WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:26.839 Do open your Bibles to Matthew chapter 13. Matthew chapter 13 is something to have lots of business here this morning. We're going through Matthew's Gospel. We've reached chapter 13. And the parable also last week, it was so sunny wasn't it, Saturday morning, Saturday afternoon I thought well right it's time to sort out the lawn and I went out and I've sowed seed all over the lawn. 00:00:26.839 --> 00:00:44.159 A seed with rye grass in it. A seed that grows supposedly in shady areas. Quick drying but none of it seems to be growing at all. And I feel I've lived with this parable this week. I keep going out to the garden and seeing kind of please grow this grass. 00:00:44.159 --> 00:01:00.699 Anyway, I want to get straight into Matthew 13 because how seed grows and flourishes is an absolute mystery isn't it? How it takes root, how it grows, well to me it's a total mystery. That's my first point. 00:01:00.700 --> 00:01:17.659 The mystery of Jesus' kingdom. Jesus says that in verse 11 actually doesn't he? In verse 11 he says, he answers them, to you it has been given to know the secrets. Maybe a different version you've got says the mystery of the kingdom of heaven. 00:01:17.659 --> 00:01:27.719 But to them it has been given. For to the one who has, more will be given and he will have an abundance. But from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away. 00:01:27.719 --> 00:01:40.819 The secret, the mystery of the kingdom of heaven. What is this story in verses 3 to 9, what has it got to do with the kingdom of heaven? 00:01:42.280 --> 00:01:45.680 Or with being a mystery or a secret in the kingdom? 00:01:45.680 --> 00:01:54.220 Probably the other story, quite well. The sower, he goes out and he sows the seed and some of it falls onto the beaten path. 00:01:54.320 --> 00:02:00.600 Probably a walkway between the narrow strips, a narrow strip between the fields outside the village. 00:02:01.020 --> 00:02:07.920 And of course a path and the soil is beaten down and the seed can't get through it. So it just lies on the surface. 00:02:07.920 --> 00:02:12.659 And before it is ploughed, the birds come and pick up the seed. 00:02:12.659 --> 00:02:19.879 And there's some seed which falls on rocky soil. It's not that it's infested with rocks and stones. 00:02:20.259 --> 00:02:25.800 But there's this layer of limestone rock underneath a thin layer of soil. 00:02:26.180 --> 00:02:30.879 And it can't be detected how thin the soil is until the plough goes through it. 00:02:31.579 --> 00:02:33.680 It doesn't have much depth to the soil. 00:02:34.960 --> 00:02:38.759 So that means the seed, well it tends to wither when the sun comes out. 00:02:38.759 --> 00:02:42.639 And then there's the seed which goes amongst the thorn plants. 00:02:43.159 --> 00:02:44.399 And it gets choked. 00:02:45.840 --> 00:02:50.679 Then there's finally the fourth seed which gets sown on the good soil, on the good ground. 00:02:51.679 --> 00:02:52.639 And that bears much fruit. 00:02:53.959 --> 00:02:56.859 And we might say, well, it's very primitive isn't it? 00:02:57.120 --> 00:02:59.439 We might be very critical of the farmer's method. 00:02:59.899 --> 00:03:04.699 Why does he take his precious seed and throw it all over the piss? 00:03:04.699 --> 00:03:07.879 Why does he take it away from the unproductive areas? 00:03:08.280 --> 00:03:12.579 And we've got to remember that in Palestine at that time, ploughing came after sowing. 00:03:14.000 --> 00:03:19.599 So you would not plough your ground first like we would, and then sow your seed. 00:03:20.579 --> 00:03:24.139 But you would sow your seed, and then you would go and plough it. 00:03:25.359 --> 00:03:29.439 And so you couldn't normally detect what the ground was like right from the off. 00:03:29.439 --> 00:03:34.139 So until it was ploughed, you cast your seed everywhere. 00:03:35.439 --> 00:03:36.520 And the focus is on the sower. 00:03:37.639 --> 00:03:39.579 The sower, Jesus says, goes out to sow. 00:03:39.840 --> 00:03:42.000 And he sows, and various things happen. 00:03:43.620 --> 00:03:44.520 Now how is that a secret? 00:03:45.879 --> 00:03:48.879 On earth is that mystery of Jesus' kingdom. 00:03:49.259 --> 00:03:53.579 What has this illustration of seed being sown got to do with the kingdom of God? 00:03:53.919 --> 00:03:55.099 A sower goes out to sow. 00:03:55.099 --> 00:03:57.879 Well, Jesus calls it, doesn't it, in verse 19, can you see it? 00:03:58.079 --> 00:03:59.099 The word of the kingdom. 00:03:59.439 --> 00:04:02.979 It seems to be something like this. 00:04:04.280 --> 00:04:10.000 Every Jew, they knew, and they believed, that the kingdom of God was coming. 00:04:10.139 --> 00:04:10.919 They were looking for it. 00:04:11.919 --> 00:04:13.419 That the kingdom of God would come. 00:04:13.719 --> 00:04:18.600 King David would have a greater son, and he would come in power and great glory. 00:04:19.279 --> 00:04:21.639 And the kingdom of God, when it came, was a harvest. 00:04:22.920 --> 00:04:24.199 It was a judgment. 00:04:25.159 --> 00:04:26.360 It was the end. 00:04:26.360 --> 00:04:28.480 It was the climax of history. 00:04:28.480 --> 00:04:32.080 When evil would be rooted out, and Israel would be restored. 00:04:33.080 --> 00:04:35.259 When righteousness would be vindicated. 00:04:36.199 --> 00:04:41.800 The time that God would come to his people, and he'd set up a kingdom that would never be destroyed. 00:04:41.800 --> 00:04:48.920 When Jesus, the Messiah would rule in justice and righteousness. 00:04:48.920 --> 00:04:56.540 It was the climactic episode that brought the end of the usual process of history. 00:04:57.280 --> 00:05:02.600 The Messiah would take his reign in blazing power and splendor. 00:05:02.600 --> 00:05:08.160 But Jesus is saying, there are secrets to the kingdom. 00:05:09.620 --> 00:05:12.980 And he's comparing in the kingdom parables of Matthew 13. 00:05:13.260 --> 00:05:14.560 He says the kingdom is like this. 00:05:14.800 --> 00:05:17.879 The kingdom is like the sower without the sower. 00:05:17.879 --> 00:05:20.480 What's that got to do with the kingdom? 00:05:21.439 --> 00:05:23.620 Well, Jesus seems to be saying something like this. 00:05:24.480 --> 00:05:26.079 That before that day of judgment. 00:05:26.339 --> 00:05:28.459 Before the great and climactic day. 00:05:28.980 --> 00:05:31.719 Before the kingdom comes in power and in glory. 00:05:32.120 --> 00:05:32.959 It's already come. 00:05:34.259 --> 00:05:37.439 It's already come in a silent and quiet way. 00:05:38.579 --> 00:05:40.600 It's come in a veiled fashion. 00:05:42.040 --> 00:05:45.060 You might almost say, it's come in a commonplace way. 00:05:45.060 --> 00:05:47.459 The kingdom has come in an obscure way. 00:05:49.120 --> 00:05:53.459 That instead of seeing it to be the irresistible kind of kingdom. 00:05:53.459 --> 00:05:56.660 Which comes in power and that imposes itself. 00:05:57.579 --> 00:05:58.579 And rules. 00:05:59.220 --> 00:06:02.399 Instead, the kingdom of God has come in a fragile way. 00:06:04.360 --> 00:06:06.160 And the kingdom of God is like a sower. 00:06:07.500 --> 00:06:09.480 That goes into a field and he sows. 00:06:11.079 --> 00:06:12.680 And the seed of that kingdom. 00:06:12.680 --> 00:06:14.540 Well, it can be resisted. 00:06:15.879 --> 00:06:17.259 And it can be rejected. 00:06:18.720 --> 00:06:21.939 And the seed of that kingdom will not necessarily be productive. 