Gleans from Monday Bible Study with Pastor (Dr) W.F Kumuyi.
DLBC Gbagada HQ
17th June 2019
Study 15 – CHRIST’S PREDICTED REVELATION THROUGH PARABLES
Text – Mark 4:1-9; John 3:2; Matthew 5:2; Mark 6:34; Luke 13:22-24; John 7:45-46; Matthew 24:35; 28:20; Mark 1:27; 12:38-40; Luke 4:32; John 7:16-17; 1 Timothy 1:3; 4:15-16; 2 John 1:9-11
“And he began again to teach by the sea side” (Mark 4:1). Jesus Christ taught the word of God at every opportunity anywhere. He is the Teacher come from God and He taught essential truths for all time, today, tomorrow and until He will come again (John 3:2). His teachings were pointed, purposeful, practical and perpetual. “And he opened his mouth, and taught them, saying,” (Matthew 5:2). He was full of The Word of God and emphasized the truth before crowds and multitudes. He had no time to entertain or excite people, He taught truths as they came from God. “And Jesus, when he came out, saw much people, and was moved with compassion toward them, because they were as sheep not having a shepherd: and he began to teach them many things” (Mark 6:34). He comes to you today to teach you essentials that will make you stand firm in the way of the Lord and prepare you for Heaven. He went everywhere in the land of Israel teaching the word of God; He showed them the strait way to enter heaven. Now is the time to strive to enter, as a time is coming when the door will be shut (Luke 13:22-25). Jesus Christ taught like no man in any generation, from Enoch, Abraham, Enoch, David and the prophets, had ever taught eternal, transforming saving and sanctifying truth, truth for all times (John 7:45-46). He brought the truth from Heaven. “Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away” (Matthew 24:35). What He came to teach, reveal and emphasize still relevant to our generation. “Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen (Matthew 28:20). Everything He taught, revealed and emphasized we are to teach others as well as He gave them unto us.
“And he taught them many things by parables and said unto them in his doctrine” (Mark 4:2). So, when He saw the great multitudes, all He did was to teach them the word of God. He was not offering them suggestions, opinions, proverbs or philosophies of the world; He came to teach the doctrine from Heaven. “And they were all amazed, insomuch that they questioned among themselves, saying, What thing is this? what new doctrine is this? for with authority commandeth he even the unclean spirits, and they do obey him” (Mark 1:27). To them it was something new, that pertained only to the New Covenant. He taught them openly, pointedly, fervently and persuasively, what they ought and needed to hear (Mark 12:38-30). “And they were astonished at his doctrine: for his word was with power” (Luke 4:32). Christ never taught any other thing but His doctrine that touched the lives of the people, and He taught with authority and power. “Jesus answered them, and said, My doctrine is not mine, but his that sent me” (John 7:16). His doctrine was not His, but from His Father’s so He could not change nor modify it. These same doctrines and teachings we are to emphasize and stand by and not allow ourselves to be swayed by any but abide by the doctrines of Christ, “As I besought thee to abide still at Ephesus, when I went into Macedonia, that thou mightest charge some that they teach no other doctrine” (1 Timothy 1:3). You are to abide where you are set for ministry and compel people to preach no other doctrine as none other can save except the doctrine of Christ. We are to meditate on the words of Christ, the Teacher come from Heaven, abide by and do them (1 Timothy 4:15-16). “Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son. If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed: For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds.” (2 John 9-11). Christ’s doctrine is not His, but His Father taught Him what to teach, and anyone not abiding by this doctrine is not honouring God. It is not your title but abiding in the doctrine in Christ that matters before God. You will not be a partaker of any evil deed in Jesus’ Name.
