WEBVTT 00:00:00.200 --> 00:00:07.580 Well, good morning, church. Would you turn with me to the Gospel of Mark, chapter 4, verses 1 through 25. 00:00:08.720 --> 00:00:12.019 Our passage begins on page 787 in the Pew Bible. 00:00:13.780 --> 00:00:19.620 We will have it on the screens when I read it in just a second, but it would be good to have it open before you as we walk through our text this morning. 00:00:22.199 --> 00:00:24.679 Let me pray for us, and then I'll read. 00:00:30.000 --> 00:00:40.620 Father in heaven, how firm a foundation indeed we have in Jesus Christ, our Lord, and the word that he has authorized and inspired through your Holy Spirit. 00:00:41.500 --> 00:00:52.700 Lord, as we come to your word now, would you do this work of comforting, strengthening, convicting, converting, equipping, and glorifying your great name. 00:00:53.780 --> 00:00:56.920 Give us ears to hear, Father, what your Spirit is saying to us today. 00:00:57.780 --> 00:00:59.100 In Jesus' name we pray, amen. 00:01:00.000 --> 00:01:04.599 All right, Mark, chapter 4, picking up in verse 1. 00:01:30.000 --> 00:02:00.000 00:02:00.000 --> 00:02:02.480 30-fold, 60-fold, and 100-fold. 00:02:03.599 --> 00:02:06.719 And he said, he who has ears to hear, let him hear. 00:02:08.360 --> 00:02:11.800 And when he was alone, those around him with the twelve asked him about the parables. 00:02:12.379 --> 00:02:15.840 And he said to them, to you has been given the secret of the kingdom of God. 00:02:15.840 --> 00:02:19.479 But for those outside, everything is in parables. 00:02:20.439 --> 00:02:23.099 So that they may indeed see, but not perceive. 00:02:23.700 --> 00:02:26.000 May indeed hear, but not understand. 00:02:26.439 --> 00:02:28.620 Lest they should turn and be forgiven. 00:02:29.759 --> 00:02:32.960 And he said to them, do you not understand this parable? 00:02:33.439 --> 00:02:35.599 How then will you understand all the parables? 00:02:35.599 --> 00:02:38.560 The sower sows the word. 00:02:39.199 --> 00:02:42.560 And these are the ones along the path where the word is sown. 00:02:43.060 --> 00:02:46.900 When they hear, Satan immediately comes and takes away the word that is sown in them. 00:02:46.900 --> 00:02:49.719 And these are the ones sown on rocky ground. 00:02:50.020 --> 00:02:52.620 The ones who, when they hear the word, immediately receive it with joy. 00:02:53.200 --> 00:02:57.599 And they have no root in themselves, but endure for a while. 00:02:58.240 --> 00:03:02.640 Then when tribulation or persecution arises on account of the word, immediately they fall away. 00:03:03.719 --> 00:03:05.460 And others are the ones sown among thorns. 00:03:06.159 --> 00:03:10.159 They are those who hear the word, but the cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches 00:03:10.159 --> 00:03:15.319 and the desires for other things enter in and choke the word, and it proves unfruitful. 00:03:16.520 --> 00:03:24.000 But those that were sown on the good soil are the ones who hear the word and accept it and bear fruit 00:03:24.000 --> 00:03:27.840 thirtyfold and sixtyfold and a hundredfold. 00:03:28.639 --> 00:03:34.620 And he said to them, is a lamp brought in to be put under a basket or under a bed and not on a stand? 00:03:35.400 --> 00:03:38.019 For nothing is hidden except to be made manifest, 00:03:38.020 --> 00:03:40.560 nor is anything secret except to come to light. 00:03:41.060 --> 00:03:42.980 If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear. 00:03:43.980 --> 00:03:47.280 And he said to them, pay attention to what you hear. 00:03:48.400 --> 00:03:52.800 With the measure you use, it will be measured to you, and still more will be added to you. 00:03:53.240 --> 00:03:54.939 For to the one who has, more will be given, 00:03:55.800 --> 00:03:59.660 and from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away. 00:04:02.300 --> 00:04:07.260 So for a number of years, there have been articles and studies coming out saying, 00:04:08.020 --> 00:04:12.920 that human attention span, the human attention span, is dwindling, is dropping. 00:04:13.980 --> 00:04:21.340 Given social media, the always-on news cycle, constant interruptions and notifications hitting us through our smartphones and on and on, 00:04:21.340 --> 00:04:24.540 it seems that we're just more distractible than ever. 00:04:24.540 --> 00:04:33.420 In fact, one study in 2015 argued that people now generally lose concentration after eight seconds. 00:04:34.560 --> 00:04:36.560 I've already lost you in this sermon. 00:04:39.080 --> 00:04:43.900 Supposedly, according to this study, that's a shorter attention span than a goldfish. 00:04:43.899 --> 00:04:49.000 Now, that study didn't really hold up to scientific scrutiny. 00:04:49.439 --> 00:04:52.219 After all, how does one measure the attention span of a goldfish? 00:04:53.299 --> 00:04:56.099 But, you know, even if that particular article was discredited, 00:04:56.519 --> 00:04:58.859 the general observation seems true. 00:05:00.079 --> 00:05:02.359 Paying attention seems harder than ever. 00:05:03.539 --> 00:05:05.539 There's oh so much to distract us, 00:05:05.859 --> 00:05:09.199 and we are oh so used to being entertained. 00:05:09.199 --> 00:05:12.920 Combine those two things together, and sure enough, 00:05:13.279 --> 00:05:15.759 really zeroing in, really paying attention, 00:05:16.300 --> 00:05:17.420 it's hard. 00:05:19.500 --> 00:05:20.740 Unless, of course, 00:05:21.759 --> 00:05:24.300 something seems worth our attention. 00:05:25.740 --> 00:05:29.519 We've been watching a lot of baseball as a family lately, 00:05:30.000 --> 00:05:31.680 and I have to be honest, 00:05:31.819 --> 00:05:34.620 that is not something I ever thought I would say. 00:05:35.519 --> 00:05:35.959 Why? 00:05:35.959 --> 00:05:40.339 Because baseball is so boring. 