Choking The Word of God

In Mark 4:1-20, we find the parable of the sower who sows the Gospel message (Word of God) and the different responses and effects of the Word on the hearts and lives of those who hear it. Yet, I would like to focus only on one of the results which we find in verses 7,18-19.

v. 7 - "Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants, so that they did not bear grain."
v. 18-19 - " Still others, like seed sown among thorns, hear the word; ¹⁹ 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.


Let us first look at the worries of life. How can the worries of life choke the Word of God in our lives?
Worries will cause us to look at our problems which in turn will cause us to lose our focus on God. The end results are: less time in God's Word and meaningful prayer, our faith and hope in God is choked, our strength is sapped.

Secondly, let us look at the deceitfulness of wealth. The desire to have more money and things often distract us from spending time in church and our personal devotional life. Also, those who allow this to dominate them will often ignore certain truths in God's Word in order to obtain these things. Often they will put things above relationships. If your primary goal is the pursuit of things, it will lead to worry and have a negative impact our spiritual lives.

Thirdly, the desire for other things. I put this separate from deceitfulness of wealth because it encompasses more than this. It includes the desire to obtain status, position, honor and to be in control. The scripture says that He opposes the proud and gives grace to the humble. If these things reign in our hearts it will choke the spiritual life out of us. It will cause us to compromise God's Word to obtain them. Also, it is a desire for ungodly and unhealthy relationships, which will stifle the Word of God in us and cause us to do things contrary to God's Word.

When we allow these things to wrap around our heart, it will choke Jesus, the Word of God in our lives. We will not bear much fruit or any fruit. These things stifle hope, faith and love which are the only things of lasting value.

Sound Doctrine

As the church of the living God, we are to be the pillar and foundation of truth. (I Timothy 3:15) The world is preaching tolerance & pressuring us to compromise the truths in God's Word. In church history, you will see at times the church has put great importance on doctrine and other times a total neglect of doctrine.

I find that many churches in the United States are no longer putting enough importance on church doctrine and teaching in the name of love and tolerance. In the name of freedom and free choice the church often neglects sound Bible teaching. Every one has the right to believe and act as they feel God would lead them. (key word here is "I" and "Feel") In fear of hurting people's feelings or God forbid that they might leave the church because they don't agree or feel uncomfortable, we often tone down strong teaching and give water downed preaching.

We in the church have often fallen into the western trap of individuality and independence void of sound doctrine. Some believe it is all about me, God, the Holy Spirit, and Jesus as my buddy.

I Timothy 4:1 - "The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons."

I Timothy 4:16 - " Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers."

The word "doctrine" is mentioned 6 times in the Epistles and the word "teach or teaching" is mentioned  54 times. The word "instruction" is mentioned 13 times.

Let us as a church watch our lives and doctrine closely. Right living is dependent on sound teaching and doctrine accompanied by the Holy Spirit.

BECOMING A SPIRITUAL BEGGAR

Blessed are the poor in spirit. Matthew 5:3

One who is poor in spirit has complete dependency on God.

I. Spiritual beggars are:

            A. Ones who do nothing on their own. John 5:19

            B. Ones who only does what the Father does.

            C. Ones who remain in Christ. John 15:5

            D. Ones who know that good itself does not dwell in him. Romans 7:18

II. When we present ourselves empty to God, he fills us up. 2 Kings 4:1-7

            A. More emptiness, more heaven resources.

            B. When your emptiness stops, so does heaven resources.

III. Take what you receive and share with others.

Dan Carl Message

Gifts without Presence

There is a different between gifts and God's presence. You can continue to use the gifts for a long time after the presence of the Lord has already left. Saul lost the presence after 2 years and continued serving as king for another 40 years. You can continue in the calling and ministry God gave you without His presence. You can even have good results, but in the end you will be judged by God.

We do not have to prove ourselves.

As I was reading the story of Christ's crucifixion in the gospel of Matthew, I was struck by the fact that the bystanders were mocking Christ's authority and asking Him to prove himself by coming down from the cross.

The Lord spoke to me that we do not have to prove ourselves when we are being obedient to God. We don't have to answer to others but God alone. It sure would have been tempting for Christ to show his power.

If Jesus had listened to their mocking and encouragement to rescue himself, he would of disobeyed His Father and we would not have been saved from our sin. Oh yes, if he had come off that cross many would have believed in Him and followed Him, but provision for our salvation would not have been made. It would have been a short won victory. It would have been a short term gain, but a long term lost.

Let us be careful not to be led by the crowd or choose the path of less resistance. Let us be careful to not let our pride cause us from being obedient to Him. There are many voices out their pulling at us, but there is only one voice that we are to listen to. The idea may look good in our eyes and/or in the eyes of others, but there is only one path. There is no short cuts with God. There is no plan two. We must stay the course.

No Godly Knoweldge - No Godly Power

Matthew 22:29 - " Jesus replied, “You are in error because you do not know the Scriptures or the power of God."

Many people are in error because they do not know the Bible or the power of God. It is through faith in God's Word's that we can know the power of God. Yet, there are those who know Scripture but don't know the power of God because they have not yielded to the author of the Bible who is the Holy Spirit.

How are we to live as God would have us to live if we don't know and understand His Word? How can we have the power of God if we don't believe in the Bible and apply it to our lives?

Let us know longer live in ignorance and powerless. Let us decide this day a fresh and a new to know God's Word, act on His Word and yield to the Holy Spirit's power.

A Crumb from the Lord's Table

A crumb from the Lord's table is better than a feast at the worlds or devils table.

Matthew 15:27-28 - "“Yes it is, Lord,” she said. “Even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their master’s table.” 28 Then Jesus said to her, “Woman, you have great faith! Your request is granted.” And her daughter was healed at that moment."

The context of this verse is that a woman came to Jesus with a demon possessed daughter to be healed by Jesus. Jesus wasn't interested in healing her being that she was a gentile. He states his mission was to go to the lost sheep of Israel. Yet, because of her persistence, wisdom, humility and faith, Christ heals her.

She asked only for a crumb of God's mercy and power. That little crumb that fell from the Lord's table broke the power of the devil and brought healing. Wow! A morsel of God's grace, mercy, love and power is more than all that the world or the devil can give us.