Bible Study: Truth 3 - Sower and the Soils 1

Hi Everyone

We are continuing on the topic of Truth and are going onto this topic of the Sower and the Soils, how truth comes into our lives.

This is the first part of the Sower and the Soils.  I expect this series to run another 2-3 more sessions.  Meantime, listen to the audio, follow it on the notes and be blessed.

And remember to share it as you are.

Blessings!

Chris

Truth 3 – The Sower and the Soils 1

Reference Passages

Matthew 13:1 On the same day Jesus went out of the house and sat by the sea. 2 And great multitudes were gathered together to Him, so that He got into a boat and sat; and the whole multitude stood on the shore. 3 Then He spoke many things to them in parables, saying: “Behold, a sower went out to sow. 4 And as he sowed, some seed fell by the wayside; and the birds came and devoured them. 5 Some fell on stony places, where they did not have much earth; and they immediately sprang up because they had no depth of earth. 6 But when the sun was up they were scorched, and because they had no root they withered away. 7 And some fell among thorns, and the thorns sprang up and choked them. 8 But others fell on good ground and yielded a crop: some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty. 9 He who has ears to hear, let him hear!” 10 And the disciples came and said to Him, “Why do You speak to them in parables?” 11 He answered and said to them, “Because it has been given to you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been given. 12 For whoever has, to him more will be given, and he will have abundance; but whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken away from him. 13 Therefore I speak to them in parables, because seeing they do not see, and hearing they do not hear, nor do they understand. 14 And in them the prophecy of Isaiah is fulfilled, which says: ‘Hearing you will hear and shall not understand, And seeing you will see and not perceive; 15 For the hearts of this people have grown dull. Their ears are hard of hearing, And their eyes they have closed, Lest they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears, Lest they should understand with their hearts and turn, So that I should heal them.’ 16 But blessed are your eyes for they see, and your ears for they hear; 17 for assuredly, I say to you that many prophets and righteous men desired to see what you see, and did not see it, and to hear what you hear, and did not hear it. (NKJV)

Mark 4:1 And again He began to teach by the sea. And a great multitude was gathered to Him, so that He got into a boat and sat in it on the sea; and the whole multitude was on the land facing the sea. 2 Then He taught them many things by parables, and said to them in His teaching: 3 “Listen! Behold, a sower went out to sow. 4 And it happened, as he sowed, that some seed fell by the wayside; and the birds of the air came and devoured it. 5 Some fell on stony ground, where it did not have much earth; and immediately it sprang up because it had no depth of earth. 6 But when the sun was up it was scorched, and because it had no root it withered away. 7 And some seed fell among thorns; and the thorns grew up and choked it, and it yielded no crop. 8 But other seed fell on good ground and yielded a crop that sprang up, increased and produced: some thirtyfold, some sixty, and some a hundred.” 9 And He said to them, “He who has ears to hear, let him hear!” 10 But when He was alone, those around Him with the twelve asked Him about the parable. 11 And He said to them, “To you it has been given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God; but to those who are outside, all things come in parables, 12 so that ‘Seeing they may see and not perceive, And hearing they may hear and not understand; Lest they should turn, And their sins be forgiven them.’” 13 And He said to them, “Do you not understand this parable? How then will you understand all the parables? (NKJV)

Luke 8:4 And when a great multitude had gathered, and they had come to Him from every city, He spoke by a parable: 5 “A sower went out to sow his seed. And as he sowed, some fell by the wayside; and it was trampled down, and the birds of the air devoured it. 6 Some fell on rock; and as soon as it sprang up, it withered away because it lacked moisture. 7 And some fell among thorns, and the thorns sprang up with it and choked it. 8 But others fell on good ground, sprang up, and yielded a crop a hundredfold.” When He had said these things He cried, “He who has ears to hear, let him hear!” 9 Then His disciples asked Him, saying, “What does this parable mean?” 10 And He said, “To you it has been given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God, but to the rest it is given in parables, that ‘Seeing they may not see, And hearing they may not understand.’ (NKJV)

Two Kinds of People

It is very interesting that the very people who were listening to this parable exemplified to a point the wisdom therein!  We see in these passages of scriture two kinds of people being mentioned.

