Bible Study
Don't just take our word for it . . . take His! We would encourage you to spend time examining the following Scriptures that shaped this sermon: 2 Corinthians 11:19–31, Luke 8:4–15.
Sermon Outline
The generosity of God and the generously sown Word of God
The path and the devouring birds: consider Satan's hatred of the Word of God in the life of the Christian.
The rocky soil: consider the foundation of the fleshly Christian's "shallow" spirituality.
The bramble-patch: consider the hyper-driven lifestyle of the Christian who distracts herself to death.
The good soil: the character of the "good and honest" heart.Sermon Questions
Do you believe in a literal, personal being called Satan? Does Jesus?
What is Satan's chief method of attacking the Christian? Why might this surprise you? (Compare Luke 8.5 and 8.12.)
What do you think makes for a shallow and superficial Christian life? How would you point to evidence for your perspective in this text (Luke 8:4–15)?
Identify two or three core values of worldliness. Reflect on ways in which these "worldly" values erode Christian discipleship.
Why might otherwise keen Christians find themselves getting stuck at the margins of our common life at St Andrew's? Draw clear connections to Jesus' parable.
Read aloud Luke 8:15. Then read aloud Luke 9:23. How does Luke 9:23 help us to see what "bearing fruit with patience" means?
Can one be expected to die for something, for which he or she is not willing to live?Select Resources Consulted
Michael Wilcock, The Message of Luke (rev.) (The Bible Speaks Today) (IVP, 2020 [1979]).
Kenneth E. Bailey, Jesus through Middle Eastern Eyes (IVP, 2008)
John B. Weaver, "The noble and good heart: Καλοκὰγαθία in Luke’s parable of the sower" in Gray et al, Scripture and Tradition (Brill, 2008), 151–72
2 and 4 Maccabees
Scott Hafemann, "The Sum of the Matter: Paul's Understanding of Perseverance," in Paul's Message and Ministry in Covenant Perspective (Eugene, OR: Cascade, 2015), 100–104.
Andrew Fellows, Smuggling Jesus Back into the Church: How the Church Became Worldly and What to Do about It (IVP, 2023)Questions?
Do you have a question about today's sermon? Email Sam Fornecker ([email protected]).