Luke 8:16-21 – The Family of the King

These verses are a further practical application of the parable of the sower. They teach us that our knowledge of God must be put into practice. Just knowing about God is not enough – it is as useless as a hidden candle. Instead our Christianity should be seen in our lives. Thousands around us are without Christ and without hope, going to a lost eternity. We are not to hide the truth that God has given us, but by our lives and by the things we say to others, we are to shine the light of the Gospel throughout the world.

It is not enough to go to church every Lord’s Day and listen to the sermons. We may do this for 50 years and see no evidence of change or growth in grace in our lives. It is not enough just to hear, we must hear the right way. How? How can we be sure that when we are listening to a sermon we are really hearing it? First, we must listen with faith, believing that every word of God is true and unchanging. We must listen with respect remembering that the Bible is the book of God, our Creator and Lord. Above all, we must listen with prayer, praying for God’s blessing before the sermon is preached and praying for God’s blessing again when the sermon is over. Then we will experience the truth of God transforming our lives.

Those who hear the Word of God and do it have a great privilege. Our Lord Jesus Christ considers them His brothers and sisters. These true Christians who have turned from their sins and turned to Christ, who know the joy and peace of forgiveness, who live their lives in service to God out of gratitude and love for what He has done, they belong to the family of the Lord of lords and King of kings.

Questions
1. How can we shine the light of the Gospel throughout the world?
2. How should we listen to sermons?
3. Whom does Christ consider His brothers and sisters?

Prayer Points
1. Pray for our minister as he prepares the sermons.
2. Use prayer points from your congregation.
3. Pray for family matters.