WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:03.439 Turn with me if you've got a Bible to Matthew chapter 13. 00:00:03.839 --> 00:00:09.160 We're beginning a short series, just four sermons in Matthew 13 that'll get us to the holidays. 00:00:10.859 --> 00:00:16.600 And it's boiling hot, isn't it? And so if you feel you need to get up and get some fresh air, honestly, feel free. 00:00:16.699 --> 00:00:18.780 No one will think any badly of you at all. 00:00:18.960 --> 00:00:19.580 All right, how about that? 00:00:21.320 --> 00:00:24.060 Matthew 13 is about the kingdom of God. It's about parables. 00:00:25.699 --> 00:00:27.199 And you take verse 10 as a text. 00:00:30.000 --> 00:00:35.759 Really, this question, why do you speak in parables? 00:00:36.539 --> 00:00:39.899 The disciples come to him and say, why is that the way you teach? 00:00:40.280 --> 00:00:43.920 There are three sections in the passage we're looking at. 00:00:45.019 --> 00:00:49.060 And in the middle bit, Jesus explains the story. 00:00:49.260 --> 00:00:54.539 In the middle of it, there's this confusing explanation of why Jesus speaks in parables. 00:00:55.280 --> 00:00:59.859 And I want to dive just into the middle of it and ask that question that the disciples ask in verse 10. 00:01:00.560 --> 00:01:03.520 Why do you speak to people in parables? Let me set the scene for you. 00:01:04.620 --> 00:01:06.019 Notice how the chapter opens. 00:01:06.140 --> 00:01:12.060 We're told that Jesus went out of the house and he sat beside the sea. 00:01:12.280 --> 00:01:14.599 Great crowds gather to hear him. 00:01:15.340 --> 00:01:20.140 In fact, the crowds are so great that he's got to get into a boat to get away from them. 00:01:21.079 --> 00:01:22.659 And he speaks to them from a boat. 00:01:23.939 --> 00:01:24.960 This is what seems to be happening. 00:01:25.079 --> 00:01:26.319 Jesus, I must heal the sick. 00:01:26.420 --> 00:01:28.519 People are clamoring for it to touch him. 00:01:29.060 --> 00:01:30.980 And no doubt he wants to speak to them. 00:01:31.040 --> 00:01:33.299 So he puts a little bit of distance between him and the crowd. 00:01:35.760 --> 00:01:36.939 Picture it, if you can. 00:01:37.079 --> 00:01:38.700 The boat is his pulpit. 00:01:39.480 --> 00:01:44.420 His voice carries across the water crisp and clean in the morning air. 00:01:44.420 --> 00:01:49.740 The steep banks are a little bit like a well-designed amphitheater. 00:01:50.500 --> 00:01:51.840 There's perfect acoustics. 00:01:53.439 --> 00:01:54.620 And Jesus is in the boat. 00:01:54.740 --> 00:01:55.939 The crowds are on the shore. 00:01:56.320 --> 00:01:58.719 And they're hanging on his every word. 00:01:58.719 --> 00:02:02.780 And we're told that he began to speak to them in parables. 00:02:03.019 --> 00:02:03.299 Why? 00:02:04.379 --> 00:02:06.719 In fact, at the end of the chapter, verse 34, 00:02:06.879 --> 00:02:11.340 we're told that Jesus didn't speak anything to them without using a parable. 00:02:12.780 --> 00:02:15.300 So why, Jesus, do you speak in parables? 00:02:15.919 --> 00:02:17.020 The disciples ask him. 00:02:18.539 --> 00:02:20.819 If you've got a church background and you're here this morning, 00:02:20.879 --> 00:02:22.300 you went to Sunday school when you were a child, 00:02:22.439 --> 00:02:28.439 you've probably heard that parables are an earthly story with a heavenly meaning. 00:02:29.719 --> 00:02:30.319 Maybe. 00:02:31.780 --> 00:02:35.719 Maybe you think of them like beautiful little anecdotes 00:02:35.719 --> 00:02:37.740 that make difficult things straightforward. 00:02:38.520 --> 00:02:40.139 Stories Jesus tells. 00:02:41.740 --> 00:02:44.879 So why doesn't every preacher speak in parables? 00:02:46.319 --> 00:02:49.620 Why don't they teach preachers to do that in Bible college? 00:02:50.960 --> 00:02:53.939 I love what Spurgeon says of so much of people's preaching. 00:02:54.159 --> 00:02:56.900 He says, so much of preaching is over people's heads. 00:02:56.900 --> 00:03:01.900 Spurgeon said, don't forget, Jesus said, feed my sheep, not my giraffes. 00:03:03.400 --> 00:03:07.759 And yet so often, isn't it, the way preachers speak, it's kind of out of our reach. 00:03:08.879 --> 00:03:10.060 It's inaccessible. 00:03:10.060 --> 00:03:13.780 So why does Jesus speak in parables? 00:03:14.479 --> 00:03:15.599 What is he doing here? 00:03:17.159 --> 00:03:20.680 It makes perfect sense, but it makes no sense. 00:03:22.080 --> 00:03:26.120 You see, in verse 10, you can sense their bewilderment. 00:03:26.360 --> 00:03:28.039 What are you going on about? 00:03:29.480 --> 00:03:33.759 Jesus has told a little story, nice little story about a farmer sowing seeds. 00:03:33.759 --> 00:03:35.639 Well, what's that got to do with anything? 00:03:36.799 --> 00:03:39.419 Why do Jesus tell stories like this? 00:03:40.639 --> 00:03:43.280 And they say to him, verse 10, why do you speak in parables? 00:03:44.799 --> 00:03:46.079 And his answer is shocking. 00:03:47.419 --> 00:03:48.439 His answer is shocking. 00:03:48.599 --> 00:03:49.859 It's not what you expect. 00:03:50.139 --> 00:03:53.060 He quotes from the Old Testament, from Isaiah chapter 6. 00:03:53.060 --> 00:03:56.819 And he says in verse 13, this is why I speak in parables. 00:04:02.500 --> 00:04:09.539 Because seeing they do not see, and hearing they do not hear, nor do they understand. 00:04:11.560 --> 00:04:14.879 Indeed, in their case, the prophecy of Isaiah is fulfilled that says, 00:04:15.199 --> 00:04:17.139 you will indeed hear, but you'll never understand. 00:04:17.519 --> 00:04:19.480 You'll indeed see, but you'll never perceive. 00:04:19.480 --> 00:04:24.319 For this people's heart has grown dull, and with their ears they cannot hear, 00:04:24.540 --> 00:04:26.100 and with their eyes they have closed, 00:04:26.580 --> 00:04:30.180 lest they should see with their eyes, hear with their ears, 00:04:30.240 --> 00:04:31.620 and understand with their heart. 00:04:33.000 --> 00:04:34.420 And I would turn and heal them. 00:04:36.259 --> 00:04:37.840 Why does he speak in parables? 00:04:38.540 --> 00:04:39.960 So that they could understand? 00:04:40.300 --> 00:04:40.560 No. 00:04:41.759 --> 00:04:43.180 So that they wouldn't understand. 00:04:45.220 --> 00:04:46.879 Why does he speak in parables? 00:04:46.879 --> 00:04:48.460 To reveal the truth? 00:04:49.480 --> 00:04:50.759 Or to conceal the truth? 00:04:52.280 --> 00:04:55.180 And you can understand, can't you, why the disciples, they're bewildered. 00:04:56.840 --> 00:04:59.620 I mean, it seems, doesn't it, such a wrong move to Jesus' followers. 00:05:00.200 --> 00:05:03.740 A strategic mistake, a PR blunder, of the highest order. 00:05:04.000 --> 00:05:08.180 The crowds are gathering, they're hanging on his every word. 00:05:08.540 --> 00:05:11.259 Surely now is the time to put the most clear, 00:05:11.900 --> 00:05:14.740 most comprehensive PowerPoint presentation available. 00:05:14.740 --> 00:05:17.920 Now is the time not to be speaking in riddles. 00:05:19.220 --> 00:05:22.980 Now is not the time to be speaking in stories that people do not understand. 00:05:23.360 --> 00:05:25.519 Why don't you give it to them straight, Jesus says. 00:05:27.519 --> 00:05:30.120 Don't you want people to know who you are? 00:05:30.420 --> 00:05:32.000 Don't you want people to follow you, Jesus? 00:05:32.000 --> 00:05:38.540 And the answer to that question is yes and no. 00:05:40.660 --> 00:05:44.699 Doesn't Jesus want people to know who he is and what he's about? 00:05:45.240 --> 00:05:46.600 Well, yes, of course he does. 00:05:46.600 --> 00:05:48.920 But no, he doesn't. 00:05:50.360 --> 00:05:52.640 Because with the rising popularity, 00:05:53.340 --> 00:05:56.460 at the same time comes mounting opposition to Jesus. 00:05:57.680 --> 00:06:02.460 You can see that in chapter 12, just the chapter before, chapter 13. 00:06:03.720 --> 00:06:08.240 His family come to take him away because they think he's mad. 00:06:08.840 --> 00:06:10.160 And in the middle of the chapter, 00:06:10.520 --> 00:06:13.740 the authorities accuse him of being in league with the devil. 00:06:13.879 --> 00:06:14.820 They think he's bad. 00:06:14.819 --> 00:06:19.019 And even his strongest supporter, John the Baptist, 00:06:19.480 --> 00:06:22.139 his best friend is having second thoughts about him. 00:06:22.420 --> 00:06:23.899 He sends disciples and he says, 00:06:24.019 --> 00:06:25.540 are you for real? 00:06:26.920 --> 00:06:28.300 Or should we look for another? 00:06:29.939 --> 00:06:33.300 And so you see, Matthew 13 is a really crucial point in Jesus' ministry. 00:06:34.899 --> 00:06:38.000 His popularity is on the increase, the crowds are gathering, 00:06:38.399 --> 00:06:40.719 but at the same time, opposition is growing. 00:06:40.720 --> 00:06:46.820 And so Jesus speaks in parables to sift his hearers. 00:06:46.819 --> 00:06:51.920 He sorts his hearers into those who want to know 00:06:51.920 --> 00:06:54.199 and those who don't really want to know. 00:06:56.040 --> 00:06:57.519 Those who don't want to know, 00:06:58.339 --> 00:06:59.199 who are hard-hearted, 00:06:59.740 --> 00:07:02.379 will wander off to someone else 00:07:02.379 --> 00:07:04.060 and they'll get bored of their stories. 00:07:04.379 --> 00:07:06.120 Jesus is playing hard to get. 00:07:06.120 --> 00:07:11.319 And only those who really want to know will hang around. 00:07:13.040 --> 00:07:14.259 In other words, what I'm saying is this, 00:07:14.480 --> 00:07:15.980 parables are a little bit like a filter. 00:07:18.160 --> 00:07:20.860 If you like, they reveal the truth to those who want to hear 00:07:20.860 --> 00:07:22.699 and they conceal the truth from those who don't. 00:07:24.819 --> 00:07:26.540 Think, for example, of a stained glass window. 00:07:27.579 --> 00:07:29.420 We haven't got one in this church, 00:07:29.500 --> 00:07:30.980 but think of a stained glass window. 00:07:30.980 --> 00:07:34.460 And as you're walking along the side of a church, 00:07:34.540 --> 00:07:36.020 maybe a path alongside the church, 00:07:36.460 --> 00:07:39.800 you look up from beneath the stained glass window. 00:07:39.900 --> 00:07:40.540 What do you see? 00:07:40.700 --> 00:07:42.640 You just see colored glass. 00:07:44.160 --> 00:07:47.080 You don't see it from the pathway. 00:07:47.960 --> 00:07:50.420 It just looks like dark glass, doesn't it? 00:07:51.540 --> 00:07:52.540 Discolored glass. 00:07:52.800 --> 00:07:54.500 But if you go into the church 00:07:54.500 --> 00:07:58.060 and the sun comes blazing through that window, 00:07:58.060 --> 00:08:00.360 you see this beautiful picture. 00:08:01.660 --> 00:08:02.620 You get the message. 00:08:02.860 --> 00:08:03.780 You're walking alongside. 00:08:04.379 --> 00:08:05.080 You don't get it. 00:08:05.140 --> 00:08:06.180 It's just dark glass. 00:08:06.580 --> 00:08:07.840 It's indistinct shapes. 00:08:09.120 --> 00:08:10.460 And the parable's a bit like that. 00:08:12.879 --> 00:08:14.340 Maybe you're sitting here and you just think, 00:08:14.439 --> 00:08:15.379 what are they going on about? 00:08:15.600 --> 00:08:16.819 They're just like dark shape. 00:08:17.259 --> 00:08:17.879 Dark shapes. 00:08:18.759 --> 00:08:19.759 They don't illumine the truth. 00:08:19.960 --> 00:08:22.000 But actually, inside the church, 00:08:22.060 --> 00:08:23.220 at the same time, 00:08:23.600 --> 00:08:24.560 you go in 00:08:24.560 --> 00:08:26.420 and suddenly you see the beauty. 00:08:27.060 --> 00:08:28.220 The beauty of the truth. 00:08:28.220 --> 00:08:30.280 It all depends, doesn't it, 00:08:30.280 --> 00:08:31.120 with the stained glass window, 00:08:31.320 --> 00:08:32.180 are you on the outside 00:08:32.180 --> 00:08:33.279 or are you on the inside? 00:08:37.500 --> 00:08:39.160 To you, Jesus says to his disciples, 00:08:39.300 --> 00:08:39.680 his followers, 00:08:39.800 --> 00:08:40.060 verse 11, 00:08:40.279 --> 00:08:40.860 to you, 00:08:40.940 --> 00:08:41.540 it's been given 00:08:41.540 --> 00:08:43.519 to know the secrets of the kingdom. 00:08:43.519 --> 00:08:45.699 But to them, 00:08:45.899 --> 00:08:46.579 it's not been given. 00:08:48.740 --> 00:08:49.720 Let me give you an illustration 00:08:49.720 --> 00:08:50.419 from church history. 00:08:50.799 --> 00:08:51.819 Two of the great reformers 00:08:51.819 --> 00:08:52.740 of the English Reformation 00:08:52.740 --> 00:08:54.419 were Hugh Latimer, 00:08:54.620 --> 00:08:55.960 he's one of the martyrs, 00:08:55.960 --> 00:08:57.300 and the other guy 00:08:57.300 --> 00:08:58.480 was a guy called Thomas Bilney. 