Parable of the sower 2 of 2

9 Who hath ears to hear, let him hear.

There are four types of hearts that are described for us here in this passage       in other words - there are four ways that we react to the gospel when it is

   “sown” in our lives (or presented to us in some manner) . . . 

Now what I want to do in this lesson – is to look at how “The Lord’s   Church” reacts to the gospel . . . and how do we as preachers react when God uses The Word to speak to our heart – 

When God uses this same word to speak to rest of the congregation -- how do we react as God's messenger? . . . Often times preachers have a bad habit of using God’s Word to preach to others – without ever letting that word “be presented” to THEMSELVES.

Ideally - the preacher studies God’s Word – The Word convicts the heart of the preacher – the preacher then “shares that conviction” with the rest of the congregation so that they might be able to benefit like he did . . . 

A preacher in any church is not better, he is not smarter nor is he closer to God than any other member of the congregation is . . . but he has a heart that is in one of these four basic conditions – just like everyone that he is preaching to does.

The wayside hearer represents those of us in the congregation who have already made our minds up . . . it doesn't matter what message God lays upon the heart of the preacher . . . OR if the heart of the preacher is not 

right with God - if his heart is hard, then in his own self-importance - he is going to preach what-ever he wants to preach - or what-ever he thinks will please or entertain to gain the largest congregation and ensure him a good salary. 

Acts 28:27 For the heart of this people is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes have they closed; lest they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them.

The wayside hearer represents the type of congregation that is dull of hearing – To be waxed gross is to become thick or to be callused over.

This is no different than the pathway that has become hardened by all the traffic – so that the seeds are not able to penetrate that top layer and send roots into the soil beneath . . . when our heart becomes callused – the gospel is just not able to “get through” . . . our mind is made up

and we simply will  not listen . . . to be dull of hearing means that we have become “deaf” so that we no longer hear the word . . . This is a description of those who have shut their eyes so that they cannot see the truth . . . it 

describes those who have closed their heart so that they will not consider the message of the gospel . . . The result of this type of attitude – is that it will prevent “The Word” from being able to convert and to heal . . . 

To be converted actually refers to being brought back – like we would think about returning to God from a backslidden condition.

To be backslidden refers to how we as God’s children often times forget about our commitment to God . . . to become backslidden is not necessarily to get involved in all sorts of sin so that we become evil and fight against 

God – but we become backslidden when we get sidetracked – or distracted with life . . . this is what it means to be chocked with thorns or the cares of life.  This happens to us not when we choose evil over good, but when we become too busy with life to properly serve our God.

God speaks to the church at Ephesus whose only transgression – was that she had “Laid aside” her love for Jesus . . . she had become so busy with the practice of religion – that she had forgotten to practice Christianity.

Rev 2:5 Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent.

In Acts 28 the message had been delivered to a people whose heart had waxed gross – the path back to proper fellowship with God had been exposed . . . but no-one listened to the message– no-one opened their eyes 

to the message – the entire congregation closed their hearts and would not even consider that they had drifted away from God and that they were in need of repentance – they would not let God heal their lives and draw them 

back to a close relationship with Him . . . the first step toward such a condition is made – when a church “lays aside” her love for Jesus like the Ephesians did.

James 4:8 Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.

God wants to convert us and to heal us – this simply means that God desires to “draw us back” which He cannot do if we remain as a people whose  heart is waxed gross, and whose ears are dull of hearing, and whose eyes 

have been closed . . lest we should see with our eyes, and hear with our ears, and understand with our heart, and should be converted, as the Lord heals our lives and our worship and our church.

Is the condition of our heart hard like the rocky ground hearer - so that we intend to do good but just never get around to it?

Are we best described by the wayside hearer - who actually starts out on the right track but when we encounter resistance of some sort - we just give up.

Then there is the thorny ground hearer - he never does anything really bad - he just gradually gets too busy to love Jesus anymore . . . he still goes through the motions - but his heart has returned to the world.

The good ground hearer - is the type of person who is all too rare to find.  This person is what God wants him to be . . . he is not perfect - but he is committed to the truth and his life is a reflection of the love that he has for God . . . while it does not reflect the love that he has for self.

Knowledge - Wisdom - Understanding

Ps 73:2 But as for me, my feet were almost gone; my steps had well nigh slipped. 3 For I was envious at the foolish, when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.

17 Until I went into the sanctuary of God; then understood I their end.

Wisdom is what allowed the Psalmist to see the difference between obedience and foolishness.

