Mk. 4:13 And He said unto them, know ye not this parable? And how then will ye know all parables? This implies that if one can understand this parable he can understand all others. For in this one are the principles of interpretation of all of them.
Mk. 4:14 The sower soweth the word. The sower is the son of man (Mt. 13:37) and his ministers (Mk. 16:15-20) (1Cor. 1:18-21)
1 Cor. 1:18 For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.
1 Cor. 1:19 For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent. (Vs. 20-25)
Mk. 4:15 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 heart.
This illustrates those who hear the word of God and refuse to obey it or profit by it. (Vs. 15) (Mt. 13:19) (Lk. 8:12)
The Parables
Mk. 4:17 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.
Mk. 4:18 And these are they which are sown among thorns; such as hear the word.
This illustrates those who hear the word and fail to produce fruit because the word is choked by three things…
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The cares of the world or the lusts of the flesh (Vs. 19). (Mt. 13:22) (Lk. 8:14) (Lk. 21:34) (Gal. 5:19-21) (1Jn. 2:15-17)
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The deceitfulness of riches’ or the pride of life. (Mk. 4:19) (Mt. 13:22) (Lk. 8:14) (1 Tim. 6:8-10,17) (1 Jn. 2:15-17)
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The lust of other things or pleasures and the lust of the eyes. (Mk. 4:19) (Lk. 8:14; 21:34 (1 Jn. 2:15-17)
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Mk. 4:2 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.
The Mystery of Faith
Three things Required
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Hear the word (Vs 20) over 155 times God commands men to hear Him and His Word. Not one time is there a hint that what He says will be hard to understand or that it need any special interpretation. The entire Bible assumes that what it says is clear enough if men will only believe it as it reads and not change it
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Receive it. This is the main battle ground of man. If man could not understand the Bible there would be some reason for rejecting it.
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Bring forth fruit. When the word of God is received and obeyed it will bring forth fruit.
Verse 20 teaches degrees of fruit bearing, not different kinds of Christians or different degrees of Christians.
Heb. 11:6 Ro. 10:17 Heb 11:1
Facts about a Parable
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A comparison (Mk. 4:30) figures (Heb. 9:9, 11:19) Proverb (Lk. 4:23) and an illustration (t. 13:3, 10, 13, 14, 31-36, 53; 15:5; 21:33, 45; 22:1; 24:32 etc.) parables are extended similes.
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They illustrate truth and make it clear by comparison with something that is already familiar.
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They impart instruction and rebuke without causing offense. ( 2 Sam.12)
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They create interest and hunger for further information. (Mt. 13:10-17; 2 Sam. 12)
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The stories are always true and the points illustrated must not be considered false and absurd.
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The historical background and the circumstances and occasion when uttered must be understood.
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Their words and details must be defined literally, not spiritually.
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The similarity between the point illustrated and the illustration must be noted.
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The point illustrated is always stated with the parable or is clear by the occasion uttered.
The principles of interpretation are given by Jesus Himself. Any interpretation at variance with these principles and with the purpose of the parable is unscriptural and illegal.
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WHAT DID THE LORD SAY DO?
By Pastor Patricia Brown
Acts 9:6 (KJV) And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do.
Act 9:15 But the Lord said to Ananias, “Go! This man is my chosen instrument to carry my name before the Gentiles and their kings and before the people of Israel.
Act 9:16 I will show him how much he must suffer for my name.”
1. The Lord speaks to us today.
2. He spoke to us this morning.
3. He has spoken to us since we’ve been under this flow of the anointing
4. What are you listening for right now?
5. Are you listening with clarity?
6. What did the Lord say to you?
7. The Lord does give clear instruction.
8. There is no interference on His end, no dead zone.
BEING IN THE LORD’S WILL CALL FOR CHANGE TO THE POINT IT’S MIND BLOGGING FOR ANY YIELDED PERSON. I NEVER DREAMED I’D BE DOING WHAT I’M DOING FOR THE LORD. I NEVER DREAMED I WOULD MEET PEOPLE THAT I WOULD BE MORE CONNECTED TO THAN I AM MY NATURE FAMILY. I NEVER DREAMED I’D BE A PLACE IN GOD WHERE I’D RATHER DIE IN HIM THAN TO LIVE IN SIN. BUT SERVING THE LORD BRINGS ABOUT GREAT CHANGE - AND CHANGE ISN’T AN EASY THING. We are called to yield ourselves to the will of God, and one of our concerns should be ‘WHAT DID THE LORD SAY DO”. We look to the Lord for answers, directions, support, blessing, healing, the anointing, gifts & everything. In order to receive from Him – He requires us to DO SOMETHING.
