Discuss Mark 4 Page 3

Storms impact our lives, have faith in our Lord & reach out to Him & He will see us through it !

[It would be nice to read a parable instead of a list of scriptures]

A parable is a story told to illustrate a truth. Jesus' parables were teaching aids and can be thought of as extended analogies, comparing two things or ideas. A common description of a parable is that it is an earthly story with a heavenly meaning. Jesus told many parables; in fact, at least for a time in His ministry, Jesus relied heavily on story-telling: "He did not say anything to them without using a parable" ( Mark 4:34).

When asked by the disciples why he used parables, Jesus said that he would fulfill the words of the prophet and reveal the mysteries from the foundation of the world.

It has been noted, since the late nineteenth century, that the parables in the Gospels fall into three groups. These are usually given the names (1) similitude, (2) parable, and (3) exemplary story (sometimes called illustration).

The characteristics of a parable are earthiness, conciseness, repetition, conclusion, listener-relatedness, reversal of expectations, kingdom-centered eschatology, kingdom ethics, and God and salvation

Parables are used to teach a lesson or make a general point about a larger philosophical or religious issue, or to instruct people about proper courses of action. Because the stories are easily understood and engaging for all types of people, parables are an effective way to reach potential believers.

Sister GiGi, in you comments you have stated God makes his word simple so everyone can understand. That the truth is not hidden and in plain sight for everyone to understand.

Matthew 13:13 Therefore speak I to them in parables: because they seeing see not, and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand.

Matthew 13:34 And these things spake Jesus unto the multitudes in parables, and without a parable spake he not unto them.

Matthew 13:35 That it might BE FULFILLED which was spoken by the prophets, saying, I will open my mouth in parables; I will utter things (in parables) which have been keep secret from the foundations of the world.

The disciples walked every day with Christ for three and a half years and never understood a word Jesus said.

Mark 4:13 And he said unto them, Know ye not this parable? and how then will you know all parables?

Luke 8:10 And he said, unto you IT IS GIVEN to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God: but to others (it IS NOT GIVEN) in parables; that seeing they MAY NOT SEE, and hearing they MIGHT NOT understand.

Sister GiGi, the parables point to the Kingdom of God.

Mark 4:11-13

Hi all people who have wisdom and understanding.

Yeserday i heard a speaker about olive trees and how a wild one is working. Is it soo in the real world that if we implants a wild three twigs it become like the orginal tree, becouse of the roots?_

And what means too "belive like a mustard seeds"? Becouse it is not the smallest seed in the world.

Mark 4:31

It is like a grain of mustard seed, which, when it is sown in the earth, is less than all the seeds that be in the earth:

Thank u in advance for answer. God bless in Jesus Name.

Hello Rawlie. The singular method that stands out which Jesus used, was to speak to the people in parables. See Mark 4:33,34: "And with many such parables spake he the word unto them, as they were able to hear it. But without a parable spake he not unto them: and when they were alone, he expounded all things to his disciples".

As you know, Jesus as the Word of God (the second Person of the Godhead), came in the flesh as the Son of God. He was always the verbal Expression from God, both in creation & to His people. Just as the prophets of old spoke God's Message (the Word) to the people, chiefly to instruct & warn them of present & future, those prophets ceased in that type of office, & now God's Word comes forth through His Son ( Hebrews 1:1,2: "God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds").

So, how does one introduce Kingdom Truths to a people devoid of such knowledge & without the Holy Spirit within them, so that they can understand? Parables (simple stories of the world & society they knew) were shared with the people so that they could get a glimpse of God's Purposes for them. Even Jesus' disciples often had to ask Jesus to interpret the parables to them, as they too were simple folk without spiritual Light ( Matthew 15:15,16: "Then answered Peter and said unto him, Declare unto us this parable. And Jesus said, Are ye also yet without understanding?"). But at Pentecost the Holy Spirit was given & Light entered them.

When Jesus shared the Word, He spoke to both the crowds & to individuals, but always in the context that they would understand. Others, such as the religious leaders used His talks as ammunition to rebuke Him. Yet, Truth always prevails & they were left wanting. Likewise, we too can use simple pertinent stories to people, especially specific to their questions & needs.

when studying the bible do u need to understand it spiritually or just study and go like that

I would love to have this book

Dennis Perhaps this is what your looking for Mark 4:30-32, also Luke 13:18+19, as we believe and apply the word in our lives we become fruitful in all categories, look at 2 Peter 1:3-8 especially verse 8 for if these things be in you and abound they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our lord Jesus Christ. Prayerfully this helped if not ok. God Bless

Brother David, May CHRIST IN US grace us with HIS wisdom and HIS understanding.

