Mark 4:13-14 "He said to them, "Do you not understand this parable? How then will you understand any of the parables? The sower sews the word"
Last week we saw that Jesus was telling us that we need to take time and genuinely reflect on the meaning and content of this parable, because it holds the key to understanding how the Kingdom of God functions. In verse 11 He tells us, "You are permitted to understand the secret (mystery or hidden truths) about the Kingdom of God, " and He proceeds to tell us exactly what the "secret" is.
The "secret about the Kingdom of God..." is the Word of God and how it operates. In Matthew 7:24-27, Jesus also tells us that the Key to surviving the Storms of this world and the life we live is to discover and apply the Principles of God’s Word! Read these following Scriptures very carefully concerning the Word of God!
Psalm 138:2 I will worship toward your holy temple, and praise your name for your lovingkindness and for your truth: for you have magnified your word above your name.
Jeremiah 1:12 Then said the LORD to me, you have well seen: for I will hasten (Watch Over) my word to perform it.
Isaiah 55:11 So will my word be that goes forth out of my mouth: it will not return unto me void, but it will accomplish that which I please, and it will prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.
Revelation 3:8 I know your works: behold, I have set before you an open door, and no man can shut it: for you have a little strength, and have kept my word, and have not denied my name.
Everything God does, He initiates with His spoken Word! Anything that God desires, He brings it into existence by speaking out His heart’s desire! Romans 4:17 declares that “God…quickens the dead, and calls those things which are not as though they were..”
THE KEYS TO THE WORD OF GOD:
1) In Mark 4:15 we discovered that whenever you discover a new truth in the Word of God you can always expect an attack. When you begin to discover the truths concerning finances, healing, sewing and reaping, etc., you should learn to expect an attack. Don't be surprised when it happens. The Word has forewarned us concerning the attack. Most of the time, it will get worse before it gets better. Be prepared. Launch a preemptive strike. Don't gather yourself into the defensive mode of operation. Get offensive. Swing your Sword of the Spirit (The Word of God)! Search after any and all truths concerning the revelation you've received. Read them out loud. Memorize them. Reflect on them! Speak them in the midst of your situation!
2) The second truth we discovered in verse 16 was if we don't take matters seriously, we'll initially believe the Word of God. However, as soon as the first and least bit of trouble arises, or the first symptom appears to contradict the Truth you've learned, we fall apart and depart from the belief! We waiver back and forth between the symptoms and the Truth. One moment we are giant killers and the next we're waivering. We also learned that when God's Word becomes alive in your life and it becomes your main life source (Matthew 4:4) you will be targeted. The good news is this: Jesus has overcome the fallen world of sin and death (Revelation 1:18), and He will deliver us through them all! You ought to begin to praise God in the midst of your trouble. Increased tribulation and trouble are signs to the believer that we are getting dangerous to the enemy and his minions.
3)The third Key to the Kingdom is contained in verses 18 & 19 “…these are they which are sown among thorns; such as hear the word, and the cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things entering in, choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful.” The Word of God is thwarted in the bearing of fruit in our lives by our concerns, thoughts, desires and actions.
Let me give you an example. Most Christians believe that if God truly wanted something to happen, it would happen because of His Sovereignty. (God can do whatever He wills!) Didn’t God out of His love for the world, send His Son Jesus to die for all? John 3:16 states the answer. “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believes (adheres to, clings to, trusts in, and relies on) him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” The sad news is that even though His provision has been made available to all, some will not accept His provision. “…he that does not believe is condemned already…” John 3:18. Some of the great men and women of faith listed in Hebrews 11 also went through a variety of trials. Hebrews 11:35 “…Women received their dead raised to life again: and others were tortured, not accepting deliverance…”
We have the ability to “choke the word” so “it becomes unfruitful.” WOW! How?
A)The cares of this world.
This word literally means “a divided mind” caused by distractions, anxieties, burdens and worries. The greek word merimna means to be anxious beforehand about daily life. Such worry is unnecessary because the father’s love provides for our daily needs as well as our special problems and situations. We are told in 1Peter 5:7 to “Cast all your care upon Him; for He cares for you.”
If you remain anxious and unsettled in the daily affairs of life, you will choke the Word of God and hinder it’s life giving, life altering power. Remember, there is enough power contained in every promise of God to bring that Promise to pass! Only believe. Mark 9:23 “Jesus said to him, If thou can believe, all things are possible…”
B) The deceitfulness of riches.
Life is short! Everyday we read in the news about deaths, sometimes thousands at once. Proverb 27:1 warns, "Boast not yourself of tomorrow; for you do not know what a day may bring forth." Today may be the last day of your life.
Oh the deceitfulness of riches! So many people today are consumed with making more money. Sadly, this includes many believers. What are you doing for God? It's been said: " 'This one life will soon be past, only what's done for Christ will last." What will it matter 10,000 years from now how much money you made in this lifetime? It won't! All that will matter 10,000 years from now is:
- Whether you "died in the Lord" (Revelation 14:13); or "died in your sins" (John 8:24).
- As a believer, what you did in this life for the name of Jesus Christ and for the Gospel (Mark 10:29,30).
There is no greater deception in this world than financial security. Most rich people are going to Hell (Luke 18:25). The rich already have heaven on earth, so they don't need God (so they think). They are DECEIVED! Nothing has destroyed more lives, friendships, marriages and churches faster than the love of money. The love of money is a road to Hell.
The greatest things in life aren't things. All the money in the world cannot buy peace of heart and mind, cannot buy forgiveness of sins, and cannot buy a happy home. In 1st Timothy 6:9-10, the Bible reveals the dark truth about where the path to earthly riches often leads...
"But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition. For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows."
Temptation... a snare... hurtful lusts... erred from the faith??? A book could be written addressing the evils surrounding the pursuit of wealth.
C) Desires (Lusts) for other things.
A lust or the desire spoken of in this verse is a strong desire for someone or something, energized by uncontrollable wants that one intends to satisfy at any cost! It can also be an uncontrollable longing for what is forbidden. There is only one thing we are commanded to desire in this life. Mark 12:30 “…you will love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all you mind, and with all your strength: this is the first commandment.” What more do we need to say?
If your heart however, begins to pursue anything else, you have broken the first commandment of God and have “Choked” the ability of God’s Word in your life and His promises can not come to pass on your behalf!
This is the kind of Word today that initially can be somewhat painful, but in the end can produce and abundance of the riches and treasures that God has in store for us. This week I want you to practice the following…
1) Refuse to worry. When worry approaches your mind, begin to sing praises to God, read His Word or begin to Pray!
2) Turn your finances to the Kingdom of God. Stop running the rat race and invest in His Kingdom. I believe that God will be testing us in this area very soon. His question is “What are you willing to give?”
3) Ask God what has taken His rightful place in your life. Then ask Him for a plan to destroy that “idol.” Now begin to pursue Him. Talk with him. Read His Word. Learn of Him with others.
Next week: The Key to the Kingdom: 30-60 or 100…It’s your choice!
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