Multitudes

Matthew 13:2 And great multitudes were gathered together to Him, so that He got into a boat and sat; and the whole multitude stood on the shore. 

Mark 4:1 And again He began to teach by the sea. And a great multitude was gathered to Him, so that He got into a boat and sat in it on the sea; and the whole multitude was on the land facing the sea. 

Luke 8:4 And when a great multitude had gathered, and they had come to Him from every city, He spoke by a parable: 

The first group we see here are the great multitudes.  Many people had come from far and wide, hearing the fame of this man Jesus and the mighty miracles that He had wrought.  The miracles of provision of food must also have travelled far and many folks must have been curious to come and see for themselves.

In essence, everybody wanted something from Him.  Healing, food, entertainment for a few hours perhaps.  Only a few really wanted Him, to be with Him and capture the heart of the man.

John 14:6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me. (NKJV)

We need to realise that Christianity is not about how to live or what to do.  It is about a Man and in knowing this Man is everything they needed.

John 17:3 And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent. (NKJV)

When we know God through Jesus, we have everything we need:  Eternal life is ours.  This can sound like a cliché until we start to trust in His Word, a little at a time.

Psalm 34:8 Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good; Blessed is the man who trusts in Him! (NKJV)

We need to taste a little and see.  Taste can change, depending what we’ve been feeding on.  Let’s determine to change our tastes so that we yearn for the things of the Eternal, the things of the Spirit, the things that have value forever.  Nothing here matters unless it matters for eternity.

Disciples

Matthew 13:10 And the disciples came and said to Him, “Why do You speak to them in parables?” 

Mark 4:10 But when He was alone, those around Him with the twelve asked Him about the parable. 

Luke 8:9 Then His disciples asked Him, saying, “What does this parable mean?” 

I am so happy that it was not just the Apostles who pressed in and got the exclusive explanation from the Lord.  No, it wasn't to the 12 alone that this truth was given – it was clearly to those who sought the Lord.  I don’t believe there was any clear distinction, like a membership of sorts.  Disciples are simply those who seek the Lord.  The disciples weren’t just there for what they could get for the here and now.  They pressed in to know more.

Disciples want to understand.

It is for Us to Know

Matthew 13:11 He answered and said to them, “Because it has been given to you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven,

Mark 4:11 And He said to them, “To you it has been given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God; 

Luke 8:10 And He said, “To you it has been given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God…(NKJV)

The difference between the disciples and the multitudes can be summed up in a single word: “hunger”.  These people were simply not satisfied by the false satiation that the things of the world provide.  Sadly, hunger can be displaced by a lot of junk food, including much spiritual junk food, that look and sound religious but have little eternal value.

Remember the Parable of the Cockroach that we like to use?  Once we are happy with the cockroach life, it’s all you will get.

Those hungry get to know the MYSTERIES of the KINGDOM!  This same thought is repeated in:

Ephesians 5:17 Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is. (NKJV)

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

God wants us to know His will – He wants us to test it and tell the world how good it is!

Ominously, if we turn that same though the other way, we can say that those who don’t know/don’t want to know/say it is not for us to know the mysteries of the Kingdom aren't disciples for real.

Steward the Mind

The Gospel of Matthew has an extra bit here that the other Gospels did not have:

Matthew 13:12 For whoever has, to him more will be given, and he will have abundance; but whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken away from him. 

This is like the parable of the talents (Matt 25:29) – those who seek will get even more.  Our growth in the Lord is exponentially proportional to our seeking!

Our ability to seek the Lord, our wills, our minds, our ability to read, to hear and to understand are all talents from the Lord.  If we don’t use this talent, we will lose it, like an atrophying muscle.

