WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:06.080 Christianity Explored study which will be happening in the new year which is going to be looking at Mark's Gospel after. 00:00:12.080 --> 00:00:14.179 Mark 4 verse 1 00:00:14.179 --> 00:00:17.780 Again Jesus began to teach by the lake. 00:00:18.280 --> 00:00:23.500 The crowd that gathered around him was so large that he got into a boat and sat in it out on the lake. 00:00:24.240 --> 00:00:28.460 While all the people were along the shore at the water's edge. 00:00:28.460 --> 00:00:32.660 He taught them many things by parables and in his teaching said, 00:00:32.859 --> 00:00:35.939 Listen, a farmer went out to sow his seed. 00:00:36.620 --> 00:00:41.579 As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path and the birds came and ate it up. 00:00:42.200 --> 00:00:45.620 Some fell on rocky places where it did not have much soil. 00:00:46.159 --> 00:00:48.280 It sprang up quickly because the soil was shallow. 00:00:49.100 --> 00:00:54.079 But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched and they withered because they had no root. 00:00:54.079 --> 00:01:02.339 Other seeds fell among the thorns which grew up and choked the plants so that they did not bear grain. 00:01:03.339 --> 00:01:05.259 Still other seeds fell on good soil. 00:01:06.000 --> 00:01:11.420 It came up, grew and produced a crop multiplying 30, 60 or even 100 times. 00:01:12.280 --> 00:01:13.159 Then Jesus said, 00:01:13.159 --> 00:01:15.479 He who has ears to hear, let him hear. 00:01:16.500 --> 00:01:22.560 When he was alone, the twelve and others around him asked him about the parables. 00:01:23.519 --> 00:01:24.140 He told them, 00:01:24.299 --> 00:01:26.719 The secret of the kingdom of God has been given to you. 00:01:27.879 --> 00:01:31.959 But those on the outside, everything is said in parables. 00:01:31.959 --> 00:01:44.780 Then Jesus said to them, 00:01:44.780 --> 00:01:46.659 Don't you understand this parable? 00:01:47.259 --> 00:01:49.319 How then will you understand any parable? 00:01:50.239 --> 00:01:51.919 The farmer sows the word. 00:01:53.119 --> 00:01:59.500 Some people are like seeds among the path where the word is sown. 00:01:59.500 --> 00:02:05.540 As soon as they hear it, Satan comes and takes away the word that was sown in them. 00:02:06.459 --> 00:02:11.919 Others, like the seed sown on rocky places, hear the word and at once receive it with joy. 00:02:12.740 --> 00:02:15.479 But since they have no root, they only last a short time. 00:02:16.360 --> 00:02:23.319 When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, they quickly fall away. 00:02:24.020 --> 00:02:28.740 Still others, like seeds sown among thorns, hear the word. 00:02:28.740 --> 00:02:35.040 But the worries of this life, the seedfulness of wealth and the desires for other things come in and choke the word, 00:02:35.800 --> 00:02:37.000 making it unfruitful. 00:02:37.580 --> 00:02:42.100 Others, like the seed sown on good soil, hear the word, accepting it, 00:02:42.420 --> 00:02:46.660 and produce a crop thirty, sixty or even a hundred times what was sown. 00:02:46.659 --> 00:02:51.539 Verse 21. 00:02:51.539 --> 00:02:52.759 He said to them, 00:02:53.120 --> 00:02:55.579 Do you bring in a lamp to put it under a bowl or a bed? 00:02:56.120 --> 00:02:58.120 Instead, don't you put it onto a stand. 00:02:58.539 --> 00:03:00.659 For whatever is hidden is meant to be disclosed, 00:03:00.819 --> 00:03:03.239 and whatever is concealed is meant to be brought out into the open. 00:03:03.759 --> 00:03:05.680 If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear. 00:03:06.340 --> 00:03:08.379 Consider carefully what you hear, he continued. 00:03:08.939 --> 00:03:11.379 With the measure you use it, it will be measured to you. 00:03:11.939 --> 00:03:12.840 And even more. 00:03:12.840 --> 00:03:16.280 Whoever has will be given more. 00:03:16.659 --> 00:03:19.620 Whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken from him. 00:03:20.379 --> 00:03:21.180 He also said, 00:03:21.539 --> 00:03:23.199 This is what the kingdom of God is like. 00:03:23.420 --> 00:03:25.039 A man scatters seed on the ground. 00:03:25.300 --> 00:03:27.480 Night and day, whether he sleeps or gets up, 00:03:27.800 --> 00:03:30.060 the seed sprouts and grows, though he does not know how. 00:03:30.740 --> 00:03:32.879 All by itself does the soil produce of corn. 00:03:33.120 --> 00:03:35.960 First the stalk, then the ear, then the full grain in the ear. 00:03:36.560 --> 00:03:38.900 As soon as the grain is ripe, he puts the sickle to it, 00:03:38.939 --> 00:03:39.939 because the harvest has come. 00:03:40.780 --> 00:03:41.719 Again he said to them, 00:03:42.020 --> 00:03:43.879 What shall we say the kingdom of God is like? 00:03:44.439 --> 00:03:46.260 Or what parable shall we use to describe it? 00:03:46.620 --> 00:03:47.800 It is like a mustard seed, 00:03:47.900 --> 00:03:49.960 which is the smallest seed you plant in the ground. 00:03:50.460 --> 00:03:53.760 Yet when planted, it grows and becomes the largest of all garden plants, 00:03:53.760 --> 00:03:57.300 with such big branches that the birds of the air can perch in its shade. 00:03:57.860 --> 00:04:00.400 With many similar parables, Jesus spoke the word to them 00:04:00.400 --> 00:04:01.980 as much as they could understand. 00:04:02.659 --> 00:04:05.120 He did not say anything to them without using a parable. 00:04:05.120 --> 00:04:08.560 But when he was alone with his own disciples, he explained everything. 00:04:08.560 --> 00:04:09.560 Thank you. 00:04:35.120 --> 00:04:39.540 Well, let's have our Bibles open. 00:04:40.540 --> 00:04:41.920 Take notes if you wish. 00:04:42.939 --> 00:04:46.060 Please talk afterwards if you have any questions. 00:04:46.840 --> 00:04:51.060 Let's pray together as we hear God's word. 00:04:51.060 --> 00:04:56.500 Father, we come to your word. 00:04:56.500 --> 00:05:00.819 For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any double-edged sword. 00:05:01.500 --> 00:05:07.579 It penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow, 00:05:08.480 --> 00:05:12.180 judging the thoughts and attitudes of our heart. 00:05:12.180 --> 00:05:14.560 Father, we come to your word. 00:05:14.560 --> 00:05:16.360 Father, we come to your word. 00:05:17.660 --> 00:05:21.400 And we ask that it would speak into our lives. 00:05:22.560 --> 00:05:25.040 Speak to the very core of our being. 00:05:26.319 --> 00:05:28.780 Showing us who we are. 00:05:30.960 --> 00:05:32.639 Telling us what you are like. 00:05:34.199 --> 00:05:38.960 And helping us to see the kind of response that we should have. 00:05:38.959 --> 00:05:39.959 Amen. 00:05:39.959 --> 00:05:40.319 Amen. 00:05:40.319 --> 00:05:40.959 Amen. 00:05:40.959 --> 00:05:44.039 We pray for your Holy Spirit in all of this. 00:05:45.180 --> 00:05:48.239 For it is his power, working through your word, 00:05:48.680 --> 00:05:51.240 that brings life to us. 00:05:52.919 --> 00:05:54.539 And changes us. 00:05:56.459 --> 00:05:59.019 So please do your work amongst us. 00:06:00.199 --> 00:06:01.879 We ask this in Jesus' name. 00:06:02.799 --> 00:06:03.120 Amen. 00:06:03.120 --> 00:06:03.240 Amen. 00:06:06.899 --> 00:06:07.539 Listen. 00:06:08.959 --> 00:06:18.139 That's how Jesus starts his first parable in verse 3 of chapter 4. 00:06:19.099 --> 00:06:19.699 Listen. 00:06:21.699 --> 00:06:25.219 And then look how he finishes in verse 9. 00:06:26.659 --> 00:06:28.219 Then Jesus said to them, 00:06:28.740 --> 00:06:32.459 He who has ears to hear, let him hear. 00:06:32.459 --> 00:06:37.379 And if we still haven't got the point, 00:06:38.699 --> 00:06:39.639 verse 23, 00:06:40.479 --> 00:06:43.139 if anyone has ears to hear, 00:06:44.599 --> 00:06:46.219 let them hear. 00:06:47.799 --> 00:06:52.279 Consider carefully what you hear. 00:06:52.279 --> 00:07:00.500 But why on earth should we be listening to the words of Jesus? 