2. “Jesus told them, ‘The secret of [life in] the kingdom of God has been given to you [in this parable].... ‘Don’t you understand this parable? How then will you understand any parable?’” - Mark 4:11,13 The Parable Of The Soils / Mark 4:1-20

3. Four Types Of People Who Are Given God’s Truth Matthew 4:1-20 “The farmer sows the word [of God]” (v14)

4. “the word is sown. As soon as they hear it, Satan comes and takes away the word that was sown in them. (v15) 1. The Distracted: “Seed Along The Path”

5.  Thinks “Jesus Is Irrelevant”  Has a heart & way that is set (hard)  “Make life work” without Jesus  Never holds onto spiritual things  Is filled with the world’s voices & solutions 1. A Person Who Is “Distracted”...

6. 2. The Decider: “Some fell on rocky places” “hear the word and at once receive it with joy. But since they have no root, they last only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, they quickly fall away.” (v16-17)

7.  Thinks “Jesus Is A Great Help”  Loves God’s love & mercy but not His holiness  Has no “root” in God’s Word/character  Is ruled by circumstances and people  Lives out a crisis cycle in life and relationships 2. A Person Who Is A “Decider”...

8. 3. The Divided: “Other seed fell among thorns” “like seed sown among thorns, hear the word; 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.” (v18-19)

9.  Thinks “Jesus is Important”  Is busy with too many ‘good’ things  “Worries” about what s/he worship  Always needs to refocus again on Jesus  Has no long term progress in ultimate Kingdom purpose or joy 3. A Person Who Is “Divided”...

10. 4. The Disciple: “other seed fell on good soil” “Others, like seed sown on good soil, hear the word, accept it, and produce a crop [harvest]—thirty, sixty or even a hundred times what was sown.” (v20)

11. A Person Who Is A Disciple Is The Exact Opposite Of The First Three

12. Jesus Is The Center & Source of Life  “Hearing” God’s Spirit & Direction  “Accepting” God’s Word In A Deeper Way  “Producing” in God’s mission  Uncompromising priorities for maximum fruitfulness – often saying ‘no’ to good things 4. The Person Who Is A Disciple...

13. TALKING TO...G.C. GOALSTOGETHER (DOMINOES) The Distracted7000 TouchesWho is Jesus to you? www.jesus-is.ag The Decider700 VisitsWhy is Jesus that to you? #jesusis The Divided170 GC HomesWhat is truly first in your life? Great Commission Homes The Disciple70 New DisciplesWith whom are you on mission? Cornerstone Groups Therefore go and make disciples of all types of people...

14. Prayer Walk Chesterfest with your “Jesus Is __” T-shirt --------------- Saturday, Sept 26 Anytime between 10a-5p

15. www.jesus-is.ag

16. Search #Jesusis on your Facebook

17. www.cornerstone.ag/great- commission-homes/

20. TALKING TO...G.C. GOALSTOGETHER (DOMINOES) The Distracted7000 TouchesWho is Jesus to you? www.jesus-is.ag The Decider700 VisitsWhy is Jesus that to you? #jesusis The Divided170 GC HomesWhat is truly first in your life? Great Commission Homes The Disciple70 New DisciplesWith whom are you on mission? Cornerstone Groups Therefore go and make disciples of all types of people...

21. I AM...JESUS IS...THE GOSPEL IS... DistractedIrrelevantNot about religion DeciderA Great HelpNot about self-centered peace DividedImportantNot about making your life better DiscipleThe CenterNothing less than Jesus as King of God’s eternal & present Kingdom... and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.