Seven Essentials of a Biblical Church Part 3- “Commitment to the Word”

Luke 8:4-15              1/15/06

What does a biblical church look like?  We can see from Scripture seven essentials necessary

 for a church to find and fulfill its purpose in this world.  They are:

1)  A commitment to VISION (what we want to see);

2) A commitment to MISSION (how we get there);

3) A commitment to the WORD of God;

4) A commitment to biblical WORSHIP;

5) A commitment to EVANGELISM (world & personal);

6) A commitment to DISCIPLESHIP;

7) A commitment to UNITY.

“I will praise Your name For Your lovingkindness and Your truth; For You have magnified

 Your word above all Your name.”  Psalm 138:2

WHAT IS THIS BOOK? "This Book is the mind of God, the state of man, the way of salvation,

 the doom of sinners, and the happiness of believers. Its doctrines are holy, its precepts are binding;

 its histories are true, and its decisions are immutable. Read it to be wise, believe it to be safe,

practice it to be holy. It contains light to direct you, food to support you, and comfort to cheer you.

It is the traveler's map, the pilgrim's staff, the pilot's compass, the soldier's sword, and the Christian's

character. Here paradise is restored, heaven opened, and the gates of hell disclosed. Jesus is its grand

subject, our good its design, and the glory of God its end. It should fill the memory, rule the heart, and

guide the feet. Read it slowly, frequently, prayerfully. It is a mine of wealth, a paradise of glory, and a

river of pleasure. Follow its precepts and it will lead you to Calvary, to the empty tomb, to a resurrected

life in Christ; yes, to glory itself, for eternity.

POINT 1-  The NATURE of the Parable Explained  Vv. 8-10

  1. The Parables are meant to teach BELIEVERS new truth.
  1. The Parables are meant to hide the truth from UNBELIEVERS.

“But the unsaved person does not understand the things of the Spirit of God, for they are

 foolishness to him; nor can he know them, for they are spiritually discerned.” 1 Cor. 2:14

I can respond to this truth by PRAYING for understanding by the Holy Spirit.

POINT 2-  The MEANING of the Parable Explained  Vv.  11-15

  1. The first type of soil where the seed was scattered is HARD.
  1. The second type of soil where the seed was scattered is ROCKY.
  1. The third type of soil where the seed was scattered is THORNY.
  1. The fourth type of soil where the seed was scattered is GOOD.

“As for what was sown on good soil, this is the one who hears the word and understands it.

He indeed bears fruit and yields, in one case a hundredfold, in another sixty, and in another

 thirty." Matthew 13:23

 I can respond to this truth by scattering more seed and producing FRUIT.

“…Because of the hope which is laid up for you in heaven, of which you heard before in the

 word of the truth of the gospel, which has come to you, as it has also in all the world, and

 is bringing forth fruit”  Col. 1:5-6

“6 I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase. 7 So then neither he who plants is

anything, nor he who waters, but God who gives the increase. 8 Now he who plants and he

who waters work together, and each one will receive his own reward according to his own

labor.”   1 Corinthians 3:6-8

We (you) have a responsibility to scatter the Word of God.  The fruit is God’s job.

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