1. being focused MARK 4

2. being focused He taught them many things by parables, and in his teaching said: “Listen! A farmer went out to sow his seed. As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up. Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow. But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root…

3. being focused Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants, so that they did not bear grain. Still other seed fell on good soil. It came up, grew and produced a crop, multiplying thirty, sixty, or even a hundred times.” Mark 4: 2 - 8

4. being focused …Then Jesus said to them, “Don’t you understand this parable? How then will you understand any parable? The farmer sows the word. Some people are like seed along the path, where the word is sown. As soon as they hear it, Satan comes and takes away the word that was sown in them. Others, like seed sown on rocky places, hear the word and at once receive it with joy.

5. being focused But since they have no root, they last only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, they quickly fall away. Still others, like seed sown among thorns, hear the word; but the worries of this life, the deceitfulness of wealth and the desires for other things come in and choke the word, making it unfruitful.

6. being focused Others, like seed sown on good soil, hear the word, accept it, and produce a crop — thirty, sixty or even a hundred times what was sown.” Mark 4: 13 - 20

7. being focused W hat kind of mud are you?

8. being focused the pathway As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up… some people are like seed along the path, where the word is sown. As soon as they hear it, Satan comes and takes away the word that was sown in them

9. being focused the shallow soil Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow…others… hear the word and at once receive it with joy. But since they have no root, they last only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, they quickly fall away

10. being focused the infested soil Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants, so that they did not bear grain… still others, like seed sown among thorns, hear the word; but the worries of this life, the deceitfulness of wealth and the desires for other things come in and choke the word, making it unfruitful

11. being focused the good soil Still other seed fell on good soil. It came up, grew and produced a crop, multiplying thirty, sixty, or even a hundred times…

12. being focused the farmer has to go ahead and plant the seed irrespective of the condition of the soil!

13. being focused P lanting seeds

14. being focused Again he said, “What shall we say the kingdom of God is like, or what parable shall we use to describe it? It is like a mustard seed, which is the smallest seed you plant in the ground. Yet when planted, it grows and becomes the largest of all garden plants, with such big branches that the birds of the air can perch in its shade.” Mark 4: 30 - 32

15. being focused 2 Kings 5: 1 – 3, 17

16. being focused The potential of growth and fruit lie in the seed NOT in you or me!

17. being focused T he perfect storm

18. being focused That day when evening came, he said to his disciples, “Let us go over to the other side.” Leaving the crowd behind, they took him along, just as he was, in the boat. There were also other boats with him. A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped. Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples awoke him and said to him, “Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?”

19. being focused He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Quiet! Be still!” Then the wind died down and it was completely calm. He said to his disciples, “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?” They were terrified and asked each other, “Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!” Mark 4: 35 - 41

20. being focused What Jesus says – will happen… Don’t let your eyes dictate your faith!

21. being focused U nclear priorities

22. being focused Still others, like seed sown among thorns, hear the word; but the worries of this life, the deceitfulness of wealth and the desires for other things come in and choke the word, making it unfruitful Mark 4: 18 - 19

23. being focused Still others, like seed sown among thorns, hear the word; but the worries of this life, the deceitfulness of wealth and the desires for other things come in and choke the word, making it unfruitful Mark 4: 18 - 19

24. being focused Still others, like seed sown among thorns, hear the word; but the worries of this life, the deceitfulness of wealth and the desires for other things come in and choke the word, making it unfruitful Mark 4: 18 - 19

25. being focused U nclear Commitments

26. being focused …let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. Hebrews 12: 1 - 3

27. being focused My confidence in myself - pride - gives me a divided heart

28. being focused My confidence in myself - pride - gives me a divided heart My confidence in Christ – humility - gives me a focused heart

29. being focused