The Key Parable

The Key Parable.

But when He was alone, those around Him with the twelve asked Him about the parable ......  And He said to them, Do you not understand this parable? How then will you understand all the parables? The sower sows the word. 

Mark 4:10-14

To get to know Jesus, first you just have to get away from the multitude. For you the multitude might be just that one person who distracts you. The one who doesn't believe in tithing or healing.

Here Jesus is speaking to the larger group with the twelve.

This is The Key Parable, if you can understand this, you will understand them all.

Jesus is not being awkward, you have to work at understanding.

There Will Always Be A Harvest

There Will Always Be A Harvest

Genesis 8

22  While the earth remains, Seedtime and harvest, Cold and heat, Winter and summer, And day and night Shall not cease.

Key 9: There will always be a harvest if seed has been sown.

But it is seed - time - harvest.

Be patient, if the Bible says it will come, it will come.

You just need to water it and keep the weeds out.

God wants you to be living the abundant life with great harvests.

Note I said harvests. 

Every time you sow, if you keep your eye on these keys, you will reap a great harvest.

The Keys to a Great Harvest.

Key 1: Kick out doubt.

Key 2: Nothing is hidden.

Key 3: Listen.

Key 4: Take heed what you hear.

Key 5: How generous are you?

Key 6: True hearers receive more.

Key 7: Get rid of the false things.

Key 8: Don’t try to work it out.

Key 9: Harvest always comes.

Don’t Try To Work It Out.

Don’t Try To Work It Out.

Mark 4

26  And He said, The kingdom of God is as if a man should scatter seed on the ground,

27  and should sleep by night and rise by day, and the seed should sprout and grow, he himself does not know how.

28  For the earth yields crops by itself: first the blade, then the head, after that the full grain in the head.

29  But when the grain ripens, immediately he puts in the sickle, because the harvest has come.

Key 8: Don't try to work it out how God will bring your harvest.

Even the greatest botanist still doesn't know how a seed works.

The whole of God's kingdom is based on the seed principle.

Let God produce the increase and be ready when harvest comes.

Get Rid Of The False Things.

Get Rid Of The False Things.

Mark 4

25  For whoever has, to him more will be given; but whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken away from him.

Key 7: God helps you to get rid of the false things in your life.

Yes if you have got it, you will receive more.

But if you think you have true faith or true understanding, or true grace.

So it is not genuine, Jesus will remove that false thing from you.

Encouraging you to go back to Him and get the genuine.

Jesus only removes the things that harm us.

How To Receive More.

How To Receive More.

Mark 4

23  If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear.

24  Then He said to them, Take heed what you hear. With the same measure you use, it will be measured to you; and to you who hear, more will be given.

Key 5: How generous are you?

Do you give with a teaspoon or a bucket?

Whichever one you use will be measured back to you.

How do you want your 100 fold harvest delivered? 

By teaspoon or bucket?

Key 6: True hearers will receive more.

The more you run with it, the more you will be blessed.

The more blessed you are, the less doubt you have for next time.

Are You Listening?

Are You Listening? Mark 4 23 If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear. 24 Then He said to them, Take heed what you hear. With the same measure you use, it will be measured to you; and to you who hear, more will be given. Key 3: Listen. Does everyone have ears? What is Jesus talking about? Even if it seems uncomfortable, are you listening to The Word? Seek to understand it, don't dismiss it especially if it seems difficult. Lay it up in your mind, it may help you and help others later on. Key 4: Take heed what you hear. Don't listen to doubt, unbelief, fear, worry or religion. Stay around people who believe you can do it, who stay in faith. I have needed people to pray for me to kick the doubt out. It is not failure to admit that you need help. Men do you hear me?

What amount of increase do you get?

What amount of increase do you get? What harvest yield you produce is not a personal and hidden thing because Jesus said: Mark 4 21 Also He said to them, Is a lamp brought to be put under a basket or under a bed? Is it not to be set on a lampstand? 22 For there is nothing hidden which will not be revealed, nor has anything been kept secret but that it should come to light. Key 2: Nothing is hidden. Why? God wants His children blessed. He also wants you to see the blessing on other people too. Then you can say with us - If He can do it for them He can do it for me. Because God is no respecter of persons. The ones who have the small harvest can be encouraged to go for more. Those with a great harvest as an example to others. Hundredfold is possible.

The Keys To A Great Harvest

The Keys To A Great Harvest Mark 4 20 But these are the ones sown on good ground, those who hear the word, accept it, and bear fruit: some thirtyfold, some sixty, and some a hundred. If 100 fold is possible, what can prevent that from happening? Here is Key 1: Kick out the doubt. 30 fold harvest means 70 fold doubt. Sixty fold harvest means 40 fold doubt. 100 fold harvest no doubt. Keep your mind focussed on the 100 fold return and don't doubt that God will do what The Bible says.

Even Good Ground is not guaranteed a full harvest.

