http://www.calvaryhillsboro.org/

Thank you for supporting Calvary Hillsboro. Donate Online: https://www.calvaryhillsboro.org/members/online-giving

Subscribe To Watch More: https://www.youtube.com/c/CalvaryChapelHillsboro

Thank you for watching. God bless you and your family!
We would love to hear your comments and please like and share this video.

One of my favorite testimonies regarding Jesus Christ comes from John the Baptist.
2. God anointed John to prepare the way for the coming of Messiah in fulfillment of the prophecies found in Malachi 3:1; 4:5-6.
3. People traveled great distances to hear John teach and to be baptized by him. His ministry experienced explosive growth.
4. But there came a time of transition.
5. After John had baptized Jesus and testified that Jesus is the long-awaited Messiah, the “Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!” a shift occurred.
6. The people began to flock to Jesus while the crowds began to dwindle for John.
7. Some might have had their feelings hurt or their noses bent out of joint, but not John.
8. When some of his disciples questioned if it was better to be baptized by Jesus or John, John the Baptist, put the question to rest.
9. In fact, I believe, John uttered words which should be inscribed on the hearts of us all because his words capture the essence of who Jesus is and the priority His person and words should have in our lives.

John 3:27-30, A man can receive nothing unless it has been given him from heaven. You yourselves are my witnesses that I said, “I am not the Christ,” but, “I have been sent ahead of Him.” He who has the bride is the bridegroom; but the friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly because of the bridegroom’s voice. So this
joy of mine has been made full. He must increase, but I must decrease.

10. Likewise, Jesus Christ must increase, but we must decrease. How?
11. This evening as we study Mark 4:21-29, we will uncover the answer to this mystery by looking to some parables taught by Jesus.
12. From Jesus we will learn why Christ Must Increase along with the blessing that comes to those who invite Him to increase in their lives.

Mark 4:21-29,

Context
1. When we arrive at Mark 4, Jesus’ ministry has exploded onto the scene in Israel and the ripple effects have been felt ever since.
a. At this time in His ministry, many were in awe of Jesus and followed Him joyfully, hanging on His every word, watching His every move.
b. At the same time, there was growing animosity towards Jesus. The Jewish leaders felt threatened by His powerful teaching and His command over demons and disease.
c. Jesus was a polarizing figure. It was true then as it is today.
2. In fact, when we come to Mark 4, another major shift has occurred but this time it had to do with Jesus’ teaching approach; He began to teach parables to the crowds who followed Him.
a. First, we will define what a parable is.
b. Second, we will determine why Jesus taught parables.
3. First, what is a parable? The word parable comes from two Greek words, para and ballō which together means “to throw alongside.”
4. A parable, like a story or an illustration, makes a comparison between a known truth and an unknown truth; it “throws them alongside” each other.
5. A parable teaches one main truth, though there might be many parts or different characters used to develop the main truth further.
6. Jesus used familiar things like sowing seed to reveal spiritual truths that had never been revealed to Israel in the Old Testament, truths about the kingdom of God.
7. Because parables use something familiar in story-form to make a point, the parable draws the listener into the story in order to bring them to a point of decision.
8. Second, why did Jesus shift His teaching approach and use parables?
9. Context is helpful to answer this question.
a. In Mark 3:20-30 (c.f. Matthew 12), the scribes and Pharisees accused Jesus of using Satanic powers to heal people and deliver demoniacs from evil spirits.
b. Their accusation was an official rejection of Jesus by the religious establishment.
c. In essence, they declared that Jesus was not Israel’s Messiah because He was from hell.
10. Now, their final rejection occurred when the Jewish leaders asked Pontius Pilate to release Barabbas so that Jesus could be crucified (Matthew 27:20-22).

Pastor Rich Jones
Pastor Matthew Dodd
Rich Jones Calvary Chapel
Calvary Chapel Worship Center
Calvary Chapel Hillsboro
Calvary Chapel Oregon
Calvary Chapel Beaverton
Calvary Chapel Portland

Tags:
Pastor Rich Jones
Pastor Matthew Dodd
Rich Jones
Matthew Dodd

Rich Jones Church, Rich Jones Christian, Rich Jones Christian Church, Rich Jones Bible Study, Pastor Rich Jones Faith, Rich Jones Teaching, Rich Jones Bible Teacher, Rich Jones Salvation, Rich Jones Truth, Rich Jones Calvary Chapel, Calvary Chapel Worship Center, Calvary Chapel Hillsboro, Calvary Chapel Beaverton, Calvary Chapel Portland, Calvary Chapel Oregon