Solomon said this:

Proverbs 15:14 The heart of him who has understanding seeks knowledge, But the mouth of fools feeds on foolishness. (NKJV)

Those failing to seek understanding in the Word will invariably manifest it out of their mouths as fools.  Out of the fullness of the heart, the mouth will speak, our Lord has said.

Don’t Grow Dull

Luke 8:10 …but to the rest it is given in parables, that ‘Seeing they may not see, And hearing they may not understand.’ (NKJV)

Matthew 13:13 Therefore I speak to them in parables, because seeing they do not see, and hearing they do not hear, nor do they understand. 14 And in them the prophecy of Isaiah is fulfilled, which says: ‘Hearing you will hear and shall not understand, And seeing you will see and not perceive; 15 For the hearts of this people have grown dull. Their ears are hard of hearing, And their eyes they have closed, Lest they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears, Lest they should understand with their hearts and turn, So that I should heal them.’ 

We can hear and not listen.  We can see and not perceive.  This happens when our hearts are DULL, when we are in spiritual atrophy.  When we start to put our minds to it, the healing, the restoration comes.

Mark 4:11…but to those who are outside, all things come in parables, 12 so that ‘Seeing they may see and not perceive, And hearing they may hear and not understand; Lest they should turn, And their sins be forgiven them.’” 

Forgiveness of sins leads to wholeness.  Sin corrupts.  The removal of sin in our lives frees us to be whole in Him.

It is Open to All

Matthew 13:16 But blessed are your eyes for they see, and your ears for they hear; 17 for assuredly, I say to you that many prophets and righteous men desired to see what you see, and did not see it, and to hear what you hear, and did not hear it. (NKJV)

This is the good part – the blessing of having our eyes opened and our ears hearing is not something given by God according to His choosing – it is given to those who hunger, who took the trouble to stay around after the rest had left and to ask the Lord for the explanation.

Many people in the Old Testament who sought God through the ages never got to see this truth, the Man-God Jesus.  Yet those dull sitting before Him listening to His preaching could completely miss Him.  Sadly, this continues through till today.

Ask and You Will Receive

Mark 4:13 And He said to them, “Do you not understand this parable? How then will you understand all the parables? (NKJV)

This is the Parable of Parables – if we don’t understand this one, then we will miss the rest.  It seems like Jesus did expect that they would understand the parable, but when they did not and they sought Him for an answer, He gave it to them.

This is what we will be looking at in the next few sessions.

Seek first the Kingdom of God – seek Him and He shall be found.  Ask, seek, knock.

The Take Away

• We can be one of the multitudes that come and go or
• We can be disciples, seeking to know more, seeking Jesus for answers
• We must be hungry, dissatisfied with this world to be truth seekers
• Our ability to seek is a talent not to be buried
• Those who seek knowledge from the Lord will understand the mysteries of the Kingdom, one truth at a time

Bible Study: Truth Part 2

Hi Everyone

Here’s Part 2 of the series on Truth.  This week, we focus on why we need to really get into Truth properly, and the many reasons why numerous Christians aren't walking in Truth.

I would that all walk in the Truth (3 John 2-4) that we may all proper and be in health even as our souls proper.

Do have a listen to the audio - there's quite a bit here that is not in the notes.

Pray this blesses you.  Please share it as you are.

Chris

Life in the Lord is a whole lot deeper, wider and more meaningful than any of us here will ever figure.  If we think we have God figured out in a system of theology, then our God will be very small.

But I am Already Saved…

We must grow up.  It can be assumed that the people that Paul wrote to in Galatia were saved – it was to the church there that he wrote.  Yet Paul says this:

Galatians 4:11 I am afraid for you, lest I have labored for you in vain. (NKJV)

This tells us that his ultimate for the Galatians was not about getting saved alone.  He alludes to this a few more verses down:

Galatians 4:19 My little children, for whom I labor in birth again until Christ is formed in you, (NKJV)

Christ needs to be formed in us.  He is already in us, having given us His Holy Spirit for all of eternity, but without our cooperation (a some labour from those preaching/teaching/fathering us), we won’t manifest Christ.

