1/20/15- Parable of the seeds

1That same day Jesus went out of the house and sat by the lake. 2Such large crowds gathered around him that he got into a boat and sat in it, while all the people stood on the shore. 3Then he told them many things in parables, saying: “A farmer went out to sow his seed. 4As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up. 5Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow. 6But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root. 7Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants.8Still other seed fell on good soil, where it produced a crop—a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown.9Whoever has ears, let them hear.” (Matthew 13) 

Thoughts: Jesus gave this great story to illustrate how people respond to the good news- the kernel of truth.  Some did not respond at all.  There are people who are in a position to hear the Gospel but just seem to be deaf to it- or hardened of heart.  Their hearts are as hard as a path- with no room for taking root.  Jesus was saying this so we would open our heart to the Gospel.
      Some seed fell on rocky soil.  the growth starts out great- but the minute hard times come, it fades.  There are many who join the church but they are like shooting stars or roman candles- the spark lasts only for a moment.  Some think being a Christian is all about being blessed.  So when they have tough times on this side of heaven, they are surprised and give up on God.  Jesus was saying this so we would persevere.
       Some seed falls on thorny soil.  The growth starts out great, but gets choked out because of worry or wealth.  Worry can crowd out faith- so we feed our worry instead of feeding our faith.  Wealth can lead us in many different directions, but can also deceive us into thinking we do not need God.  Jesus did not want us to get distracted from what is most important.
       But there is the good soil.  Those who respond to God with openness and love can bear much fruit for God.  The fruit is found in God's making a difference.  He makes a difference with the fruit of the Spirit- (love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self control).  The fruit also is found in service- when we feed the hungry or visit the lonely or hurting, or encourage the weak.  The fruit is also found in reproducing faith in others. Just as an apple has a seed in it for another apple tree.  So fruitfulness means reproducing in another the hope of the Gospel.  Jesus wants us to want to bear fruit. 

Prayer: Lord, may my life bear fruit for you.  Keep me from the distractions and hardness of heart that takes away my love for you.  

7/29/13- Falling Away from Church

“A farmer went out to sow his seed. 4 As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up. 5 Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow. 6 But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root. 7 Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants. 8 Still other seed fell on good soil, where it produced a crop—a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown...
18 “Listen then to what the parable of the sower means: 19 When anyone hears the message about the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in their heart. This is the seed sown along the path. 20 The seed falling on rocky ground refers to someone who hears the word and at once receives it with joy. 21 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. 22 The seed falling among the thorns refers to someone who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the word, making it unfruitful. 23 But the seed falling on good soil refers to someone who hears the word and understands it. This is the one who produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown.” (Matthew 13:18-21)

Thoughts: Jesus even talked of "falling away" from the church and kingdom of God.  Jesus listed many causes for those who fall away.
1) The Path seeds- They never took root; The evil one snatched them away.
2) The Rocky seeds- The roots were shallow; They only lasted a short time.
3) The Thorn Seeds- Other things choked them out; Worries and wealth killed their faith. 
4) The Good Soil Seeds- bore fruit.
     There are lots of reasons why people leave the church.  Some say the church has failed because it speaks so much about sexual immorality (like this is not a problem for leaving the church).  But divorce, adultery, and different kinds of sexual immorality are common reasons why people feel guilty and leave.  Hopefully, some can find a way back to the church.  Some say the solution is to say that sexual immorality is no longer immoral.  Some say if we make God easy to believe in- removing all the supernatural, the miracles, the hard- to- believe sayings, and the commandments we don't like- then maybe people will respond and come to church.  There is no doubt this may work for a little while.  But what kind of commitment will people who believe only because it is easy make?  More than that, if Jesus speaks of following Him as hard- involving denying self and taking up the cross- then why should we seek to make things easy?  But perhaps even more important would be to ask ourselves about our motives and hearts- for the heart can be deceitful above all things.  Part of being faithful to God is being faithful to the way God reveals Himself.  

Prayer: Help me to be faithful to you and not fall away.