3 points:
Point 1. THE USE OF PARABLES BY THE SAVIOUR
Mark 4:1-2; Psalms 49:1-4; 78:1-4; Matthew 13:3,24-26,33-35; Mark 4:33-34; 7:17-23; Luke 6:39-42; 12:15
Before Christ came, the Old Testament writers and prophets moved by the Holy Ghost had predicted that when He came, He would teach and reveal the mind of the Father by parables. “And he began again to teach by the sea side: and there was gathered unto him a great multitude, so that he entered into a ship, and sat in the sea; and the whole multitude was by the sea on the land” (Mark 4:1). Jesus taught in every place and at every opportunity, and He taught by parables many things like repentance, regeneration, righteousness, hearing and doing of the word of God. “I will open my mouth in a parable: I will utter dark sayings of old” (Psalms 78:2). Jesus came to fulfil what had been predicted of Him; that the Teacher, Master and Rabbi coming will open His mouth in parables (Matthew 13:3). “Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The Kingdom of heaven is likened unto a man which sowed good seed in his field: But while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat, and went his way. But when the blade was sprung up, and brought forth fruit, then appeared the tares also” (Matthew 13:24-26). I pray that our ministers who are supposed to teach the word of God will neither sleep nor slumber, so that the enemy will not be able to sow tares in our congregations. They will not have chance in our Church in Jesus’ name. Teach the Word without fear or favour so those who want to sow tares will not have the chance. “All these things spake Jesus unto the multitude in parables; and without a parable spake he not unto them: That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying, I will open my mouth in parables; I will utter things which have been kept secret from the foundation of the world” (Matthew 13:34-35). This was His style, teaching in parables what the Father had given unto Him. “But without a parable spake he not unto them: and when they were alone, he expounded all things to his disciples” (Mark 4:35). He taught the Word, doctrine and revelation from the Father using parables and illustrations for them to understand. He went from the known to the unknown. They knew about the farmer sowing, and the fisherman with his nets catching fishes, so He took messages from them and revealed the truth of heaven to the people. “And when he was entered into the house from the people, his disciples asked him concerning the parable” (Mark 7:17). Whatever the disciples didn’t understand they asked Him, and He gave them interpretation, exposition and application of the parable. “And he spake a parable unto them, Can the blind lead the blind? shall they not both fall into the ditch?” (Luke 6:39). Many parables that He spoke to them with different meanings, doctrines, every area of doctrine that He covered using parables. He used what they were familiar with. “Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a men’s life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth.” (Luke 12:15). He warned them and followed it with a parable, saying, “…… The ground of a certain rich man brought forth plentifully: ….. And he said, This will I do: I will pull down my barns, and build greater; and there will I bestow all my fruits and my goods” (Luke 12:16-18). This was a man of his own mind, purpose and plan. He was thoughtless, visionless, blind man to the future and his own destiny, “But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided?” (Luke 12:20).
Point 2. THE UNIQUENESS AND POWER OF THE SEED
Mark 4:3,14; Luke 8:5,11; Proverbs 30:5-6; Psalms 12:6,7; 119:89,140; 1 Thessalonians 2:13
The sower went forth to sow the seed, and the uniqueness and power of that seed. “The sower south the word” (Mark 4:14). The seed is the word, pure, sound, healthy. “Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him” (proverbs 30:5). Do not modify or mutilate the seed (Proverbs 30:6). The seed is unique, pure and powerful; perfect and correct enough that you don’t have to modify it (Psalms 12:6). “For ever, O LORD, thy word is settled in heaven” (Psalms 119:89). Please remember that the Father gave the word and it cannot be changed. That word that is forever settled in Heaven is what we are going to preach. You receive it and apply it to your life, not as the word of men, and it works effectually in the hearts of all who believe (1 Thessalonians 2:13).
