Discipleship and the Coming Kingdom
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Intro
Intro
That same day Jesus went out of the house and sat beside the sea. And great crowds gathered about him, so that he got into a boat and sat down. And the whole crowd stood on the beach. And he told them many things in parables, saying: “A sower went out to sow. And as he sowed, some seeds fell along the path, and the birds came and devoured them. Other seeds fell on rocky ground, where they did not have much soil, and immediately they sprang up, since they had no depth of soil, but when the sun rose they were scorched. And since they had no root, they withered away. Other seeds fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked them. Other seeds fell on good soil and produced grain, some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty. He who has ears, let him hear.”
What do we see in this parable? We see the raw spiritual nature of Evangelism. Not Jesus doesn’t blame the Rocks or the birds, or even the weeds. It is the Enemy behind these things that is the problem. Let us look at the the 4 elements of this parable and see what we can learn able Kingdom Evangelism.
People need a Resurrection.
People need a Resurrection.
And as he sowed, some seeds fell along the path, and the birds came and devoured them.
When anyone hears the word of the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what has been sown in his heart. This is what was sown along the path.
You have people that evangelize and they share the word to their loved one and the lo ed one reject the Gospel outright. They don’t even think about it. It simply is a no! Get away from me.
This person is walking in complete darkness and blindness. They are the farthest from God. They are in every sense of the word. Lost
People will stumble because of life’s hardships.
People will stumble because of life’s hardships.
Other seeds fell on rocky ground, where they did not have much soil, and immediately they sprang up, since they had no depth of soil,
The seed falling on rocky ground refers to someone who hears the word and at once receives 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.
The Troubles of this world break the one who falls on rocky soil. They receive the word with such joy, but their faith is hallow. it is a shell.
What can we do for shallow one who life is full of rocks?
Prepare the Soil my friends! Prepare the ground for the harvest.
People will fall because they love the world more than Christ.
People will fall because they love the world more than Christ.
Other seeds fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked them.
As for what was sown among thorns, this is the one who hears the word, but the cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and it proves unfruitful.
Some Hear the word, but the wealth of the world. the enticements of Babylon, suffocate the young faith.
The Enemy uses the allure of the world to steal the hearts of the hurting.
What can be done?
Prepare the Harvest, Weed the lives of those around you. Point to the hope that we have in Christ. Exemplify the peace that transcends all understanding.
The Goal of Discipleship is to bring immature Believers into Maturity.
The Goal of Discipleship is to bring immature Believers into Maturity.
Other seeds fell on good soil and produced grain, some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.
As for what was sown on good soil, this is the one who hears the word and understands it. He indeed bears fruit and yields, in one case a hundredfold, in another sixty, and in another thirty.”
The soil that falls on good ground. The one who establishes a firm healthy faith, has the ability to impact the community around them.
This is why the enemy does all he can to gum up the spiritual works.
You see we assume that 3/4 are just the ones that will end up in in Hell. But if you look at these stages. We have all been in these stages. Follow Me Here
We see not only the various ways the Gospel is spread or not spread, but we see insight into how God rescues people.
Follow me in this:
In the first stage: The Gospel is spread, but the enemy himself prevents anything from reaching the soul. Any hope any light. and restoration is prevented by the divine battle in the heavenlies. The enemy sidelines the working of the Spirit for a season. Or seemingly sidelines.
in the second stage: People see their need and except the Gospel wholeheartedly, but their life is full of rocks broken before the gospel is firmly established and prevent the roots from thriving.
In the third stage: The world throws everything it has at the new believer and often the love of this world prevents the believer from preceding further. The enemy shows up and entices the young believer with lies. You don’t want God, he is going to mess up your life.
In the fourth stage:
The young believer is brought to maturity. Now not only is their faith established but they are able to be used for incredible things, because Gods and He is theirs. This forth stage is a discipled, mature follower of Christ.
These four stages in prayer felt the Lord say they were also stages of discipleship:
Closing:
Closing:
In stage one, someone is cold. they are dead to Christ. They need Resurrection.
Our calling is to be the light and Pray. God illuminate the darkness. Shine forth in their lives.
This is the hardest stage of evangelism. Because people that are lost in darkness, can lash out. they can hurt. They have fangs and venom. You and I will be hurt by them. But befriending them is they way the gospel and the seed of the kingdom will be cast.
Loving the unlovable. Reaching out to the enemy. That is the call of Christ. Love your enemy, pray for those who persecute you.
This stage is war. A Spiritual battle. Fight in prayer for this person. Love them with love of Christ. For one day the Darkness will lose! Fight On!
But you see these second and third stages requires the patience of Heaven. You and I must be steadfast in the development of these young believers. They will stumble and they fall, but you and are called to help lift them up! They question and they will struggle, but we called to lift them up. This is discipleship.
In the forth stage, we see the disciple brought into maturity. They have finally been brought into the fullness of the christian life. The still struggle, but the struggles are not spiritual life and death.
You see we like to see people leave the darkness and walk into maturity. On some levels we expect them to do it, in a week. But we have trouble continuing to disciple and love the one who should no better. They accepted Christ they should shape up. While there is truth in that. The truth is that we should all shape up!
The Kingdom Grace grace that we are called to too is a long suffering grace. Be patient with the weaker believer. Give them grace and when they stumble lift them up.