00:08:59.580 --> 00:09:00.180 Now, they were both 00:09:00.180 --> 00:09:01.820 in Oxford University. 00:09:02.240 --> 00:09:03.340 Latimer was a priest. 00:09:04.600 --> 00:09:05.840 Bilney was converted first. 00:09:07.420 --> 00:09:09.360 And Bilney wanted Latimer 00:09:09.360 --> 00:09:10.200 to become a Christian. 00:09:11.160 --> 00:09:12.820 But these were dangerous times. 00:09:13.060 --> 00:09:14.759 There was serious opposition 00:09:14.759 --> 00:09:15.879 to the Reformed faith. 00:09:17.019 --> 00:09:18.080 In England at that time, 00:09:18.139 --> 00:09:18.960 if you were caught 00:09:18.960 --> 00:09:20.259 reading some of the works 00:09:20.259 --> 00:09:20.840 that were being taught 00:09:20.840 --> 00:09:21.400 on the continent 00:09:21.400 --> 00:09:22.700 by Luther or Calvin, 00:09:23.060 --> 00:09:24.240 your life could be in danger. 00:09:24.340 --> 00:09:24.840 You could be imprisoned. 00:09:24.840 --> 00:09:27.340 You could lose your life 00:09:27.340 --> 00:09:28.220 for reading the Bible. 00:09:28.320 --> 00:09:29.060 That's what it was like. 00:09:30.240 --> 00:09:31.620 And Bilney had come 00:09:31.620 --> 00:09:32.379 to know the truth 00:09:32.379 --> 00:09:32.920 of the gospel. 00:09:33.300 --> 00:09:34.259 He was burdened 00:09:34.259 --> 00:09:35.180 for his friend Latimer. 00:09:35.500 --> 00:09:36.879 He really wanted to share 00:09:36.879 --> 00:09:38.240 the gospel with his friend Latimer. 00:09:38.899 --> 00:09:39.500 And so what he did 00:09:39.500 --> 00:09:39.940 was brilliant. 00:09:41.340 --> 00:09:42.000 The Bible says, 00:09:42.080 --> 00:09:42.320 isn't it, 00:09:42.360 --> 00:09:43.560 that as followers of Jesus, 00:09:43.680 --> 00:09:45.160 we should be innocent as doves 00:09:45.160 --> 00:09:46.860 and as wise as serpents. 00:09:47.899 --> 00:09:48.940 So Bilney comes up 00:09:48.940 --> 00:09:49.920 with this great idea. 00:09:50.019 --> 00:09:50.320 He says, 00:09:50.420 --> 00:09:51.280 I'll go along 00:09:51.280 --> 00:09:52.720 and I'll go into 00:09:52.720 --> 00:09:53.500 the confessional. 00:09:53.500 --> 00:09:55.559 And I will confess 00:09:55.559 --> 00:09:56.580 to my priest. 00:09:56.919 --> 00:09:57.740 I will confess 00:09:57.740 --> 00:09:58.700 to Hugh Latimer. 00:09:59.539 --> 00:10:00.620 I will confess to him 00:10:00.620 --> 00:10:01.720 the new ideas 00:10:01.720 --> 00:10:02.580 that I'm finding 00:10:02.580 --> 00:10:03.539 in the New Testament 00:10:03.539 --> 00:10:04.940 all under the seal 00:10:04.940 --> 00:10:05.799 of the confessionals. 00:10:05.860 --> 00:10:06.299 Very clever. 00:10:07.840 --> 00:10:08.559 But do you see 00:10:08.559 --> 00:10:09.019 what he was doing? 00:10:09.120 --> 00:10:09.940 He was planting, 00:10:10.139 --> 00:10:10.519 wasn't he, 00:10:10.840 --> 00:10:12.019 the gospel's truth 00:10:12.019 --> 00:10:13.059 in Latimer's mind. 00:10:13.840 --> 00:10:14.519 So that when 00:10:14.519 --> 00:10:15.460 the Holy Spirit 00:10:15.460 --> 00:10:16.580 began to work 00:10:16.580 --> 00:10:17.879 in answer to Bilney's prayer, 00:10:18.179 --> 00:10:18.740 those truths 00:10:18.740 --> 00:10:19.440 would spring forth 00:10:19.440 --> 00:10:19.899 to life 00:10:19.899 --> 00:10:22.019 and would bring fruit. 00:10:23.360 --> 00:10:24.399 And that's what Jesus 00:10:24.399 --> 00:10:25.559 is doing in Matthew 13. 00:10:26.000 --> 00:10:27.720 He is planting the truth 00:10:27.720 --> 00:10:29.340 into people's minds 00:10:29.340 --> 00:10:30.740 for later on. 00:10:31.840 --> 00:10:32.879 And he puts it 00:10:32.879 --> 00:10:34.120 in such a vivid 00:10:34.120 --> 00:10:35.860 and unforgettable way. 00:10:36.399 --> 00:10:37.959 But it requires interpretation. 00:10:39.639 --> 00:10:41.439 To understand these truths, 00:10:41.539 --> 00:10:42.199 you have to come out 00:10:42.199 --> 00:10:42.659 of the crowd 00:10:42.659 --> 00:10:43.439 into the house. 00:10:43.440 --> 00:10:45.800 You have to be willing 00:10:45.800 --> 00:10:46.540 to come and sit 00:10:46.540 --> 00:10:47.980 humbly at Jesus' feet 00:10:47.980 --> 00:10:49.220 and be taught by him 00:10:49.220 --> 00:10:50.460 as the disciples do. 00:10:51.400 --> 00:10:52.100 So let's do that. 00:10:52.160 --> 00:10:52.920 The introduction is a bit long 00:10:52.920 --> 00:10:53.540 and the points are quicker. 00:10:54.560 --> 00:10:55.260 This parable is about 00:10:55.260 --> 00:10:56.080 the kingdom of heaven 00:10:56.080 --> 00:10:57.280 and its progress 00:10:57.280 --> 00:10:57.760 in the world. 00:10:57.880 --> 00:10:58.500 Three things. 00:10:58.660 --> 00:10:59.580 A vital activity, 00:11:00.140 --> 00:11:01.420 a variable response 00:11:01.420 --> 00:11:02.920 and a very big result. 00:11:04.400 --> 00:11:05.140 So first of all, 00:11:05.180 --> 00:11:05.460 there's something 00:11:05.460 --> 00:11:06.380 that's absolutely vital. 00:11:08.640 --> 00:11:10.020 Something absolutely vital 00:11:10.020 --> 00:11:11.240 to the coming of Christ's kingdoms 00:11:11.240 --> 00:11:12.080 in this world 00:11:12.080 --> 00:11:13.660 and that is the word of God, 00:11:13.759 --> 00:11:14.280 the seed. 00:11:15.940 --> 00:11:17.320 A farmer went out to sow. 00:11:17.440 --> 00:11:18.580 It's an everyday story 00:11:18.580 --> 00:11:19.360 of country folk 00:11:19.360 --> 00:11:21.620 and it's probably happening 00:11:21.620 --> 00:11:22.680 at the very moment 00:11:22.680 --> 00:11:23.440 Jesus is speaking. 00:11:25.080 --> 00:11:25.800 There on the beach, 00:11:25.940 --> 00:11:27.180 Jesus is preaching to them 00:11:27.180 --> 00:11:27.860 from a boat. 00:11:28.120 --> 00:11:29.160 There's probably a farmer 00:11:29.160 --> 00:11:30.820 up on the cliffs 00:11:30.820 --> 00:11:31.740 planting crops 00:11:31.740 --> 00:11:33.980 and he's sowing the seed. 00:11:35.340 --> 00:11:36.780 But notice the seed 00:11:36.780 --> 00:11:37.720 according to Jesus 00:11:37.720 --> 00:11:38.720 later on in the passage 00:11:38.720 --> 00:11:39.780 is the word of God. 00:11:42.080 --> 00:11:42.980 And it's a message 00:11:42.980 --> 00:11:43.680 about the kingdom, 00:11:43.820 --> 00:11:44.900 how the kingdom comes. 00:11:46.180 --> 00:11:48.860 How God's sovereign rule 00:11:48.860 --> 00:11:50.040 gets set up in the world. 00:11:51.240 --> 00:11:52.520 This is how the king 00:11:52.520 --> 00:11:53.440 sets up his kingdom. 00:11:53.580 --> 00:11:54.840 Not with a fanfare of trumpets. 00:11:55.840 --> 00:11:56.860 Not with a motorcade 00:11:56.860 --> 00:11:57.620 of limousines. 00:11:59.940 --> 00:12:01.400 Not by military force. 00:12:02.540 --> 00:12:04.420 Not by political wheeling 00:12:04.420 --> 00:12:04.780 and dealing 00:12:04.780 --> 00:12:06.200 but by the patient, 00:12:06.500 --> 00:12:08.020 continual scattering 00:12:08.020 --> 00:12:08.580 of the seed. 00:12:09.660 --> 00:12:10.180 Week in, 00:12:10.340 --> 00:12:10.780 week out, 00:12:11.060 --> 00:12:11.440 year in, 00:12:11.600 --> 00:12:11.980 year out. 00:12:12.080 --> 00:12:14.820 And Jesus' teaching, 00:12:14.980 --> 00:12:16.000 never underestimate that. 00:12:17.500 --> 00:12:18.400 A farmer went out 00:12:18.400 --> 00:12:18.840 to sow. 00:12:20.500 --> 00:12:21.360 Notice Jesus 00:12:21.360 --> 00:12:22.940 doesn't identify 00:12:22.940 --> 00:12:24.400 who the farmer is. 00:12:26.060 --> 00:12:27.440 We know it's Jesus 00:12:27.440 --> 00:12:27.920 of course. 00:12:29.259 --> 00:12:30.700 Jesus came to preach, 00:12:30.800 --> 00:12:31.120 didn't he? 00:12:31.300 --> 00:12:31.980 Somebody has said 00:12:31.980 --> 00:12:32.840 about Jesus, 00:12:33.000 --> 00:12:33.980 God had one son 00:12:33.980 --> 00:12:34.440 and he made him 00:12:34.440 --> 00:12:34.840 a preacher. 00:12:36.500 --> 00:12:37.700 Jesus is the farmer 00:12:37.700 --> 00:12:38.640 who came out to sow 00:12:38.640 --> 00:12:39.680 but he leaves it 00:12:39.680 --> 00:12:40.200 open-ended, 00:12:40.320 --> 00:12:40.700 doesn't he? 00:12:40.700 --> 00:12:43.080 He doesn't necessarily 00:12:43.080 --> 00:12:44.360 identify himself 00:12:44.360 --> 00:12:45.080 in the parable. 00:12:46.080 --> 00:12:47.300 And so it is 00:12:47.300 --> 00:12:48.980 anyone who sows 00:12:48.980 --> 00:12:50.120 the word of God. 00:12:52.400 --> 00:12:53.680 Any parent 00:12:53.680 --> 00:12:55.440 with children 00:12:55.440 --> 00:12:56.600 growing up in your home 00:12:56.600 --> 00:12:57.180 telling them 00:12:57.180 --> 00:12:57.960 Bible stories. 00:12:58.400 --> 00:13:00.200 It's any gospel worker, 00:13:00.320 --> 00:13:01.600 any Sunday school teacher, 00:13:02.040 --> 00:13:03.460 anyone who has 00:13:03.460 --> 00:13:04.240 a conversation 00:13:04.240 --> 00:13:05.759 with another person 00:13:05.759 --> 00:13:06.700 and drops 00:13:06.700 --> 00:13:07.440 the name of 00:13:07.440 --> 00:13:08.020 the Lord Jesus 00:13:08.020 --> 00:13:09.160 into a conversation. 00:13:10.360 --> 00:13:11.220 A farmer went out 00:13:11.220 --> 00:13:11.640 to sow. 00:13:11.740 --> 00:13:12.380 That is what the church 00:13:12.380 --> 00:13:13.040 is called to do. 00:13:14.140 --> 00:13:15.280 To scatter the word 00:13:15.280 --> 00:13:15.880 of God 00:13:15.880 --> 00:13:18.180 amongst all sorts 00:13:18.180 --> 00:13:18.860 of different people. 00:13:21.000 --> 00:13:22.480 To scatter the seed 00:13:22.480 --> 00:13:23.420 of the word of God 00:13:23.420 --> 00:13:24.820 in countless conversations 00:13:24.820 --> 00:13:25.860 and to be intentional 00:13:25.860 --> 00:13:26.340 about it. 00:13:29.020 --> 00:13:29.920 And so God's kingdom 00:13:29.920 --> 00:13:30.960 is not going to come 00:13:30.960 --> 00:13:31.700 to healing 00:13:31.700 --> 00:13:32.820 just by us 00:13:32.820 --> 00:13:33.600 meeting and building 00:13:33.600 --> 00:13:34.220 and worshipping 00:13:34.220 --> 00:13:35.360 in this building. 00:13:35.360 --> 00:13:38.340 Every year 00:13:38.340 --> 00:13:39.519 I buy grass seed. 00:13:40.120 --> 00:13:41.340 I use most 00:13:41.340 --> 00:13:42.039 of the grass seed 00:13:42.039 --> 00:13:42.940 but I leave 00:13:42.940 --> 00:13:43.740 some grass seed 00:13:43.740 --> 00:13:44.259 in the box. 00:13:45.159 --> 00:13:45.720 I now have 00:13:45.720 --> 00:13:47.039 six boxes 00:13:47.039 --> 00:13:47.879 of grass seed 00:13:47.879 --> 00:13:48.840 that I've bought 00:13:48.840 --> 00:13:49.600 over the last six years 00:13:49.600 --> 00:13:50.500 and I've found out 00:13:50.500 --> 00:13:51.580 the seed is useless now. 00:13:51.659 --> 00:13:52.180 There's no point 00:13:52.180 --> 00:13:52.580 keeping it. 00:13:53.860 --> 00:13:54.620 There's no point 00:13:54.620 --> 00:13:55.419 having grass seed 00:13:55.419 --> 00:13:55.919 and keeping it 00:13:55.919 --> 00:13:56.399 in the box 00:13:56.399 --> 00:13:56.879 in the shed. 00:13:57.820 --> 00:13:58.940 The point of the seed 00:13:58.940 --> 00:13:59.240 is what? 00:13:59.320 --> 00:13:59.899 It's to sow it. 00:13:59.960 --> 00:14:00.560 It's to get it out 00:14:00.560 --> 00:14:01.139 into the ground. 00:14:02.920 --> 00:14:03.620 And so God's kingdom 00:14:03.620 --> 00:14:04.300 is going to come 00:14:04.299 --> 00:14:05.399 when we leave 00:14:05.399 --> 00:14:05.979 this building 00:14:05.979 --> 00:14:07.819 and start having 00:14:07.819 --> 00:14:08.379 conversations 00:14:08.379 --> 00:14:09.539 with people 00:14:09.539 --> 00:14:10.620 in our families 00:14:10.620 --> 00:14:12.519 and our networks 00:14:12.519 --> 00:14:13.120 on our streets 00:14:13.120 --> 00:14:13.719 and telling them 00:14:13.719 --> 00:14:14.419 about the Lord Jesus. 00:14:16.259 --> 00:14:16.799 Of course 00:14:16.799 --> 00:14:17.479 you don't need 00:14:17.479 --> 00:14:17.919 to tell them 00:14:17.919 --> 00:14:18.639 everything there is 00:14:18.639 --> 00:14:19.399 to know about Jesus. 00:14:21.279 --> 00:14:22.359 You don't need 00:14:22.359 --> 00:14:23.399 a word perfect 00:14:23.399 --> 00:14:24.459 gospel presentation 00:14:24.459 --> 00:14:25.179 with drawings. 00:14:26.279 --> 00:14:27.279 You don't even 00:14:27.279 --> 00:14:27.859 have to have 00:14:27.859 --> 00:14:28.639 a particular method. 00:14:30.059 --> 00:14:30.879 You just have 00:14:30.879 --> 00:14:31.500 to love Jesus 00:14:31.500 --> 00:14:32.100 and because you 00:14:32.100 --> 00:14:32.700 love Jesus 00:14:32.700 --> 00:14:34.519 out of the abundance 00:14:34.519 --> 00:14:35.039 of your heart 00:14:35.039 --> 00:14:35.799 your mouth will speak 00:14:35.799 --> 00:14:37.659 and talk about 00:14:37.659 --> 00:14:38.480 Jesus and his kingdom. 