00:07:01.699 --> 00:07:06.979 Of all the other voices wanting our attention and claiming that we should listen to them, 00:07:07.359 --> 00:07:11.099 why should we hear what Jesus has to say? 00:07:11.100 --> 00:07:17.400 What makes his words any more important than, say, the likes of David Norris, 00:07:18.200 --> 00:07:23.000 Martin McGinnis, or Dana, or any other of the presidential candidates? 00:07:23.000 --> 00:07:26.439 Why should we listen to Jesus? 00:07:26.680 --> 00:07:30.040 Why are we even here on a Sunday morning with our Bibles open? 00:07:30.360 --> 00:07:35.980 Why aren't we just at home with the telly on or listening to the radio or talking to other people? 00:07:37.279 --> 00:07:39.740 Are their words not just as important? 00:07:41.740 --> 00:07:43.519 Why is Jesus saying, listen? 00:07:43.519 --> 00:07:47.919 Well, let me try and explain. 00:07:48.060 --> 00:07:52.199 Mark's Gospel, as we've been looking at together over these weeks, 00:07:52.819 --> 00:07:57.859 introduces us to a world of disorder and a world of darkness. 00:07:59.740 --> 00:08:03.259 The first, or the opening scenes of Mark's Gospel, 00:08:04.019 --> 00:08:09.039 show us that it is a world that is full of sickness and disease. 00:08:10.079 --> 00:08:12.699 The people are broken and they're hurt. 00:08:13.519 --> 00:08:17.659 The weak and the poor are marginalised and ostracised. 00:08:17.779 --> 00:08:21.019 They're pushed out of society. 00:08:22.000 --> 00:08:26.699 There's a disorder to life and to the world. 00:08:27.899 --> 00:08:30.719 But not only that, there's something sinister as well. 00:08:31.500 --> 00:08:33.559 Evil spirits are also active. 00:08:35.220 --> 00:08:37.960 People are possessed by demons. 00:08:38.600 --> 00:08:42.519 There is a darkness all around. 00:08:43.519 --> 00:08:48.779 And it's into this world of disorder and darkness that Jesus comes. 00:08:49.360 --> 00:08:51.299 We're introduced to him in this way. 00:08:52.620 --> 00:08:54.799 But rather than run away from this world, 00:08:55.740 --> 00:08:57.899 Jesus enters into it. 00:08:57.899 --> 00:09:06.120 He deliberately goes out of his way to come into contact with this disorder and darkness. 00:09:06.819 --> 00:09:09.079 And he begins to meet these people. 00:09:09.080 --> 00:09:14.680 And he begins to talk to these people. 00:09:16.120 --> 00:09:19.540 He speaks into the darkness. 00:09:20.000 --> 00:09:22.340 Look back at chapter 1, verse 25. 00:09:23.620 --> 00:09:26.500 One of the first accounts that were given here, 00:09:26.600 --> 00:09:30.000 Jesus is that it's a Sunday morning and he's got up to teach 00:09:30.000 --> 00:09:33.019 and he has his Bible open and he's speaking away. 00:09:33.200 --> 00:09:39.399 And this evil spirit comes from nowhere and disrupts the whole proceedings. 00:09:39.639 --> 00:09:42.480 And look what Jesus says in verse 25 of chapter 1. 00:09:42.720 --> 00:09:46.059 Be quiet, said Jesus sternly. 00:09:46.340 --> 00:09:47.440 Come out of him. 00:09:47.440 --> 00:09:54.020 The evil spirit shook the man violently and came out of him with a shriek. 00:09:56.420 --> 00:10:01.560 With a simple word, he speaks into the darkness. 00:10:02.900 --> 00:10:06.900 It obeys him and the darkness is dispelled. 00:10:06.899 --> 00:10:14.439 Later we see that Jesus also speaks into the disorder. 00:10:15.399 --> 00:10:17.399 He meets a man with leprosy. 00:10:18.419 --> 00:10:23.199 A man with leprosy would have been pushed out to the outside, ostracized. 00:10:24.039 --> 00:10:26.579 And he comes to Jesus and he says, 00:10:27.899 --> 00:10:29.579 verse 41, Jesus says, 00:10:29.720 --> 00:10:34.679 Filled with compassion, Jesus reached out his hand and he touched the man. 00:10:34.679 --> 00:10:38.239 I am willing, he said, be clean. 00:10:39.799 --> 00:10:44.500 Immediately, the leprosy left him and he was cured. 00:10:44.659 --> 00:10:48.139 And as we read on, he gets back into society. 00:10:48.500 --> 00:10:52.639 With a simple word, Jesus speaks into the disorder 00:10:52.639 --> 00:10:58.359 and it obeys and order is returned to this man's life. 00:10:58.360 --> 00:11:05.440 Jesus is being introduced to us in these early chapters 00:11:05.440 --> 00:11:11.100 as God's King who has supreme power and ultimate authority. 00:11:11.759 --> 00:11:15.460 And the way that power and authority is being expressed 00:11:15.460 --> 00:11:21.580 is through his simple words as he begins to talk to people. 00:11:21.580 --> 00:11:24.660 Just like we're talking now. 00:11:25.700 --> 00:11:29.280 Words like that spoken into people's lives 00:11:29.280 --> 00:11:31.879 and everything has changed. 00:11:34.379 --> 00:11:36.700 So when we get back to Mark 4, 00:11:37.500 --> 00:11:38.639 when Jesus says, 00:11:38.860 --> 00:11:41.860 Listen, if you have ears to hear, 00:11:42.860 --> 00:11:47.500 now is a good time to start using them. 00:11:47.500 --> 00:11:54.279 This is, chapter 4 is one of the first times 00:11:54.279 --> 00:11:59.600 we get an extended look at what Jesus has to say, 00:11:59.679 --> 00:12:01.659 one of his first big teaching sessions. 00:12:02.659 --> 00:12:04.240 And I don't think it's a mistake 00:12:04.240 --> 00:12:06.320 that his first big teaching session 00:12:06.320 --> 00:12:11.639 is to tell us about the importance of his word, 00:12:11.720 --> 00:12:13.240 the centrality of his word. 00:12:13.240 --> 00:12:15.120 Verse 3 says, 00:12:15.860 --> 00:12:18.340 Listen, chapter 4, verse 3. 00:12:18.659 --> 00:12:21.799 Listen, a farmer went out to sow his seed. 00:12:23.080 --> 00:12:26.279 Later we're told what that means in verse 14. 00:12:27.480 --> 00:12:31.379 Jesus says it's the farmer who sows the word. 00:12:31.580 --> 00:12:33.600 The seed is the word. 00:12:35.360 --> 00:12:36.580 Well, what's the word? 00:12:36.700 --> 00:12:38.860 Well, the word is the message 00:12:38.860 --> 00:12:41.000 that Jesus preached and taught. 00:12:41.159 --> 00:12:41.840 It's the gospel. 00:12:42.019 --> 00:12:42.960 It's the good news. 00:12:43.240 --> 00:12:46.720 And it summarized for us back in chapter 1, verse 15. 00:12:47.740 --> 00:12:50.639 The time has come, Jesus said. 00:12:51.259 --> 00:12:52.940 The kingdom of God is near. 00:12:53.279 --> 00:12:54.720 The time for that restoration, 00:12:55.120 --> 00:12:56.399 for things to be put right, 00:12:56.519 --> 00:12:58.860 for lives to be put back in order. 00:13:00.620 --> 00:13:02.180 The time is now here. 00:13:02.259 --> 00:13:03.720 And the way for that to happen, 00:13:04.519 --> 00:13:05.840 he says, is to repent 00:13:05.840 --> 00:13:07.840 and to believe the good news. 00:13:07.840 --> 00:13:08.399 This is the message. 00:13:08.399 --> 00:13:14.220 This is the word that Jesus taught. 00:13:14.580 --> 00:13:18.060 And speaking this word becomes central to Jesus' mission. 00:13:18.059 --> 00:13:22.239 In chapter 1, verse 38, 00:13:22.559 --> 00:13:24.899 we read Jesus replied, 00:13:24.899 --> 00:13:27.739 they're all wanting Jesus for something. 00:13:28.179 --> 00:13:29.019 And he says, 00:13:29.099 --> 00:13:31.679 let us go somewhere else to the nearby villages 00:13:31.679 --> 00:13:34.000 so that I can preach there also. 00:13:34.000 --> 00:13:35.840 that is why I've come. 00:13:38.480 --> 00:13:41.000 His teaching this word is central. 00:13:41.700 --> 00:13:42.259 In fact, 00:13:43.179 --> 00:13:44.919 the word and teaching the word 00:13:44.919 --> 00:13:47.320 becomes central to the disciples' mission. 00:13:47.720 --> 00:13:49.279 Chapter 3, verse 14. 00:13:49.279 --> 00:13:52.059 We're told there that he appointed the twelve. 00:13:52.699 --> 00:13:54.299 He designated them apostles. 00:13:55.120 --> 00:13:56.699 That he might be with them 00:13:56.699 --> 00:13:58.419 and that he might send them out 00:13:58.419 --> 00:13:59.799 to preach this word. 00:14:00.639 --> 00:14:02.379 Because this word has power. 