Even Good Ground is not guaranteed a full harvest. Mark 4 20 But these are the ones sown on good ground, those who hear the word, accept it, and bear fruit: some thirtyfold, some sixty, and some a hundred. Last week we looked at the wayside, stony ground and thorns. Good ground then is without stones and thorns and is in The Way (close to Jesus). Here is the difference - these ones hear and accept The Word. Accept (Greek) - Receive, allow entrance, take to yourself. It is mine. Then they bear fruit, but not all the same amount of increase. So if 100 fold is possible, what can prevent that from happening?

Fixing Your Seed Reception.

Fixing Your Seed Reception. Mark 4:14-16 Now you need to ACT upon these messages this week because every one of us has some of these things operating in our lives. Your own things might be different to the ones I have mentioned, but you know what they are. In church last Sunday we had one container in front of The Cross and three containers near The Cross containing: Way side - Map fragments. Stony ground - Stones. Thorns - Drawing pins. We had to take these items representing our problems, name them and leave them in the container at the cross. Now you go and do that for Jesus. You can hear the message at http://fcfwarminster.sermon.net/main/main/20538173

Preventing Word Growth.

Preventing Word Growth. How does this happen? What makes a person like this? Mark 4:14-16 Way Side. All these things can draw you away from Jesus. Career - Leisure - Past Life - Friends. Stony Ground. These are the rocks in your life. Stubbornness - Fear - Refusal to change for anyone - Self hatred - I'm no good - I'm not worth it. Thorns. These will all choke The Word so it bears NO fruit. Worry - Financial problems (including not tithing) - Putting family before Jesus - Covetousness. These are examples, your seed reception may be different, but you get the drift.

How does a Christian become Wayside, Stony or Thorny?

How does a Christian become Wayside, Stony or Thorny? Mark 4:14-16 By the Way side. Jesus is The Way but you are not in it. You might walk very closely, but refuse to do it His way. Or you get talked out of doing it God's way. Stony ground. You have things in your life that prevent The Word from taking root in you. So when you get opposition, you quit, or leave the church. Thorns are growing in your life that choke The Word. No matter how many times you hear The Word, it cannot grow in your life, so you never grow either. More on this tomorrow.

Some are sown among thorns.

Some are sown among thorns. Mark 4:14-16 They hear The Word, but ..... Cares, deceitfulness of riches (not riches), lusts for things. These things enter into the person, not there already. They must have opened a way for them to enter. These things choke The Word. The Word cannot grow in them. Cares - Worry and anxiety. Deceitfulness of riches - Thinking that having money is the most important thing, or being more concerned about earning money than anything. Lusts of other things. Wanting what you haven't got - covetousness - greed.

Some are sown on stony ground.

Some are sown on stony ground. Mark 4:14-16 When the sower sows, some are sown on stony ground. They too hear The Word and immediately receive it with gladness. So happy to receive this new information. But there is no way for the seed to take root among the stones. They do endure for a while, but later .... When they get hassle for standing on The Word. Immediately they are offended (Greek = scandalised). What kind of opposition causes this? What do you mean you are healed? You still look sick. Maybe God doesn’t want me healed. God is supplying your needs? But you are still poor. Maybe God doesn’t want me prosperous. So the roots become dried out among the stones.

By The Wayside.

By The Wayside. Mark 4:14-16 First of all you need to know that all sowing back then was done by broadcasting, by hand. Jesus is talking about what happens in people's hearts whenever the Word of God is sown into their lives. Whether a person is hearing preaching, watching a video or reading The Bible. We all receive The Word as a seed into our lives in different ways. Those that are by the way side do hear The Word, but Satan comes immediately and takes The Word away. Why does that allowed to happen? Here’s the secret: Jesus is The Way, so being by the wayside means you are not fully following Him.

Sometimes you just have to DO something.

Sometimes you just have to DO something. There are some things that cannot be answered spiritually. Like a Hug or a Meal. Sometimes you just have to DO something physically. James 2:14-17 Tells us that you cannot tell a naked and hungry person. Depart in peace, be warmed and filled in Jesus name. You need to clothe them and feed them. Faith Works. If you believe something from the Bible, you need to ACT on it.

Love Casts Out Fear.

Love Casts Out Fear. 1 John 4:18 There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love. Remember - The love from God to you is perfect. Remember - This perfect love casts out the fear, not you casting it out. Love does it. When you think of Jesus remember His sacrifice for you. We take communion in remembrance of Him. When we remember those who have given their lives so that we can be free. Jesus should be number one in your list. So love Jesus because of it. And keep His commandments to grow that love even more.

Love Has No Fear.

Love Has No Fear. 1 John 4:18 There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love. Most people do not love because they are afraid. Afraid someone might take advantage of them. Afraid their love might be rejected. Most people do not obey God because they are afraid. Afraid to tell someone about Jesus - they might reject you. Afraid to love their enemy - they might take advantage of you. Afraid to lay hands on the sick - they might not be healed. Afraid to tithe - this giving stuff might not work: for you it won't work.

Love Perfected by Obedience.