00:14:39.960 --> 00:14:40.720 Slip him into 00:14:40.720 --> 00:14:41.379 conversation. 00:14:42.639 --> 00:14:42.960 Pray Lord 00:14:42.960 --> 00:14:43.879 help me to do it. 00:14:44.879 --> 00:14:45.620 It doesn't seem 00:14:45.620 --> 00:14:46.139 like very much 00:14:46.139 --> 00:14:46.379 does it 00:14:46.379 --> 00:14:47.019 as I say that. 00:14:48.159 --> 00:14:48.600 And sometimes 00:14:48.600 --> 00:14:49.240 you have to wait 00:14:49.240 --> 00:14:50.399 a very long time 00:14:50.399 --> 00:14:50.960 before you see 00:14:50.960 --> 00:14:51.879 any results. 00:14:53.179 --> 00:14:54.080 But there is 00:14:54.080 --> 00:14:55.340 life in the seed 00:14:55.340 --> 00:14:55.779 isn't there? 00:14:56.879 --> 00:14:57.580 And it will 00:14:57.580 --> 00:14:58.460 produce the harvest. 00:14:58.460 --> 00:15:00.639 I love what 00:15:00.639 --> 00:15:01.180 Martin Luther 00:15:01.180 --> 00:15:02.540 said about 00:15:02.540 --> 00:15:03.259 the Reformation. 00:15:04.879 --> 00:15:05.540 Somebody said 00:15:05.540 --> 00:15:05.680 to him 00:15:05.680 --> 00:15:06.560 how did 00:15:06.560 --> 00:15:07.220 the Reformation 00:15:07.220 --> 00:15:07.660 happen 00:15:07.660 --> 00:15:08.220 which changed 00:15:08.220 --> 00:15:08.660 the face 00:15:08.660 --> 00:15:09.120 of Europe? 00:15:09.460 --> 00:15:09.800 How could 00:15:09.800 --> 00:15:10.320 something like 00:15:10.320 --> 00:15:11.220 that happen? 00:15:11.560 --> 00:15:11.980 How can 00:15:11.980 --> 00:15:12.620 a man 00:15:12.620 --> 00:15:13.400 stand up 00:15:13.400 --> 00:15:14.019 against the 00:15:14.019 --> 00:15:14.820 might of 00:15:14.820 --> 00:15:15.740 the Roman 00:15:15.740 --> 00:15:16.379 Catholic Church? 00:15:16.540 --> 00:15:16.940 How did 00:15:16.940 --> 00:15:17.440 that happen? 00:15:18.940 --> 00:15:19.220 And Luther 00:15:19.220 --> 00:15:19.820 said I did 00:15:19.820 --> 00:15:20.160 nothing. 00:15:20.280 --> 00:15:20.600 The word 00:15:20.600 --> 00:15:21.160 did everything. 00:15:22.379 --> 00:15:23.080 I got up 00:15:23.080 --> 00:15:23.480 in the morning 00:15:23.480 --> 00:15:23.920 I preached 00:15:23.920 --> 00:15:24.300 the word 00:15:24.300 --> 00:15:24.759 I prayed 00:15:24.759 --> 00:15:25.259 I went to 00:15:25.259 --> 00:15:25.460 bed 00:15:25.460 --> 00:15:26.100 and I slept 00:15:26.100 --> 00:15:26.480 and it 00:15:26.480 --> 00:15:26.860 happened 00:15:26.860 --> 00:15:28.100 because the 00:15:28.100 --> 00:15:28.419 word of 00:15:28.419 --> 00:15:28.620 God 00:15:28.620 --> 00:15:29.259 finds good 00:15:29.259 --> 00:15:29.680 soil 00:15:29.680 --> 00:15:30.360 and bears 00:15:30.360 --> 00:15:30.919 amazing 00:15:30.919 --> 00:15:31.399 fruit 00:15:31.399 --> 00:15:31.899 and that's 00:15:31.899 --> 00:15:32.100 what we 00:15:32.100 --> 00:15:32.600 must do 00:15:32.600 --> 00:15:35.419 to sow 00:15:35.419 --> 00:15:36.500 this message 00:15:36.500 --> 00:15:37.960 about Jesus 00:15:37.960 --> 00:15:38.560 in people's 00:15:38.560 --> 00:15:39.039 hearts and 00:15:39.039 --> 00:15:39.399 minds 00:15:39.399 --> 00:15:40.980 and broadcast 00:15:40.980 --> 00:15:41.740 it far and 00:15:41.740 --> 00:15:41.940 near. 00:15:43.600 --> 00:15:43.899 And the 00:15:43.899 --> 00:15:44.240 kingdom of 00:15:44.240 --> 00:15:44.560 God will 00:15:44.560 --> 00:15:45.440 only come 00:15:45.440 --> 00:15:46.379 as you 00:15:46.379 --> 00:15:46.720 and I 00:15:46.720 --> 00:15:47.320 go out 00:15:47.320 --> 00:15:47.919 to sow 00:15:47.919 --> 00:15:48.419 the message 00:15:48.419 --> 00:15:48.899 of Jesus 00:15:48.899 --> 00:15:49.519 in people's 00:15:49.519 --> 00:15:49.840 lives. 00:15:51.840 --> 00:15:52.620 The kingdom 00:15:52.620 --> 00:15:53.600 comes as 00:15:53.600 --> 00:15:53.920 the word 00:15:53.920 --> 00:15:54.320 is taught 00:15:54.320 --> 00:15:54.700 as the word 00:15:54.700 --> 00:15:55.080 is spread. 00:15:56.860 --> 00:15:58.539 And so 00:15:58.539 --> 00:15:59.620 why is there 00:15:59.620 --> 00:16:00.100 such a weak 00:16:00.100 --> 00:16:00.580 response? 00:16:02.320 --> 00:16:02.879 Why doesn't 00:16:02.879 --> 00:16:03.300 everyone get 00:16:03.300 --> 00:16:03.659 converted? 00:16:05.460 --> 00:16:06.279 Why doesn't 00:16:06.279 --> 00:16:06.700 everyone in 00:16:06.700 --> 00:16:07.100 your family 00:16:07.100 --> 00:16:07.600 believe? 00:16:09.200 --> 00:16:09.519 And the 00:16:09.519 --> 00:16:09.860 answer 00:16:09.860 --> 00:16:10.440 according to 00:16:10.440 --> 00:16:10.659 Jesus 00:16:10.659 --> 00:16:11.139 lies in 00:16:11.139 --> 00:16:11.639 the soil. 00:16:12.080 --> 00:16:12.300 There are 00:16:12.300 --> 00:16:12.800 different types 00:16:12.800 --> 00:16:13.120 of soil. 00:16:13.240 --> 00:16:13.539 There is 00:16:13.539 --> 00:16:14.060 secondly a 00:16:14.060 --> 00:16:14.379 variable 00:16:14.379 --> 00:16:14.940 response. 00:16:16.200 --> 00:16:16.360 And so 00:16:16.360 --> 00:16:16.639 when the 00:16:16.639 --> 00:16:17.000 seed is 00:16:17.000 --> 00:16:17.320 scattered 00:16:17.320 --> 00:16:18.519 it falls 00:16:18.519 --> 00:16:18.779 on the 00:16:18.779 --> 00:16:19.240 wayside 00:16:19.240 --> 00:16:19.500 some 00:16:19.500 --> 00:16:19.820 falls 00:16:19.820 --> 00:16:20.080 on the 00:16:20.080 --> 00:16:20.259 stony 00:16:20.259 --> 00:16:20.659 ground 00:16:20.659 --> 00:16:21.120 some 00:16:21.120 --> 00:16:21.340 among 00:16:21.340 --> 00:16:21.639 thorns 00:16:21.639 --> 00:16:21.860 some 00:16:21.860 --> 00:16:22.159 on good 00:16:22.159 --> 00:16:22.519 ground. 00:16:24.019 --> 00:16:24.279 And I 00:16:24.279 --> 00:16:24.480 think we 00:16:24.480 --> 00:16:24.659 have to be 00:16:24.659 --> 00:16:25.240 really careful 00:16:25.240 --> 00:16:25.659 here. 00:16:25.860 --> 00:16:26.340 We mustn't 00:16:26.340 --> 00:16:26.700 be kind 00:16:26.700 --> 00:16:27.759 of fatalistic 00:16:27.759 --> 00:16:28.340 about this. 00:16:29.500 --> 00:16:29.980 You mustn't 00:16:29.980 --> 00:16:30.379 think there 00:16:30.379 --> 00:16:30.920 are four 00:16:30.920 --> 00:16:31.399 types of 00:16:31.399 --> 00:16:31.720 people. 00:16:33.220 --> 00:16:33.800 And which 00:16:33.800 --> 00:16:34.120 one of the 00:16:34.120 --> 00:16:34.440 types of 00:16:34.440 --> 00:16:34.800 people am 00:16:34.800 --> 00:16:35.000 I? 00:16:36.720 --> 00:16:37.240 And if 00:16:37.240 --> 00:16:37.700 I'm one 00:16:37.700 --> 00:16:38.139 of the 00:16:38.139 --> 00:16:39.080 three types 00:16:39.080 --> 00:16:39.480 of people 00:16:39.480 --> 00:16:40.040 that doesn't 00:16:40.040 --> 00:16:40.560 bear fruit 00:16:40.560 --> 00:16:41.019 well there's 00:16:41.019 --> 00:16:41.540 no way 00:16:41.540 --> 00:16:41.780 that I 00:16:41.780 --> 00:16:42.000 can be 00:16:42.000 --> 00:16:42.379 saved. 00:16:44.360 --> 00:16:44.860 Am I 00:16:44.860 --> 00:16:45.500 a wayside 00:16:45.500 --> 00:16:45.940 shearer 00:16:45.940 --> 00:16:46.800 or a 00:16:46.800 --> 00:16:47.019 stony 00:16:47.019 --> 00:16:47.280 ground 00:16:47.280 --> 00:16:47.460 shearer? 00:16:47.580 --> 00:16:47.720 No, 00:16:47.759 --> 00:16:47.820 no, 00:16:47.879 --> 00:16:48.120 I don't 00:16:48.120 --> 00:16:48.500 think Jesus 00:16:48.500 --> 00:16:49.120 is talking 00:16:49.120 --> 00:16:49.540 about that. 00:16:49.899 --> 00:16:50.160 He's not 00:16:50.160 --> 00:16:50.480 saying there's 00:16:50.480 --> 00:16:50.940 four different 00:16:50.940 --> 00:16:51.340 types of 00:16:51.340 --> 00:16:51.660 people. 00:16:52.320 --> 00:16:53.040 He's not 00:16:53.040 --> 00:16:53.379 saying there 00:16:53.379 --> 00:16:53.759 are four 00:16:53.759 --> 00:16:54.360 different types 00:16:54.360 --> 00:16:55.100 of personality. 00:16:55.100 --> 00:16:56.940 he's saying 00:16:56.940 --> 00:16:57.180 there are 00:16:57.180 --> 00:16:57.639 four different 00:16:57.639 --> 00:16:58.060 kinds of 00:16:58.060 --> 00:17:00.060 responses to 00:17:00.060 --> 00:17:00.460 the word of 00:17:00.460 --> 00:17:00.940 God, to the 00:17:00.940 --> 00:17:01.360 message of the 00:17:01.360 --> 00:17:01.560 kingdom. 00:17:02.920 --> 00:17:03.279 And so you 00:17:03.279 --> 00:17:04.460 mustn't absolutize 00:17:04.460 --> 00:17:04.839 this. 00:17:05.140 --> 00:17:05.620 You mustn't put 00:17:05.620 --> 00:17:06.079 people in a 00:17:06.079 --> 00:17:07.140 box and label 00:17:07.140 --> 00:17:07.539 them, well 00:17:07.539 --> 00:17:08.599 they're a hard 00:17:08.599 --> 00:17:09.839 hearer, there's 00:17:09.839 --> 00:17:10.279 not much hope 00:17:10.279 --> 00:17:12.019 for them, or 00:17:12.019 --> 00:17:12.720 she is a 00:17:12.720 --> 00:17:13.599 thorny ground 00:17:13.599 --> 00:17:14.039 hearer. 00:17:14.180 --> 00:17:14.759 We mustn't do 00:17:14.759 --> 00:17:14.880 that. 00:17:14.960 --> 00:17:15.599 We mustn't 00:17:15.599 --> 00:17:16.160 judge people 00:17:16.160 --> 00:17:16.700 like that. 00:17:17.839 --> 00:17:18.839 You might be 00:17:18.839 --> 00:17:20.319 this morning a 00:17:20.319 --> 00:17:20.860 thorny ground 00:17:20.860 --> 00:17:21.279 hearer. 00:17:21.279 --> 00:17:23.160 But next 00:17:23.160 --> 00:17:24.139 week, a 00:17:24.139 --> 00:17:24.720 good soil 00:17:24.720 --> 00:17:25.160 hearer for 00:17:25.160 --> 00:17:25.539 the gospel. 00:17:27.359 --> 00:17:28.039 Sometimes if 00:17:28.039 --> 00:17:28.299 you're like 00:17:28.299 --> 00:17:28.639 me, you 00:17:28.639 --> 00:17:28.859 have a 00:17:28.859 --> 00:17:29.180 good week 00:17:29.180 --> 00:17:29.359 and you 00:17:29.359 --> 00:17:29.559 have a 00:17:29.559 --> 00:17:30.019 bad week. 00:17:30.680 --> 00:17:30.980 And there's 00:17:30.980 --> 00:17:31.319 no reason 00:17:31.319 --> 00:17:31.660 at all. 00:17:33.500 --> 00:17:34.059 In the 00:17:34.059 --> 00:17:34.599 mercy of 00:17:34.599 --> 00:17:35.420 God, I 00:17:35.420 --> 00:17:36.059 find that I 00:17:36.059 --> 00:17:37.379 can be a 00:17:37.379 --> 00:17:37.700 thorny 00:17:37.700 --> 00:17:38.059 ground 00:17:38.059 --> 00:17:38.920 hearer and 00:17:38.920 --> 00:17:39.220 a good 00:17:39.220 --> 00:17:39.879 hearer all 00:17:39.879 --> 00:17:40.099 in the 00:17:40.099 --> 00:17:40.440 space of 00:17:40.440 --> 00:17:40.940 one sermon. 00:17:42.420 --> 00:17:43.000 And you 00:17:43.000 --> 00:17:43.259 may have 00:17:43.259 --> 00:17:43.579 come in 00:17:43.579 --> 00:17:43.879 here this 00:17:43.879 --> 00:17:44.680 morning and 00:17:44.680 --> 00:17:45.220 your heart 00:17:45.220 --> 00:17:45.599 might have 00:17:45.599 --> 00:17:46.759 been stone 00:17:46.759 --> 00:17:47.740 hard, cold 00:17:47.740 --> 00:17:48.299 as ice. 00:17:48.299 --> 00:17:50.419 But God 00:17:50.419 --> 00:17:51.279 promises you 00:17:51.279 --> 00:17:52.000 to take 00:17:52.000 --> 00:17:52.599 away your 00:17:52.599 --> 00:17:52.940 heart of 00:17:52.940 --> 00:17:54.639 stone and 00:17:54.639 --> 00:17:55.039 to give 00:17:55.039 --> 00:17:55.359 you a 00:17:55.359 --> 00:17:55.759 heart of 00:17:55.759 --> 00:17:56.220 flesh. 00:17:57.059 --> 00:17:57.440 And he 00:17:57.440 --> 00:17:57.839 can do 00:17:57.839 --> 00:17:58.539 that even 00:17:58.539 --> 00:17:58.839 as I 00:17:58.839 --> 00:17:59.240 speak to 00:17:59.240 --> 00:17:59.460 you this 00:17:59.460 --> 00:17:59.720 morning. 00:18:01.399 --> 00:18:01.619 And so 00:18:01.619 --> 00:18:02.079 the question 00:18:02.079 --> 00:18:02.500 is not 00:18:02.500 --> 00:18:03.019 what kind 00:18:03.019 --> 00:18:03.960 of person 00:18:03.960 --> 00:18:04.779 are you, 00:18:05.399 --> 00:18:05.919 but how 00:18:05.919 --> 00:18:06.200 are you 00:18:06.200 --> 00:18:06.740 responding? 00:18:07.940 --> 00:18:08.539 When you 00:18:08.539 --> 00:18:09.059 come here 00:18:09.059 --> 00:18:09.599 and you 00:18:09.599 --> 00:18:10.099 listen to 00:18:10.099 --> 00:18:10.440 the word 00:18:10.440 --> 00:18:10.779 of God 00:18:10.779 --> 00:18:11.240 preached, 00:18:12.440 --> 00:18:12.980 how are 00:18:12.980 --> 00:18:13.799 you preparing 00:18:13.799 --> 00:18:15.039 yourself for 00:18:15.039 --> 00:18:15.519 the word 00:18:15.519 --> 00:18:16.240 of God? 00:18:16.480 --> 00:18:16.960 It's true, 00:18:17.059 --> 00:18:17.419 isn't it, 00:18:17.420 --> 00:18:18.320 that for 00:18:18.320 --> 00:18:18.560 some of 00:18:18.560 --> 00:18:18.800 us who've 00:18:18.800 --> 00:18:19.120 been in 00:18:19.120 --> 00:18:19.660 church for 00:18:19.660 --> 00:18:20.640 decades maybe, 00:18:20.920 --> 00:18:21.320 it can be 00:18:21.320 --> 00:18:21.779 like water 00:18:21.779 --> 00:18:22.019 off a 00:18:22.019 --> 00:18:22.279 duck's 00:18:22.279 --> 00:18:22.600 back. 00:18:24.380 --> 00:18:24.840 For some 00:18:24.840 --> 00:18:25.380 our hearts 00:18:25.380 --> 00:18:25.779 are like 00:18:25.779 --> 00:18:26.340 the well 00:18:26.340 --> 00:18:27.000 worn foot 00:18:27.000 --> 00:18:27.340 path, 00:18:27.420 --> 00:18:27.580 nothing 00:18:27.580 --> 00:18:27.840 gets 00:18:27.840 --> 00:18:28.220 through. 