00:05:42.500 --> 00:05:43.099 Unless, 00:05:43.879 --> 00:05:46.599 unless your team is in the World Series. 00:05:47.339 --> 00:05:48.659 And lo and behold, 00:05:49.180 --> 00:05:51.399 the Phillies made it to the World Series this year. 00:05:52.859 --> 00:05:54.959 They were in the World Series. 00:05:56.439 --> 00:05:58.919 And so, we've been glued to the TV, 00:05:59.120 --> 00:06:02.560 watching pitch after pitch of the world's slowest game. 00:06:03.359 --> 00:06:03.959 Why? 00:06:03.959 --> 00:06:06.659 Because we really wanted them to win. 00:06:08.120 --> 00:06:09.000 So, there we were, 00:06:09.279 --> 00:06:11.379 paying attention to baseball, of all things, 00:06:11.419 --> 00:06:13.879 because we think it's worth our attention. 00:06:16.659 --> 00:06:17.879 In our passage today, 00:06:17.979 --> 00:06:21.299 Jesus tells us a string of parables about hearing. 00:06:21.979 --> 00:06:24.519 Hearing and paying attention. 00:06:25.779 --> 00:06:27.399 Just glance through the passage for yourself. 00:06:27.740 --> 00:06:30.240 How many times do you find the word hear? 00:06:30.240 --> 00:06:33.600 I counted at least ten. 00:06:35.199 --> 00:06:36.480 Jesus says in verse 24, 00:06:36.660 --> 00:06:38.780 pay attention to what you hear. 00:06:39.699 --> 00:06:41.920 That's the big idea of this passage. 00:06:43.420 --> 00:06:46.180 Now, as we look at the context in the beginning of chapter four, 00:06:46.879 --> 00:06:49.460 we see again that great crowds have gathered. 00:06:50.180 --> 00:06:53.240 Many are attracted to Jesus and his ministry. 00:06:53.240 --> 00:06:56.680 And at this point, this has been happening for some time now. 00:06:57.019 --> 00:06:59.220 Many have been gathering, hearing, 00:06:59.600 --> 00:07:03.040 so much so at this point that Jesus has to find a place 00:07:03.040 --> 00:07:06.579 along the shore of Galilee that's a bit like a natural amphitheater, 00:07:06.720 --> 00:07:09.400 where he can sit on a boat on the water, 00:07:09.579 --> 00:07:12.100 and his voice can be carried up across the water, 00:07:12.439 --> 00:07:14.819 up in the surrounding cove into the hillside. 00:07:14.819 --> 00:07:18.480 And what does Jesus do here? 00:07:18.980 --> 00:07:21.279 At this moment, when the crowds are gathering, 00:07:21.639 --> 00:07:23.980 when he's become so much of a draw, 00:07:24.519 --> 00:07:26.680 when he's become so famous or infamous, 00:07:26.779 --> 00:07:27.779 that as we saw last week, 00:07:27.980 --> 00:07:30.339 his family thinks that he's out of his mind, 00:07:30.579 --> 00:07:33.139 and the religious authority are trying to explain it away, 00:07:33.240 --> 00:07:34.259 that he's demon-possessed. 00:07:34.480 --> 00:07:36.399 At this moment, what does Jesus do? 00:07:37.579 --> 00:07:38.879 With this great crowd. 00:07:39.259 --> 00:07:40.899 The crowds upon crowds that gather. 00:07:40.899 --> 00:07:46.699 Well, Jesus doesn't sort of stoke them into a fervor 00:07:46.699 --> 00:07:50.199 or applaud them for their enthusiasm. 00:07:52.500 --> 00:07:55.000 Instead, Jesus tells a parable about hearing, 00:07:56.299 --> 00:07:58.519 about paying attention to what you hear. 00:08:00.199 --> 00:08:01.799 Because, you see, it's not enough 00:08:01.799 --> 00:08:04.099 to just go along with the crowd, 00:08:04.739 --> 00:08:07.319 to be swept up in the enthusiasm. 00:08:08.659 --> 00:08:10.799 It's not enough to just come to church 00:08:10.800 --> 00:08:12.280 and enjoy the singing 00:08:12.280 --> 00:08:14.060 and enjoy the relationships. 00:08:15.420 --> 00:08:16.900 Jesus looks at us and he says, 00:08:17.500 --> 00:08:18.939 pay attention to what you hear. 00:08:21.620 --> 00:08:22.920 Now, let's look at why. 00:08:23.720 --> 00:08:26.840 Why does Jesus want to make this point? 00:08:28.160 --> 00:08:30.100 Well, first, what we see in our text 00:08:30.100 --> 00:08:31.860 is that Jesus says, 00:08:32.159 --> 00:08:33.960 pay attention to what you hear 00:08:33.960 --> 00:08:37.120 because it's the word that's being sown. 00:08:37.440 --> 00:08:38.879 Pay attention to what you hear 00:08:38.879 --> 00:08:41.879 because what's being sown is the word. 00:08:43.019 --> 00:08:44.400 Now, the first parable in our passage 00:08:44.400 --> 00:08:46.900 is what we often call the parable of the sower. 00:08:47.700 --> 00:08:51.940 Now, sowing here is not a needle-pulling thread, right? 00:08:51.980 --> 00:08:52.940 That's S-E-W. 00:08:53.360 --> 00:08:54.540 This is S-O-W. 00:08:54.660 --> 00:08:56.040 It's planting seed. 00:08:56.519 --> 00:08:58.700 The parable of the planter, of the sower. 00:08:58.700 --> 00:09:00.520 And in first century Palestine, 00:09:00.780 --> 00:09:03.440 this was done by literally taking handfuls of seed 00:09:03.440 --> 00:09:06.580 and just scattering it quite liberally across the field. 00:09:07.020 --> 00:09:09.340 Now, that practice might seem a little strange to us today, 00:09:09.360 --> 00:09:11.500 but that was normal in the first century. 00:09:12.300 --> 00:09:14.440 And as Jesus explains in verse 14, 00:09:14.780 --> 00:09:17.960 this is all a metaphor for the ministry of the word. 00:09:18.860 --> 00:09:21.379 In particular, Jesus' own ministry. 00:09:22.160 --> 00:09:25.240 He has come declaring the good news, 00:09:25.240 --> 00:09:29.279 the message, the word about the arrival of God's kingdom, 00:09:30.100 --> 00:09:32.340 ultimately in and through his own person and work. 00:09:34.320 --> 00:09:37.279 So you see, Jesus didn't come to give people 00:09:37.279 --> 00:09:39.539 seven steps for successful living 00:09:39.539 --> 00:09:43.159 or eight ways to conquer your biggest fears 00:09:43.159 --> 00:09:44.899 and achieve your wildest dreams, right? 00:09:45.820 --> 00:09:48.220 You probably wouldn't have found Jesus' teaching 00:09:48.220 --> 00:09:50.080 in the self-help section of the bookstore. 