00:06:23.740 --> 00:06:26.160 And Jesus seems to be saying something like this. 00:06:26.620 --> 00:06:29.019 The kingdom has already come. 00:06:29.439 --> 00:06:31.800 And you are caused to respond to it. 00:06:33.040 --> 00:06:34.079 How has the kingdom come? 00:06:36.040 --> 00:06:38.779 Well, the kingdom has come in the sense that the king has come. 00:06:38.779 --> 00:06:42.659 And the king has come not in great power. 00:06:42.659 --> 00:06:44.139 And not in great glory. 00:06:44.139 --> 00:06:47.879 And so when Jesus said in Matthew 4.17. 00:06:48.599 --> 00:06:50.599 To repent for the kingdom of heaven is near. 00:06:50.959 --> 00:06:53.240 He meant the kingdom has come because the king has come. 00:06:53.240 --> 00:06:56.939 And the king has come in humility. 00:06:56.939 --> 00:06:58.100 Born in the manger. 00:06:58.460 --> 00:06:59.639 Brought up in obscurity. 00:07:00.980 --> 00:07:01.680 And humility. 00:07:03.360 --> 00:07:05.960 He's not come in great power and glory. 00:07:05.959 --> 00:07:07.979 But nevertheless the king is here. 00:07:08.899 --> 00:07:10.399 In a low key way. 00:07:11.779 --> 00:07:14.379 And the kingdom of God is veiled. 00:07:15.579 --> 00:07:16.459 And quiet. 00:07:17.379 --> 00:07:18.019 And low key. 00:07:18.019 --> 00:07:21.339 And the sower is sowing the word. 00:07:24.479 --> 00:07:26.079 You might be offended because of that. 00:07:27.439 --> 00:07:28.839 Because it's not what you were expecting. 00:07:30.979 --> 00:07:33.659 And you might be offended because the kingdom of God seems so fragile. 00:07:34.500 --> 00:07:36.199 That you can reject the king. 00:07:38.039 --> 00:07:40.139 Because he doesn't come in such glory. 00:07:40.599 --> 00:07:41.759 But in humiliation. 00:07:41.759 --> 00:07:45.060 And you must watch that. 00:07:47.319 --> 00:07:49.079 The mystery of God's kingdom. 00:07:51.420 --> 00:07:55.099 Because since he doesn't come in blazing glory this time. 00:07:55.420 --> 00:07:56.599 You may be tempted to think. 00:07:56.699 --> 00:07:57.560 Well there's nothing to it. 00:07:58.459 --> 00:08:00.680 And you might be tempted to turn away from it. 00:08:02.639 --> 00:08:04.579 There's no story about a man who went to church. 00:08:04.759 --> 00:08:05.860 Into a church in the Netherlands. 00:08:07.139 --> 00:08:09.399 He was a scholarly looking man. 00:08:10.039 --> 00:08:11.420 But he was plainly dressed. 00:08:12.599 --> 00:08:13.819 And he walked into the church. 00:08:14.000 --> 00:08:15.959 And he walked down to one of the seats in the front. 00:08:16.379 --> 00:08:17.219 And he took his seat. 00:08:17.279 --> 00:08:17.779 He was a visitor. 00:08:19.439 --> 00:08:21.620 It so happens that an elderly woman came down the aisle. 00:08:21.740 --> 00:08:23.680 And she saw that he was sitting in her seat. 00:08:24.180 --> 00:08:25.680 So she curtly asked him. 00:08:25.920 --> 00:08:27.019 Basically to get out. 00:08:27.259 --> 00:08:27.879 And to vacate. 00:08:29.279 --> 00:08:30.539 The man was a little bit shocked. 00:08:30.620 --> 00:08:31.599 He quietly got up. 00:08:31.599 --> 00:08:34.319 And he went to a section where some of the poorer people sat. 00:08:35.639 --> 00:08:37.299 And he devoutly joined in the service. 00:08:39.159 --> 00:08:39.939 After the service. 00:08:39.940 --> 00:08:42.440 One of the woman's friends came up to her and said. 00:08:42.660 --> 00:08:46.180 Do you know who it is whom you ejected from your pew? 00:08:47.060 --> 00:08:48.160 She said no I don't. 00:08:48.280 --> 00:08:50.000 But he was just some ordinary stranger. 00:08:51.200 --> 00:08:52.220 And her friend said. 00:08:52.300 --> 00:08:52.660 Oh no. 00:08:52.740 --> 00:08:54.360 That was King Austria of Sweden. 00:08:55.500 --> 00:08:56.740 He's here to visit the Queen. 00:08:56.740 --> 00:08:59.539 You see. 00:08:59.720 --> 00:09:00.200 It's really easy. 00:09:00.419 --> 00:09:00.700 Isn't it? 00:09:00.700 --> 00:09:02.360 Just because something is commonplace. 00:09:03.919 --> 00:09:06.360 Or someone doesn't seem to have a lot of splendour. 00:09:07.399 --> 00:09:08.259 Pizarres about them. 00:09:10.000 --> 00:09:13.019 Doesn't mean that it's advisable for you to despise them. 00:09:14.080 --> 00:09:15.080 To reject them. 00:09:15.080 --> 00:09:22.620 And just because Jesus has not come in blazing splendour of his messianic glory. 00:09:23.280 --> 00:09:25.639 When he brought the first instalment of the kingdom. 00:09:26.180 --> 00:09:27.139 You better be careful. 00:09:28.740 --> 00:09:31.180 You better be careful you're not put off Christianity. 00:09:31.980 --> 00:09:33.520 Because the kingdom has come quietly. 00:09:33.519 --> 00:09:39.480 Because this morning we are a very, very, very ordinary people. 00:09:40.919 --> 00:09:41.639 And we are common. 00:09:44.819 --> 00:09:48.000 Just because he began proclaiming the word. 00:09:48.120 --> 00:09:49.720 That the king was at cure already. 00:09:50.100 --> 00:09:51.120 You'd better be careful. 00:09:51.399 --> 00:09:52.819 Not to reject the king. 00:09:54.259 --> 00:09:58.379 Just because you expect him to be more supernatural. 00:09:59.299 --> 00:10:00.379 More professional. 00:10:01.639 --> 00:10:02.199 Or great. 00:10:02.200 --> 00:10:05.240 He shows us the mystery of the kingdom. 00:10:05.340 --> 00:10:05.940 That it came quietly. 00:10:06.080 --> 00:10:06.379 Secondly. 00:10:06.740 --> 00:10:08.140 Do you see the manner of Jesus teaching? 00:10:08.240 --> 00:10:09.480 Look at verse 10 to 4.15. 00:10:10.720 --> 00:10:11.920 The manner of Jesus teaching. 00:10:13.780 --> 00:10:14.840 It tells us, doesn't it? 00:10:14.860 --> 00:10:17.000 That Jesus taught many things in parables. 00:10:18.580 --> 00:10:20.240 The disciples, they come to Jesus. 00:10:20.240 --> 00:10:23.780 They say, what are you doing speaking in parables? 00:10:24.180 --> 00:10:25.280 Why these stories? 00:10:26.100 --> 00:10:27.379 Why these puzzles? 00:10:27.980 --> 00:10:29.300 Why these riddles? 00:10:29.800 --> 00:10:30.920 Why these enigments? 00:10:32.200 --> 00:10:34.940 And these episodes, they are kind of riddles. 00:10:36.040 --> 00:10:39.220 And the listeners, and we this morning, we have to try and figure out. 00:10:40.280 --> 00:10:41.360 What is Jesus saying? 00:10:41.480 --> 00:10:42.920 So why speak in parables? 00:10:44.600 --> 00:10:47.080 And Jesus gives them a divine reason and a human reason. 00:10:47.360 --> 00:10:48.840 The divine reason, he says in verse 11. 00:10:48.840 --> 00:10:57.300 He says, I do it because, to you it has been given to know the secrets of the kingdom of heaven. 00:10:57.860 --> 00:10:59.560 But to them it has not been given. 00:11:00.840 --> 00:11:01.580 Isn't that shocking? 00:11:02.460 --> 00:11:08.860 He says, I speak to them in parables because it has not been given to them to know the secrets of the kingdom. 00:11:08.860 --> 00:11:11.320 If I know the kingdom. 00:11:11.519 --> 00:11:13.539 If I know what the kingdom of God is about. 00:11:13.860 --> 00:11:14.639 And when it counts. 00:11:14.779 --> 00:11:16.680 If I know the king of the kingdom. 00:11:18.039 --> 00:11:20.620 That's only by a divine gift. 00:11:22.600 --> 00:11:23.840 By which I recognise it. 00:11:23.840 --> 00:11:27.420 But to those who it has not been given. 00:11:27.620 --> 00:11:29.160 Everything takes place in parables. 00:11:29.460 --> 00:11:30.220 It's obscured. 00:11:30.300 --> 00:11:30.860 It's not clear. 00:11:31.759 --> 00:11:32.500 It's veiled. 