00:18:30.680 --> 00:18:31.480 It never 00:18:31.480 --> 00:18:31.940 seems to 00:18:31.940 --> 00:18:32.519 penetrate the 00:18:32.519 --> 00:18:33.019 surface. 00:18:34.300 --> 00:18:34.840 So many 00:18:34.840 --> 00:18:35.279 feet have 00:18:35.279 --> 00:18:35.880 trodden it 00:18:35.880 --> 00:18:36.519 down over 00:18:36.519 --> 00:18:37.200 the years 00:18:37.200 --> 00:18:38.100 and maybe 00:18:38.100 --> 00:18:38.360 you've been 00:18:38.360 --> 00:18:38.740 brought up 00:18:38.740 --> 00:18:39.220 on this. 00:18:40.680 --> 00:18:41.100 Maybe 00:18:41.100 --> 00:18:41.380 you've 00:18:41.380 --> 00:18:41.759 heard me 00:18:41.759 --> 00:18:42.460 a thousand 00:18:42.460 --> 00:18:43.460 times before 00:18:43.460 --> 00:18:44.620 and you've 00:18:44.620 --> 00:18:45.019 become 00:18:45.019 --> 00:18:45.640 gospel 00:18:45.640 --> 00:18:46.140 hardened. 00:18:47.420 --> 00:18:48.420 Maybe 00:18:48.420 --> 00:18:48.740 that's 00:18:48.740 --> 00:18:49.000 you. 00:18:50.980 --> 00:18:51.440 And some 00:18:51.440 --> 00:18:51.940 see Jesus 00:18:51.940 --> 00:18:52.400 says fell 00:18:52.400 --> 00:18:52.779 along the 00:18:52.779 --> 00:18:53.420 path and 00:18:53.420 --> 00:18:53.860 the birds 00:18:53.860 --> 00:18:54.440 came and 00:18:54.440 --> 00:18:54.720 they added 00:18:54.720 --> 00:18:55.000 up. 00:18:56.460 --> 00:18:56.860 And no 00:18:56.860 --> 00:18:57.320 sooner do 00:18:57.320 --> 00:18:57.740 you hear 00:18:57.740 --> 00:18:58.019 than you 00:18:58.019 --> 00:18:58.500 think I've 00:18:58.500 --> 00:18:58.759 heard it 00:18:58.759 --> 00:18:59.140 all before 00:18:59.140 --> 00:19:00.600 leaving and 00:19:00.600 --> 00:19:00.900 you switch 00:19:00.900 --> 00:19:01.200 off. 00:19:02.960 --> 00:19:03.560 No sooner 00:19:03.560 --> 00:19:03.800 do you 00:19:03.800 --> 00:19:04.200 hear than 00:19:04.200 --> 00:19:04.840 verse 19 00:19:04.840 --> 00:19:05.220 the devil 00:19:05.220 --> 00:19:06.380 comes and 00:19:06.380 --> 00:19:06.880 he snatches 00:19:06.880 --> 00:19:07.340 it away. 00:19:08.779 --> 00:19:09.340 And the 00:19:09.340 --> 00:19:09.720 reason that 00:19:09.720 --> 00:19:10.100 the devil 00:19:10.100 --> 00:19:10.460 can come 00:19:10.460 --> 00:19:10.840 and snatch 00:19:10.840 --> 00:19:11.300 it away 00:19:11.300 --> 00:19:12.279 is because 00:19:12.279 --> 00:19:12.720 we're not 00:19:12.720 --> 00:19:13.300 allowing it 00:19:13.300 --> 00:19:13.720 to penetrate 00:19:13.720 --> 00:19:14.460 our hearts 00:19:14.460 --> 00:19:15.720 and minds. 00:19:18.279 --> 00:19:18.940 It's one 00:19:18.940 --> 00:19:19.100 of the 00:19:19.100 --> 00:19:19.600 reasons why 00:19:19.600 --> 00:19:20.259 I think 00:19:20.259 --> 00:19:20.579 we've got 00:19:20.579 --> 00:19:20.900 to work 00:19:20.900 --> 00:19:22.039 really hard 00:19:22.039 --> 00:19:22.360 as a 00:19:22.360 --> 00:19:23.259 church to 00:19:23.259 --> 00:19:23.779 cultivate 00:19:23.779 --> 00:19:24.559 the art 00:19:24.559 --> 00:19:25.220 of spiritual 00:19:25.220 --> 00:19:25.920 conversation. 00:19:28.920 --> 00:19:29.759 Some seed 00:19:29.759 --> 00:19:30.140 fell along 00:19:30.140 --> 00:19:30.640 the path 00:19:30.640 --> 00:19:31.380 and the 00:19:31.380 --> 00:19:31.840 birds came 00:19:31.840 --> 00:19:32.079 and added 00:19:32.079 --> 00:19:32.340 up. 00:19:34.319 --> 00:19:34.640 And so 00:19:34.640 --> 00:19:35.000 we need 00:19:35.000 --> 00:19:35.299 to shoo 00:19:35.299 --> 00:19:35.720 away the 00:19:35.720 --> 00:19:36.059 birds. 00:19:38.400 --> 00:19:38.840 If you go 00:19:38.840 --> 00:19:39.019 to the 00:19:39.019 --> 00:19:39.240 cinema, 00:19:39.660 --> 00:19:40.840 it's so 00:19:40.840 --> 00:19:41.360 expensive to 00:19:41.360 --> 00:19:41.600 go to the 00:19:41.600 --> 00:19:41.759 cinema, 00:19:41.880 --> 00:19:42.160 but you go 00:19:42.160 --> 00:19:42.360 to the 00:19:42.360 --> 00:19:42.539 cinema, 00:19:42.680 --> 00:19:42.860 you come 00:19:42.860 --> 00:19:43.120 out of the 00:19:43.120 --> 00:19:43.579 cinema and 00:19:43.579 --> 00:19:43.899 you walk 00:19:43.899 --> 00:19:44.240 from the 00:19:44.240 --> 00:19:44.699 cinema to 00:19:44.699 --> 00:19:45.179 the car. 00:19:46.019 --> 00:19:46.379 What do 00:19:46.379 --> 00:19:46.639 you talk 00:19:46.639 --> 00:19:46.879 about? 00:19:48.119 --> 00:19:48.519 What do 00:19:48.519 --> 00:19:48.779 you talk 00:19:48.779 --> 00:19:49.500 about on 00:19:49.500 --> 00:19:49.720 the way 00:19:49.720 --> 00:19:50.019 from the 00:19:50.019 --> 00:19:50.559 cinema to 00:19:50.559 --> 00:19:50.960 the car? 00:19:51.159 --> 00:19:51.339 Anybody 00:19:51.339 --> 00:19:51.599 want to 00:19:51.599 --> 00:19:52.000 shout out? 00:19:55.199 --> 00:19:55.659 It's really 00:19:55.659 --> 00:19:55.960 interesting, 00:19:56.059 --> 00:19:56.279 isn't it? 00:19:56.339 --> 00:19:56.659 When you 00:19:56.659 --> 00:19:57.000 walk from 00:19:57.000 --> 00:19:57.619 your seat 00:19:57.619 --> 00:19:58.619 to get 00:19:58.619 --> 00:19:59.019 coffee, 00:20:01.079 --> 00:20:01.699 what do 00:20:01.699 --> 00:20:01.919 you talk 00:20:01.919 --> 00:20:02.139 about? 00:20:03.000 --> 00:20:03.439 I don't 00:20:03.439 --> 00:20:03.720 really know 00:20:03.720 --> 00:20:03.939 why. 00:20:04.079 --> 00:20:04.460 I think 00:20:04.460 --> 00:20:04.839 part of 00:20:04.839 --> 00:20:05.059 it is 00:20:05.059 --> 00:20:05.439 the devil, 00:20:05.539 --> 00:20:05.699 isn't it? 00:20:05.720 --> 00:20:06.000 The devil 00:20:06.000 --> 00:20:06.539 loves to 00:20:06.539 --> 00:20:07.039 pluck away 00:20:07.039 --> 00:20:07.579 the seed 00:20:07.579 --> 00:20:08.439 of the 00:20:08.439 --> 00:20:08.819 words. 00:20:12.359 --> 00:20:12.919 You're all 00:20:12.920 --> 00:20:13.259 thinking, 00:20:13.400 --> 00:20:13.500 no, 00:20:13.560 --> 00:20:14.060 good grief, 00:20:14.100 --> 00:20:14.259 I'm going 00:20:14.259 --> 00:20:14.380 to have 00:20:14.380 --> 00:20:14.600 to talk 00:20:14.600 --> 00:20:14.820 about the 00:20:14.820 --> 00:20:15.019 sermons 00:20:15.019 --> 00:20:15.160 through 00:20:15.160 --> 00:20:15.220 the 00:20:15.220 --> 00:20:15.380 office. 00:20:16.640 --> 00:20:16.980 Can't 00:20:16.980 --> 00:20:17.279 even ask 00:20:17.279 --> 00:20:17.560 someone how 00:20:17.560 --> 00:20:17.960 you are. 00:20:22.860 --> 00:20:23.460 The reason 00:20:23.460 --> 00:20:24.060 Satan can 00:20:24.060 --> 00:20:24.820 snatch it 00:20:24.820 --> 00:20:25.200 away is 00:20:25.200 --> 00:20:25.539 because we're 00:20:25.539 --> 00:20:26.019 not allowing 00:20:26.019 --> 00:20:26.400 it to 00:20:26.400 --> 00:20:26.980 penetrate our 00:20:26.980 --> 00:20:27.460 hearts. 00:20:29.660 --> 00:20:30.200 I want to 00:20:30.200 --> 00:20:30.700 introduce a 00:20:30.700 --> 00:20:31.180 new ministry 00:20:31.180 --> 00:20:32.460 to IPC 00:20:32.460 --> 00:20:32.900 this morning, 00:20:32.940 --> 00:20:33.300 and maybe you 00:20:33.300 --> 00:20:33.539 want to 00:20:33.539 --> 00:20:33.900 volunteer. 00:20:34.300 --> 00:20:34.960 I think we 00:20:34.960 --> 00:20:35.300 need a 00:20:35.300 --> 00:20:35.779 scarecrow 00:20:35.779 --> 00:20:36.180 ministry. 00:20:38.539 --> 00:20:39.019 You could 00:20:39.019 --> 00:20:39.259 be a 00:20:39.259 --> 00:20:39.700 scarecrow, 00:20:39.980 --> 00:20:40.360 couldn't you, 00:20:40.840 --> 00:20:41.160 in church 00:20:41.160 --> 00:20:41.440 life? 00:20:42.920 --> 00:20:45.140 You 00:20:45.140 --> 00:20:45.200 should 00:20:45.200 --> 00:20:45.480 talk to 00:20:45.480 --> 00:20:45.800 people about 00:20:45.800 --> 00:20:45.940 the 00:20:45.940 --> 00:20:46.160 sermon. 00:20:48.600 --> 00:20:49.000 What did 00:20:49.000 --> 00:20:49.220 you find 00:20:49.220 --> 00:20:49.740 helpful in 00:20:49.740 --> 00:20:50.200 what was 00:20:50.200 --> 00:20:50.480 preached? 00:20:52.480 --> 00:20:52.920 It's one of 00:20:52.920 --> 00:20:53.180 the reasons 00:20:53.180 --> 00:20:53.940 we have 00:20:53.940 --> 00:20:54.380 house groups, 00:20:54.480 --> 00:20:54.800 isn't it? 00:20:56.279 --> 00:20:56.740 In lots of 00:20:56.740 --> 00:20:56.940 ways, the 00:20:56.940 --> 00:20:57.340 most important 00:20:57.340 --> 00:20:57.620 thing about 00:20:57.620 --> 00:20:57.900 house groups 00:20:57.900 --> 00:20:58.120 is what 00:20:58.120 --> 00:20:58.759 happens before 00:20:58.759 --> 00:20:59.039 or what 00:20:59.039 --> 00:20:59.600 happens after. 00:20:59.700 --> 00:20:59.920 They're kind 00:20:59.920 --> 00:21:00.500 of natural 00:21:00.500 --> 00:21:00.900 spiritual 00:21:00.900 --> 00:21:01.519 conversations. 00:21:03.680 --> 00:21:04.000 Say to 00:21:04.000 --> 00:21:04.200 someone, 00:21:05.000 --> 00:21:05.460 it'd be great 00:21:05.460 --> 00:21:05.900 to dig into 00:21:05.900 --> 00:21:06.200 this a little 00:21:06.200 --> 00:21:06.620 bit deeper, 00:21:06.700 --> 00:21:06.840 isn't it? 00:21:06.860 --> 00:21:07.140 I've read a 00:21:07.140 --> 00:21:07.360 book on 00:21:07.360 --> 00:21:07.460 this, 00:21:07.539 --> 00:21:07.980 maybe we 00:21:07.980 --> 00:21:08.259 could read 00:21:08.259 --> 00:21:08.640 it together. 00:21:08.980 --> 00:21:09.420 Why don't 00:21:09.420 --> 00:21:09.759 we meet 00:21:09.759 --> 00:21:09.900 up? 00:21:10.080 --> 00:21:10.900 We could 00:21:10.900 --> 00:21:11.320 read through 00:21:11.320 --> 00:21:11.620 Mark's 00:21:11.620 --> 00:21:11.900 gospel. 00:21:11.900 --> 00:21:12.560 There's 00:21:12.560 --> 00:21:13.000 all sorts 00:21:13.000 --> 00:21:13.340 of ways, 00:21:13.440 --> 00:21:13.660 aren't there, 00:21:13.900 --> 00:21:14.820 that we can 00:21:14.820 --> 00:21:15.240 do it in 00:21:15.240 --> 00:21:15.540 a way that 00:21:15.540 --> 00:21:15.900 shoots off 00:21:15.900 --> 00:21:16.380 the birds. 00:21:19.220 --> 00:21:19.460 And so 00:21:19.460 --> 00:21:19.920 let me ask 00:21:19.920 --> 00:21:20.400 you, don't 00:21:20.400 --> 00:21:21.280 do the 00:21:21.280 --> 00:21:21.820 devil's work 00:21:21.820 --> 00:21:22.200 for him. 00:21:27.780 --> 00:21:28.259 Let's not 00:21:28.259 --> 00:21:28.540 do the 00:21:28.540 --> 00:21:28.920 devil's work. 00:21:29.000 --> 00:21:29.680 Let me say 00:21:29.680 --> 00:21:30.240 this again 00:21:30.240 --> 00:21:30.780 before you, 00:21:31.400 --> 00:21:31.980 this isn't 00:21:31.980 --> 00:21:32.660 about memory. 00:21:32.660 --> 00:21:32.700 memory. 00:21:34.779 --> 00:21:37.140 I think the 00:21:37.140 --> 00:21:37.779 internet hasn't 00:21:37.779 --> 00:21:38.320 helped us. 00:21:39.640 --> 00:21:40.800 I think for 00:21:40.800 --> 00:21:41.320 some of us, 00:21:41.420 --> 00:21:41.940 we hear too 00:21:41.940 --> 00:21:42.620 many sermons. 00:21:44.200 --> 00:21:44.920 And I 00:21:44.920 --> 00:21:45.279 don't want you 00:21:45.279 --> 00:21:45.940 to feel guilty 00:21:45.940 --> 00:21:47.040 at all about 00:21:47.040 --> 00:21:47.680 not remembering 00:21:47.680 --> 00:21:48.300 my sermons. 00:21:49.680 --> 00:21:50.160 What I'm 00:21:50.160 --> 00:21:50.500 talking about 00:21:50.500 --> 00:21:51.100 here is not 00:21:51.100 --> 00:21:51.580 remembering 00:21:51.580 --> 00:21:52.060 sermons. 00:21:55.000 --> 00:21:55.580 This isn't 00:21:55.580 --> 00:21:57.259 about remembering 00:21:57.259 --> 00:21:57.860 sermons, it's 00:21:57.860 --> 00:21:58.640 about responding 00:21:58.640 --> 00:21:59.200 to sermons. 00:21:59.200 --> 00:22:02.259 Let me show 00:22:02.259 --> 00:22:02.440 you the 00:22:02.440 --> 00:22:02.600 difference. 00:22:02.680 --> 00:22:02.960 If you were 00:22:02.960 --> 00:22:03.460 to ask me 00:22:03.460 --> 00:22:03.900 what did I 00:22:03.900 --> 00:22:04.259 have to 00:22:04.259 --> 00:22:05.400 eat last 00:22:05.400 --> 00:22:06.460 Thursday, I 00:22:06.460 --> 00:22:06.920 couldn't tell 00:22:06.920 --> 00:22:07.019 you. 00:22:07.080 --> 00:22:07.340 What did I 00:22:07.340 --> 00:22:07.559 have for 00:22:07.559 --> 00:22:07.720 dinner? 00:22:08.400 --> 00:22:08.900 I couldn't 00:22:08.900 --> 00:22:09.319 tell you, and 00:22:09.319 --> 00:22:09.700 probably you 00:22:09.700 --> 00:22:10.160 couldn't either. 00:22:11.240 --> 00:22:11.860 But I did 00:22:11.860 --> 00:22:12.279 eat last 00:22:12.279 --> 00:22:12.640 Thursday. 