Mark 4

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THE LISTENING PRINCIPLE

February 19, 2024

‘And he said to them, “Pay attention to what you hear: with the measure you use, it will be measured to you, and still more will be added to you”‘ (Mark 4:24 ESV). Jesus instructed His disciples to “pay attention” to His teachings. For the greater the measure of their concentration on listening to Him,

HOW BIG IS YOUR GOD?

February 20, 2023

‘The disciples were absolutely terrified. “Who is this man?” they asked each other. “Even the wind and waves obey him!”’ (Mark 4:41 NLT).  The disciples were afraid of the storm outside the boat until they awoke Jesus. Then, they feared the One inside the boat. We say that we believe and trust Jesus fully. Yet

“The seed that fell among the thorns represents others who hear God’s word, but all too quickly the message is crowded out by the worries of this life, the lure of wealth, and the desire for other things, so no fruit is produced.” (Mark 4:18-19 NLT).

February 19, 2022

THE THORNY SOIL OF THE AMERICAN HEART Jesus told a parable about a sower who sowed seed that fell on four types of soil. Some seed fell on a path, some in rocky soil, some fell in soil overgrown with thorns and some fell on good soil. Jesus later explained the parable to His disciples.

“But the worries of this age, the seduction of wealth, and the desires for other things enter in and choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful” (Mark 4:19 HCSB).

February 19, 2021

THE THORNY SOIL OF THE AMERICAN BELIEVER Jesus told a parable about a sower who sowed seed that fell on four types of soil. Some seed fell on a path, some in rocky soil, some fell in soil overgrown with thorns and some fell on good soil. Jesus later explained the parable to His disciples.

‘The disciples were absolutely terrified. “Who is this man?” they asked each other. “Even the wind and waves obey him!”’ (Mark 4:41 NLT).

February 20, 2019

HOW BIG IS YOUR GOD? The disciples were afraid of the storm outside the boat until they awoke Jesus. Then, they feared the One inside the boat. We say that we believe and trust Jesus fully. Yet when life’s storms come, we discover the true measure of our faith. The disciples thought they knew the

“But soon a fierce storm came up. High waves were breaking into the boat, and it began to fill with water” (Mark 4:37 NLT).

February 20, 2018

JESUS SOMETIMES LEADS US INTO A STORM
Jesus told the disciples that He wanted to take the boat to the other side of the Sea of Galilee. So, they pushed off and Jesus lay down to sleep in the back of the boat after a long day of ministry. Soon a fierce storm came up and threatened to sink the boat. Fearful, they awoke Jesus and He stilled the storm with a simple command. Then, asked them why they were afraid and why they lacked faith.

Four observations:
1) Jesus led them into the storm.
2) Jesus was with them, but was sleeping.
3) Jesus had the power to still the storm.
4) Jesus made a point to question why they chose fear over faith.

What can we learn from this story?

“Pay close attention to what you hear. The closer you listen, the more understanding you will be given—and you will receive even more” (Mark 4:24 NLT).

February 19, 2018

THE LISTENING PRINCIPLE
Jesus instructed His disciples to “pay close attention” to His teachings. For the “closer” they listened, the more they would receive understanding from His Word. This principle seems obvious: “listen and learn.” Yet, there is a spiritual component. For Christ is making a promise to those that pay close attention to His teachings that they will be given more and more understanding. This is why we love God’s Word. We read it everyday and everyday it brings new meaning to our lives.

“And they were filled with great fear and said to one another, ‘Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?'” (Mark 4:39 ESV)

February 20, 2013

The disciples were afraid of the storm outside the boat until they awoke Jesus. Then, they were afraid of the One inside the boat. We say that we believe and trust Jesus fully. Yet when life’s storms come, we discover the true measure of our faith. The disciples thought they knew the size of Jesus’ power, but it took a terrifying tempest to enlarge their understanding.

“To those who listen to my teaching, more understanding will be given” (Mark 4:25)

February 19, 2012

Listening precedes understanding. Jesus taught this maxim after speaking in parables that some didn’t get. Our ADD culture offers no help here. We must learn the habit of listening to God’s Word. It is a spiritual discipline that takes time. The more you listen, the more you understand.

“Still others, like seed sown among thorns, hear the word; but the worries of this life, the deceitfulness of wealth and the desires for other things come in and choke the word, making it unfruitful” (Mark 4:18-19)

February 19, 2011

What is bearing fruit in your life? Worldly worry or the Word?