Knowledge of the consequences which are gained at the end of a foolish life – This is what the Psalmist gained in the sanctuary of God.

Faith and Confidence in the knowledge that he found in the sanctuary of God – is what brought “understanding” to the Psalmist . . .

‘faith and confidence in God’ – is literally what allowed ‘the warnings of living a foolish life’ to be viewed as a reality – even though it would not be fulfilled until later.

Wisdom – is ‘the ability’ to know the difference between right and wrong . .

And ‘knowledge’ is realizing the truth  - or becoming ‘aware’ of what the truth actually is . . . And Understanding is found in the wisdom of ‘APPLYING the truth’ to our lives - instead of simply ignoring it.

Wisdom is actually a talent that is possessed by some – and not others.

For instance -- Wisdom is “the ability” that we develop to know that dishonesty is wrong and should be avoided . . .While knowledge -- is learning from the Bible what God has said about dishonesty . . . That He tells us “do unto others as ye would have them do unto you” . . . thou shalt not steal – thou shalt not bear false witness (lie) . . .

Knowledge is becoming aware of God’s opinion.

And Understanding is found in the realization that – we do not want ‘others’ to be dishonest with us – so we “understand” that we should apply this knowledge to our lives and avoid dishonesty – if we are going to be what God wants us to be.

If we possess a dead faith – if we have knowledge of God’s opinion – but if we choose not to look for the ability to apply this knowledge to our lives – this proves that we lack understanding . . .

.

Wisdom – is the ability that God gives us - to be able to see the difference between right and wrong – good and evil . . . in this case honesty as opposed to dishonesty.

While knowledge is simply information that we learn concerning the truth – -- when we learn what God has said in the Bible – we then possess knowledge of the truth.

Now this is where religion stops – and Christianity begins – Religion is knowledge of what we should do – while Christianity is practicing what we should do or applying knowledge to our lives.

Acts 26:28 Then Agrippa said unto Paul, Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian.

God’s gift to all men – is knowledge of His commandment to repent and to call out unto Jesus in faith for salvation . . .

King Agrippa had knowledge of what it meant to be a Christian – but he did not have the understanding – or the willingness - to APPLY this knowledge that he had learned to his life.

John 12:32 And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me.

Acts 17:30 And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent:

Today – you have received knowledge of God’s commandment to repent – and to call out unto Jesus in faith – for the salvation of your soul.

This is God’s gift to you – this is an example of God’s grace – or an example of His kindness toward you . . .

Romans 10:16 But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report?

God has given you the gift of knowledge – concerning His truth of salvation . . . God has also given you the wisdom to see the difference between belief and unbelief – the difference between repentance and rebellion – and the difference between salvation and condemnation.

John 3: 16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.

18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.

We receive an understanding of what these words really mean – when we repent or when we become sorry because we recognize that there is something wrong in our lives . . .

– and we regret our sin – and we regret our unbelief – so that we turn unto God believing that He will change us . . . we turn to God because we want Him to change us and make us clean – as He saves our soul.

So as we progress in knowledge – and as we become aware of what type of things should be avoided in life – as well as what should be ‘sought after’ in life . . . we can even be aware of what God has said concerning specific things in our lives . . .

But if this wisdom – and if this knowledge does not cause us to avoid what we know ‘should’ be avoided in our lives . . . then this

simply means that we lack the understanding to apply what  we “have” learned ‘to’ our lives . . . and as a result we will continue to associate with things which should be avoided – and we will suffer because of this.

Understanding – is related to the choices that we make as individuals . . .

We can know the difference between a right choice and a wrong choice . . . but that is no guarantee that we will make the right choice instead of the wrong one.

Heb 10:26 For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins, 

We can posses wisdom – but we can also refuse to apply wisdom to the choices that we make in life.

We can be fully aware of what God has said concerning a certain matter . . .

but if we are selfish - and if we lack faith because we have refused to commit ourselves unto God –

then we will lack the motivation to apply ‘to our lives’ the wisdom and the knowledge that we have gained – in a way that will change the “direction” of our lives.

If we are envious at the foolish . . . when we see the prosperity of the wicked . . . Then we are in deep trouble if we fail to understand their end.

Temptation to experience pleasure – is what draws us away from obedience.

We “believe” or we hope that pleasure will result in our lives – when we commit sin.

Eze 18:4 Behold, all souls are mine; as the soul of the father, so also the soul of the son is mine: the soul that sinneth, it shall die.