00:14:02.699 --> 00:14:03.639 It changes lives. 00:14:03.740 --> 00:14:04.000 And he says, 00:14:04.039 --> 00:14:05.839 I want you to go with the same message 00:14:05.839 --> 00:14:07.439 and do that same work. 00:14:10.039 --> 00:14:13.419 And so as we read through this story of chapter 4, 00:14:13.419 --> 00:14:17.419 we discover why Jesus' word must be kept central. 00:14:17.839 --> 00:14:18.860 Why it's so primary. 00:14:18.860 --> 00:14:20.740 Why there's such a focus on it. 00:14:21.700 --> 00:14:23.800 Look at verse 20 of chapter 4. 00:14:27.120 --> 00:14:30.139 Others like seed sown on good soil 00:14:30.139 --> 00:14:31.919 hear the word 00:14:31.919 --> 00:14:34.300 and accept the word. 00:14:35.600 --> 00:14:37.100 He's telling us that 00:14:37.100 --> 00:14:39.419 people enter into the kingdom, 00:14:40.060 --> 00:14:43.480 people get restored and get renewed 00:14:43.480 --> 00:14:45.320 as they hear the word 00:14:45.320 --> 00:14:47.120 and accept the word. 00:14:47.120 --> 00:14:49.580 But not only that, 00:14:49.639 --> 00:14:51.000 look at the rest of verse 20. 00:14:51.399 --> 00:14:53.980 It says they produce a crop 00:14:53.980 --> 00:14:57.600 30, 60 or even 100 times what was sown. 00:14:57.700 --> 00:14:58.940 It begins to multiply. 00:15:00.240 --> 00:15:02.480 The kingdom grows significantly 00:15:02.480 --> 00:15:05.480 as this word begins to be planted 00:15:05.480 --> 00:15:07.159 and sown in people's lives 00:15:07.159 --> 00:15:08.779 in all different places. 00:15:08.779 --> 00:15:14.419 So if we take the word out of this, 00:15:15.759 --> 00:15:17.259 well, we have an empty kingdom. 00:15:17.459 --> 00:15:19.439 Nobody can get into the kingdom without the word. 00:15:19.500 --> 00:15:20.319 You take the word out, 00:15:20.379 --> 00:15:21.539 we've got an empty kingdom. 00:15:21.980 --> 00:15:23.659 And we've got a dead kingdom 00:15:23.659 --> 00:15:24.939 because it can't grow. 00:15:25.339 --> 00:15:26.679 You remove the gospel, 00:15:26.860 --> 00:15:28.319 you remove the good news, 00:15:28.559 --> 00:15:29.860 and we're left with nothing. 00:15:29.860 --> 00:15:35.879 Now if the word was central 00:15:35.879 --> 00:15:37.500 to Jesus' mission, 00:15:38.120 --> 00:15:39.800 the God-man coming to the world, 00:15:39.860 --> 00:15:41.279 if this is central to him, 00:15:42.320 --> 00:15:44.039 then I think it's got to be central 00:15:44.039 --> 00:15:45.740 to us and to our church. 00:15:47.639 --> 00:15:50.159 And I think people can get confused here. 00:15:50.639 --> 00:15:52.700 And I just want to kind of take a little detour, 00:15:52.800 --> 00:15:53.899 a little side here, 00:15:53.940 --> 00:15:55.379 and just explain some things. 00:15:55.379 --> 00:15:58.899 We get confused about the words of Jesus 00:15:58.899 --> 00:16:00.379 and the deeds of Jesus. 00:16:01.600 --> 00:16:03.320 In fact, some people think that, 00:16:03.460 --> 00:16:05.019 well, they achieved the same result. 00:16:05.299 --> 00:16:07.179 Some people speak about Jesus 00:16:07.179 --> 00:16:08.700 and that gets them into the kingdom. 00:16:09.000 --> 00:16:10.939 Other people kind of do good things 00:16:10.939 --> 00:16:12.779 and that gets them into the kingdom. 00:16:13.860 --> 00:16:15.279 But that's not the way. 00:16:16.700 --> 00:16:18.299 Three things here, very simply. 00:16:18.779 --> 00:16:20.259 Word and deed are different. 00:16:21.159 --> 00:16:22.559 They are distinct. 00:16:22.559 --> 00:16:26.419 The deed primarily addresses 00:16:26.419 --> 00:16:28.059 our physical needs. 00:16:28.939 --> 00:16:30.659 We do these one to another. 00:16:31.799 --> 00:16:33.539 While the word addresses 00:16:33.539 --> 00:16:35.719 our spiritual helplessness. 00:16:36.119 --> 00:16:38.879 It comes from outside to us. 00:16:39.359 --> 00:16:41.319 Physical deeds are done one to another. 00:16:42.379 --> 00:16:44.119 The word comes from outside to us 00:16:44.119 --> 00:16:45.419 in our helplessness. 00:16:46.039 --> 00:16:46.939 So they're different. 00:16:47.099 --> 00:16:47.739 They're distinct. 00:16:49.179 --> 00:16:50.519 But while they're distinct, 00:16:50.519 --> 00:16:52.319 they're also inseparable. 00:16:53.339 --> 00:16:54.699 Mark has shown us all the way 00:16:54.699 --> 00:16:56.000 through the first few chapters 00:16:56.000 --> 00:16:58.539 that Jesus didn't separate them. 00:16:58.839 --> 00:17:00.019 So neither should we. 00:17:01.139 --> 00:17:03.059 He had compassion on people. 00:17:03.179 --> 00:17:04.679 He spent time with people. 00:17:05.079 --> 00:17:07.099 But he also spoke to the people. 00:17:08.220 --> 00:17:10.599 He reached out to touch the people. 00:17:11.480 --> 00:17:13.399 But he also taught the people. 00:17:14.200 --> 00:17:15.259 He held them together. 00:17:16.019 --> 00:17:16.879 So it wasn't saying 00:17:16.879 --> 00:17:18.399 you can only do one 00:17:18.399 --> 00:17:19.339 and you can't do the other. 00:17:19.339 --> 00:17:21.240 No, they were held together. 00:17:21.240 --> 00:17:25.720 However, the word must remain central. 00:17:26.980 --> 00:17:29.200 Good deeds are never going to get people 00:17:29.200 --> 00:17:30.000 into the kingdom. 00:17:30.380 --> 00:17:31.900 And good deeds are never going to make 00:17:31.900 --> 00:17:33.220 his kingdom grow big. 00:17:34.400 --> 00:17:36.039 God's word is what enables 00:17:36.039 --> 00:17:37.299 the people to enter 00:17:37.299 --> 00:17:39.779 and God's word is what's going to build it. 00:17:41.279 --> 00:17:43.359 So it's not a case of either or, 00:17:43.480 --> 00:17:44.200 but both and. 00:17:44.279 --> 00:17:45.620 We've got to keep them together. 00:17:45.619 --> 00:17:46.899 But within that, 00:17:47.000 --> 00:17:48.619 the diagram is trying to show 00:17:48.619 --> 00:17:51.159 is that the word must remain central. 00:17:51.259 --> 00:17:51.759 The gospel, 00:17:51.899 --> 00:17:53.199 the good news of Jesus. 00:17:54.419 --> 00:17:55.859 It's got to be central. 00:17:56.899 --> 00:17:58.539 And that's the whole big point, 00:17:58.679 --> 00:17:59.059 if you like, 00:17:59.079 --> 00:17:59.939 of this parable. 00:18:01.399 --> 00:18:02.959 Being word-centered 00:18:02.959 --> 00:18:04.679 recognizes that the word, 00:18:04.819 --> 00:18:06.259 the good news about Jesus 00:18:06.259 --> 00:18:08.719 is the means by which people enter 00:18:08.719 --> 00:18:09.579 and it's the way in which 00:18:09.579 --> 00:18:11.000 the kingdom is going to grow. 00:18:11.399 --> 00:18:12.519 It's the way this church 00:18:12.519 --> 00:18:13.519 is going to grow. 00:18:16.339 --> 00:18:17.759 But being word-centered 00:18:17.759 --> 00:18:19.879 also means that this is a message 00:18:19.879 --> 00:18:21.139 that has to be told. 00:18:21.279 --> 00:18:22.279 It has to be proclaimed. 00:18:23.559 --> 00:18:25.619 It's a message of good news. 00:18:26.599 --> 00:18:27.619 It's going to be good 00:18:27.619 --> 00:18:28.859 for people's lives. 00:18:29.240 --> 00:18:30.440 It's going to change them 00:18:30.440 --> 00:18:31.639 and transform them. 00:18:31.960 --> 00:18:33.859 And the world is in desperate need 00:18:33.859 --> 00:18:36.039 and it is this message 00:18:36.039 --> 00:18:38.220 that Jesus brings into this world 00:18:38.220 --> 00:18:40.319 that's going to change things. 00:18:42.519 --> 00:18:45.160 So the word must remain central 00:18:45.160 --> 00:18:47.099 to our lives 00:18:47.099 --> 00:18:48.559 and to our work. 00:18:52.259 --> 00:18:53.639 So that's the first thing. 00:18:55.000 --> 00:18:57.460 And as we go through this story, 00:18:58.460 --> 00:19:00.539 this word is being spoken 00:19:00.539 --> 00:19:02.319 to a huge crowd of people 00:19:02.319 --> 00:19:03.660 who've gathered around Jesus, 00:19:04.279 --> 00:19:05.359 who's sitting on a boat 00:19:05.359 --> 00:19:06.259 on the edge of a lake, 00:19:06.379 --> 00:19:08.319 speaking to these crowds of people. 