00:11:34.320 --> 00:11:36.100 And now he gives them a human reason too. 00:11:36.360 --> 00:11:41.040 And Matthew doesn't seem to see any conflict between the divine reason of verses 11 and 12. 00:11:41.039 --> 00:11:43.639 And a human reason in verse 13. 00:11:45.740 --> 00:11:46.799 He says in verse 13. 00:11:46.939 --> 00:11:48.219 This is why I speak to them in parables. 00:11:48.360 --> 00:11:49.599 Because seeing they do not see. 00:11:49.939 --> 00:11:51.500 And hearing they do not hear. 00:11:51.779 --> 00:11:53.240 Nor do they understand. 00:11:55.500 --> 00:11:56.259 What's he saying? 00:11:57.579 --> 00:11:59.740 He's saying they see but they don't really see. 00:12:01.159 --> 00:12:02.980 They hear but they don't really hear. 00:12:03.959 --> 00:12:04.939 They don't understand. 00:12:06.519 --> 00:12:08.639 And I'm speaking to them in parables this way. 00:12:08.759 --> 00:12:10.139 Because they don't really receive. 00:12:10.139 --> 00:12:12.019 Or want to receive what I'm saying. 00:12:14.120 --> 00:12:15.939 Now go back to Matthew 11 and 12. 00:12:16.039 --> 00:12:16.779 Do you remember those chapters? 00:12:16.879 --> 00:12:17.399 We've looked at them. 00:12:18.279 --> 00:12:21.199 And we would have seen that in every episode of those two chapters. 00:12:21.379 --> 00:12:23.840 Jesus is having to deal with the unbelief of Israel. 00:12:24.039 --> 00:12:24.559 They don't believe. 00:12:25.679 --> 00:12:27.740 They don't believe and they will not receive him. 00:12:28.720 --> 00:12:30.980 And they weren't receiving his word. 00:12:32.559 --> 00:12:33.980 And as they come from that. 00:12:34.059 --> 00:12:35.700 Jesus is saying of Israel on the whole. 00:12:35.960 --> 00:12:37.319 They've not been receiving me. 00:12:37.500 --> 00:12:38.740 They don't want to hear me. 00:12:38.740 --> 00:12:41.539 They hear my words but they don't really hear me. 00:12:42.600 --> 00:12:44.419 They won't receive my words. 00:12:44.919 --> 00:12:46.680 And so because of them not receiving. 00:12:46.799 --> 00:12:48.519 I speak to them in riddles and parables. 00:12:49.539 --> 00:12:50.159 And in enigments. 00:12:52.159 --> 00:12:54.820 And Jesus quotes in verses 14 and 15 of our passage. 00:12:55.159 --> 00:12:56.379 From Isaiah chapter 6. 00:12:56.379 --> 00:12:58.679 And Jesus says it's like today. 00:12:58.679 --> 00:13:00.320 Just like it was in Isaiah's day. 00:13:02.259 --> 00:13:05.200 Isaiah's prophecy is being fulfilled before our eyes. 00:13:05.519 --> 00:13:07.360 Hearing you will not hear. 00:13:08.600 --> 00:13:10.480 Seeing you will not see. 00:13:11.919 --> 00:13:13.580 And your heart has grown dull. 00:13:13.580 --> 00:13:15.860 Why won't they receive? 00:13:17.440 --> 00:13:18.840 Why won't they get God's word? 00:13:18.940 --> 00:13:21.020 Why can't they receive the truth? 00:13:21.120 --> 00:13:22.000 Well can you see what it says? 00:13:22.300 --> 00:13:24.780 It says their hearts where it's 15 have become dull. 00:13:28.280 --> 00:13:30.259 And their ears they can barely hear. 00:13:30.440 --> 00:13:32.259 And their eyes have been closed. 00:13:33.759 --> 00:13:35.800 They don't want to receive God's truth. 00:13:35.860 --> 00:13:36.500 They don't want it. 00:13:36.500 --> 00:13:38.799 They don't want to see it. 00:13:39.039 --> 00:13:41.240 So they refuse adamantly to believe. 00:13:42.779 --> 00:13:43.820 And because of that. 00:13:44.059 --> 00:13:44.980 They can still see. 00:13:45.559 --> 00:13:46.639 And they can still hear. 00:13:47.840 --> 00:13:48.899 Though they can't hear. 00:13:49.399 --> 00:13:50.360 And they can't see. 00:13:52.200 --> 00:13:53.960 They hear the words but they won't get it. 00:13:54.879 --> 00:13:56.980 They see the truth but they won't see it. 00:13:58.820 --> 00:14:00.700 In other words Jesus is saying something like this. 00:14:00.779 --> 00:14:02.399 The way Jesus is teaching in parables. 00:14:02.539 --> 00:14:05.279 Was a way in which he concealed and hid things. 00:14:06.500 --> 00:14:08.539 And he veils the truth of the kingdom. 00:14:09.500 --> 00:14:11.259 For those who do not want to receive it. 00:14:13.840 --> 00:14:15.220 Let me try and apply this to you. 00:14:16.019 --> 00:14:17.779 What it means is that God's truth. 00:14:18.820 --> 00:14:20.559 God's word has a cutting edge. 00:14:22.019 --> 00:14:23.340 It is a cutting edge. 00:14:25.220 --> 00:14:26.500 And if you reject it. 00:14:27.419 --> 00:14:28.720 And if you put it off. 00:14:29.799 --> 00:14:31.799 And if you refuse to welcome it. 00:14:31.899 --> 00:14:33.659 In the end he will take that word away from you. 00:14:36.500 --> 00:14:38.639 That which is not desired. 00:14:38.840 --> 00:14:40.419 Will be withdrawn by God. 00:14:41.980 --> 00:14:43.840 And that's what Jesus is doing here. 00:14:45.480 --> 00:14:48.159 The manner of my teaching is done in parables. 00:14:49.720 --> 00:14:50.960 For Israel at large. 00:14:51.059 --> 00:14:52.039 They don't want to receive it. 00:14:52.100 --> 00:14:54.960 So I use parables to veil and conceal that word. 00:14:55.820 --> 00:14:58.100 Even though he explains it to his disciples privately. 00:14:59.639 --> 00:15:00.779 Now that's really different. 00:15:00.840 --> 00:15:02.759 From what you and I often hear about the parables. 00:15:02.759 --> 00:15:04.939 Some of them say. 00:15:05.019 --> 00:15:06.000 But all the parables. 00:15:06.100 --> 00:15:07.360 They are delightful little stories. 00:15:08.720 --> 00:15:09.939 Wonderful little stories. 00:15:11.740 --> 00:15:13.659 And that is the way that we should try and teach. 00:15:13.700 --> 00:15:14.840 In beautiful little stories. 00:15:16.519 --> 00:15:17.679 Jesus taught in parables. 00:15:18.759 --> 00:15:20.059 Because he wanted to be simple. 00:15:20.220 --> 00:15:21.179 And he wanted to be interesting. 00:15:21.679 --> 00:15:22.600 And he wanted to be clear. 00:15:22.679 --> 00:15:23.819 But that isn't what Jesus says at all. 00:15:23.820 --> 00:15:26.580 Jesus said. 00:15:26.660 --> 00:15:27.580 I teach in parables. 00:15:27.760 --> 00:15:28.020 Because. 00:15:28.800 --> 00:15:29.860 That is part of God's judgment. 00:15:31.760 --> 00:15:34.340 It is a process of withdrawing. 00:15:34.500 --> 00:15:35.500 The word from his people. 00:15:35.600 --> 00:15:36.320 Who don't want to hear it. 00:15:37.240 --> 00:15:39.080 It is a way of hiding the word of the kingdom. 00:15:39.460 --> 00:15:41.200 That people don't want to have any truck. 00:15:41.300 --> 00:15:42.400 With what that means. 00:15:43.360 --> 00:15:44.920 And so that says to you and I this morning. 00:15:45.440 --> 00:15:47.100 It is an awesome responsibility. 00:15:47.900 --> 00:15:49.020 To hear the word of God. 00:15:49.019 --> 00:15:55.139 We spent. 00:15:55.259 --> 00:15:56.259 I don't know how many millions. 00:15:56.399 --> 00:15:56.799 Two and a half. 00:15:56.840 --> 00:15:57.720 Three million on a building. 00:15:58.139 --> 00:15:59.519 But all my friends mock me. 00:15:59.620 --> 00:16:00.259 About this. 00:16:01.159 --> 00:16:01.519 Lecture. 00:16:01.620 --> 00:16:04.100 I think it costs about $14.99 on Amazon. 00:16:04.960 --> 00:16:05.899 It is very depressing. 00:16:06.079 --> 00:16:06.980 To have to preach from this thing. 00:16:08.019 --> 00:16:09.939 And so I have got the architect. 00:16:10.019 --> 00:16:10.360 And some others. 00:16:10.439 --> 00:16:11.699 To design a kind of. 00:16:11.699 --> 00:16:12.980 Paul Levy-esque lecture. 00:16:13.399 --> 00:16:14.840 Which costs hard to its money. 