E-pistle for May 1, 2015
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E-Pistle
FreeWay Foundation May 1, 2015
ears to hear
(Mark 4:1-41)
Dr. Curt Scarborough
I. Concentration: on the contents of this chapter
1. Jesus told the parable of the sower, vv. 1-9.
2. Jesus spoke of His purpose in teaching the parables, vv. 10-12, 33-34.
3. Jesus explained the parable of the sower, vv. 13-20.
4. Jesus taught about having "EARS TO HEAR" His revealed truth, vv. 21-25.
5. Jesus told the parable of the growing seed, vv. 26-29.
6. Jesus told the parable of the mustard seed, vv. 30-32.
7. Jesus calmed the wind and waves on the Sea of Galilee with the words,
"PEACE BE STILL!" and encouraged the disciples to have greater faith,
vv. 35-41.
II. Meditation: on "EARS TO HEAR" vv. 21-25
1. These verses are bracketed by the parables of the sower and the similar
parables of the growing seed and the mustard seed.
2. Twice in this chapter, Jesus urges His followers to have "EARS TO HEAR,"
vv. 9 and 23.
3. Jesus' parables are like a lamp, lighting the darkness of ignorance and
misunderstanding . . . at the proper time. (His truth was hidden temporarily
from His enemies; later it was proclaimed widely.)
4. "HEARING EARS" is the key to Jesus' most important parable (sower and
seed) . . . which unlocked the meaning of all parables v. 3. (See the word
"hear" in verses 15, 16, 18, and 20.)
III. Revelation: on the spiritual truths seen here
1. Jesus appeals for spiritual perception . . . hearing and heeding His word,
verses 23-24. (See Matthew 7:24-27)
2. To the degree that a person "HEARS," he or she will be given more spiritual
understanding, v. 24.
3. Those who receive and assimilate truth will have their capacity for understanding
enlarged and their knowledge increased, v. 25.
4. Those who disbelieve or are indifferent will lose whatever ability for understanding
they had, and therefore will continue in ignorance, v. 25.
(See I Corinthians 2:14)
IV. Applications: as a Christian, I need to . . .
1. Cultivate the art of meditation, of listening to the Holy Spirit . . . having "fine-tuned"
spiritual ears to hear.
2. Thank God for "Sanctifying" power which helps me to grow in understanding and
perception of God and His ways.
3. "HEED" (obey) the truths revealed to me, to produce spiritual growth and greater
opportunities of service for the Lord.
4. Avoid doubt and indifference; rather practice active faith and zealous good works.
why prayers go unanswered
(James 4:1-17)
Dr. Curt Scarborough
I. Concentration: on "HEART" sins which hinder effective prayer
1. Desire for pleasure, v. 1.
2. Unfulfilled lusts, v. 2.
3. Murder (Malicious hatred), v. 2.
4. Covetousness, v. 2.
II. Meditation: on why some prayers fo unanswered
(By "unanswered" we mean that God answers by saying "NO")
1. Because they are made with a wrong motivation ("amiss"), v. 3.
2. Because they are made selfishly, v. 3.
3. Because they are made by believers who are unfaithful to God
(adulterers and adulteresses); who are "FRIENDLY" toward the
world's system, but who are enemies of God, v. 4.
4. Because they are made with pride rather than with humility, v. 6.
III. Revelation: on how to pray and receive "YES" answers from God
1. Submit to God and resist the devil, v. 7.
2. Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you, v. 8.
3. In repentance, receive God's forgiveness and cleansing, vv. 11-12.
4. Humble yourselves in the sight of God, and He will lift you up,
vv. 10, 16.
5. Do not speak evil of other persons, nor judge (condemn) fellow
believers, vv. 11-12.
6. Recognize that God controls the future; do not presume that you'll
even be alive tomorrow, vv. 13-14.
7. Seek for and pray that the Lord's will be done in every situation and
circumstance of your life, v. 15.
8. Avoid the pernicious sin of omission . . . knowing that you should
do good, but too lazy actually to do it, v 17.
IV. Applications: as a Christian, I need to . . .
1. Avoid the worldly sins of the flesh, which hinder my prayers from
being answered, Isaiah 59:2.
2. Make sure my motivation in prayer is pure: love for God and love
for persons in need . . . not selfishness nor pride.
3. Draw near to God daily (Bible study, prayer, meditation), in repentance
and humble submission to His will.
4. Watch my mouth! . . . making sure that what I piously ask for in prayer
to God is not contradicted and negated by my ungodly speech and
actions toward other persons.
Wit and Wisecrack: Mark Twain said: "Wrinkles should merely indicate where the smiles have been."
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