00:19:09.700 --> 00:19:11.099 And as we read through it, 00:19:11.099 --> 00:19:12.319 it seems like there's 00:19:12.319 --> 00:19:14.759 four different ways to respond. 00:19:15.839 --> 00:19:17.199 I think we all know the story 00:19:17.199 --> 00:19:18.099 and it seems like there's 00:19:18.099 --> 00:19:19.019 four different ways. 00:19:19.339 --> 00:19:20.519 But the reality is 00:19:20.519 --> 00:19:22.299 there's only two ways to respond 00:19:22.299 --> 00:19:24.259 to the words of Jesus. 00:19:24.740 --> 00:19:25.919 Look at verse 15. 00:19:26.559 --> 00:19:27.599 Let's read these through. 00:19:28.740 --> 00:19:30.059 Some people, he said, 00:19:30.099 --> 00:19:32.359 are like seeds sown along the path 00:19:32.359 --> 00:19:34.199 where the word is sown. 00:19:34.200 --> 00:19:36.340 As soon as they hear it, 00:19:37.000 --> 00:19:38.259 Satan comes along 00:19:38.259 --> 00:19:39.819 with his temptation 00:19:39.819 --> 00:19:41.100 and he takes the word 00:19:41.100 --> 00:19:42.319 that was sown in them. 00:19:43.600 --> 00:19:44.559 Then there's others 00:19:44.559 --> 00:19:46.680 like seeds sown on rocky places. 00:19:46.799 --> 00:19:47.640 They hear the word 00:19:47.640 --> 00:19:50.200 and they get very excited by it 00:19:50.200 --> 00:19:52.019 and they come along for a while 00:19:52.019 --> 00:19:53.440 and they're reading it for a while. 00:19:54.620 --> 00:19:56.380 But since they don't have any root, 00:19:56.640 --> 00:19:58.240 it only lasts a short time. 00:19:58.240 --> 00:20:00.240 And when trouble or persecution comes 00:20:00.839 --> 00:20:02.620 because of the word, 00:20:03.839 --> 00:20:05.299 they quickly fall away. 00:20:06.880 --> 00:20:07.940 And then there's others 00:20:07.940 --> 00:20:09.200 where the seed is sown 00:20:09.200 --> 00:20:10.319 like among thorns 00:20:10.319 --> 00:20:12.200 and they hear the word. 00:20:13.440 --> 00:20:15.000 And they're grabbed by it. 00:20:15.099 --> 00:20:16.759 It's something they haven't heard before. 00:20:17.920 --> 00:20:19.839 But then there's the worries of life, 00:20:19.960 --> 00:20:21.019 getting up for work 00:20:21.019 --> 00:20:22.920 and having to pay the bills 00:20:22.920 --> 00:20:25.480 and the deceitfulness of wealth 00:20:25.480 --> 00:20:27.279 and wanting a little bit more 00:20:27.279 --> 00:20:28.080 than we have 00:20:28.080 --> 00:20:30.920 and the desires for other things, 00:20:31.060 --> 00:20:33.259 wanting more and more stuff. 00:20:34.580 --> 00:20:36.759 And it begins to replace the word 00:20:36.759 --> 00:20:38.120 and it begins to choke 00:20:38.120 --> 00:20:41.039 and it makes it unfruitful. 00:20:42.820 --> 00:20:44.000 So do you see there 00:20:44.000 --> 00:20:46.560 that these first three groups, 00:20:46.700 --> 00:20:48.120 they all hear the word 00:20:48.120 --> 00:20:52.759 but the result is exactly the same. 00:20:53.640 --> 00:20:55.980 They all end up rejecting the word. 00:20:56.360 --> 00:20:56.740 The word. 00:20:59.340 --> 00:21:00.940 Now there may be different reasons. 00:21:01.140 --> 00:21:02.080 Maybe on the one hand 00:21:02.080 --> 00:21:03.440 it's Satan and his temptation. 00:21:03.640 --> 00:21:04.880 Maybe it's troubles in life. 00:21:05.259 --> 00:21:06.779 Maybe it's the desires of our heart. 00:21:06.860 --> 00:21:08.340 But the end result is the same. 00:21:08.660 --> 00:21:09.560 It's rejection. 00:21:11.620 --> 00:21:13.800 But the last group in verse 20, 00:21:14.320 --> 00:21:15.960 they also hear the word 00:21:15.960 --> 00:21:18.700 and they accept the word. 00:21:18.700 --> 00:21:20.900 Others like seed sown on good soil 00:21:20.900 --> 00:21:21.780 hear the word 00:21:21.780 --> 00:21:23.480 and accept it. 00:21:24.759 --> 00:21:26.180 Now the big question 00:21:26.180 --> 00:21:27.440 through all of this is 00:21:27.440 --> 00:21:32.080 if all hear the word, 00:21:32.200 --> 00:21:33.580 this big huge crowd 00:21:33.580 --> 00:21:35.259 and we're all kind of 00:21:35.259 --> 00:21:36.780 in that crowd too now, 00:21:36.880 --> 00:21:38.360 if we're all hearing the word, 00:21:38.780 --> 00:21:40.519 why do some reject the word 00:21:40.519 --> 00:21:41.620 and some accept it? 00:21:41.720 --> 00:21:42.480 Why is that? 00:21:43.600 --> 00:21:45.120 That's a big question, isn't it? 00:21:45.120 --> 00:21:47.040 Why are some of them going with it 00:21:47.039 --> 00:21:48.720 and some of them not going with it? 00:21:49.159 --> 00:21:50.259 Because they've all heard it. 00:21:51.639 --> 00:21:53.099 Well, I think it all depends 00:21:53.099 --> 00:21:55.019 on how well we listen. 00:21:55.700 --> 00:21:58.019 How we hear the word is critical. 00:21:58.899 --> 00:22:00.619 And hearing Jesus well 00:22:00.619 --> 00:22:03.399 requires three things from us. 00:22:04.240 --> 00:22:06.559 Helpless, dependent, and longing. 00:22:06.559 --> 00:22:10.240 The first is helpless. 00:22:10.799 --> 00:22:12.599 Those who hear the word 00:22:12.599 --> 00:22:15.839 see their own helplessness. 00:22:16.139 --> 00:22:17.379 Look at 4 verse 10. 00:22:19.720 --> 00:22:21.079 When he was alone, 00:22:21.259 --> 00:22:23.279 the twelve and the others around him 00:22:23.279 --> 00:22:25.359 asked him about the parables. 00:22:26.740 --> 00:22:28.159 Now that's interesting, isn't it? 00:22:28.159 --> 00:22:29.779 Because they've all heard it, 00:22:30.460 --> 00:22:32.059 but nobody has understood 00:22:32.059 --> 00:22:33.519 what Jesus has first said. 00:22:33.519 --> 00:22:34.679 He talked about a farmer 00:22:34.679 --> 00:22:35.440 sowing the seed. 00:22:35.440 --> 00:22:36.320 Hello? 00:22:36.559 --> 00:22:37.340 What was that about? 00:22:39.460 --> 00:22:41.360 Most of them have gone away 00:22:41.360 --> 00:22:44.220 stubbornly trying to figure it out 00:22:44.220 --> 00:22:44.700 for themselves. 00:22:44.799 --> 00:22:45.299 They've heard them, 00:22:45.400 --> 00:22:46.279 but now they've all gone. 00:22:47.360 --> 00:22:48.340 A few, however, 00:22:48.400 --> 00:22:49.580 have stayed behind 00:22:49.580 --> 00:22:51.600 because they don't know 00:22:51.600 --> 00:22:52.400 what it means. 00:22:53.920 --> 00:22:55.140 And so they've come to Jesus. 00:22:55.259 --> 00:22:56.420 And look what Jesus says 00:22:56.420 --> 00:22:58.019 to those who have come to him. 00:22:58.279 --> 00:22:58.940 Verse 11. 00:22:59.440 --> 00:23:00.400 He told them, 00:23:01.120 --> 00:23:03.980 the secret of the kingdom of God 00:23:03.980 --> 00:23:06.000 has been given to you. 00:23:08.120 --> 00:23:11.120 Because you see your own helplessness 00:23:11.120 --> 00:23:13.140 and an inability for you 00:23:13.140 --> 00:23:14.299 to figure it all out, 00:23:14.839 --> 00:23:17.440 you are going to be given understanding. 00:23:19.039 --> 00:23:20.279 Understanding of the kingdom, 00:23:20.460 --> 00:23:21.599 of who Jesus is 00:23:21.599 --> 00:23:22.579 and why he's come 00:23:22.579 --> 00:23:23.740 and why we need him, 00:23:24.079 --> 00:23:25.079 in some sense, 00:23:25.259 --> 00:23:26.900 is secret. 00:23:27.259 --> 00:23:28.319 It's a mystery. 00:23:28.319 --> 00:23:31.139 We could never really figure it out. 00:23:32.839 --> 00:23:35.339 And we're never going to really understand 00:23:35.339 --> 00:23:36.639 what it's all about 00:23:36.639 --> 00:23:39.139 unless it's revealed to us, 00:23:39.179 --> 00:23:41.759 unless somebody gives us insight into it. 00:23:42.859 --> 00:23:44.919 Look what it says in verse 11. 00:23:45.399 --> 00:23:47.659 The secret of the kingdom of God 00:23:47.659 --> 00:23:49.419 has been given to you. 00:23:50.099 --> 00:23:51.039 This revelation, 00:23:51.240 --> 00:23:53.599 it's a gift from God to us. 00:23:53.599 --> 00:23:54.539 It's not something 00:23:54.539 --> 00:23:56.259 that we can figure out by ourselves, 00:23:56.419 --> 00:23:57.879 by our own intelligence. 00:23:59.759 --> 00:24:00.959 So it demands 00:24:00.959 --> 00:24:02.419 that we come to Jesus 00:24:02.419 --> 00:24:03.299 helpless. 