00:16:15.620 --> 00:16:16.159 That is the thought. 00:16:16.980 --> 00:16:18.439 But one of the things that I want. 00:16:18.880 --> 00:16:20.080 Lots of people have texts. 00:16:20.260 --> 00:16:20.580 On lectern. 00:16:20.700 --> 00:16:21.060 Presbytee. 00:16:21.120 --> 00:16:22.120 Somebody have a burning bush. 00:16:23.220 --> 00:16:24.220 A bush that burns. 00:16:24.300 --> 00:16:25.040 But not consumed. 00:16:27.200 --> 00:16:28.320 Lots of them have nice texts. 00:16:28.420 --> 00:16:29.440 I think on our pulpit. 00:16:29.620 --> 00:16:30.280 What we should have. 00:16:30.320 --> 00:16:31.540 Is a skull and crossbones. 00:16:34.640 --> 00:16:36.040 And it should have a skull and crossbones. 00:16:36.040 --> 00:16:36.640 Somewhere on it. 00:16:36.660 --> 00:16:38.000 Because it is a dangerous thing. 00:16:38.000 --> 00:16:39.420 To hear the preaching of God's word. 00:16:42.300 --> 00:16:43.680 It is a dangerous thing. 00:16:46.060 --> 00:16:47.300 Because it is a great privilege. 00:16:47.299 --> 00:16:48.599 And it is a great responsibility. 00:16:49.039 --> 00:16:50.699 And every time you come and hear a sermon. 00:16:50.839 --> 00:16:51.579 There is danger. 00:16:53.699 --> 00:16:55.199 And judgment rests upon us. 00:16:55.219 --> 00:16:56.240 If we will not receive it. 00:16:58.679 --> 00:17:00.419 And I think this presses upon us. 00:17:00.479 --> 00:17:00.939 As Christians. 00:17:01.039 --> 00:17:02.219 Particularly those who claim to be. 00:17:02.359 --> 00:17:03.000 Reformed Christians. 00:17:03.120 --> 00:17:04.019 Who claim that our church. 00:17:04.079 --> 00:17:05.139 Has got a high view in the Bible. 00:17:08.079 --> 00:17:09.019 And we really think. 00:17:09.099 --> 00:17:10.799 That actually this is God's word. 00:17:10.799 --> 00:17:14.200 That we need to be especially careful. 00:17:16.440 --> 00:17:18.599 A sermon is a very dangerous thing to hear. 00:17:20.399 --> 00:17:21.379 And so do you realise. 00:17:21.500 --> 00:17:22.539 That after all the exposure. 00:17:22.779 --> 00:17:24.440 That you have to the word of God. 00:17:24.579 --> 00:17:25.599 That maybe this morning. 00:17:25.720 --> 00:17:27.419 You are still outside of the kingdom. 00:17:28.680 --> 00:17:29.919 And you have never received. 00:17:30.000 --> 00:17:30.839 And you have never submitted. 00:17:30.839 --> 00:17:31.859 To the king who has come. 00:17:32.139 --> 00:17:33.519 And after all that life. 00:17:33.599 --> 00:17:34.799 You are still resisting. 00:17:34.799 --> 00:17:36.859 To the Lord Jesus Christ. 00:17:36.980 --> 00:17:39.619 And you refuse to enter his kingdom. 00:17:39.619 --> 00:17:41.059 Well woe to you. 00:17:42.919 --> 00:17:44.119 Because there may come a time. 00:17:44.219 --> 00:17:45.219 When you sit in this church. 00:17:45.319 --> 00:17:45.879 And you can hear. 00:17:45.979 --> 00:17:46.719 But not hear. 00:17:47.959 --> 00:17:49.019 And you can understand. 00:17:49.119 --> 00:17:50.079 But you cannot understand. 00:17:50.219 --> 00:17:50.879 And your conscience. 00:17:51.039 --> 00:17:52.159 Has been utterly hardened. 00:17:54.599 --> 00:17:55.919 And on that last day. 00:17:56.000 --> 00:17:56.759 What a responsibility. 00:17:57.059 --> 00:17:57.739 Will be yours. 00:17:58.919 --> 00:17:59.959 That you heard. 00:18:00.079 --> 00:18:01.119 But you refuse to hear. 00:18:03.079 --> 00:18:04.479 And so you need to be aware. 00:18:05.500 --> 00:18:06.359 Because of the manner. 00:18:06.459 --> 00:18:07.379 Of what Jesus is here. 00:18:07.539 --> 00:18:08.239 The teaching here. 00:18:09.619 --> 00:18:10.819 Thirdly. 00:18:10.899 --> 00:18:11.739 Jesus shows us. 00:18:11.799 --> 00:18:12.179 The mirror. 00:18:12.599 --> 00:18:13.239 For Jesus people. 00:18:14.239 --> 00:18:14.779 The mirror. 00:18:15.159 --> 00:18:15.859 For Jesus people. 00:18:16.799 --> 00:18:17.500 And you see that. 00:18:17.579 --> 00:18:18.659 In verses 18 to 22. 00:18:19.879 --> 00:18:20.959 And Jesus explains. 00:18:21.059 --> 00:18:21.739 The parable of the sower. 00:18:22.239 --> 00:18:23.259 And he takes some time. 00:18:23.299 --> 00:18:23.799 To concentrate. 00:18:23.939 --> 00:18:25.159 On the different kinds of soil. 00:18:25.459 --> 00:18:26.199 And he says to them. 00:18:26.239 --> 00:18:26.979 Verse 18. 00:18:27.119 --> 00:18:28.059 It's very emphatic. 00:18:28.259 --> 00:18:28.619 You. 00:18:28.739 --> 00:18:29.539 And the you there. 00:18:29.659 --> 00:18:31.279 Is very very emphatic. 00:18:32.619 --> 00:18:33.079 You there. 00:18:33.079 --> 00:18:34.379 Will hear the parable of the sower. 00:18:35.579 --> 00:18:36.979 It's as if he's saying. 00:18:37.279 --> 00:18:38.159 You this morning. 00:18:38.160 --> 00:18:39.180 You need to investigate. 00:18:39.580 --> 00:18:41.140 What type of fury you are. 00:18:42.940 --> 00:18:44.560 Lest there be any of these tendencies. 00:18:44.820 --> 00:18:45.240 In you. 00:18:45.500 --> 00:18:46.759 So hold up this passage. 00:18:46.840 --> 00:18:47.420 As a mirror. 00:18:47.580 --> 00:18:48.420 That you can look into. 00:18:52.940 --> 00:18:53.900 What does Jesus say? 00:18:54.040 --> 00:18:54.440 Well he says. 00:18:54.500 --> 00:18:55.860 First there's this one response. 00:18:56.180 --> 00:18:57.120 It's the response of those. 00:18:57.320 --> 00:18:58.779 The seed is sown on the path. 00:18:59.660 --> 00:19:00.620 Between the fields. 00:19:01.240 --> 00:19:02.880 And we can sum up this response. 00:19:02.880 --> 00:19:04.460 As the word does not reach me. 00:19:04.460 --> 00:19:06.920 The word does not reach me. 00:19:09.220 --> 00:19:09.579 Obviously. 00:19:09.720 --> 00:19:10.840 If the seed is sown on the path. 00:19:10.900 --> 00:19:11.819 It's going to be beaten down. 00:19:12.539 --> 00:19:13.480 It's not going to sink in. 00:19:13.539 --> 00:19:14.440 It's going to get ploughed under. 00:19:14.759 --> 00:19:16.600 So the birds are going to come and take it. 00:19:18.319 --> 00:19:20.100 That sort of person hears the word. 00:19:20.240 --> 00:19:21.140 And the evil one. 00:19:21.519 --> 00:19:23.360 Comes and snatches away the seed that was sown. 00:19:24.640 --> 00:19:25.779 The word doesn't reach it. 00:19:25.819 --> 00:19:26.340 He's hardened. 00:19:26.700 --> 00:19:27.500 It doesn't penetrate. 00:19:28.039 --> 00:19:28.860 It doesn't get through. 00:19:28.859 --> 00:19:31.559 So you know. 00:19:31.859 --> 00:19:32.719 There's cartoons. 00:19:32.939 --> 00:19:34.659 The cartoon character. 00:19:34.979 --> 00:19:36.359 Has kind of an invisible shield. 00:19:36.419 --> 00:19:37.000 I think it's in. 00:19:37.459 --> 00:19:38.579 The Incredibles isn't it? 00:19:38.619 --> 00:19:39.039 One of them. 00:19:39.219 --> 00:19:39.759 Is it Violet? 00:19:40.199 --> 00:19:40.979 I think in The Incredibles. 00:19:41.339 --> 00:19:43.179 And she puts a shield over her. 00:19:43.399 --> 00:19:44.939 And no matter what comes to her. 00:19:45.459 --> 00:19:46.639 It bounces off the shield. 00:19:47.719 --> 00:19:48.559 You can't see it. 00:19:49.339 --> 00:19:50.899 I might have got the cartoon wrong. 00:19:51.000 --> 00:19:51.979 I've got the cartoon right away. 00:19:52.599 --> 00:19:54.039 And so you could throw a rock. 00:19:54.199 --> 00:19:55.259 You could throw a gun. 00:19:55.359 --> 00:19:56.240 You could throw bullets. 00:19:56.519 --> 00:19:57.939 But it hits the invisible shield. 