Volume 48 # 34, -- August 22, 2008
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Jesus Taught In Parables
– Mark Four –
Jesus was the master teacher. He often used parables to explain His simple truths. Mark chapter four is very much like Matthew 13. Large crowds were attracted to Jesus. Some came hoping for a miracle. Others came to hear His powerful teaching. The crowds were now so large that Jesus got into a boat and taught them. One of Jesus parables was that of the seed and the sower.
The seed was sown in different soils and of course the result was very different. Jesus taught in parables so that those that were interested could learn about forgiveness and salvation. When Jesus was alone with the twelve He explained that the seed was the word of God. He said that it fell into different kinds of soils and brought forth different results. His message was simple and should have been accepted by all that heard.
After both giving and explaining the parable of the seed and the sower Jesus gave other parables. He used a candle and other seed to make known His truth. Our Lord was amazing both in teaching and in action. He could sleep in a boat on the sea during a storm and He could even still the storm and bring about a great calm. What a mighty God we serve!
The parable of the seed given – Mark 4:1-12: Jesus again taught by the Sea of Galilee. A very large crowd gathered He sat in a boat out on the lake and taught. He taught many things in parables. A parable was taking something that had happened or could happen and teaching a spiritual lesson with that story. One parable was that of a sower that went out to sow his seed. The seed sown had different results.
Some of the seed fell along the road and was eaten by birds. There was some rocky ground and some of the seed feel there. The soil was not deep and so when the sun came up, the plants were scorched and died. Other seed fell among thorns that choked it and it produced no grain. There was some of the seed that feel in good soil and it grew and produced. The seed yielded thirty-fold and sixty-fold and hundred-fold. Jesus repeated the statement "He who has ears to hear, let him hear."
The apostles did not understand the parable so they asked the Lord for an explanation. We must all do our best to make sure that we understand the Lord's teachings also. Jesus told His apostles, "To you has been given the secret of the kingdom of God, but for those outside everything is in parables." These people were unwilling to grasp heaven's truths because many of these truths would condemn their sinful way of living.
The parable of the seed explained – Mark 4:13-20: Jesus told the apostles that this was a simple parable. If they could not understand this one, they would certainly not understand other parables. He said the seed that was sown was the word of God. The seed fell into different kinds of hearts. The seed that fell along the road was those people that heard the word and Satan came and snatched it quickly out of their hearts. The seed that fell on rocky ground represented those people that with joy received the word but never developed spiritual depth. When life got heard they gave up the faith.
Some seed fell among thorns. These people heard the word of God. Sadly, "the cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things entering in, choked the word, and it becometh unfruitful." They never produced any fruit for God. There were some seed that produced fruit. They fell on good ground and they produced thirty-fold and sixty-fold and even a hundred-fold. These people had good and honest hearts and did their best in serving God faithfully.
Jesus spoke about candles and seed – Mark 4:21-34: Often we act much more foolish in our spiritual lives than we would ever consider doing in our physical lives. Men would never light a candle to produce light for the house and then cover it with something. However we may allow some foolish conduct to cover our spiritual light and destroy our influence for good. Let us remember that there is coming a day when every secret thing will come to light.
Again the Lord repeated, "If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear." An additional admonition is also given concerning our hearing. Our attitude in hearing is important so the Bible says, "Take heed therefore how ye hear..." (Luke 8:18) But here the Lord said, "Pay attention to what you hear: with the measure you use, it will be measured to you, and still more will be added to you." Listen carefully to what you hear. Pay careful attention to what is said.
The Lord again used seed to help explain the kingdom. He said, "The kingdom of God is as if a man should scatter seed on the ground." He may not understand how the seed grows in the ground but it does. Jesus wanted us to understand that what we do becomes an influence that continues to live and act whether we are aware of it or not. With faith and patience let us serve and await God's judgment.
To gain their attention Jesus asked, "With what can we compare the kingdom of God, or what parable shall we use for it?" He said, "It is like a grain of mustard seed, which, when sown on the ground, is the smallest of all the seeds on earth, But once it is planted, it grows larger than any garden plant. It even puts out branches that are big enough for birds to nest in its shade." From a very small beginning the kingdom would become strong and from small begin-nings the knowledge that people have of God and their relationship with him can grow strong.
Jesus calmed the storm – Mark 4:35-41: Jesus did many powerful things to prove that He is Lord of all. On this night they and some other little boats were crossing the sea. The Bible says, "He was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow." A horrible storm came upon them as Jesus slept in the boat. As the waves splashed in the boat was about to sink.
His disciples awoke Him saying, "Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?" Jesus commanded the winds to cease and there was a great calm. Jesus explained to them that they should have faith and not fear. The disciples feared or were filled with amazement saying, "What manner of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?"
We serve a mighty Lord that "Even the wind and the waves obey him!" When our lives are being tossed by the storms of the world we can find peace and calm in the Lord.
