Mark 4:14-20 (NKJV)The sower sows the word. And these are the ones by the wayside where the word is sown. When they hear, Satan comes immediately and takes away the word that was sown in their hearts. These likewise are the ones sown on stony ground who, when they hear the word, immediately receive it with gladness; and they have no root in themselves, and so endure only for a time. Afterward, when tribulation or persecution arises for the word’s sake, immediately they stumble. 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. But these are the ones sown on good ground, those who hear the word, accept it, and bear fruit: some thirtyfold, some sixty, and some a hundred.”
Faith comes by hearing the unadulterated Word of God. We need to allow the seed, which is the Word of God, to grow in our hearts so that it can take root in our lives and develop into a conviction.
In our fast-paced society, many people lack patience and are more interested in the miraculous manifestation, or a personal word from the prophet rather than the teaching of the Word and spending quality time with the Lord. However, we will not last without the Word of God as the foundation of our Christian lives because the Word of God is what anchors our faith in God.
Hebrews 11:1 (NKJV) Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
Faith must be established on the Word of God because it is what gives substance to our faith. If God has said it, it is a done deal even though we may not see the manifestation of the promise yet. It is always a fight of faith regarding what we believe and what we are seeing or experiencing. The devil can easily steal the Word of God in our lives unless the seed has grown, germinated, taken root, and grown into a tree. He will use tribulation, cares, and anxieties to cause us to give up the Word of God, and cause us to doubt and disbelieve God’s love and His Word.
Mark 4:38 records that when the disciples saw the wind and the waves and water was entering the boat, they doubted the love of Jesus even though Jesus had given them the Word that they were going across to the other side. Moreover, we will behave based on the thoughts in our hearts. If we are full of worries, anxieties, and cares, we will be driven by fear and react accordingly. However, if we have the Word of God built up in us, we will walk in faith and peace.
The choice is ours as to whether we are open, receptive and will accept the Word, and whether we will allow the seed to be stolen or to germinate, take root and grow into a tree.
Sermon Series: Don’t Let it Be Stolen (Part 1)
信道是从听道来的
马可福音 4:13-20又对他们说：“你们不明白这比喻吗？这样怎能明白一切的比喻呢？撒种之人所撒的就是道。那撒在路旁的，就是人听了道，撒但立刻来，把撒在他心里的道夺了去。那撒在石头地上的，就是人听了道，立刻欢喜领受，但他心里没有根，不过是暂时的，及至为道遭了患难，或是受了逼迫，立刻就跌倒了。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。那撒在好地上的，就是人听道，又领受，并且结实，有三十倍的，有六十倍的，有一百倍的。”
信道是从听上帝纯正的道而来。我们需要让种子，就是上帝的话，在我们的心中生长，这样它才能在我们的生命中扎根，并发展成一种确信。
在我们这个快节奏的社会里，许多人缺乏耐心，对神迹的彰显或者先知性的个人启示的兴趣更胜于上帝话语的教导和与主共度美好的时光。然而，如果没有上帝的话语作为我们基督徒生命的根基，我们将无法坚持下去，因为上帝的话是我们对上帝的信心的锚。
希伯来书 11:1信就是所望之事的实底，是未见之事的确据。
信心必须建立在上帝的话语上，因为它是我们信心的实底。即使我们还没有看到应许被实现，但只要上帝说了，事就成了。在我们所信和我们所看到的或经历的之间一直存在着信心之战。魔鬼可以轻易地在我们的生命中偷走上帝的话语，除非种子已经成长、发芽、扎根并长成一棵树。魔鬼会用患难、思虑和忧虑来使我们放弃上帝的道，并让我们怀疑和不相信上帝的爱和祂的话。
马可福音 4:38 记载到，当门徒们看到风浪汹涌、水涌进船里时，他们就怀疑耶稣的爱，尽管耶稣已经告诉门徒，他们会渡到海的另一边。 此外，我们会根据我们心中的想法行事。如果我们充满忧虑、焦虑和思虑，我们就会被恐惧所驱使，并作出相应的反应。然而，如果有神的道建立在我们的心中，我们必凭信心和平安行事。
我们可以选择是否对上帝的话语敞开、接纳并接受，以及我们是否允许种子被偷走，还是让其发芽、扎根并长成一棵树。
讲道系列：别让种子被偷走（第一部分）
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