The Bethany Blog
Parable of the Soils
Apr 20, 2009
Yesterday we focused on Mark 4:1-20 where Jesus gives the parable of the sower, the seed, and the soils. The main point of the passage, in my opinion, is that the word of God is intended to grow and bear great fruit. The seed (the word) has great power. The sower (Jesus) throws that seed out without discrimination. He doesn’t limit His scattering to the good soil, but throws it everywhere. Sometimes I will not share the good news with someone because I have the arrogance to think I know what is in their soul. I think that they will never respond. Before God transforms us, aren’t we all just dirt?
So there are four different soils he talks about here. First, you have the hardened soil along the path. The word doesn’t penetrate into his heart. He needs to humble himself before God. Second, you have the rocky soil where only shallow roots grow. This person is weak and falls at when the trials come in life. She needs to surrender completely and grow deeper in the knowledge of the Lord. Third, there is the thorny soil. The thorns choke out the plant and no fruit comes. He needs to renounce the deceitful things of the world and live for God. Finally, there is the good soil where the seed comes in and bears fruit exponentially.
God wants to do great things in His church, but we must be humble, surrendered, growing deeper, and living for Him alone. When these conditions are met transformation will take place.
The Pursuit
Mar 26, 2009
In February, we began going through the book of Mark verse by verse in our worship service. We decided to preach through Mark because the Christian life is essentially about following in the footsteps of the Master - Jesus Christ. This is our pursuit. And it is not just a pursuit- it is the pursuit. We can’t just say that we pursue advancement in work, degrees in school, bigger and nicer stuff, and also Jesus. Yet that is how most people live… and they are frustrated.
I think C.S. Lewis in his book Mere Christianity, said it well: “Christ says, ‘Give me All. I don’t want so much of your time and so much of your money and so much of your work: I want You. I have not come to torment your natural self, but to kill it. No half-measures are any good.’”
You see, the only way to truly pursue Christ is to pursue Him only and give Him everything. Make the pursuit of Christ your life’s ambition and you will find true happiness, peace, and meaning. Each week someone from our staff will add a post to this blog to engage our minds in this pursuit. I hope you will read and interact with us on this journey.