The Word
Mark 4:3-14 NLT
3“Listen! A farmer went out to plant some seed. 4As he scattered it
across his field, some of the seed fell on a footpath, and the birds came
and ate it. 5Other seed fell on shallow soil with underlying rock. The
seed sprouted quickly because the soil was shallow. 6But the plant
soon wilted under the hot sun, and since it didn’t have deep roots, it
died. 7Other seed fell among thorns that grew up and choked out the
tender plants so they produced no grain. 8Still other seeds fell on fertile
soil, and they sprouted, grew, and produced a crop that was thirty,
sixty, and even a hundred times as much as had been planted!” 9Then
he said, “Anyone with ears to hear should listen and understand.”
10Later, when Jesus was alone with the twelve disciples and with the
others who were gathered around, they asked him what the parables
meant.
11He replied, “You are permitted to understand the secreta of the
Kingdom of God. But I use parables for everything I say to
outsiders, 12so that the Scriptures might be fulfilled:
‘When they see what I do,
they will learn nothing.
When they hear what I say,
they will not understand.
Otherwise, they will turn to me
and be forgiven.’b”
13Then Jesus said to them, “If you can’t understand the meaning of this
parable, how will you understand all the other parables? 14The farmer
plants seed by taking God’s word to others.
Matthew 6:33 NIV
33But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things
will be given to you as well. 34Therefore do not worry about tomorrow,
for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its
own.
Righteousness = “right-standing”
“Righteousness is a legal term that means to be in alignment with
authority; ”
My Job is to learn the laws!
This is contractual legal terms
Heaven is waiting on me!
“The key to righteousness is knowledge of the law”
Benefits of Righteousness
Peace and Rest
The fruit of righteousness will be peace; the effect of righteousness will
be quietness and confidence forever. My people will live in peaceful
dwelling places, in secure homes, in undisturbed places of rest” Isa.
32:17-18
“For in the gospel a righteousness from God is revealed, a
righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: ‘The
righteous will live by faith’” (Rom. 1:17). ”
Righteousness…
Maturity
“Anyone who lives on milk, being still an infant, is not acquainted with
the teaching about righteousness. But solid food is for the mature, who
by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil
(Hebrews 5:13-14).”
Protection
“ “He does not take his eyes off the righteous; He enthrones them with
kings and exalts them forever” (Job 36:7).”
“For the Lord loves the just and will not forsake his faithful ones. They
will be protected forever, but the offspring of the wicked will be cut off;
the righteous will inherit the land and dwell in it forever” (Ps. 37:28-
29).”
Favor
“Let all who take refuge in you be glad; let them ever sing for joy.
Spread your protection over them, that those who love your name may
rejoice in you. For surely, O Lord, you bless the righteous; you surround
them with your favor as with a shield (Psalm 5:11-12).
Deliverance
“The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them; He delivers them from
all their troubles. The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves
those who are crushed in spirit. A righteous man may have many
troubles, but the Lord delivers him from them all; He protects all his
bones, not one of them will be broken. Evil will slay the wicked; the
foes of the righteous will be condemned. The Lord redeems His
servants; no one will be condemned who takes refuge in Him (Psalm
34:17-22).”
Prosperity
“Misfortune pursues the sinner, but prosperity is the reward of the
righteous. A good man leaves an inheritance for his children’s children,
but a sinner’s wealth is stored up for the righteous (Proverbs 13:21-
22).”
God hears You
“The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and His ears are attentive to
their cry” (Ps. 34:15).”