DEEPER LIF SEARCH THE SCRIPTURE
SEARCH THE SCRIPTURE by Pastor Kumuyi of the Deeper Christian Life Ministry for today is here. Digest the word of the lord and pray believing.
Youth Search The Scripture Lesson: 76
TOPIC: PARABLES OF THE SEEDS
Memory Verse: "And with many such parables spake he the word unto them, as
they were able to hear it. But without a parable spake he not unto them; and
when they were alone he expounded all things to his disciples" (Mark 4:33,34).
Text: Mark 4:1-41
And
began again to teach by the sea side; and there was gathered unto him a great
multitude"(verse 1). Jesus was a great teacher come from heaven. His major
mission on earth was to teach people about the kingdom of God, to heal the sick
and preach the gospel. One major feature of Christ's teaching ministry was the
use of parables.” ‘And he taught them many things by parables, and said unto
them
in his doctrine" (verse 2). Parables were simple stories or illustrations
which the Lord used to explain deep spiritual truth. Such parables often serve
a dual purpose. One, they conceal the truth from unserious and ill-motivated
seekers. Two, they make sincere seekers to think deeply, ask questions
and in the process they are able to discover in more comprehensive detail, the
spiritual truth that Jesus was teaching them. The use of parables thus
prevented people from being mere passive listeners. Instead, it made them to participate
more in the learning process and to discover spiritual truths for themselves.
THE SOWER,THE SEED AND THE SOIL (Mark 4:3-20; Matthew 13:1-23;Luke
8:4-15)
Jesus
compared the kingdom of God to a sower who went out to sow, as it was the
practice in those days. The process often resulted in some seeds falling on
unwanted places such as the way side, rocky places and among thorns. Only the seeds
that fell on the good or prepared soil had chances of
producing appreciable fruits. The seeds that fell by the way side were exposed
to the hardened and well-worn pathway. Consequently, the birds of the air
easily snatched them up. Those on the stony ground
seldom germinate because they lack moisture. The seeds among thorns may
germinate, but the thorns often choke them by and by. The seeds on the good
ground germinate and grow to maturity bringing forth fruits in thirty, sixty or
an hundred fold.
Question
1: What can Christian youths learn from the interpretation of the parable of
the sower?
The
disciples asked the Lord for the meaning of this parable and He systematically
outlined the interpretation for them. From the Lord's explanation, Christian
youths can learn some lessons. First, it is not enough to hear the word of God
we must ensure that we obey. A mere superficial hearing will be of no benefit
unless we are determined to practise what we hear (James 1:22-25). Second, we
must consciously seek to understand the words that are taught. For example, the
disciples heard the parable like other people but secretly came to the Lord for
further clarifications. To receive explanation from the Lord will involve
tarrying before Him in prayers, seeking, meditating and asking questions after
the teaching of Search the Scriptures
for further clarification on areas not understood. The believers in Berea were
like the disciples (Acts 17:10,12). Lazy and unserious youths can neither learn
much nor make much spiritual progress in God's kingdom. This is why Jesus said
unto the disciples, "Unto you it is given to know the mystery of the kingdom
of God: but unto them that are without, all these things are done in
parables'(Mark 4:11). The crowd consisted of so many unserious seekers who would
never bother to check up and seek to understand what they heard or saw. As
such, they have eyes to see but do not truly see and they have ear to hear but
do not truly hear. Consequently, they can neither develop nor have the kind of faith
that would bring them salvation
"faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God" (Romans
10:17). Third, the four kinds of soil represents four kinds of hearers. It may
also represent different stages in an individual's life. Some seekers are
comparable to the "way side" in their reception and perception of the
truth. They are so carefree and unworried by their ignorance of God's word.
They fail to understand God's word and do little or nothing to improve. The
rocky ground hearers are those whose response to God's word is merely
superficial and short-lived. They easily loose their faith in the face of
tribulation and persecution. "Thorny-hearted" hearers are those who
want to serve two masters. They easily embrace worldly cares, worries and
anxieties, while they profess religiosity. On the
other hand, the seed on good ground are those who sincerely receive the word of
God and practise it. They are the only ones who can produce fruits in multiple
folds because of their tenacity of purpose and firm determination to excel in
the face of daunting odds. Fourth, there are degrees of fruitfulness. Some are
thirty- fold, some sixty-fold and others hundred-fold. These show that we can
grow in fruitfulness (John 15:2) and that there can be variations in the way
believing youths exhibit then fruits of repentance, evangelism and of the
Spirit. Youths who are more diligent will be more fruitful than the others. But
all should desire to grow to perfection in fruit-bearing.