00:09:50.080 --> 00:09:54.660 The sower isn't sowing a bunch of good advice 00:09:54.660 --> 00:09:56.660 that you can try out and modify 00:09:56.660 --> 00:09:58.480 and paste onto your own life agenda. 00:09:58.759 --> 00:10:01.420 He's sowing the word, the news, 00:10:01.560 --> 00:10:03.920 the agenda-shattering message 00:10:03.920 --> 00:10:05.740 that God's kingdom is at hand, 00:10:06.259 --> 00:10:10.020 that God is breaking into enemy territory 00:10:10.020 --> 00:10:12.240 to reclaim what was lost 00:10:12.240 --> 00:10:15.440 and to set up his reign of freedom and joy 00:10:15.440 --> 00:10:17.300 in the place of sadness and death. 00:10:17.299 --> 00:10:23.079 And this news was just too important 00:10:23.079 --> 00:10:28.319 to gloss over or ignore or hold at arm's length 00:10:28.319 --> 00:10:31.099 or just be enthusiastic about, 00:10:31.199 --> 00:10:32.839 but not really hear. 00:10:35.719 --> 00:10:38.039 I think most people don't really give much attention 00:10:38.039 --> 00:10:38.740 to Christianity 00:10:38.740 --> 00:10:41.919 because they don't really think 00:10:41.919 --> 00:10:44.259 it's all that worth paying attention to. 00:10:44.259 --> 00:10:48.259 Often we misunderstand it 00:10:48.259 --> 00:10:51.159 as just another way of telling people 00:10:51.159 --> 00:10:52.379 to be moral. 00:10:53.319 --> 00:10:55.080 As if Christianity is just 00:10:55.080 --> 00:10:56.179 love your neighbor 00:10:56.179 --> 00:10:58.519 wrapped up in a bunch of religious beliefs 00:10:58.519 --> 00:11:00.100 that don't make much sense anymore. 00:11:01.840 --> 00:11:03.740 And if that's all that Christianity is, 00:11:03.879 --> 00:11:05.399 why pay attention to that? 00:11:06.259 --> 00:11:08.559 Do we really need all these religious beliefs 00:11:08.559 --> 00:11:10.419 to convince us to love our neighbors? 00:11:10.419 --> 00:11:16.659 But friends, Christianity is so much more than that. 00:11:19.719 --> 00:11:21.559 But aren't we guilty of this too 00:11:21.559 --> 00:11:22.899 inside the church? 00:11:24.179 --> 00:11:27.799 Do we really think it's worth our attention, 00:11:28.199 --> 00:11:29.860 this word, this news? 00:11:29.860 --> 00:11:34.080 Is it worth turning off the countless distractions 00:11:34.080 --> 00:11:35.980 and really hearing it? 00:11:36.659 --> 00:11:38.419 Really giving it our full attention 00:11:38.419 --> 00:11:41.220 as if life and death really depended on it? 00:11:42.180 --> 00:11:44.240 As if the message was not just 00:11:44.240 --> 00:11:45.840 one more moral exhortation 00:11:45.840 --> 00:11:47.200 to do better or to try harder, 00:11:47.379 --> 00:11:49.100 but a life-giving word 00:11:49.100 --> 00:11:51.320 like seed in the soil 00:11:51.320 --> 00:11:54.080 that creates new life from the inside out. 00:11:54.080 --> 00:12:00.780 Do we really know this message 00:12:00.780 --> 00:12:04.740 that's about a God so holy 00:12:04.740 --> 00:12:06.420 and beautiful 00:12:06.420 --> 00:12:09.900 that just to gaze upon Him 00:12:09.900 --> 00:12:12.680 would be either utter rapture 00:12:12.680 --> 00:12:14.139 or utter ruin? 00:12:15.200 --> 00:12:17.580 Rapture because of His inexpressible beauty, 00:12:18.200 --> 00:12:20.440 but ruin because we've offended Him 00:12:20.440 --> 00:12:22.480 and stand under God's perfect justice. 00:12:22.480 --> 00:12:26.080 What a predicament we're in as human beings. 00:12:26.860 --> 00:12:28.159 We long for the infinite, 00:12:28.519 --> 00:12:29.120 for beauty, 00:12:29.500 --> 00:12:31.080 for something that would ravish our souls, 00:12:31.139 --> 00:12:32.300 but that very thing 00:12:32.300 --> 00:12:35.300 we've offended and we stand over against 00:12:35.300 --> 00:12:37.899 so that to see God would destroy us. 00:12:40.480 --> 00:12:42.000 And yet this God 00:12:42.000 --> 00:12:45.039 beheld our miserable state 00:12:45.039 --> 00:12:48.460 and in love took our human nature. 00:12:49.560 --> 00:12:50.740 The righteous King 00:12:50.740 --> 00:12:53.039 took the rebel's place 00:12:53.039 --> 00:12:55.419 and Jesus Christ 00:12:55.419 --> 00:12:56.200 lived the life 00:12:56.200 --> 00:12:57.139 that we should have lived 00:12:57.139 --> 00:12:58.039 and died the death 00:12:58.039 --> 00:12:59.259 that we deserve to die 00:12:59.259 --> 00:13:00.919 so that all of our sins 00:13:00.919 --> 00:13:01.620 could be forgiven 00:13:01.620 --> 00:13:03.320 and we could be granted 00:13:03.320 --> 00:13:04.200 eternal life 00:13:04.200 --> 00:13:06.600 and be reborn by His Spirit 00:13:06.600 --> 00:13:08.700 and live a whole new life 00:13:08.700 --> 00:13:09.879 in the midst of this life 00:13:09.879 --> 00:13:10.560 for His kingdom 00:13:10.560 --> 00:13:11.379 and His praise, 00:13:11.519 --> 00:13:12.759 no longer standing 00:13:12.759 --> 00:13:13.840 under God's wrath, 00:13:14.180 --> 00:13:15.940 but in the freedom 00:13:15.940 --> 00:13:17.480 of God's favor and acceptance. 00:13:17.480 --> 00:13:17.659 repentance. 00:13:19.820 --> 00:13:21.740 Pay attention to what you hear, 00:13:21.860 --> 00:13:22.580 Jesus says, 00:13:22.860 --> 00:13:24.800 because it's the word 00:13:24.800 --> 00:13:25.639 that's being sown. 00:13:28.100 --> 00:13:29.180 But this leads us 00:13:29.180 --> 00:13:30.039 to our second point. 