00:22:14.039 --> 00:22:14.740 And I know 00:22:14.740 --> 00:22:15.120 that it did 00:22:15.120 --> 00:22:15.720 me good, and 00:22:15.720 --> 00:22:16.240 I'm still 00:22:16.240 --> 00:22:16.460 here. 00:22:16.559 --> 00:22:16.759 But I 00:22:16.759 --> 00:22:17.340 couldn't tell 00:22:17.340 --> 00:22:17.680 you what it 00:22:17.680 --> 00:22:18.100 was that I 00:22:18.100 --> 00:22:18.340 had. 00:22:20.019 --> 00:22:20.620 It's not a 00:22:20.620 --> 00:22:21.420 bad thing for 00:22:21.420 --> 00:22:21.700 you to 00:22:21.700 --> 00:22:22.299 remember. 00:22:22.600 --> 00:22:22.960 It's a good 00:22:22.960 --> 00:22:23.220 thing to 00:22:23.220 --> 00:22:23.660 furnish your 00:22:23.660 --> 00:22:24.319 mind with. 00:22:24.799 --> 00:22:25.400 But what is 00:22:25.400 --> 00:22:26.420 really important 00:22:26.420 --> 00:22:28.340 is that as 00:22:28.340 --> 00:22:28.980 you hear the 00:22:28.980 --> 00:22:29.660 word of 00:22:29.660 --> 00:22:30.039 God 00:22:30.039 --> 00:22:30.740 proclaimed, 00:22:32.220 --> 00:22:33.319 that you 00:22:33.319 --> 00:22:33.920 respond to 00:22:33.920 --> 00:22:35.460 it right 00:22:35.460 --> 00:22:35.839 now. 00:22:37.240 --> 00:22:37.720 That as 00:22:37.720 --> 00:22:38.279 God's word 00:22:38.279 --> 00:22:39.120 is proclaimed, 00:22:39.380 --> 00:22:40.099 Jesus is 00:22:40.099 --> 00:22:41.019 speaking to 00:22:41.019 --> 00:22:41.259 you. 00:22:41.339 --> 00:22:41.680 He's not 00:22:41.680 --> 00:22:42.120 sitting in 00:22:42.120 --> 00:22:42.660 a boat. 00:22:43.059 --> 00:22:43.360 He's in 00:22:43.360 --> 00:22:43.779 the highest 00:22:43.779 --> 00:22:44.319 place that 00:22:44.319 --> 00:22:44.980 heaven affords. 00:22:45.160 --> 00:22:45.440 And by 00:22:45.440 --> 00:22:45.900 his spirit, 00:22:46.000 --> 00:22:46.400 and through 00:22:46.400 --> 00:22:47.259 his word, 00:22:47.860 --> 00:22:48.319 Jesus is 00:22:48.319 --> 00:22:48.680 speaking to 00:22:48.680 --> 00:22:48.940 you right 00:22:48.940 --> 00:22:49.200 now. 00:22:50.700 --> 00:22:51.059 And he 00:22:51.059 --> 00:22:51.640 expects a 00:22:51.640 --> 00:22:52.319 response from 00:22:52.319 --> 00:22:52.799 you right 00:22:52.799 --> 00:22:53.140 now. 00:22:53.420 --> 00:22:53.819 He doesn't 00:22:53.819 --> 00:22:54.160 want you to 00:22:54.160 --> 00:22:54.440 make a 00:22:54.440 --> 00:22:54.940 mental note 00:22:54.940 --> 00:22:55.160 and say, 00:22:55.220 --> 00:22:55.279 do you 00:22:55.279 --> 00:22:55.500 know what, 00:22:55.500 --> 00:22:55.759 I'll look 00:22:55.759 --> 00:22:56.180 over that. 00:22:57.460 --> 00:22:57.660 Do you 00:22:57.660 --> 00:22:57.799 know what, 00:22:57.799 --> 00:22:58.099 I'll look 00:22:58.099 --> 00:22:58.420 that up on 00:22:58.420 --> 00:22:58.799 the internet. 00:22:58.980 --> 00:23:01.440 It's 00:23:01.440 --> 00:23:02.420 feeding on 00:23:02.420 --> 00:23:02.900 the word 00:23:02.900 --> 00:23:03.200 of God 00:23:03.200 --> 00:23:03.640 and receiving 00:23:03.640 --> 00:23:04.039 into your 00:23:04.039 --> 00:23:04.259 heart, 00:23:04.319 --> 00:23:04.779 not in 00:23:04.779 --> 00:23:05.180 one ear 00:23:05.180 --> 00:23:05.400 and out 00:23:05.400 --> 00:23:05.559 of the 00:23:05.559 --> 00:23:05.720 other. 00:23:10.299 --> 00:23:10.660 Sometimes 00:23:10.660 --> 00:23:10.920 there's 00:23:10.920 --> 00:23:11.099 another 00:23:11.099 --> 00:23:11.380 response, 00:23:11.460 --> 00:23:11.660 it's an 00:23:11.660 --> 00:23:11.860 immediate 00:23:11.860 --> 00:23:12.240 response, 00:23:12.339 --> 00:23:12.599 but it's 00:23:12.599 --> 00:23:12.960 shallow and 00:23:12.960 --> 00:23:13.099 it's 00:23:13.099 --> 00:23:13.579 short-lived, 00:23:13.779 --> 00:23:14.200 doesn't bring 00:23:14.200 --> 00:23:14.640 any lasting 00:23:14.640 --> 00:23:15.079 change. 00:23:15.160 --> 00:23:15.420 It's like 00:23:15.420 --> 00:23:16.059 the seed 00:23:16.059 --> 00:23:16.460 that falls 00:23:16.460 --> 00:23:16.779 on the 00:23:16.779 --> 00:23:17.019 stony 00:23:17.019 --> 00:23:17.420 ground, 00:23:17.720 --> 00:23:18.059 says there 00:23:18.059 --> 00:23:18.339 in verse 00:23:18.339 --> 00:23:18.680 five, 00:23:18.819 --> 00:23:19.019 and he 00:23:19.019 --> 00:23:19.559 explains it 00:23:19.559 --> 00:23:19.839 in verse 00:23:19.839 --> 00:23:20.319 50, 00:23:20.720 --> 00:23:21.039 that he 00:23:21.039 --> 00:23:21.599 hears the 00:23:21.599 --> 00:23:21.920 word, 00:23:22.259 --> 00:23:22.920 immediately 00:23:22.920 --> 00:23:23.980 receives it 00:23:23.980 --> 00:23:24.900 with joy, 00:23:24.900 --> 00:23:28.320 but it's 00:23:28.320 --> 00:23:28.560 got no 00:23:28.560 --> 00:23:28.780 root. 00:23:30.060 --> 00:23:30.360 And it 00:23:30.360 --> 00:23:31.019 lasts for a 00:23:31.019 --> 00:23:31.480 little while 00:23:31.480 --> 00:23:31.759 and when 00:23:31.759 --> 00:23:32.480 tribulation or 00:23:32.480 --> 00:23:32.840 persecution 00:23:32.840 --> 00:23:33.420 arises on 00:23:33.420 --> 00:23:33.720 account of 00:23:33.720 --> 00:23:33.860 the word, 00:23:33.940 --> 00:23:34.580 it immediately 00:23:34.580 --> 00:23:35.320 falls away. 00:23:36.740 --> 00:23:37.320 And so we 00:23:37.320 --> 00:23:37.720 talk about 00:23:37.720 --> 00:23:37.980 people, 00:23:38.060 --> 00:23:38.440 don't we, 00:23:38.440 --> 00:23:40.120 with rocks in 00:23:40.120 --> 00:23:40.740 their heads. 00:23:40.740 --> 00:23:40.779 rocks, 00:23:41.259 --> 00:23:43.140 but Jesus 00:23:43.140 --> 00:23:44.039 says we 00:23:44.039 --> 00:23:44.420 have rocks 00:23:44.420 --> 00:23:44.700 in our 00:23:44.700 --> 00:23:45.059 hearts. 00:23:47.380 --> 00:23:47.700 Our 00:23:47.700 --> 00:23:48.079 garden, 00:23:48.180 --> 00:23:48.539 certain parts 00:23:48.539 --> 00:23:48.740 of our 00:23:48.740 --> 00:23:49.079 garden has 00:23:49.079 --> 00:23:49.440 got a 00:23:49.440 --> 00:23:50.120 really thin 00:23:50.120 --> 00:23:50.720 level of 00:23:50.720 --> 00:23:51.160 soil, 00:23:51.720 --> 00:23:52.400 so the 00:23:52.400 --> 00:23:52.960 grass doesn't 00:23:52.960 --> 00:23:53.680 really grow 00:23:53.680 --> 00:23:53.980 in that 00:23:53.980 --> 00:23:54.319 area, 00:23:54.559 --> 00:23:54.980 because 00:23:54.980 --> 00:23:55.440 underneath 00:23:55.440 --> 00:23:55.819 it is 00:23:55.819 --> 00:23:56.359 the rock. 00:23:57.920 --> 00:23:58.240 And the 00:23:58.240 --> 00:23:58.880 grass kind 00:23:58.880 --> 00:23:59.259 of springs 00:23:59.259 --> 00:23:59.460 up, 00:23:59.500 --> 00:23:59.660 but when 00:23:59.660 --> 00:24:00.000 the sun 00:24:00.000 --> 00:24:00.240 comes, 00:24:00.299 --> 00:24:00.579 it just 00:24:00.579 --> 00:24:01.420 dies down. 00:24:03.720 --> 00:24:03.980 And there 00:24:03.980 --> 00:24:04.200 are people 00:24:04.200 --> 00:24:04.539 like that, 00:24:04.620 --> 00:24:04.920 they're 00:24:04.920 --> 00:24:05.500 superficial in 00:24:05.500 --> 00:24:06.000 their response, 00:24:06.319 --> 00:24:07.039 they respond 00:24:07.039 --> 00:24:07.960 with enthusiasm, 00:24:08.140 --> 00:24:08.539 a show of 00:24:08.539 --> 00:24:08.839 interest, 00:24:08.900 --> 00:24:09.079 but it's 00:24:09.079 --> 00:24:09.599 short-lived. 00:24:09.599 --> 00:24:10.899 And when 00:24:10.899 --> 00:24:11.539 trouble comes 00:24:11.539 --> 00:24:12.059 and persecution 00:24:12.059 --> 00:24:12.559 comes, 00:24:12.679 --> 00:24:12.939 they just 00:24:12.939 --> 00:24:13.399 back out. 00:24:14.339 --> 00:24:14.679 When it 00:24:14.679 --> 00:24:14.980 comes to 00:24:14.980 --> 00:24:15.699 standing in 00:24:15.699 --> 00:24:16.199 work or 00:24:16.199 --> 00:24:16.679 in school, 00:24:16.819 --> 00:24:17.379 they just 00:24:17.379 --> 00:24:17.980 back off. 00:24:20.079 --> 00:24:20.599 You don't 00:24:20.599 --> 00:24:20.980 see them 00:24:20.980 --> 00:24:21.219 anymore, 00:24:21.299 --> 00:24:21.639 maybe they're 00:24:21.639 --> 00:24:22.399 scandalized, 00:24:22.480 --> 00:24:22.899 they've never 00:24:22.899 --> 00:24:23.379 counted the 00:24:23.379 --> 00:24:23.579 cost, 00:24:23.659 --> 00:24:23.980 nobody's 00:24:23.980 --> 00:24:24.319 told them 00:24:24.319 --> 00:24:24.579 there's a 00:24:24.579 --> 00:24:24.919 cost. 00:24:26.419 --> 00:24:26.699 And when 00:24:26.699 --> 00:24:27.179 trouble and 00:24:27.179 --> 00:24:27.480 persecution 00:24:27.480 --> 00:24:28.219 comes, 00:24:28.459 --> 00:24:28.779 I didn't 00:24:28.779 --> 00:24:29.179 sign up for 00:24:29.179 --> 00:24:29.379 that. 00:24:30.539 --> 00:24:30.980 And you 00:24:30.980 --> 00:24:31.219 don't see 00:24:31.219 --> 00:24:31.539 them again. 00:24:31.599 --> 00:24:31.839 It's a 00:24:31.839 --> 00:24:32.359 surface, 00:24:32.599 --> 00:24:32.939 superficial 00:24:32.939 --> 00:24:33.579 response. 00:24:35.419 --> 00:24:35.859 How do 00:24:35.859 --> 00:24:36.299 you deal with 00:24:36.299 --> 00:24:36.659 people like 00:24:36.659 --> 00:24:36.859 that? 00:24:36.919 --> 00:24:37.219 Maybe you 00:24:37.219 --> 00:24:37.619 know people 00:24:37.619 --> 00:24:38.000 like that. 00:24:38.480 --> 00:24:38.839 Maybe they 00:24:38.839 --> 00:24:39.259 used to be 00:24:39.259 --> 00:24:39.559 here, 00:24:39.599 --> 00:24:39.919 they were 00:24:39.919 --> 00:24:40.559 full-on 00:24:40.559 --> 00:24:41.139 for a 00:24:41.139 --> 00:24:41.439 time, 00:24:41.619 --> 00:24:42.019 but now 00:24:42.019 --> 00:24:42.219 you don't 00:24:42.219 --> 00:24:42.519 see them 00:24:42.519 --> 00:24:42.839 anymore. 00:24:44.859 --> 00:24:45.339 How do 00:24:45.339 --> 00:24:45.699 you deal 00:24:45.699 --> 00:24:46.179 with the 00:24:46.179 --> 00:24:46.439 stony 00:24:46.439 --> 00:24:46.839 ground? 00:24:47.139 --> 00:24:47.259 Well, 00:24:47.279 --> 00:24:47.379 you've 00:24:47.379 --> 00:24:47.539 got to 00:24:47.539 --> 00:24:47.839 plough it 00:24:47.839 --> 00:24:47.959 up. 00:24:49.740 --> 00:24:50.099 You've 00:24:50.099 --> 00:24:50.240 got to 00:24:50.240 --> 00:24:50.519 get rid 00:24:50.519 --> 00:24:50.759 of those 00:24:50.759 --> 00:24:51.119 stones. 00:24:52.939 --> 00:24:53.119 Isn't 00:24:53.119 --> 00:24:53.339 that what 00:24:53.339 --> 00:24:53.759 Jesus did? 00:24:53.879 --> 00:24:54.299 I think 00:24:54.299 --> 00:24:54.439 of a 00:24:54.439 --> 00:24:54.679 couple of 00:24:54.679 --> 00:24:55.039 examples. 00:24:55.279 --> 00:24:55.639 In John 00:24:55.639 --> 00:24:56.219 chapter 4, 00:24:56.299 --> 00:24:56.719 he meets 00:24:56.719 --> 00:24:57.699 the woman 00:24:57.699 --> 00:24:58.019 at the 00:24:58.019 --> 00:24:58.379 well, 00:24:58.699 --> 00:24:59.459 and Jesus 00:24:59.459 --> 00:24:59.719 says, 00:24:59.799 --> 00:25:00.079 go and 00:25:00.079 --> 00:25:00.500 fetch your 00:25:00.500 --> 00:25:00.859 husband. 00:25:00.980 --> 00:25:01.219 And she 00:25:01.219 --> 00:25:01.639 says, 00:25:02.639 --> 00:25:03.480 well, 00:25:03.679 --> 00:25:03.839 they're 00:25:03.839 --> 00:25:04.079 having a 00:25:04.079 --> 00:25:04.419 nice little 00:25:04.419 --> 00:25:04.819 chat about 00:25:04.819 --> 00:25:05.259 water. 00:25:05.259 --> 00:25:07.059 And she's 00:25:07.059 --> 00:25:07.319 got to get 00:25:07.319 --> 00:25:07.759 water from 00:25:07.759 --> 00:25:08.339 the well. 00:25:08.339 --> 00:25:10.059 She goes 00:25:10.059 --> 00:25:10.319 in the 00:25:10.319 --> 00:25:10.579 middle of 00:25:10.579 --> 00:25:10.819 the day, 00:25:10.899 --> 00:25:11.159 the sun 00:25:11.159 --> 00:25:11.679 is blazing 00:25:11.679 --> 00:25:11.959 hot, 00:25:12.039 --> 00:25:12.339 and Jesus 00:25:12.339 --> 00:25:12.559 says, 00:25:12.639 --> 00:25:12.699 well, 00:25:12.720 --> 00:25:12.959 actually, 00:25:13.019 --> 00:25:13.179 I've 00:25:13.179 --> 00:25:13.579 got living 00:25:13.579 --> 00:25:14.079 water for 00:25:14.079 --> 00:25:14.279 you. 00:25:15.319 --> 00:25:15.759 I've got 00:25:15.759 --> 00:25:16.220 water on 00:25:16.220 --> 00:25:16.500 tap. 00:25:16.579 --> 00:25:16.919 She thinks 00:25:16.919 --> 00:25:17.240 to herself, 00:25:17.299 --> 00:25:17.459 that would 00:25:17.459 --> 00:25:17.959 be great, 00:25:18.019 --> 00:25:18.199 I wouldn't 00:25:18.199 --> 00:25:18.399 have to 00:25:18.399 --> 00:25:18.779 keep coming 00:25:18.779 --> 00:25:19.099 out here 00:25:19.099 --> 00:25:19.419 to get 00:25:19.419 --> 00:25:19.659 it. 00:25:21.419 --> 00:25:21.759 And 00:25:21.759 --> 00:25:21.859 they're 00:25:21.859 --> 00:25:22.159 having a 00:25:22.159 --> 00:25:22.519 nice little 00:25:22.519 --> 00:25:23.059 conversation. 00:25:24.519 --> 00:25:25.119 And Jesus 00:25:25.119 --> 00:25:25.779 is drawing 00:25:25.779 --> 00:25:26.019 her, 00:25:26.099 --> 00:25:26.579 he is giving 00:25:26.579 --> 00:25:27.079 her a thirst 00:25:27.079 --> 00:25:27.539 for something 00:25:27.539 --> 00:25:27.959 deeper, 00:25:28.199 --> 00:25:28.559 and then 00:25:28.559 --> 00:25:29.819 he suddenly 00:25:29.819 --> 00:25:30.759 introduces into 00:25:30.759 --> 00:25:31.319 the conversation, 00:25:31.480 --> 00:25:31.799 go and get 00:25:31.799 --> 00:25:32.259 your husband. 