00:19:57.940 --> 00:19:58.920 And then it just bounces off. 00:20:01.240 --> 00:20:02.380 And there are Christians like that. 00:20:02.440 --> 00:20:04.440 No matter what sermons they hear. 00:20:04.700 --> 00:20:05.539 Or there are people like that. 00:20:06.299 --> 00:20:07.160 Nothing penetrates. 00:20:07.240 --> 00:20:07.920 Nothing gets through. 00:20:11.059 --> 00:20:12.019 In the 18th century. 00:20:12.120 --> 00:20:13.519 There was a famous evangelist. 00:20:13.620 --> 00:20:14.720 Called George Whitefield. 00:20:15.799 --> 00:20:17.680 And he was friendly with Benjamin Franklin. 00:20:19.519 --> 00:20:19.920 President. 00:20:20.059 --> 00:20:21.400 They were on fairly intimate terms. 00:20:21.860 --> 00:20:24.279 Whitefield kept pressing Franklin with the gospel. 00:20:24.279 --> 00:20:25.700 Kept speaking to him about it. 00:20:25.700 --> 00:20:29.200 Franklin had been doing experiments in electricity. 00:20:29.880 --> 00:20:30.620 And Whitefield said. 00:20:30.759 --> 00:20:32.000 He'd heard of his work. 00:20:32.980 --> 00:20:35.660 He'd unraveled some of the mysteries of electricity. 00:20:35.920 --> 00:20:37.120 So Whitefield wrote to Franklin. 00:20:37.259 --> 00:20:37.580 And he says. 00:20:37.840 --> 00:20:40.180 I would now humbly recommend your delight. 00:20:41.039 --> 00:20:42.519 And unprejudiced pursuit. 00:20:42.680 --> 00:20:44.720 And study the mystery of the new birth. 00:20:44.799 --> 00:20:45.620 Of being born again. 00:20:45.920 --> 00:20:47.740 It's the most important and interesting study. 00:20:47.740 --> 00:20:50.019 And when mastered. 00:20:50.140 --> 00:20:51.799 It will richly answer and repay you. 00:20:51.880 --> 00:20:52.720 For all your pains. 00:20:53.620 --> 00:20:55.059 Because one at whose bar. 00:20:55.180 --> 00:20:56.200 We are shortly to appear. 00:20:56.500 --> 00:20:57.579 Has solemnly declared. 00:20:57.700 --> 00:20:58.720 That without the new birth. 00:20:58.799 --> 00:21:00.259 We cannot enter the kingdom of heaven. 00:21:02.059 --> 00:21:02.759 Because the kind of thing. 00:21:02.839 --> 00:21:04.019 Whitefield kept pressing. 00:21:04.299 --> 00:21:04.960 Upon Franklin. 00:21:05.519 --> 00:21:05.960 Pressing. 00:21:06.120 --> 00:21:07.579 To present Christ towards him. 00:21:07.880 --> 00:21:08.720 And Franklin said. 00:21:08.720 --> 00:21:09.720 After Whitefield's death. 00:21:10.200 --> 00:21:12.160 Mr. Whitefield used to pray for my conversion. 00:21:13.420 --> 00:21:14.799 But he never had the satisfaction. 00:21:15.019 --> 00:21:15.400 Of believing. 00:21:15.839 --> 00:21:16.819 That his prayers were heard. 00:21:16.819 --> 00:21:20.019 The word may not ever penetrate. 00:21:21.799 --> 00:21:23.619 The king may not ever get through to you. 00:21:25.659 --> 00:21:28.159 And there can sometimes be that kind of response. 00:21:28.299 --> 00:21:29.619 Amongst God's genuine people. 00:21:31.059 --> 00:21:32.960 There can be a tendency in that direction. 00:21:33.139 --> 00:21:34.460 If you notice as you grow older. 00:21:36.339 --> 00:21:38.259 That somehow the word of God. 00:21:38.339 --> 00:21:39.819 Doesn't catch you like it used to. 00:21:42.519 --> 00:21:43.799 And it doesn't always get through. 00:21:43.799 --> 00:21:47.139 Have you asked yourself. 00:21:47.259 --> 00:21:49.279 What would it take for God's word. 00:21:50.700 --> 00:21:52.399 To change me in a major way. 00:21:54.500 --> 00:21:56.680 Some belief that I hold contrary. 00:21:56.940 --> 00:21:58.019 To the word of God. 00:21:58.139 --> 00:21:59.079 And the word shows. 00:21:59.359 --> 00:22:00.119 That it's wrong. 00:22:00.659 --> 00:22:02.419 What would it take for me to change that belief. 00:22:04.019 --> 00:22:05.059 Or it shows us something. 00:22:05.159 --> 00:22:05.720 I do it. 00:22:07.180 --> 00:22:08.539 That I know is wrong. 00:22:08.539 --> 00:22:09.839 What would it take. 00:22:11.359 --> 00:22:12.579 For God to change me. 00:22:14.099 --> 00:22:14.879 To have an attitude. 00:22:15.180 --> 00:22:16.599 That needs to be transformed. 00:22:18.379 --> 00:22:19.759 And if the scripture shows me that. 00:22:19.839 --> 00:22:20.799 Would I bow to it. 00:22:21.359 --> 00:22:22.319 Would I be willing to change. 00:22:22.379 --> 00:22:24.000 What would it take for God to get through to you. 00:22:26.839 --> 00:22:27.420 And isn't it true. 00:22:27.480 --> 00:22:28.759 That sometimes as we get older. 00:22:29.119 --> 00:22:31.039 We just kind of get set. 00:22:31.180 --> 00:22:33.059 In I'm going to believe what I'm going to believe. 00:22:33.059 --> 00:22:36.139 And we can almost say. 00:22:36.220 --> 00:22:36.519 Can't we. 00:22:36.539 --> 00:22:37.259 Well it doesn't really matter. 00:22:37.319 --> 00:22:38.299 What the Bible says. 00:22:38.980 --> 00:22:40.159 I'm just going to keep on believing it. 00:22:40.220 --> 00:22:41.200 So I'm going to keep on doing it. 00:22:42.279 --> 00:22:43.319 And we need to be aware. 00:22:43.419 --> 00:22:43.960 Of that tendency. 00:22:45.179 --> 00:22:45.940 Second response. 00:22:46.079 --> 00:22:46.599 To the word. 00:22:46.700 --> 00:22:46.919 Is. 00:22:47.240 --> 00:22:48.419 The word no longer excites me. 00:22:48.480 --> 00:22:49.679 That's verses 20 and 21. 00:22:50.700 --> 00:22:52.279 The word no longer excites me. 00:22:54.220 --> 00:22:54.879 And the word. 00:22:54.960 --> 00:22:55.940 Falls on rocky soil. 00:22:56.079 --> 00:22:56.539 And immediately. 00:22:56.659 --> 00:22:57.759 They receive it with joy. 00:22:58.460 --> 00:22:59.119 And they've got. 00:22:59.559 --> 00:23:00.480 So much joy. 00:23:00.480 --> 00:23:01.359 And it seems to be. 00:23:01.359 --> 00:23:02.399 That the absence. 00:23:03.179 --> 00:23:04.679 That the joy. 00:23:04.879 --> 00:23:05.619 Seems to be related. 00:23:05.779 --> 00:23:06.579 To kind of the absence. 00:23:06.759 --> 00:23:07.679 Of depth. 00:23:07.799 --> 00:23:08.359 In this case. 00:23:09.819 --> 00:23:11.359 And there's a thin layer of soil. 00:23:11.479 --> 00:23:12.039 No real roots. 00:23:12.139 --> 00:23:12.839 The sun comes up. 00:23:13.179 --> 00:23:13.740 And it withers. 00:23:13.819 --> 00:23:14.419 There's no depth. 00:23:15.119 --> 00:23:16.199 Lots of enthusiasm. 00:23:16.639 --> 00:23:17.259 But no root. 00:23:19.179 --> 00:23:19.699 And Jesus. 00:23:19.819 --> 00:23:20.579 A word for that. 00:23:20.659 --> 00:23:21.299 In verse 21. 00:23:22.399 --> 00:23:22.819 He says. 00:23:22.839 --> 00:23:23.859 That person is temporary. 00:23:26.619 --> 00:23:27.539 And when affliction. 00:23:27.679 --> 00:23:28.500 Or difficulty comes. 00:23:28.599 --> 00:23:29.000 Immediately. 00:23:29.000 --> 00:23:29.799 They take offense. 00:23:29.939 --> 00:23:30.899 And you have to be careful of that. 00:23:31.359 --> 00:23:35.619 I go and speak to students. 00:23:35.839 --> 00:23:36.019 Sometimes. 00:23:36.199 --> 00:23:37.199 They don't ask me much anymore. 00:23:37.259 --> 00:23:38.099 Because I'm so grumpy. 00:23:38.319 --> 00:23:38.619 With them. 00:23:39.319 --> 00:23:40.679 I just can't bear the singing. 00:23:42.479 --> 00:23:43.079 One of the reasons. 00:23:43.139 --> 00:23:43.759 I can't bear the singing. 00:23:43.879 --> 00:23:44.079 Is I. 00:23:44.279 --> 00:23:45.039 I just. 00:23:45.179 --> 00:23:46.000 I'm very very nervous. 00:23:46.059 --> 00:23:47.479 Now we are pretty emotionless. 00:23:47.539 --> 00:23:47.939 And we need to. 00:23:47.939 --> 00:23:48.359 We need to. 00:23:48.619 --> 00:23:49.500 Be a bit more emotional. 00:23:49.639 --> 00:23:49.859 But I. 00:23:49.919 --> 00:23:50.699 I do think. 00:23:51.699 --> 00:23:52.279 It's easy. 00:23:52.379 --> 00:23:54.439 To look at the emotional response. 