Jesus is being challenged by questions from the crowd
- Where do you get your authority from (Question asked in Luke version of the story) This is comparable to asking “Who says you have the truth?”
- Should we pay taxes? Trying to make Christianity look foolish
- Questions of the resurrection those who are set in their beliefs and just want to argue.
Skepticism is not a virtue.
One man came up to Jesus with a legitimate question. What is the most important commandment? (Mark 12: 28 – 34)
Loving God with all of our
- Heart
- Soul
- Mind
- Strength
Jesus responds to the man’s faith and says that he is not far from the kingdom of God Vs 33, 34
What does it take to be the type of person who is not far fromt he kingdom.
Another parable is given in Matthew, and Mark, but let’s look at the Luke version
Luke 8: 5 – 8 Seed goes out and falls on 4 types of soil.
1. Footpath Luke 8: 5, 12
these are people who hear the word, but like the skeptics, they refuse to allow it to change their lives.
Greek word for stepped on means rejection with disdain an attitude of superiority. Nothing about the gospel can touch them anymore as they become sermon proof christians.
2. Rootless hearers Luke 8: 6, 13
These peple hear the word of God, but temptation comes and they fall away
Temptation means they lose interesst and become offended.
We live with panic instead of faith
Psalm 31: 22 in panic I cried out I am cut off fromt he Lord, but you heard my cry for mercy and answered my call for help.
James 5: 7 – 11
3. Thorny hearer Luke 8: 7, 14
this hearer follows after God and does not fall by the wayside of fail. They are chocked out by deceipt of wealth.
1 Timothy 6: 9 But people who long to be rich fall into temptation and are trapped by many foolish and harmful desires that plunge them into ruin and destruction.
4. Good Ground Luke 8: 15
Key Point: Good ground does not come naturally.
Good ground comes from obeying God’s commandments love Him with all our.
- Heart (compassion)
- Soul (wonder)
- Mind (Curiosity)
- Strength (knowing power of God)