Heb 10:26-27

26 For if we sin wilfully(on purpose) after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins,

27 But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries.

Now we sin – because we actually hope to receive pleasure in exchange for disobedience . . . that is we have faith (or we believe) that our flesh will feel good because of our sin.

God tells us that the end of sin is death . . . so when we sin wilfully (on purpose) -- when we fail to apply the wisdom of choosing good over evil . .

 --  it is literally because we have more faith that our flesh will experience pleasure – that we do that our heart will be judged of God.

Pr 1:10 ¶ My son, if sinners entice thee, consent thou not.

Put your faith in God’s promise of punishment to the disobedient – do not put your faith in Satan’s promise of pleasure.

Eccl 12:1

1 ¶ Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth, while the evil days come not, nor the years draw nigh, when thou shalt say, I have no pleasure in them;

Gen 41:30 And there shall arise after them seven years of famine; and all the plenty shall be forgotten in the land of Egypt; and the famine shall consume the land;

The pleasures of disobedience – are like all of the years of plenty spoken of here in the land of Egypt – just before the famine.

Having an over abundance of food for seven years . . . remembering all of the good meals – remembering all of the good crops -- did not remove the hunger of the seven years of famine. 

And neither will the pleasures that are found in unrighteousness (disobedience/selfishness) – neither will these pleasures be able to supply what is needed to our souls – in the day of judgment.

Pr 2: 1 ¶ My son, if thou wilt receive my words, and hide my commandments with thee;

2 So that thou incline thine ear unto wisdom, and apply thine heart to understanding;

3 Yea, if thou criest after knowledge, and liftest up thy voice for understanding;

4 If thou seekest her as silver, and searchest for her as for hid treasures;

5 Then shalt thou understand the fear of the LORD, and find the knowledge of God.

What exactly does it mean – to understand the fear of the Lord – and to find the knowledge of God?

To understand the fear of the Lord – is to believe in judgment . . . .

To understand the fear of the Lord – is to have more confidence in the punishment of disobedience . . . than we have in the hope of finding pleasure as a result of sin.

To find the knowledge of God – is to simply allow the Holy Spirit of God to teach us.

We cannot find the knowledge of a God – that we are rebelling against in our lives.

Matt 6:24 No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.

If our God is found in humility – then we will be blind to Him - as long as we live in pride.

James 4:6 But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.

1Pe 5:5 ¶ Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth (opposes) the proud, and giveth grace (divine influence) to the humble.

God is able to influence the life of the humble.  If the God of heaven gives grace (kindness) to the humble – what do you suppose is left over for those of us who are so in love with ourselves

– that we refuse to humble our hearts to accept His Word . . . . and to sacrifice our lives . . . and to practice His will?

Romans 6:16 Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?

To yield is defined as no longer resisting – that is to give way – or to surrender to another.

We actually serve the Spirit that we have quit resisting.

Matthew 12:30 He that is not with me is against me; and he that gathereth not with me scattereth abroad.

Do we resist the truth? – if so - then we cannot be a servant of the truth . . .

Do we resist the conviction of the Holy Spirit in our heart – if so -- then understand – that we cannot follow a spirit that we will not surrender to.

If we are saved – then we cannot be useful unto God   if we no longer resist the spirit that leads us toward the pleasures of the world.

And if we are lost – then we cannot follow the Holy Spirit to that place of repentance and faith in Jesus . . . if we turn away from His conviction and refuse to surrender to His will in our heart.

Parable of the sower 1 of 2

           Matt 13: 1 The same day went Jesus out of the house, and sat by the sea side.

     2 And great multitudes were gathered together unto him, so that he went into a ship, and sat; and the whole multitude stood on the shore.

     3 And he spake many things unto them in parables, saying, Behold, a sower went forth to sow . . . 

  In this passage - Jesus is comparing a farmer that is planting seeds of corn - to a preacher who is planting seeds of the gospel

4 And when he (the farmer) sowed, some (of the) seeds (he planted) fell by the way side, and the  fowls came and devoured them up:

When a farmer plants seeds in his field – there are always a few of the seeds that get dropped – and when we drop a seed - they fall into places (like a path or a walkway) where they will never really get a chance to sprout.   