00:24:04.399 --> 00:24:05.719 That we don't know. 00:24:05.859 --> 00:24:07.119 We need to put up our hands 00:24:07.119 --> 00:24:07.459 and say, 00:24:07.699 --> 00:24:08.139 I'm sorry, 00:24:08.240 --> 00:24:09.319 I don't know what that means 00:24:09.319 --> 00:24:10.819 instead of trying to pretend we do. 00:24:13.539 --> 00:24:14.419 In fact, 00:24:14.480 --> 00:24:16.299 if we don't come helpless 00:24:16.299 --> 00:24:17.179 to God's word, 00:24:17.519 --> 00:24:19.539 it has the opposite effect. 00:24:20.639 --> 00:24:22.500 Look at the rest of verse 11. 00:24:22.500 --> 00:24:25.960 But to those on the outside, 00:24:26.559 --> 00:24:27.279 those are the ones 00:24:27.279 --> 00:24:28.680 who've now drifted away. 00:24:29.099 --> 00:24:29.980 They've heard it, 00:24:30.359 --> 00:24:31.599 but they don't come back 00:24:31.599 --> 00:24:32.640 wanting to know more. 00:24:33.079 --> 00:24:34.359 Those on the outside, 00:24:35.200 --> 00:24:37.480 everything is said in parables 00:24:37.480 --> 00:24:41.099 so that they may be ever seeing, 00:24:42.019 --> 00:24:43.440 but never perceiving. 00:24:44.259 --> 00:24:45.420 Ever hearing, 00:24:45.960 --> 00:24:48.619 but never understanding. 00:24:48.619 --> 00:24:49.799 Otherwise, 00:24:50.919 --> 00:24:51.979 they might turn 00:24:51.979 --> 00:24:53.239 and be forgiven. 00:24:55.579 --> 00:24:57.379 Now those are difficult verses, 00:24:57.579 --> 00:24:57.939 aren't they? 00:24:58.679 --> 00:24:59.879 It seems like 00:24:59.879 --> 00:25:01.439 Jesus doesn't want 00:25:01.439 --> 00:25:02.919 people to understand. 00:25:04.259 --> 00:25:05.539 It's as if he's saying, 00:25:05.859 --> 00:25:07.039 I'm going to say something 00:25:07.039 --> 00:25:09.000 so that people can't understand it. 00:25:10.479 --> 00:25:11.500 It's almost like 00:25:11.500 --> 00:25:12.979 he's deliberately hiding 00:25:12.979 --> 00:25:14.159 the truth from them. 00:25:14.160 --> 00:25:14.800 Well, 00:25:16.860 --> 00:25:17.580 in some ways, 00:25:17.660 --> 00:25:18.440 he is. 00:25:19.880 --> 00:25:20.300 You see, 00:25:20.380 --> 00:25:21.060 God's word 00:25:21.060 --> 00:25:22.480 has this double effect. 00:25:23.420 --> 00:25:24.480 On the one hand, 00:25:24.540 --> 00:25:26.200 it opens people's minds, 00:25:27.480 --> 00:25:28.900 and then on the other hand, 00:25:28.960 --> 00:25:30.560 it closes people's minds. 00:25:32.160 --> 00:25:33.480 Everybody can hear, 00:25:34.880 --> 00:25:36.200 and to one group of people, 00:25:36.300 --> 00:25:37.140 it will open their minds. 00:25:37.220 --> 00:25:37.820 To another group, 00:25:37.880 --> 00:25:39.000 it will close their minds. 00:25:39.620 --> 00:25:41.300 To those who are open, 00:25:41.560 --> 00:25:43.440 and who see their need of help, 00:25:43.440 --> 00:25:45.400 they are given understanding. 00:25:46.740 --> 00:25:48.460 But to those who are stubborn, 00:25:48.840 --> 00:25:50.700 and don't see their need of help, 00:25:50.759 --> 00:25:52.039 and don't see what's the point 00:25:52.039 --> 00:25:52.740 in all of this, 00:25:54.279 --> 00:25:55.299 their understanding 00:25:55.299 --> 00:25:57.299 is taken away from them. 00:26:02.980 --> 00:26:05.500 So people who hear well 00:26:05.500 --> 00:26:08.480 will come helpless. 00:26:08.480 --> 00:26:11.339 Second, 00:26:11.460 --> 00:26:12.799 those who hear the word 00:26:12.799 --> 00:26:16.559 are going to be dependent on Jesus. 00:26:16.700 --> 00:26:17.720 Look at verse 21. 00:26:19.799 --> 00:26:20.759 He said to them, 00:26:20.839 --> 00:26:22.319 Do you bring in a lamp 00:26:22.319 --> 00:26:24.220 to put it under a bowl or a bed? 00:26:25.839 --> 00:26:26.240 Instead, 00:26:26.360 --> 00:26:28.140 don't you put it up on a stand, 00:26:28.299 --> 00:26:29.120 high up in the room? 00:26:29.799 --> 00:26:30.900 Because the purpose 00:26:30.900 --> 00:26:32.680 of a lamp or a light 00:26:32.680 --> 00:26:34.339 in any situation 00:26:34.339 --> 00:26:35.759 is to illuminate it, 00:26:35.899 --> 00:26:37.079 to enable you to see 00:26:37.079 --> 00:26:38.519 what's going on. 00:26:39.639 --> 00:26:40.659 And Jesus is saying, 00:26:40.819 --> 00:26:41.939 I am that light. 00:26:42.659 --> 00:26:44.539 I have come to help you see. 00:26:45.000 --> 00:26:46.339 I've come to reveal 00:26:46.339 --> 00:26:47.519 what is hidden. 00:26:49.599 --> 00:26:50.659 Verse 22. 00:26:51.720 --> 00:26:53.079 For whatever is hidden 00:26:53.079 --> 00:26:55.480 is meant to be disclosed. 00:26:56.359 --> 00:26:57.919 Whatever is concealed 00:26:57.919 --> 00:27:00.039 is meant to be brought out 00:27:00.039 --> 00:27:00.819 into the open. 00:27:00.819 --> 00:27:02.919 And if anybody has ears to hear, 00:27:03.019 --> 00:27:03.740 let them hear. 00:27:04.879 --> 00:27:05.679 So can you hear 00:27:05.679 --> 00:27:06.659 what I am saying? 00:27:06.980 --> 00:27:08.279 Are you listening to me? 00:27:08.359 --> 00:27:08.980 Says Jesus. 00:27:09.559 --> 00:27:12.139 I not only speak words to you, 00:27:12.379 --> 00:27:13.279 but I am the one 00:27:13.279 --> 00:27:14.500 who gives you understanding 00:27:14.500 --> 00:27:15.419 of those words. 00:27:16.220 --> 00:27:16.779 Without me, 00:27:16.839 --> 00:27:18.059 you're always going to be 00:27:18.059 --> 00:27:18.819 in the dark. 00:27:20.619 --> 00:27:21.359 Without me, 00:27:21.419 --> 00:27:22.179 you'll never know 00:27:22.179 --> 00:27:23.279 the way into the kingdom. 00:27:23.599 --> 00:27:24.619 You'll never be able 00:27:24.619 --> 00:27:25.759 to figure things out. 00:27:26.220 --> 00:27:27.779 Trusting in your own intellect 00:27:27.779 --> 00:27:28.359 or reason 00:27:28.359 --> 00:27:29.960 is never going to work. 00:27:29.960 --> 00:27:31.440 Relying on the church 00:27:31.440 --> 00:27:32.840 and their interpretation. 00:27:33.140 --> 00:27:34.559 That's not going to work. 00:27:35.319 --> 00:27:36.880 You must depend on me 00:27:36.880 --> 00:27:38.100 to reveal the truth 00:27:38.100 --> 00:27:39.819 of my word to you. 00:27:42.340 --> 00:27:43.660 And that's the difference 00:27:43.660 --> 00:27:44.860 between these two groups 00:27:44.860 --> 00:27:45.420 of people. 00:27:46.620 --> 00:27:47.860 The few that come back 00:27:47.860 --> 00:27:48.779 to them are helpless. 00:27:48.980 --> 00:27:49.200 They're saying, 00:27:49.279 --> 00:27:49.860 we don't know. 00:27:49.980 --> 00:27:50.480 Tell us. 00:27:51.319 --> 00:27:52.460 But they come dependent 00:27:52.460 --> 00:27:53.140 because they know 00:27:53.140 --> 00:27:54.519 that Jesus is the only one 00:27:54.519 --> 00:27:55.819 who's going to give them insight. 00:27:55.819 --> 00:28:00.240 And third, 00:28:01.000 --> 00:28:02.359 those who hear the word 00:28:02.359 --> 00:28:05.319 come longing for more. 00:28:05.679 --> 00:28:06.599 Verse 24. 00:28:09.039 --> 00:28:10.579 Consider carefully 00:28:10.579 --> 00:28:12.259 what you hear, 00:28:12.439 --> 00:28:13.220 he continued. 00:28:13.759 --> 00:28:15.799 With the measure you use it, 00:28:16.480 --> 00:28:18.200 it will be measured to you 00:28:18.200 --> 00:28:19.779 and even more. 00:28:19.779 --> 00:28:22.220 Now, 00:28:22.259 --> 00:28:23.119 our attitude 00:28:23.119 --> 00:28:24.680 to Jesus' word 00:28:24.680 --> 00:28:27.460 becomes the measure 00:28:27.460 --> 00:28:29.359 by which Jesus 00:28:29.359 --> 00:28:30.680 will respond to us. 00:28:32.139 --> 00:28:33.279 So let's make this 00:28:33.279 --> 00:28:34.339 all very real 00:28:34.339 --> 00:28:35.200 and very practical 00:28:35.200 --> 00:28:35.819 right now. 00:28:36.619 --> 00:28:37.539 We're reading 00:28:37.539 --> 00:28:38.460 Jesus' word, 00:28:38.579 --> 00:28:39.440 we're studying it 00:28:39.440 --> 00:28:40.500 and we're thinking about it 00:28:40.500 --> 00:28:41.559 and we're all hearing it. 00:28:41.940 --> 00:28:42.879 Our attitude 00:28:42.879 --> 00:28:44.259 to it right now 00:28:44.259 --> 00:28:47.960 will be the measure 00:28:47.960 --> 00:28:49.859 by which Jesus responds 00:28:49.859 --> 00:28:51.200 to each one of us 00:28:51.200 --> 00:28:52.220 right now. 00:28:53.559 --> 00:28:54.359 In other words, 00:28:54.440 --> 00:28:55.519 if we come longing 00:28:55.519 --> 00:28:56.400 for more, 00:28:57.640 --> 00:28:59.379 if we come with an attitude 00:28:59.379 --> 00:29:01.059 that wants to be filled, 00:29:02.680 --> 00:29:06.180 then he is going to fill us. 00:29:06.779 --> 00:29:07.920 He's going to respond 00:29:07.920 --> 00:29:09.019 with a good measure. 