SOW THE WORD OF GOD

Newsletter 187 - April 2, 2010

Bob Mills

This scripture separates itself into two separate portions. We shall treat it in the same way. The first portion is the parable as Jesus taught it to the large crowd of people who were following him from the cities through which he had traveled and preached. (Luke 8:4-8)

As was the custom of teachers of his day, he taught them with both words amd deeds. What he said was reinforced by what he actually did. But there was a crowd, sometimes a very large crowd, of those who came and went. They were attracted by his miracles, and by his preaching., but they varied much in the intensity of their faith. For some, it was more curiosity, than faith. With others it was more political than a way of life. They sought an earthly king to deliver them from the despised Romans. These were not the characteristics of a true disciple.

To these Jesus used many parables.

THE PARABLE MESSAGE

Luke 8:4-15 (King James Version)

4 And when much people were gathered together, and were come to him out of every city, he spake by a parable (Luke 8:4-8, Matthew 13:2-9, Mark 4:1-9)

5 A sower went out to sow his seed: and as he sowed, some fell by the way side; and it was trodden down, and the fowls of the air devoured it.

6 And some fell upon a rock; and as soon as it was sprung up, it withered away, because it lacked moisture.

7 And some fell among thorns; and the thorns sprang up with it, and choked it.

8 And other fell on good ground, and sprang up, and bare fruit an hundredfold. And when he had said these things, he cried, He that hath ears to hear, let him hear. (Matthew 11:15, Mark 7:16, Luke 14:35, Revelation 2:7)

THE PARABLE EXPLAINED

9 And his disciples asked him, saying, What might this parable be? (Luke 8:9-15, Matthew 19:13-23, Mark 4:10-20)

10 And he said, Unto you it is given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God: but to others in parables; that seeing they might not see, and hearing they might not understand. (Matthew 13:11, Isaiah 6:9, Matthew 13:14, Acts 28:26)

Jesus made it clear that he was not here to provide what the masses were seeking.

He was not seeking a political agenda.

Neither was he entertaining the curious.

Nor was it, his primary purpose to perform miracles. Yes, he performed miracles, but their purpose was to establish without question that he was the Son of God and the fulfillment of the prophecies of the Old Covenant, which they all knew,

11 Now the parable is this: (1 Peter 1:23)

THE SEED

The seed is the word of God.

12 Those by the way side are they that hear; then cometh the devil, and taketh away the word out of their hearts, lest they should believe and be saved.

The message is preached to all, “all the world“: ( Mark 16:15, Matthew 28:19-20) All will hear, but many will not believe. Mark tells us that they judge themselves. (Mark 16:16) They do not believe. They, shall be damned.

ROCK

13 They on the rock are they, which, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no root, which for a while believe, and in time of temptation fall away.

These represent those who are attracted by the wrong reasons. They like the excitement,. They like the novelty of the music, perhaps much like the music of the world they knew and perhaps still listen to. They are attracted by the crowds, like those who followed Jesus but departed when they discovered that His purpose was not their purpose.

THORNS.

14 And that which fell among thorns are they, which, when they have heard, go forth, and are choked with cares and riches and pleasures of this life, and bring no fruit to perfection.

These are those who follow the masses and respond in droves, only their faith is not strong enough to sustain them when the going gets tough. Satan will see that it does just that, the sooner the better as far as he is concerned.

GOOD GROUND

15 But that on the good ground are they, which in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience.

These are the faithful who have loved the Word of God and prepared and maintained their Spiritual relationship with God through His Word and prayer.

Adam was placed in the Garden of Eden to tend and care for it. Let us make our hearts a well cared for garden, tending and caring for it. Know that the Word will fall on many deaf ears, but know that some will respond and flourish. That is our purpose in this life.

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RESOLVE TO READ THE BIBLE THROUGH AGAIN IN 2010

APRIL

4th. Sunday – Deuteronomy 7, 6, 9, Luke 9:46-62, Psalm 41:1-6

5th. Monday – Deuteronomy 10, 11, Luke 10:1-20 , Psalm 41:7-13

6th. Tuesday – Deuteronomy 12, 13, 14, Luke 10:21-42, Proverbs 8:32-36

7th. Wednesday - Deuteronomy 15, 16, 17, Luke 11:1-26, Psalm 42:1-6

8th. Thursday – Deuteronomy 18, 19, 20, Luke 22:37-34, Psalm 42:7-11

9th. Friday - Deuteronomy 21, 22, Luke 12:1-30, Psalm 43

10th. Saturday – Deuteronomy 23, 24, Luke 12:31-59, Proverbs 9:1-12

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THIS WEEK'S SCRIPTURE

No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God,”

Luke 9:62

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A feisty 70 year-old woman had to call a furnace repairman.

After a quick inspection, the man put some oil into the motor and handed her a $70 bill for labor.

"Labor charges! One hour?" she exclaimed. "It only took you five minutes!"

The repairman explained that his company had a minimum one-hour charge on every house call.

"Well, I want my remaining 55 minutes of labor," the lady responded, and she handed him a rake.

The repairman spent the next 55 minutes in her yard bagging leaves.