00:23:55.779 --> 00:23:56.379 Of some. 00:23:56.740 --> 00:23:57.639 More charismatic singer. 00:23:57.639 --> 00:23:57.959 And you think. 00:23:58.059 --> 00:23:58.899 I'm not like that. 00:23:58.979 --> 00:24:00.079 I feel terribly. 00:24:00.079 --> 00:24:02.480 I don't feel like. 00:24:02.759 --> 00:24:03.179 Jubilation. 00:24:03.319 --> 00:24:04.240 That makes me want to dance. 00:24:04.439 --> 00:24:05.059 And kind of get that. 00:24:05.339 --> 00:24:06.319 There may be something. 00:24:06.659 --> 00:24:07.039 In that. 00:24:07.359 --> 00:24:07.980 But I don't. 00:24:08.099 --> 00:24:08.939 We need to be. 00:24:09.119 --> 00:24:10.539 Very careful of that. 00:24:11.259 --> 00:24:12.639 And very nervous. 00:24:12.879 --> 00:24:13.139 On it. 00:24:13.140 --> 00:24:22.040 The word no longer excites me. 00:24:23.560 --> 00:24:24.620 And something has come along. 00:24:24.720 --> 00:24:24.880 And I. 00:24:25.000 --> 00:24:26.460 Used to be enthused over Jesus. 00:24:26.600 --> 00:24:27.640 But now I'm just disappointed. 00:24:27.780 --> 00:24:28.120 In Jesus. 00:24:30.620 --> 00:24:31.380 And I found out. 00:24:31.420 --> 00:24:31.759 That actually. 00:24:31.820 --> 00:24:32.620 If I belong to Jesus. 00:24:32.620 --> 00:24:33.560 That's going to involve. 00:24:33.680 --> 00:24:34.240 Kind of pressure. 00:24:34.400 --> 00:24:35.259 And kind of ridicule. 00:24:35.460 --> 00:24:35.980 And affliction. 00:24:36.220 --> 00:24:36.660 And I'm just. 00:24:36.840 --> 00:24:38.060 Disappointed in Jesus. 00:24:39.460 --> 00:24:40.120 And the word. 00:24:40.180 --> 00:24:41.020 No longer excites me. 00:24:41.020 --> 00:24:42.400 I constantly meet people like that. 00:24:42.400 --> 00:24:45.660 Spurgeon says. 00:24:45.800 --> 00:24:46.640 He once knew. 00:24:46.880 --> 00:24:47.580 Spurgeon was a great. 00:24:47.720 --> 00:24:48.700 Nineteenth century preacher. 00:24:48.840 --> 00:24:49.060 He says. 00:24:49.140 --> 00:24:49.920 I knew one of these. 00:24:50.000 --> 00:24:50.840 Rocking ground hearers. 00:24:51.880 --> 00:24:52.740 And he seemed to be. 00:24:52.820 --> 00:24:53.800 One of the most spectacular. 00:24:54.120 --> 00:24:55.259 Conversions of my ministry. 00:24:56.060 --> 00:24:56.860 He was in the village. 00:24:57.000 --> 00:24:58.080 Of Waterbeach. 00:24:58.200 --> 00:24:59.120 In the very early days. 00:24:59.140 --> 00:24:59.680 Of my ministry. 00:25:00.100 --> 00:25:00.680 And this guy. 00:25:00.759 --> 00:25:01.180 Was the leader. 00:25:01.259 --> 00:25:01.720 Of everything. 00:25:01.800 --> 00:25:02.140 And bad. 00:25:02.240 --> 00:25:02.560 And evil. 00:25:02.820 --> 00:25:03.580 He would be. 00:25:03.840 --> 00:25:04.200 Drunk. 00:25:04.800 --> 00:25:05.400 Blind drunk. 00:25:05.440 --> 00:25:05.820 In the street. 00:25:05.880 --> 00:25:06.800 Two or three times a week. 00:25:06.799 --> 00:25:08.339 He would blaspheme. 00:25:08.379 --> 00:25:08.799 And curse. 00:25:08.919 --> 00:25:09.419 And swear. 00:25:10.339 --> 00:25:11.159 And there were fires. 00:25:11.240 --> 00:25:11.740 That were set. 00:25:12.220 --> 00:25:12.839 In the neighbourhood. 00:25:13.279 --> 00:25:13.859 That people said. 00:25:13.919 --> 00:25:14.579 He'd start it. 00:25:16.180 --> 00:25:17.379 There was this kind of. 00:25:17.539 --> 00:25:17.859 Penchant. 00:25:18.000 --> 00:25:18.759 Towards evil. 00:25:20.339 --> 00:25:21.039 But behold. 00:25:21.119 --> 00:25:21.480 The buzz. 00:25:21.559 --> 00:25:22.500 That went through the chapel. 00:25:22.700 --> 00:25:23.119 On the morning. 00:25:23.200 --> 00:25:24.099 When Tom so and so. 00:25:24.200 --> 00:25:24.839 Came to hear me. 00:25:26.639 --> 00:25:27.319 Spurgeon preached. 00:25:27.579 --> 00:25:28.180 Spurgeon said. 00:25:28.240 --> 00:25:29.059 He fell in love with me. 00:25:29.139 --> 00:25:30.200 He loved to listen. 00:25:30.940 --> 00:25:31.639 And Spurgeon said. 00:25:31.659 --> 00:25:32.500 He loved to listen to him. 00:25:32.539 --> 00:25:33.359 But that was probably. 00:25:33.440 --> 00:25:34.500 The only conversion he had. 00:25:34.940 --> 00:25:36.139 But it led to change. 00:25:36.140 --> 00:25:38.440 Tom so and so. 00:25:38.520 --> 00:25:39.340 He quit his swearing. 00:25:39.420 --> 00:25:39.900 And his drinking. 00:25:40.060 --> 00:25:41.400 The pub lost his best customer. 00:25:41.880 --> 00:25:42.620 He persevered. 00:25:42.660 --> 00:25:43.060 For six. 00:25:43.160 --> 00:25:44.000 Maybe nine months. 00:25:44.080 --> 00:25:44.600 And he would come. 00:25:44.680 --> 00:25:45.440 To Sabbath worship. 00:25:45.880 --> 00:25:46.420 And then he'd come. 00:25:46.460 --> 00:25:47.060 To midweek. 00:25:47.560 --> 00:25:48.340 And he would talk about. 00:25:48.520 --> 00:25:49.040 What God had done. 00:25:49.100 --> 00:25:49.600 In his life. 00:25:49.680 --> 00:25:50.240 And he would pray. 00:25:50.840 --> 00:25:51.220 Rough. 00:25:51.320 --> 00:25:52.140 Manly prayers. 00:25:52.320 --> 00:25:52.620 Rough. 00:25:52.700 --> 00:25:53.420 Kind of language. 00:25:53.940 --> 00:25:55.360 But as soon as I heard. 00:25:55.360 --> 00:25:55.900 Those prayers. 00:25:56.040 --> 00:25:56.560 Spurgeon said. 00:25:56.600 --> 00:25:57.380 I marked him down. 00:25:57.460 --> 00:25:59.040 As one of the brightest stars. 00:25:59.160 --> 00:26:00.000 In the Redeemer's crown. 00:26:00.660 --> 00:26:02.020 But then about nine months later. 00:26:03.600 --> 00:26:04.960 After the most enthusiastic. 00:26:04.960 --> 00:26:05.720 Kind of service. 00:26:05.720 --> 00:26:06.220 For crowd. 00:26:06.339 --> 00:26:07.920 The jeers of former companions. 00:26:08.019 --> 00:26:08.920 Began to get to him. 00:26:09.160 --> 00:26:10.779 The mockery of his former crowd. 00:26:11.180 --> 00:26:12.100 And he began rather. 00:26:12.200 --> 00:26:13.460 To slink into public worship. 00:26:13.600 --> 00:26:14.400 He quit attending. 00:26:14.539 --> 00:26:15.279 The midweek meeting. 00:26:15.819 --> 00:26:16.660 And then pretty soon. 00:26:16.740 --> 00:26:17.819 He gave up attending worship. 00:26:19.420 --> 00:26:20.339 He was often warned. 00:26:20.420 --> 00:26:20.920 And admonished. 00:26:21.019 --> 00:26:21.740 But on he drifted. 00:26:21.799 --> 00:26:22.400 Until again. 00:26:22.460 --> 00:26:23.180 He was found drunk. 00:26:23.180 --> 00:26:23.819 In the streets. 00:26:24.319 --> 00:26:25.059 And he was uttering. 00:26:25.059 --> 00:26:25.839 The blasphemers. 00:26:25.960 --> 00:26:26.240 Oath. 00:26:26.900 --> 00:26:27.480 And he was doing. 00:26:27.740 --> 00:26:28.400 All those wild. 00:26:28.740 --> 00:26:29.519 Uncontrollable things. 00:26:29.640 --> 00:26:30.500 As he'd been doing before. 00:26:31.140 --> 00:26:31.440 You see. 00:26:31.600 --> 00:26:32.559 There is such a thing. 00:26:32.640 --> 00:26:33.000 Isn't that. 00:26:33.000 --> 00:26:34.420 As great enthusiasm. 00:26:34.420 --> 00:26:35.400 For Christ. 00:26:35.799 --> 00:26:37.279 But then the slinking away. 00:26:38.480 --> 00:26:39.660 The airing away of that. 00:26:42.339 --> 00:26:44.460 And you and I have to ask ourselves. 00:26:44.619 --> 00:26:46.759 Do I have some tendency in this way? 00:26:48.920 --> 00:26:49.900 A great enthusiasm. 00:26:50.400 --> 00:26:52.339 But then when something comes on. 00:26:52.400 --> 00:26:53.299 When I'm put under pressure. 00:26:53.299 --> 00:26:57.460 And when the cost of believing in Christ. 00:26:57.599 --> 00:26:58.339 Is too much. 00:26:58.440 --> 00:27:00.319 And I'm disappointed in Jesus. 