From Gary... A new joy

Sometimes, the simplest things in life are the best. You know, a kiss from a very young child, a golden sunset, that first taste of strawberry cheesecake you have been wanting for so, so long.  How about a beautiful big "unpoppable" bubble???  I haven't tried this mixture myself, but I just may do it someday.  Why? Because I remember the pleasure it gave me as a child.  Now, I know I can never be young again, but that doesn't mean I can't have fun and find enjoyment in something or someone.  This thought applies to those who call themselves Christians as well... 

2 Corinthians, Chapter 5

17 Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old things have passed away. Behold, all things have become new. 

Philippians, Chapter 4

1 Therefore, my brothers, beloved and longed for, my joy and crown, so stand firm in the Lord, my beloved. 

Christians have new Joys: First and foremost is pleasing God and second is loving our fellow Christians!!!  OK, we still might blow the occasional bubble as this can be  a joy; especially when it is made from joy dish soap. Oh, yes, kids and dogs are not immune to fun either!!!

From Gary V. Womack... Job: Faith under attack (two parts)

JOB

"Faith Under Attack"

Job 1:1 A righteous man - But bad things do happen to good people.

Eccl. 9:2 "Everything occurs alike to all: One event happens to the righteous and the wicked; To the good, the clean, and the unclean; To him who sacrifices and him who does not sacrifice. As is the good, so is the sinner; And he who takes an oath as he who fears an oath."

God blesses everyone with good:

Mt. 5:44-45 "But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, (45) that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust."

Job 1:2-3 A wealthy man - Wealth is not the security to put our trust in:

1 Tim. 6:17-19 "Command those who are rich in this present age not to be haughty, nor to trust in uncertain riches but in the living God, who gives us richly all things to enjoy. (18) Let them do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to give, willing to share, (19) storing up for themselves a good foundation for the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life."

Prov. 23:4-5 Do not overwork to be rich; Because of your own understanding, cease! (5) Will you set your eyes on that which is not? For riches certainly make themselves wings; They fly away like an eagle toward heaven."

Job 1:4-5 Job was conscious of sin & offered sacrifices.

Note: We, in this age, are blessed in Christ by His sacrifice.

Heb. 10:11-14 Those animal sacrifices looked forward to Christ's sacrifice.

What is our part in forgiveness of sin?

1 Jn. 2:1 "My little children, these things I write to you, that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous."

1 Jn. 1:9 "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."

Job 1:6-7 Without Job's knowledge, the heavenly council takes place - and Job is the subject of discussion. - Are we being discussed?

Note: Satan had been walking to and fro in the earth.

1 Pet. 5:8 "Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour."

Job 1:8 Is our faith such that God would put such confidence in us?

1:9-11 Why do we serve God? Do we serve Him when it isconvenient & it

suits our circumstances? Such as loyalty to local work & brethren.

Suffering is not intended to be convenient . It is not pleasant. Suffering is an opportunity that has been given to us for spiritual growth

That is why James says:

Jas. 1:2-4 "My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, (3) knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. (4) But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing."

Suffering proves the genuineness of our faith?

How else can we know how healthy our faith in God really is?

1 Pet. 1:6-7 "In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, (7) that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ,"

Job 1:12 God limits Satan's power. Satan had to askpermission from God.

1 Cor. 10:13 "No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you area able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it. (14)Therefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry." Note our responsibilityto use that gift.

We need to realize where temptation comes from - Satan, not God

Jas. 1:12-15 God does not tempt us with evil - Satan tempts us.

Job 1:13-19

1. Oxen & donkeys stolen, servants killed.

2. Sheep & servants burned up by fire from  

    heaven.

3. Camels stolen & servants killed by a band of 

    Caldeans.

4. All his children killed when wind collapses 

    their house.

Job 1:20-ff See Job's integrity - his character - his faithfulness!

Job 2:1-6 Another heavenly council convenes between God & Satan Again, Job is the subject of discussion.

Job 2:7-8 Boils! Personal pain can wear us down. Job still doesn't know why.

2 Cor. 12:7-10 Paul's thorn in the flesh was not a direct result of faithfulness. It was a test of his faith, given for a purpose. Notice his acceptance of this "thorn" and his attitude.

Do we view suffering as a test of our faith or as a reason to turn from God?

Part 2

Job 2:9-10 His wife, his closest partner in life, discourages him.

Job still maintains his integrity.

Job 2:11-ff Job's 3 friends (?) come. They don't even recognizehim. They sit with Job 7 days in silence.

Job 3:1-3, 11,16; 6:8-9 Job wishes he was never born - that he could die

The erroneous assumption of Job's 3 friends:

1. Suffering = punishment proportionate to sin.

2. Job is suffering.

3. Therefore, Job must have sinned grievously.

Jn. 9:1-3 "Now as Jesus passed by, He saw a man who was blind from birth. (2) And His disciples asked Him, saying, 'Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?' (3) Jesus answered, 'Neither this man nor his parents sinned, but that the works of God should be revealed in him.' "

Job 4:7-9 Eliphaz \

\

Job 8:3-6 Bildad \ Instead of comforting him, they discourage him.