Question
2: What should be our attitude to those who reject the gospel?
Jesus'
example should serve as encouragement and warning to those who sow the seed of God's
word. Not everyone will respond positively to our messages (Ezekiel 3:5- 7). We
should not allow the number of those who reject the message to demoralise us as
to give up sowing the word of God. “They that sow in tears shall reap in joy.
He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come
again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him" (Psalm 126:5,6). As
believing youths, we should let our light shine before all men that sinners can
easily trace their way to-Christ through our personal examples at home,'
school, church or community. We should not hide our light and should be careful
how we treat the word of God in various places.
A
LAMP ON A STAND,THE GROWING SEED AND THE MUSTARD SEED (Mark 4:21-34; Matthew
13:31,32; Luke 13:18,19)
In
this second parable, Christ asked a pertinent question, "And he said unto
them, Is a candle brought to be put under a bushel, or under a bed? and not to
be set on a candlestick?" (Mark 4:21). This made it clear that there is nothing
kept secret that shall not be exposed (Hebrews 4:13). He therefore stated that
those who "have ears to hear, let them hear”. Christ pointed to the
importance of paying adequate attention to the word of God (verse 25). The Lord
in the third parable compared the kingdom of
heaven to a seed planted in the ground and began to grow even though the man
who planted the seed did not understand how the growth took place. The plant
went through different stages of growth before bearing fruits and, finally,
ready for harvest. This parable signifies the gradual and continual nature of
spiritual growth. Whether as an individual or a church, growth or maturity
takes place thro ugh a process of time. We can hasten up our growth process. by
receiving wholeheartedly the word of God; searching the Scriptures person ally,
attending fellowship regularly, praying consistently and preaching the gospel
constantly.
Question
3: What is the lesson from the parable of the mustard seed?
The
Lord also compared the kingdom of God to a mustard seed. Though it is a very small,
almost imperceptible seed, it has the ability to sprout when planted. Then, it
becomes a large garden plant (not a big tree but one of the 1 largest herbaceous
plants) under whose shade birds of the air, easily
lodge. This parable teaches a believing youth the insignificant beginning of
the Christian faith; its dramatic outcome and overwhelming influence upon the
world. Are you a growing Christian?
JESUS
CALMS THE STORM
(Mark 4:35-41;John 14:27; Romans 14:17; Ephesians 2:14-17; Psalm 119:165;
Isaiah 26:3,4:48:18; Philippians 4:6-9; Romans 16:20)
"And
the same day, when the even was come, he saith unto them, Let us pass over unto
the other side" (verse 35). This was the proclamation of Christ after His
sermon on parables, which means no storm, Satan or devil can contradict or
nullify His word. Christ is infallible, irresistible and incomparable. If He
promised anything, presence and power, it will be fulfilled in our lives.
"Let us pass over unto
the other side". This was the proclamation that Christ made personally.
The plan of Jesus for His discip les was for them to get to the other side. He
chose them to be fruitful and make progress, and nothing could hinder that. Therefore,
there should not be reason for their anxiety. Because the crisis
could not be reconciled with Christ's plan, promise, purpose, and precept; so
there should be no reason for them to be afraid of a storm. Christian youths
should learn from this. They should never allow fear to overwhelm them. Rather,
they should take their fear to Jesus in whom there is peace.
Question
4: As Christian youths, what should be our reaction during challenges of life?
"And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and
said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great
calm" (Mark 4:39). Christ is greater than your persecutions, oppositions,
fears, storms, winds and all the things that want to stop your journey
half-way. Everything Jesus said in His power and promise, He has sealed with
His blood. His word will be yea and amen in your life. Trust in the
Lord forever no matter the situation and condition of your life, and you will
not be ashamed (isaiah 26:4). "Be careful for nothing; but in everything
by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known
unto God" (Philippians 4:6). Your heavenly Father knows and care for you
as His sons and daughters.
