WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:05.580 I'm going to read God's Word. We're going to start in verse 1 and go all the way through to verse 23. 00:00:07.040 --> 00:00:15.880 If you need a Bible, there's one on the stand there. Please help yourself to them. 00:00:16.420 --> 00:00:20.600 Matthew 13, verses 1 to 23. 00:00:22.219 --> 00:00:24.660 Let's hear God's Word to us today. 00:00:24.660 --> 00:00:30.859 That same day Jesus went out of the house and sat by the lake. 00:00:31.660 --> 00:00:38.439 Such large crowds gathered around him that he got into a boat and sat in it, while all the people stood on the shore. 00:00:39.359 --> 00:00:42.179 Then he told them many things in parables, saying, 00:00:42.980 --> 00:00:45.260 A farmer went out to sow his seed. 00:00:46.200 --> 00:00:51.560 As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path and the birds came and ate it up. 00:00:51.560 --> 00:00:55.620 Some fell on rocky places where it did not have much soil. 00:00:56.300 --> 00:00:59.020 It sprang up quickly because the soil was shallow. 00:00:59.960 --> 00:01:06.960 But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched and they withered because they had no root. 00:01:07.939 --> 00:01:12.680 Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants. 00:01:12.680 --> 00:01:22.080 Still other seeds fell on a good soil, where it produced a crop a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown. 00:01:23.320 --> 00:01:26.800 Whoever has ears, let them hear. 00:01:28.120 --> 00:01:30.640 The disciples came to Jesus and asked, 00:01:31.460 --> 00:01:34.540 Why do you speak to the people in parables? 00:01:34.540 --> 00:01:37.420 Jesus replied, 00:01:37.420 --> 00:01:47.520 Because the knowledge of the secrets of the kingdom of heaven has been given to you, but not to them. 00:01:48.500 --> 00:01:52.700 Whoever has will be given more, and they will have an abundance. 00:01:53.860 --> 00:01:59.320 Whoever does not have, even what they have, will be taken from them. 00:02:00.320 --> 00:02:03.240 This is why I speak to them in parables. 00:02:03.239 --> 00:02:07.459 Though seeing, they do not see. 00:02:08.579 --> 00:02:12.680 Though hearing, they do not hear or understand. 00:02:13.979 --> 00:02:17.199 In them is fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah. 00:02:17.819 --> 00:02:21.439 You will be ever hearing, but never understanding. 00:02:22.419 --> 00:02:25.859 You will be ever seeing, but never perceiving. 00:02:26.680 --> 00:02:29.359 For this people's heart has become callous. 00:02:29.360 --> 00:02:35.320 They hardly hear with their ears, and they have closed their eyes. 00:02:35.880 --> 00:02:43.960 Otherwise, they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts, and turn, and I would heal them. 00:02:43.960 --> 00:02:50.920 But blessed are your eyes, because they see, and your ears, because they hear. 00:02:50.919 --> 00:03:02.979 For truly, I tell you, many prophets and righteous people long to see what you see, but did not see it, and to hear what you hear, but did not hear it. 00:03:04.259 --> 00:03:07.079 Listen then to what the parable of the sower means. 00:03:07.080 --> 00:03:16.600 When anyone hears the message about the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in their heart. 00:03:17.439 --> 00:03:19.780 This is the seed sown along the path. 00:03:21.220 --> 00:03:27.439 The seed falling on rocky ground refers to someone who hears the word and at once receives it with joy. 00:03:27.439 --> 00:03:32.500 But since they have no root, they last only a short time. 00:03:33.300 --> 00:03:38.240 When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, they quickly fall away. 00:03:39.300 --> 00:03:43.539 The seed falling among the thorns refers to someone who hears the word. 00:03:44.219 --> 00:03:51.780 But the worries of this life, the deceitfulness of wealth, choke the word, making it unfruitful. 00:03:51.780 --> 00:04:00.379 But the seed falling on good soil refers to someone who hears the word and understands it. 00:04:01.159 --> 00:04:08.920 This is the one who produces a crop yielding a hundred, sixty, or thirty times what was sown. 00:04:10.960 --> 00:04:15.879 Well, please keep your Bibles open, and let's pray. 00:04:21.779 --> 00:04:28.159 Father, our prayer is simple. 00:04:29.779 --> 00:04:36.899 Open our ears that we would hear your truth. 00:04:38.099 --> 00:04:45.939 Open our eyes that we might see you in your word. 00:04:45.939 --> 00:04:56.279 Open our hearts and give us understanding so that we might have life. 00:04:57.719 --> 00:05:13.560 And that we might live in a way that brings a fruitful crop, an abundance, a hundred, sixty, or thirty times more than what was sown in our life. 00:05:15.939 --> 00:05:17.540 Be generous to us today. 00:05:19.279 --> 00:05:20.279 Hear us. 00:05:21.779 --> 00:05:22.279 Amen. 00:05:27.620 --> 00:05:29.579 Well, I have a puzzling question. 00:05:30.699 --> 00:05:32.259 And I wonder if you can help. 00:05:33.600 --> 00:05:36.980 Matthew has been introducing us to the person of Jesus. 00:05:37.939 --> 00:05:43.040 Jesus, we've learnt, is God's chosen king with absolute power and supreme authority. 00:05:43.040 --> 00:05:46.740 He's come to establish his eternal kingdom. 00:05:47.260 --> 00:05:54.760 A kingdom where the effects of sin, suffering, and Satan have been confronted and defeated. 00:05:55.920 --> 00:06:03.939 And as people hear what Jesus says, and as they see what Jesus does, 00:06:03.939 --> 00:06:09.300 there are some people who get up and follow Jesus, 00:06:09.939 --> 00:06:15.100 while there are others who turn away from Jesus. 00:06:16.459 --> 00:06:19.620 And the question is, why? 00:06:20.360 --> 00:06:21.639 Why is that? 00:06:23.439 --> 00:06:25.659 It's the same with this gathering here. 00:06:25.660 --> 00:06:29.420 Some of you will hear the message from the text, 00:06:29.939 --> 00:06:33.060 and your hearts are going to be absolutely captivated, 00:06:33.400 --> 00:06:36.560 not because the skills of the preacher are just brilliant, 00:06:37.940 --> 00:06:40.300 but simply because of what you hear. 00:06:41.260 --> 00:06:46.400 You're going to leave the building thinking about the word of God deeply. 00:06:46.399 --> 00:06:49.279 And as you reflect on it, 00:06:50.419 --> 00:06:53.659 you will see your life being changed. 00:06:56.479 --> 00:06:59.239 Others, perhaps, will hear the same message, 00:07:00.279 --> 00:07:04.639 but will walk out that door without any impact whatsoever. 00:07:05.560 --> 00:07:09.959 Not because of the boring tones of the preacher, 00:07:11.079 --> 00:07:13.699 but because you simply cannot see. 00:07:13.699 --> 00:07:18.439 Your life will go on exactly the same way as before, 00:07:19.620 --> 00:07:22.279 as if you never heard anything different. 00:07:24.199 --> 00:07:25.420 Why is that? 00:07:27.099 --> 00:07:28.079 Why is that? 00:07:29.360 --> 00:07:33.759 Well, I think Matthew chapter 13 gives us the answer. 00:07:34.779 --> 00:07:38.279 And more than that, it will show us why we follow, 00:07:39.019 --> 00:07:40.939 or why we don't. 00:07:40.939 --> 00:07:46.459 So, three things that we're going to look at together. 00:07:46.560 --> 00:07:47.439 Here's the first one. 00:07:49.240 --> 00:07:50.939 A word to all. 00:07:51.560 --> 00:07:52.439 Look at verse 1. 00:07:54.139 --> 00:07:55.220 That same day, 00:07:56.160 --> 00:07:59.659 so Jesus had just been visiting his own family, 00:07:59.779 --> 00:08:00.920 he had been in their house. 00:08:01.480 --> 00:08:04.139 That same day, Jesus went out of the house, 00:08:04.720 --> 00:08:06.519 and he sat down by the lake. 00:08:06.519 --> 00:08:10.120 Large crowds gathered round him, 00:08:10.419 --> 00:08:11.859 that he got into a boat, 00:08:12.539 --> 00:08:13.740 and sat on it, 00:08:14.139 --> 00:08:17.039 while all the people stood on the shore. 00:08:17.939 --> 00:08:20.639 Then he told them many things. 