Mark 4:18-19 (NKJV) Now these are the ones sown among thorns; they are the ones who hear the word, and the cares of this world, the deceitfulness of riches, and the desires for other things entering in choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful.
(Amplified Bible) Then the cares and anxieties of the world and distractions of the age, and the pleasure and delight and false glamour and deceitfulness of riches, and the craving and passionate desire for other things creep in and choke and suffocate the Word, and it becomes fruitless.
There are two kingdoms in this world, the Kingdom of God and the kingdom of darkness. While we have been transferred and entered into the Kingdom of God where He reigns and rules in our lives, we are still in this world where the god of this age still influences us greatly through all the daily events and messages that are being communicated to us daily. Therefore, there is always a choice to choose God’s way or the way of the world in our Christian life. When we choose to go God’s way, we really need to allow the word of God to take root in our lives so that faith is produced to stand on it despite of the circumstances.
We are constantly being bombarded daily by the world through different media. The media is a very powerful tool that forms our thinking and values either directly or subtly. If we are not careful to guard our mind, it might create concern, fear and slowly make a foothold into our thought life. We will operate in the world’s ways unless we renew our mind with the word. When the world’s way is stronger than the word in our heart, the seed of the word of God will be choked. The seed that is sown among thorns is deprived of sunlight thus it is not able to grow. The overwhelming influence of the deceitfulness of riches, the desire of other things and the false glamor in life “choke and suffocate” the word.
Cares and anxieties are thoughts that meditate on the negative that will bring about fear into our lives. When someone is anxious, worried or fearful, he/she is concerned about the unknown and the many possibilities that might not even happen at all! As a Christian, we should not be meditating on the negative but we should live by faith in God based on His character and the promises of His word. It is either we live in fear or faith. Faith is meditating on the truth that brings peace. Fear is being concerned of the unknown and the many possibilities without the God factor in it. It is a choice we need to choose or else fearful thought will choke the word that actually creates faith and peace in our lives.
The cares, anxieties and fear are a result of doubt and unbelief of the word. The devil will put deception through the mind thus causing people to look at circumstances.
Philippians 4:6-7 (NKJV) Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
As Christians, we know that Jesus told us the remedy for our worries is to seek Him wholeheartedly and He will provide all our needs. If our trust is in riches, we will feel stressed and miserable when things don’t happen our way. However, when we trust the Lord, His joy and grace will sustain us.
Psalms 3:5 (NKJV) I lay down and slept; I awoke, for the Lord sustained me.
Are you worried or anxious? Cast your cares and anxieties upon Him today because He cares for you. (1Peter 5:7) In the midst of all the anxieties, Jesus who is the Prince of Peace, will give us peace to sleep and awake the next day for He sustains us.
Sermon series: There is power in the seed
神坚立我们并赐平安
马可福音 4:18-19 18 还有那撒在荆棘里的，就是人听了道，后来有世上的思虑、钱财的迷惑和别样的私欲进来，把道挤住了，就不能结实。
(扩增版圣经) 后来世上的思虑和担心，使人分心的事情，各种享乐，钱财的虚假荣耀和迷惑，以及对其他事物的渴望和欲望进来，把道挤住了，就不能结实。
这世上有两个国度，神的国和黑暗的国。当我们被带领进入神的国之后，神掌管我们的生命，但是我们仍在这个世界，所以这个世界的“神”仍旧通过每天发生的事和信息大大影响我们。所以基督徒的生命中，总是不断要选择是按神的方式还是世界的方式来行。当我们选择神的道路时，我们需要神的道在我们生命中扎根，这样不管景况如何，我们都能靠信心站立得稳。
我们每天不断地被各种媒体轰炸。媒体是非常强大的工具，以直接或微妙的方式形成我们的思想和价值观。如果我们不小心看顾自己的心思意念，就会制造出顾虑、恐惧，并慢慢地在我们思想中占据一席之地。我们将会照属世的方式来行，除非我们用神的话语更新自己的心思意念。但是当属世的方式在我们心里强过神的话语时，神的话语的种子就被挤住了。撒在荆棘中的种子被夺走了阳光所以生长不起来。钱财的迷惑、别样的私欲、以及虚假的魅力排山倒海地挤住并扼制了神的道。
思虑和担心来自于对负面事物的过多关注，并将恐惧带进我们的生命。当人们焦虑，担忧或害怕时，他们担心的其实是未知、甚至是可能永远不会发生的事！作为基督徒，我们不应思虑那些负面的事物，而是应该按照神的性情及应许活在对神的信心里。我们不是活在恐惧中就是活在信心里。信心是专注于思考那带来平安的真理。而恐惧是关注于未知和各种可能，却完全忽略了神在其中的影响。这是我们必须做出的选择，不然恐惧就会挤住那原本能创造信心和平安的道。
思虑、担心和恐惧是对神的话语的怀疑和不信任造成的。魔鬼通过思想来欺骗人们关注他们的景况。
腓立比书 4:6-7 6 应当一无挂虑，只要凡事借着祷告、祈求和感谢，将你们所要的告诉神。神所赐出人意外的平安，必在基督耶稣里保守你们的心怀意念。
作为基督徒，我们知道耶稣告诉我们治愈忧虑的方法就是全心全意寻求祂，祂会提供我们一切所需。如果我们信靠财富，当事情进展不顺时我们就会紧张和痛苦。但是，当我们信靠主时，祂的喜乐和恩惠就会坚立我们。
诗篇 3:5 我躺下睡觉，我醒着，耶和华都保佑我。
你在忧愁或焦虑吗？今天你们要将一切的忧虑卸给神，因为他顾念你们。（彼得前书5:7）在所有的焦虑中，耶稣作为和平的君，将会赐我们平安入睡次日醒转，因为祂坚立我们。
讲章系列: 种子大有能力
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