The scriptures and meaning behind those scriptures I quoted to you are in DIRECT OPPOSITION to there being a LITERAL HELL.

So EACH has to be reconciled to each other through scripture.

Scripture says those in the first resurrection (resurrected with Christ) will not see death but will be instantly in the presence of Christ, in Spirit, with a glorified body.

Scripture says those in the second resurrection will be raise back in their sinful flesh and cast alive into the lake of fire.

If the lake of fire is LITERAL FIRE those thrown into it alive will LITERAL DIE within seconds. Therefore there would be no nations to rule and judge in the ages to come. This doesn't reconcile our two different scriptures.

If the lake of fire represents the judgement IN CHRIST who is a consuming FIRE, then the two scriptures reconcile with each other.

Isaiah 10:16 Therefore shall the Lord, the Lord of Host, send among his fat ones leanness; and under his glory (priest) he shall kindle a burning like the burning of a fire.

Isaiah 4:4 When the Lord shall have washed away the filth of the daughters of Zion, and shall have purge the blood of (new) Jerusalem from the midst (CHRIST IN YOU) thereof by the SPIRIT OF JUDGEMENT and the SPIRIT OF BURNING.

Isaiah 47:14 Behold, they shall be as stubble; the fire shall burn them; they shall not delivery themselves from the power of the flame: there shall not be a coal to warm at, nor fire to set before it.

This is also spiritual fire from the fact you can't warm yourself from it. The ones in the first resurrection also have to go through this fire.

Mark 4:49 And everyone shall be salted with FIRE.

Matthew 3:11 ....he shall baptise you with the Holy Ghost and FIRE.

Brother David, may CHRIST IN US grace us with HIS wisdom and HIS understanding.

Man WANT BELIEVE what GOD says UNTIL God causes them to BELIEVE. ALL is of God.

There is nowhere in scripture that says if a name is there it's not a parable.

There is more than one scripture that says that Christ spake not to the people BUT IN PARABLES.

Matthew 13:34 All these things spake Jesus unto the multitudes in parables; and WITHOUT a parable SPAKE HE NOT unto him.

Mark 4:11 And he said unto them, unto you it is GIVEN to know the mystery of the kingdom of God: but unto them that are without, it is not GIVEN.

You said not everyone will choose to be saved.

The fact is no one chooses to be saved.

God SAYS I CHOOSE YOU , you don't choose me.

If I be lifted up I WILL DRAW ALL MEN to me.

Man thinks he is a co-partner in his salvation, when in fact every part of man's salvation IS OF GOD.

Isaiah 57:15 For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and Holy place, with him ALSO that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the spirit of the contrite ones.

Thanks be to Christ for HIS WORKS!

I too believe that scripture plainly says Jesus is God in John 1:1. However, we are expressing our opinions and if that was banned then our opinions would be silenced also. Usually when someone wants censorship they usually just mean the opinions they disagree with, and don't want to be silenced themselves.

God wants to be sought. This involves effort. I think some things are meant to not be clear or understood immediately, and some things never. In Job, he questioned God why He did that to him, and instead of a direct answer he got an earful of how He was God and Job wasn't. The way I interpret it is like: how dare you question me with your tiny limited brain.

There are other places basically suggesting our capacity to comprehend everything is currently limited. There are mysteries and maybe more will be revealed in the afterlife.

Hebrews 11:3

Mark 4:11

Matt 13:11

Matt 6:33

Isaiah 40:4-5 - glory of the Lord will be revealed (in the future)

1 Tim 3:16

2 Thessalonians 2:11-13 - a 'strong delusion' will be sent. Judging by all the lies in the media it seems a delusion is happening now.

S. Spencer,

It is historically and factually true, constitutionally protected speech.

There is nothing intrinsically offensive in those words.

Admins, This is very racist and offensive of Simon. And incorrect.

Hi Mary Ann.

We live in a world where the is various sin and partiality is just one of them. To ask why is it partiality exist in a fallen world where sin has no boundaries, you would have to ask why do men kill, steal, lie, commit fornication, abortion, same sex marriage, ECT.. If we get our answer from the bible you will find the answer is "SIN" and if you did one you have done them all, no matter what color you are!