00:08:21.500 --> 00:08:23.180 Now, picture the scene here. 00:08:24.599 --> 00:08:26.740 Crowds and crowds of people have come. 00:08:27.740 --> 00:08:29.759 That Jesus has to get into with a boat, 00:08:30.240 --> 00:08:31.839 push off a little bit offshore. 00:08:31.839 --> 00:08:34.879 No discrimination. 00:08:35.459 --> 00:08:36.699 Everybody is welcomed. 00:08:37.240 --> 00:08:38.539 Nobody is excluded. 00:08:39.679 --> 00:08:41.179 All the crowd who are there, 00:08:41.279 --> 00:08:44.240 they can all now see Jesus out on the boat, 00:08:44.519 --> 00:08:47.720 and they can all hear what Jesus is teaching. 00:08:48.500 --> 00:08:50.339 It's an audience of equals. 00:08:51.480 --> 00:08:54.559 No one has an advantage or a disadvantage. 00:08:54.559 --> 00:08:56.459 They're all seeing, 00:08:57.159 --> 00:08:58.679 and they're all hearing, 00:08:59.459 --> 00:09:00.599 the same things. 00:09:01.879 --> 00:09:03.819 But as our text made clear, 00:09:03.919 --> 00:09:04.559 as we read, 00:09:05.239 --> 00:09:09.699 people don't all hear and see in the same way. 00:09:11.000 --> 00:09:11.919 Look at verse 3. 00:09:12.699 --> 00:09:15.059 Jesus told them many things in parables, 00:09:15.259 --> 00:09:15.619 saying, 00:09:16.239 --> 00:09:18.779 a farmer went out to sow his seed. 00:09:19.339 --> 00:09:21.379 And he tells this short little story 00:09:21.379 --> 00:09:23.899 about a farmer scattering his seed, 00:09:23.899 --> 00:09:25.959 and what happens to the seed. 00:09:26.899 --> 00:09:28.620 It's straightforward enough. 00:09:29.019 --> 00:09:30.740 But what's not straightforward 00:09:30.740 --> 00:09:33.340 is what it means. 00:09:33.919 --> 00:09:35.500 What does this story mean? 00:09:36.720 --> 00:09:37.699 Look at verse 10. 00:09:38.539 --> 00:09:40.340 The disciples came to him and asked, 00:09:40.840 --> 00:09:44.039 why do you speak to the people in parables? 00:09:46.480 --> 00:09:49.019 You see, the parable, or a parable, 00:09:49.480 --> 00:09:51.799 is a certain kind of teaching. 00:09:51.799 --> 00:09:54.579 It's a practical story 00:09:54.579 --> 00:09:59.259 which highlights a spiritual reality. 00:09:59.259 --> 00:10:00.779 A practical story 00:10:00.779 --> 00:10:04.019 which highlights a spiritual reality. 00:10:04.139 --> 00:10:04.679 In other words, 00:10:04.740 --> 00:10:05.559 it's a story 00:10:05.559 --> 00:10:07.659 with a deeper meaning. 00:10:07.659 --> 00:10:11.439 And we know what that meaning is 00:10:11.439 --> 00:10:12.480 because, well, 00:10:12.519 --> 00:10:13.740 it's been revealed to us. 00:10:13.799 --> 00:10:15.000 It's been told to us 00:10:15.000 --> 00:10:17.819 as we read in verse 18 following. 00:10:18.719 --> 00:10:20.339 But we need to place ourselves 00:10:20.339 --> 00:10:21.899 in the shoes of the disciples 00:10:21.899 --> 00:10:25.919 because they don't know what it means. 00:10:26.879 --> 00:10:27.779 So naturally, 00:10:27.939 --> 00:10:29.699 the disciples are a bit confused. 00:10:30.259 --> 00:10:30.639 Jesus, 00:10:31.039 --> 00:10:33.759 why don't you just speak normally? 00:10:33.759 --> 00:10:36.100 Why don't you just say what you mean? 00:10:37.759 --> 00:10:39.879 Why not just get straight to the point 00:10:39.879 --> 00:10:42.639 and stop playing games with our heads? 00:10:43.179 --> 00:10:45.519 Why are you teaching in parables? 00:10:47.100 --> 00:10:49.379 I mean, look at all the crowds that are here. 00:10:49.700 --> 00:10:51.879 All these people you have before you. 00:10:52.659 --> 00:10:55.679 And you're just confusing them with your stories. 00:10:55.679 --> 00:10:58.659 Why are you making things difficult? 00:11:00.279 --> 00:11:01.379 Verse 11. 00:11:02.899 --> 00:11:04.139 Jesus replied, 00:11:04.299 --> 00:11:06.759 because the knowledge of the secrets 00:11:06.759 --> 00:11:08.179 of the kingdom of heaven 00:11:08.179 --> 00:11:10.319 has been given to you, 00:11:10.759 --> 00:11:12.199 but not to them. 00:11:13.459 --> 00:11:14.919 You see, in these stories, 00:11:15.139 --> 00:11:16.919 in these parables that I tell you, 00:11:17.239 --> 00:11:18.599 there's truth to be known. 00:11:18.979 --> 00:11:20.139 There is a message. 00:11:21.559 --> 00:11:23.719 But not everyone hears it 00:11:23.719 --> 00:11:25.479 or sees it. 00:11:25.679 --> 00:11:27.579 Some will understand, 00:11:28.620 --> 00:11:31.319 but some won't understand. 00:11:32.279 --> 00:11:33.419 Verse 13. 00:11:34.500 --> 00:11:36.859 This is why I speak to them in parables. 00:11:37.319 --> 00:11:38.039 Though seeing, 00:11:38.719 --> 00:11:39.939 they do not see. 00:11:40.959 --> 00:11:41.799 Though hearing, 00:11:42.419 --> 00:11:43.839 they do not hear 00:11:43.839 --> 00:11:45.399 or understand. 00:11:47.459 --> 00:11:50.019 Now, Jesus isn't a bad teacher. 00:11:51.139 --> 00:11:52.699 It's not that Jesus is struggling 00:11:52.699 --> 00:11:53.939 with his communication. 00:11:53.940 --> 00:11:55.760 Jesus is deliberately 00:11:55.760 --> 00:11:57.200 and intentionally 00:11:57.200 --> 00:11:59.160 being secret 00:11:59.160 --> 00:12:01.180 in what he says. 00:12:01.960 --> 00:12:03.840 Contrary to what we may think, 00:12:04.260 --> 00:12:06.000 the parables are not exposing 00:12:06.000 --> 00:12:08.140 a flaw in Jesus' teaching. 00:12:08.560 --> 00:12:10.060 The parables expose 00:12:10.060 --> 00:12:12.580 the reality of our hearts. 00:12:12.580 --> 00:12:16.560 are we those who desire 00:12:16.560 --> 00:12:17.680 to see and hear? 00:12:17.680 --> 00:12:22.100 Are we those who don't want to see 00:12:22.100 --> 00:12:23.780 and don't want to hear? 00:12:24.960 --> 00:12:25.460 You see, 00:12:25.720 --> 00:12:27.139 as Jesus teaches, 00:12:27.700 --> 00:12:30.020 he's drawing out from the crowd 00:12:30.020 --> 00:12:32.800 those who will follow him 00:12:32.799 --> 00:12:36.039 and those who will ultimately 00:12:36.039 --> 00:12:37.539 ignore him. 00:12:39.419 --> 00:12:40.719 So the question is, 00:12:41.659 --> 00:12:44.179 do I really want to see? 00:12:45.179 --> 00:12:47.299 Do I truly want to hear 00:12:47.299 --> 00:12:49.500 what Jesus is saying? 00:12:49.500 --> 00:12:52.960 So, his word 00:12:52.960 --> 00:12:55.159 comes to all. 00:12:57.179 --> 00:12:57.860 But secondly, 00:12:58.080 --> 00:12:58.879 his word 00:12:58.879 --> 00:13:00.759 brings division. 00:13:02.659 --> 00:13:04.399 Because as Jesus teaches, 00:13:04.559 --> 00:13:05.500 his words have 00:13:05.500 --> 00:13:06.779 a double impact. 00:13:07.820 --> 00:13:09.139 His word will either 00:13:09.139 --> 00:13:10.720 reveal the kingdom 00:13:10.720 --> 00:13:11.779 to you 00:13:11.779 --> 00:13:13.539 or his word 00:13:13.539 --> 00:13:14.940 will conceal the kingdom 00:13:14.940 --> 00:13:16.480 from you. 00:13:16.480 --> 00:13:19.560 First, 00:13:19.720 --> 00:13:21.200 revealing the kingdom of Jesus. 00:13:21.379 --> 00:13:23.039 Let's read verse 10. 00:13:23.159 --> 00:13:24.500 The disciples came to him. 00:13:25.039 --> 00:13:26.820 Why do you speak in parables? 00:13:27.980 --> 00:13:28.779 Jesus replied, 00:13:28.920 --> 00:13:29.820 because the knowledge 00:13:29.820 --> 00:13:30.860 of the secrets 00:13:30.860 --> 00:13:32.200 of the kingdom of heaven 00:13:32.200 --> 00:13:33.680 has been given to you 00:13:33.680 --> 00:13:34.500 but not to them. 00:13:34.960 --> 00:13:36.340 Now, when Jesus talks about 00:13:36.340 --> 00:13:37.800 the secrets of the kingdom, 00:13:38.200 --> 00:13:39.240 he's talking about 00:13:39.240 --> 00:13:40.620 something that's hidden 00:13:40.620 --> 00:13:43.560 but is revealed. 00:13:44.100 --> 00:13:45.159 Something hidden 00:13:45.159 --> 00:13:46.460 but revealed. 00:13:47.100 --> 00:13:47.940 Look back with me 00:13:47.940 --> 00:13:48.779 just a page 00:13:48.779 --> 00:13:50.879 perhaps to chapter 11 00:13:50.879 --> 00:13:53.560 and verse 25. 00:13:55.420 --> 00:13:56.700 Here Jesus has been 00:13:56.700 --> 00:13:58.180 talking about who he is 00:13:58.180 --> 00:13:59.200 and he's been 00:13:59.200 --> 00:14:01.000 demonstrating who he is 00:14:01.000 --> 00:14:02.120 by his miracles. 