This morning, we continue our series on “The Parables of Jesus.” We will seek to glean “Pearls from the Parables.”
Before we get to the parable, let’s look at a scripture we have been looking at all year. This is something I believe the Lord wants us to meditate on.
(Psalm 126:4 TPT)
Now, Lord, do it again! Restore us to our former glory! May streams of your refreshing flow over us until our dry hearts are drenched again.
This is a season of refreshing and restoring for us.
Last week, I introduced you to “The Mother of All Parables.” Let’s get back to it today. Jesus said:
(Mark 4:13-20 ERV)
The farmer is like someone who plants God’s teaching in people. Sometimes the teaching falls on the path. That is like some people who hear the teaching of God. As soon as they hear it, Satan comes and takes away the teaching that was planted in them.
Other people are like the seed planted on rocky ground. They hear the teaching, and they quickly and gladly accept it. But they don’t allow it to go deep into their lives. They keep it only a short time. As soon as trouble or persecution comes because of the teaching they accepted, they give up.
Others are like the seed planted among the thorny weeds. They hear the teaching, but their lives become full of other things: the worries of this life, the love of money, and everything else they want. This keeps the teaching from growing, and it does not produce a crop in their lives.
And others are like the seed planted on the good ground. They hear the teaching and accept it. Then they grow and produce a good crop—sometimes 30 times more, sometimes 60 times more, and sometimes 100 times more.
Yesterday, we looked at the rocky ground. We will go back to it again today. Jesus said these people, “Hear the teaching, and they quickly and gladly accept it. But they don’t allow it to go deep into their lives. They keep it only a short time. As soon as trouble or persecution comes because of the teaching they accepted, they give up.”
Yesterday we started looking at the rocky ground.
Jesus identifies three issues with these types of people:
(1) They do not allow the Word of God to go deep into their lives.
(2) They keep it only for a short time.
(3) As soon as trouble or persecution comes (because of the Word), they are quick to give up!
The boundless potential found in the Word of God actually attracts opposition. Satan wants to stop you before you tap into the potential of the Word sown in your heart. So when the Word comes, get ready, because trouble and persecution will come BECAUSE of the Word.”
So what does this mean for you today? A few things.
1. The potential found in the Word of God is boundless and supernatural.
— Recognize the unparalleled power contained within God’s Word. It can transform lives, break strongholds, and bring about supernatural change.
— As you immerse yourself in the Word, expect its power to attract opposition.
— God’s Word can, without question, change your life forever, but only if you withstand the attacks of the enemy that the Word will attract.
2. There is so much power in the Word that God goes out of His way to sow it, and satan goes out of his way to snatch it!
— God goes out of His way to sow His Word into your heart because He knows the power His Word contains.
— One Word from God can change your situation.
— One Word from God can change your life forever!
— Satan knows the supernatural power contained in God’s Word. So when God’s Word is sown in your heart, the Bible says he comes immediately to attempt to snatch it away.
— The supernatural potential contained in the Word of God actually attracts opposition from satan.
3. Satan could care less about you; he is concerned with stopping you from walking in your purpose.
— In general, when satan comes after you, he is not concerned with you, per se. He is attacking the purpose God placed IN you.
— Satan wants to stifle you before you maximize your purpose and potential.
— Satan doesn’t care if you go to church on Sunday or sing songs throughout the week. What scares him is when you attempt to maximize your purpose to the extent that you cooperate with God so that God can change the world through you.
— When God sows His Word in your heart, satan comes after the Word. He is not after you, per se; he is after the Word because he knows what can happen if God’s Word is allowed to produce in your life.
4. Jesus taught us to grow by receiving and responding to God’s Word.
— Jesus put a premium on hearing from God and living by every Word you can see, hear, and understand. But Jesus also explained that trouble and persecution will come BECAUSE of the Word.
— Satan will do all he can to cause you to give up on God and the Word you received from Him BEFORE that Word produces anything in your life.