So the question should be why do anyone treat anyone bad.

Or why do white people treat white people bad?

Or why do black people treat black people bad? The same thing goes for any nationality. This is a evil and dark world we live in, and we all have fallen short of Gods commandments,

THERE IS A SIN PROBLEM!! We go to the world for a solution when we should go to the Lord and the word!

Jesus is calling people out of the world into his glorious light, There is no where in the bible where it says the Lord is coming back to make a better world, he is coming back to judge the world and destroy it and create a new Heaven and Earth. Man has never been able to solve mans sin problem.

Lets seek the Lord with all our hearts and let him fill us with his spirit.

And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. Romans 12:2.

God bless you.

I know God had many fiery trials and he suffered and so will we. It's very painful living in a world where there is so much hate. Knowing that we're only here for a little while. We want to live comfortable. Why are we as Black People feel as if we don't belong? God created us just as he created other race of people. My Mom and Dad taught us to Love everybody and treat everyone with dignity and respect. I teach my kids the same. Why are we treated so bad as a people of color? This is a God created world. God Loves us all the same. God is Love.

Page 1.

Dear Earl. I do understand your position about God's Judgement & the Lake of Fire, to which I'll refer to later. But to your question on Revelation 22:15 & then to Revelation 22:17.

Revelation chapters 21 & 22 speak of the New Jerusalem coming out of Heaven. Revelation 21:8 speaks of those sinners (as described therein) who will have no part in this glorious City. And of course, this verse is linked to Revelation 22:15. So in chapter 21, we read that those 'sinners' "will have their part in the Lake of Fire" & therefore, those in chapter 22 must also refer to those same people. But the question: are those verses in conflict (i.e. are they either in the Lake of Fire or are they living out their lives outside the new City)?

We know that this new City is prepared & brought down to the new Earth where no corruption exists nor can enter into, so what are we to make of this 'conflict'? If as you believe, that these sinners outside the City are the ones to be invited to "take of the water of life freely", then this new Earth is no longer pure & holy, as sinners also live on it. However, if Rev 22:14,15 does NOT refer to sinners sitting outside the City, peering in or longing to enter in, but rather being altogether outside the City, in Hell fire, then we have compatibility with these verses in both chapters. In Greek, the word for 'outside' ('exo') allows for being both outside of an area (e.g. Mark 3:31) or completely separated from an area (e.g. Mark 4:11). So, given Rev 21:8, one has to believe that these sinners are not waiting outside the gates, rather, they're excluded from both the City & the Earth, outside the Mercy of God, in judgement.

Luke 10:21

In that hour Jesus rejoiced in spirit, and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes: even so, Father; for so it seemed good in thy sight.

It's the same spirit of the pharisees, the mystery of iniquity, that rejects truth and cleaves to the teachings of men. This is why Jesus said:

Mark 4:9

And he said unto them, He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.

Praise the Lord for ears to hear and eyes to see o/!

I have a brother who often says: if someone grew up on a deserted island and all they had was a kjv bible, they would never come up with the heretical idea of a "trinity" of gods.

Be encouraged Sacha, and pay no mind to the gainsayers/theologians. They must be born again of the seed (the word of God- 1 Peter 1:23) to see the truth, and only God can do that.

I pray that you are well this day, in Jesus' name.

P.S. I'd love to hear from you concerning your baptism in 1996 (as to how it was administered) if you care to email me, my address is just my screenname on here @ gmail (this app won't let you post addresses on here)

Yvonne,

You'll need to do some reading and meditating on these parallel Scriptures:

Mat 24:1-25:46

Mar 13:1-37

Luk 21:5-36

Never Read A Bible Verse!

Always, always, always read the verses BEFORE and AFTER.

Read parallel passages.

Context is king!

Thank you Jesse! Yes my brewery days have been over for quite a while :).

This maybe was the most amazing event I ever witnessed in my almost 30 years of being a born again Christian. My friend (a male) who I still hear from every year or so was Jewish but not really practicing what he had been taught. We were on a similar path until that day. Time remains. :)

God Bless the work in Jesus Christ and God Bless those who live in Him and share His peace!

Stay the course Jesse.

Carleton

Carleton,

You have to forgive me for this, but sometimes I read things too fast and see words that are not there. When I was reading what you said, I thought I read that you were sitting next to a friend at an NYC Brewery. I thought what in the world is he doing at a brewery? Anyways, that's not what you said!