00:14:03.240 --> 00:14:04.060 He's declaring 00:14:04.060 --> 00:14:05.039 that I'm God's 00:14:05.039 --> 00:14:05.800 promised king, 00:14:05.940 --> 00:14:07.180 the long-for Messiah. 00:14:09.560 --> 00:14:10.500 Let's pick it up 00:14:10.500 --> 00:14:11.379 in verse 25. 00:14:11.539 --> 00:14:12.379 At that time, 00:14:12.500 --> 00:14:13.100 Jesus said, 00:14:13.480 --> 00:14:14.259 I praise you, 00:14:14.379 --> 00:14:14.600 Father, 00:14:14.759 --> 00:14:15.860 Lord of heaven and earth, 00:14:15.860 --> 00:14:17.360 because you have 00:14:17.360 --> 00:14:19.539 hidden these things, 00:14:20.200 --> 00:14:21.500 the things about Jesus 00:14:21.500 --> 00:14:22.300 and his kingdom, 00:14:22.940 --> 00:14:24.039 from the wise 00:14:24.039 --> 00:14:24.680 and the learned 00:14:24.680 --> 00:14:27.320 and revealed them 00:14:27.320 --> 00:14:29.180 to little children. 00:14:30.240 --> 00:14:31.039 Yes, Father, 00:14:31.139 --> 00:14:31.820 for this is what 00:14:31.820 --> 00:14:33.320 you are pleased to do. 00:14:34.779 --> 00:14:35.840 Jesus came 00:14:35.840 --> 00:14:37.560 proclaiming the good news 00:14:37.560 --> 00:14:39.000 and healing the sick. 00:14:39.000 --> 00:14:41.460 people could hear his words, 00:14:41.460 --> 00:14:43.179 see his miracles, 00:14:43.179 --> 00:14:46.419 but his kingdom remained hidden 00:14:46.419 --> 00:14:49.059 until it was revealed. 00:14:49.899 --> 00:14:50.740 That's why, 00:14:50.879 --> 00:14:52.159 back in chapter 13, 00:14:52.279 --> 00:14:52.899 verse 11, 00:14:53.460 --> 00:14:54.120 Jesus said, 00:14:54.120 --> 00:14:55.340 the secrets of the kingdom 00:14:55.340 --> 00:14:58.500 have been given to you. 00:14:59.299 --> 00:15:00.080 In other words, 00:15:00.340 --> 00:15:01.679 I have revealed 00:15:01.679 --> 00:15:02.799 the kingdom of heaven 00:15:02.799 --> 00:15:03.399 to you. 00:15:04.139 --> 00:15:05.620 Your spiritual ears 00:15:05.620 --> 00:15:06.340 have been opened 00:15:06.340 --> 00:15:08.159 so that you can hear me. 00:15:08.440 --> 00:15:10.120 Your spiritual eyes 00:15:10.120 --> 00:15:10.799 have been opened 00:15:10.799 --> 00:15:12.240 so that you can see 00:15:12.240 --> 00:15:13.460 who I truly am. 00:15:14.460 --> 00:15:15.600 The disciples 00:15:15.600 --> 00:15:16.340 only understand 00:15:17.080 --> 00:15:18.480 who Jesus is 00:15:18.480 --> 00:15:19.720 and his kingdom 00:15:19.720 --> 00:15:20.840 because God 00:15:20.840 --> 00:15:22.639 has given them 00:15:22.639 --> 00:15:24.080 understanding. 00:15:26.480 --> 00:15:27.639 Now, how does 00:15:27.639 --> 00:15:29.019 this understanding come? 00:15:30.240 --> 00:15:30.920 Well, 00:15:31.440 --> 00:15:32.879 it all comes 00:15:32.879 --> 00:15:35.040 by God's grace. 00:15:35.720 --> 00:15:36.420 Look closely 00:15:36.420 --> 00:15:37.399 at chapter 13, 00:15:37.500 --> 00:15:38.040 verse 11. 00:15:38.460 --> 00:15:39.200 He says, 00:15:39.779 --> 00:15:40.660 it has been 00:15:40.660 --> 00:15:41.660 given 00:15:41.660 --> 00:15:43.160 to you. 00:15:44.200 --> 00:15:44.920 In other words, 00:15:44.980 --> 00:15:46.399 we can't make ourselves 00:15:46.399 --> 00:15:48.000 understand or believe. 00:15:48.720 --> 00:15:49.480 God must 00:15:49.480 --> 00:15:50.019 open up 00:15:50.019 --> 00:15:50.680 our spiritual 00:15:50.680 --> 00:15:51.460 eyes and ears 00:15:51.460 --> 00:15:52.840 if we are to know 00:15:52.840 --> 00:15:53.820 and to follow him. 00:15:54.100 --> 00:15:55.100 That's why Jesus 00:15:55.100 --> 00:15:55.700 will say 00:15:55.700 --> 00:15:56.700 in verse 16, 00:15:57.180 --> 00:15:58.340 blessed are your eyes 00:15:58.340 --> 00:15:59.420 because they see, 00:15:59.740 --> 00:16:00.420 your ears 00:16:00.420 --> 00:16:01.980 because they hear. 00:16:04.379 --> 00:16:05.440 Let's think about 00:16:05.440 --> 00:16:06.480 this for ourselves. 00:16:06.860 --> 00:16:07.960 If you've heard 00:16:07.960 --> 00:16:08.740 the good news 00:16:08.740 --> 00:16:09.379 of the kingdom, 00:16:10.200 --> 00:16:11.420 if you are here today 00:16:11.420 --> 00:16:12.680 and you have repented 00:16:12.680 --> 00:16:13.440 and you can say, 00:16:13.580 --> 00:16:13.779 yes, 00:16:14.039 --> 00:16:15.279 I follow Jesus, 00:16:16.180 --> 00:16:17.460 the only reason 00:16:17.460 --> 00:16:18.420 why you do 00:16:18.419 --> 00:16:20.579 is because God 00:16:20.579 --> 00:16:21.579 has revealed 00:16:21.579 --> 00:16:22.939 it to you. 00:16:23.740 --> 00:16:25.000 It's not because 00:16:25.000 --> 00:16:26.439 you were especially 00:16:26.439 --> 00:16:27.120 good 00:16:27.120 --> 00:16:28.279 and God thought, 00:16:28.479 --> 00:16:29.919 I really like them, 00:16:30.620 --> 00:16:31.959 I'm going to reveal 00:16:31.959 --> 00:16:33.059 the kingdom to them. 00:16:34.039 --> 00:16:35.399 It's not because 00:16:35.399 --> 00:16:36.399 you worked it out 00:16:36.399 --> 00:16:37.079 and you studied 00:16:37.079 --> 00:16:38.199 your Bible really well 00:16:38.199 --> 00:16:39.079 and it was just like, 00:16:39.559 --> 00:16:40.819 now I've got it. 00:16:42.039 --> 00:16:43.379 Something from within 00:16:43.379 --> 00:16:44.860 that made you understand. 00:16:44.860 --> 00:16:47.399 And it's not because 00:16:47.399 --> 00:16:48.680 you woke up one morning 00:16:48.680 --> 00:16:49.379 and decided, 00:16:49.720 --> 00:16:50.480 you know what, 00:16:51.220 --> 00:16:53.100 I've decided 00:16:53.100 --> 00:16:54.080 to follow Jesus. 00:16:56.100 --> 00:16:56.680 No, 00:16:56.840 --> 00:16:58.139 none of those things. 00:16:58.879 --> 00:17:00.080 You believe, 00:17:00.840 --> 00:17:02.000 you follow, 00:17:02.720 --> 00:17:04.480 because God revealed 00:17:04.480 --> 00:17:05.700 to you 00:17:05.700 --> 00:17:07.799 that Jesus is King, 00:17:08.539 --> 00:17:09.400 that you need 00:17:09.400 --> 00:17:10.059 to repent 00:17:10.059 --> 00:17:12.119 and you need 00:17:12.119 --> 00:17:12.919 to follow him. 00:17:14.319 --> 00:17:15.059 In fact, 00:17:15.139 --> 00:17:16.279 if you have received 00:17:16.279 --> 00:17:17.159 God's grace 00:17:17.159 --> 00:17:17.799 in this way, 00:17:18.240 --> 00:17:19.419 even more 00:17:19.419 --> 00:17:20.279 is going to be 00:17:20.279 --> 00:17:20.859 given to you. 00:17:20.940 --> 00:17:21.839 Look at verse 12. 00:17:22.700 --> 00:17:23.899 Whoever has 00:17:23.899 --> 00:17:25.460 will be given 00:17:25.460 --> 00:17:25.919 more 00:17:25.919 --> 00:17:27.179 and they will have 00:17:27.179 --> 00:17:27.799 an abundance. 00:17:28.639 --> 00:17:29.940 As you understand 00:17:29.940 --> 00:17:30.519 the kingdom, 00:17:31.000 --> 00:17:32.059 so you will be given 00:17:32.059 --> 00:17:33.700 greater understanding. 00:17:34.839 --> 00:17:35.619 It's a little bit 00:17:35.619 --> 00:17:36.899 like the dimmer switch 00:17:36.899 --> 00:17:37.720 that you might have 00:17:37.720 --> 00:17:38.319 in your house. 00:17:38.319 --> 00:17:40.559 the more you turn 00:17:40.559 --> 00:17:41.419 the switch, 00:17:42.279 --> 00:17:43.419 the more light 00:17:43.419 --> 00:17:44.960 you have. 00:17:46.099 --> 00:17:46.899 And so as God 00:17:46.899 --> 00:17:48.000 gives your heart 00:17:48.000 --> 00:17:48.980 light, 00:17:50.079 --> 00:17:51.279 so the dimmer switch, 00:17:51.379 --> 00:17:53.480 so the trigger switch 00:17:53.480 --> 00:17:54.159 in our heart 00:17:54.159 --> 00:17:55.519 is turned up 00:17:55.519 --> 00:17:56.299 even more. 00:17:57.159 --> 00:17:58.099 And more light 00:17:58.099 --> 00:17:58.919 is received. 00:17:59.179 --> 00:17:59.919 And we begin 00:17:59.919 --> 00:18:00.799 to see Jesus 00:18:00.799 --> 00:18:01.539 and his kingdom 00:18:01.539 --> 00:18:02.619 and our love 00:18:02.619 --> 00:18:03.240 for Jesus 00:18:03.240 --> 00:18:03.939 and his kingdom 00:18:03.939 --> 00:18:05.319 increases and grows. 