00:27:00.700 --> 00:27:03.059 And I decide to fade away. 00:27:04.500 --> 00:27:05.399 Watch that tendency. 00:27:07.839 --> 00:27:08.200 Thirdly. 00:27:08.279 --> 00:27:09.379 There's the one who says. 00:27:09.480 --> 00:27:10.859 The word must not control me. 00:27:10.940 --> 00:27:11.839 That's in verse 22. 00:27:13.799 --> 00:27:14.519 Verse 22. 00:27:17.000 --> 00:27:18.859 And for what was so among thoughts. 00:27:18.960 --> 00:27:20.139 This is the one who hears the word. 00:27:20.200 --> 00:27:21.159 But the cares of the world. 00:27:21.200 --> 00:27:22.379 And the deceitfulness of riches. 00:27:22.380 --> 00:27:23.100 Is choke the word. 00:27:23.160 --> 00:27:24.080 And it proves unfruitful. 00:27:26.180 --> 00:27:27.560 A Christ cannot control me. 00:27:27.600 --> 00:27:29.460 Because there's so many other parts of life. 00:27:29.540 --> 00:27:30.340 So many other things. 00:27:30.420 --> 00:27:31.240 That crowds it out. 00:27:32.640 --> 00:27:33.680 It chokes the word. 00:27:36.640 --> 00:27:37.540 I'm not particularly. 00:27:38.200 --> 00:27:38.560 Organized. 00:27:39.340 --> 00:27:40.340 And so my desk. 00:27:40.420 --> 00:27:41.480 I long to have a clear desk. 00:27:41.560 --> 00:27:42.460 I got another desk. 00:27:42.660 --> 00:27:43.880 So I've now got two desks. 00:27:43.920 --> 00:27:44.360 In my office. 00:27:44.420 --> 00:27:44.900 In my study. 00:27:45.040 --> 00:27:46.380 So that one would remain clear. 00:27:46.600 --> 00:27:48.000 And both are as messy. 00:27:48.000 --> 00:27:48.780 As the other one now. 00:27:49.520 --> 00:27:50.540 And people will ring me up. 00:27:50.580 --> 00:27:51.580 About going to speak somewhere. 00:27:51.579 --> 00:27:52.399 I'm not going to do something. 00:27:52.659 --> 00:27:53.179 And I'll say. 00:27:53.220 --> 00:27:54.819 But it's somewhere on the clutter of my desk. 00:27:54.879 --> 00:27:55.379 And you hear me. 00:27:55.619 --> 00:27:56.639 Rambling through things. 00:27:57.919 --> 00:27:58.859 And things get lost. 00:28:00.000 --> 00:28:00.819 Because there's clutter. 00:28:01.859 --> 00:28:02.859 I lost my glasses. 00:28:03.539 --> 00:28:04.059 Last night. 00:28:04.199 --> 00:28:04.819 Mother's and my day. 00:28:04.879 --> 00:28:05.379 Because life. 00:28:05.720 --> 00:28:06.519 There's so much clutter. 00:28:09.299 --> 00:28:10.519 Life can have so much clutter. 00:28:10.619 --> 00:28:10.960 Can't it? 00:28:11.480 --> 00:28:12.899 So much clutter in life. 00:28:14.960 --> 00:28:15.839 It's not only riches. 00:28:15.919 --> 00:28:16.699 We're good at talking about that. 00:28:16.859 --> 00:28:17.699 But cares. 00:28:17.819 --> 00:28:18.259 The anxiety. 00:28:18.460 --> 00:28:18.980 The age. 00:28:18.980 --> 00:28:23.559 It comes from the root. 00:28:23.900 --> 00:28:25.120 That word in verse 22. 00:28:25.480 --> 00:28:26.099 Of divisions. 00:28:26.339 --> 00:28:26.819 Or parts. 00:28:27.000 --> 00:28:27.980 Life that is divided. 00:28:28.180 --> 00:28:29.380 Lots and lots of different parts. 00:28:30.799 --> 00:28:31.980 So many preoccupations. 00:28:32.099 --> 00:28:32.819 So many fragments. 00:28:33.640 --> 00:28:34.079 Work. 00:28:34.240 --> 00:28:34.620 Leisure. 00:28:36.259 --> 00:28:36.700 Relationships. 00:28:36.700 --> 00:28:40.440 They believe. 00:28:40.440 --> 00:28:40.900 They're interested. 00:28:41.039 --> 00:28:41.759 Because they believe. 00:28:41.900 --> 00:28:42.319 That religion. 00:28:42.480 --> 00:28:43.620 Well it's a part of life. 00:28:43.779 --> 00:28:45.400 But the word doesn't control them. 00:28:45.539 --> 00:28:46.600 Life is in bits. 00:28:48.259 --> 00:28:49.100 It's just one part. 00:28:49.220 --> 00:28:49.720 It's fragmented. 00:28:52.220 --> 00:28:54.480 And so Christ rules over the religious part. 00:28:54.620 --> 00:28:56.120 But not over the work life. 00:28:56.200 --> 00:28:57.960 And not over the leisure life. 00:28:58.019 --> 00:28:59.140 And not over the sex life. 00:28:59.200 --> 00:29:00.259 And not over the money life. 00:29:00.319 --> 00:29:01.200 And all those things. 00:29:01.200 --> 00:29:05.720 And there's the tendency. 00:29:06.000 --> 00:29:07.759 Because those other things will choke out the word. 00:29:09.220 --> 00:29:10.279 Everything is in parts. 00:29:12.100 --> 00:29:13.620 Do you have a tendency in that direction? 00:29:14.080 --> 00:29:15.039 Jesus says here's a mirror. 00:29:15.120 --> 00:29:15.860 You're my disciples. 00:29:17.160 --> 00:29:19.000 See if you see any of these tendencies. 00:29:20.039 --> 00:29:22.039 These fragments of yourself in this mirror. 00:29:22.420 --> 00:29:23.580 Dangers into which you fall. 00:29:23.579 --> 00:29:25.819 So that you. 00:29:25.819 --> 00:29:27.980 Will not fall into those tragedies yourself. 00:29:28.819 --> 00:29:29.220 Lastly. 00:29:29.419 --> 00:29:29.679 Finally. 00:29:29.960 --> 00:29:30.839 Matthew portrays to us. 00:29:30.899 --> 00:29:32.439 The motivation for Jesus service. 00:29:32.939 --> 00:29:34.639 The motivation for Jesus service. 00:29:35.399 --> 00:29:36.259 Look at verse 23. 00:29:38.480 --> 00:29:39.859 As what was so not good soil. 00:29:39.939 --> 00:29:41.039 This is the one who hears the word. 00:29:41.119 --> 00:29:41.839 Understands it. 00:29:41.919 --> 00:29:43.559 He indeed bears fruit. 00:29:43.720 --> 00:29:44.379 And yields. 00:29:44.579 --> 00:29:45.980 In one case a hundredfold. 00:29:46.139 --> 00:29:46.879 In another sixty. 00:29:47.439 --> 00:29:48.519 And in another thirty. 00:29:53.579 --> 00:29:55.039 You might listen to me. 00:29:55.179 --> 00:29:55.500 You just say. 00:29:55.519 --> 00:29:56.819 Well what's the point in sowing? 00:29:57.759 --> 00:29:59.599 Three out of four seeds. 00:30:00.439 --> 00:30:01.039 Don't work. 00:30:02.639 --> 00:30:03.899 That's the temptation for us. 00:30:03.960 --> 00:30:04.779 As a church family. 00:30:04.939 --> 00:30:07.439 What's the point in telling others? 00:30:10.519 --> 00:30:12.019 But Jesus is saying to you and I. 00:30:12.179 --> 00:30:13.519 As you sow the seed. 00:30:13.579 --> 00:30:14.480 You will see a lot of people. 00:30:14.599 --> 00:30:15.339 That are not responsive. 00:30:16.279 --> 00:30:16.699 And receptive. 00:30:17.619 --> 00:30:19.059 But there is going to be a harvest. 00:30:21.099 --> 00:30:21.859 And Jesus is saying. 00:30:21.960 --> 00:30:23.319 I am going to have my fruitful. 00:30:23.319 --> 00:30:24.139 All faithful people. 00:30:24.259 --> 00:30:25.139 Who receive my word. 00:30:25.179 --> 00:30:25.859 And they bear fruit. 00:30:25.939 --> 00:30:27.379 And that ought to be a great encouragement. 00:30:27.599 --> 00:30:28.019 This morning. 00:30:29.460 --> 00:30:30.559 You never know. 00:30:30.659 --> 00:30:31.939 The seed that you sow. 00:30:32.359 --> 00:30:33.839 When the seed is going to produce. 00:30:36.599 --> 00:30:38.460 Let me quote Spurgeon again. 00:30:39.879 --> 00:30:40.679 Spurgeon was the preacher. 00:30:40.759 --> 00:30:42.000 At a great rally in London. 00:30:42.519 --> 00:30:43.359 At Crystal Palace. 00:30:44.299 --> 00:30:46.059 When the Indian Mutiny. 00:30:46.059 --> 00:30:46.559 Was happening. 00:30:46.559 --> 00:30:49.720 And the royalty of the government. 00:30:50.039 --> 00:30:52.319 Called for a day of national humiliation prayer. 00:30:53.319 --> 00:30:54.500 And Spurgeon was supposed to preach. 00:30:54.500 --> 00:30:55.619 At the Crystal Palace. 00:30:56.319 --> 00:30:57.119 Spurgeon went there. 00:30:57.200 --> 00:30:57.819 A day ahead of time. 00:30:57.919 --> 00:30:58.960 To see what the venue was like. 00:30:59.700 --> 00:31:00.399 At the Crystal Palace. 