Pastor's Sermon Notes
January 29, 2012
Scripture Reading: Hebrews 6:1-12
Luke 8:1-3
And it came to pass afterward, that he went throughout every city and village, preaching and
shewing the glad tidings of the kingdom of God: and the twelve were with him, 2And certain
women, which had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities, Mary called Magdalene, out of
whom went seven devils, 3And Joanna the wife of Chuza Herod's steward, and Susanna, and
many others, which ministered unto him of their substance.
Jesus taught and showed the Gospel of the Kingdom—what Christ’s reign on earth will look
like. Healings were the proof, the reality of the message
Luke 8:4-8
And when much people were gathered together, and were come to him out of every city, he
spake by a parable: 5A sower went out to sow his seed: and as he sowed, some fell by the way
side; and it was trodden down, and the fowls of the air devoured it. 6And some fell upon a
rock; and as soon as it was sprung up, it withered away, because it lacked moisture. 7And
some fell among thorns; and the thorns sprang up with it, and choked it.
8And other fell on good ground, and sprang up, and bare fruit an hundredfold. And when he
had said these things, he cried, He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.
Jesus is looking for faith, the faith that hears. This parable shows what true faith is.
Luke 8:9-14
And his disciples asked him, saying, What might this parable be? 10And he said, Unto you it is
given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God: but to others in parables; that seeing they
might not see, and hearing they might not understand. 11Now the parable is this: The seed is the
word of God. 12Those by the way side are they that hear; then cometh the devil, and taketh
away the word out of their hearts, lest they should believe and be saved. 13They on the rock
are they, which, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no root, which for a
while believe, and in time of temptation fall away. 14And that which fell among thorns are they,
which, when they have heard, go forth, and are choked with cares and riches and pleasures of
this life, and bring no fruit to perfection.
False faith hears but does not understand, it does not take real root. Three types of false faith,
each heard, but none produced the fruit of faith showing there is no faith.
Luke 8:15-18
But that on the good ground are they, which in an honest and good heart, having heard the
word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience. 16No man, when he hath lighted a candle,
covereth it with a vessel, or putteth it under a bed; but setteth it on a candlestick, that they
which enter in may see the light. 17For nothing is secret, that shall not be made manifest; neither
any thing hid, that shall not be known and come abroad. 18Take heed therefore how ye hear:
for whosoever hath, to him shall be given; and whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken
even that which he seemeth to have.
The state of the heart makes the difference. Faith keeps the word, treasures it, holds fast to it.
The truth will be revealed in the end, might as well get honest about it now and make sure you
hear for real.
Luke 8:19-21
Then came to him his mother and his brethren, and could not come at him for the press.
20And it was told him by certain which said, Thy mother and thy brethren stand without,
desiring to see thee. 21And he answered and said unto them, My mother and my brethren are
these which hear the word of God, and do it.
Those in Christ’s family are those who hear God’s word and do it, act with true faith, not just
dabbling around in it, playing a game that looks good but has no fruit.
Luke 8:22-25
Now it came to pass on a certain day, that he went into a ship with his disciples: and he said
unto them, Let us go over unto the other side of the lake. And they launched forth.
23But as they sailed he fell asleep: and there came down a storm of wind on the lake; and they
were filled with water, and were in jeopardy. 24And they came to him, and awoke him, saying,
Master, master, we perish. Then he arose, and rebuked the wind and the raging of the water:
and they ceased, and there was a calm. 25And he said unto them, Where is your faith? And
they being afraid wondered, saying one to another, What manner of man is this! for he
commands even the winds and water, and they obey him.
Do the disciples have faith? They hear all Jesus’ words and see the demonstration of the Gospel
through miracles, but they still doubt. This is their test to see if their faith holds.
1 Corinthians 15:1-4
Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye
have received, and wherein ye stand; 2By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I
preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. 3For I delivered unto you first of all that
which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; 4And that
he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:
1) Gospel of the Kingdom is about preparing for Messiah, not focused on Christ’s death as the
Gospel soon became. 7:28—least in Kingdom is greater than John of OT prophetness. New
testament in His blood. 2) Still an emphasis on true faith, the if-ness of salvation
Colossians 1:21-23
And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now
hath he reconciled In the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable
and unreproveable in his sight:If ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved
away from the hope of the gospel, which ye have heard, and which was preached to every
creature which is under heaven; whereof I Paul am made a minister
There are conditions on salvation, not to make you worry about losing it but to make you sure
you’re in it to begin with.