00:18:05.819 --> 00:18:07.379 And your life 00:18:07.379 --> 00:18:08.179 as a Christian 00:18:08.180 --> 00:18:09.980 will blossom 00:18:09.980 --> 00:18:10.759 and develop 00:18:10.759 --> 00:18:11.580 and flourish 00:18:11.580 --> 00:18:12.220 in ways 00:18:12.220 --> 00:18:13.259 that you never 00:18:13.259 --> 00:18:14.160 thought possible. 00:18:15.220 --> 00:18:16.900 All by God's 00:18:16.900 --> 00:18:18.039 grace. 00:18:21.620 --> 00:18:22.460 More 00:18:22.460 --> 00:18:23.860 will be given 00:18:23.860 --> 00:18:24.380 to you. 00:18:26.140 --> 00:18:27.100 So the word 00:18:27.100 --> 00:18:27.640 of Jesus 00:18:27.640 --> 00:18:28.420 reveals 00:18:28.420 --> 00:18:29.299 the kingdom 00:18:29.299 --> 00:18:30.759 of Jesus 00:18:30.759 --> 00:18:31.440 to you. 00:18:31.440 --> 00:18:34.279 but there's 00:18:34.279 --> 00:18:35.080 also a second 00:18:35.080 --> 00:18:35.920 side to it, 00:18:35.980 --> 00:18:36.420 isn't there? 00:18:39.539 --> 00:18:39.980 Concealing 00:18:39.980 --> 00:18:40.759 Jesus 00:18:40.759 --> 00:18:41.900 and his 00:18:41.900 --> 00:18:42.279 kingdom. 00:18:43.840 --> 00:18:44.620 For some 00:18:44.620 --> 00:18:45.200 the word 00:18:45.200 --> 00:18:45.799 will lead 00:18:45.799 --> 00:18:46.480 to belief 00:18:46.480 --> 00:18:48.400 and for others 00:18:48.400 --> 00:18:49.160 as they hear 00:18:49.160 --> 00:18:49.700 the word 00:18:49.700 --> 00:18:50.279 it will lead 00:18:50.279 --> 00:18:51.039 to rejection. 00:18:52.220 --> 00:18:52.660 Again, 00:18:52.779 --> 00:18:53.259 look at verse 00:18:53.259 --> 00:18:53.660 11. 00:18:55.299 --> 00:18:56.019 Jesus says, 00:18:56.019 --> 00:18:56.579 the knowledge 00:18:56.579 --> 00:18:57.339 of the secrets 00:18:57.339 --> 00:18:57.980 of the kingdom 00:18:57.980 --> 00:18:58.440 of heaven 00:18:58.440 --> 00:18:59.160 has been given 00:18:59.160 --> 00:19:00.039 to you 00:19:00.039 --> 00:19:02.920 but not 00:19:02.920 --> 00:19:03.579 to them. 00:19:05.440 --> 00:19:06.000 Not 00:19:06.000 --> 00:19:06.799 everyone 00:19:06.799 --> 00:19:07.720 will be given 00:19:07.720 --> 00:19:08.599 understanding. 00:19:08.879 --> 00:19:09.740 Verse 12. 00:19:11.700 --> 00:19:12.480 Look at the end 00:19:12.480 --> 00:19:13.079 of verse 12. 00:19:13.180 --> 00:19:13.819 Because whoever 00:19:13.819 --> 00:19:15.059 does not have 00:19:15.059 --> 00:19:16.660 even what 00:19:16.660 --> 00:19:17.440 they have 00:19:17.440 --> 00:19:19.220 will be taken 00:19:19.220 --> 00:19:19.879 from them. 00:19:21.220 --> 00:19:21.779 It's like 00:19:21.779 --> 00:19:22.619 instead of the 00:19:22.619 --> 00:19:23.259 dimmer switch 00:19:23.259 --> 00:19:23.980 being turned 00:19:23.980 --> 00:19:24.519 up, 00:19:25.879 --> 00:19:26.720 it's being 00:19:26.720 --> 00:19:27.680 turned down. 00:19:28.039 --> 00:19:28.660 Instead of 00:19:28.660 --> 00:19:29.420 getting lighter 00:19:29.420 --> 00:19:30.119 and brighter, 00:19:31.680 --> 00:19:32.519 it slowly 00:19:32.519 --> 00:19:33.299 becomes 00:19:33.299 --> 00:19:34.420 darker 00:19:34.420 --> 00:19:36.099 so that 00:19:36.099 --> 00:19:36.420 you are 00:19:36.420 --> 00:19:37.240 no longer 00:19:37.240 --> 00:19:38.039 able to 00:19:38.039 --> 00:19:38.440 see 00:19:38.440 --> 00:19:39.339 anything. 00:19:40.740 --> 00:19:41.279 Jesus 00:19:41.279 --> 00:19:41.920 and his 00:19:41.920 --> 00:19:42.500 kingdom 00:19:42.500 --> 00:19:43.839 become 00:19:43.839 --> 00:19:44.700 concealed 00:19:44.700 --> 00:19:45.599 to you. 00:19:47.599 --> 00:19:48.099 Now, 00:19:48.180 --> 00:19:48.559 I don't know 00:19:48.559 --> 00:19:49.119 about you 00:19:49.119 --> 00:19:49.859 but I read 00:19:49.859 --> 00:19:50.359 that and 00:19:50.359 --> 00:19:51.400 I was 00:19:51.400 --> 00:19:52.019 thinking about 00:19:52.019 --> 00:19:52.200 this. 00:19:52.339 --> 00:19:52.539 I said, 00:19:52.539 --> 00:19:53.539 this is 00:19:53.539 --> 00:19:54.000 really 00:19:54.000 --> 00:19:55.099 unfair. 00:19:57.460 --> 00:19:58.220 For some 00:19:58.220 --> 00:19:58.680 it's been 00:19:58.680 --> 00:19:59.319 revealed 00:19:59.319 --> 00:20:01.639 but to 00:20:01.639 --> 00:20:02.200 others 00:20:02.200 --> 00:20:03.200 it's 00:20:03.200 --> 00:20:03.799 concealed. 00:20:04.460 --> 00:20:05.200 That's 00:20:05.200 --> 00:20:05.940 unfair. 00:20:07.000 --> 00:20:07.299 Why 00:20:07.299 --> 00:20:08.200 does God 00:20:08.200 --> 00:20:09.579 do that? 00:20:12.839 --> 00:20:13.420 Well, 00:20:13.460 --> 00:20:13.720 Jesus 00:20:13.720 --> 00:20:14.440 explains 00:20:14.440 --> 00:20:16.480 verse 13. 00:20:17.619 --> 00:20:18.039 This is 00:20:18.039 --> 00:20:18.480 why I 00:20:18.480 --> 00:20:18.940 speak to 00:20:18.940 --> 00:20:19.259 them in 00:20:19.259 --> 00:20:19.700 parables. 00:20:19.920 --> 00:20:20.139 Those 00:20:20.139 --> 00:20:20.819 seeing, 00:20:20.819 --> 00:20:22.159 they do 00:20:22.159 --> 00:20:22.779 not see. 00:20:22.779 --> 00:20:23.319 Though 00:20:23.319 --> 00:20:23.939 hearing, 00:20:24.119 --> 00:20:24.480 they do 00:20:24.480 --> 00:20:25.000 not hear 00:20:25.000 --> 00:20:25.740 or understand. 00:20:26.119 --> 00:20:26.419 It's 00:20:26.419 --> 00:20:26.960 not that 00:20:26.960 --> 00:20:27.599 the crowds 00:20:27.599 --> 00:20:28.679 didn't 00:20:28.679 --> 00:20:28.939 have 00:20:28.939 --> 00:20:29.700 opportunity. 00:20:30.980 --> 00:20:31.899 The crowds 00:20:31.899 --> 00:20:32.559 had seen 00:20:32.559 --> 00:20:33.000 Jesus' 00:20:33.279 --> 00:20:33.740 miracles, 00:20:34.179 --> 00:20:34.720 the healing 00:20:34.720 --> 00:20:35.079 of the 00:20:35.079 --> 00:20:35.279 sick, 00:20:35.399 --> 00:20:35.960 the casting 00:20:35.960 --> 00:20:36.359 out of 00:20:36.359 --> 00:20:36.659 demons, 00:20:37.039 --> 00:20:37.579 the raising 00:20:37.579 --> 00:20:37.939 of the 00:20:37.939 --> 00:20:38.279 dead. 00:20:38.619 --> 00:20:39.299 The crowds 00:20:39.299 --> 00:20:40.079 had heard 00:20:40.079 --> 00:20:40.539 Jesus' 00:20:40.759 --> 00:20:41.119 teaching, 00:20:41.460 --> 00:20:42.279 repent for 00:20:42.279 --> 00:20:42.700 the kingdom 00:20:42.700 --> 00:20:43.179 of heaven 00:20:43.179 --> 00:20:43.619 has come 00:20:43.619 --> 00:20:43.960 near. 00:20:44.759 --> 00:20:45.599 They have 00:20:45.599 --> 00:20:46.099 seen, 00:20:46.099 --> 00:20:48.119 but they 00:20:48.119 --> 00:20:48.480 don't 00:20:48.480 --> 00:20:48.779 see. 00:20:49.639 --> 00:20:50.199 They've 00:20:50.199 --> 00:20:50.699 heard, 00:20:51.699 --> 00:20:52.579 but they 00:20:52.579 --> 00:20:52.859 don't 00:20:52.859 --> 00:20:53.199 hear. 00:20:54.319 --> 00:20:55.059 Or more 00:20:55.059 --> 00:20:55.699 accurately, 00:20:56.439 --> 00:20:57.899 they don't 00:20:57.899 --> 00:20:58.899 want to 00:20:58.899 --> 00:21:00.240 see and 00:21:00.240 --> 00:21:00.759 they don't 00:21:00.759 --> 00:21:01.559 want to 00:21:01.559 --> 00:21:01.899 hear. 00:21:02.899 --> 00:21:03.699 Jesus gives 00:21:03.699 --> 00:21:04.359 an example 00:21:04.359 --> 00:21:04.839 for us, 00:21:04.879 --> 00:21:05.299 doesn't he, 00:21:05.339 --> 00:21:05.699 in verse 00:21:05.699 --> 00:21:07.019 14 and 00:21:07.019 --> 00:21:07.699 15. 00:21:09.099 --> 00:21:09.619 Verse 00:21:09.619 --> 00:21:10.079 14, 00:21:10.159 --> 00:21:10.639 in them 00:21:10.639 --> 00:21:11.279 is fulfilled 00:21:11.279 --> 00:21:11.919 the prophecy 00:21:11.919 --> 00:21:12.679 of Isaiah. 00:21:13.740 --> 00:21:14.139 Matthew 00:21:14.139 --> 00:21:14.980 quotes here, 00:21:14.980 --> 00:21:15.319 and this 00:21:15.319 --> 00:21:15.839 quote is 00:21:15.839 --> 00:21:16.640 from Isaiah 00:21:16.640 --> 00:21:18.019 chapter 6. 00:21:18.799 --> 00:21:19.380 And obviously 00:21:19.380 --> 00:21:20.180 before we get 00:21:20.180 --> 00:21:20.980 to chapter 6, 00:21:21.360 --> 00:21:22.079 there's five 00:21:22.079 --> 00:21:22.640 chapters. 