One of Jesus’ best methods of teaching spiritual truths to His disciples was by means of parabolic proclamation, that is, teaching by parables. Have you ever wondered why Jesus chose this form of teaching and of just what benefit it has? If it is a good form of teaching, why was it that some did not get the message and proceeded to be remain against Jesus and His disciples? What does it mean to you and me today if we do or do not understand the meaning and application of His parables? Well listen in as Pastor Landis explains from our lesson in the gospel of St. Mark the 4th chapter concerning: “Responding To The Mystery”
Old Testament Scripture Reading: Psalms 49:1 – 13 (KJV)
To the chief Musician, A Psalm for the sons of Korah.
Psa 49:1 Hear this, all ye people; give ear, all ye inhabitants of the world:
Psa 49:2 Both low and high, rich and poor, together.
Psa 49:3 My mouth shall speak of wisdom; and the meditation of my heart shall be of understanding.
Psa 49:4 I will incline mine ear to a parable: I will open my dark saying upon the harp.
Psa 49:5 Wherefore should I fear in the days of evil, when the iniquity of my heels shall compass me about?
Psa 49:6 They that trust in their wealth, and boast themselves in the multitude of their riches;
Psa 49:7 None of them can by any means redeem his brother, nor give to God a ransom for him:
Psa 49:8 (For the redemption of their soul is precious, and it ceaseth for ever:)
Psa 49:9 That he should still live for ever, and not see corruption.
Psa 49:10 For he seeth that wise men die, likewise the fool and the brutish person perish, and leave their wealth to others.
Psa 49:11 Their inward thought is, that their houses shall continue for ever, and their dwelling places to all generations; they call their lands after their own names.
Psa 49:12 Nevertheless man being in honour abideth not: he is like the beasts that perish.
Psa 49:13 This their way is their folly: yet their posterity approve their sayings. Selah.
New Testament Scripture Reading: Mark 4:1 – 12 (KJV)
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. Mark 4:2 And he taught them many things by parables, and said unto them in his doctrine, Mark 4:3 Hearken; Behold, there went out a sower to sow: Mark 4:4 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. Mark 4:5 And some fell on stony ground, where it had not much earth; and immediately it sprang up, because it had no depth of earth: Mark 4:6 But when the sun was up, it was scorched; and because it had no root, it withered away. Mark 4:7 And some fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up, and choked it, and it yielded no fruit. Mark 4:8 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. Mark 4:9 And he said unto them, He that hath ears to hear, let him hear. Mark 4:10 And when he was alone, they that were about him with the twelve asked of him the parable. Mark 4:11 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: Mark 4:12 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.
Transforming Power Statements:
#1) If you are a believer in the LORD Jesus Christ, God has granted along with His righteousness as a gift to you, that you also understand in a beneficial way how to progress spiritually from His teaching by way of the parables of the Kingdom, which reveal many rich facts about the walk of faith.
#2) Here are a few facts that can be derived from the parable of the sower: a) The seed which is the word of God is for all peoples in the world. b) God is not partial to any certain people as far as notification of His provisions and requirements for entrance into the Kingdom. c) Affection for worldly desires and pursuits can squelch divine blessing and achievement in the spiritual dimension. d) Only those who are fruitful shall be saved. e) Fruit-bearing varies from life to life within the family of the Most High. f) Satan is active in deception to prevent people from believing God. g) There is victory for each believer who hears and responds to the Word.
#3) It is not enough to hear what the LORD is saying, but we must respond with appropriate action in order to have the assurance that we are children of God.
(James 1:22 KJV) But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.