What an awesome testimony of the power of God's Word. His word is very powerful. Everyone has some sort of response to it. We either are drawn to it, or we want to get away from it. But there will always be a response. I pray for your friend that the seed which has been sown will take root in his/her heart and that he/she might see their need for Christ, and surrender their life to Him!

I have a close friend who was sitting next to me at the NYC Bowery Mission while the Gospel was being preached. Tears were streaming down his cheeks as he listened. All of a sudden he tightened and shook and stopped what ever was happening inside of him.

:(

No, not in that condition. The people in this section of the Parable of the Sower have hearts that are hardened. The word of God is just sitting there. There's no penetration. These are people who hear the gospel, but because of the hardness of their hearts, they do everything in their power to get away. As long as they continue on in this condition, they have no hope of salvation.

Would a man who fall's into the category of Mark 4.15 ever have a hope of salvation?

God does speak to his people today. Some Bible scriptures can only be understood by revelation. It is not good to make assumptions about the Bible unless it is written. In a lot of denominations people believe things in the scriptures have passed away and that is because people come up with these ideas that have no bible foundation. The scriptures cannot be understood fully by simply reading. I always pray for understanding and revelation before reading God's word and I do receive as requested.

Luke 24:45

Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures,

Mark 4:11

And he said unto them, Unto you it is given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God: but unto them that are without, all these things are done in parables:

1 Corinthians 2:14

But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.

If you use the SEARCH BOX on this website, you will see for yourself what the Bible says about a/any subject. No matter denomination, persuasion: you rely on what the scriptures say.

LORD OF THE HARVEST

"For unsaved loved ones, it takes rock solid faith in Jesus (unmovable), to pray for the Lord of the Harvest to send laborers into the paths of your resistant relatives.

He arranges divine appointments for people to hear the gospel of Jesus Christ with the convicting power of the Holy Spirit.

They, with the Father, CREATED all we see and know. Is there anything too hard for the Lord? In REVELATION there is a scene of Jesus with a sickle, reaping the Harvest.

Get in on this! Pray for these stubborn relatives, loved ones, belligerent teenagers; even the old, the drugged up; the angry at life, everybody! Even perfect strangers.

Christ-like Love should drive you to your knees, often if not every day. Budget one hour to do serious business in your prayer life. Pray for LABORERS TO BE SENT.

This is called, love and obedience to the known will of God. Jesus is the Lord of the Harvest. Sitting at the right hand of God, making intercession for all saints. Ask and receive. Keep your faith fixed on Jesus only.

PRAY TO THE LORD OF THE HARVEST.

" Matthew 9:37

Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few;

Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest.

Matthew 13:30

Let both grow together until the harvest: and in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat into MY BARN.

Matthew 13:39

The enemy that sowed them is the devil; the harvest is the end of the world; and the reapers are the angels."

Joel 3:13

Put ye in the sickle, for the harvest is ripe: come, get you down; for the press is full, the fats overflow; for their wickedness is great.

Mark 4:29

Mark 4 .24

One of the most influential verses spoken by Jesus if you are searching for the truth or correct interpretation of the scriptures.

I found it that way a number of times when seeking truth .

Your intensity in listening with out bias or preconceived ideas when reading the Bible , Gods word gets louder than all other views or interpretations. It's up to you to give ear to what Gods word is saying , your future depends on it .

The only remedy for indoctrination that is so damning .

There's nothing in the narrative ( Mark 4:36-41) to suggest that Satan had anything to do with the storm. I feel that it was just a normal weather phenomenon as apparently was quite common at the Sea of Galilee. It could be quite calm & in the next moment a violent storm could build up. This was partly due to its location where the wind comes over the mountains in the East & drops suddenly & violently towards the Sea. However, Jesus always took the daily experiences of the people to teach them, not about nature, but of the deeper spiritual life & God's operation over mankind.

did Satan here try to destroy Christ with this storm

1Now the serpent was more subtil than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made. And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden? 2And the woman said unto the serpent, We may eat of the fruit of the trees of the garden: 3But of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God hath said, Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die. 4And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die

Romans 14:23

And he that doubteth is damned if he eat, because he eateth not of faith: for whatsoever is not of faith is sin

Romans 10:17

So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

Bible. Mark 4:24

And he said unto them, Take heed what ye hear: with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you: and unto you that hear shall more be given