00:13:31.399 --> 00:13:31.820 Jesus says, 00:13:32.000 --> 00:13:33.300 pay attention to what you hear 00:13:33.300 --> 00:13:35.379 because there are many 00:13:35.379 --> 00:13:37.340 who fail to do so. 00:13:38.120 --> 00:13:39.980 Pay attention to what you hear 00:13:39.980 --> 00:13:41.680 because there are many 00:13:41.680 --> 00:13:43.519 who fail to do so. 00:13:43.519 --> 00:13:46.579 In verse 10 of our passage, 00:13:46.720 --> 00:13:48.000 the scene sort of cuts 00:13:48.000 --> 00:13:49.120 from the crowds 00:13:49.120 --> 00:13:50.319 by the lake 00:13:50.319 --> 00:13:51.120 to a scene 00:13:51.120 --> 00:13:52.000 to a later scene 00:13:52.000 --> 00:13:52.919 when it's just Jesus 00:13:52.919 --> 00:13:53.980 with the 12 apostles 00:13:53.980 --> 00:13:55.620 along with the other disciples 00:13:55.620 --> 00:13:56.699 and they ask Jesus, 00:13:57.019 --> 00:13:57.620 they ask Him, 00:13:57.960 --> 00:13:58.120 Jesus, 00:13:58.240 --> 00:13:58.960 why are you speaking 00:13:58.960 --> 00:14:00.000 in all of these parables? 00:14:01.199 --> 00:14:01.919 And Jesus gives 00:14:01.919 --> 00:14:03.139 a very surprising answer 00:14:03.139 --> 00:14:04.720 because up to this point 00:14:04.720 --> 00:14:05.519 in Mark's gospel, 00:14:05.699 --> 00:14:06.639 Jesus' illustrations 00:14:06.639 --> 00:14:07.559 and His parables 00:14:07.559 --> 00:14:08.539 have been used 00:14:08.539 --> 00:14:09.699 to try to help people 00:14:09.699 --> 00:14:10.439 get the point. 00:14:11.779 --> 00:14:12.919 Remember Jesus talking 00:14:12.919 --> 00:14:13.860 about the physician 00:14:13.860 --> 00:14:15.120 who doesn't come 00:14:15.120 --> 00:14:15.740 for the healthy 00:14:15.740 --> 00:14:16.759 but for the sick. 00:14:17.659 --> 00:14:18.860 Or remember Jesus talking 00:14:18.860 --> 00:14:19.899 about the wedding guests 00:14:19.899 --> 00:14:21.339 who aren't going to fast 00:14:21.339 --> 00:14:22.319 as long as the bridegroom 00:14:22.319 --> 00:14:22.899 is with them. 00:14:23.479 --> 00:14:24.639 Or the new cloth 00:14:24.639 --> 00:14:25.599 that shouldn't be sewed 00:14:25.599 --> 00:14:26.339 onto an old shirt. 00:14:26.479 --> 00:14:27.259 Or the new wine 00:14:27.259 --> 00:14:27.939 that shouldn't be put 00:14:27.939 --> 00:14:28.759 into old wineskins. 00:14:29.139 --> 00:14:30.379 Jesus used all of these 00:14:30.379 --> 00:14:32.179 quick parabolic sayings 00:14:32.179 --> 00:14:33.079 to help people 00:14:33.079 --> 00:14:33.799 get the point. 00:14:34.360 --> 00:14:35.579 To sort of rattle them 00:14:35.579 --> 00:14:36.519 out of their complacency 00:14:36.519 --> 00:14:37.439 and to help them see. 00:14:39.519 --> 00:14:40.339 But the parable 00:14:40.339 --> 00:14:41.039 of the sower 00:14:41.039 --> 00:14:43.539 isn't exactly like that. 00:14:44.699 --> 00:14:46.139 The parable of the sower 00:14:46.139 --> 00:14:49.159 is a solemn warning. 00:14:51.919 --> 00:14:53.299 Consider again this moment 00:14:53.299 --> 00:14:54.519 in Jesus' ministry. 00:14:55.399 --> 00:14:56.079 There were crowds 00:14:56.079 --> 00:14:56.980 upon crowds 00:14:56.980 --> 00:14:58.319 who were content 00:14:58.319 --> 00:15:00.319 to just listen to Jesus 00:15:00.319 --> 00:15:01.259 on the hillside 00:15:01.259 --> 00:15:03.319 and maybe see a few miracles 00:15:03.319 --> 00:15:04.699 and get caught up 00:15:04.699 --> 00:15:05.860 maybe in the enthusiasm 00:15:05.860 --> 00:15:08.399 but who refused 00:15:08.399 --> 00:15:10.120 to really come to him. 00:15:12.120 --> 00:15:13.759 They had been listening 00:15:13.759 --> 00:15:15.879 but not really hearing. 00:15:17.080 --> 00:15:18.800 Not really heeding 00:15:18.800 --> 00:15:19.840 what they heard. 00:15:21.680 --> 00:15:22.759 And that's why Jesus 00:15:22.759 --> 00:15:23.720 makes the distinction 00:15:23.720 --> 00:15:25.100 he makes in verse 11. 00:15:25.519 --> 00:15:27.060 He says to his disciples, 00:15:27.240 --> 00:15:27.539 he says, 00:15:27.899 --> 00:15:28.399 to you, 00:15:28.639 --> 00:15:29.340 that is to you 00:15:29.340 --> 00:15:30.519 who've come to me, 00:15:30.899 --> 00:15:32.159 to you has been given 00:15:32.159 --> 00:15:32.700 the secret 00:15:32.700 --> 00:15:33.680 of the kingdom of God. 00:15:33.679 --> 00:15:35.019 Now secret here 00:15:35.019 --> 00:15:36.359 is a bit of a technical word 00:15:36.359 --> 00:15:37.379 in the New Testament 00:15:37.379 --> 00:15:39.359 that means revealed truth. 00:15:39.519 --> 00:15:39.819 That is, 00:15:40.079 --> 00:15:40.620 it's something 00:15:40.620 --> 00:15:41.899 that you can't figure out 00:15:41.899 --> 00:15:42.759 on your own 00:15:42.759 --> 00:15:44.599 but God has to make it known. 00:15:44.739 --> 00:15:46.379 God has to reveal it to us. 00:15:46.939 --> 00:15:47.479 And for those 00:15:47.479 --> 00:15:47.979 who have entered 00:15:47.979 --> 00:15:49.120 into a relationship 00:15:49.120 --> 00:15:50.019 with Jesus, 00:15:50.279 --> 00:15:51.000 who have moved 00:15:51.000 --> 00:15:52.500 from being a casual observer 00:15:52.500 --> 00:15:53.239 in the crowd 00:15:53.239 --> 00:15:54.459 to really hearing 00:15:54.459 --> 00:15:55.359 and following him, 00:15:55.620 --> 00:15:56.000 Jesus says, 00:15:56.079 --> 00:15:57.179 God has revealed to you 00:15:57.179 --> 00:15:58.359 the truth about the kingdom. 00:15:58.779 --> 00:15:59.699 And what is it? 00:16:01.139 --> 00:16:01.699 Well ultimately, 00:16:01.859 --> 00:16:02.639 as Mark is unfolding 00:16:02.639 --> 00:16:03.240 before us 00:16:03.240 --> 00:16:03.919 that the kingdom, 00:16:04.240 --> 00:16:05.460 the secret of the kingdom, 00:16:05.580 --> 00:16:06.340 the revealed truth 00:16:06.340 --> 00:16:06.919 of the kingdom 00:16:06.919 --> 00:16:09.000 is that the kingdom 00:16:09.000 --> 00:16:09.980 is ultimately found 00:16:09.980 --> 00:16:10.480 in Jesus, 00:16:10.659 --> 00:16:11.100 the king. 00:16:13.379 --> 00:16:14.659 But notice the distinction 00:16:14.659 --> 00:16:15.620 Jesus then makes. 00:16:15.720 --> 00:16:15.939 He says, 00:16:16.019 --> 00:16:16.620 but for those 00:16:16.620 --> 00:16:17.679 on the outside, 00:16:18.019 --> 00:16:18.559 that is those 00:16:18.559 --> 00:16:19.319 who refuse 00:16:19.319 --> 00:16:20.360 to come to him, 00:16:21.179 --> 00:16:22.580 everything is in parables. 