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.
We have been looking at “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.
For days, we have been focused on the line, “the worries of this life,” or as other translations read, “the cares of this world.” Today, we flow in that same vein with a message about taking God at His Word and entering into His rest.
So what does this mean for you today? A few things.
1. Taking God At His Word.
— When God gives you a Word, have confidence in it and take Him at His Word.
— Most of the time, there is a space between the promise you get from God and the performance of the promise. In that space, satan will do all he can to get you to take on “the cares of this world” because, as Jesus explained in this parable, the cares of this world can choke out the Word in your life.
— Live by faith requires us to believe that God will do what He said He would do in our lives.
— To live by faith, we must resist fear, doubt, worry, and unbelief and anchor our beliefs in God’s promises.
2. Living by Faith and Rest.
— When you are in-faith you are also in-rest, knowing God already did what He said He was going to do.
— You are called to live by faith, which includes a rest component.
— God’s grace and His eternal nature ensure that His promises are already fulfilled in heaven.
— Manifestation on earth is a matter of time as you trust in His faithfulness.
3. Entering into God’s Rest.
— Receiving God’s peace is important, but entering His rest takes you to another level.
— When you enter God’s rest, you consider the matter settled in heaven; it is a done deal.
— Regardless of earthly delays, you remain steadfast and unshaken, not allowing the cares of this world to choke out God’s Word.
— The pressure of the situation holds no power over you because you trust in God’s faithfulness. You know God cannot lie and He will make His Word good in your life.
4. The Power of God’s Rest.
— In God’s rest, you do not take on the burdens or cares of this world.
— As Jesus explained in this parable, you know the cares of this world can choke out the Word, so you do all you can to resist every urge to take on care, worry, stress, and anxiety.
— You are confident in God and what He said, releasing the need to perform or earn His promises. Instead, you simply believe and trust in God’s character and His Word.
— While you are resting, you believe God is working, even if you can’t see it working.
— It’s like the farmer. He sows the seed, and once the seed is in the ground, he believes it is working, even though he cannot see it working. He does not even need to know how it works. Even farmers without a degree in agriculture get to enjoy harvests because they give the seed the time and space it needs to grow. They remove the weeds and they let the soil and the seed do what it does.
— While the farmer is sleeping, the seed is working! That’s how it is when you live a life of faith!
This reminds me of the parable of the growing seed (which we will deal with later), where Jesus said:
(Mark 4:26-29 NIV)
26 He also said, “This is what the kingdom of God is like. A man scatters seed on the ground.
27 Night and day, whether he sleeps or gets up, the seed sprouts and grows, though he does not know how.
28 All by itself the soil produces grain–first the stalk, then the head, then the full kernel in the head.
29 As soon as the grain is ripe, he puts the sickle to it, because the harvest has come.”
So, start resting because God is working while you are resting!
5. Meditating on God’s Word will help you rest in His promises.
— You can anchor yourself in the truth of God’s promises by meditating on HIs Word and by making declarations of faith that are based on His Word.
— When you meditate on God’s Word day and night, it will shape your beliefs and perspective.
— It will also help you combat (and overcome), thoughts of doubt and unbelief.
— Just like the farmer pulls out the weeds, you should confront doubt and unbelief as they come up in your heart.
— There is a devil and he gets a vote, so just know that he will do all he can to get you to think negative thoughts, so you can stress and choke out the Word.
— You can combat negative thoughts and replace them with the truth of God’s Word.
— Whenever a negative thought comes, you can do what Jesus did when he was tempted of satan. You can say, “No! It is written…”
6. Spend your days meditating on God’s goodness, His love, His grace, and the victory He has already provided.
— When you meditate and medicate on God’s Word, you develop a mindset of victory, and you don’t give the devil any space in your heart.
— Adopt a mindset of victory, knowing that God’s promises are already accomplished in the spirit, and they will manifest on the earth at just the right time!
— Abide in God’s love, knowing that His love for you is unchanging.
— Embrace His unearned grace and rely on it for every aspect of your life.
— Receive His love and grace, allowing them to sustain and empower you while you wait on God to do what He said!
— Enter into God’s rest!
Declaration of Faith:
Father, this is a season of refreshing and restoring for me! I boldly declare:
I take You at Your Word and have unwavering confidence in Your promises.
I live by faith, knowing that Your Word will come to pass in my life.
I enter into Your rest, knowing that You will do what You said You would do in my life!
In Your rest, I am not burdened by the cares of this world. I trust in Your character and Your Word.
I believe that while I am resting, You are actively working behind the scenes, bringing about the fulfillment of Your promises.
I spend my days meditating on Your goodness, love, grace, and the victory You have already provided.
I develop a mindset of victory, fully embracing the finished work of Your promises in the spirit.
Your love and grace sustain and empower me as I eagerly await the manifestation of Your Word.
Living this way, 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!