Growing up when we wanted something from our parents, we had to work for it; they didn’t just give you what you wanted. The same with the Lord – He require us to do something - my question to you is how bad do you want “it”? How bad do you want to be used by the Lord?
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1. YOU MUST BE WILLING TO LEAVE YOUR COMFORT ZONE
GOD WILL CALL YOU FROM YOUR COMFORT ZONE EVERYTHING GOING ON IN OUR LIVES IS NOT OF THE DEVIL IT’S THE RESULT OF YOUR PRAYER’S, AND THINGS YOU’VE ASKED GOD FOR, AND IT’S PREPARING YOU FOR THE PROMOTIONS AHEAD.
When we get comfortable in a neighborhood, job or city, a position, a ministry, we rather stay put then to deal with change. (I PERSONALLY STRUGGLE WITH CHANGE, BUT I’VE LEARNED IT A PART OF LIFE). BEING IN THE WILL OF GOD AND DOING THE RIGHT THING ACCORDING TO GOD’S PLAN EVERY NOW & THEM CALLS FOR A CHANGE.
GOING TO CHURCH IS GOOD, BUT AFTER AWHILE GOD WANT YOU TO GET CLEAN & GET BUSY. GOD WANTS YOU TO DO MORE THAN YOU ‘RE DOING, AND DO MORE THAN YOU ALREADY KNOW HOW TO DO. HE WANT TO TEACH YOU SOMETHING NEW AND AMAZING. The Call of Elisha Elisha must have been praying, must have had a strong desire to do God’s will, must have been walking by faith and expecting God to do something in his life. He probably didn’t expect to have to make such a great change – yet he wanted to work for the Lord.Ki 19:19 So Elijah went from there and found Elisha son of Shaphat. He was plowing with twelve yoke of oxen, and he himself was driving the twelfth pair. Elijah went up to him and threw his cloak around him. (Transferring of Authority) RITE OF PASSAGE 1Ki 19:20 Elisha then left his oxen and ran after Elijah. “Let me kiss my father and mother good-by,” he said, “and then I will come with you.” “Go back,” Elijah replied. “What have I done to you?” 1Ki 19:21 So Elisha left him and went back. (STRAIGHT IN THE FACE OF GOD) He took his yoke of oxen and slaughtered them. He burned the plowing equipment to cook the meat and gave it to the people, and they ate. Then he set out to follow Elijah and became his attendant. ELISHA HAD TO LEAVE HIS COMFORT ZONE. THE LORD IS CALLING FOR TOTAL COMMITMENT, SEVERE ALL TIES – DON’T LEAVE A REASON TO GO BACK – STAY IN THE WILL OF GOD. MANY WILL FAIL IN LIFE & NEVER REACH THEIR FULL POTENTIAL BECAUSE THEY’RE UNWILLING TO CHANGE.GOD’S ORDERS DON’T ALWAYS MAKE SINCE. NLT 1 CORIN 1:27 Instead, God chose things the world considers foolish in order to shame those who think they are wise. And he chose things that are powerless to shame those who are powerful. THE SONG SAYS, “ THAT BLESSING YOU’VE BEEN PRAYING FOR - IT’S ON THE WAY”. THE MIRACLES, MONEY, BREAKTHROUGH, ETC., THEY DON’T JUST HAPPEN – YOU’VE GOT TO GIVE GOD SOMETHING TO WORK WITH. YOU’VE GOT TO DO THAT HARD THING GOD TOLD YOU TO DO. THAT THING THA’S GONNA CAUSE PEOPLE TO TALK ABOUTYOU or LAUGH AT YOU.. GET UP AND GO DO “IT”
2. WHAT DID THE LORD SAY DO? - DID HE SAY MARCH; START MARCHING!
Jos 6:2 Then the LORD said to Joshua, “See, I have delivered Jericho into your hands, along with its king and its fighting men. (YOU ALREADY HAVE THE VICTORY, WE’RE JUST WAITING ON THE MANISFESTATION) Jos 6:3 March around the city once with all the armed men. Do this for six days. Jos 6:4 …. On the seventh day, march around the city seven times, with the priests blowing the trumpets. Jos 6:5 When you hear them sound a long blast on the trumpets, have all the people give a loud shout; then the wall of the city will collapse and the people will go up, every man straight in.” Jos 6:10 But Joshua had commanded the people, “Do not give a war cry, do not raise your voices, do not say a word until the day I tell you to shout. Then shout!” THERE MUST HAVE BEEN SOME HECKLER’S ON THAT WALL.