This is why there are Christians who supposedly have been in church for some time, but their lives don’t reflect this nor are they different from the people of the world.

The answer lies in encountering God in His Word, in seeing who Christ has made us to be in the Spirit.  The spiritual realm is far more real than what our eyes can see – that is why we must walk by faith and not by sight (2 Cor 5:7).  To this end, we must continue to see who Christ has made us to be, looking at who we are in Him in the Word:

2 Corinthians 3:18 But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord. (NKJV)

These truths will invariably cause us to grow, where we become more and more the glory He truly has already made us to be in the spirit (John 17:22, Col 1:27).

Don't Reject the Truth

Proverbs 1:20 Wisdom calls aloud outside; She raises her voice in the open squares. 21 She cries out in the chief concourses, At the openings of the gates in the city She speaks her words: 22 “How long, you simple ones, will you love simplicity? For scorners delight in their scorning, And fools hate knowledge. 23 Turn at my rebuke; Surely I will pour out my spirit on you; I will make my words known to you. (NKJV)

“Simple” here has the meaning of “naïve”.  Scorners are ultimately naïve and foolish.  They scorn because they are first of all fools – in hating knowledge is the ability to scorn without responsibility.  Once we encounter the truth, we are left a need to come to a decision about it.  The less one knows, the easier it is to paint over everything with the same fat brush.  Seeking the truth requires knowledge.  Being a fool and deriding everything without first knowing it is often a much easier path that many unfortunately like to take.

Proverbs 1:31 Therefore they shall eat the fruit of their own way, And be filled to the full with their own fancies. 32 For the turning away of the simple will slay them, And the complacency of fools will destroy them; 33 But whoever listens to me will dwell safely, And will be secure, without fear of evil.” (NKJV)

Those who negate seeking Truth do so at their own peril, for Wisdom will cause us to dwell safely and to be secure, not fearing evil.  This is a Biblical promise.

Some Simply Don’t Know 

Simply put, in the absence of knowledge, many just wouldn't know.  While it is ultimately our own responsibility to seek our Wisdom, to search for the truth, having people sent to tell us about it in part or whole makes it a lot easier.

Hence the need for teachers, fathers and blogs like this.

Romans 10:14 How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? 15 And how shall they preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace, Who bring glad tidings of good things!” 16 But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed our report?” 17 So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. (NKJV)

Some Just Don’t Care

Complacency ultimate sends many people to Hell.  It also puts a lot of Christians into a dormant mode, useless for the Kingdom and bearing little or no fruit.  Jesus talked of the 3 things which choke the Word:

• Cares of the World
• Deceitfulness of riches
• Pleasures of life

So whether we are just “too busy”, “too stressed” or lulled by the sense that life here on earth is good, complacency ultimately keeps our focus on the here-and-now.  What the devil can no longer destroy, he will seek to disable.

Luke 12:16 Then He spoke a parable to them, saying: “The ground of a certain rich man yielded plentifully. 17 And he thought within himself, saying, ‘What shall I do, since I have no room to store my crops?’ 18 So he said, ‘I will do this: I will pull down my barns and build greater, and there I will store all my crops and my goods. 19 And I will say to my soul, “Soul, you have many goods laid up for many years; take your ease; eat, drink, and be merry.” ’ 20 But God said to him, ‘Fool! This night your soul will be required of you; then whose will those things be which you have provided?’ 21 “So is he who lays up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.” (NKJV)

This man’s undoing was not that he had a good business running:  it was that he cared not for the things of the spiritual, the things of God.  We need to care enough to think through (meditate) what God has said in His Word.  It will ultimately make sense over time when it comes together for you.