00:21:23.519 --> 00:21:23.920 And you 00:21:23.920 --> 00:21:24.440 read through 00:21:24.440 --> 00:21:25.039 those five 00:21:25.039 --> 00:21:26.039 chapters and 00:21:26.039 --> 00:21:26.680 you will see 00:21:26.680 --> 00:21:27.660 how Israel 00:21:27.660 --> 00:21:29.240 persisted in 00:21:29.240 --> 00:21:29.860 their rebellion 00:21:29.860 --> 00:21:30.900 against God. 00:21:31.460 --> 00:21:31.860 Warning 00:21:31.860 --> 00:21:33.140 after warning 00:21:33.140 --> 00:21:35.059 over hundreds 00:21:35.059 --> 00:21:36.059 of years 00:21:36.059 --> 00:21:38.400 and they 00:21:38.400 --> 00:21:39.339 refused to 00:21:39.339 --> 00:21:40.180 humble themselves 00:21:40.180 --> 00:21:40.839 and repent. 00:21:41.200 --> 00:21:42.019 So God's 00:21:42.019 --> 00:21:42.700 judgment was 00:21:42.700 --> 00:21:43.500 going to fall 00:21:43.500 --> 00:21:44.200 and there 00:21:44.200 --> 00:21:44.720 would be a 00:21:44.720 --> 00:21:45.440 concealing, 00:21:45.839 --> 00:21:46.799 a hardening 00:21:46.799 --> 00:21:47.579 of their 00:21:47.579 --> 00:21:48.039 hearts. 00:21:48.160 --> 00:21:48.660 And so we 00:21:48.660 --> 00:21:49.240 read verse 00:21:49.240 --> 00:21:49.819 14, 00:21:50.319 --> 00:21:50.839 you will be 00:21:50.839 --> 00:21:51.700 ever hearing 00:21:51.700 --> 00:21:52.759 but never 00:21:52.759 --> 00:21:53.559 understanding. 00:21:54.160 --> 00:21:54.700 You will be 00:21:54.700 --> 00:21:55.460 ever seeing 00:21:55.460 --> 00:21:56.120 but never 00:21:56.120 --> 00:21:56.920 perceiving. 00:21:57.299 --> 00:21:57.779 For this 00:21:57.779 --> 00:21:58.799 people's heart 00:21:58.799 --> 00:21:59.500 has become 00:21:59.500 --> 00:22:00.680 calloused. 00:22:01.640 --> 00:22:02.339 They hardly 00:22:02.339 --> 00:22:02.920 hear with 00:22:02.920 --> 00:22:03.500 their ears 00:22:03.500 --> 00:22:04.160 and they 00:22:04.160 --> 00:22:05.000 have closed 00:22:05.000 --> 00:22:05.940 their eyes. 00:22:07.200 --> 00:22:07.680 Otherwise 00:22:07.680 --> 00:22:08.440 they might 00:22:08.440 --> 00:22:09.120 see with 00:22:09.120 --> 00:22:09.860 their eyes, 00:22:10.299 --> 00:22:10.759 hear with 00:22:10.759 --> 00:22:11.460 their ears, 00:22:12.000 --> 00:22:12.839 understand with 00:22:12.839 --> 00:22:13.400 their hearts 00:22:13.400 --> 00:22:14.040 and turn 00:22:14.040 --> 00:22:15.519 and I 00:22:15.519 --> 00:22:16.060 would heal 00:22:16.060 --> 00:22:16.340 them. 00:22:19.840 --> 00:22:20.660 You see 00:22:20.660 --> 00:22:21.380 God has 00:22:21.380 --> 00:22:21.780 been 00:22:21.780 --> 00:22:23.700 incredibly 00:22:23.700 --> 00:22:24.280 fair. 00:22:25.880 --> 00:22:26.480 Incredibly 00:22:26.480 --> 00:22:26.960 fair. 00:22:28.360 --> 00:22:29.060 God has 00:22:29.060 --> 00:22:30.000 been gracious 00:22:30.000 --> 00:22:31.759 towards Israel. 00:22:32.440 --> 00:22:32.880 He had 00:22:32.880 --> 00:22:33.720 rescued them 00:22:33.720 --> 00:22:34.500 from slavery. 00:22:34.980 --> 00:22:35.220 He had 00:22:35.220 --> 00:22:35.880 brought them 00:22:35.880 --> 00:22:36.340 into the 00:22:36.340 --> 00:22:37.040 promised land. 00:22:37.380 --> 00:22:37.660 He had 00:22:37.660 --> 00:22:38.340 provided them 00:22:38.340 --> 00:22:38.980 with judges 00:22:38.980 --> 00:22:39.780 and kings. 00:22:39.779 --> 00:22:40.440 He had 00:22:40.440 --> 00:22:41.339 spoken to 00:22:41.339 --> 00:22:41.519 them 00:22:41.519 --> 00:22:42.000 through the 00:22:42.000 --> 00:22:42.420 prophets. 00:22:44.019 --> 00:22:44.639 And God 00:22:44.639 --> 00:22:45.200 had sent 00:22:45.200 --> 00:22:45.680 him his 00:22:45.680 --> 00:22:46.480 ultimate 00:22:46.480 --> 00:22:46.960 prophet. 00:22:47.940 --> 00:22:48.519 Look down 00:22:48.519 --> 00:22:48.879 at verse 00:22:48.879 --> 00:22:49.519 17. 00:22:50.599 --> 00:22:51.240 For truly 00:22:51.240 --> 00:22:51.980 I tell you 00:22:51.980 --> 00:22:53.139 many prophets 00:22:53.139 --> 00:22:53.839 and righteous 00:22:53.839 --> 00:22:55.119 people longed 00:22:55.119 --> 00:22:55.660 to see what 00:22:55.660 --> 00:22:56.279 you see but 00:22:56.279 --> 00:22:56.960 didn't see it 00:22:56.960 --> 00:22:57.460 and to hear 00:22:57.460 --> 00:22:58.119 what you hear 00:22:58.119 --> 00:22:59.119 but didn't 00:22:59.119 --> 00:22:59.899 hear it. 00:23:00.960 --> 00:23:01.259 They had 00:23:01.259 --> 00:23:01.720 been given 00:23:01.720 --> 00:23:03.660 every opportunity 00:23:03.660 --> 00:23:07.039 but they 00:23:07.039 --> 00:23:07.940 didn't believe. 00:23:09.779 --> 00:23:12.059 God had 00:23:12.059 --> 00:23:12.599 been gracious 00:23:12.599 --> 00:23:13.039 to the 00:23:13.039 --> 00:23:13.599 crowds. 00:23:15.139 --> 00:23:15.599 God's 00:23:15.599 --> 00:23:16.680 king had 00:23:16.680 --> 00:23:17.259 been set 00:23:17.259 --> 00:23:17.980 before them 00:23:17.980 --> 00:23:18.960 in person. 00:23:19.740 --> 00:23:20.099 They had 00:23:20.099 --> 00:23:20.660 seen the 00:23:20.660 --> 00:23:21.079 miracles, 00:23:21.519 --> 00:23:22.059 heard the 00:23:22.059 --> 00:23:22.480 words, 00:23:22.859 --> 00:23:23.480 given every 00:23:23.480 --> 00:23:24.180 opportunity 00:23:24.180 --> 00:23:25.299 but like 00:23:25.299 --> 00:23:26.220 Israel of 00:23:26.220 --> 00:23:26.539 old, 00:23:26.639 --> 00:23:27.440 verse 15, 00:23:28.220 --> 00:23:29.019 the people's 00:23:29.019 --> 00:23:29.559 hearts had 00:23:29.559 --> 00:23:30.039 become 00:23:30.039 --> 00:23:31.059 calloused. 00:23:31.940 --> 00:23:32.799 They hardly 00:23:32.799 --> 00:23:33.420 hear with 00:23:33.420 --> 00:23:34.160 their ears 00:23:34.160 --> 00:23:35.680 and they 00:23:35.680 --> 00:23:36.559 have closed 00:23:36.559 --> 00:23:38.119 their eyes. 00:23:38.119 --> 00:23:38.239 hearts. 00:23:39.659 --> 00:23:40.059 You see 00:23:40.059 --> 00:23:40.599 as Jesus 00:23:40.599 --> 00:23:41.299 taught, 00:23:42.319 --> 00:23:42.959 he spoke 00:23:42.959 --> 00:23:43.859 in parables 00:23:43.859 --> 00:23:45.779 and the 00:23:45.779 --> 00:23:46.199 truth 00:23:46.199 --> 00:23:47.859 was concealed. 00:23:49.219 --> 00:23:49.479 The 00:23:49.479 --> 00:23:50.119 concealing 00:23:50.119 --> 00:23:51.079 was God's 00:23:51.079 --> 00:23:51.739 judgment. 00:23:52.879 --> 00:23:53.239 It was 00:23:53.239 --> 00:23:54.000 confirming 00:23:54.000 --> 00:23:55.539 their very 00:23:55.539 --> 00:23:56.099 own 00:23:56.099 --> 00:23:56.879 rejection. 00:23:58.459 --> 00:23:59.199 But it's 00:23:59.199 --> 00:23:59.679 not just 00:23:59.679 --> 00:24:00.259 Israel and 00:24:00.259 --> 00:24:00.639 it's not 00:24:00.639 --> 00:24:01.039 just the 00:24:01.039 --> 00:24:01.379 crowds. 00:24:01.859 --> 00:24:02.199 You and 00:24:02.199 --> 00:24:02.799 I here 00:24:02.799 --> 00:24:03.699 are very 00:24:03.699 --> 00:24:04.419 privileged 00:24:04.419 --> 00:24:04.979 people. 00:24:06.199 --> 00:24:06.599 God has 00:24:06.599 --> 00:24:07.419 been gracious 00:24:07.420 --> 00:24:08.039 to us. 00:24:08.420 --> 00:24:08.920 Every 00:24:08.920 --> 00:24:10.060 week we 00:24:10.060 --> 00:24:10.740 hear about 00:24:10.740 --> 00:24:11.180 Jesus. 00:24:13.240 --> 00:24:14.039 But be 00:24:14.039 --> 00:24:14.480 warned. 00:24:15.900 --> 00:24:16.560 Refusal 00:24:16.560 --> 00:24:17.320 to accept 00:24:17.320 --> 00:24:17.880 his word, 00:24:18.320 --> 00:24:19.360 refusal to 00:24:19.360 --> 00:24:20.640 learn from 00:24:20.640 --> 00:24:21.300 him and 00:24:21.300 --> 00:24:22.360 seek 00:24:22.360 --> 00:24:23.880 sight and 00:24:23.880 --> 00:24:24.519 hearing 00:24:24.519 --> 00:24:27.779 will lead 00:24:27.779 --> 00:24:28.640 to a 00:24:28.640 --> 00:24:29.279 concealing 00:24:29.279 --> 00:24:29.880 of Jesus. 00:24:31.300 --> 00:24:31.740 It'll be 00:24:31.740 --> 00:24:32.279 like that 00:24:32.279 --> 00:24:32.640 dimmer 00:24:32.640 --> 00:24:32.960 switch. 00:24:32.960 --> 00:24:33.460 We won't 00:24:33.460 --> 00:24:34.400 even notice. 