Why we just don't listen!
Jesus taught them many things by parables, and in his teaching said: “Listen! A farmer went out to sow his seed. As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up. Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow. But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root. Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants, so that they did not bear grain. Still other seed fell on good soil. It came up, grew and produced a crop, some multiplying thirty, some sixty, some a hundred times.” Then Jesus said, “Whoever has ears to hear, let them hear.” Mark 4:3-9
When Jesus Disciples asked him about this parable, they questioned why did He even speak in parables to begin with? Why couldn't he just speak plainly. Jesus explained that there are many people out there who hear, but few who really WANT to hear. That's why Jesus used parables. They require a little bit of thinking, reception and application. Anyone interest in cute, pity little sound bites just won't get them. So to us as believers Jesus poses this explanation. In order to really get the Word, it is going to require some work on our part. Just as the sower trows the seed on the ground, the ground cannot receive it until the prep work for the soil is done first. The sower has to break the ground, remove the rocks and make the soil usable, or receptive to the seed. So too, God must do a work in our lives before we would be able to receive the seed.
First, Satanic intervention blocks the seed.
In verse 15 Jesus says: "Some people are like seed along the path, where the word is sown. As soon as they hear it, Satan comes and takes away the word that was sown in them." Satan takes the real message away by replacing it quickly with something totally different than what the Word actually says. This is his strategy number one against us. Do you remember how he tried to tempt Jesus in Matthew 4? Jesus stay on God's Word and said to Satan "It is written" three times. But Satan responded with mis-quotes, out of context reasoning and words used to try to throw Jesus off track. Jesus is the model for us to receive the Word simply as it is written, plainly and taken to heart. Have you ever been satisfied with surface responses which accomplish nothing or deep thoughtful consideration to what God is saying?
Second, Not willing to take the heat for the Word.
"Others, like seed sown on rocky places, hear the word and at once receive it with joy. 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." Jesus said.
We have to be able to take a stand on God's Word. Not be ashamed of it. Jesus said that if you are ashamed om Him and His word He will be ashamed of us when He returns to take us home (Luke 9:36). When one considers how accurate God's Word is, we need not be ashamed of it. I know we all want to be popular when we were younger, and being known for being a Christian is not considered to be the way to go, but wouldn't you want to be "right" rather than "popular". Don't you realize that the reason why people want you to be popular (which really means being like them) is so that they control you, manipulate you and re-create you into their image? So much for being popular. Jesus wants us to be popular with Him alone by knowing, obeying and believing His word.
Third, worry, materialism and the quest for popularity win out over the Word.
Verse 18-19: "Still others, like seed sown among thorns, hear the word; but the worries of this life, the deceitfulness of wealth and the desires for other things come in and choke the word, making it unfruitful."
The Word of God will accomplish nothing for us if we dilute it with any kind of worldly wisdom. If our goal in life is money and power, looking in God's Word to justify our sinful cravings will do us no good. It just isn't in there! God wants us to prosper in His way, on His terms, not according our failed plans. God's word is truth, and it must be acted upon as the truth for that is the only way that we can be set free. The Bible does not deceive, trick us or manipulate us through guilt to change our lives. Jesus offers us grace to believe, grace to feel and grace to act out what He promises to those who love Him and follow Him. Jesus said "don't worry about tomorrow". If you worry about tomorrow there will be no way to trust Him today. That is what He is calling us to do!
Fourthly, the good listeners hear the Word and take it to heart where it is planted deep and bears much fruit. 1 Thessalonians 2:13 says: " And we also thank God continually because, when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as a human word, but as it actually is, the word of God, which is indeed at work in you who believe." This is how we are to listen to God speaking. We hear His voice, we believe His Word, then we allow it to change our lives. Anything less is allowing the Word to slip on by.
Have you allowed God to break up the hard soil in your life? The anger, the frustration and sorrow of this world? Have you allowed Him to remove the rocks (just as broken relationships, life's disappointments) which like large boulders hinder you from loving God? If you don't allow Him to remove these things from your life there will be not way to receive, hear, listen and obey His voice when He speaks to you. Are you allowing God's word into your life?
So the Gatorade commercial is relevant to our study today of God's Word today. The question is: "God's Word: Is it in you?".
Be blessed,
Pastor Vince
20 Others, like seed sown on good soil, hear the word, accept it, and produce a crop—some thirty, some sixty, some a hundred times what was sown.”
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