00:29:09.980 --> 00:29:11.240 But if we come content 00:29:11.240 --> 00:29:11.819 and just think, 00:29:11.960 --> 00:29:12.099 ah, 00:29:12.700 --> 00:29:13.599 Jesus' word, 00:29:13.599 --> 00:29:14.779 heard this story, 00:29:14.899 --> 00:29:15.279 been there, 00:29:15.379 --> 00:29:15.819 done that, 00:29:17.259 --> 00:29:19.159 will receive very little. 00:29:21.240 --> 00:29:22.259 Verse 25, 00:29:23.480 --> 00:29:24.919 whoever has 00:29:24.919 --> 00:29:26.740 will be given more. 00:29:27.219 --> 00:29:28.839 Whoever does not have, 00:29:29.000 --> 00:29:30.279 even what they have 00:29:30.279 --> 00:29:31.719 will be taken from him. 00:29:33.399 --> 00:29:34.219 Can you see 00:29:34.219 --> 00:29:35.359 what's going on here? 00:29:36.319 --> 00:29:37.659 Those who are eager 00:29:37.659 --> 00:29:38.659 in their desire 00:29:38.659 --> 00:29:39.639 to understand, 00:29:40.679 --> 00:29:41.359 they'll be given 00:29:41.359 --> 00:29:42.519 more understanding. 00:29:42.519 --> 00:29:44.319 If we come with an attitude 00:29:44.319 --> 00:29:45.180 that is longing 00:29:45.180 --> 00:29:46.460 and wanting for more 00:29:46.460 --> 00:29:46.940 of Jesus 00:29:46.940 --> 00:29:47.740 and understanding 00:29:47.740 --> 00:29:48.559 more of him, 00:29:48.940 --> 00:29:50.319 God is going to respond 00:29:50.319 --> 00:29:51.039 generously 00:29:51.039 --> 00:29:52.519 and he's going to 00:29:52.519 --> 00:29:53.279 fill us up 00:29:53.279 --> 00:29:54.440 and he's going to enable us 00:29:54.440 --> 00:29:55.799 to grasp the things 00:29:55.799 --> 00:29:56.680 about his kingdom. 00:29:58.579 --> 00:29:59.920 He's going to be generous. 00:30:00.079 --> 00:30:01.180 If we come empty 00:30:01.180 --> 00:30:01.900 and say, 00:30:02.039 --> 00:30:02.759 please fill me, 00:30:02.819 --> 00:30:03.559 he'll fill you. 00:30:04.700 --> 00:30:05.900 But the opposite 00:30:05.900 --> 00:30:06.900 is also true 00:30:06.900 --> 00:30:07.579 and this is why 00:30:07.579 --> 00:30:08.420 it's so critical 00:30:08.420 --> 00:30:09.400 that we get this. 00:30:09.400 --> 00:30:11.620 if our attitude 00:30:11.620 --> 00:30:13.120 is one of contentment 00:30:13.120 --> 00:30:14.820 and one of 00:30:14.820 --> 00:30:17.900 not really into it, 00:30:18.900 --> 00:30:20.620 then what little 00:30:20.620 --> 00:30:21.660 understanding 00:30:21.660 --> 00:30:23.080 we may have 00:30:23.080 --> 00:30:26.200 is going to be 00:30:26.200 --> 00:30:27.540 taken from us. 00:30:31.560 --> 00:30:32.640 God's word 00:30:32.640 --> 00:30:34.140 has a double effect. 00:30:34.140 --> 00:30:36.660 It not only 00:30:36.660 --> 00:30:37.520 brings people 00:30:37.520 --> 00:30:38.259 to salvation 00:30:38.259 --> 00:30:39.620 and opens their minds, 00:30:40.580 --> 00:30:41.460 but it closes 00:30:41.460 --> 00:30:42.480 people's minds. 00:30:46.880 --> 00:30:47.920 So people 00:30:47.920 --> 00:30:48.680 who hear 00:30:48.680 --> 00:30:49.360 well 00:30:49.360 --> 00:30:51.380 come longing 00:30:51.380 --> 00:30:52.060 for more. 00:30:53.380 --> 00:30:54.080 And this is 00:30:54.080 --> 00:30:55.020 how we should listen. 00:30:55.140 --> 00:30:56.000 This is how we should 00:30:56.000 --> 00:30:56.560 hear 00:30:56.560 --> 00:30:58.100 Jesus' words. 00:30:58.660 --> 00:30:59.780 Jesus is God's 00:30:59.780 --> 00:31:00.620 appointed king 00:31:00.620 --> 00:31:01.440 who has come 00:31:01.440 --> 00:31:02.240 to speak 00:31:02.240 --> 00:31:03.259 into the disorder 00:31:03.259 --> 00:31:04.140 and the darkness 00:31:04.140 --> 00:31:04.839 of our lives. 00:31:05.120 --> 00:31:05.660 He has something 00:31:05.660 --> 00:31:06.920 to say to us. 00:31:09.099 --> 00:31:10.079 But we're never 00:31:10.079 --> 00:31:11.140 going to grasp it. 00:31:11.200 --> 00:31:11.799 We're never going 00:31:11.799 --> 00:31:12.359 to get it 00:31:12.359 --> 00:31:13.079 unless we become 00:31:13.079 --> 00:31:13.720 helpless, 00:31:14.620 --> 00:31:15.160 dependent 00:31:15.160 --> 00:31:17.059 and longing. 00:31:25.640 --> 00:31:26.559 The power 00:31:26.559 --> 00:31:27.500 of Jesus' word 00:31:27.500 --> 00:31:27.799 then. 00:31:28.480 --> 00:31:29.299 While hearing 00:31:29.299 --> 00:31:31.180 is a good thing 00:31:31.180 --> 00:31:32.140 and it's a right 00:31:32.140 --> 00:31:32.500 thing, 00:31:33.560 --> 00:31:34.519 Jesus wants us 00:31:34.519 --> 00:31:34.940 to know 00:31:34.940 --> 00:31:35.700 that at the end 00:31:35.700 --> 00:31:36.200 of the day 00:31:36.200 --> 00:31:38.019 it's his word 00:31:38.019 --> 00:31:38.640 that's going 00:31:38.640 --> 00:31:39.279 to bring about 00:31:39.279 --> 00:31:39.960 the change. 00:31:40.700 --> 00:31:41.220 The reason 00:31:41.220 --> 00:31:42.259 why we listen 00:31:42.259 --> 00:31:43.440 is because 00:31:43.440 --> 00:31:44.160 Jesus' word 00:31:44.160 --> 00:31:44.840 is active 00:31:44.840 --> 00:31:46.180 and powerful. 00:31:47.240 --> 00:31:48.560 When it is heard 00:31:48.560 --> 00:31:49.160 it begins 00:31:49.160 --> 00:31:49.940 to work 00:31:49.940 --> 00:31:50.779 in our lives 00:31:50.779 --> 00:31:53.120 in amazing ways. 00:31:55.820 --> 00:31:56.340 First, 00:31:56.519 --> 00:31:56.900 the word 00:31:56.900 --> 00:31:57.420 works 00:31:57.420 --> 00:31:58.580 supernaturally. 00:31:58.720 --> 00:31:59.820 Look at verse 26. 00:31:59.819 --> 00:32:00.659 He has two little 00:32:00.659 --> 00:32:01.200 stories 00:32:01.200 --> 00:32:02.659 that follow this. 00:32:03.779 --> 00:32:04.319 The word 00:32:04.319 --> 00:32:05.659 works supernaturally 00:32:05.659 --> 00:32:06.220 in our lives. 00:32:06.279 --> 00:32:07.039 Verse 26. 00:32:07.759 --> 00:32:08.419 He also said 00:32:08.419 --> 00:32:08.839 this is what 00:32:08.839 --> 00:32:09.220 the kingdom 00:32:09.220 --> 00:32:09.619 of God 00:32:09.619 --> 00:32:09.960 is like. 00:32:10.019 --> 00:32:10.439 A man 00:32:10.439 --> 00:32:11.500 scatters seed 00:32:11.500 --> 00:32:12.099 on the ground. 00:32:12.200 --> 00:32:12.579 It's still 00:32:12.579 --> 00:32:13.279 the same idea 00:32:13.279 --> 00:32:13.819 of the seed 00:32:13.819 --> 00:32:14.619 being the word. 00:32:15.740 --> 00:32:16.460 Night and day 00:32:16.460 --> 00:32:17.259 whether he sleeps 00:32:17.259 --> 00:32:17.899 or gets up 00:32:17.899 --> 00:32:18.639 the seed 00:32:18.639 --> 00:32:19.779 sprouts and grows 00:32:19.779 --> 00:32:20.379 though he does 00:32:20.379 --> 00:32:21.119 not know how 00:32:21.119 --> 00:32:22.339 and all by itself 00:32:22.339 --> 00:32:22.899 the soil 00:32:22.899 --> 00:32:23.879 produces corn 00:32:23.879 --> 00:32:25.039 first the stalk 00:32:25.039 --> 00:32:25.559 then the ear 00:32:25.559 --> 00:32:26.439 then the full grain 00:32:26.439 --> 00:32:26.939 in the ear. 00:32:27.319 --> 00:32:28.079 As soon as 00:32:28.079 --> 00:32:28.460 the grain 00:32:28.460 --> 00:32:29.019 is ripe 00:32:29.019 --> 00:32:29.699 he puts 00:32:29.699 --> 00:32:30.279 a sickle 00:32:30.279 --> 00:32:30.799 to it 00:32:30.799 --> 00:32:32.059 because the 00:32:32.059 --> 00:32:32.559 harvest 00:32:32.559 --> 00:32:34.099 has come. 00:32:36.139 --> 00:32:37.220 Hearing Jesus' 00:32:37.460 --> 00:32:37.759 word 00:32:37.759 --> 00:32:38.879 receiving it 00:32:38.879 --> 00:32:39.779 and accepting it 00:32:39.779 --> 00:32:40.879 is just like 00:32:40.879 --> 00:32:42.159 planting a little 00:32:42.159 --> 00:32:43.539 seed in the ground. 