jesus Christ. Their focus is on Him and what He cares about. Their heartbeat is the heartbeat of God and they have and insatiable desire to please God, Win the Lost and Make Disciples!
f) They bring forth fruit Locally AND Globally!
g) THIS IS WHO WE WANT TO BE!
III. WHAT ARE WE GOING TO DO WITH THE MESSAGE OF THE KINGDOM?
A. There are different levels of devotion. - Luke 8:10 And he said, Unto you it is given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God: but to others in parables; that seeing they might not see, and hearing they might not understand.
• G. H. Lang comments: The disciples listened with a mind eager to understand and ready to believe and obey: the rest heard with either listlessness, or curiosity, or resolute opposition. To the former more knowledge would be granted; the latter would be deprived of what knowledge they seemed to have. For we must share if we would keep That good thing from above: Ceasing to give, we cease to have; Such is the law of love.
B. Lamps, Lights, Jars
1. Luke 8:16 - Let your light Shine don’t hid it or be ashamed of Jesus or the move of God. Don’t be lazy with your faith!
2. Luke 8:17 - There is no such thing as Closet Christianity. If you are a real Christian people are going to know it. If you are a fake Christian that will manifest itself also.
3. Luke 8:18 - We need to be careful how we hear. It’s those who are excited about learning God’s Word that receive revelation concerning the Mysteries of God!
C. Global Outreach…
1. Loving Locally - Reaching Globally
CLOSING: SALVATION & DEVOTION