What does the word do that no other can do, and what is unique and powerful about the word of God? This Word is The Seed, and when it is planted in you, it (i) Saves – 1 Peter 1:23. You can be born again by the word of God, “Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever” (1 Peter 1:23). (ii) Heals – Psalms 107:20. When accepted and believed as the word of God, it works and heals soul and body. (iii) Strengthens – 1 John 2:14. As the word abides in you, it strengthens. (iv) Searches, examines and probes – Hebrews 4:12. The word searches out the intentions, designs, plans and thoughts of our hearts, to see whether they are right or wrong. (v) Sanctifies – Ephesians 5:26-27. “That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word” (Ephesians 5:26). All the wrinkles, impurity and inbred sin, the word will purge. (vi) Cleanses – Psalms 119:3,9,11. For as long as the word of God abides in you, you will do no iniquity. Sin takes the word out of you; but the word will take sin out of you. “Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee” (Psalms 119:11). Let the word of God replace every opinion, idea and traditions of men, and you will live a righteous life. (vii) Empowers – Acts 10:44-47. The Holy Ghost power fell on them that heard the word and because of their receptivity of the word they were empowered. (viii) Quickens – John 6:63. When we are tired, weak and lukewarm, the word gives us new energy and strength to make us alive. (ix) Comforts – 1 Thessalonians 4:18. When you are going through any challenge or confusion, go back to the word of God to find comfort and solace. (x) Builds up – Acts 20:32 The word makes you to grow taller, stronger and higher. (xi) Feeds us – Jeremiah 3:15. Hungry and thirsty, the word of God feeds you with knowledge and understanding. (xii) Revives us – Jeremiah 20:9. It brings revival in our souls and hearts. (xiii) Frutifies us – Isaiah 55:10-11. The word will make you bear fruits, and bear fruit in your life and family. (xiv) Conquers – Ephesians 6:16-17. Every enemy, challenge in your life and family, the word conquers. The faith that comes as a result of hearing the word of God is the faith that conquers. And the word will make you to overcome. (xv) Abides forever – Matthew 24:35; 1 Peter 1:23-25. The words of Christ will not pass away; in your life, heart, ministry, it will work. “But the word of the Lord endureth for ever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you” (1 Peter 1:25). With all these, you have seen the uniqueness and power of that seed, which is the word of God.
Point 3. HIS UNVEILING AND PERCEPTION OF THE SOIL
Mark 4:4; Genesis 15:11; Mark 4:5,6; Luke 8:6; Jude 12,13; Mark 4:7; Isaiah 5:5-6; Hebrews 6:7,8; Proverbs 24:30-34; Mark 4:8; Galatians 2:4-5; Isaiah 62:10; 57:14; Jeremiah 4:3; Hosea 10:12; Ezekiel 17:5,8; Isaiah 37:31
The Seed is the Word of God, and when sowed into a heart and it does not yield any fruit, the fault is not with the Seed but the soil into which it is sowed. The sower sows on different kinds of soils. “And it came to pass, as he sowed, some fell by the way side, and the fowls of the air came and devoured it up.” (Mark 4:4). As the farmer and others walk on the pathways into the farmland, it becomes hardened. When many opinions and ideas are pounding your heart, it becomes like the wayside, and is hardened. The seed stays on the surface and the fowls of the air come and pick up the seed, There will be no fruits if after hearing the word instead of praying it in you become talkative. For the word of God to bear fruit in your heart, take care of the fowls! “And when the fowls came down upon the carcases, Abram drove them away” (Genesis 15:11). Be like Abraham, drive them away.
And some fell on stony ground, where it had not much earth; and immediately it sprang up, because it had no depth of earth: But when the sun was up, it was scorched; and because it had no root, it withered away” (Mark 4:5-6). This soil has rocks, stones and pebbles which the farmer did not border to take away. Nothing wrong with the seed but the soil but it was stony. “And some fell upon a rock; and as soon as it was sprung up, it withered away, because it lacked moisture” (Luke 8:6). When we hear the word of God we moisture it with prayer and meditations. Otherwise it is emotional hearing that doesn’t go deep into the heart, and the word is choked up because there is depth in their understanding of the word of God (Jude 12,13). When the word of God on salvation does not bring conviction or confession, then it is fruitless and there will be no conversion, or change of life. If he dies in that condition, though he attends the Bible Study regularly, there is no hope of heaven. This will not happen to you.