00:16:23.939 --> 00:16:25.000 It all remains 00:16:25.000 --> 00:16:25.779 hidden to them. 00:16:27.939 --> 00:16:28.659 And in fact, 00:16:28.740 --> 00:16:29.460 Jesus even seems 00:16:29.460 --> 00:16:29.919 to be saying 00:16:29.919 --> 00:16:30.679 in verse 12 00:16:30.679 --> 00:16:31.699 that the parable 00:16:31.699 --> 00:16:32.500 of the sower 00:16:32.500 --> 00:16:33.819 functions like 00:16:33.819 --> 00:16:34.679 a judgment 00:16:34.679 --> 00:16:36.159 on their hard hearts. 00:16:37.519 --> 00:16:38.559 Because they have 00:16:38.559 --> 00:16:39.279 refused to come 00:16:39.279 --> 00:16:39.699 to Jesus 00:16:39.699 --> 00:16:41.179 after all this time, 00:16:41.539 --> 00:16:42.239 Jesus tells them 00:16:42.239 --> 00:16:42.719 a parable 00:16:42.719 --> 00:16:43.899 about their own 00:16:43.899 --> 00:16:44.399 refusal 00:16:44.399 --> 00:16:45.079 to really, 00:16:45.279 --> 00:16:45.919 truly hear. 00:16:48.799 --> 00:16:50.199 He confronts them 00:16:50.199 --> 00:16:51.359 in cryptic 00:16:51.359 --> 00:16:52.559 picture form 00:16:52.559 --> 00:16:53.659 with their own 00:16:53.659 --> 00:16:55.000 spiritual state. 00:16:55.000 --> 00:16:59.200 How about you, 00:16:59.320 --> 00:16:59.500 friend? 00:17:01.820 --> 00:17:02.539 Are you like 00:17:02.539 --> 00:17:03.100 the seed 00:17:03.100 --> 00:17:04.039 on the path? 00:17:05.200 --> 00:17:05.779 You hear it 00:17:05.779 --> 00:17:07.319 and it just 00:17:07.319 --> 00:17:07.740 doesn't make 00:17:07.740 --> 00:17:08.380 any impact. 00:17:08.900 --> 00:17:09.440 It just 00:17:09.440 --> 00:17:09.900 immediately 00:17:09.900 --> 00:17:10.900 snatched away. 00:17:12.940 --> 00:17:13.720 Don't you see 00:17:13.720 --> 00:17:14.759 the spiritual danger 00:17:14.759 --> 00:17:15.380 that you're in? 00:17:17.599 --> 00:17:18.339 Or are you like 00:17:18.339 --> 00:17:18.740 the seed 00:17:18.740 --> 00:17:19.839 sown on rocky ground? 00:17:19.960 --> 00:17:20.480 Maybe you like 00:17:20.480 --> 00:17:21.019 what you hear, 00:17:21.380 --> 00:17:22.420 but there's no depth. 00:17:22.619 --> 00:17:23.079 There's no real 00:17:23.079 --> 00:17:23.579 engagement. 00:17:23.740 --> 00:17:24.539 At the first sign 00:17:24.539 --> 00:17:25.059 of hardship, 00:17:25.179 --> 00:17:25.980 you'll fall away. 00:17:28.099 --> 00:17:28.879 Or are you like 00:17:28.879 --> 00:17:29.279 the seed 00:17:29.279 --> 00:17:30.099 among the thorns? 00:17:30.439 --> 00:17:31.079 You've listened 00:17:31.079 --> 00:17:31.799 for a while. 00:17:32.279 --> 00:17:32.939 You go through 00:17:32.939 --> 00:17:33.500 the motions. 00:17:33.699 --> 00:17:34.240 Some might even 00:17:34.240 --> 00:17:34.899 look at you and say, 00:17:35.019 --> 00:17:35.619 wow, you're really 00:17:35.619 --> 00:17:36.019 growing. 00:17:36.480 --> 00:17:39.000 But the real love 00:17:39.000 --> 00:17:39.659 of your life 00:17:39.659 --> 00:17:40.500 isn't the Lord. 00:17:41.220 --> 00:17:42.019 It's the world. 00:17:43.659 --> 00:17:44.500 It's career. 00:17:44.759 --> 00:17:45.259 It's wealth. 00:17:45.480 --> 00:17:46.000 It's friendships. 00:17:47.339 --> 00:17:48.119 And there's really 00:17:48.119 --> 00:17:49.019 no lasting fruit 00:17:49.019 --> 00:17:49.679 in your life. 00:17:49.680 --> 00:17:52.700 is Jesus 00:17:52.700 --> 00:17:53.620 telling this parable 00:17:53.620 --> 00:17:54.140 to you 00:17:54.140 --> 00:17:56.539 to warn you, 00:17:56.960 --> 00:17:58.320 to wake you up 00:17:58.320 --> 00:18:00.259 before it's too late. 00:18:02.560 --> 00:18:03.539 We don't have 00:18:03.539 --> 00:18:04.039 all the time 00:18:04.039 --> 00:18:04.480 in the world 00:18:04.480 --> 00:18:05.420 to make up our minds 00:18:05.420 --> 00:18:06.000 where we stand 00:18:06.000 --> 00:18:06.539 with Christ. 00:18:07.140 --> 00:18:08.380 We can't continue 00:18:08.380 --> 00:18:08.920 to hold him 00:18:08.920 --> 00:18:09.580 at arm's length 00:18:09.580 --> 00:18:10.580 forever and ever. 00:18:11.120 --> 00:18:13.060 We must decide. 00:18:13.980 --> 00:18:14.920 Will we stay 00:18:14.920 --> 00:18:16.320 outside in the crowd 00:18:16.319 --> 00:18:18.519 or will we come in? 00:18:19.559 --> 00:18:20.500 Will we surrender 00:18:20.500 --> 00:18:21.759 our lives to him 00:18:21.759 --> 00:18:23.019 as our king, 00:18:23.480 --> 00:18:24.720 as our loving Lord? 00:18:27.000 --> 00:18:28.099 In verse 21, 00:18:28.259 --> 00:18:28.879 Jesus changes 00:18:28.879 --> 00:18:29.359 the metaphor 00:18:29.359 --> 00:18:30.500 as he kind of 00:18:30.500 --> 00:18:31.419 presses the parable 00:18:31.419 --> 00:18:32.240 of the sower home. 00:18:32.579 --> 00:18:33.220 In verse 21, 00:18:33.299 --> 00:18:34.179 he changes the metaphor 00:18:34.179 --> 00:18:34.740 and he speaks 00:18:34.740 --> 00:18:35.379 of a lamp. 00:18:36.000 --> 00:18:36.419 And literally, 00:18:36.599 --> 00:18:37.240 that verse reads, 00:18:37.799 --> 00:18:38.700 does the lamp 00:18:38.700 --> 00:18:39.599 come in 00:18:39.599 --> 00:18:40.299 to be put 00:18:40.299 --> 00:18:41.099 under a basket? 00:18:42.299 --> 00:18:43.759 Does the lamp 00:18:43.759 --> 00:18:44.379 come in 00:18:44.379 --> 00:18:45.319 to be put 00:18:45.319 --> 00:18:45.960 under a basket? 00:18:45.960 --> 00:18:46.480 And again, 00:18:46.819 --> 00:18:47.539 Jesus is speaking 00:18:47.539 --> 00:18:48.360 here of himself. 00:18:49.120 --> 00:18:49.920 He is the light. 00:18:50.019 --> 00:18:50.819 He is the lamp 00:18:50.819 --> 00:18:51.819 entering the world. 00:18:52.500 --> 00:18:53.519 And though he may 00:18:53.519 --> 00:18:54.740 be hidden now, 00:18:54.799 --> 00:18:55.980 as verse 22 says, 00:18:56.460 --> 00:18:57.380 that's not how 00:18:57.380 --> 00:18:58.360 it will be forever. 