A seed lying out on top of the sidewalk will be seen by a hungry bird – and it will be eaten just like a bowl of our favorite candy would be eaten by us

    . . . the birds would eat the spilt seeds long before they could sprout and grow into a new plant . . . well this also happens in our churches when the preacher “sows seeds of the gospel”   

In this instance – the preacher is the farmer – the seeds that he sows among the congregation represent the gospel – the wayside (or the ground) where the seeds fall represent the human heart that hears the gospel – 

while the fowls that devour the seeds represent the devil as Satan works in our life to take the seeds of The Truth out of our heart before they are able to change us  and make us into what God wants us to be . . .

You see – the condition of the soil (and the presence of pests) will determine whether or not the seeds will ever sprout – and if they do sprout – the type of soul also determines the health of the plant which results . . .

In life – the condition of our heart – and the degree of access that we allow Satan to have in our lives – will determine just how effective the gospel will be in terms of guiding our lives.

This parable of the sower   describes the four basic types of the human heart in respect to how we react to The Gospel message . . .

When we hear the truth – we are either glad or we are sad . . . we believe that it applies to others – or we understand that it applies to us . . . we either apply it to our lives or we ignore it.

The wayside hearer represents the heart that does “nothing at all” with the gospel when he hears it . . . Satan takes it away before it can have any effect – just like a bird eating seeds that have been spilt along the roadway {take the seeds away} before they have a chance to sprout.

5 Some (of the seeds that the farmer planted) fell upon stony places (the preachers message fell on the ears of a hard hearted person) where they had not much earth (where there was not much compassion – where there was 

not much humility – where there was not much forgiveness toward others – where there was only time for self and a lack of time for others) and forthwith (very quickly) they sprung up, because they had no deepness of 

earth (the seeds the farmer planted here sprouted quickly) and the message of the preacher is often quickly understood by the congregation - but it is also just as quickly forgotten . . .

James 1: 22 But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.

To deceive our own selves is to be delusional – this means to see things that are not really there.  

To hear the word – but not to apply the word that we hear     teaches us that we see righteousness in our lives that is not really there – we are delusional – we have made a mistake.

23 For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass (a mirror)

24 For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was.

He looks into the mirror – he sees that he has a need that should be taken care of . . . but when church is over – he forgets all about it . . .

Matt 13: 6 And when the sun was up, they (the newly sprouted seeds – the young plants) were scorched; and because they had no root, they withered away.

The preachers’ message did have an impact – but it was short lived . . . the gospel was clearly understood because it did sprout - it was acknowledged as being a need the persons’ life – but as soon as The Book was closed and 

the preacher finished delivering his message – the message was forgotten . . . because there was no root – because there was no foundation – because there was no footing - it just didn’t last.

7 And some (of the seeds that the farmer planted) fell among thorns; and the thorns sprung up (alongside of the corn) and choked them (and

the preachers’ sermon was heard – and it was accepted in a busy self-centered life . . . the gospel sprouted – the gospel message did take

root in this life . . . but there was just too much interference for the plant to grow properly – there was too much competition and the gospel message fell out of favor – as it was gradually  replaced by another . . . 

8 But (the) other (seeds that the farmer planted – they) fell into good ground, and brought forth fruit, some an hundredfold, some sixtyfold, some thirtyfold.

Sometimes God’s message falls upon a heart that actually treasures what is heard . . . When this happens - The message sprouts – it takes root – the competition of the world is removed   so as not to provide a hindrance to its growth – and God’s will is actually accomplished . . . we will finish this thought on the next post - until then GOD BLESS . . .

  

Believing the truth or believing a lie

Our lesson today concerns “the attitude” that we have in our heart concerning “the word that was preached beginning with the baptism of John”

Statement – Acts 1:21-22

Acts 1: 21 Wherefore of (from among) these men which have companied with us all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us,

22 Beginning from the baptism of John, unto that same day that he was taken up from us, must one be ordained (made) to be a witness with us of his resurrection.

Now the particular circumstance of this passage is finding a replacement for Judas Iscariot – but what I want us to focus on is the time frame that

is mentioned here . . . the “replacement disciple” being considered here - was required to have been a witness of everything that “Jesus” had taught

BEGINNING with the baptism of John unto the SAME DAY that He ascended back to heaven after “empowering” the NTC (New Testament Church or the church of The New Testament era as opposed to the way of worship under the Old Testament era)  in Matt 28.

This passage in Matt 28 is what is known as “The Great commission”.  This is where Jesus spoke His departing words to The New Testament Church.