Some are Taught Wrong

If we don’t read enough of the Word carefully for ourselves, we might wind up in error.  There are many good teachers out there, but it is ultimately still our responsibility to search it up ourselves and let God teach us.

Acts 17:10 Then the brethren immediately sent Paul and Silas away by night to Berea. When they arrived, they went into the synagogue of the Jews. 11 These were more fair-minded than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so. (NKJV)

The Bible called the Bereans “fair-minded”.  Other translations used the word “noble’ or “open-minded”.  We need to be open-minded and fair in looking at the Word and not let our experiences, biases, prejudices and even teachings colour it.  We need to look at the Word for ourselves, fair and square and decide how we should believe it.

It is in such reading and meditation of the Word that it bears fruit, like Jesus said:

Luke 8:15 But the ones that fell on the good ground are those who, having heard the word with a noble and good heart, keep it and bear fruit with patience. (NKJV)

In such a noble and good heart, the Word will bear fruit with patience.

Some Hear but Don’t Believe

There are many things we read in the Word, that because of denominational leanings, various theological viewpoints and even just plain fear of the unknown or of losing face that cause us to choose not to believe.

Acts 17:10 Then the brethren immediately sent Paul and Silas away by night to Berea. When they arrived, they went into the synagogue of the Jews. 11 These were more fair-minded than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so. (NKJV)

There are “controversial” areas in scripture which many simply ignore and disbelieve.  Spiritual gifts is such an example, but Paul clearly says to the Corinthian church that he did not want them to be ignorant about these:

1 Corinthians 12: 1 Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I do not want you to be ignorant: (NKJV)

That the same topic was not broached with the other churches lends us the thought that perhaps these were commonplace with them and that they needed no teaching/correction in this.

Some Dumb it Down Against Experience

We need to take the Word of God as our standard.  What He said in the Word should have pre-eminence over what we experience.  If we believe in the Word only where it can be aligned to our experience, we will be on very shaky ground, for we will be operating by sight and not by faith.

If the disciples in scriptures took some of their experiences to heart instead of believing in the Lord, some of the things we read of in scriptures might have turned out very differently.  Take the following passage for example:

Matthew 14:28 And Peter answered Him and said, “Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water.” 29 So He said, “Come.” And when Peter had come down out of the boat, he walked on the water to go to Jesus. 30 But when he saw that the wind was boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink he cried out, saying, “Lord, save me!” 31 And immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and caught him, and said to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” (NKJV)

Peter was the only one of 12 to jump out of the boat onto the water.  He took Jesus on His word and moved by faith, walking on water.  But when he was rattled by the wind and the waves, he began to sink.  If he went by experience alone, he would NEVER have gone out on a limb again.  He might have come up with various explanations as to why the Word of the Lord did not work for him:  “Come” meant come when on the shore, “Come” meant bring the boat nearer etc.  Everything except for the fact of what Jesus said – that he just did not have the faith and that he doubted.

The Word must be pre-eminent in our lives.  If something we stood on failed, we must be settled in our hearts that the Word is true and that we, like Peter, just need more faith and less doubt.  Otherwise, we will find explanations to reconcile our experiences against the Word and we will end up making doctrines that don’t line up with the Word.

See what Jesus said to the disciples when they failed to heal the epileptic boy:

Matthew 17:17 Then Jesus answered and said, “O faithless and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you? How long shall I bear with you? Bring him here to Me.” 

20 So Jesus said to them, “Because of your unbelief; for assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you. (NKJV)

Without mincing words, Jesus called them faithless and perverse.  He fully expected that His disciples would be taking over what He was doing once He was gone (see John 20:21) and that they were off the mark, further chiding them for their unbelief.  Jesus is not here in the flesh today, but with us.

