I am kind of diving right into this blog head long. It is a topic that has been on my heart for a long time, and one of the reasons I began this blog. It is aimed straight at myself. I may lose a few followers because of this one. That is OK. The Most Important One will always be there. My heart keeps asking me, “What am I doing to fertilize the seed that God has sown around me?”
In Matthew 13:3-8, Jesus talks about the sower and the seed. The seed ended up in various places. Some seeds fell by the way side, some fell upon stony places, some fell among thorns; and some fell into good ground. Each of these places produced a different result. This parable initially left the people confused, which was not really unusual. Jesus began to explain it to them.
He told them that the meaning of the seed that fell by the wayside was that someone would hear the Word of the kingdom but before it could be taken into their hearts the evil one would come in and steal it away.
I feel like, in our world today that one of the ways, the seed sown along the wayside could be those that are initially interested, then they see how some shallow believers live their lives—on a surface level. When they see that those folks are not necessarily all in, the evil one swoops in and steals the seed before it can take root.
Then Jesus went on to explain that those that received the seed sown into stony places were the ones that heard the word and receiveth it joyously. They flourished for a little while. But because there was no room for them to put down roots that would give them a firm foundation, at the first sign of tribulation or persecution, they became displeased and they turned away.
The next two are the ones that have had my heart in a knot over the past little bit. I feel like the burden of these are greatly on the Church. For the seed sown on stony places, God makes a way for people to hear the Word, and they accept it joyfully. I see that this could be new believers that are excited and ready to move forward. But we, as the Church, let them down. We seem to have the mentality of, “Well, they are in the boat. On to the next one.” We just leave them there in that boat, all alone, with no help or navigational assistance. Then when trials come, they give it up because we gave them up.
Then Jesus continues telling them that the person who received the seed sown among the thorns was the one that heard the Word and may have initially embraced it; but the things of this world and the lies and the wealth of riches choked the Word out, and they became unproductive.
The story of the seed sown within the thorns is the one that gets me the most and where I feel the most convicted. Again, God makes a way for people to hear the Word, and they accept it. Again, we are joyful for all that come to Christ. But still, in many cases, we—the Church—leave them out there on their own. When the thorns of the world start digging into them and causing them to doubt and be discouraged, where are we? New believers NEED to be discipled, not left to figure it out on their own. They need us to encourage them about worship, church attendance, and Bible study for growth. It really is like a child that you have to guide through their early years. Spiritual newborns need to be guided through their early spiritual years.
Ah, but then Jesus tells them about the ones that received the seed that was sown on good ground. They were the ones that heard the Word, received it, understood it and accepted it. They were able to bear fruit that would multiply over and over—some thirty, some sixty and sometimes one hundred fold!
How blessed those are that receive the seed sown on good ground, discover Christ, accept salvation and then move forward confidently and consistently! They understand the battle plan and they execute it and have fruitful results.
For those of us that call ourselves “followers of Christ,” what is the challenge as we walk in the world as the Church? For me, this one smacks big as discipleship being one of our biggest challenges. We put a priority on salvation. We also need to make discipleship a priority. One hundred percent of those that come to salvation need discipleship. After all, discipling others so they can take Christ’s saving message with them out into the world has an unfathomable, eternal value.
How can we apply this to our lives? We need just to do it. Do you have family or friends or even new acquaintances that have willingly received Christ but they are slowly slipping back into the ways of the world? Have you encouraged them in their spiritual growth, in Bible study, worship? Do they know that they need to have a home church of likeminded believers? (No, I don’t believe church attendance is required for salvation—BUT, it is my belief church attendance is necessary for strong spiritual growth.)
Everyone cannot be in church all the time, true. But we can help them understand how important it is and help them find a strong tower to run to. Encourage them to go any time that they can, even if it is just go talk and pray with the pastoral staff. There are many churches that have services on alternating days or times so that everyone can find a place to plug in.
I’m gonna share how I feel about “online church.“ (My opinion.) It is good for those who cannot attend. It has been a huge blessing for me over the past couple of years, and I am so thankful to have been able to plug in that way. Plus, for me personally, I had online church but I also had two churches that constantly ministered to me personally because I am part of their fellowship. Online church is not so much as good for those that are just avoiding church, or avoiding the sacrifice of church. In our ultra busy world, the sacrifice of joining together with God’s Spirit and His Church under the same roof is a sacrifice that a lot of people are not willing to make.
What does this mean to my faith? My faith is strengthened when I see others encouraging the Body and discipling each other. I am so thankful for all the people that God has placed in my life to disciple me and help me grow in my relationship with Christ.
Lord, this has been on my heart for a long time. I see so many around me that have made decisions for Christ and yet they are not making any effort to grow in Christ. There is no desire to read your Word. There’s no desire to fellowship with other believers. There’s no desire to see others come to a saving relationship with You. I feel very condemned that I have been happy and satisfied to be your child, to be your precious little princess; while there are people out there in the world, people that I know and love, that are going to hell because I have failed at this. I’m asking you, I’m begging you, Lord to strengthen me in this area, to strengthen me so that I when I meet You face-to-face, I will not be ashamed at my effort. I want Your fruit to multiply on this earth and overflow into heaven massively.
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“18 Hear ye therefore the parable of the sower. 19 When any one heareth the word of the kingdom, and understandeth it not, then cometh the wicked one, and catcheth away that which was sown in his heart. This is he which received seed by the way side. 20 But he that received the seed into stony places, the same is he that heareth the word, and anon with joy receiveth it;21 Yet hath he not root in himself, but dureth for a while: for when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word, by and by he is offended. 22 He also that received seed among the thorns is he that heareth the word; and the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becometh unfruitful. 23 But he that received seed into the good ground is he that heareth the word, and understandeth it; which also beareth fruit, and bringeth forth, some an hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.” Matthew 13:18-23 (KJV)?
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I feel that since God has given me the gift of this platform, I must always tell you about my Jesus.
What is your relationship to the all-knowing God of the universe? Do you know Jesus? Do you know the peace that can come only from an intimate relationship with Him? You can know Him. Jesus Christ, God’s Son, born into human flesh, sinless, crucified and giving His life freely, buried, arisen on the third day, will come into your life and change the outcome of your eternity. You just have to be willing to believe and accept His truth.
Here is an excellent website that can give you additional information about making your decision for Jesus Christ! PeaceWithGod.net
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Blog Image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay
Restricted Vision, Unburdened Sight 