20160201 Good Seeds and Nasty Weeds

Good Seeds and Nasty Weeds

Matthew 13:24-30 NLT Here is another story Jesus told: "The Kingdom of Heaven is like a farmer who planted good seed in his field.  (25)  But that night as the workers slept, his enemy came and planted weeds among the wheat, then slipped away.  (26)  When the crop began to grow and produce grain, the weeds also grew.  (27)  "The farmer's workers went to him and said, 'Sir, the field where you planted that good seed is full of weeds! Where did they come from?'  (28)  "'An enemy has done this!' the farmer exclaimed. "'Should we pull out the weeds?' they asked.  (29)  "'No,' he replied, 'you'll uproot the wheat if you do.  (30)  Let both grow together until the harvest. Then I will tell the harvesters to sort out the weeds, tie them into bundles, and burn them, and to put the wheat in the barn.'"

Later in this chapter Jesus explains much of this passage. Therefore, I’m going to focus on verse 27 and 28. To get a clearer picture it is necessary to show verse 27 in another translation. Matthew 13:27 NKJV So the servants of the owner came and said to him, 'Sir, did you not sow good seed in your field? How then does it have tares?'

There is a question in this verse and though questioning can be good it should be tempered with faith. When we question we must understand that our Father in Heaven is indeed, good. James 1:17 NLT Whatever is good and perfect comes down to us from God our Father, who created all the lights in the heavens. He never changes or casts a shifting shadow.

The servants here seem to be asking, “Are you sure the seed was good?” This bites at asking, “Are you good?” When evil comes into our lives our faith is tested. We begin to ask, “Is God good? If so, then why this evil? Why do children starve? Why are there wars? Why is there suffering? Pain? Sickness? Murder? Cruelty? Selfishness?”

In these times we must hold onto faith that He will indeed work all things to together for our good. Romans 8:28. We must understand there is another player at work in all this, an enemy, the enemy of our souls who has come to do only evil. 1 Peter 5:8 NLT “Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour.” He is a liar and the father of lies. John 8:44.

When the weeds intermingle with the wheat it gives the idea that these weeds are people who feign Christianity and are a part of the church. The thing is we do not recognize them for what they are until the harvest gets closer. We can judge their fruit, but even that at times is difficult to see. 1Corinthians 11:14. Our more urgent matter is to make our own calling and election sure. 2Peter 1:10. We must ask ourselves this, “Have I believed on the Lord Jesus Christ? Am I a child of God and do I live in a manner worthy of the Gospel of Jesus Christ?”

Father in heaven, search our hearts. See if there is any wickedness in us. Show it to us that we might, by the power of Your Holy Spirit confess it and forsake it. If any who pray this prayer are not Your children show it to them and grant the gift of repentance and salvation to them. Let the good seed of the Gospel sprout and grow deep into us making us Yours. And as believers may we live in a manner worthy of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. In His Holy Name, AMEN!!!

20160123 The Seed is Good

The Seed is Good

Matthew 13:18-23 "Now listen to the explanation of the parable about the farmer planting seeds: (19) The seed that fell on the footpath represents those who hear the message about the Kingdom and don't understand it. Then the evil one comes and snatches away the seed that was planted in their hearts. (20) The seed on the rocky soil represents those who hear the message and immediately receive it with joy. (21) But since they don't have deep roots, they don't last long. They fall away as soon as they have problems or are persecuted for believing God's word. (22) The seed that fell among the thorns represents those who hear God's word, but all too quickly the message is crowded out by the worries of this life and the lure of wealth, so no fruit is produced. (23) The seed that fell on good soil represents those who truly hear and understand God's word and produce a harvest of thirty, sixty, or even a hundred times as much as had been planted!"

Please note that the seed is good. It does what it is meant to do. All but that which fell on the foot path sprouted. When we share the Gospel we cannot know what kind of soil in which it lands. We do not know the hearts of other men and women. We barely know our own hearts. But we can be assured that what we share will accomplish the Father’s purpose.

Isaiah 55:8-11 "My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts," says the LORD. "And My ways are far beyond anything you could imagine. (9) For just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so My ways are higher than your ways and My thoughts higher than your thoughts. (10) "The rain and snow come down from the heavens and stay on the ground to water the earth. They cause the grain to grow, producing seed for the farmer and bread for the hungry. (11) It is the same with My word. I send it out, and it always produces fruit. It will accomplish all I want it to, and it will prosper everywhere I send it. (Emphasis mine.)

God has a plan for His word, for every time we share our faith. Our job is to share, to spread the word, the seed, if you will. And we are to do this sincerely and as we do there is a promise of harvest. Psalms 126:5-6 Those who plant in tears will harvest with shouts of joy.  (6)  They weep as they go to plant their seed, but they sing as they return with the harvest.

One Christian group I belong to has a saying, “Talk to God about your friend before you talk to your friend about God.” This is good advice to prepare our own hearts and hopefully to prepare our friend’s heart to receive. But once we have shared the Good News then we must trust God to do with it what He will.

Back to the “snatched away” seed: In my yard we have several little garden areas. We are pretty specific about what we plant in each one. We have noticed, however, that random plants pop up from time to time. Plants we did not place. Of course the wind carries seeds, but also birds carry seeds to unexpected destinations… unexpected by us.

My Point: We may share our faith with someone and it seems they completely missed it and maybe even rejected the Good News. Keep in mind, your job is to share your faith. That seed, even though it may be snatched from that person may well land in another garden of fertile soil.

One more thing, some people are evangelists. They have a special gifting for sharing the Good News and they often see many come to Christ. That does not exclude any of us from sharing our faith. Nor should we compare ourselves with others in this matter. Our Lord Jesus Christ gets all the praise, honor and glory for every soul that is saved. Revelation 5:12 And they sang in a mighty chorus: "Worthy is the Lamb who was slaughtered—to receive power and riches and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and blessing."

Father in heaven, may we be found faithful in telling others the Good News of Jesus, both with our words and our actions. Grant that the seed we sow finds some good soil and produces a harvest for Your glory. In Jesus Name, AMEN!!!