A very common and untrue thought is this:  that God heals sicknesses according to His will and that sometimes it is not His will to heal.  He told us to heal the sick, and Jesus Himself healed ALL who came to Him (Acts 10:38) and Jesus is the same yesterday, today and forever (Heb 13:8).  This happens because we’ve brought the Word down to our level of experience, because we have failed so often.  God is true and every man a liar (Rom 3:4).  We need to believe the Word, not our experiences.  

Jesus says faithless and perverse.  We turn it on Him and declare our inability to heal as His will.  That is not right.  Truly we must admit that we don’t have it altogether.  We need to walk by faith and not by sight.

It Isn’t What You See

Hence I conclude that comparing what you read against what you experience is not a good idea.  It is all by grace through faith.

Ephesians 2:8 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, (NKJV)

For the instance of salvation, we have no firm evidence of going to heaven, yet we believe.  None of us has ever put our faith in the Lord only to be able to confirm if it was true or otherwise.  Apart from the testimonies of a few people who have come back from near-death experiences, we don’t know it by sight, but only by faith.  And we believe by faith simply because we have no control.  It really ought to be the same thing for anything that the Bible promises.  The same Jesus who said believing Him gives eternal life said to heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, declare the kingdom, do as He did, do greater works in His name.

The trouble with these things is that we can see them, and it is hence in the realm of the 5 senses, the flesh, and subject to doubt.  In areas we have to option to walk by sight instead of faith, we have the ability to doubt.

Paul said:

2 Corinthians 5:7 For we walk by faith, not by sight. (NKJV)

It is What’s in the Word

It must be from the Word.  Whatever the Word says is the truth and we must believe it above what we see in the natural.  This is walking by faith.  

There can be no faith without knowing the Word.

James 1:22 But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. 23 For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man observing his natural face in a mirror; 24 for he observes himself, goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of man he was. 25 But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does. (NKJV)

Looking into the mirror, we see the perfect law of liberty, the glory of the Lord (2 Cor 3:18).  We see who Christ has made us to be, no longer under the law of sin and death, but under the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus.

If we continue in this, we are doers of the Word and we will be blessed in what we do.

It Must Seem Too Good to be True

The word “gospel” refers to news that is almost too good to be true.  If it doesn't seem to be that way to you, you probably haven’t heard the whole truth.  The promises of the Gospel are so superlative that it often makes people want to tone it down, for fear of people experiencing less than what it proclaims and getting discouraged. 

However, if what we are believing towards is only mediocre, then where we end will be mediocre, too.  Put it this way - when was great news ever boring?  Scriptures in their entirety are either real and absolutely amazing, giving us hope for the future and meaning and purpose in life (we call it the Gospel) or it is not true and we shouldn't believe in it at all.  After all, if we believe that God’s love for us is the greatest force in the universe, than no one thing should top it and only superlatives should be left to describe it.

Mark 9:23 Jesus said to him, “If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes.” (NKJV)

Indeed, if we can plumb the depths of His love, than we truly can do all things.  We all will only catch a glimpse of this in this life.  Paul said:  

Ephesians 3:20 Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, 21 to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen. (NKJV)

What He can do exceeds all we can think of, but it is only according to the power that works in us.  We have the key to His power in our lives.  It is up to us to try it for ourselves to know for sure.  

Psalm 34:8 Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good; Blessed is the man who trusts in Him! (NKJV)

This is a process – taste a little, like a little, taste some more, try some more.  Like a foreign dish, we have to try it to see if we like it.  Those who don’t will never be in the position to comment.

It is a Lifelong Pursuit

Thankfully, none of us is ever “there” in this lifetime.  We never get there till we die, but as long as we are pressing on for more of what Christ died to gain for us, we are making progress.

Philippians 3:7 But what things were gain to me, these I have counted loss for Christ. 8 Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ 9 and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness, which is from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith; 10 that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death, 11 if, by any means, I may attain to the resurrection from the dead. 12 Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me. 13 Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, 14 I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. 15 Therefore let us, as many as are mature, have this mind; and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal even this to you. 16 Nevertheless, to the degree that we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us be of the same mind. (NKJV)

Even Paul wanted to attain to the resurrection from the dead – become what we will be when we resurrect in our glorified bodies, like Christ!  This is the goal this side of Heaven, that Christ may be formed in us (Gal 4:19), that the world may see His glory in us.