00:31:00.460 --> 00:31:01.240 Hadn't been designed. 00:31:01.379 --> 00:31:01.960 For preaching. 00:31:02.579 --> 00:31:03.539 For such meetings. 00:31:04.240 --> 00:31:05.879 And he wanted to test the acoustics. 00:31:07.240 --> 00:31:07.980 He didn't say. 00:31:08.079 --> 00:31:08.500 Test him. 00:31:08.619 --> 00:31:09.200 One, two, three. 00:31:10.679 --> 00:31:11.659 He took the text. 00:31:11.740 --> 00:31:12.799 From John 1.29. 00:31:13.139 --> 00:31:14.399 And Spurgeon bellowed out. 00:31:14.480 --> 00:31:15.059 In his voice. 00:31:15.419 --> 00:31:15.859 He said. 00:31:15.859 --> 00:31:17.240 Behold the Lamb of God. 00:31:17.319 --> 00:31:18.899 Who takes away the sins of the world. 00:31:22.159 --> 00:31:23.379 He said it three times. 00:31:24.719 --> 00:31:25.659 Several days later. 00:31:26.219 --> 00:31:27.159 Someone came to see him. 00:31:27.179 --> 00:31:27.439 Who said. 00:31:27.479 --> 00:31:28.299 I was a workman. 00:31:28.959 --> 00:31:29.959 Working in that building. 00:31:31.319 --> 00:31:32.179 And he heard. 00:31:32.319 --> 00:31:33.559 What Spurgeon had said. 00:31:33.799 --> 00:31:35.019 When he announced that text. 00:31:35.240 --> 00:31:36.259 Testing the acoustics. 00:31:37.419 --> 00:31:38.019 And the message. 00:31:38.079 --> 00:31:38.539 It can help. 00:31:38.599 --> 00:31:39.799 Come home to that workman. 00:31:39.859 --> 00:31:40.639 And they even receive. 00:31:40.759 --> 00:31:41.619 The Lord Jesus Christ. 00:31:43.199 --> 00:31:44.159 He'd become a Christian. 00:31:44.160 --> 00:31:46.700 And you never know. 00:31:46.820 --> 00:31:47.820 What seed is going to produce. 00:31:49.580 --> 00:31:50.580 And that ought to be. 00:31:50.740 --> 00:31:52.279 A great encouragement. 00:31:52.620 --> 00:31:53.279 To preachers. 00:31:53.480 --> 00:31:53.940 And teachers. 00:31:55.620 --> 00:31:56.519 And parents. 00:31:58.060 --> 00:31:59.640 That you don't always expect it. 00:31:59.720 --> 00:32:00.620 To bring forth fruit. 00:32:00.740 --> 00:32:02.340 But God will have a fruitful people. 00:32:04.340 --> 00:32:05.560 But there are those. 00:32:05.980 --> 00:32:06.320 Today. 00:32:06.440 --> 00:32:07.840 Who will receive that word. 00:32:09.420 --> 00:32:10.460 And for Christian parents. 00:32:10.540 --> 00:32:11.660 It really ought to encourage you. 00:32:11.840 --> 00:32:13.000 Parents who have taught their children. 00:32:13.120 --> 00:32:13.560 The gospel. 00:32:14.160 --> 00:32:15.340 Who according to their. 00:32:15.560 --> 00:32:16.180 Baptismal vows. 00:32:16.259 --> 00:32:17.019 Have prayed for them. 00:32:17.120 --> 00:32:17.820 And with them. 00:32:20.720 --> 00:32:21.680 And you don't know. 00:32:21.779 --> 00:32:22.120 When. 00:32:22.320 --> 00:32:23.040 Or where. 00:32:23.220 --> 00:32:24.420 That seed will take root. 00:32:26.180 --> 00:32:26.940 And grow. 00:32:28.320 --> 00:32:29.740 And you may be really discouraged. 00:32:29.880 --> 00:32:30.240 This morning. 00:32:30.380 --> 00:32:30.660 You might think. 00:32:30.700 --> 00:32:31.860 Well it doesn't seem to have taken. 00:32:32.120 --> 00:32:33.740 Much root in their lives now. 00:32:36.040 --> 00:32:37.100 But what I encourage you. 00:32:37.140 --> 00:32:37.400 When it is. 00:32:37.460 --> 00:32:38.259 That there is good. 00:32:38.440 --> 00:32:39.580 There is good ground. 00:32:41.120 --> 00:32:42.720 And God is going to have. 00:32:42.720 --> 00:32:43.640 A fruitful people. 00:32:45.140 --> 00:32:46.160 And shouldn't it make a difference. 00:32:46.259 --> 00:32:46.720 To us this week. 00:32:46.799 --> 00:32:48.240 As we sow the seed. 00:32:48.299 --> 00:32:49.120 At the school gate. 00:32:50.680 --> 00:32:52.160 As we talk about the gospel. 00:32:52.319 --> 00:32:53.339 With people at work. 00:32:54.759 --> 00:32:55.779 And folk will resist. 00:32:55.900 --> 00:32:57.380 Let's not be embarrassed about that. 00:32:58.140 --> 00:32:59.079 But you never know. 00:33:00.120 --> 00:33:01.740 When that seed will produce fruit. 00:33:03.460 --> 00:33:05.279 Because God is going to have a harvest. 00:33:05.279 --> 00:33:07.639 And it ought to be a motivation. 00:33:07.639 --> 00:33:08.460 For you and I. 00:33:08.579 --> 00:33:09.319 And us as a church. 00:33:09.379 --> 00:33:10.559 To keep faithfully sowing. 00:33:14.180 --> 00:33:15.200 Our little start. 00:33:16.259 --> 00:33:17.460 At the lunchtime talks. 00:33:18.200 --> 00:33:19.299 At the language class. 00:33:19.359 --> 00:33:20.859 At the children and young people's meetings. 00:33:20.859 --> 00:33:21.720 On Thursday nights. 00:33:22.399 --> 00:33:23.299 At the book table. 00:33:23.559 --> 00:33:24.279 At Sunday school. 00:33:25.480 --> 00:33:26.519 It's only a seed isn't it. 00:33:26.519 --> 00:33:27.420 It seems so fragile. 00:33:27.559 --> 00:33:29.000 We've sown for so long. 00:33:29.099 --> 00:33:30.119 We've seen so little. 00:33:30.559 --> 00:33:31.879 But there will be a harvest. 00:33:33.739 --> 00:33:35.439 And the seed seems so small. 00:33:36.119 --> 00:33:37.279 It doesn't seem very glorious. 00:33:39.539 --> 00:33:41.319 You can go to Watford Parish Church. 00:33:43.099 --> 00:33:44.299 And if you go to Watford Parish Church. 00:33:44.359 --> 00:33:45.179 I think they've fixed it now. 00:33:45.239 --> 00:33:45.959 But there was. 00:33:46.379 --> 00:33:47.919 A fig tree growing up. 00:33:48.039 --> 00:33:48.859 Through the grave. 00:33:50.539 --> 00:33:51.959 The slab on the top. 00:33:52.359 --> 00:33:53.419 Of the tomb of the grave. 00:33:53.539 --> 00:33:55.539 It had split into three parts. 00:33:55.919 --> 00:33:57.519 And the fig tree was growing up. 00:33:57.619 --> 00:33:58.059 Through the middle. 00:33:58.179 --> 00:33:59.099 And through the sides. 00:33:59.219 --> 00:33:59.699 Of that tomb. 00:34:00.119 --> 00:34:03.299 It had opened it up. 00:34:03.319 --> 00:34:04.039 In its growth. 00:34:06.059 --> 00:34:07.059 The grave. 00:34:07.599 --> 00:34:09.619 Belonged to a man called Ben Wangford. 00:34:10.259 --> 00:34:12.079 Ben Wangford had been a naval officer. 00:34:13.359 --> 00:34:14.159 He wished to be buried. 00:34:14.279 --> 00:34:15.920 With a fig in his hand. 00:34:17.299 --> 00:34:19.519 And the life of that fig. 00:34:20.519 --> 00:34:22.619 Took hold of the death of that hand. 00:34:23.759 --> 00:34:25.539 And the power of that life. 00:34:26.299 --> 00:34:28.259 Broke open the death of that tomb. 00:34:28.260 --> 00:34:31.220 It was only a seed. 00:34:31.220 --> 00:34:32.440 And it was only a seed. 00:34:33.080 --> 00:34:34.160 And the gospel is so. 00:34:34.159 --> 00:34:36.539 But Jesus says. 00:34:36.539 --> 00:34:37.420 I am the king. 00:34:37.819 --> 00:34:39.659 Who is bringing the kingdom of God. 00:34:40.399 --> 00:34:41.159 And I have come. 00:34:41.539 --> 00:34:42.579 And it seems obscure. 00:34:42.980 --> 00:34:44.619 And it seems plain. 00:34:45.019 --> 00:34:45.659 And ordinary. 00:34:47.539 --> 00:34:49.019 And you don't see the power. 00:34:49.239 --> 00:34:50.000 The great glory. 00:34:50.219 --> 00:34:50.579 Yet. 00:34:50.579 --> 00:34:54.000 But now I am to be received. 00:34:54.000 --> 00:34:55.400 And to be followed by you. 00:34:56.599 --> 00:34:58.019 And it's only a seed. 00:34:58.119 --> 00:34:59.340 That will produce great fruit. 00:35:00.579 --> 00:35:01.759 And will bring you to life. 00:35:01.840 --> 00:35:02.619 In the kingdom of God. 00:35:03.440 --> 00:35:04.000 Let's pray.