00:32:44.819 --> 00:32:46.159 By a supernatural 00:32:46.159 --> 00:32:47.000 power 00:32:47.000 --> 00:32:48.299 outside of ourselves 00:32:48.299 --> 00:32:49.799 it begins to 00:32:49.799 --> 00:32:50.899 grow and sprout 00:32:50.899 --> 00:32:51.819 and brings about 00:32:51.819 --> 00:32:52.500 new life. 00:32:53.599 --> 00:32:54.720 Just as a farmer 00:32:54.720 --> 00:32:55.819 can't make a seed 00:32:55.819 --> 00:32:56.299 grow 00:32:56.299 --> 00:32:57.700 just as a gardener 00:32:57.700 --> 00:32:58.559 can't make a seed 00:32:58.559 --> 00:32:58.960 grow 00:32:58.960 --> 00:33:00.159 he doesn't even 00:33:00.159 --> 00:33:00.779 know how it 00:33:00.779 --> 00:33:01.200 happens 00:33:01.200 --> 00:33:03.819 so we can't 00:33:03.819 --> 00:33:04.279 bring about 00:33:04.279 --> 00:33:05.059 this new life 00:33:05.059 --> 00:33:05.859 for ourselves. 00:33:06.339 --> 00:33:06.799 The word 00:33:06.799 --> 00:33:07.240 he's saying 00:33:07.240 --> 00:33:08.259 has a supernatural 00:33:08.259 --> 00:33:09.099 power 00:33:09.099 --> 00:33:10.839 and if we plant 00:33:10.839 --> 00:33:11.539 that seed 00:33:11.539 --> 00:33:12.720 into our lives 00:33:12.720 --> 00:33:14.359 if we plant 00:33:14.359 --> 00:33:15.240 the word of God 00:33:15.240 --> 00:33:16.059 into our lives 00:33:16.059 --> 00:33:17.339 we can be confident 00:33:17.339 --> 00:33:18.039 that it's going 00:33:18.039 --> 00:33:18.619 to grow 00:33:18.619 --> 00:33:19.180 and it's going 00:33:19.180 --> 00:33:19.819 to bring about 00:33:19.819 --> 00:33:20.440 a change. 00:33:20.859 --> 00:33:21.779 We can't do it 00:33:21.779 --> 00:33:23.839 but the gospel 00:33:23.839 --> 00:33:25.299 is supernatural 00:33:25.299 --> 00:33:27.759 and unless we 00:33:27.759 --> 00:33:28.619 try and unless 00:33:28.619 --> 00:33:29.680 we plant it in 00:33:29.680 --> 00:33:31.059 it's not going 00:33:31.059 --> 00:33:32.059 to grow and work. 00:33:32.359 --> 00:33:33.379 It's supernatural 00:33:33.379 --> 00:33:34.339 it's a powerful 00:33:34.339 --> 00:33:34.740 thing. 00:33:36.879 --> 00:33:37.399 But second 00:33:37.399 --> 00:33:38.019 he says 00:33:38.019 --> 00:33:39.240 the word works 00:33:39.240 --> 00:33:40.680 surprisingly 00:33:40.680 --> 00:33:41.980 verse 30 00:33:41.980 --> 00:33:43.779 again he said 00:33:43.779 --> 00:33:44.480 what shall we say 00:33:44.480 --> 00:33:45.319 the kingdom of God 00:33:45.319 --> 00:33:45.740 is like 00:33:45.740 --> 00:33:46.859 or what parable 00:33:46.859 --> 00:33:47.420 shall we use 00:33:47.420 --> 00:33:48.460 to describe it? 00:33:49.079 --> 00:33:49.660 It is like 00:33:49.660 --> 00:33:50.500 a mustard seed 00:33:50.500 --> 00:33:51.420 it's the same idea 00:33:51.420 --> 00:33:52.539 the seed is the word 00:33:52.539 --> 00:33:54.140 which is the smallest 00:33:54.140 --> 00:33:55.059 seed you plant 00:33:55.059 --> 00:33:55.839 in the ground 00:33:55.839 --> 00:33:57.240 yet when planted 00:33:57.240 --> 00:33:57.819 it grows 00:33:57.819 --> 00:33:58.299 and becomes 00:33:58.299 --> 00:33:59.000 the largest 00:33:59.000 --> 00:34:00.460 of all garden plants 00:34:00.460 --> 00:34:01.700 with such big branches 00:34:01.700 --> 00:34:02.460 that the birds 00:34:02.460 --> 00:34:03.019 of the air 00:34:03.019 --> 00:34:04.000 can perch 00:34:04.000 --> 00:34:04.680 in its shade. 00:34:06.380 --> 00:34:07.500 And he's reminding 00:34:07.500 --> 00:34:08.139 us here 00:34:08.139 --> 00:34:09.539 that his word 00:34:09.539 --> 00:34:10.059 works 00:34:10.059 --> 00:34:11.260 with surprising 00:34:11.260 --> 00:34:12.039 results. 00:34:13.360 --> 00:34:14.539 Not only are we 00:34:14.539 --> 00:34:15.599 encouraged to plant 00:34:15.599 --> 00:34:16.619 the gospel seeds 00:34:16.619 --> 00:34:17.679 in our own lives 00:34:17.679 --> 00:34:18.940 we are to begin 00:34:18.940 --> 00:34:19.500 to plant 00:34:19.500 --> 00:34:20.219 these seeds 00:34:20.219 --> 00:34:21.219 into other 00:34:21.219 --> 00:34:22.279 people's lives 00:34:22.279 --> 00:34:26.059 just as a tiny 00:34:26.059 --> 00:34:26.739 mustard seed 00:34:26.739 --> 00:34:27.179 grows 00:34:27.179 --> 00:34:28.539 into a huge 00:34:28.539 --> 00:34:29.339 big tree 00:34:29.339 --> 00:34:30.359 big enough 00:34:30.359 --> 00:34:31.099 for birds 00:34:31.099 --> 00:34:31.839 to rest 00:34:31.839 --> 00:34:33.719 so Jesus' 00:34:34.000 --> 00:34:34.359 word 00:34:34.359 --> 00:34:35.279 will have 00:34:35.279 --> 00:34:36.039 the same 00:34:36.039 --> 00:34:36.699 impact 00:34:36.699 --> 00:34:37.839 within us 00:34:37.839 --> 00:34:38.239 and within 00:34:38.239 --> 00:34:39.019 our community. 00:34:42.539 --> 00:34:43.419 Excuse me. 00:34:43.420 --> 00:34:51.260 so the good news 00:34:51.260 --> 00:34:52.440 is so powerful 00:34:52.440 --> 00:34:54.559 that when we 00:34:54.559 --> 00:34:55.460 begin to plant 00:34:55.460 --> 00:34:56.340 it in our lives 00:34:56.340 --> 00:34:57.460 it will bring 00:34:57.460 --> 00:34:58.400 about a supernatural 00:34:58.400 --> 00:34:59.139 work 00:34:59.139 --> 00:35:00.920 and when we 00:35:00.920 --> 00:35:01.720 begin to plant 00:35:01.720 --> 00:35:02.440 it in others 00:35:02.440 --> 00:35:04.420 it will cause 00:35:04.420 --> 00:35:05.720 that growth 00:35:05.720 --> 00:35:06.400 to happen. 00:35:06.400 --> 00:35:07.400 God 00:35:07.400 --> 00:35:08.400 will have 00:35:08.400 --> 00:35:09.400 to plant 00:35:09.400 --> 00:35:09.599 and let me 00:35:09.599 --> 00:35:10.320 just say a couple 00:35:10.320 --> 00:35:10.760 of things 00:35:10.760 --> 00:35:11.840 to apply all 00:35:11.840 --> 00:35:12.420 of this through 00:35:12.420 --> 00:35:13.180 for us. 00:35:14.340 --> 00:35:15.340 His word is 00:35:15.340 --> 00:35:15.880 central 00:35:15.880 --> 00:35:16.980 it's primary 00:35:16.980 --> 00:35:19.039 we've got to 00:35:19.039 --> 00:35:19.720 listen to it 00:35:19.720 --> 00:35:20.280 in a certain 00:35:20.280 --> 00:35:20.680 way 00:35:20.680 --> 00:35:22.240 and if we 00:35:22.240 --> 00:35:22.660 do 00:35:22.660 --> 00:35:24.220 it will bring 00:35:24.220 --> 00:35:24.660 about a 00:35:24.660 --> 00:35:25.519 supernatural 00:35:25.519 --> 00:35:26.579 and surprising 00:35:26.579 --> 00:35:27.139 work. 00:35:28.280 --> 00:35:29.139 So if you're 00:35:29.139 --> 00:35:29.960 a parent here 00:35:29.960 --> 00:35:30.660 this morning 00:35:30.660 --> 00:35:32.039 and you've got 00:35:32.039 --> 00:35:32.840 little children 00:35:32.840 --> 00:35:35.059 their lives 00:35:35.059 --> 00:35:35.480 are being 00:35:35.480 --> 00:35:36.340 bombarded 00:35:36.340 --> 00:35:37.079 by all 00:35:37.079 --> 00:35:37.620 kinds of 00:35:37.620 --> 00:35:38.000 words 00:35:38.000 --> 00:35:38.960 every day 00:35:38.960 --> 00:35:40.039 from television 00:35:40.039 --> 00:35:40.980 from school 00:35:40.980 --> 00:35:41.820 from friends 00:35:41.820 --> 00:35:42.820 words 00:35:42.820 --> 00:35:43.300 words 00:35:43.300 --> 00:35:43.860 words 00:35:43.860 --> 00:35:44.660 are piling 00:35:44.660 --> 00:35:44.960 in. 00:35:46.340 --> 00:35:47.360 The greatest 00:35:47.360 --> 00:35:48.100 words 00:35:48.100 --> 00:35:49.200 that you 00:35:49.200 --> 00:35:49.640 can ever 00:35:49.640 --> 00:35:50.280 speak to 00:35:50.280 --> 00:35:50.600 them 00:35:50.600 --> 00:35:51.780 is the 00:35:51.780 --> 00:35:52.240 words of 00:35:52.240 --> 00:35:52.559 Jesus. 00:35:53.440 --> 00:35:54.120 Nobody else 00:35:54.120 --> 00:35:54.480 is going 00:35:54.480 --> 00:35:54.840 to tell 00:35:54.840 --> 00:35:55.059 them. 00:35:56.440 --> 00:35:56.840 That is 00:35:56.840 --> 00:35:57.500 your prime 00:35:57.500 --> 00:35:58.280 responsibility 00:35:58.280 --> 00:35:58.880 as a 00:35:58.880 --> 00:35:59.200 parent. 00:35:59.820 --> 00:36:00.300 I'm a 00:36:00.300 --> 00:36:00.640 parent. 00:36:01.720 --> 00:36:02.120 Johnny 00:36:02.119 --> 00:36:04.299 read the 00:36:04.299 --> 00:36:04.839 Bible with 00:36:04.839 --> 00:36:05.420 your children. 