— Satan knows he cannot stop God, nor can he stop the power of the Word. But satan can attempt to get you frustrated. If you get frustrated and give up BEFORE harvest time, then you have basically stopped yourself. Satan can’t stop you, but YOU can stop YOU! The only way you can lose is if you quit.
5. Don’t be surprised when the opposition comes.
— Be aware of this: God comes, the Word comes, faith comes, but then satan will come. Just be aware of it.
— Understand that Satan recognizes the power of God’s Word and seeks to hinder its impact on your life. Be prepared for his strategic attacks, which may come in the form of doubt, distraction, temptation, or persecution.
6. Strengthen your faith in the Word.
— Cultivate a strong faith in the power and promises of God’s Word.
— Meditate and medicate on God’s Word day and night.
— Develop an unshakable belief in His faithfulness and the effectiveness of His Word.
— When opposition arises, anchor yourself in unwavering trust, knowing that God’s Word will prevail.
7. Stay connected to the source!
— You know satan will do everything he can to stop you and to stop the Word from working in your life, so a) don’t be surprised when the attacks come, and b) stay connected to the source!
— Maintain a deep and intimate relationship with God through prayer, worship, and fellowship. By staying connected to the source of power, you will be strengthened, encouraged, and equipped to overcome any opposition that arises.
8. Stand firm in the truth of God’s Word.
— Heaven and earth can pass away, but God’s Word will still be standing.
— Ground yourself in the truth of God’s Word. Allow it to guide your thoughts, actions, and decisions.
— When trouble comes (and it will), hold fast to the truth of every Word God spoke to you and refuse to compromise or waiver in your convictions.
9. Be on the offensive!
— Of all the items listed in the whole armor of God (in Ephesians 6), the only offensive weapon is the Sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God.
— Go on the offensive and use the Sword God gave you!
— Engage in spiritual warfare by utilizing the authority and power given to you as a believer. Stand on the Word and use the name of Jesus to rebuke the enemy, declare scripture as a weapon, and pray fervently for protection, guidance, and victory.
— Don’t just take what satan brings lying down. Use what God gave you.
10. Surround yourself with people of like-precious-faith.
— Trouble will come, which is why you need a church family.
— Seek support and accountability from your brothers and sisters in Christ.
— Surround yourself with people of faith who understand the power of God’s Word and can provide support, encouragement, and agreement (in faith).
11. Walk in the spirit of an overcomer!
— Develop grit, determination, perseverance, and endurance through God’s Word and His Spirit.
— Don’t be surprised by the opposition when it comes, and refuse to be deterred by it.
— Persevere and endure, knowing that the challenges you face are temporary.
— Mediate on the Word long enough to see what God is doing in your situation and trust that He has already given you the grace to overcome!
— The power of the Word attracts opposition, but God has given you the grace for it!
We will discuss this further tomorrow.
Declaration of Faith:
Father, this is a season of refreshing and restoring for me! I boldly declare:
The Word of God has boundless and supernatural potential to transform my life. I know its power will attract opposition, but I stand firm in the face of challenges.
Father, You sow Your Word into my heart because You know it has the power to change my situation. One Word from You can shift everything in my life.
I am aware that satan recognizes the supernatural power in Your Word, so he attempts to snatch it away and attack me when I retain it. But I am equipped to resist his attacks and protect the Word planted in my heart.
I refuse to be deterred, distracted, or dissuaded. I will maximize my purpose and potential. I will impact the world through God’s Word, His Spirit, and His grace on my life!
Though trouble and persecution may come, I will not give up. I will press forward, knowing that quitting is not an option for me.
I am prepared to overcome fear, doubt, distraction, temptation, and persecution with unwavering faith.
I meditate and medicate on God’s Word day and night. Therefore, I know I shall prevail in every situation because Jesus has given me the victory!
Lastly, I go on the offensive! I use the Sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God, as my weapon. I engage in spiritual warfare, rebuking the enemy, declaring the Word, pleading the blood, praying in faith, and receiving guidance and victory. This is how I know GREATER IS COMING FOR ME!
I declare this by faith. In Jesus’ name, Amen!
This is Today’s Word. Apply it and prosper!
