Luke 8:1-15
Hear! Hear! Jesus never changesJesus never changes he’s always doing new things …he’s always doing new things … a new nationa new nation a new familya new family a new kingdoma new kingdom a new worda new word
Hear! Hear! what is a parable?what is a parable? an earthly story with a heavenly meaning …an earthly story with a heavenly meaning … a picturea picture a mirror – to see ourselvesa mirror – to see ourselves a window – to see Goda window – to see God
Hear! Hear! the seed is a symbol of the word of God the sower represents Jesus and anyone who spreads the good news plentifully (2 Cor. 9:6) passionately (Ps. 126:6) patiently (Gal. 6:9)
the four soils – four different responses to the Bible messagethe four soils – four different responses to the Bible message ‘he who has ears to hear, let him hear’ (8)‘he who has ears to hear, let him hear’ (8) truth - use it or lose it!truth - use it or lose it!
Hear! Hear! the hard-hearted (12)the hard-hearted (12) ‘in ear … out ear’ – no interest in the Bible‘in ear … out ear’ – no interest in the Bible ‘It’s not for me!’‘It’s not for me!’ ground needs ploughedground needs ploughed comfort zone squeezedcomfort zone squeezed
Hear! Hear! the hard-hearted (12)the hard-hearted (12) ‘The hardness of God is kinder than the softness of man.’ C S Lewis
Hear! Hear! the soft-hearted (13)the soft-hearted (13) say ‘yes’ to Jesus with an initial enthusiasmsay ‘yes’ to Jesus with an initial enthusiasm then goes pear-shapedthen goes pear-shaped end up cursing God for their spate of bad luckend up cursing God for their spate of bad luck a skin-deep experiencea skin-deep experience
Hear! Hear! the half-hearted (14)the half-hearted (14) divided loyalties – a life pulled in two directionsdivided loyalties – a life pulled in two directions worries and wealthworries and wealth you can’t run with the foxes and hunt with the hounds at same timeyou can’t run with the foxes and hunt with the hounds at same time
Hear! Hear! the open-hearted (15)the open-hearted (15) God’s word takes rootGod’s word takes root character – the fruit of the Spirit (Gal. 5:22-23)character – the fruit of the Spirit (Gal. 5:22-23) good works (Eph. 2:10)good works (Eph. 2:10) fruitful and fulfilledfruitful and fulfilled
Hear! Hear! The nearest way to a man’s heart is through his ears!