Mark 4 - Reflections on Galilee

Having spend a few days in this region, I have an enhanced perspective on the geography and the beauty of the region.

There was a recent post on another blog....

You can read the post here..

Monday, June 20, 2016

http://watchmansbagpipes.blogspot.com/2016/06/is-this-jesus-of-bible-no.html?m=0

Maybe a more simple and direct answer is just found in reading the Bible...as our text today makes clear.

Mar 4:9  And he said unto them, He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.

Mar 4:23  If any man have ears to hear, let him hear.

Mar 4:33  And with many such parables spake he the word unto them, as they were able to hear it.

Mar 4:34  But without a parable spake he not unto them: and when they were alone, he expounded all things to his disciples.

Listen to the whole chapter here...

https://www.biblegateway.com/audio/mclean/kjv/Mark.4

Btw...one observation I would make is that it is likely that in today's progressive ecumenical church you will find those who attach their own personal spin to these words and the message that it's their own interpretation that the true hearers follow. This opens the church to false teaching, heresies and in the extreme cults. Biblical discernment does require some work in sifting for the truth.

Mat 7:12  Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets.

Mat 7:13  Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat:

Mat 7:14  Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.

A Tree and Its Fruit

Mat 7:15  Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.

Mat 7:16  Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?

Mat 7:17  Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit.

Mat 7:18  A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.

Mat 7:19  Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.

Mat 7:20  Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.

Over the years I've come to understand, there is another fruit besides, good works or the fruit of the Spirit, and that is the fruit of good doctrine and the sharing of it.

John Gill wrote it this way......so a good preacher, that has an experimental knowledge of the doctrines of the Gospel, will deliver out sound doctrine, who is first made so by the gifts and graces of the Spirit of God; and by searching the Scriptures, and examining his doctrines by them, he will be known and appear to be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished up in the words of faith and good doctrine