00:18:59.440 --> 00:19:00.240 The lamp 00:19:00.240 --> 00:19:01.279 doesn't go in 00:19:01.279 --> 00:19:03.120 to stay under the bed, 00:19:03.380 --> 00:19:04.140 but to light up 00:19:04.140 --> 00:19:04.920 the whole house. 00:19:06.240 --> 00:19:07.420 Christ might seem 00:19:07.420 --> 00:19:08.779 veiled now, 00:19:09.180 --> 00:19:10.140 but it won't be 00:19:10.140 --> 00:19:10.840 so forever. 00:19:12.680 --> 00:19:13.319 One day, 00:19:13.380 --> 00:19:14.100 the glory of Christ 00:19:14.100 --> 00:19:14.640 will be clear 00:19:14.640 --> 00:19:15.779 for everyone to see. 00:19:16.779 --> 00:19:17.840 When he returns 00:19:17.840 --> 00:19:18.519 in splendor, 00:19:18.579 --> 00:19:19.620 what seems so hidden 00:19:19.620 --> 00:19:21.299 now will be uncovered. 00:19:22.160 --> 00:19:23.700 The king in all his glory 00:19:23.700 --> 00:19:25.140 will be unmistakable. 00:19:27.279 --> 00:19:28.279 And where will you 00:19:28.279 --> 00:19:28.920 find yourself 00:19:28.920 --> 00:19:29.579 on that day? 00:19:30.960 --> 00:19:31.799 When the God 00:19:31.799 --> 00:19:32.799 of glory comes 00:19:32.799 --> 00:19:33.819 to finally 00:19:33.819 --> 00:19:34.360 and fully 00:19:34.360 --> 00:19:35.740 reclaim his creation. 00:19:38.220 --> 00:19:39.160 And his glory 00:19:39.160 --> 00:19:39.900 covers the earth 00:19:39.900 --> 00:19:40.539 like the waters 00:19:40.539 --> 00:19:41.259 cover the sea. 00:19:41.259 --> 00:19:41.980 that glory 00:19:41.980 --> 00:19:43.599 that is rapture 00:19:43.599 --> 00:19:44.119 or ruin. 00:19:46.079 --> 00:19:46.839 Where will you 00:19:46.839 --> 00:19:47.460 find yourself 00:19:47.460 --> 00:19:48.059 on that day? 00:19:49.379 --> 00:19:50.420 Still in the crowds? 00:19:51.519 --> 00:19:52.819 Still on the hillside? 00:19:54.099 --> 00:19:55.879 Still among the shallow rocks? 00:19:56.140 --> 00:19:57.379 Still chasing the world 00:19:57.379 --> 00:19:58.599 and its passing pleasures? 00:20:00.599 --> 00:20:01.059 Friend, 00:20:01.119 --> 00:20:01.799 if that is you, 00:20:02.539 --> 00:20:04.240 don't let another hour 00:20:04.240 --> 00:20:05.079 go by 00:20:05.079 --> 00:20:07.119 in such a dangerous 00:20:07.119 --> 00:20:08.739 spiritual state. 00:20:09.739 --> 00:20:10.919 Take Christ 00:20:10.919 --> 00:20:12.079 as your king, 00:20:12.239 --> 00:20:13.239 as your light, 00:20:13.419 --> 00:20:14.399 as your all. 00:20:15.379 --> 00:20:16.559 Believe that he is 00:20:16.559 --> 00:20:18.000 God in the flesh, 00:20:18.139 --> 00:20:19.699 crucified for your sins, 00:20:20.059 --> 00:20:21.319 risen for your life, 00:20:21.779 --> 00:20:22.539 seated and reigning 00:20:22.539 --> 00:20:23.500 at the Father's right hand, 00:20:23.639 --> 00:20:24.419 ready to receive 00:20:24.419 --> 00:20:24.859 in mercy 00:20:24.859 --> 00:20:26.019 all who come to him. 00:20:27.500 --> 00:20:28.239 Pay attention 00:20:28.239 --> 00:20:29.239 to what you hear 00:20:29.240 --> 00:20:32.559 because there are many 00:20:32.559 --> 00:20:33.859 who fail to do so. 00:20:34.980 --> 00:20:36.460 Let that not be you today. 00:20:39.140 --> 00:20:40.380 But there's one last point 00:20:40.380 --> 00:20:41.140 Jesus makes here 00:20:41.140 --> 00:20:41.759 in our passage. 00:20:43.460 --> 00:20:43.940 Pay attention 00:20:43.940 --> 00:20:44.640 to what you hear, 00:20:44.740 --> 00:20:45.380 Jesus says, 00:20:46.339 --> 00:20:47.440 because those who do 00:20:47.440 --> 00:20:49.120 will flourish 00:20:49.120 --> 00:20:50.059 beyond measure. 00:20:50.819 --> 00:20:51.500 Pay attention 00:20:51.500 --> 00:20:52.660 to what you hear 00:20:52.660 --> 00:20:54.120 because those who do 00:20:54.120 --> 00:20:54.980 will flourish 00:20:54.980 --> 00:20:56.559 beyond measure. 00:20:56.680 --> 00:20:56.859 You see, 00:20:56.940 --> 00:20:57.740 the parable of the sower 00:20:57.740 --> 00:20:58.779 isn't just a warning. 00:20:59.240 --> 00:21:00.720 It's also a promise. 00:21:01.720 --> 00:21:02.900 It's not just a parable 00:21:02.900 --> 00:21:03.920 about the many 00:21:03.920 --> 00:21:04.859 who fail to hear 00:21:04.859 --> 00:21:05.680 and receive this word. 00:21:05.720 --> 00:21:06.640 It's also a parable 00:21:06.640 --> 00:21:07.759 about the power 00:21:07.759 --> 00:21:08.480 of this word 00:21:08.480 --> 00:21:09.500 that despite 00:21:09.500 --> 00:21:10.859 all the obstacles 00:21:10.859 --> 00:21:11.720 it faces, 00:21:12.579 --> 00:21:13.859 despite all the obstacles 00:21:13.859 --> 00:21:14.740 the word faces 00:21:14.740 --> 00:21:15.559 from the world 00:21:15.559 --> 00:21:16.660 and our own flesh 00:21:16.660 --> 00:21:17.759 and the evil one, 00:21:18.500 --> 00:21:19.519 that still the word 00:21:19.519 --> 00:21:20.339 will achieve 00:21:20.339 --> 00:21:21.460 its saving purpose 00:21:21.460 --> 00:21:22.339 in those who hear. 00:21:24.500 --> 00:21:25.599 What an encouragement 00:21:25.599 --> 00:21:26.259 this parable 00:21:26.259 --> 00:21:27.039 must have been 00:21:27.039 --> 00:21:28.460 to the early church 00:21:28.460 --> 00:21:30.000 as they brought 00:21:30.000 --> 00:21:30.519 the gospel 00:21:30.519 --> 00:21:31.319 to a new city, 00:21:31.400 --> 00:21:32.180 to a new place 00:21:32.180 --> 00:21:34.140 and as they sadly 00:21:34.140 --> 00:21:34.860 saw some 00:21:34.860 --> 00:21:35.620 simply ignore it 00:21:35.620 --> 00:21:36.079 altogether, 00:21:36.079 --> 00:21:37.640 as they saw some 00:21:37.640 --> 00:21:38.600 quickly fall away, 00:21:38.680 --> 00:21:39.460 as they saw some 00:21:39.460 --> 00:21:40.380 profess belief 00:21:40.380 --> 00:21:41.019 but then chase 00:21:41.019 --> 00:21:41.579 after the world 00:21:41.579 --> 00:21:42.120 as if nothing 00:21:42.120 --> 00:21:42.680 had changed. 