“And some fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up, and choked it, and it yielded no fruit” (Mark 4:7). Thorns in the heart choke whatever enters, though the seed is good. The word is pure, and the doctrine is sound, but because of the type of soil, the word fell into, the thorns will choke it and it will not yield any fruits; but you will yield fruits. “And now go to; I will tell you what I will do to my vineyard: I will take away the hedge thereof, and it shall be eaten up; and break down the wall thereof, and it shall be trodden down: And I will lay it waste: it shall not be pruned, nor digged; but there shall come up briers and thorns: I will also command the clouds that they rain no rain upon it” (Isaiah 5:5-6). This is what happens when the vineyards and the hearers are not producing fruits. The heart that brings forth thorns and briers will be rejected by God. That will not happen to you in Jesus Name (Hebrews 6:7,8). When we hear the word of God, for it to bear fruit, we make sure the heart is not hardened, has no thorns and thistles and no fowls. Don’t be lazy to pray and water the Word. “Then I saw, and considered it well: I looked upon it, and received instruction” (Proverbs 24:32). You will receive the instruction from the word and apply it so it will bear fruit in your heart and life in Jesus Name.
“And other fell on good ground, and did yield fruit that sprang up and increased; and brought forth, some thirty, and some sixty, and some an hundred” (Mark 4:8). Your heart and the soil of your heart will be good ground. It is the same seed, but it is the kind of soil that makes a difference. It is the same word that saved and cleansed; sanctified and purified, and filled with the Holy Ghost and bore fruits. The wayside soil – dig it up and make it fertile; and break up the stony ground. “Go through, go through the gates; prepare ye the way of the people; cast up, cast up the highway; gather out the stones; lift up a standard for the people” (Isaiah 62:10). Gather out the stones and any stumbling blocks, habits, ideas, neighbours, friends, traditions, that will not allow the seed to bear fruit in your heart and life, take them away. No one will bring you into bondage again (Galatians 2:4-5). “For thus saith the LORD to the men of Judah and Jerusalem, Break up your fallow ground, and sow not among thorns” (Jeremiah 4:3). Gather up the thorns and stones and carry them away so the seed will not be chocked. Your soil will be good ground and you will bear fruit, much, multiplied and abundant fruits in Jesus Name. “He took also of the seed of the land, and planted it in a fruitful field; he placed it by great waters, and set it as a willow tree. It was planted in a good soil by great waters, that it might bring forth branches, and that it might bear fruit, that it might be a goodly vine” (Ezekiel 17:5,8). The word is planted in a good soil, and it will bear fruits. Your roots will go down into the soil, and your branches will go up into the Heavens, “And the remnant that is escaped of the house of Judah shall again take root downward, and bear fruit upward” (Isaiah 37:31). This is your story. The good seed is sown now on the good ground of your heart, and you will increase; power, anointing and fruit will increase in your life. Everyone will bear fruits and the result will be recognized in every life in Jesus name.
Ponder on this! Now that you are receiving the teaching of the word of God is the time to strive to enter, as a time is coming when the door will be shut and you will not be able to enter in. Pastor (Dr) W.F Kumuyi.
Ponder on this! We are to emphasize and stand by the doctrines and teachings that Jesus Christ had laid down; and not allow ourselves to be swayed by the religious people of the land, nor allow any person to teach us any other doctrine; we must abide by the doctrines of Christ. Pastor (Dr) W.F Kumuyi.
Ponder on this! Different kinds of soils yield different results. If anyone hears the word of God and he is not saved nor cleansed, there is nothing wrong with the seed, which is the word of God, but something is wrong with the soil where the word is planted. Pastor (Dr) W.F Kumuyi.
Hard Sayings – The heart that bears forth thorns and briers will be rejected by God. Pastor (Dr) W.F Kumuyi.
Reflection – He taught the Word, doctrine and revelation from the Father using parables and illustrations for them to understand. He went from the known to the unknown. Pastor (Dr) W.F Kumuyi.
Words on the Marble – The faith that comes as a result of hearing the word of God is the faith that conquers. Pastor (Dr) W.F Kumuyi.
Key Words – Sin takes the word out of you; but the word will take sin out of you. Pastor (Dr) W.F Kumuyi.
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