00:24:35.360 --> 00:24:36.180 But slowly 00:24:36.180 --> 00:24:37.100 over time 00:24:37.100 --> 00:24:38.240 the dimmer 00:24:38.240 --> 00:24:38.820 switch will 00:24:38.820 --> 00:24:39.560 go down 00:24:39.560 --> 00:24:40.080 and down 00:24:40.080 --> 00:24:40.640 and down. 00:24:41.560 --> 00:24:42.080 We won't 00:24:42.080 --> 00:24:42.880 even notice 00:24:42.880 --> 00:24:43.560 the darkness 00:24:43.560 --> 00:24:44.380 coming around 00:24:44.380 --> 00:24:44.880 us. 00:24:45.779 --> 00:24:46.180 And it 00:24:46.180 --> 00:24:46.680 will become 00:24:46.680 --> 00:24:47.759 so dark 00:24:47.759 --> 00:24:49.840 we will 00:24:49.840 --> 00:24:50.519 not be able 00:24:50.519 --> 00:24:51.080 to see. 00:24:53.080 --> 00:24:54.240 Be warned. 00:24:55.240 --> 00:24:56.360 Be careful. 00:24:56.360 --> 00:24:56.400 Be careful. 00:24:56.400 --> 00:25:01.700 a word 00:25:01.700 --> 00:25:02.340 to all. 00:25:03.960 --> 00:25:04.460 A word 00:25:04.460 --> 00:25:05.460 that divides 00:25:05.460 --> 00:25:08.560 and a 00:25:08.560 --> 00:25:09.040 word for 00:25:09.040 --> 00:25:09.560 us. 00:25:11.400 --> 00:25:11.820 You see 00:25:11.820 --> 00:25:12.460 the parable 00:25:12.460 --> 00:25:12.960 here 00:25:12.960 --> 00:25:14.560 actually 00:25:14.560 --> 00:25:15.620 exposes 00:25:15.620 --> 00:25:16.460 the reality 00:25:16.460 --> 00:25:17.480 of our 00:25:17.480 --> 00:25:18.140 own hearts 00:25:18.140 --> 00:25:18.800 this morning. 00:25:20.019 --> 00:25:20.640 And the 00:25:20.640 --> 00:25:21.220 question we 00:25:21.220 --> 00:25:21.600 need to 00:25:21.600 --> 00:25:22.080 deal with 00:25:22.080 --> 00:25:22.500 is this. 00:25:22.740 --> 00:25:23.440 How am I 00:25:23.440 --> 00:25:24.360 responding to 00:25:24.360 --> 00:25:24.759 the word 00:25:24.759 --> 00:25:25.340 when I hear 00:25:25.340 --> 00:25:25.460 it? 00:25:25.460 --> 00:25:26.079 Every time 00:25:26.079 --> 00:25:26.519 I hear 00:25:26.519 --> 00:25:26.960 the word 00:25:26.960 --> 00:25:27.680 how do 00:25:27.680 --> 00:25:28.259 I respond 00:25:28.259 --> 00:25:28.720 to it? 00:25:28.900 --> 00:25:29.220 How do 00:25:29.220 --> 00:25:29.660 I think 00:25:29.660 --> 00:25:30.279 about it? 00:25:31.400 --> 00:25:31.860 And to 00:25:31.860 --> 00:25:32.240 help us 00:25:32.240 --> 00:25:32.759 answer this 00:25:32.759 --> 00:25:33.240 question 00:25:33.240 --> 00:25:34.519 Jesus now 00:25:34.519 --> 00:25:35.940 explains the 00:25:35.940 --> 00:25:36.579 parable to 00:25:36.579 --> 00:25:36.819 us. 00:25:36.980 --> 00:25:38.000 He reveals 00:25:38.000 --> 00:25:38.740 in words. 00:25:39.440 --> 00:25:40.100 Verse 18 00:25:40.100 --> 00:25:41.120 Listen then 00:25:41.120 --> 00:25:41.740 to what the 00:25:41.740 --> 00:25:42.360 parable of 00:25:42.360 --> 00:25:42.759 the sower 00:25:42.759 --> 00:25:43.559 means. 00:25:44.500 --> 00:25:44.920 So the 00:25:44.920 --> 00:25:45.519 farmer who 00:25:45.519 --> 00:25:46.120 sows the 00:25:46.120 --> 00:25:46.680 seed 00:25:46.680 --> 00:25:48.779 is Jesus 00:25:48.779 --> 00:25:49.620 who sows 00:25:49.620 --> 00:25:50.100 his 00:25:50.100 --> 00:25:51.220 word. 00:25:52.799 --> 00:25:53.480 And the 00:25:53.480 --> 00:25:53.880 different 00:25:53.880 --> 00:25:54.840 soils 00:25:54.839 --> 00:25:56.220 the 00:25:56.220 --> 00:25:56.619 hard 00:25:56.619 --> 00:25:57.199 path 00:25:57.199 --> 00:25:57.779 the 00:25:57.779 --> 00:25:58.059 rocky 00:25:58.059 --> 00:25:58.500 ground 00:25:58.500 --> 00:25:58.720 the 00:25:58.720 --> 00:25:59.059 thorns 00:25:59.059 --> 00:25:59.299 and 00:25:59.299 --> 00:25:59.740 thistles 00:25:59.740 --> 00:26:00.019 the 00:26:00.019 --> 00:26:00.379 good 00:26:00.379 --> 00:26:01.679 soil 00:26:01.679 --> 00:26:02.579 all 00:26:02.579 --> 00:26:03.279 reflect 00:26:03.279 --> 00:26:03.759 the 00:26:03.759 --> 00:26:04.480 condition 00:26:04.480 --> 00:26:05.539 of 00:26:05.539 --> 00:26:06.039 people's 00:26:06.039 --> 00:26:06.480 hearts. 00:26:08.379 --> 00:26:09.399 Now as we've 00:26:09.399 --> 00:26:09.959 read it you may 00:26:09.959 --> 00:26:10.539 think there are 00:26:10.539 --> 00:26:11.639 four responses 00:26:11.639 --> 00:26:13.799 but in fact there are 00:26:13.799 --> 00:26:14.779 actually only two. 00:26:14.939 --> 00:26:15.919 The first three 00:26:15.919 --> 00:26:17.879 all reflect those 00:26:17.879 --> 00:26:19.359 who have their 00:26:19.359 --> 00:26:20.399 ears and eyes 00:26:20.399 --> 00:26:21.459 closed. 00:26:21.460 --> 00:26:23.380 it's only the 00:26:23.380 --> 00:26:24.840 final one that 00:26:24.840 --> 00:26:25.539 reflects the 00:26:25.539 --> 00:26:26.519 person who truly 00:26:26.519 --> 00:26:27.559 sees and hears 00:26:27.559 --> 00:26:28.900 and understands. 00:26:29.980 --> 00:26:31.220 So let's look at 00:26:31.220 --> 00:26:32.620 this parable 00:26:32.620 --> 00:26:34.500 and ask 00:26:34.500 --> 00:26:35.100 ourselves 00:26:35.100 --> 00:26:36.620 how do we 00:26:36.620 --> 00:26:37.059 hear 00:26:37.059 --> 00:26:38.640 God's word. 00:26:39.539 --> 00:26:40.180 First 00:26:40.180 --> 00:26:45.779 the hard 00:26:45.779 --> 00:26:46.279 heart. 00:26:47.340 --> 00:26:48.660 Verse 19 00:26:48.660 --> 00:26:50.660 when anyone 00:26:50.660 --> 00:26:51.440 hears the 00:26:51.440 --> 00:26:52.120 message about 00:26:52.120 --> 00:26:52.720 the kingdom 00:26:52.720 --> 00:26:54.440 and does 00:26:54.440 --> 00:26:55.420 not understand 00:26:55.420 --> 00:26:55.820 it 00:26:55.820 --> 00:26:57.400 the evil 00:26:57.400 --> 00:26:58.060 one comes 00:26:58.060 --> 00:26:58.900 and snatches 00:26:58.900 --> 00:26:59.440 away what 00:26:59.440 --> 00:27:00.120 was sown 00:27:00.120 --> 00:27:01.200 in their 00:27:01.200 --> 00:27:01.700 heart. 00:27:03.400 --> 00:27:04.320 Is that a 00:27:04.320 --> 00:27:05.000 picture of you? 00:27:06.220 --> 00:27:07.380 You hear 00:27:07.380 --> 00:27:08.300 like everybody 00:27:08.300 --> 00:27:08.840 else 00:27:08.840 --> 00:27:11.460 but it never 00:27:11.460 --> 00:27:12.500 actually travels 00:27:12.500 --> 00:27:14.500 to your 00:27:14.500 --> 00:27:14.980 heart. 00:27:14.980 --> 00:27:16.980 as soon 00:27:16.980 --> 00:27:17.319 as the 00:27:17.319 --> 00:27:17.799 words are 00:27:17.799 --> 00:27:18.319 heard 00:27:18.319 --> 00:27:19.360 it's 00:27:19.360 --> 00:27:19.779 rejected 00:27:19.779 --> 00:27:20.460 it goes 00:27:20.460 --> 00:27:21.720 not for 00:27:21.720 --> 00:27:21.960 me 00:27:21.960 --> 00:27:23.400 I don't 00:27:23.400 --> 00:27:24.059 really like 00:27:24.059 --> 00:27:24.460 it. 00:27:25.339 --> 00:27:25.900 Just as 00:27:25.900 --> 00:27:26.559 the birds 00:27:26.559 --> 00:27:27.480 ate up 00:27:27.480 --> 00:27:28.039 the seed 00:27:28.039 --> 00:27:28.400 on the 00:27:28.400 --> 00:27:28.759 hard 00:27:28.759 --> 00:27:29.200 path 00:27:29.200 --> 00:27:30.140 so the 00:27:30.140 --> 00:27:30.420 devil 00:27:30.420 --> 00:27:30.920 comes 00:27:30.920 --> 00:27:31.599 and takes 00:27:31.599 --> 00:27:32.059 the word 00:27:32.059 --> 00:27:32.620 from your 00:27:32.620 --> 00:27:33.539 hard 00:27:33.539 --> 00:27:34.180 heart. 00:27:35.640 --> 00:27:36.500 If you 00:27:36.500 --> 00:27:37.220 do not 00:27:37.220 --> 00:27:38.019 want the 00:27:38.019 --> 00:27:38.539 word in 00:27:38.539 --> 00:27:39.380 your life 00:27:39.380 --> 00:27:40.420 if you 00:27:40.420 --> 00:27:40.900 do not 00:27:40.900 --> 00:27:41.579 desire 00:27:41.579 --> 00:27:42.240 the word 00:27:42.240 --> 00:27:43.500 God 00:27:43.500 --> 00:27:44.039 will let 00:27:44.039 --> 00:27:44.619 that word 00:27:44.619 --> 00:27:45.180 be taken 00:27:45.180 --> 00:27:45.859 from you. 00:27:48.359 --> 00:27:49.359 A hard 00:27:49.359 --> 00:27:49.819 heart. 00:27:52.740 --> 00:27:53.599 Then there's 00:27:53.599 --> 00:27:54.000 a shallow 00:27:54.000 --> 00:27:54.559 heart. 00:27:55.440 --> 00:27:56.599 Verse 20 00:27:56.599 --> 00:27:58.240 The seed 00:27:58.240 --> 00:27:58.940 falling on 00:27:58.940 --> 00:27:59.720 rocky ground 00:27:59.720 --> 00:28:00.399 refers to 00:28:00.399 --> 00:28:01.059 someone who 00:28:01.059 --> 00:28:02.299 hears the 00:28:02.299 --> 00:28:03.839 word and 00:28:03.839 --> 00:28:04.399 at once 00:28:04.399 --> 00:28:05.200 receives it 00:28:05.200 --> 00:28:05.759 with joy. 00:28:07.159 --> 00:28:07.819 And maybe 00:28:07.819 --> 00:28:08.819 that's the 00:28:08.819 --> 00:28:09.359 picture of 00:28:09.359 --> 00:28:10.000 your heart 00:28:10.000 --> 00:28:10.379 today. 