Part 2 - 2008 Living Proof Live Simulcast

Check here for Part 1 (Friday's session). This is a recap of Saturday's session.

Theme: 100-Fold Word
Text: Luke 8:1-15

The Parable of the Sower
1After this, Jesus traveled about from one town and village to another, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom of God. The Twelve were with him, 2and also some women who had been cured of evil spirits and diseases: Mary (called Magdalene) from whom seven demons had come out; 3Joanna the wife of Cuza, the manager of Herod's household; Susanna; and many others.
These women were helping to support them out of their own means. 4While a large crowd was gathering and people were coming to Jesus from town after town, he told this parable: 5"A farmer went out to sow his seed. As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path; it was trampled on, and the birds of the air ate it up. 6Some fell on rock, and when it came up, the plants withered because they had no moisture. 7Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up with it and choked the plants. 8Still other seed fell on good soil. It came up and yielded a crop, a hundred times more than was sown." When he said this, he called out, "He who has ears to hear, let him hear." 9His disciples asked him what this parable meant. 10He said, "The knowledge of the secrets of the kingdom of God has been given to you, but to others I speak in parables, so that, " 'though seeing, they may not see; though hearing, they may not understand.' 11"This is the meaning of the parable: The seed is the word of God. 12Those along the path are the ones who hear, and then the devil comes and takes away the word from their hearts, so that they may not believe and be saved. 13Those on the rock are the ones who receive the word with joy when they hear it, but they have no root. They believe for a while, but in the time of testing they fall away. 14The seed that fell among thorns stands for those who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by life's worries, riches and pleasures, and they do not mature. 15But the seed on good soil stands for those with a noble and good heart, who hear the word, retain it, and by persevering produce a crop.

How do we begin to allow God to work to have that 100-fold yield in our lives?
God is calling us to increasing confidence and competence in His Word so that we may have 100-fold harvest. Maximum impact.

[**Points #1 and #2 are in Friday's session recap]

3. Expect the test.

-the testing of the word you have received.

-Beth spoke about the 2 meanings: trials from God to make you stand; and temptations from Satan to make you fall. 1 Cor.10:13b...But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.

-until the word 'comes to pass', it is used to refine and purge us. If we try to avoid or bypass this process, we will not see the word 'come to pass'. Ps.105:17-22... and he sent a man before them— Joseph, sold as a slave. 18 They bruised his feet with shackles, his neck was put in irons, 19 till what he foretold came to pass, till the word of the LORD proved him true. 20 The king sent and released him, the ruler of peoples set him free. 21 He made him master of his household, ruler over all he possessed, 22 to instruct his princes as he pleased and teach his elders wisdom.

-"When the season of testing exceeds the season of believing, we are headed toward a season of falling."

4. Dig the roots.

-We must be rooted and established in love. Our roots will go as deep as our conviction that we are loved by God. Eph. 3:17-18...so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, 18may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ. 2Kings 29:30... Once more a remnant of the house of Judah will take root below and bear fruit above. Our roots below are rooted in the knowledge that God loves you through every situation.

5. Stop the choke.

-Be a warrior, not a worrier. Worry and anxiety chokes the word in our hearts. The root of our anxiety is the loss of control. Phil. 4:6...Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. Start speaking -"You are God over this. You are for me."

-Our culture of narcissism tells us we need to feel good all the time. Therefore any type of irritation is deemed a trial. We forget that God births our passion from our pain. The painful process is necessary to fulfill our purpose for God. 1 Cor.1:7...Therefore you do not lack any spiritual gift as you eagerly wait for our Lord Jesus Christ to be revealed.

-Luke 8:15 (above) speaks of the 'noble and good' heart who hears the word, retains it and by persevering, produces a crop.

-Beth spoke about God being a morning person. Scripture suggests that in the morning, our spirits are attuned to His Spirit. Eccles. 11:6... Sow your seed in the morning. Isa.50:5-6 says...The Sovereign LORD has given me an instructed tongue, to know the word that sustains the weary. He wakens me morning by morning, wakens my ear to listen like one being taught.

6. Retain the word.

-Hold it in a 'vise' grip, possess, or own it. Look for destiny words that give a glimpse of God's purpose. Look for a daily word, "Lord, I'm looking for a word to sustain me today."

7. Press forth to your 100-fold harvest.

-Every answer will be given at the appointed time. Rev.10:5-7...Then the angel I had seen standing on the sea and on the land raised his right hand to heaven. 6And he swore by him who lives for ever and ever, who created the heavens and all that is in them, the earth and all that is in it, and the sea and all that is in it, and said, "There will be no more delay! 7But in the days when the seventh angel is about to sound his trumpet, the mystery of God will be accomplished, just as he announced to his servants the prophets."

Summary of points

1. Treasure the wonder.

2. Protect your heart.

3. Expect the test.

4. Dig the roots.

5. Stop the choke.

6. Retain the word.

7. Press forth to your 100-fold harvest.