Notes - Crossway Multinational Church

Abundant
Fruitfulness
Mark 4:21-34
Brown Bible: Page 1005
White Bible: Page 1270
Red Bible: Page 1623
Black Bible: Page 1665
Where do you most want to see
the fruitfulness of God?
•  Personal: a changed heart or life
•  Someone you love: a changed heart or life
•  Relationship: peace, health, justice, grace
•  A community: peace, health, justice, grace
Pray: Ask God
to bring His fruitfulness
to show each of us what we should do to pursue it
“If you keep doing what you’ve been doing,
you’ll keep getting what you’ve been getting.”
•  What does it mean?
•  When does it apply?
•  Does it apply to the work of God in our lives?
Mark 4
“The crowd that gathered around him was so large that
he got into a boat and sat in it out on the lake… He
taught them many things by parables.” (4:1-2)
Parable of the Four Soils (4:3-20)
Fruitful hearing of the Word
happens when people come close
to the Son of God
with hearts to listen
by faith
Mark 4
“The crowd that gathered around him was so large that
he got into a boat and sat in it out on the lake… He
taught them many things by parables.” (4:1-2)
Parable of the Four Soils (4:3-20)
Is God’s Kingdom
as hidden and uncertain
as scattered seed?
Four Parables
4:21-23 Lamp on a stand God is making His Kingdom known
So really listen to know it now
Will be known to all someday
4:24-25 Measures
Reap what you sow, so listen up!
Plus more!
4:26-29 Growing seed
God’s work is not dependent upon
our knowledge or effort
4:30-32 Mustard seed
Growth of God’s work is amazing!
4:33-34 Summary
Fruit comes to those around Jesus
Big Idea
If you keep planting God in faith,
eventually you will have
abundant fruitfulness from God
Pray
Obey
Speak the Gospel
Trust God
Character of God: life, hope
Fruit of the Spirit: love, joy, peace,
patience, kindness, goodness,
faithfulness, gentleness, self-control
Growing Kingdom
Application:
Where do you most want to see
the fruitfulness of God?
Plant God by faith
•  Pray
•  Obey
•  Speak the Gospel
•  Trust God
Big Idea
If you keep planting God in faith,
eventually you will have
abundant fruitfulness from God
Pray
Obey
Speak the Gospel
Trust God
Reflections
•  What helps you to pray with faith? How will you put that
into practice this week? Examples: pray with someone, write out
your prayer, keep a prayer journal, pray out loud, schedule a time, have
someone hold you accountable, …
•  What steps of obedience will you take in faith in God?
•  What words of truth and grace do you need to speak to
yourself and others?
•  Ask God for the power and presence of His Holy Spirit to
help you trust in His fruitfulness in your life.