00:21:42.940 --> 00:21:43.539 What an encouragement 00:21:43.539 --> 00:21:44.360 this parable 00:21:44.360 --> 00:21:45.079 must have been. 00:21:45.519 --> 00:21:46.279 An assurance 00:21:46.279 --> 00:21:47.299 from Jesus himself 00:21:47.299 --> 00:21:48.100 that the word 00:21:48.100 --> 00:21:50.000 will find good soil 00:21:50.000 --> 00:21:51.819 and it will produce 00:21:51.819 --> 00:21:52.279 a harvest 00:21:52.279 --> 00:21:53.380 and it will create 00:21:53.380 --> 00:21:54.360 new life 00:21:54.359 --> 00:21:55.459 and it will flourish 00:21:55.459 --> 00:21:56.459 beyond measure 00:21:56.459 --> 00:21:58.279 thirtyfold, 00:21:58.579 --> 00:21:59.319 sixtyfold, 00:21:59.779 --> 00:22:00.539 a hundredfold. 00:22:02.219 --> 00:22:03.240 And this parable 00:22:03.240 --> 00:22:04.039 should still 00:22:04.039 --> 00:22:05.119 encourage us today. 00:22:06.519 --> 00:22:07.019 The gospel 00:22:07.019 --> 00:22:08.179 is the power 00:22:08.179 --> 00:22:08.659 of God 00:22:08.659 --> 00:22:09.399 for salvation 00:22:09.399 --> 00:22:10.479 to those who believe 00:22:10.479 --> 00:22:12.059 and we know 00:22:12.059 --> 00:22:12.859 that our great God 00:22:12.859 --> 00:22:14.479 has set his saving love 00:22:14.479 --> 00:22:15.759 on a countless 00:22:15.759 --> 00:22:16.439 multitude 00:22:16.439 --> 00:22:17.419 from every tribe 00:22:17.419 --> 00:22:17.879 and tongue 00:22:17.879 --> 00:22:18.399 and nation 00:22:18.399 --> 00:22:18.839 and city 00:22:18.839 --> 00:22:20.299 who will hear the word, 00:22:20.740 --> 00:22:21.359 accept it, 00:22:21.479 --> 00:22:22.419 and bear fruit. 00:22:22.420 --> 00:22:24.860 So don't lose heart, 00:22:24.980 --> 00:22:25.740 brothers and sisters. 00:22:28.160 --> 00:22:29.039 But this parable 00:22:29.039 --> 00:22:29.480 is not just 00:22:29.480 --> 00:22:30.180 an encouragement 00:22:30.180 --> 00:22:31.100 for our witness. 00:22:31.740 --> 00:22:32.560 It's an encouragement 00:22:32.560 --> 00:22:34.240 to keep on hearing. 00:22:35.600 --> 00:22:37.000 In verses 24 and 25, 00:22:37.100 --> 00:22:38.200 Jesus again supplements 00:22:38.200 --> 00:22:39.340 the parable of the sower 00:22:39.340 --> 00:22:40.420 with what we might call 00:22:40.420 --> 00:22:41.759 the parable of the measure. 00:22:42.200 --> 00:22:42.500 He says, 00:22:42.720 --> 00:22:43.180 pay attention 00:22:43.180 --> 00:22:44.080 to what you hear. 00:22:44.640 --> 00:22:45.980 With the measure you use, 00:22:46.019 --> 00:22:47.300 it will be measured to you 00:22:47.300 --> 00:22:48.380 and still more 00:22:48.380 --> 00:22:49.360 will be added to you. 00:22:50.640 --> 00:22:51.580 The degree 00:22:51.579 --> 00:22:53.179 to which you give yourself 00:22:53.179 --> 00:22:54.059 to engaging 00:22:54.059 --> 00:22:55.099 with this word 00:22:55.099 --> 00:22:56.699 is the degree 00:22:56.699 --> 00:22:58.039 to which you will grow in it. 00:22:59.399 --> 00:23:00.179 To be clear, 00:23:00.279 --> 00:23:01.299 Jesus is not teaching 00:23:01.299 --> 00:23:02.720 works righteousness here. 00:23:03.339 --> 00:23:04.819 We are saved by grace 00:23:04.819 --> 00:23:06.119 from first to last. 00:23:06.439 --> 00:23:06.619 Rather, 00:23:06.720 --> 00:23:07.699 Jesus is teaching us 00:23:07.699 --> 00:23:08.279 a principle 00:23:08.279 --> 00:23:09.379 of the spiritual life. 00:23:11.059 --> 00:23:12.199 And even this principle 00:23:12.199 --> 00:23:12.980 of the spiritual life 00:23:12.980 --> 00:23:13.659 is overflowing 00:23:13.659 --> 00:23:14.559 with God's grace. 00:23:15.159 --> 00:23:15.379 Notice, 00:23:15.500 --> 00:23:15.939 Jesus says, 00:23:16.079 --> 00:23:16.859 with the measure you use, 00:23:16.899 --> 00:23:17.899 it will be measured to you 00:23:17.899 --> 00:23:19.399 and still more 00:23:19.399 --> 00:23:20.339 will be added to you. 00:23:20.339 --> 00:23:22.459 For the Christian, 00:23:22.619 --> 00:23:24.259 growth in Christ-likeness 00:23:24.259 --> 00:23:25.419 is more than just 00:23:25.419 --> 00:23:26.359 proportionate 00:23:26.359 --> 00:23:27.099 with our engagement 00:23:27.099 --> 00:23:28.139 with Christ and his word. 00:23:28.339 --> 00:23:29.459 It's super abundant. 00:23:31.859 --> 00:23:32.379 So, 00:23:32.459 --> 00:23:33.159 brothers and sisters, 00:23:33.879 --> 00:23:36.459 do we hear it 00:23:36.459 --> 00:23:37.899 when it is preached? 00:23:39.480 --> 00:23:41.740 And do we meditate upon it 00:23:41.740 --> 00:23:43.179 when it is read? 00:23:44.379 --> 00:23:46.019 And do we apply it 00:23:46.019 --> 00:23:47.459 when it is understood? 00:23:47.460 --> 00:23:51.220 If we pay attention 00:23:51.220 --> 00:23:52.160 to what we hear, 00:23:52.259 --> 00:23:53.160 Jesus promises, 00:23:54.059 --> 00:23:55.480 the growth will be abundant. 00:23:58.779 --> 00:23:59.340 Brothers, 00:23:59.480 --> 00:23:59.720 sisters, 00:23:59.799 --> 00:24:01.160 are you longing for peace? 00:24:02.640 --> 00:24:04.340 Jesus has revealed himself 00:24:04.340 --> 00:24:06.160 as the prince of peace. 00:24:06.860 --> 00:24:08.700 So seek him in his word. 00:24:10.279 --> 00:24:12.039 Are you longing for strength 00:24:12.039 --> 00:24:12.720 to endure, 00:24:12.960 --> 00:24:14.079 to run the race? 00:24:14.079 --> 00:24:16.679 Jesus is the almighty one. 00:24:17.699 --> 00:24:18.740 Seek him in his word. 00:24:20.519 --> 00:24:21.980 Do you long for wisdom? 00:24:23.659 --> 00:24:24.599 Jesus is the one 00:24:24.599 --> 00:24:26.059 in whom are hidden 00:24:26.059 --> 00:24:26.659 all the treasures 00:24:26.659 --> 00:24:27.720 of wisdom and knowledge. 00:24:28.960 --> 00:24:30.019 Seek him in his word. 00:24:31.039 --> 00:24:32.579 The measure you use, 00:24:33.220 --> 00:24:34.519 it will be added to you 00:24:34.519 --> 00:24:36.099 and still more 00:24:36.099 --> 00:24:37.099 will be added to you. 00:24:38.179 --> 00:24:39.279 You will come looking 00:24:39.279 --> 00:24:40.019 for wisdom 00:24:40.019 --> 00:24:42.339 and Christ will also 00:24:42.339 --> 00:24:43.139 make you patient. 