00:25:32.379 --> 00:25:32.619 She says, 00:25:32.659 --> 00:25:32.859 I haven't 00:25:32.859 --> 00:25:33.099 got a 00:25:33.099 --> 00:25:33.339 husband. 00:25:34.639 --> 00:25:35.000 He says, 00:25:35.039 --> 00:25:35.139 no, 00:25:35.140 --> 00:25:35.460 the truth 00:25:35.460 --> 00:25:35.600 is, 00:25:35.640 --> 00:25:35.740 you've 00:25:35.740 --> 00:25:35.920 actually 00:25:35.920 --> 00:25:36.400 had five 00:25:36.400 --> 00:25:36.720 husbands, 00:25:36.860 --> 00:25:37.040 and the 00:25:37.040 --> 00:25:37.320 man you're 00:25:37.320 --> 00:25:37.660 living with 00:25:37.660 --> 00:25:37.980 now is 00:25:37.980 --> 00:25:38.360 not your 00:25:38.360 --> 00:25:38.640 husband. 00:25:40.360 --> 00:25:40.660 And do you 00:25:40.660 --> 00:25:40.880 see what 00:25:40.880 --> 00:25:41.240 Jesus is 00:25:41.240 --> 00:25:41.560 doing there? 00:25:41.620 --> 00:25:41.920 He is 00:25:41.920 --> 00:25:42.480 ploughing 00:25:42.480 --> 00:25:43.140 up the 00:25:43.140 --> 00:25:43.600 ground, 00:25:44.759 --> 00:25:45.380 he's showing 00:25:45.380 --> 00:25:46.080 her her 00:25:46.080 --> 00:25:47.460 need of 00:25:47.460 --> 00:25:48.080 a saviour. 00:25:50.320 --> 00:25:50.880 She's a 00:25:50.880 --> 00:25:51.220 woman with 00:25:51.220 --> 00:25:52.280 many regrets, 00:25:52.420 --> 00:25:52.700 has done 00:25:52.700 --> 00:25:53.600 things that 00:25:53.600 --> 00:25:54.259 she bitterly 00:25:54.259 --> 00:25:54.900 regrets, 00:25:55.220 --> 00:25:55.720 there's stuff 00:25:55.720 --> 00:25:56.340 in her life 00:25:56.340 --> 00:25:56.980 that needs 00:25:56.980 --> 00:25:57.500 to be dealt 00:25:57.500 --> 00:25:57.900 with. 00:25:58.960 --> 00:25:59.780 If she is 00:25:59.780 --> 00:26:00.080 going to 00:26:00.080 --> 00:26:00.820 receive the 00:26:00.820 --> 00:26:01.520 living water 00:26:01.520 --> 00:26:01.980 that Jesus 00:26:01.980 --> 00:26:02.540 has come to 00:26:02.540 --> 00:26:02.860 give, 00:26:02.859 --> 00:26:05.139 he ploughs 00:26:05.139 --> 00:26:05.439 up the 00:26:05.439 --> 00:26:05.719 ground, 00:26:05.799 --> 00:26:06.240 it's painful. 00:26:08.339 --> 00:26:08.919 Why does 00:26:08.919 --> 00:26:09.359 he say to 00:26:09.359 --> 00:26:09.799 the rich 00:26:09.799 --> 00:26:10.439 young ruler, 00:26:10.799 --> 00:26:11.179 this guy 00:26:11.179 --> 00:26:11.479 who's got 00:26:11.479 --> 00:26:12.199 everything going 00:26:12.199 --> 00:26:12.679 for him, 00:26:12.759 --> 00:26:13.179 who turns 00:26:13.179 --> 00:26:13.459 up to 00:26:13.459 --> 00:26:13.799 church and 00:26:13.799 --> 00:26:14.099 people are 00:26:14.099 --> 00:26:14.539 tripping over 00:26:14.539 --> 00:26:15.059 themselves to 00:26:15.059 --> 00:26:15.379 welcoming. 00:26:16.500 --> 00:26:17.079 He's well 00:26:17.079 --> 00:26:17.479 known around 00:26:17.479 --> 00:26:17.779 town, 00:26:17.879 --> 00:26:18.359 he's wealthy, 00:26:18.500 --> 00:26:18.699 he's good 00:26:18.699 --> 00:26:18.939 looking, 00:26:19.099 --> 00:26:19.339 he's a 00:26:19.339 --> 00:26:19.919 moral guy, 00:26:20.019 --> 00:26:20.299 full of 00:26:20.299 --> 00:26:20.619 religion, 00:26:21.199 --> 00:26:21.719 and Jesus, 00:26:22.059 --> 00:26:22.579 he asks 00:26:22.579 --> 00:26:23.039 Jesus some 00:26:23.039 --> 00:26:23.639 good spiritual 00:26:23.639 --> 00:26:24.119 questions, 00:26:24.399 --> 00:26:24.959 what must I 00:26:24.959 --> 00:26:25.219 do to 00:26:25.219 --> 00:26:25.879 inherit eternal 00:26:25.879 --> 00:26:25.879 00:26:25.879 --> 00:26:26.619 What a great 00:26:26.619 --> 00:26:27.039 question! 00:26:28.839 --> 00:26:29.139 And Jesus 00:26:29.139 --> 00:26:29.339 says, 00:26:29.399 --> 00:26:29.699 you know the 00:26:29.699 --> 00:26:30.000 commandments, 00:26:30.139 --> 00:26:30.459 don't you? 00:26:30.619 --> 00:26:30.839 He says, 00:26:30.879 --> 00:26:31.339 I've kept 00:26:31.339 --> 00:26:31.799 them since I was 00:26:31.799 --> 00:26:32.159 a boy. 00:26:33.439 --> 00:26:33.879 Jesus says 00:26:33.879 --> 00:26:34.099 to him, 00:26:34.219 --> 00:26:34.500 and one 00:26:34.500 --> 00:26:34.779 thing you 00:26:34.779 --> 00:26:35.079 lack, 00:26:36.259 --> 00:26:36.819 he tears 00:26:36.819 --> 00:26:37.099 up the 00:26:37.099 --> 00:26:37.359 ground, 00:26:37.479 --> 00:26:37.919 he says, 00:26:38.099 --> 00:26:40.119 go and 00:26:40.119 --> 00:26:40.419 sell all 00:26:40.419 --> 00:26:40.619 that you 00:26:40.619 --> 00:26:40.879 have and 00:26:40.879 --> 00:26:41.079 give to 00:26:41.079 --> 00:26:41.359 the poor. 00:26:42.959 --> 00:26:43.500 That's not 00:26:43.500 --> 00:26:44.179 a general 00:26:44.179 --> 00:26:44.819 command that 00:26:44.819 --> 00:26:45.559 all Christians 00:26:45.559 --> 00:26:45.939 are supposed 00:26:45.939 --> 00:26:46.619 to obey. 00:26:48.159 --> 00:26:48.759 Jesus is 00:26:48.759 --> 00:26:49.319 dealing with 00:26:49.319 --> 00:26:49.959 an individual 00:26:49.959 --> 00:26:50.319 and the 00:26:50.319 --> 00:26:50.839 problem with 00:26:50.839 --> 00:26:51.259 this man is 00:26:51.259 --> 00:26:52.639 not that he's 00:26:52.639 --> 00:26:53.199 got money, 00:26:53.319 --> 00:26:53.779 but money 00:26:53.779 --> 00:26:54.559 has got him. 00:26:56.159 --> 00:26:56.899 He's greedy 00:26:56.899 --> 00:26:57.419 and covetous. 00:26:59.419 --> 00:26:59.899 And he 00:26:59.899 --> 00:27:00.539 doesn't realise 00:27:00.539 --> 00:27:01.259 it until Jesus 00:27:01.259 --> 00:27:01.779 puts his 00:27:01.779 --> 00:27:02.659 finger on it. 00:27:02.859 --> 00:27:04.659 And challenges 00:27:04.659 --> 00:27:05.059 about him. 00:27:05.259 --> 00:27:05.439 Do you see 00:27:05.439 --> 00:27:05.779 what Jesus 00:27:05.779 --> 00:27:06.039 is doing 00:27:06.039 --> 00:27:06.179 there? 00:27:06.240 --> 00:27:06.479 He's 00:27:06.479 --> 00:27:06.899 ploughing 00:27:06.899 --> 00:27:07.259 up the 00:27:07.259 --> 00:27:09.079 soil in 00:27:09.079 --> 00:27:09.559 order that 00:27:09.559 --> 00:27:10.079 that seed 00:27:10.079 --> 00:27:10.459 might be 00:27:10.459 --> 00:27:10.759 sown. 00:27:10.759 --> 00:27:15.160 for people 00:27:15.160 --> 00:27:15.599 to become 00:27:15.599 --> 00:27:16.619 real Christians 00:27:16.619 --> 00:27:17.319 for the 00:27:17.319 --> 00:27:17.879 long haul, 00:27:18.039 --> 00:27:18.599 then it's 00:27:18.599 --> 00:27:19.059 so important 00:27:19.059 --> 00:27:19.319 that they 00:27:19.319 --> 00:27:19.799 come to 00:27:19.799 --> 00:27:20.259 Jesus for 00:27:20.259 --> 00:27:20.579 the right 00:27:20.579 --> 00:27:20.980 reason. 00:27:23.640 --> 00:27:24.019 Martin Oll 00:27:24.019 --> 00:27:24.379 Jones was 00:27:24.379 --> 00:27:24.660 a great 00:27:24.660 --> 00:27:25.779 preacher in 00:27:25.779 --> 00:27:26.160 the 20th 00:27:26.160 --> 00:27:26.759 century in 00:27:26.759 --> 00:27:27.539 central London. 00:27:28.220 --> 00:27:28.680 On Sunday 00:27:28.680 --> 00:27:28.859 night, 00:27:28.960 --> 00:27:29.740 3,000 people 00:27:29.740 --> 00:27:30.720 would go and 00:27:30.720 --> 00:27:31.160 hear him. 00:27:32.539 --> 00:27:32.940 And he's 00:27:32.940 --> 00:27:33.480 a very powerful 00:27:33.480 --> 00:27:33.859 preacher. 00:27:34.420 --> 00:27:34.940 And the story 00:27:34.940 --> 00:27:35.440 is told of a 00:27:35.440 --> 00:27:36.220 man one night 00:27:36.220 --> 00:27:37.539 when the 00:27:37.539 --> 00:27:37.860 doctor had 00:27:37.860 --> 00:27:38.200 preached a 00:27:38.200 --> 00:27:38.440 very, 00:27:38.539 --> 00:27:38.960 very powerful 00:27:38.960 --> 00:27:39.259 sermon, 00:27:39.339 --> 00:27:39.579 the man 00:27:39.579 --> 00:27:39.860 came up 00:27:39.860 --> 00:27:40.339 to him 00:27:40.339 --> 00:27:41.839 afterwards and 00:27:41.839 --> 00:27:41.980 said, 00:27:42.059 --> 00:27:42.220 Doctor, 00:27:42.460 --> 00:27:43.360 if you had 00:27:43.360 --> 00:27:43.700 given an 00:27:43.700 --> 00:27:44.100 altar call, 00:27:44.180 --> 00:27:44.480 if you had 00:27:44.480 --> 00:27:45.279 invited those 00:27:45.279 --> 00:27:45.600 who wanted to 00:27:45.600 --> 00:27:46.160 make a response 00:27:46.160 --> 00:27:47.019 to come to 00:27:47.019 --> 00:27:47.579 the front, 00:27:48.140 --> 00:27:50.100 I would have 00:27:50.100 --> 00:27:50.600 come forward. 00:27:50.599 --> 00:27:53.119 And the 00:27:53.119 --> 00:27:53.639 doctor said 00:27:53.639 --> 00:27:54.339 to him, 00:27:55.219 --> 00:27:55.919 if you don't 00:27:55.919 --> 00:27:56.379 want Jesus 00:27:56.379 --> 00:27:57.059 five minutes 00:27:57.059 --> 00:27:57.639 after the 00:27:57.639 --> 00:27:57.919 sermon, 00:27:58.879 --> 00:27:59.439 you really 00:27:59.439 --> 00:28:00.039 don't want 00:28:00.039 --> 00:28:00.179 him. 00:28:02.759 --> 00:28:03.359 It's not 00:28:03.359 --> 00:28:03.759 about a 00:28:03.759 --> 00:28:04.159 surface 00:28:04.159 --> 00:28:04.740 emotion, 00:28:05.859 --> 00:28:06.759 but how 00:28:06.759 --> 00:28:07.119 much do 00:28:07.119 --> 00:28:07.619 you really 00:28:07.619 --> 00:28:08.079 want the 00:28:08.079 --> 00:28:08.519 Lord Jesus? 00:28:10.099 --> 00:28:11.199 How serious 00:28:11.199 --> 00:28:11.919 are you about 00:28:11.919 --> 00:28:13.459 following Jesus? 00:28:13.679 --> 00:28:14.259 That is the 00:28:14.259 --> 00:28:14.779 test, isn't 00:28:14.779 --> 00:28:14.879 it? 00:28:14.899 --> 00:28:15.639 Not a surface 00:28:15.639 --> 00:28:16.319 emotion, how 00:28:16.319 --> 00:28:17.039 you feel, 00:28:17.579 --> 00:28:18.159 but serious 00:28:18.159 --> 00:28:18.779 discipleship. 00:28:19.019 --> 00:28:19.480 What are the 00:28:19.480 --> 00:28:20.359 rocks this 00:28:20.359 --> 00:28:20.859 morning that 00:28:20.859 --> 00:28:21.740 need removing 00:28:21.740 --> 00:28:23.779 for you to 00:28:23.779 --> 00:28:24.159 be a genuine 00:28:24.159 --> 00:28:24.679 follower of 00:28:24.679 --> 00:28:24.899 Jesus? 00:28:26.799 --> 00:28:27.439 But even 00:28:27.439 --> 00:28:28.079 more dangerous 00:28:28.079 --> 00:28:28.379 on the 00:28:28.379 --> 00:28:29.379 hardness of 00:28:29.379 --> 00:28:30.019 the wayside 00:28:30.019 --> 00:28:30.519 here and 00:28:30.519 --> 00:28:31.339 the shallowness 00:28:31.339 --> 00:28:31.699 of the 00:28:31.699 --> 00:28:32.379 stony ground 00:28:32.379 --> 00:28:33.439 is the 00:28:33.439 --> 00:28:33.779 thorny 00:28:33.779 --> 00:28:34.339 ground here. 00:28:34.419 --> 00:28:34.599 Look at 00:28:34.599 --> 00:28:35.339 verse 22. 00:28:37.359 --> 00:28:37.619 As for 00:28:37.619 --> 00:28:37.799 what was 00:28:37.799 --> 00:28:38.219 sown among 00:28:38.219 --> 00:28:38.599 thorns, 00:28:38.779 --> 00:28:39.099 this is the 00:28:39.099 --> 00:28:39.339 one who 00:28:39.339 --> 00:28:39.899 hears the 00:28:39.899 --> 00:28:40.459 word, 00:28:42.459 --> 00:28:43.199 but the 00:28:43.199 --> 00:28:43.679 cares of the 00:28:43.679 --> 00:28:44.079 world and 00:28:44.079 --> 00:28:44.719 the deceitfulness 00:28:44.719 --> 00:28:45.359 of riches 00:28:45.359 --> 00:28:46.079 choke the 00:28:46.079 --> 00:28:46.579 word and 00:28:46.579 --> 00:28:46.959 it proves 00:28:46.959 --> 00:28:47.539 unfruitful. 00:28:48.859 --> 00:28:49.399 The word 00:28:49.399 --> 00:28:49.939 grows, 00:28:50.359 --> 00:28:51.019 but so 00:28:51.019 --> 00:28:51.279 do the 00:28:51.279 --> 00:28:52.959 weeds and 00:28:52.959 --> 00:28:53.479 the weeds 00:28:53.479 --> 00:28:54.240 take over 00:28:54.240 --> 00:28:56.319 because the 00:28:56.319 --> 00:28:56.740 weeds are 00:28:56.740 --> 00:28:57.359 competing for 00:28:57.359 --> 00:28:57.779 the same 00:28:57.779 --> 00:28:58.259 nutrients, 00:28:58.399 --> 00:28:58.599 the same 00:28:58.599 --> 00:28:58.959 light. 00:29:00.859 --> 00:29:01.139 And I 00:29:01.139 --> 00:29:01.439 think many 00:29:01.439 --> 00:29:01.759 of us fall 00:29:01.759 --> 00:29:02.059 into this 00:29:02.059 --> 00:29:02.299 trap. 00:29:03.979 --> 00:29:04.639 I get a 00:29:04.639 --> 00:29:05.299 notification on 00:29:05.299 --> 00:29:05.919 my phone every 00:29:05.919 --> 00:29:06.559 Monday that 00:29:06.559 --> 00:29:07.079 tells me how 00:29:07.079 --> 00:29:07.619 much screen 00:29:07.619 --> 00:29:08.059 time I've 00:29:08.059 --> 00:29:08.399 used. 00:29:09.479 --> 00:29:09.879 Incredibly, 00:29:10.059 --> 00:29:10.419 it almost 00:29:10.419 --> 00:29:11.459 always seems to 00:29:11.459 --> 00:29:12.619 be 20% less 00:29:12.619 --> 00:29:13.019 than the week 00:29:13.019 --> 00:29:13.459 before. 