Do you believe in Jesus? If so it is time to become a Christian now! To become a Christian you must hear the gospel (Romans 10:17), believe in Jesus (John 8:24), repent of sins (Acts 17:30), confess Christ as Lord (Acts 8:37), and be baptized to be saved. (1 Peter 3:21). After baptism follow Jesus in faithfulness as He leads you home to heaven. (Revelation 2:10)
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News & Notes
1. Prayer List: In Need Of Prayers: Anderson Bagents, Jerry Barr, Ellis Bender (brother of Doyle & Roy Bender), Shirley Boutwell, Dannie Box, Ida “Jean” Brazell (mother-in-law of Felice Kendrick), Gene & Dorothy Buck, Wayne & Viola Corley, Shirley Curry (mother of Sue Hunt), Bobby Fullington, Jean Gafford, Roy Goodwin, Judy Green, Cage Harrell, Billy Heartsill, Mary Lawrence, Abigail Matthews, Renny McNaughton (brother of Patricia Gafford), Reba Miller (mother of Pam Till), Edith Mosley, Pat Newton, Tyler Owens, Mary Powell, Zachary Reynolds, Don Shirley, Sarah Stidham, Rebecca Stinson (aunt of Jerri Davis & Neomia Collins), Ted Tindal, Juanita Turner, Richard Watts, Mary Williams, and Kim Willett (sister of Randy Fullington). Crowne Health Care: Mary Alexander, James Alford, Gladys Childs, Kathy Johnson, Wallace Murry, and Myrtle Perdue. Pine Needle: Mary Lou Phelps. Georgiana Nursing Facility: Helen Autrey, and Doris Pierce. Shut-Ins: Emma Lee Gafford, Jean Hayes, and Doris Taylor.
2. Baptized Into Christ: We welcome Randy Futch into the body of Christ. He lives at 532 Steele Circle, Greenville, Alabama 36037 – Phone 371-0504. His birthday is March 19th. Make him feel welcome as a part of the Walnut Street Church of Christ.
3. Sympathy Expressed: Our love and sympathy is expressed to Terri Lynn Bagents and her family in the death of her nephew, Austin Shows.
4. Please Pray For: Pray for Paul Findley, Ben Newton and Jason Godwin as they serve in Iraq. Also pray for Dennis Phillips Jr. as he will be going to Iraq soon.
5. Pray For Permission To Build: Pray that we can obtain permission to build a building in Annai, Guyana, South America. A congregation is needed there. You have to be granted land to build on. You cannot just purchase it.
6. Birthday: Celebrating birthdays this week are: August 24th Chase Black and Kyle Sexton, August 26th Lisa Bagents and Alicia Sexton, and August 30th Kaitlyn Lucas.
7. Write To Jason Godwin: His address is: Jason E. Godwin, C Company 1-244th ASLT BN, APO AE 09391. If you are a member of the young Adult Bible Class be sure to help fill the box to be sent to Jason soon.
8. Ladies Day: Walnut Street Church of Christ will host a Ladies Day on September 13th. The speaker is Sheila Butt. The theme is Seeking Spiritual Beauty. Registration will begin at 9:15. The seminar will end with a luncheon at noon. For more information contact Lisa Bagents at 334-335-6059.
9. A Wonderful Opportunity: We are receiving a bundle of “Think” magazines each month. Please take advantage of this wonderful opportunity and read these good articles.
10. Preaching: Jason Holladay has recently preached at Wetumpka and the County Line Church of Christ. We are blessed to have the Holladay’s with us.
11. Web-Site: Check out our website: http:\\www.walnutstreetchurchofchrist.org. New material is added each week and you can also access many teaching articles and past issues of The Reporter.
12. Put These Dates On Your Calendar: (a) September 6th – Youth Day – Fairhope Church of Christ – Speaker Caleb Campbell – Time 10:00 a.m. until 1:30 p.m. (b) September 13th – Ladies Day – Walnut Street Church of Christ – Speaker Sheila Butt – Theme Seeking Spiritual Beauty – Registration begins at 9:15 a.m. and ends with a luncheon at noon. (c) September 20th – Youth Rally – Sylacauga Church of Christ – Theme the Gospel Is for All: Overcoming Prejudice & Hypocrisy – Speakers Mike Whisenant and James Jones – Time 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. (d) October 5th-9th – Gospel Meeting – Walnut Street Church of Christ – Speaker Ron Bryant – Sunday 6:00 p.m. and Weeknights at 7:00. (e) June 28th – July 2, 2009 – Vacation Bible School – Walnut Street Church of Christ. (f) July 12th-17th, 2009 – Backwoods Christian Camp.
Alternate Life Style Or Sin?
Is homosexuality just an alternate lifestyle or is it sin before God? Homosexuals have received much positive publicity of late. This has led to social acceptance and even to same sex marriages. However, remember, many things which are gladly accepted by man are abhorred by God. (Leviticus 18:22)
Remember Sodom and Gomorrah: Genesis chapter 19 pictures Sodom's depravity and the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah as God rained fire and brimstone upon them. These cities were destroyed for wickedness and one of the wicked things they were guilty of was men lusting after men. "But the men of Sodom were exceedingly wicked and sinful against the Lord." (Genesis 13:13) The sin of homosexuality still bears the name of this wicked place. It is called sodomy. Homosexuality is both unnatural and unclean. Those that practice such set themselves up for eternal destruction. "As Sodom and Gomorrah, and the cities around them in a similar manner to these, having given themselves over to sexual immorality and gone after strange flesh, are set forth as an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire." (Jude 7)
Remember the Gentiles: "For this reason God gave them up to vile passions. For even their women exchanged the natural use for what is against nature. Likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust for one another, men with men committing what is shameful, and receiving in themselves the penalty of their error which was due." (Romans 1:26-27) God referred to their homosexual acts as "uncleanness and vile or evil affections." One cannot be given over to a greater slavery than his own lust. (James 1:14-15) Through lust that produces homosexuality God is dishonored and the person practicing such is also dishonored.
God hates homosexuality. Homosexuals can be saved; but in order to go to heaven they must repent of their sin and turn in humble and complete obedience to God's will. If one chooses to continue in homosexuality he will spend eternity separated from God. (Isaiah 59:1-2)
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People that say they love God but do not attend the worship services faithfully are strange people.
Don’t just own a Bible; read it!
Walnut Street Church of Christ
P.O. Box 551
Greenville, Alabama 36037-0551
(334-382-3001)