00:28:10.740 --> 00:28:11.319 You think 00:28:11.319 --> 00:28:12.700 yes following 00:28:12.700 --> 00:28:13.440 Jesus is 00:28:13.440 --> 00:28:13.899 great. 00:28:14.039 --> 00:28:14.619 that's 00:28:14.619 --> 00:28:14.920 what I 00:28:14.920 --> 00:28:15.200 want to 00:28:15.200 --> 00:28:15.480 do. 00:28:17.039 --> 00:28:17.480 But 00:28:17.480 --> 00:28:18.779 verse 21 00:28:18.779 --> 00:28:20.500 since they 00:28:20.500 --> 00:28:21.259 have no 00:28:21.259 --> 00:28:21.759 root 00:28:21.759 --> 00:28:23.039 they last 00:28:23.039 --> 00:28:23.559 only a 00:28:23.559 --> 00:28:24.200 short time 00:28:24.200 --> 00:28:24.799 when trouble 00:28:24.799 --> 00:28:25.420 or persecution 00:28:25.420 --> 00:28:26.460 comes because 00:28:26.460 --> 00:28:26.940 of the 00:28:26.940 --> 00:28:27.299 word 00:28:27.299 --> 00:28:29.099 they quickly 00:28:29.099 --> 00:28:29.879 fall away. 00:28:32.039 --> 00:28:32.279 You see 00:28:32.279 --> 00:28:32.819 sooner or 00:28:32.819 --> 00:28:33.279 later we 00:28:33.279 --> 00:28:34.059 realise that 00:28:34.059 --> 00:28:34.500 you know 00:28:34.500 --> 00:28:35.420 following 00:28:35.420 --> 00:28:36.279 Jesus as 00:28:36.279 --> 00:28:36.599 king 00:28:36.599 --> 00:28:38.559 is hard. 00:28:40.559 --> 00:28:40.980 And as 00:28:40.980 --> 00:28:41.519 we follow 00:28:41.519 --> 00:28:42.059 him we 00:28:42.059 --> 00:28:42.799 realise that 00:28:42.799 --> 00:28:43.480 family and 00:28:43.480 --> 00:28:44.879 friends push 00:28:44.879 --> 00:28:45.659 against us 00:28:45.659 --> 00:28:46.940 and it's 00:28:46.940 --> 00:28:47.680 not easy 00:28:47.680 --> 00:28:49.299 and I'm 00:28:49.299 --> 00:28:49.899 not up for 00:28:49.899 --> 00:28:50.559 this and 00:28:50.559 --> 00:28:51.339 we fall 00:28:51.339 --> 00:28:51.740 away. 00:28:52.960 --> 00:28:53.980 But why 00:28:53.980 --> 00:28:54.379 do they 00:28:54.379 --> 00:28:55.000 fall away? 00:28:55.720 --> 00:28:56.559 Verse 21 00:28:56.559 --> 00:28:58.599 Because it 00:28:58.599 --> 00:28:59.240 did not 00:28:59.240 --> 00:29:00.159 take root 00:29:00.159 --> 00:29:01.079 in your 00:29:01.079 --> 00:29:01.639 heart. 00:29:02.740 --> 00:29:03.740 Rather than 00:29:03.740 --> 00:29:04.799 taking in 00:29:04.799 --> 00:29:05.379 the word 00:29:05.379 --> 00:29:06.319 you kept 00:29:06.319 --> 00:29:06.819 the word 00:29:06.819 --> 00:29:08.079 out of your 00:29:08.079 --> 00:29:08.579 life and 00:29:08.579 --> 00:29:09.639 you ignored 00:29:09.640 --> 00:29:10.020 it. 00:29:11.500 --> 00:29:11.840 You see 00:29:11.840 --> 00:29:12.160 if we 00:29:12.160 --> 00:29:12.520 don't 00:29:12.520 --> 00:29:13.420 continue to 00:29:13.420 --> 00:29:14.160 grow in 00:29:14.160 --> 00:29:14.560 the word 00:29:14.560 --> 00:29:15.259 if we 00:29:15.259 --> 00:29:15.600 don't 00:29:15.600 --> 00:29:16.220 nurture 00:29:16.220 --> 00:29:16.700 our 00:29:16.700 --> 00:29:17.220 hearts 00:29:17.220 --> 00:29:17.600 with the 00:29:17.600 --> 00:29:17.800 word 00:29:17.800 --> 00:29:18.380 if we 00:29:18.380 --> 00:29:18.680 don't 00:29:18.680 --> 00:29:19.259 water 00:29:19.259 --> 00:29:19.560 the 00:29:19.560 --> 00:29:19.980 seed 00:29:19.980 --> 00:29:20.280 with 00:29:20.280 --> 00:29:20.460 the 00:29:20.460 --> 00:29:20.800 word 00:29:20.800 --> 00:29:23.160 we'll 00:29:23.160 --> 00:29:23.440 fall 00:29:23.440 --> 00:29:23.840 away. 00:29:29.580 --> 00:29:30.520 And then 00:29:30.520 --> 00:29:31.180 third there 00:29:31.180 --> 00:29:31.840 is the 00:29:31.840 --> 00:29:33.500 destructive 00:29:33.500 --> 00:29:34.160 heart. 00:29:35.780 --> 00:29:37.100 Verse 22 00:29:37.099 --> 00:29:39.219 the seed 00:29:39.219 --> 00:29:39.939 falling among 00:29:39.939 --> 00:29:40.659 the thorns 00:29:40.659 --> 00:29:41.379 refers to 00:29:41.379 --> 00:29:42.039 someone who 00:29:42.039 --> 00:29:43.339 hears the 00:29:43.339 --> 00:29:45.199 word but 00:29:45.199 --> 00:29:45.659 the worries 00:29:45.659 --> 00:29:46.059 of this 00:29:46.059 --> 00:29:46.559 life and 00:29:46.559 --> 00:29:47.359 the deceitfulness 00:29:47.359 --> 00:29:47.939 of wealth 00:29:47.939 --> 00:29:49.379 choke the 00:29:49.379 --> 00:29:50.119 word making 00:29:50.119 --> 00:29:51.019 it unfruitful. 00:29:52.679 --> 00:29:53.500 Is that 00:29:53.500 --> 00:29:54.359 what describes 00:29:54.359 --> 00:29:55.219 your heart? 00:29:57.199 --> 00:29:58.139 You've made 00:29:58.139 --> 00:29:59.059 a good start 00:29:59.059 --> 00:29:59.619 in the 00:29:59.619 --> 00:30:00.559 Christian life 00:30:00.559 --> 00:30:02.799 you want 00:30:02.799 --> 00:30:03.459 to follow 00:30:03.459 --> 00:30:04.259 you hear 00:30:04.259 --> 00:30:04.599 it 00:30:04.599 --> 00:30:07.659 but then 00:30:07.659 --> 00:30:08.379 things begin 00:30:08.379 --> 00:30:09.139 to distract 00:30:09.139 --> 00:30:09.459 you. 00:30:10.399 --> 00:30:11.000 You become 00:30:11.000 --> 00:30:11.679 anxious and 00:30:11.679 --> 00:30:12.240 worried about 00:30:12.240 --> 00:30:12.919 your future 00:30:12.919 --> 00:30:14.039 and health 00:30:14.039 --> 00:30:14.839 becomes more 00:30:14.839 --> 00:30:15.559 important and 00:30:15.559 --> 00:30:16.879 work becomes 00:30:16.879 --> 00:30:17.579 more important 00:30:17.579 --> 00:30:18.699 and in a 00:30:18.699 --> 00:30:19.459 desperate attempt 00:30:19.459 --> 00:30:20.219 to alleviate 00:30:20.219 --> 00:30:20.899 all your 00:30:20.899 --> 00:30:21.459 concerns 00:30:21.459 --> 00:30:22.439 you seek 00:30:22.439 --> 00:30:24.159 security in 00:30:24.159 --> 00:30:25.159 accumulating 00:30:25.159 --> 00:30:25.539 wealth. 00:30:25.799 --> 00:30:26.559 As long as 00:30:26.559 --> 00:30:26.959 I have 00:30:26.959 --> 00:30:27.599 money, as 00:30:27.599 --> 00:30:28.000 long as 00:30:28.000 --> 00:30:28.319 I have 00:30:28.319 --> 00:30:29.379 job security 00:30:29.379 --> 00:30:30.639 everything is 00:30:30.639 --> 00:30:31.059 going to be 00:30:31.059 --> 00:30:31.439 alright. 00:30:34.599 --> 00:30:35.419 Instead of 00:30:35.419 --> 00:30:36.179 devotion to 00:30:36.179 --> 00:30:36.619 God and 00:30:36.619 --> 00:30:37.000 his word 00:30:37.000 --> 00:30:37.399 we get 00:30:37.399 --> 00:30:38.219 distracted 00:30:38.219 --> 00:30:40.799 and financial 00:30:40.799 --> 00:30:42.139 security slowly 00:30:42.139 --> 00:30:42.919 and subtly 00:30:42.919 --> 00:30:44.599 takes priority 00:30:44.599 --> 00:30:46.399 over the 00:30:46.399 --> 00:30:46.779 word. 00:30:48.459 --> 00:30:49.000 And instead 00:30:49.000 --> 00:30:49.439 of being 00:30:49.439 --> 00:30:50.339 fruitful we 00:30:50.339 --> 00:30:50.839 become 00:30:50.839 --> 00:30:52.299 unfruitful. 00:30:55.279 --> 00:30:56.079 Hard 00:30:56.079 --> 00:30:56.459 heart, 00:30:56.639 --> 00:30:56.919 shallow 00:30:56.919 --> 00:30:57.419 heart, 00:30:58.579 --> 00:30:59.179 distracted 00:30:59.179 --> 00:30:59.740 heart. 00:31:00.659 --> 00:31:01.339 Do any 00:31:01.339 --> 00:31:01.799 of these 00:31:01.799 --> 00:31:02.799 resonate with 00:31:02.799 --> 00:31:03.039 you? 00:31:03.039 --> 00:31:05.680 all of 00:31:05.680 --> 00:31:05.879 them 00:31:05.879 --> 00:31:06.579 describe 00:31:06.579 --> 00:31:07.960 in one 00:31:07.960 --> 00:31:08.420 way or 00:31:08.420 --> 00:31:08.819 another 00:31:08.819 --> 00:31:10.440 the person 00:31:10.440 --> 00:31:11.659 who 00:31:11.659 --> 00:31:12.220 ultimately 00:31:12.220 --> 00:31:13.819 rejects 00:31:13.819 --> 00:31:14.500 God's 00:31:14.500 --> 00:31:14.839 word. 00:31:17.639 --> 00:31:18.759 Their 00:31:18.759 --> 00:31:19.359 hearts have 00:31:19.359 --> 00:31:19.720 become 00:31:19.720 --> 00:31:20.420 calloused. 00:31:21.659 --> 00:31:22.279 They 00:31:22.279 --> 00:31:23.279 hardly hear. 00:31:24.879 --> 00:31:25.319 They've 00:31:25.319 --> 00:31:25.940 closed 00:31:25.940 --> 00:31:27.480 their eyes. 00:31:30.099 --> 00:31:31.399 But we 00:31:31.399 --> 00:31:31.720 have a 00:31:31.720 --> 00:31:32.000 humble 00:31:32.000 --> 00:31:32.500 heart. 