Series: LegitWeek 2: “Christ through Me”
The Word: Mark 4:1-10, 13-20, 2 Corinthians 5:17.
Main Thought: A legit follower of Christ will change.
Message Explanation: Once a person becomes a legit follower of Christ, what is next?
Jesus says this in Mark 4:13: “Then Jesus said to them, “If you can’t understand the meaning of this parable, how will you understand all the other parables?” The Parable of the Sower unlocks all the other parables Jesus taught. Mark 4:3-9: “Listen! A farmer went out to plant some seed. 4 As he scattered it across his field, some of the seed fell on a footpath, and the birds came and ate it. 5 Other seed fell on shallow soil with underlying rock. The seed sprouted quickly because the soil was shallow. 6 But the plant soon wilted under the hot sun, and since it didn’t have deep roots, it died. 7 Other seed fell among thorns that grew up and choked out the tender plants so they produced no grain. 8 Still other seeds fell on fertile soil, and they sprouted, grew, and produced a crop that was thirty, sixty, and even a hundred times as much as had been planted!” 9 Then he said, “Anyone with ears to hear should listen and understand.”
The “Sower” represents Jesus. The soils represent the responses to the gospel. 4 Types of Responses to the Gospel of Jesus:
1. Doubting Listener (4:4, 15) Luke 4:15: “The seed that fell on the footpath represents those who hear the message, only to have Satan come at once and take it away.” Satan is called the “prince of the power of the air.” Satan consumes the seed by making the hearer doubt the claims of the Gospel.
2. Deceived by Emotions (5-6, 16-17) Luke 4:16-17: “The seed on the rocky soil represents those who hear the message and immediately receive it with joy. 17 But since they don’t have deep roots, they don’t last long. They fall away as soon as they have problems or are persecuted for believing God’s word.”
Explanation: The enthusiastic, emotional response: “immediately sprang up” as a quick response. This person wants all the BLESSINGS of the gospel but doesn’t want to follow Jesus. They want HEAVEN, FORGIVENESS, and an ABUNDANT life. They do not repent and go back to their old life soon after. They run from Jesus just as fast as they made the decision.
3. Distracted by Stuff (4-7, 18-19) Luke 4:18-19: “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.”
Thorns: Tough, thistle-bearing weeds that use up the available space, light and water that plants need to live. They love money more than Jesus. One thing different in this false convert is that they have good soil. These people understand the Gospel, have a conviction of sin, and make a decision for Jesus.
4. Legit Commitment to Jesus (8-9, 20)
Luke 4:20: “And the seed that fell on good soil represents those who hear and accept God’s word and produce a harvest of thirty, sixty, or even a hundred times as much as had been planted!”
Fertile Soil: He who is with hearts to hear, let him hear. Jesus is telling the crowd to be attentive and discern what the story means. Good soil represents a LEGIT Christ-follower. Surrender and willingness
(1) Which type of soil best represent your heart? (2) If not the good soil, would you come to Jesus today and have Him change your heart
Element of Fun: The students played the game, "Is it Really in the Bible? ” It was a fun game to watch at all campuses!
Music: Not Ashamed, Search My Heart, Your Love Never Fails, With Everything.
Favorite Moment: Celebrating student beginning a relationship with God and for those who are going to be baptized!
What’s Next: We will begin a series called, "Home Improvement" in November.
To watch any of the series messages, check out the vimeo page