00:29:14.399 --> 00:29:14.779 I'm pretty 00:29:14.779 --> 00:29:15.119 sure that's 00:29:15.119 --> 00:29:15.359 not the 00:29:15.359 --> 00:29:15.619 case. 00:29:15.619 --> 00:29:19.319 but I 00:29:19.319 --> 00:29:19.879 think in 00:29:19.879 --> 00:29:20.299 my life 00:29:20.299 --> 00:29:20.739 there's far 00:29:20.739 --> 00:29:21.099 too much 00:29:21.099 --> 00:29:22.299 screen time 00:29:22.299 --> 00:29:23.159 and not 00:29:23.159 --> 00:29:23.639 enough Bible 00:29:23.639 --> 00:29:23.959 time. 00:29:25.459 --> 00:29:26.079 Think how 00:29:26.079 --> 00:29:26.739 twitchy you 00:29:26.739 --> 00:29:27.459 get when 00:29:27.459 --> 00:29:27.879 you leave 00:29:27.879 --> 00:29:28.299 your phone 00:29:28.299 --> 00:29:28.759 at home. 00:29:29.699 --> 00:29:30.139 Think how 00:29:30.139 --> 00:29:30.859 panicky you 00:29:30.859 --> 00:29:31.279 get when 00:29:31.279 --> 00:29:31.899 you can't 00:29:31.899 --> 00:29:33.439 find your 00:29:33.439 --> 00:29:33.779 phone. 00:29:35.559 --> 00:29:36.239 Too much 00:29:36.239 --> 00:29:36.799 screen time, 00:29:36.899 --> 00:29:37.119 too little 00:29:37.119 --> 00:29:37.639 Bible time. 00:29:39.239 --> 00:29:39.699 And sometimes 00:29:39.699 --> 00:29:40.419 we think we 00:29:40.419 --> 00:29:41.099 hear the word, 00:29:41.239 --> 00:29:41.539 read our 00:29:41.539 --> 00:29:41.839 Bibles, 00:29:41.959 --> 00:29:42.179 but the 00:29:42.179 --> 00:29:42.759 cares of this 00:29:42.759 --> 00:29:43.220 world, 00:29:44.379 --> 00:29:45.000 the deceitfulness 00:29:45.000 --> 00:29:45.640 of riches, 00:29:46.440 --> 00:29:46.920 they just 00:29:46.920 --> 00:29:47.279 begin to 00:29:47.279 --> 00:29:47.779 choke us. 00:29:49.700 --> 00:29:50.339 To change 00:29:50.339 --> 00:29:50.779 the metaphor, 00:29:51.400 --> 00:29:51.980 there's no 00:29:51.980 --> 00:29:52.339 more room 00:29:52.339 --> 00:29:52.559 on the 00:29:52.559 --> 00:29:53.180 hard drive. 00:29:54.539 --> 00:29:55.240 Our hearts 00:29:55.240 --> 00:29:56.200 are overcrowded 00:29:56.200 --> 00:29:56.799 with things. 00:29:57.039 --> 00:29:57.559 There's just 00:29:57.559 --> 00:29:58.180 too much 00:29:58.180 --> 00:29:58.579 in our 00:29:58.579 --> 00:29:59.200 lives. 00:30:00.160 --> 00:30:00.559 The things 00:30:00.559 --> 00:30:01.160 we see 00:30:01.160 --> 00:30:01.640 on the 00:30:01.640 --> 00:30:01.920 internet 00:30:01.920 --> 00:30:02.299 and the 00:30:02.299 --> 00:30:02.599 shops 00:30:02.599 --> 00:30:02.859 that we 00:30:02.859 --> 00:30:03.079 worry 00:30:03.079 --> 00:30:03.359 about. 00:30:05.039 --> 00:30:05.379 And maybe 00:30:05.379 --> 00:30:05.940 as I 00:30:05.940 --> 00:30:07.160 talk this 00:30:07.160 --> 00:30:07.480 morning, 00:30:07.640 --> 00:30:07.879 there are 00:30:07.879 --> 00:30:08.299 things that 00:30:08.299 --> 00:30:08.799 you know 00:30:08.799 --> 00:30:09.119 in your 00:30:09.119 --> 00:30:09.279 life, 00:30:09.359 --> 00:30:09.799 they've 00:30:09.799 --> 00:30:10.259 just 00:30:10.259 --> 00:30:11.180 crowded 00:30:11.180 --> 00:30:11.640 out the 00:30:11.640 --> 00:30:12.039 seed. 00:30:13.759 --> 00:30:14.240 The 00:30:14.240 --> 00:30:14.460 world 00:30:14.460 --> 00:30:15.019 comes and 00:30:15.019 --> 00:30:15.799 it wraps 00:30:15.799 --> 00:30:16.299 itself 00:30:16.299 --> 00:30:16.900 around us 00:30:16.900 --> 00:30:17.180 like a 00:30:17.180 --> 00:30:17.339 boa 00:30:17.339 --> 00:30:17.980 constrictor 00:30:17.980 --> 00:30:18.619 and it 00:30:18.619 --> 00:30:19.599 squeezes 00:30:19.599 --> 00:30:20.200 the life 00:30:20.200 --> 00:30:20.640 out of us. 00:30:20.700 --> 00:30:20.900 We don't 00:30:20.900 --> 00:30:21.400 realise at 00:30:21.400 --> 00:30:21.819 first. 00:30:23.519 --> 00:30:23.759 And what 00:30:23.759 --> 00:30:24.160 Jesus is 00:30:24.160 --> 00:30:24.539 saying here 00:30:24.539 --> 00:30:24.779 is that 00:30:24.779 --> 00:30:25.359 to listen 00:30:25.359 --> 00:30:25.819 to the 00:30:25.819 --> 00:30:26.299 word, 00:30:26.420 --> 00:30:26.859 the life 00:30:26.859 --> 00:30:27.099 giving 00:30:27.099 --> 00:30:27.400 word, 00:30:27.480 --> 00:30:27.740 is the 00:30:27.740 --> 00:30:28.059 most 00:30:28.059 --> 00:30:28.359 important 00:30:28.359 --> 00:30:28.519 thing 00:30:28.519 --> 00:30:28.759 you do 00:30:28.759 --> 00:30:28.900 all 00:30:28.900 --> 00:30:29.140 week. 00:30:30.779 --> 00:30:31.039 And so 00:30:31.039 --> 00:30:31.440 it's not 00:30:31.440 --> 00:30:31.900 me just 00:30:31.900 --> 00:30:32.539 preparing a 00:30:32.539 --> 00:30:33.039 talk and 00:30:33.039 --> 00:30:33.440 giving it. 00:30:33.559 --> 00:30:33.900 It is 00:30:33.900 --> 00:30:34.539 King Jesus 00:30:34.539 --> 00:30:35.619 speaking to 00:30:35.619 --> 00:30:36.079 you through 00:30:36.079 --> 00:30:36.720 his word, 00:30:38.259 --> 00:30:39.039 inviting you 00:30:39.039 --> 00:30:39.839 to respond. 00:30:40.500 --> 00:30:40.839 And there's 00:30:40.839 --> 00:30:41.700 nothing more 00:30:41.700 --> 00:30:42.400 vital than 00:30:42.400 --> 00:30:42.720 what we 00:30:42.720 --> 00:30:43.420 do as 00:30:43.420 --> 00:30:43.880 we gather 00:30:43.880 --> 00:30:44.160 as the 00:30:44.160 --> 00:30:44.500 people of 00:30:44.500 --> 00:30:44.880 God to 00:30:44.880 --> 00:30:45.140 hear the 00:30:45.140 --> 00:30:45.380 word of 00:30:45.380 --> 00:30:45.660 God. 00:30:47.840 --> 00:30:48.140 And so 00:30:48.140 --> 00:30:48.500 what kind 00:30:48.500 --> 00:30:48.900 of soil 00:30:48.900 --> 00:30:49.360 are you? 00:30:51.200 --> 00:30:51.840 What kind 00:30:51.840 --> 00:30:52.400 of response 00:30:52.400 --> 00:30:53.000 do you give 00:30:53.000 --> 00:30:53.380 to the 00:30:53.380 --> 00:30:53.759 word of 00:30:53.759 --> 00:30:54.019 God? 00:30:54.120 --> 00:30:54.460 Every 00:30:54.460 --> 00:30:54.880 parable 00:30:54.880 --> 00:30:55.160 has a 00:30:55.160 --> 00:30:55.740 punchline 00:30:55.740 --> 00:30:56.400 and that 00:30:56.400 --> 00:30:56.640 is the 00:30:56.640 --> 00:30:56.920 thing to 00:30:56.920 --> 00:30:57.220 remember 00:30:57.220 --> 00:30:57.500 about the 00:30:57.500 --> 00:30:57.940 parables. 00:30:58.759 --> 00:30:59.060 And the 00:30:59.060 --> 00:30:59.500 punchline 00:30:59.500 --> 00:30:59.820 is there 00:30:59.820 --> 00:31:00.160 in verse 00:31:00.160 --> 00:31:01.540 23. 00:31:01.539 --> 00:31:01.779 three. 00:31:04.019 --> 00:31:04.579 As for 00:31:04.579 --> 00:31:04.799 what was 00:31:04.799 --> 00:31:05.180 sown on 00:31:05.180 --> 00:31:05.680 good soil, 00:31:05.799 --> 00:31:06.039 this is 00:31:06.039 --> 00:31:06.240 the one 00:31:06.240 --> 00:31:06.659 who hears 00:31:06.659 --> 00:31:07.079 the word, 00:31:07.180 --> 00:31:07.839 understand it, 00:31:07.920 --> 00:31:08.319 and indeed 00:31:08.319 --> 00:31:09.159 bear fruit 00:31:09.159 --> 00:31:09.859 and yields 00:31:09.859 --> 00:31:10.279 in one 00:31:10.279 --> 00:31:10.639 case a 00:31:10.639 --> 00:31:11.200 hundredfold, 00:31:11.319 --> 00:31:11.480 another 00:31:11.480 --> 00:31:12.299 sixty, 00:31:12.500 --> 00:31:12.740 and in 00:31:12.740 --> 00:31:13.039 another 00:31:13.039 --> 00:31:13.500 thirty. 00:31:14.039 --> 00:31:14.359 And so 00:31:14.359 --> 00:31:14.879 it ends 00:31:14.879 --> 00:31:15.440 this parable 00:31:15.440 --> 00:31:15.700 in a 00:31:15.700 --> 00:31:15.960 very 00:31:15.960 --> 00:31:16.379 positive 00:31:16.379 --> 00:31:16.639 note. 00:31:16.720 --> 00:31:16.879 Let me 00:31:16.879 --> 00:31:17.119 finish 00:31:17.119 --> 00:31:17.500 with this. 00:31:19.279 --> 00:31:19.599 Jesus 00:31:19.599 --> 00:31:20.240 concludes 00:31:20.240 --> 00:31:20.539 his 00:31:20.539 --> 00:31:20.980 parable 00:31:20.980 --> 00:31:21.920 with a 00:31:21.920 --> 00:31:22.279 promise 00:31:22.279 --> 00:31:22.559 of 00:31:22.559 --> 00:31:23.220 super 00:31:23.220 --> 00:31:24.099 abundant 00:31:24.099 --> 00:31:24.779 harvest. 00:31:24.779 --> 00:31:27.000 It's 00:31:27.000 --> 00:31:27.220 probably 00:31:27.220 --> 00:31:27.740 lost on 00:31:27.740 --> 00:31:28.039 us, 00:31:28.619 --> 00:31:30.399 but the 00:31:30.399 --> 00:31:30.819 average 00:31:30.819 --> 00:31:31.420 harvest 00:31:31.420 --> 00:31:32.559 in that 00:31:32.559 --> 00:31:33.059 barren 00:31:33.059 --> 00:31:33.460 desert 00:31:33.460 --> 00:31:33.899 region 00:31:33.899 --> 00:31:34.859 was never 00:31:34.859 --> 00:31:35.440 any more 00:31:35.440 --> 00:31:35.619 than 00:31:35.619 --> 00:31:36.099 seven or 00:31:36.099 --> 00:31:36.279 eight 00:31:36.279 --> 00:31:36.700 percent. 00:31:37.980 --> 00:31:38.319 Never 00:31:38.319 --> 00:31:38.980 seven or 00:31:38.980 --> 00:31:39.879 eight times 00:31:39.879 --> 00:31:41.000 the amount 00:31:41.000 --> 00:31:41.379 of seeds 00:31:41.379 --> 00:31:41.740 sown. 00:31:42.940 --> 00:31:43.960 So ten 00:31:43.960 --> 00:31:45.059 times the 00:31:45.059 --> 00:31:45.579 seeds that 00:31:45.579 --> 00:31:46.079 were sown, 00:31:46.299 --> 00:31:46.720 that's an 00:31:46.720 --> 00:31:47.000 abundant 00:31:47.000 --> 00:31:47.599 harvest. 00:31:48.740 --> 00:31:49.399 Twenty 00:31:49.399 --> 00:31:50.420 times would 00:31:50.420 --> 00:31:51.599 be exceptional. 00:31:53.220 --> 00:31:53.779 Thirty 00:31:53.779 --> 00:31:54.599 times, 00:31:54.779 --> 00:31:55.559 would be 00:31:55.559 --> 00:31:56.440 unthinkable. 00:31:56.799 --> 00:31:57.440 Sixty 00:31:57.440 --> 00:31:57.940 times 00:31:57.940 --> 00:31:59.019 unfathomable. 00:31:59.399 --> 00:31:59.639 One 00:31:59.639 --> 00:31:59.960 hundred 00:31:59.960 --> 00:32:00.879 times 00:32:00.879 --> 00:32:01.980 glorious. 00:32:04.399 --> 00:32:05.139 So what 00:32:05.139 --> 00:32:05.519 Jesus is 00:32:05.519 --> 00:32:06.000 saying here, 00:32:06.119 --> 00:32:06.420 he's not 00:32:06.420 --> 00:32:07.480 saying all 00:32:07.480 --> 00:32:08.200 Christians will 00:32:08.200 --> 00:32:08.680 bear fruit, 00:32:08.779 --> 00:32:09.039 some will 00:32:09.039 --> 00:32:09.879 bear a 00:32:09.879 --> 00:32:10.160 lot of 00:32:10.160 --> 00:32:10.440 fruit, 00:32:11.819 --> 00:32:12.399 some will 00:32:12.399 --> 00:32:13.579 bear enough 00:32:13.579 --> 00:32:13.879 fruit. 00:32:14.879 --> 00:32:15.539 He's saying 00:32:15.539 --> 00:32:16.440 all Christians 00:32:16.440 --> 00:32:17.720 will bear 00:32:17.720 --> 00:32:18.099 lots of 00:32:18.099 --> 00:32:18.299 fruit, 00:32:18.500 --> 00:32:18.779 some a 00:32:18.779 --> 00:32:18.980 lot, 00:32:19.460 --> 00:32:19.839 some a 00:32:19.839 --> 00:32:20.200 whole lot 00:32:20.200 --> 00:32:20.440 more, 00:32:21.680 --> 00:32:22.059 some an 00:32:22.059 --> 00:32:22.480 extraordinary 00:32:22.480 --> 00:32:22.819 amount. 00:32:24.779 --> 00:32:25.639 And that's 00:32:25.639 --> 00:32:26.099 the test of 00:32:26.099 --> 00:32:26.420 whether or 00:32:26.420 --> 00:32:26.799 not you're 00:32:26.799 --> 00:32:27.039 a good 00:32:27.039 --> 00:32:27.440 soil for 00:32:27.440 --> 00:32:27.859 the gospel. 00:32:28.059 --> 00:32:28.519 Is the 00:32:28.519 --> 00:32:29.299 word bearing 00:32:29.299 --> 00:32:29.839 fruit in 00:32:29.839 --> 00:32:30.279 your life? 00:32:31.799 --> 00:32:32.379 They all 00:32:32.379 --> 00:32:32.680 hear the 00:32:32.680 --> 00:32:32.980 word, 00:32:34.019 --> 00:32:34.619 hard hearts, 00:32:34.740 --> 00:32:34.879 shallow 00:32:34.879 --> 00:32:35.200 hearts, 00:32:35.319 --> 00:32:35.500 thorny 00:32:35.500 --> 00:32:35.859 hearts, 00:32:36.000 --> 00:32:36.319 but it's 00:32:36.319 --> 00:32:36.660 only the 00:32:36.660 --> 00:32:37.059 good soil 00:32:37.059 --> 00:32:37.379 that bears 00:32:37.379 --> 00:32:37.619 fruit. 00:32:39.619 --> 00:32:40.220 The good 00:32:40.220 --> 00:32:40.740 hearer 00:32:40.740 --> 00:32:41.279 welcomes 00:32:41.279 --> 00:32:41.960 the word 00:32:41.960 --> 00:32:43.099 so it 00:32:43.099 --> 00:32:43.399 can't be 00:32:43.399 --> 00:32:43.680 snatched 00:32:43.680 --> 00:32:44.099 away. 00:32:47.099 --> 00:32:47.680 Burrows it 00:32:47.680 --> 00:32:49.680 deep so 00:32:49.680 --> 00:32:49.859 that it 00:32:49.859 --> 00:32:50.019 won't 00:32:50.019 --> 00:32:50.500 wither and 00:32:50.500 --> 00:32:50.839 die. 00:32:52.480 --> 00:32:52.720 And 00:32:52.720 --> 00:32:54.639 exclusively it 00:32:54.639 --> 00:32:55.079 hangs onto 00:32:55.079 --> 00:32:55.399 the word, 00:32:55.460 --> 00:32:56.019 nothing else 00:32:56.019 --> 00:32:56.899 in case it's 00:32:56.899 --> 00:32:57.279 strangled. 00:32:59.460 --> 00:32:59.700 And so 00:32:59.700 --> 00:33:00.180 what kind 00:33:00.180 --> 00:33:00.619 of soil 00:33:00.619 --> 00:33:01.220 this morning 00:33:01.220 --> 00:33:01.639 are you? 00:33:04.039 --> 00:33:04.480 Careless 00:33:04.480 --> 00:33:04.899 hearer. 