Love Perfected by Obedience. 1 John 2:5 But whoever keeps His word, truly the love of God is perfected in him. By this we know that we are in Him. The perfecting, or maturing of our love comes from our obedience. If you want love to have more effect in your life, obey God. Then you truly know that you are in Him, that means that if you don't do this, you won't know for sure that you are in Him. Remember - love will make that difference.

Love Is Obedient.

Love Is Obedient. 1 John 5:3 For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome. Loving God means keeping his commandments. They are not burdensome because He always gives us the power and strength to keep them. How do we know that we love God? Your love for God is as big as your courage to leave your sin. Remember - your sin has been paid for in full. And to forgive those who sinned against you. Remember - their sin has been paid for in full too. You make yourself to be bigger than God if you do not forgive them.

Love Is An Action Word.

Love Is An Action Word. Love is an action word - you cannot just say - I love you. Love means laying our life down and doing what Jesus says. One of the Rotary Club creeds is - Others first, self second. Sounds like a Christian creed, just like Jesus said in John 15:12-14. Laying down your life for your friends.

Friends of God Obey Him.

Friends of God Obey Him. John 15:12-14 This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you. Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you. We sing the chorus - I am a friend of God. Are you His friend? Jesus' definition of His friends is - they do whatever He commands. What about - love your enemy? Remember the sacrifice of Jesus. We heard recently - that we only love God to the degree we love the person who causes us the greatest problems. What about - lay hands on the sick? Remember the stripes Jesus bore. Haven't you ever wished that someone would do that for you? What about - bring your tithes into the storehouse? Remember Jesus gave up everything for you. We only give out of what He provides for us.

Laying Down Your Life.

Laying Down Your Life. John 15:12-14 This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you. Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you. Loving one another as He loved us, means laying our life down. We do not have to die to lay our life down, just our own will. Laying aside what we want to do, to benefit someone else. Putting aside your own desires is an act of love. Like telling someone about Jesus, so they can be born again. Remember - You were born again because someone told you.

Eternal Life In You - Chris Horwood.

Eternal Life In You - Chris Horwood. Romans 6:25 The gift of God is eternal life. We have unlimited life within us. God in us is greater than anything that can come against us.

Filled With Fruit And Gifts - Chris Horwood.

Filled With Fruit And Gifts - Chris Horwood. Ephesians 5:18 Be filled with The Spirit That's filled - not just some of the Spirit - Filled. 2 Timothy 1:6 Stir up the gift that is already in you. You do not have to work to get the gift that you already have. The people around you need it.

The Evidence Of Fruit - Chris Horwood.

The Evidence Of Fruit - Chris Horwood. Matthew 7:16 says that we are known by our fruit. Other people see that God is at work in us. Romans 8:1 We respond to the Holy Spirit and not the flesh. With the fruit as evidence of the presence of The Spirit. When the fire of crisis comes to us, people quickly see what is within. The gifts of the Spirit want to operate through us. Being strong on the inside so we can powerfully affect the outside.

What Are You Seeking? - Chris Horwood

What Are You Seeking? - Chris Horwood We are encouraged to seek the Kingdom. If you are raised with Jesus, we are to seek things above. The Bible says - seek to edify one another. But nowhere are we told to seek God. We don't need to, He is in us already. You have Creator God and His power in you.

Alive With Power - Chris Horwood.

Alive With Power - Chris Horwood. Luke 19:37-40 Jesus arrives on a colt. The whole crowd and His disciples cry out in praise, and the religious people complain. Jesus said: If my disciples are quite the stones will cry out. We all want to be part of the river's flow but ..... Even dead logs can float in the river. We need to be alive with power. The river needs to be flowing out of us. (John 7:38) Jesus said to the woman at the well. If you drink from Me you will never thirst again. (John 4:14) The river flows out of the empowered believer.

Be Strong On The Inside - Chris Horwood.

Be Strong On The Inside - Chris Horwood. Acts 19:2 Did you receive the Holy Spirit since you believed? Then you already have the power of God inside you. Ephesians 6:10-17 From now on be strong on the inside. Then take your armour and stand. If we are not strong inside we will not be able to stand against the attacks of the enemy.

Christ In You - Chris Horwood.

Christ In You - Chris Horwood. The sequence of events that will bring Jesus back has begun. Which will include persecution and hardship. But in the same moment, the Church will be at its most glorious. We need to be ready for it and filled with the foundations of love and power. Here is the key: Colossians 1:26 The mystery has been revealed. Christ in you the hope of glory. We have Christ in us.

Can you say - I Love Me.

Can you say - I Love Me. If you don't love yourself, you won't expect that anyone would want to help you sort it out. But the exact opposite is the truth. If you know you are in that situation - get some help. We love you - even if you don't. Remember- Love is the desire to benefit others at the expense of self, because love desires to give. But if you can't love yourself, you won't do stuff at your expense to benefit someone else. God loves you so much He sent Jesus to die on the cross. If God loves you, why don't you love you? You could start by just boldly saying it. I LOVE ME.