August 30 – September 5, 2008

RECEIVING YOUR KINGDOM INHERITANCE

In this lesson, you will learn that all you have need of is in your Kingdom inheritance.

I. Paul said the “word of His grace” is part of your inheritance.

A. Acts 20:32 – “So now, brethren, I commend you to God and to the word of His grace, which is able to build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified.”

II. Peter said “great and precious promises” are part of your inheritance.

A. 2 Peter 1:2-3 – “His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue” – v. 3.

B. 2 Peter 1:4 – We are partakers of His divine nature, and we escape corruption in this world through the promises of God.

III. James said, “The implanted word” is part of your inheritance.

A. James 1:21-25 – We are to lay aside wickedness, receive the implanted Word, be a doer of the Word, and continue in it.

IV. Jesus explains the parable of the sower – Mark 4:1-25.

A. Mark 4:11-12 – The secret (hidden truth) of the Kingdom of God is revealed to those who turn to Jesus and receive forgiveness of sins.

B. Mark 4:13-25 – The parable of the sower is key to all parables.

1. Wayside ground – Pathway is hard and untilled and Satan steals the word.

2. Stony ground – Receive the Word but no root. Tribulation and persecution come for the Word’s sake (problems and difficulties).  As a result, people let go of the Word.

3. Thorns – Hear the Word, but it is choked out by:

a. Cares of the world (daily duties, demands of life, family, business).

b. Deceitfulness of riches – the idea that riches will completely fulfill you and make you happy. 

c. Desire for other things – position, power, status, notoriety, acceptance, ungodly sexual perversion. Also desire for entertainment, more stuff (gadgets, cars, etc.), movies, TV, music, sports.

4. Good ground – Hear the Word, accept it, and bear fruit, some thirtyfold, some sixty, and some a hundredfold.  

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

• Share how “great and precious promises” have become part of your inheritance.
• Was there a time your heart was wayside, stony, or thorny?
• Since your heart became good ground, are you seeing thirtyfold, sixty, or a hundredfold return?

BE A DOER OF THE WORD

This week check your heart to be sure nothing is choking out the Word of God.

SCRIPTURE MEMORY VERSE: Mark 4:24-25 – “Take heed what you hear. With the same measure you use, it will be measured to you; and to you who hear, more will be given.  For whoever has, to him more will be given; but whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken away from him.”