It was here that Jesus told His church what He “expected” OF HER (what she was supposed to do) until He returned for her at the end of the age

Matt 28: 19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:

 20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

Now we understand that the entire Bible is “God’s Word” and that every single word of The Bible is very special . . . but there is something “extra

special” about what we find recorded beginning with baptism of John until the ascension of Jesus where Jesus spoke to His church one final time.  

This is in no way intended to diminish the remainder of The Bible – but the point - is to simply single out the personal ministry of Jesus AND to 

to also point to the work of the apostles as a time that God used to establish a new type of worship.  It is true that during this interval of time that Jesus is quoted as saying in Luke 19: 10

For the Son of man (Jesus) is come to seek and to save that which was lost.

Jesus did come to search for the lost – and Jesus did come to give eternal life to those who repented of their sins and trusted in Him . . . but Jesus 

also came TO TEACH – Jesus came to teach those that He found in salvation HOW TO WORSHIP the God that had saved them . . . John 3:16 tells us how Jesus died for the sinner

16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

But how many of us are familiar with Eph 5:25

Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself (or also died) for IT;

We find here that Paul compares the relationship between a husband and wife with the relationship between God “and the true worshiper”

It is true that Jesus “gave Himself” as He died for the sinner - but it is equally true that Jesus “gave Himself” as HE ALSO DIED for His NTC.

The point here is that in the "ideal marriage relationship" – every aspect of “the husbands’ life” is directed in such a way that his wife is benefited (the husband lives to please his wife) and everything that he does is ultimately for HER welfare and the welfare of the ENTIRE family . . .

Likewise every aspect of Jesus’ life was directed in such a way that “others” were benefited by everything that He did in His life – and this is also

true regarding His death.  It was through “His death” that according to John 12:32 that Jesus reminds all men of the commandment to repent or perish.

John 12:32 And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw (drag) all men unto me (unto the cross).

This is the manner in which God’s family (all the saved) are redeemed – this is how God’s children are pardoned (or excused) from the penalty of their

sins – “faith and repentance” are how we pass from death unto life . . . but just as in an earthly family there must be “a husband – wife” relationship

in order to START a family – there is also a SPIRITUAL relationship that must precede the forming of (or the start) God’s “family of believers”that we understand to be ALL of “THE SAVED”.

Now at this point in our discussion – I want to be absolutely clear – that salvation is NOT found in the church . . . but salvation IS FOUND in The

Truth.  If the only “spiritual” or religious relationship that a man has “is OUTSIDE of the Truth” – then I want you to be honest – and think

about whether or not it is possible for the man who “believes a lie” to be born into the family of God’s believers as one of His children.

To phrase it another way – can trusting in a lie save a man’s eternal soul . . . or can salvation ONLY be found when a man trusts in The Truth?  This is a very important question for you to answer.

Ac 4:12 Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.

If the name of Jesus is synonymous with The Truth – if John 1:1 which says 1 . . . and the Word was with God, and the Word was God is really true –

then there should be some doubt in our minds about how effective it is regarding being able to “get saved” by believing “a lie”.

Heb 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

Faith is what saves . . . but “the TYPE of faith that saves” must be placed IN The Truth because faith in a lie CANNOT save any man -- Most 

people are sincere about their religious convictions – but if we are sincerely wrong it DOES NOT COUNT (or gain) anything for us at all in God’s eyes . . .

Faith in the lives of God’s children - is the only thing that is able to please God . . . but once again the only “type of faith” that pleases God (is not faith in a lie) but rather faith in The Truth.

So this phrase in Eph 5:25 where Paul tells us that Jesus loved “the church” and “gave Himself for it” refers to the method which God has chosen to “protect” The Truth.

Once again – salvation IS NOT in any TYPE of church.  But THE TRUTH which points to salvation IS kept in only ONE place.

And that place is The Lord’s New Testament Church.

       Eph 4:5 One Lord, one faith, one baptism

It is easy for "different religions" to criticize one another for leading people astray regarding the The Truth.  It is a waste of time for one group to criticize another group for not teaching "the right thing".

It is not proper for me to use "my religion" to tell others how "your religion" is wrong.  What Jesus compels all men to do - is to "study to shew ourselves approved unto God . . . a workman that needeth not to be ashamed RIGHTLY DIVIDING (properly interpreting) the word of Truth.

The problem is not with "false religion".  The problem is with those of us who refuse to compare "our beliefs" with The Bible and instead of adjusting what we believe to agree with The Bible 

we instead want to adjust how we interpret The Bible to agree with what we want to believe . . .

More on this topic next time . . . until then God bless . . .