59. Jesus’ true
mother & brothers- Matt. 12:46-50, Mark 3:31-35, Luke 8:19-21
-Jesus remarks on true family to those who had gathered to
listen to Him speak the words of God, probably in Caperaum. This was not a put
off of His earthly mother and brothers. It was a statement of instruction about
the true family of God and how to be a part of that family. Matthew and Mark give
us that it requires doing the will of God (Matthew 7:21; 12:50, Mark 3:35),
while Luke adds that we must hear it and do it (Luke 8:21). *Application* We
are called the children of God in the Scriptures (1 John 3:1-3). Being a part
of this family is a special privilege that changes everything that we are
about. This relationship that God graciously bestows upon us purifies,
sanctifies, and in the end glorifies us as redeemed of the LORD. Count your
many blessings if you are a part of His Kingdom and live like the saint you
are.
Verses to Memorize- Matthew
12:50, Mark 3:35, Luke 8:21
60. The sower- Matt.
13:1-23, Mark 4:1-20, Luke 8:4-15
-The seed is the Word of God in this fundamental parable for
our spiritual understanding (Mark 4:13). Those people who reject it
immediately, having the Word taken away by the deception of the devil, do not
ever believe in their heart and are never saved. The people who are rocky do
receive the Word with joy but have no firm root (or foundation, Matthew 7:24-25).
They have some faith for a while, but when temptation comes they fall away
(Hebrews 6:1-6). These are the apostates (Matthew 13:21, Mark 4:17, Hebrews
3:12) and are never destined for Heaven in relationship with the Living God.
The ones who get choked out by the cares, worries, and desires of this world
may have relationship and could be going to Heaven (1 Corinthians 3:11-15), but
they have become unfruitful and are in danger of being taken out of this world
for an unproductive Christian existence (1 Corinthians 11:28-30, 1 John 5:16).
The good soil are those who understand the Word of God with an honest and good
heart, hold it fast, and bear fruit with perseverance (Luke 8:15).
*Application* Let us all be good soil and understand the mystery of the Kingdom
of God. This message reveals the four different kinds of reactions we will get
when we present the Word of God to people. Pray that the message will find good
soil and grow abundantly! He who has ears, let him hear!
Verse to Memorize-
Luke 8:15
61. A candle under a
bushel- Mark 4:21-25, Luke 8:16-18
-Nothing will be hidden; it will all come to the light. Be
careful what you listen to (your influencers). Whoever has, more will be given.
The Kingdom grows. “Living things grow and growing things change”- Paige
Henderson. *Application* Be ready to be blessed when your light (the Light of
Christ) shines in this world. It will expose everything and cause all to be
revealed. Think of light and how it illuminates. Sometimes people get irritated
by light exposure and shun it. Don’t worry when you are rejected because of the
light in you. You are the aroma of Christ to those who are being saved and the
stench of death to those who are perishing (2 Corinthians 2:14-17).
Verse to Memorize-
Mark 4:22
62. The growing seed-
Mark 4:26-29
-This parable about the Kingdom of God is only recorded in
Mark (four of the only 31 verses in this gospel that are not quoted in the
other gospels). It reveals that spiritual growth is a continual, gradual
process that is finally consummated in a harvest of spiritual maturity. The
slow but certain growth of a plant illustrates how our Christian growth should
be. *Application* Sometimes we may not even realize how we are growing in our
walk with Christ in relationship with Him as we draw ever closer and closer to
Him through spiritual disciplines. All of a sudden we awake and understand that
we have matured in our faith and can handle the greater things of God more than
we could have ever expected or imagined according to the Power that works
within us (Ephesians 3:20). God give us a plentiful harvest!
Verse to Memorize-
Mark 4:28
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