00:33:06.539 --> 00:33:06.819 Notice 00:33:06.819 --> 00:33:07.079 you need to 00:33:07.079 --> 00:33:07.539 hear the 00:33:07.539 --> 00:33:07.740 word, 00:33:07.799 --> 00:33:07.940 then we're 00:33:07.940 --> 00:33:08.059 onto 00:33:08.059 --> 00:33:08.279 something 00:33:08.279 --> 00:33:08.639 else. 00:33:08.640 --> 00:33:12.060 receiving 00:33:12.060 --> 00:33:12.360 it with 00:33:12.360 --> 00:33:12.780 joy but 00:33:12.780 --> 00:33:13.280 actually never 00:33:13.280 --> 00:33:13.920 really deeply 00:33:13.920 --> 00:33:14.540 applying it. 00:33:15.500 --> 00:33:15.820 Never 00:33:15.820 --> 00:33:16.460 seriously 00:33:16.460 --> 00:33:17.380 trying to 00:33:17.380 --> 00:33:17.580 live it 00:33:17.580 --> 00:33:17.820 out. 00:33:19.500 --> 00:33:20.140 Or the 00:33:20.140 --> 00:33:20.500 carnal 00:33:20.500 --> 00:33:21.160 hearer that 00:33:21.160 --> 00:33:22.840 responds but 00:33:22.840 --> 00:33:23.960 actually gets 00:33:23.960 --> 00:33:25.060 the life 00:33:25.060 --> 00:33:25.660 squeezed out 00:33:25.660 --> 00:33:26.500 of it by 00:33:26.500 --> 00:33:27.060 the cares 00:33:27.060 --> 00:33:27.320 of the 00:33:27.320 --> 00:33:27.700 world. 00:33:29.460 --> 00:33:29.960 Careful 00:33:29.960 --> 00:33:30.600 to receive 00:33:30.600 --> 00:33:32.780 what James 00:33:32.780 --> 00:33:33.240 calls the 00:33:33.240 --> 00:33:33.560 word that 00:33:33.560 --> 00:33:33.940 is able to 00:33:33.940 --> 00:33:34.320 save you. 00:33:36.380 --> 00:33:36.840 And that's 00:33:36.840 --> 00:33:37.100 what's at 00:33:37.100 --> 00:33:37.320 stake, 00:33:37.400 --> 00:33:37.540 isn't it? 00:33:37.560 --> 00:33:37.860 The saving 00:33:37.860 --> 00:33:38.140 of your 00:33:38.140 --> 00:33:38.440 soul. 00:33:38.640 --> 00:33:41.580 And so 00:33:41.580 --> 00:33:42.420 this very 00:33:42.420 --> 00:33:43.220 big result, 00:33:43.380 --> 00:33:43.580 can you 00:33:43.580 --> 00:33:43.880 see it? 00:33:45.460 --> 00:33:46.000 Can you 00:33:46.000 --> 00:33:46.259 just see 00:33:46.259 --> 00:33:46.560 with me 00:33:46.560 --> 00:33:47.500 for a 00:33:47.500 --> 00:33:47.720 couple of 00:33:47.720 --> 00:33:47.960 minutes 00:33:47.960 --> 00:33:48.540 what Jesus 00:33:48.540 --> 00:33:48.880 is doing 00:33:48.880 --> 00:33:49.180 here? 00:33:49.320 --> 00:33:49.700 He's not 00:33:49.700 --> 00:33:50.259 just talking 00:33:50.259 --> 00:33:50.720 about your 00:33:50.720 --> 00:33:51.300 personal 00:33:51.300 --> 00:33:51.920 salvation. 00:33:53.560 --> 00:33:54.320 What Jesus 00:33:54.320 --> 00:33:55.259 is doing 00:33:55.259 --> 00:33:55.860 is he's 00:33:55.860 --> 00:33:56.580 preparing his 00:33:56.580 --> 00:33:57.440 disciples and 00:33:57.440 --> 00:33:57.880 us as a 00:33:57.880 --> 00:33:58.240 church for 00:33:58.240 --> 00:33:58.680 the future. 00:34:00.000 --> 00:34:00.680 He's looking 00:34:00.680 --> 00:34:01.180 beyond his 00:34:01.180 --> 00:34:02.080 own lifetime, 00:34:02.320 --> 00:34:03.100 right up to 00:34:03.100 --> 00:34:03.860 today in 00:34:03.860 --> 00:34:04.120 fact. 00:34:05.640 --> 00:34:06.259 He's saying 00:34:06.259 --> 00:34:07.020 to us this 00:34:07.020 --> 00:34:07.540 morning, 00:34:07.539 --> 00:34:08.539 to his 00:34:08.539 --> 00:34:09.340 disciples in 00:34:09.340 --> 00:34:10.039 that room, 00:34:11.340 --> 00:34:11.860 welcome 00:34:11.860 --> 00:34:13.619 to word 00:34:13.619 --> 00:34:14.000 ministry. 00:34:15.279 --> 00:34:15.940 Welcome to 00:34:15.940 --> 00:34:16.619 gospel ministry. 00:34:17.159 --> 00:34:17.639 Yes, there's 00:34:17.639 --> 00:34:18.000 going to be 00:34:18.000 --> 00:34:18.599 heartbreak. 00:34:19.059 --> 00:34:19.420 There will 00:34:19.420 --> 00:34:20.420 be bitter 00:34:20.420 --> 00:34:21.619 disappointments. 00:34:22.480 --> 00:34:23.079 If you've been 00:34:23.079 --> 00:34:23.480 around this 00:34:23.480 --> 00:34:23.860 church, you'll 00:34:23.860 --> 00:34:24.300 have experienced 00:34:24.300 --> 00:34:24.619 that. 00:34:26.199 --> 00:34:26.659 You're up 00:34:26.659 --> 00:34:27.000 against a 00:34:27.000 --> 00:34:27.320 powerful 00:34:27.320 --> 00:34:27.800 opposition. 00:34:28.059 --> 00:34:28.259 You're up 00:34:28.259 --> 00:34:28.679 against the 00:34:28.679 --> 00:34:29.259 world, the 00:34:29.259 --> 00:34:29.800 flesh, and 00:34:29.800 --> 00:34:30.119 the devil. 00:34:30.179 --> 00:34:30.699 It's really 00:34:30.699 --> 00:34:31.300 easy to get 00:34:31.300 --> 00:34:31.739 discouraged. 00:34:32.179 --> 00:34:32.779 We do live 00:34:32.779 --> 00:34:33.279 in a day of 00:34:33.279 --> 00:34:34.019 small things. 00:34:34.019 --> 00:34:34.900 But in 00:34:34.900 --> 00:34:35.259 the midst 00:34:35.259 --> 00:34:35.739 of all the 00:34:35.739 --> 00:34:36.559 discouragements 00:34:36.559 --> 00:34:37.639 and setbacks, 00:34:38.039 --> 00:34:38.900 Jesus promises 00:34:38.900 --> 00:34:39.960 a harvest. 00:34:43.340 --> 00:34:43.980 And those 00:34:43.980 --> 00:34:44.519 hearing him 00:34:44.519 --> 00:34:45.179 would never 00:34:45.179 --> 00:34:45.579 have believed 00:34:45.579 --> 00:34:45.820 it was 00:34:45.820 --> 00:34:46.179 possible. 00:34:47.639 --> 00:34:48.079 Think of 00:34:48.079 --> 00:34:48.400 Jesus. 00:34:48.739 --> 00:34:49.300 He fell 00:34:49.300 --> 00:34:49.679 into the 00:34:49.679 --> 00:34:50.019 ground. 00:34:50.460 --> 00:34:51.239 He died, 00:34:51.500 --> 00:34:52.119 and he was 00:34:52.119 --> 00:34:52.719 buried. 00:34:53.619 --> 00:34:53.940 And what 00:34:53.940 --> 00:34:54.300 came of 00:34:54.300 --> 00:34:54.539 that? 00:34:55.179 --> 00:34:55.699 More than 00:34:55.699 --> 00:34:55.920 can be 00:34:55.920 --> 00:34:56.179 numbered. 00:34:57.219 --> 00:34:57.739 More than 00:34:57.739 --> 00:34:58.280 the stars in 00:34:58.280 --> 00:34:58.639 the sky, 00:34:58.759 --> 00:34:58.980 more than 00:34:58.980 --> 00:34:59.539 the sand on 00:34:59.539 --> 00:35:00.099 the seashore, 00:35:00.360 --> 00:35:00.780 more than 00:35:00.780 --> 00:35:01.000 can be 00:35:01.000 --> 00:35:01.199 numbered. 00:35:01.300 --> 00:35:01.539 Think of 00:35:01.539 --> 00:35:01.880 the twelve 00:35:01.880 --> 00:35:02.340 disciples, 00:35:02.480 --> 00:35:02.900 opposed, 00:35:03.139 --> 00:35:03.599 persecuted, 00:35:03.820 --> 00:35:04.219 martyred. 00:35:04.719 --> 00:35:05.039 And just 00:35:05.039 --> 00:35:05.960 25 years 00:35:05.960 --> 00:35:06.539 after Jesus 00:35:06.539 --> 00:35:07.340 spoke, the 00:35:07.340 --> 00:35:08.000 apostle Paul 00:35:08.000 --> 00:35:09.079 says, this 00:35:09.079 --> 00:35:10.960 gospel is 00:35:10.960 --> 00:35:11.800 bearing fruit 00:35:11.800 --> 00:35:12.719 all over the 00:35:12.719 --> 00:35:13.199 world, and 00:35:13.199 --> 00:35:13.659 it's growing. 00:35:14.460 --> 00:35:15.119 Right up to 00:35:15.119 --> 00:35:15.460 the present 00:35:15.460 --> 00:35:15.820 day, and we 00:35:15.820 --> 00:35:16.179 can say the 00:35:16.179 --> 00:35:16.460 same. 00:35:19.159 --> 00:35:20.360 This gospel is 00:35:20.360 --> 00:35:21.400 bearing fruit, and 00:35:21.400 --> 00:35:21.940 it is growing 00:35:21.940 --> 00:35:22.340 today. 00:35:22.579 --> 00:35:23.039 We might not 00:35:23.039 --> 00:35:23.519 see much of 00:35:23.519 --> 00:35:24.000 it in London, 00:35:24.279 --> 00:35:24.679 but there's 00:35:24.679 --> 00:35:25.539 revival happening 00:35:25.539 --> 00:35:26.119 in other parts 00:35:26.119 --> 00:35:26.599 of the world. 00:35:28.599 --> 00:35:29.519 And so don't 00:35:29.519 --> 00:35:29.960 lose your 00:35:29.960 --> 00:35:30.900 confidence in 00:35:30.900 --> 00:35:31.300 the word of 00:35:31.300 --> 00:35:31.539 God. 00:35:33.780 --> 00:35:34.260 Rudyard 00:35:34.260 --> 00:35:34.820 Kipling, in 00:35:34.820 --> 00:35:35.320 that famous 00:35:35.320 --> 00:35:36.060 poem If, 00:35:36.140 --> 00:35:36.740 said this, 00:35:37.620 --> 00:35:38.019 if you can 00:35:38.019 --> 00:35:38.700 bear to 00:35:38.700 --> 00:35:39.100 hear the 00:35:39.100 --> 00:35:39.800 truth you've 00:35:39.800 --> 00:35:40.700 spoken, twisted 00:35:40.700 --> 00:35:42.840 by knaves, to 00:35:42.840 --> 00:35:43.300 make a trap 00:35:43.300 --> 00:35:45.560 for fools, or 00:35:45.560 --> 00:35:46.019 watch the 00:35:46.019 --> 00:35:46.660 things you 00:35:46.660 --> 00:35:47.000 gave your 00:35:47.000 --> 00:35:47.420 life to 00:35:47.420 --> 00:35:48.860 broken, and 00:35:48.860 --> 00:35:49.519 stoop and 00:35:49.519 --> 00:35:49.880 build them 00:35:49.880 --> 00:35:50.240 up with 00:35:50.240 --> 00:35:50.640 worn-out 00:35:50.640 --> 00:35:52.840 tools, you'll 00:35:52.840 --> 00:35:53.440 be a man, my 00:35:53.440 --> 00:35:53.700 son. 00:35:55.440 --> 00:35:56.080 And that is 00:35:56.080 --> 00:35:57.060 the way to 00:35:57.060 --> 00:35:57.700 be a man or 00:35:57.700 --> 00:35:58.120 a woman of 00:35:58.120 --> 00:35:58.400 God. 00:35:59.860 --> 00:36:00.460 As a 00:36:00.460 --> 00:36:00.860 church, 00:36:01.300 --> 00:36:02.880 don't give 00:36:02.880 --> 00:36:03.580 up scattering 00:36:03.580 --> 00:36:04.039 the seed. 00:36:05.360 --> 00:36:06.160 Keep on 00:36:06.160 --> 00:36:07.180 scattering the 00:36:07.180 --> 00:36:07.380 seed. 00:36:08.140 --> 00:36:08.460 Let's pray. 00:36:13.880 --> 00:36:14.480 Father, we 00:36:14.480 --> 00:36:14.980 thank you for 00:36:14.980 --> 00:36:16.039 this vision of 00:36:16.039 --> 00:36:16.580 your kingdom 00:36:16.580 --> 00:36:16.940 that you've 00:36:16.940 --> 00:36:17.340 given us. 00:36:18.039 --> 00:36:18.440 And we 00:36:18.440 --> 00:36:18.760 pray that we 00:36:18.760 --> 00:36:19.120 wouldn't lose 00:36:19.120 --> 00:36:19.440 heart. 00:36:22.260 --> 00:36:23.160 We do see 00:36:23.160 --> 00:36:24.060 so little in 00:36:24.060 --> 00:36:24.420 terms of 00:36:24.420 --> 00:36:24.840 results. 00:36:25.760 --> 00:36:26.480 So few 00:36:26.480 --> 00:36:27.160 people respond. 00:36:27.159 --> 00:36:30.219 Lord, we've 00:36:30.219 --> 00:36:30.559 got two 00:36:30.559 --> 00:36:31.039 blinkered 00:36:31.039 --> 00:36:31.440 view of 00:36:31.440 --> 00:36:31.779 things. 00:36:33.440 --> 00:36:34.059 We know 00:36:34.059 --> 00:36:34.399 that with 00:36:34.399 --> 00:36:35.079 you a day 00:36:35.079 --> 00:36:35.539 is as a 00:36:35.539 --> 00:36:36.179 thousand years 00:36:36.179 --> 00:36:36.460 and a 00:36:36.460 --> 00:36:37.179 thousand years 00:36:37.179 --> 00:36:37.839 is a day. 00:36:38.839 --> 00:36:39.239 And that you 00:36:39.239 --> 00:36:39.799 don't desire 00:36:39.799 --> 00:36:40.319 the death of 00:36:40.319 --> 00:36:40.639 the wicked, 00:36:41.779 --> 00:36:42.399 but that all 00:36:42.399 --> 00:36:43.019 might repent 00:36:43.019 --> 00:36:43.899 and come to a 00:36:43.899 --> 00:36:44.259 knowledge of 00:36:44.259 --> 00:36:44.699 the truth. 00:36:46.559 --> 00:36:46.879 And so Lord, 00:36:46.920 --> 00:36:47.359 we pray that 00:36:47.359 --> 00:36:48.259 this week, as 00:36:48.259 --> 00:36:48.819 we go out 00:36:48.819 --> 00:36:49.199 from this 00:36:49.199 --> 00:36:49.679 Lord's Day, 00:36:49.799 --> 00:36:50.379 carrying that 00:36:50.379 --> 00:36:51.279 precious seed, 00:36:51.399 --> 00:36:52.179 that message, 00:36:52.579 --> 00:36:52.980 which the 00:36:52.980 --> 00:36:53.639 prophets looked 00:36:53.639 --> 00:36:54.359 forward to, 00:36:54.360 --> 00:36:55.300 and now 00:36:55.300 --> 00:36:55.660 has been 00:36:55.660 --> 00:36:56.420 fulfilled in 00:36:56.420 --> 00:36:56.720 Jesus, 00:36:57.579 --> 00:36:58.260 the message 00:36:58.260 --> 00:36:58.640 of your 00:36:58.640 --> 00:36:58.960 kingdom. 00:37:00.760 --> 00:37:01.440 We want to 00:37:01.440 --> 00:37:01.800 pray, Lord, 00:37:01.840 --> 00:37:02.099 that we would 00:37:02.099 --> 00:37:02.500 not keep it 00:37:02.500 --> 00:37:03.099 to ourselves, 00:37:03.880 --> 00:37:04.960 but that we 00:37:04.960 --> 00:37:06.099 would spread it 00:37:06.099 --> 00:37:06.860 all around our 00:37:06.860 --> 00:37:07.620 families and 00:37:07.620 --> 00:37:08.340 all around this 00:37:08.340 --> 00:37:09.000 glorious city. 00:37:10.579 --> 00:37:11.400 Help us to 00:37:11.400 --> 00:37:12.320 not grow weary 00:37:12.320 --> 00:37:13.800 and to not 00:37:13.800 --> 00:37:14.680 give up scattering 00:37:14.680 --> 00:37:15.160 the seed. 00:37:16.059 --> 00:37:16.640 Thank you that 00:37:16.640 --> 00:37:17.220 there will be 00:37:17.220 --> 00:37:17.960 an abundant 00:37:17.960 --> 00:37:18.660 harvest in 00:37:18.660 --> 00:37:19.240 Jesus' name. 00:37:20.160 --> 00:37:20.539 Amen.