It is comforting and liberating for me to know that I will need to grow for the rest of my life.  It frees me to know that I don’t have to know it all before I can teach and guide others.  It gives me room, knowing that I too am on a journey, rallying others along.

This is the walk of faith – knowing more of His love each day.

The Take Away

• Get into the Word – seek God in it
• Take God on His Word
• Seek to understand it
• Ask if you don’t
• Never measure the Word against your experience
• Know that we are always learning, increasing in faith
• Press on!

Bible Study: Truth

Hi Everyone

We’ve been taking a break over the last few weeks for summer.  If you are from Canada, you will know that we take summer seriously here and that many are away soaking up the sun on beaches and boats, holidaying all over the country.

Well, we’re back online again.  For the summer season, I’ll be stepping aside from the “Who I am in Jesus Christ” series for a few weeks, so last week I talked about this issue of “Truth”.

3 John 4 I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth. (NKJV)

For all with whom I labor in the Lord, this is my desire also, that your life is run solely on the truth of the Word.

The notes below give you an idea of the verses covered but I strongly recommend that you listen to the recording of the audio, as there is quite a lot there that the notes may not cover.  

Be blessed!

Chris

Untruth

From the day Adam and Eve fell and the world was handed to the devil, Man lived in a world increasingly permeated by untruth.

Genesis 1:27 So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. 28 Then God blessed them, and God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it; have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over every living thing that moves on the earth.” (NKJV)

The World that was under his dominion fell when he fell.

Genesis 2:16 And the Lord God commanded the man, saying, “Of every tree of the garden you may freely eat; 17 but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die.” (NKJV)

Living outside of God and His love is living in untruth.

SOAKED in Untruth from Birth

From the day we are born we were separated from God and were soaked in untruth.

Common Examples of untruth

• Fornication/Adultery/Homosexuality and our values today
• Divorce – sometimes that’s the only best way
• “Nobody loves me”
• “Self-fulfilment”
• Love of Money
• “That’s just the way it is”
• Many thoughts espoused in songs (some Christian even!)
• The way many women dress today
• Condoms in boy’s washrooms in school!
• Sickness – it is normal, passed down, hereditary
• Poverty
• Self-image (Loser/Low Esteem/Egotistical/Prideful etc.)
• Every human thought outside of the Word!
• Look out for #1 – Ever man for HIMSELF

It’s not so much about sin, but about the fact that we continue to be sublimely brought into the idea that these are normal when they are not.

Truth is not “Doing the Moral Thing”

It is not about trying to do right on our own.  Scripture talks about a way that seems right to man

Proverbs 14:12 There is a way that seems right to a man, But its end is the way of death. (NKJV)

Proverbs 16:25 There is a way that seems right to a man, But its end is the way of death. (NKJV)

It is called “walking in the futility of your mind” (Eph 4:17).  Getting people into moral behaviour for its own sake will only create more moral people in Hell.  It is all about getting people into an active love relationship with the Lord.

Truth is not a Cause

It is not about trying to prevent gay marriage, or standing up again what we perceive as being evil.  Darkness is overcome by light, not by removing darkness.

John 1:9 That was the true Light which gives light to every man coming into the world. 10 He was in the world, and the world was made through Him, and the world did not know Him.  (NKJV)

Jesus came to give light, that we might become as He is.

Truth is a Person

Truth was brought back to us in the person of Jesus.  

John 14:6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me. (NKJV)

He died to set us free from lies, from the untruths, from what was never meant to be in the first place, everything that was a part of the fallen nature.  He was cursed to die for our curse, that we might live in His blessing.