} They accuse him of some sin, assuming his

Job 16:2-6 Zophar / suffering is the result of sin.

/

Job 22:3-5 Eliphaz /

Job 16:2-5 Job rebukes them for their discouragement rather than comfort.

Job 7:6-7 Job loses hope - He sees no end to his suffering. He had no way of knowing this would end.

Job 19:13-20 A sad description of Job. Forsaken by family & friends.

Job remains steadfast in his determination to be true to God

Job 13:15 "Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him. Even so, I will defend my own ways before Him."

Job, not knowing why he is suffering, begins to charge God:

Job 7:19-20 Job questions God as his Attacker, not knowing why.

Job 9:14-18 Job believes God is being unjust to him.

Job 13:23-24 Job believes God has abandoned him.

Job 23:2-7 Job unjustly questions God's motives by desiring to defend his own uprightness before God. 

Lessons for us to learn from Job: Satan is subject to God!

1. God is author & sustainer of the universe (Job 

    38-41)

2. God's ways are higher than our ways

    We view things from a different perspective 

    than He does.

Isa. 55:8-9 " 'For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways,' says the Lord. (9) 'For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts.'

3. God does not reveal everything to us that we may want to know This demands trust in His motives & His purposes.

Deut. 29:29 "The secret things belong to the Lord our God, but those things which are revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may do all the words of this law."

4. What are our motives in serving God? Is it 

    only in response to how He blesses us?

Job 1:9-11 "So Satan answered the Lord and said, 'Does Job fear God for nothing? (10) Have You not made a hedge around him, around his household, and around all that he has on every side? You have blessed the work of his hands, and his possessions have increased in the land. (11) But now, stretch out Your hand and touch all that he has, and he will surely curse You to Your face!"

God is worthy of honor based on who He is - rather than what He gives us. Otherwise, we would forsake Him in time of trial.

5. No one has a right to accuse or criticize God 

    or His motives.

Isa. 45:9 "Woe to him who strives with his Maker! Let the potsherd strive with the potsherds of the earth. Shall the clay say to him who forms it, 'What are you making?' Or shall your handiwork say, 'He has no hands?' "

Job 42:1-6 Job's response to God: Humility & Repentance

God is merciful to Job & brings an end to his suffering.

Job 42:10-ff God blesses Job twofold.

6. Our final lesson: When all others fail us - God 

    remains faithful 

The message to us: Patient Endurance - With a view toward heaven.

Jas. 5:7-16 "The end intended by the Lord" may be unseen to us, but we must wait on Him & put our trust in Him.

Isa. 40:29-ff "He gives power to the weak, and to those who have no might He increases strength. (30) Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall, (31) But those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint."

From Mark Copeland... The Parable Of The Four Soils (Mark 4:1-20)

                          "THE GOSPEL OF MARK"

                 The Parable Of The Four Soils (4:1-20)

INTRODUCTION

1. As Jesus proclaimed the gospel of the kingdom He did not always find
   a receptive audience...
   a. Some listened only to find reasons to accuse Him - Mk 3:2
   b. Jesus therefore began to teach publicly in parables - Mk 4:1-2
   c. In private, He would explain the parables to His disciples - Mk 4:
      10,33-34
   d. The main reason:  many had become "hard of hearing" - Mk 4:11-12;
      cf. Mt 13:10-15

2. One of the most well-known parables illustrates the problem Jesus
   faced...
   a. Commonly known as "The Parable Of The Sower"
   b. But probably more accurately described as "The Parable Of The Four
      Soils"
   c. Told by Jesus to illustrate different reactions to the gospel
      message

[Mark's account of the parable is given in Mk 4:1-20 (please read).  The
significance of this parable is stated in Mk 4:13.  In this study, we
direct our attention to Jesus' explanation of the four soils...]

I. THE WAYSIDE GROUND

   A. EXPLAINED BY JESUS...
      1. Those who have the seed taken from their hearts by Satan - Mk 4:15
      2. Matthew's account says it is because they do not understand
         - cf. Mt 13:19
      3. Their condition is one of being "blinded" by Satan to the
         gospel - 2Co 4:3-4
      4. While Satan contributes to their blindness, it is precipitated
         by their own hardness of heart! - cf. Mt 13:15
      -- This soil represents those whose hard hearts are manipulated by
         Satan to resist

   B. APPLIED TODAY...
      1. Many people have hardened their hearts to the gospel for
         various reasons
         a. Some because they love darkness more than light - Jn 3:19-20
         b. Some because they love praise from men more than God - Jn 12:42-43
      2. Satan easily takes advantage of such people to blind them
         a. Through appealing doctrines like hedonism, secularism,
            materialism
         b. Through popular doctrines like humanism, evolution,
            post-modernism
      -- This soil represents many today who have no interest in
         spiritual things

[The next soil in the parable is...]