00:24:44.339 --> 00:24:45.480 You will come looking 00:24:45.480 --> 00:24:46.700 and longing for strength 00:24:46.700 --> 00:24:47.920 and Christ will also 00:24:47.920 --> 00:24:48.839 make you compassionate. 00:24:49.680 --> 00:24:50.339 You'll come looking 00:24:50.339 --> 00:24:51.079 for peace 00:24:51.079 --> 00:24:53.139 and Christ will also 00:24:53.139 --> 00:24:54.059 give you a passion 00:24:54.059 --> 00:24:54.920 for his glory 00:24:54.920 --> 00:24:55.779 and still more 00:24:55.779 --> 00:24:57.240 will be added to you. 00:24:59.359 --> 00:25:00.099 Are you willing 00:25:00.099 --> 00:25:00.940 to put this promise 00:25:00.940 --> 00:25:01.619 to the test? 00:25:04.119 --> 00:25:05.440 How will you engage 00:25:05.440 --> 00:25:06.680 with God's word 00:25:06.680 --> 00:25:07.519 this week? 00:25:07.519 --> 00:25:10.000 What is one way 00:25:10.000 --> 00:25:10.660 you can take 00:25:10.660 --> 00:25:11.900 this promise to heart 00:25:11.900 --> 00:25:13.660 and let God demonstrate 00:25:13.660 --> 00:25:14.900 his faithfulness to you? 00:25:16.839 --> 00:25:17.680 We started out 00:25:17.680 --> 00:25:18.279 by saying how much 00:25:18.279 --> 00:25:19.379 distraction technology 00:25:19.379 --> 00:25:20.619 has produced in our lives. 00:25:21.720 --> 00:25:22.299 But you know, 00:25:22.339 --> 00:25:23.180 we also live in a time 00:25:23.180 --> 00:25:24.339 when we have more access 00:25:24.339 --> 00:25:25.139 to God's word 00:25:25.139 --> 00:25:26.160 than ever before. 00:25:28.099 --> 00:25:29.039 Why not listen 00:25:29.039 --> 00:25:30.299 to a Sunday school class 00:25:30.299 --> 00:25:31.059 you may have missed? 00:25:32.240 --> 00:25:33.039 Put yourself 00:25:33.039 --> 00:25:33.700 under the teaching 00:25:33.700 --> 00:25:34.400 of God's word 00:25:34.400 --> 00:25:34.940 this week. 00:25:35.859 --> 00:25:36.759 Why not download 00:25:36.759 --> 00:25:37.400 a prayer app? 00:25:37.460 --> 00:25:37.779 There are lots 00:25:37.779 --> 00:25:38.539 of good ones out there. 00:25:39.039 --> 00:25:39.680 And put yourself 00:25:39.680 --> 00:25:40.359 under the meaningful 00:25:40.359 --> 00:25:41.559 prayer of God's word 00:25:41.559 --> 00:25:42.180 this week. 00:25:43.140 --> 00:25:43.859 If you don't have 00:25:43.859 --> 00:25:44.619 a regular pattern 00:25:44.619 --> 00:25:45.680 of reading God's word, 00:25:45.799 --> 00:25:46.559 start this week. 00:25:47.579 --> 00:25:48.480 You can pick up 00:25:48.480 --> 00:25:49.140 reading the gospel 00:25:49.140 --> 00:25:49.559 of Mark. 00:25:49.660 --> 00:25:50.299 That's a good place 00:25:50.299 --> 00:25:50.759 to start. 00:25:51.119 --> 00:25:51.779 Read slowly 00:25:51.779 --> 00:25:52.539 and ask God 00:25:52.539 --> 00:25:53.279 to reveal more 00:25:53.279 --> 00:25:54.119 of himself to you 00:25:54.119 --> 00:25:54.980 and how you might 00:25:54.980 --> 00:25:55.640 keep in step 00:25:55.640 --> 00:25:56.240 with his spirit 00:25:56.240 --> 00:25:56.859 this week. 00:25:59.180 --> 00:25:59.920 How will you 00:25:59.920 --> 00:26:00.619 take God 00:26:00.619 --> 00:26:01.200 at his promise 00:26:01.200 --> 00:26:01.720 this week? 00:26:03.200 --> 00:26:03.819 Pay attention 00:26:03.819 --> 00:26:04.599 to what you hear 00:26:04.599 --> 00:26:06.379 because those 00:26:06.379 --> 00:26:06.779 who do, 00:26:06.919 --> 00:26:07.539 Jesus says, 00:26:07.939 --> 00:26:08.799 will flourish 00:26:08.799 --> 00:26:09.740 beyond measure. 00:26:10.779 --> 00:26:11.539 Let's pray. 00:26:19.699 --> 00:26:20.219 Lord, 00:26:20.299 --> 00:26:20.699 we pause 00:26:20.699 --> 00:26:21.339 before you 00:26:21.339 --> 00:26:27.500 and we acknowledge 00:26:27.500 --> 00:26:28.379 that in these moments 00:26:28.379 --> 00:26:28.919 when we sit 00:26:28.919 --> 00:26:29.559 before you 00:26:29.559 --> 00:26:30.939 and your word, 00:26:30.940 --> 00:26:33.720 a great spiritual 00:26:33.720 --> 00:26:34.480 battle is taking 00:26:34.480 --> 00:26:35.019 place 00:26:35.019 --> 00:26:38.400 between our proud 00:26:38.400 --> 00:26:38.920 hearts 00:26:38.920 --> 00:26:41.039 that want to do 00:26:41.039 --> 00:26:42.039 things our own way 00:26:42.039 --> 00:26:45.640 and your mighty grace 00:26:45.640 --> 00:26:47.160 that wants to capture 00:26:47.160 --> 00:26:47.779 our hearts 00:26:47.779 --> 00:26:49.779 and make us new. 00:26:51.620 --> 00:26:52.240 So, Lord, 00:26:52.279 --> 00:26:53.120 we pray that the power 00:26:53.120 --> 00:26:53.600 of your word 00:26:53.600 --> 00:26:54.380 would be at work 00:26:54.380 --> 00:26:57.660 converting us, 00:26:58.720 --> 00:26:59.740 drawing us to faith, 00:26:59.740 --> 00:27:01.279 growing us 00:27:01.279 --> 00:27:02.460 and changing us. 00:27:03.759 --> 00:27:04.200 God, 00:27:04.240 --> 00:27:04.799 how we long 00:27:04.799 --> 00:27:05.599 to be a church 00:27:05.599 --> 00:27:07.539 where we see 00:27:07.539 --> 00:27:08.480 this growth, 00:27:09.319 --> 00:27:11.319 not just in number, 00:27:11.460 --> 00:27:11.599 God, 00:27:11.700 --> 00:27:12.759 but in depth 00:27:12.759 --> 00:27:14.519 to see our own lives 00:27:14.519 --> 00:27:15.079 flourish 00:27:15.079 --> 00:27:16.039 30, 00:27:16.200 --> 00:27:16.579 60, 00:27:16.720 --> 00:27:17.400 100-fold 00:27:17.400 --> 00:27:18.079 with the character 00:27:18.079 --> 00:27:18.759 of Christ. 00:27:21.120 --> 00:27:21.779 Oh, Lord, 00:27:21.839 --> 00:27:22.460 we acknowledge 00:27:22.460 --> 00:27:23.240 that we're utterly 00:27:23.240 --> 00:27:24.339 dependent on your spirit 00:27:24.339 --> 00:27:25.220 to do that work. 00:27:26.660 --> 00:27:27.099 So, 00:27:27.200 --> 00:27:27.660 would you do it, 00:27:27.700 --> 00:27:28.140 we pray, 00:27:28.140 --> 00:27:30.340 for Christ's sake. 00:27:31.140 --> 00:27:31.420 Amen.