The Jubilee Community Centre is a 44,000 square feet building in East Grinstead, bought and refurbished by the generosity of church members, which not only meets the needs of all church activities but also provides a modern and flexible resource for the local and business communities.
Mark4:21-34
Are you really listening? Mark 4:21-34
Matthew 13: 31-32, Luke 13:18-19, Mark 9:7, 1 Samuel 15:22, John 8:31-32
- Jesus taught the crowds using only parables – everyday stories, riddles, illustrations containing spiritual truth
- 3 audiences in the crowd - those looking and listening for God (learners), those hearing but not understanding (crowds), those opposing Jesus (religious leaders)
- Parables are more than memorable stories; they test how people respond to God
- The disciples asked Jesus to explain things to them. Are you really listening?
Each parable in Mark 4 has one main point
· Parable of the sower - what kind of soil are you? Those who hear and obey the Word will produce a harvest beyond their wildest dreams.
- A Lamp on the stand - Jesus reveals hidden truths to those actively looking for God
- Parable of the growing seed - God’s kingdom grows slowly, sovereignly and not necessarily the way you expect
- Parable of the mustard seed - God’s kingdom starts very small but grows very big
Life Application
STOP (rest), LOOK (bible) and LISTEN (pray)
Do you have ears to hear? Active listening means hearing and obeying Jesus teaching
The truth will only set you free only if you know it. Obedience leads to more understanding.
Questions to ponder
- Am I/we really listening to God?
- How do you hear God?
- What might God be asking you to change? To do? To share?
- What is your story (personal testimony) of Jesus?