00:31:33.039 --> 00:31:35.539 verse 23 00:31:35.539 --> 00:31:38.960 The seed 00:31:38.960 --> 00:31:39.720 falling on 00:31:39.720 --> 00:31:40.879 good soil 00:31:40.879 --> 00:31:41.680 refers to 00:31:41.680 --> 00:31:42.180 someone who 00:31:42.180 --> 00:31:42.920 hears the 00:31:42.920 --> 00:31:44.279 word and 00:31:44.279 --> 00:31:45.139 understand it. 00:31:45.220 --> 00:31:45.579 It's a 00:31:45.579 --> 00:31:46.539 beautiful picture 00:31:46.539 --> 00:31:46.960 of what 00:31:46.960 --> 00:31:47.599 happens when 00:31:47.599 --> 00:31:48.139 we come 00:31:48.139 --> 00:31:49.059 humbly 00:31:49.059 --> 00:31:49.980 before God. 00:31:50.779 --> 00:31:51.759 We recognise 00:31:51.759 --> 00:31:52.319 that without 00:31:52.319 --> 00:31:52.940 God's 00:31:52.940 --> 00:31:53.799 intervention we 00:31:53.799 --> 00:31:54.259 will never 00:31:54.259 --> 00:31:54.980 understand. 00:31:55.379 --> 00:31:55.599 Without 00:31:55.599 --> 00:31:56.639 his grace 00:31:56.639 --> 00:31:57.740 and a 00:31:57.740 --> 00:31:58.619 dependence on 00:31:58.619 --> 00:31:59.099 his grace 00:31:59.099 --> 00:31:59.940 we'll never 00:31:59.940 --> 00:32:00.319 see, 00:32:00.639 --> 00:32:01.099 we'll never 00:32:01.099 --> 00:32:01.519 hear. 00:32:01.519 --> 00:32:02.779 But when 00:32:02.779 --> 00:32:03.379 we come 00:32:03.379 --> 00:32:03.740 in that 00:32:03.740 --> 00:32:04.160 humble 00:32:04.160 --> 00:32:04.839 dependence 00:32:04.839 --> 00:32:06.539 God 00:32:06.539 --> 00:32:07.500 softens 00:32:07.500 --> 00:32:07.720 our 00:32:07.720 --> 00:32:08.079 hard 00:32:08.079 --> 00:32:08.579 hearts. 00:32:08.980 --> 00:32:09.500 When we 00:32:09.500 --> 00:32:10.339 cry out 00:32:10.339 --> 00:32:10.660 to him 00:32:10.660 --> 00:32:11.059 and see 00:32:11.059 --> 00:32:11.579 our need 00:32:11.579 --> 00:32:12.839 he opens 00:32:12.839 --> 00:32:13.099 our 00:32:13.099 --> 00:32:13.579 closed 00:32:13.579 --> 00:32:14.200 ears and 00:32:14.200 --> 00:32:14.940 he opens 00:32:14.940 --> 00:32:15.599 our blind 00:32:15.599 --> 00:32:16.000 eyes. 00:32:16.400 --> 00:32:16.680 And look 00:32:16.680 --> 00:32:17.279 what happens. 00:32:17.440 --> 00:32:17.759 Look at the 00:32:17.759 --> 00:32:18.019 end of 00:32:18.019 --> 00:32:18.680 verse 23. 00:32:18.680 --> 00:32:19.740 this is the 00:32:19.740 --> 00:32:20.160 one who 00:32:20.160 --> 00:32:20.960 produces a 00:32:20.960 --> 00:32:21.360 crop 00:32:21.360 --> 00:32:22.180 yielding 00:32:22.180 --> 00:32:22.799 a hundred 00:32:22.799 --> 00:32:23.840 sixty 00:32:23.840 --> 00:32:25.320 or thirty 00:32:25.320 --> 00:32:26.160 times what 00:32:26.160 --> 00:32:26.620 was sown. 00:32:27.100 --> 00:32:27.740 The word 00:32:27.740 --> 00:32:28.220 that was 00:32:28.220 --> 00:32:28.640 sown 00:32:28.640 --> 00:32:29.940 expands 00:32:29.940 --> 00:32:30.980 and grows 00:32:30.980 --> 00:32:32.720 and you 00:32:32.720 --> 00:32:33.200 have a 00:32:33.200 --> 00:32:33.799 fruitful 00:32:33.799 --> 00:32:34.320 life. 00:32:37.600 --> 00:32:38.799 The word 00:32:38.799 --> 00:32:39.860 takes effect 00:32:39.860 --> 00:32:41.539 and we 00:32:41.539 --> 00:32:42.160 begin to 00:32:42.160 --> 00:32:42.700 seek the 00:32:42.700 --> 00:32:43.660 priorities of 00:32:43.660 --> 00:32:44.160 the kingdom. 00:32:44.160 --> 00:32:45.200 we become 00:32:45.200 --> 00:32:46.420 consumed with 00:32:46.420 --> 00:32:47.460 proclaiming the 00:32:47.460 --> 00:32:48.160 good news of 00:32:48.160 --> 00:32:48.580 the kingdom. 00:32:48.960 --> 00:32:49.620 We become 00:32:49.620 --> 00:32:50.519 more beautiful 00:32:50.519 --> 00:32:51.519 people as we 00:32:51.519 --> 00:32:53.519 display the 00:32:53.519 --> 00:32:54.360 glory of the 00:32:54.360 --> 00:32:54.660 kingdom. 00:32:58.240 --> 00:32:59.660 The message is 00:32:59.660 --> 00:33:00.800 crystal clear 00:33:00.800 --> 00:33:01.460 isn't it? 00:33:02.900 --> 00:33:04.259 As we hear 00:33:04.259 --> 00:33:04.920 the word 00:33:04.920 --> 00:33:07.720 we are 00:33:07.720 --> 00:33:07.980 either 00:33:07.980 --> 00:33:09.220 accepting it 00:33:09.220 --> 00:33:10.940 or rejecting 00:33:10.940 --> 00:33:11.460 it. 00:33:12.600 --> 00:33:13.460 The dimmer 00:33:13.460 --> 00:33:14.100 switch is 00:33:14.100 --> 00:33:15.420 either going 00:33:15.420 --> 00:33:16.740 up and it 00:33:16.740 --> 00:33:17.840 becomes brighter 00:33:17.840 --> 00:33:19.940 and more 00:33:19.940 --> 00:33:20.620 fruitful 00:33:20.620 --> 00:33:23.300 or the 00:33:23.300 --> 00:33:23.960 dimmer switch 00:33:23.960 --> 00:33:24.539 is turning 00:33:24.539 --> 00:33:26.620 down and 00:33:26.620 --> 00:33:27.140 it's getting 00:33:27.140 --> 00:33:29.500 darker and 00:33:29.500 --> 00:33:30.460 unfruitful. 00:33:32.880 --> 00:33:34.259 How do you, 00:33:34.259 --> 00:33:35.220 how do I 00:33:35.220 --> 00:33:35.980 hear the 00:33:35.980 --> 00:33:36.359 word? 00:33:39.779 --> 00:33:40.539 It's a 00:33:40.539 --> 00:33:41.019 matter of 00:33:41.019 --> 00:33:42.339 life and 00:33:42.339 --> 00:33:42.859 death. 00:33:44.660 --> 00:33:45.400 Let me 00:33:45.400 --> 00:33:46.460 pray for us. 00:33:55.859 --> 00:33:56.500 Lord, 00:33:57.220 --> 00:33:58.279 soften my 00:33:58.279 --> 00:33:59.160 calloused 00:33:59.160 --> 00:34:00.660 hard heart 00:34:00.660 --> 00:34:02.859 so that I 00:34:02.859 --> 00:34:03.539 might love 00:34:03.539 --> 00:34:04.200 your word 00:34:04.200 --> 00:34:06.000 and accept 00:34:06.000 --> 00:34:06.620 your word. 00:34:08.039 --> 00:34:08.920 Open up 00:34:08.920 --> 00:34:09.900 my blocked 00:34:09.900 --> 00:34:11.000 ears that I 00:34:11.000 --> 00:34:11.659 might have 00:34:11.659 --> 00:34:12.420 understanding. 00:34:13.920 --> 00:34:14.960 Open my 00:34:14.960 --> 00:34:16.039 closed eyes 00:34:16.039 --> 00:34:16.659 so that I 00:34:16.659 --> 00:34:17.519 might see you 00:34:17.519 --> 00:34:17.880 as I 00:34:17.880 --> 00:34:18.240 ought. 00:34:19.780 --> 00:34:20.699 Take my 00:34:20.699 --> 00:34:21.460 hard, 00:34:22.139 --> 00:34:22.559 shallow, 00:34:22.800 --> 00:34:23.559 distracted 00:34:23.559 --> 00:34:24.099 heart 00:34:24.099 --> 00:34:26.420 and give 00:34:26.420 --> 00:34:27.019 me a 00:34:27.019 --> 00:34:27.500 humble 00:34:27.500 --> 00:34:28.079 heart 00:34:28.079 --> 00:34:29.820 that I 00:34:29.820 --> 00:34:30.400 might live 00:34:30.400 --> 00:34:31.280 a fruitful 00:34:31.280 --> 00:34:31.960 life 00:34:31.960 --> 00:34:34.000 for your 00:34:34.000 --> 00:34:34.539 glory. 00:34:36.880 --> 00:34:37.539 Pour out 00:34:37.539 --> 00:34:37.780 your 00:34:37.780 --> 00:34:38.400 grace. 00:34:40.039 --> 00:34:40.960 Pour out 00:34:40.960 --> 00:34:41.679 your grace 00:34:41.679 --> 00:34:43.960 so that 00:34:43.960 --> 00:34:44.480 we might 00:34:44.480 --> 00:34:45.599 have all 00:34:45.599 --> 00:34:46.280 we need 00:34:46.280 --> 00:34:48.420 and more 00:34:48.420 --> 00:34:48.820 than we 00:34:48.820 --> 00:34:49.420 could ever 00:34:49.420 --> 00:34:49.960 imagine 00:34:49.960 --> 00:34:52.300 for we 00:34:52.300 --> 00:34:52.940 need it. 00:34:54.559 --> 00:34:55.380 Thank you, 00:34:55.519 --> 00:34:55.720 Father, 00:34:55.860 --> 00:34:56.579 that you are 00:34:56.579 --> 00:34:56.960 generous 00:34:56.960 --> 00:34:58.940 and you 00:34:58.940 --> 00:34:59.740 are good. 00:35:01.240 --> 00:35:01.820 Amen. 00:35:07.720 --> 00:35:08.400 So we're 00:35:08.400 --> 00:35:08.639 going to 00:35:08.639 --> 00:35:08.960 sing 00:35:08.960 --> 00:35:10.740 and I 00:35:10.740 --> 00:35:11.159 hope this 00:35:11.159 --> 00:35:12.099 song can be 00:35:12.099 --> 00:35:12.980 sung in a 00:35:12.980 --> 00:35:13.579 way that 00:35:13.579 --> 00:35:27.440 show you 00:35:27.440 --> 00:35:31.059 varii 00:35:31.059 --> 00:35:31.599 on 00:35:31.619 --> 00:35:31.940 the 00:35:31.940 --> 00:35:32.019 scale 00:35:32.019 --> 00:35:32.559 and 00:35:32.559 --> 00:35:32.599 sure.