00:36:06.380 --> 00:36:07.079 Talk to 00:36:07.079 --> 00:36:07.639 them about 00:36:07.639 --> 00:36:08.000 it. 00:36:09.619 --> 00:36:10.400 Teach them 00:36:10.400 --> 00:36:11.000 what it is 00:36:11.000 --> 00:36:11.519 to come 00:36:11.519 --> 00:36:12.159 to God's 00:36:12.159 --> 00:36:12.460 word 00:36:12.460 --> 00:36:13.000 helpless 00:36:13.000 --> 00:36:13.779 dependent 00:36:13.779 --> 00:36:15.079 and longing. 00:36:15.519 --> 00:36:16.039 Every one 00:36:16.039 --> 00:36:16.420 of us 00:36:16.420 --> 00:36:17.119 as parents 00:36:17.119 --> 00:36:18.539 take your 00:36:18.539 --> 00:36:19.000 time. 00:36:22.319 --> 00:36:23.099 Read with 00:36:23.099 --> 00:36:23.639 each other 00:36:23.639 --> 00:36:24.400 all of us 00:36:24.400 --> 00:36:24.900 together 00:36:24.900 --> 00:36:26.239 and I know 00:36:26.239 --> 00:36:26.699 this is what 00:36:26.699 --> 00:36:27.239 some of you 00:36:27.239 --> 00:36:27.539 do. 00:36:28.659 --> 00:36:29.179 Some of you 00:36:29.179 --> 00:36:29.659 meet up 00:36:29.659 --> 00:36:30.119 during the 00:36:30.119 --> 00:36:30.380 week 00:36:30.380 --> 00:36:31.179 one to 00:36:31.179 --> 00:36:31.480 one. 00:36:32.119 --> 00:36:32.460 You 00:36:32.460 --> 00:36:32.699 take 00:36:32.699 --> 00:36:33.099 time 00:36:33.099 --> 00:36:33.359 out 00:36:33.359 --> 00:36:33.619 in the 00:36:33.619 --> 00:36:33.900 week 00:36:33.900 --> 00:36:34.719 and you 00:36:34.719 --> 00:36:35.000 begin 00:36:35.000 --> 00:36:35.579 to read 00:36:35.579 --> 00:36:35.779 the 00:36:35.779 --> 00:36:36.119 Bible 00:36:36.119 --> 00:36:36.859 and as 00:36:36.859 --> 00:36:37.039 you 00:36:37.039 --> 00:36:37.400 do 00:36:37.400 --> 00:36:38.460 see the 00:36:38.460 --> 00:36:39.019 confidence 00:36:39.019 --> 00:36:39.519 in his 00:36:39.519 --> 00:36:39.759 word 00:36:39.759 --> 00:36:40.119 because 00:36:40.119 --> 00:36:40.739 it's 00:36:40.739 --> 00:36:41.000 so 00:36:41.000 --> 00:36:41.559 powerful 00:36:41.559 --> 00:36:41.880 it will 00:36:41.880 --> 00:36:42.519 change 00:36:42.519 --> 00:36:42.819 you 00:36:42.819 --> 00:36:44.059 and it 00:36:44.059 --> 00:36:44.359 will bring 00:36:44.359 --> 00:36:44.799 about a 00:36:44.799 --> 00:36:45.239 growth 00:36:45.239 --> 00:36:45.599 in your 00:36:45.599 --> 00:36:46.019 life 00:36:46.019 --> 00:36:46.900 and a 00:36:46.900 --> 00:36:47.259 growth 00:36:47.259 --> 00:36:47.579 within 00:36:47.579 --> 00:36:47.799 the 00:36:47.799 --> 00:36:48.299 church. 00:36:49.079 --> 00:36:49.579 The 00:36:49.579 --> 00:36:49.839 most 00:36:49.839 --> 00:36:50.380 important 00:36:50.380 --> 00:36:50.699 thing 00:36:50.699 --> 00:36:51.059 for us 00:36:51.059 --> 00:36:51.420 to do 00:36:51.420 --> 00:36:52.339 is to 00:36:52.339 --> 00:36:52.519 do 00:36:52.519 --> 00:36:52.839 that. 00:36:54.759 --> 00:36:55.440 And I 00:36:55.440 --> 00:36:55.859 think if 00:36:55.859 --> 00:36:56.539 we begin 00:36:56.539 --> 00:36:57.039 to do 00:36:57.039 --> 00:36:57.400 these 00:36:57.400 --> 00:36:57.839 things 00:36:57.839 --> 00:36:59.279 we will 00:36:59.279 --> 00:36:59.859 be so 00:36:59.859 --> 00:37:00.460 excited 00:37:00.460 --> 00:37:01.299 so enthused 00:37:01.300 --> 00:37:01.539 we will 00:37:01.539 --> 00:37:02.000 begin to 00:37:02.000 --> 00:37:02.360 see the 00:37:02.360 --> 00:37:02.740 change 00:37:02.740 --> 00:37:03.060 in our 00:37:03.060 --> 00:37:03.320 own 00:37:03.320 --> 00:37:03.780 lives 00:37:03.780 --> 00:37:05.039 that the 00:37:05.039 --> 00:37:05.660 words of 00:37:05.660 --> 00:37:06.300 Jesus will 00:37:06.300 --> 00:37:07.019 become so 00:37:07.019 --> 00:37:07.880 natural, so 00:37:07.880 --> 00:37:08.720 beautiful, so 00:37:08.720 --> 00:37:09.780 wonderful that 00:37:09.780 --> 00:37:10.680 we will begin to 00:37:10.680 --> 00:37:11.260 talk those 00:37:11.260 --> 00:37:12.780 words to 00:37:12.780 --> 00:37:13.640 other people as 00:37:13.640 --> 00:37:13.880 well. 00:37:14.640 --> 00:37:15.700 But if we want 00:37:15.700 --> 00:37:16.420 other people to 00:37:16.420 --> 00:37:16.980 hear those 00:37:16.980 --> 00:37:18.740 words we've 00:37:18.740 --> 00:37:19.500 got to start 00:37:19.500 --> 00:37:20.539 hearing them 00:37:20.539 --> 00:37:21.960 for ourselves 00:37:21.960 --> 00:37:22.420 first. 00:37:22.420 --> 00:37:26.559 Jesus' word 00:37:26.559 --> 00:37:27.180 must be a 00:37:27.180 --> 00:37:27.760 priority. 00:37:28.619 --> 00:37:29.000 Keep it 00:37:29.000 --> 00:37:29.500 central. 00:37:31.380 --> 00:37:32.079 Listen to 00:37:32.079 --> 00:37:32.680 it well 00:37:32.680 --> 00:37:34.539 and have 00:37:34.539 --> 00:37:35.300 confidence 00:37:35.300 --> 00:37:36.500 in its 00:37:36.500 --> 00:37:37.220 amazing 00:37:37.220 --> 00:37:37.780 power 00:37:37.780 --> 00:37:39.599 to change 00:37:39.599 --> 00:37:40.200 lives 00:37:40.200 --> 00:37:41.900 and to 00:37:41.900 --> 00:37:42.559 grow big. 00:37:43.500 --> 00:37:44.260 Let's 00:37:44.260 --> 00:37:44.559 pray. 00:37:44.559 --> 00:37:44.639 Amen. 00:37:44.639 --> 00:37:44.680 Amen. 00:37:44.680 --> 00:37:44.760 Amen. 00:37:44.760 --> 00:37:46.639 Amen. 00:37:46.639 --> 00:37:47.980 Amen. 00:37:47.980 --> 00:37:48.639 Amen. 00:37:48.639 --> 00:37:48.720 Amen. 00:37:48.720 --> 00:37:48.760 Amen. 00:37:48.760 --> 00:37:48.820 Amen. 00:37:48.820 --> 00:37:49.760 Amen. 00:37:49.760 --> 00:37:50.760 Amen. 00:37:50.760 --> 00:37:50.820 Amen. 00:37:50.820 --> 00:37:51.820 Amen. 00:37:51.820 --> 00:37:52.400 Amen. 00:37:52.400 --> 00:37:53.400 Amen. 00:38:00.180 --> 00:38:01.240 Our Father, we 00:38:01.240 --> 00:38:02.380 recognize that 00:38:02.380 --> 00:38:03.599 there are many 00:38:03.599 --> 00:38:04.460 things that will 00:38:04.460 --> 00:38:05.180 come in to 00:38:05.180 --> 00:38:05.960 try and 00:38:05.960 --> 00:38:07.780 steal away 00:38:07.780 --> 00:38:08.360 the words. 00:38:08.720 --> 00:38:09.380 Satan is 00:38:09.380 --> 00:38:10.059 there ready 00:38:10.059 --> 00:38:10.820 to take that 00:38:10.820 --> 00:38:11.639 seed and 00:38:11.639 --> 00:38:13.420 the worries 00:38:13.420 --> 00:38:14.300 of life, 00:38:14.880 --> 00:38:15.460 the things that 00:38:15.460 --> 00:38:15.900 are happening 00:38:15.900 --> 00:38:16.720 this week are 00:38:16.720 --> 00:38:17.380 ready to come 00:38:17.380 --> 00:38:18.160 in and bombard 00:38:18.160 --> 00:38:18.920 our minds 00:38:18.920 --> 00:38:19.840 and take away 00:38:19.840 --> 00:38:21.460 what is sown. 00:38:21.460 --> 00:38:24.360 and struggles 00:38:24.360 --> 00:38:25.059 and pressures. 00:38:27.000 --> 00:38:28.019 So we pray 00:38:28.019 --> 00:38:28.659 that by the 00:38:28.659 --> 00:38:29.400 power of your 00:38:29.400 --> 00:38:30.300 Holy Spirit 00:38:30.300 --> 00:38:31.940 allow that 00:38:31.940 --> 00:38:32.380 word, 00:38:32.519 --> 00:38:33.000 allow that 00:38:33.000 --> 00:38:33.679 seed to 00:38:33.679 --> 00:38:34.579 settle in 00:38:34.579 --> 00:38:35.240 our lives. 00:38:36.900 --> 00:38:37.780 May we 00:38:37.780 --> 00:38:38.880 hear it. 00:38:39.619 --> 00:38:40.380 May we 00:38:40.380 --> 00:38:41.320 accept it. 00:38:41.320 --> 00:38:43.039 God, may it 00:38:43.039 --> 00:38:44.100 produce in us 00:38:44.100 --> 00:38:45.120 amazing results 00:38:45.120 --> 00:38:45.820 in our own 00:38:45.820 --> 00:38:46.280 lives. 00:38:47.700 --> 00:38:48.280 May it 00:38:48.280 --> 00:38:49.120 produce amazing 00:38:49.120 --> 00:38:49.960 results in this 00:38:49.960 --> 00:38:50.640 church and in 00:38:50.640 --> 00:38:51.500 this community. 00:38:53.240 --> 00:38:54.340 May God do 00:38:54.340 --> 00:38:55.320 amazing things 00:38:55.320 --> 00:38:57.220 through his 00:38:57.220 --> 00:38:58.019 word, we pray 00:38:58.019 --> 00:39:00.180 in Jesus' name. 00:39:00.180 --> 00:39:01.840 Amen. 00:39:01.840 --> 00:39:01.980 Amen. 00:39:08.220 --> 00:39:08.260 Amen. 00:39:08.260 --> 00:39:08.600 Thank you.