BEFORE YOU CAN BE BLESSED ON SOME LEVELS – GOD GIVE YOU SOMETHINGS TO DO YOU’VE NEVER DONE BEFORE.
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3. WHAT DID THE LORD SAY DO -THROW OFF THE WORLD – GO WASH YOU WANNA BE DELIVERED - FREEDOM FOLLOWS OBEDIENCES.
THE LEPROSY NAAMAN HAD REPRESENT SIN IN ITS WORST STATE, AND HIS ATTITUDE IS JUST LIKE CHRISTIANS LOOKING FOR THE EASY WAY OUT. You must first determine that you want wholeness.
2King 5:1 Now Naaman was commander of the army of the king of Aram. He was a great man in the sight of his master and highly regarded, because through him the LORD had given victory to Aram. He was a valiant soldier, but he had leprosy.
2King 5:2 Now bands from Aram had gone out and had taken captive a young girl from Israel, and she served Naaman’s wife.
2King 5:3 She said to her mistress, “If only my master would see the prophet who is in Samaria! He would cure him of his leprosy.”
2King 5:9 So Naaman went with his horses and chariots and stopped at the door of Elisha’s house.
2King 5:10 Elisha sent a messenger to say to him, “Go, wash yourself seven times in the Jordan, and your flesh will be restored and you will be cleansed.”
2King 5:11 But Naaman went away angry and said, “I thought that he would surely come out to me and stand and call on the name of the LORD his God, wave his hand over the spot and cure me of my leprosy.
2King 5:12 Are not Abana and Pharpar, the rivers of Damascus, better than any of the waters of Israel? Couldn’t I wash in them and be cleansed?” So he turned and went off in a rage.
2King 5:13 Naaman’s servants went to him and said, “My father, if the prophet had told you to do some great thing, would you not have done it? How much more, then, when he tells you, ‘Wash and be cleansed’!”
2King 5:14 So he went down and dipped himself in the Jordan seven times, as the man of God had told him, and his flesh was restored and became clean like that of a young boy.
4. WHAT DID THE LORD SAY DO?
STOP MAKING EXCUSES
GOD IS SMART!
THE LORD KNOWS OUR STRENGTHS, ABILITIES, WEAKNESSES & OUR LEVEL OF MATURITY.
HE WOULDN‘T ASK YOU TO DO THAT HE KNOW YOU CAN’T DO John 5:3 Here a great number of disabled people used to lie—the blind, the lame, the paralyzed.
John 5:5 One who was there had been an invalid for thirty-eight years. John 5:6 When Jesus saw him lying there and learned that he had been in this condition for a long time, he asked him, “Do you want to get well?”
John 5:7 “Sir,” the invalid replied, “I have no one to help me into the pool when the water is stirred. While I am trying to get in, someone else goes down ahead of me.”
John 5:8 Then Jesus said to him, “Get up! Pick up your mat and walk.”
5. JESUS ALWAYS’S GIVE PEOPLE SOMETHING TO DO. YOU DON’T HAVE TO BEG OR PLEA WITH HIM –HE ALWAYS HAVE SOMETHING FOR EVERYBODY TO DO. LISTEN TO HIS INSTRUCTIONS.
6. JESUS WILL HELP YOU DO THINGS YOU’VE NEVER DONE BEFORE.
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7. IF YOU WANT SOMETHING YOU’VE NEVER HAD BEFORE – YOU’RE GONNA HAVE TO DO SOMETHING YOU’VE NEVER DONE BEFORE
8. JESUS ALWAYS GIVE SIMPLE INSTRUCTIONS – WE MAKE HIS PLAN SEEM COMPLICATED BECAUSE IT CALL’S FOR US TO DO SOMETHING. PETER WANTED TO WALK ON THE WATER & JESUS SAW HIS EXCITEMENT JESUS WILL HELP YOU DO SOMETHING NEW – SOMETHING YOU’VE NEVER DONE BEFORE.
BUT YOU’VE GOT TO KEEP YOUR EYES ON HIM - YOU’VE GOT TO TRUST HIM - YOU’VE GOT TO LISTEN TO HIM.
9. WHAT DID THE LORD SAY DO - GO DO IT!
Matt 14:27 But Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.”
Matt 14:28 “Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.”
Matt 14:29 “Come,” he said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus.
Matt 14:30 But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!”
Matt 14:31 Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?”
The Lord will ask you to do a hard thing.
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