II. THE STONY GROUND

   A. EXPLAINED BY JESUS...
      1. Those who hear the word and immediately receive it with
         gladness - Mk 4:16
      2. Yet with no root, they do not endure - Mk 4:17a
      3. They stumble when faced with tribulation, persecution,
         temptation - Mk 4:17b; cf. Lk 8:13
      -- This soil represents those who believe and obey, but do not
         last long

   B. APPLIED TODAY...
      1. Many hear the Word and received it with great joy
         a. They are quick to obey the gospel
         b. They are enthusiastic, "on fire" for the Lord
      2. But their faith is shallow, their joy the result of
         emotionalism
         a. They are not grounded in the Word
         b. When troubles arise, there is no endurance and stumbling
            occurs
      -- This soil represents Christians ruled more by emotion than by
         the Word of God

[The third soil in the parable is ...]

III. THE THORNY GROUND

   A. EXPLAINED BY JESUS...
      1. Those who hear the Word - Mk 4:18
      2. Whose ability to bear fruit is choked - Mk 4:19
         a. By the cares of this world
         b. By the deceitfulness of riches
         c. By the desires for other things - cf. Lk 8:14 (pleasures of
            life)
      -- This soil represents those who believe and obey, but then
         stagnate

   B. APPLIED TODAY...
      1. Many become Christians, but never mature
         a. They may attend church, even participate or lead in the
            services
         b. But spiritually they remain "babes" and "carnal" - e.g.,
            1Co 3:1-3; He 5:12-14
      2. Their spiritual growth is inhibited
         a. By cares and anxieties that detract their minds - cf. Lk 12:
            29-32
         b. By riches that deceive them into self-sufficiency - cf. 1 Ti6:17-19
         c. By pleasures that divert their minds from the things of the
            Spirit - cf. Ga 5:17; 6:7-9
      -- This soil represents Christians rendered fruitless by
         materialism

[Finally, the fourth soil in the parable is...]

IV. THE GOOD GROUND

   A. EXPLAINED BY JESUS...
      1. Those who hear the word, accept it, and bear varying amounts of
         fruit - Mk 4:20
      2. Matthew says they "understand" the Word - Mt 13:23
      3. Luke says they hear the Word "with a noble and good heart, keep
         it and bear fruit with patience." - Lk 8:15
      -- This soil represents those with good hearts who understand and
         obey the Word

   B. APPLIED TODAY...
      1. Many become Christians who have this "noble and good heart"
         a. They make the effort to understand the Word
         b. They make the effort to keep it, and with patience produce
            fruit in their lives!
      2. They are like the Bereans, commended as "fair-minded",
         manifested by:
         a. How they "received the word will all readiness" - Ac 17:11a
         b. "searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these
            things were so" - Ac 17:11b
      3. Note the importance of understanding in relation to bearing
         fruit...
         a. Jesus made the connection between the two in this parable
            - Mt 13:23
         b. Paul connects the two when he writes of the gospel producing
            fruit among the Colossians "since the day they heard (NASV
            says "understood") the grace of God in truth" - Col 1:5-6
      4. When one "understands", they will more likely "bear fruit"
         a. But the key to understanding is having a "good and noble
            heart"
         b. One that is willing to listen and learn!
      5. Note that Jesus said not all will bear the same amount...
         a. "some thirtyfold, some sixty, and some a hundred" - Mk 4:20
         b. Some may be given more according to their ability - cf. Mt 25:14-15
         c. Whatever our ability, we should exercise it accordingly
            - cf. 1Pe 4:10-11
      -- This soil represents Christians who are faithful and fruitful
         in their service

CONCLUSION

1. "The Parable Of The Four Soils" is fairly easy to understand (with
   Jesus' help)

2. To truly benefit from the parable, let me ask "What kind of soil are
   you?"...
   a. Are you like the wayside?
      1) If you have heard the gospel of Christ, but have not obeyed
         it...
      2) You are in the process of hardening your heart the longer you
         wait!
      3) You are susceptible to Satan's deception, to blind you to God's
         Word!
   b. Are you like the stony ground?
      1) If you responded to the gospel, but are not grounded in the
         faith...
      2) You will likely fall away when persecution or temptation comes
         your way!
   c. Are you like the thorny ground?
      1) If you responded to the gospel, but are preoccupied with the
         cares, riches, and pleasures of this world, you will not be
         able to bear much fruit!
      2) Remember what Jesus said about branches that don't bear fruit!
         - Jn 15:1-6
   d. Are you like the good ground?
      1) If you have responded to the gospel, and are bearing fruit...
      2) Then you have demonstrated several important things:
         a) You have a good and noble heart!
         b) You have come to understand the Word!
         c) You have been keeping it with patience!
      3) And the Word of God produced its intended effect in you!

May this parable and its explanation by Jesus stimulate our thinking and
examine our hearts and lives in relation to the gospel of Christ...!

          "He who has ears to hear, let him hear!" - Mk 4:9

Executable Outlines, Copyright © Mark A. Copeland, 2011