He made us New Creations, created in His image.  We are in the world, not of it.

John 17:14 I have given them Your word; and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. 15 I do not pray that You should take them out of the world, but that You should keep them from the evil one. 16 They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. 17 Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth. 18 As You sent Me into the world, I also have sent them into the world. (NKJV)

The old HAS already been destroyed.  Like Jesus, we today are God’s Spirit in us clothed in flesh.  The sin nature that was present has been destroyed by the death of Jesus on our behalf.  This is why He has the right to tell us to do as He did (John 20:21) with a promise that the things we do collectively as the Church will be even greater (John 14:12).  If we choose to believe in His Word, then like Paul we will have to say

Galatians 2:20 I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me. (NKJV)

Yes, the life we now live, we need to learn to live by faith in Jesus, whose love in dying for us has changed us.  The more we realize the magnitude of His love, the more we have faith and the more our lives in the flesh are dominated by His Spirit in us and the less it is about us.  Yes, the old HAS gone.

We Need to Embrace the Truth

2 Timothy 4:2 Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching. 3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; (NKJV)

The day has come when people do not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, what suits their lifestyles. Here's the definition of "Itching ears" from Wikipedia:

"Itching ears is a term used in the Bible to describe a person who seeks out messages that please them and fit their lifestyle, as opposed to seeking a truth that might make them uncomfortable." 

Because of Itching Ears Syndrome, many HEAP UP for themselves TEACHERS. 

Some want "Christianity Lite" where God gives them everything and expects nothing of them, so their lives continue the way it has always been, with no victory and no use for the Kingdom.  Then there are others who refuse to believe the whole truth of the Word, rather preferring what religion has taught them – a powerless gospel where we are saved and stuck, waiting only to go to Heaven. Both sides want plenty of teachers to concur with their beliefs, instead of the Word.

The problem is this - Teachers come and go. What is needed are FATHERS 1 Corinthians 4:15 . FATHERS discipline, correct, ensure the right path is taken.

Transformed, Not Conformed

“Treat her like a lady and she will be one” – we are the bride of Christ and He has treated us right already.  We just need to realise this in all of its fullness.

Romans 5:8 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. (NKJV)

This love transforms us but we must be active to not be conformed to the world, to be aware of untruths

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

Bring down every high thing.  Not just your thoughts per se, but the way you think.

2 Corinthians 10:4 For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, 5 casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ, (NKJV)

Need to be in the Word to be sharp – it is the two-edged sword.

Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. (NKJV)

Spirit and soul – most things on earth exist in the soulish realm (Eph 4:17 – futility of the mind).

Soak in the Truth

Joshua 1:8 This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. (NKJV)

Come to know the living God, His love, revealed in the Word.

Walk in Truth

Know the love of Christ Eph 3:19, be rooted in it and we will believe the truths that we know.

Know the Truth – meditate on the finished work and let it guard your heart

Proverbs 4:20 My son, pay attention to what I say; listen closely to my words. 21 Do not let them out of your sight, keep them within your heart; 22 for they are life to those who find them and health to a man’s whole body. 23 Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life. (NIV)

Take proactive steps to discern ungodly thoughts.  Often reflected in our words.

Luke 6:45 A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart brings forth evil. For out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks. (NKJV)

Also in Matt 12:34

Proverbs 18:21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue, And those who love it will eat its fruit. (NKJV)

Learn the Word and say what God says (meditate).  It will bring you life.

Every untruth is a challenge against your identity, who you are in Jesus Christ.

Walk in truth – who you are in JC.  This is walking in the Spirit.

Truth will then set you free

The Take Away

• Without God’s Word, Untruth/Lies is the default
• Truth is not just about doing good
• Truth is not a cause we stand by
• Truth is a person – the more we know Him, the more truth permeates our lives
• It is a transformation process – allowing God to change the way we think
• Soak in the truth – the more we do, the faster we change
• Walk in the truth – keep His Word in our hearts