WEBVTT

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 Alright, well we are continuing our way through the Gospel of Luke and we are in chapter 8.

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 And at this point in the story Luke gives us a little bit of a big picture, a little bit of a summary about what is happening around this time with Jesus.

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 Let me just read it for us from Luke chapter 8.

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 After this, Jesus traveled about from one town and village to another, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom of God.

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 The twelve were with him, and also some women who had been cured of evil spirits and diseases.

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 Mary, called Magdalene, from whom seven demons had come out.

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 Joanna, the wife of Chusa, the manager of Herod's household.

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 Susanna, and many others.

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 These women were helping to support them out of their own means.

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 So Jesus is preaching.

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 And again, Luke's reminding us that Jesus was not just a healer and a miracle worker.

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 He came with a message.

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 And his message was good news.

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 Good news about what?

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 The kingdom of God.

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 The good news of Jesus is the kingdom of God.

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 Already when we get to this point in the story, we might scratch our heads and wonder,

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 what is the good news of the kingdom of God?

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 Well, in another occasion, Jesus was heard saying these words in Mark's gospel.

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 The kingdom of God has come near.

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 Repent and believe the good news.

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 So this was his message, that the kingdom of God has come near.

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 And what kingdom is this?

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 As I said last Sunday, to really understand this, we need to look back in our Bibles.

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 We could look back to the kingdom that God established for his people through Saul.

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 And then later, especially through David.

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 God made some amazing promises to David.

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 He not only chose David to be the king over Israel,

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 but he promised that David's throne, his kingdom, would endure forever.

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 And then we can think back to what we heard at the beginning of Luke's gospel.

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 What did Gabriel reveal to Mary?

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 Gabriel said that her son, to be born, would be given the throne of his father David.

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 And that he would reign over Jacob's descendants forever.

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 In a kingdom that would never end.

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 This is the kingdom that Jesus is talking about.

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 It's the kingdom of God, because it's the kingdom that comes from God.

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 It's established by God.

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 It has its source in him.

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 And this kingdom is near, because the king of this kingdom has now come.

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 He has been born.

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 And he is here.

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 And his people put their faith in Jesus, the king.

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 The citizenship of this kingdom is growing.

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 And yet, at the same time, many people had different expectations of this kingdom.

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 Many expected that it would resemble the kingdom of Israel from ancient times.

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 Many anticipated an earthly, geopolitical government and rule, with the Messiah leading the charge and kicking the Roman Empire out.

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 Establishing an earthly throne.

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 And already, Jesus has not been acting or measuring up to those kinds of expectations.

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 And yet, Jesus continues to proclaim the good news of the kingdom of God.

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 He continues to call people to repent and believe this good news, that the great kingdom of God is near.

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 As we'll see eventually, the rise of this kingdom will defy all expectations.

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 The path of Jesus to the throne will be through suffering, death, and resurrection.

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 And the full establishment of this kingdom awaits the second coming of Jesus in the distant future, when he returns from heaven.

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 So, Jesus went from one town and village to another, preaching this kingdom.

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 And Luke tells us that the twelve were with him.

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 The twelve disciples.

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 And not just the twelve, but also a large cohort of women.

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 And there's certainly some interesting details in there about the women.

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 But, for time's sake, we'll pass over those this morning.

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 What Luke really wants to get to and tell us about is what happened on one occasion, and possibly more than one,

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 where Jesus gave the people this teaching.

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 Verse 4.

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 While a large crowd was gathering, and people were coming to Jesus from town after town,

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 he told this parable.

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 A farmer went out to sow his seed.

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 As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path.

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 It was trampled on, and the birds ate it up.

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 Some fell on rocky ground.

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 And when it came up, the plants withered, because they had no moisture.

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 Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up with it, and choked the plants.

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 Still other seed fell on good soil.

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 It came up and yielded a crop a hundred times more than was sown.

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 When he had said this, Jesus called out,

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 Whoever has ears to hear, let them hear.

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 Now imagine for a moment that you just traveled several hours to hear Jesus on foot.

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 You've heard so much about him.

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 And this is what he says.

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 A farmer went out to sow his seed.

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 The seed landed in four different places,

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 and based on the condition of the soil in each place,

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 there was a different outcome.

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 One of the four outcomes was good.

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 Only one of them was the kind of outcome that the farmer hopes for.

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 Whoever has ears to hear, let them hear.

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 What's your reaction to this?

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 I imagine there were many people thinking,

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 What's the point?

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 What does this mean?

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 Why is he telling us about this?

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 Is there a deeper meaning to this?

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 On its own, this teaching is kind of ambiguous.

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 It's kind of cryptic.

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 What are we supposed to do with this?

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 Is there some wisdom in here that we're supposed to discover?

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 And then there's the statement of Jesus at the end,

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 which is rather strange.

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 Whoever has ears to hear, let him hear.

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 Don't we all have ears?

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 Aren't we all here listening to you, Jesus?

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 One modern translation attempts to highlight the force of the last part of Jesus' statement.

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 It says,

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 The one who has ears to hear had better listen.

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 Are you saying that we're not really listening, Jesus?

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 Are you saying that some of us don't have ears, that we're deaf?

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 And what does all this have to do with the farmer?

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 And the seed?

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 And the four kinds of ground?

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 Like, what are you talking about, Jesus?

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 Even a closer examination of the details of Jesus' parable

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 don't really get us much further.

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 The farmer sows seed, and it falls on these different places.

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 And what happens in each of these places is basically what we expect.

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 If it falls on the path, it gets trampled on.

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 Or the birds come and eat it.

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 That's expected.

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 If it falls on the rocky ground, the plant can hardly eke out its existence.

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 It's got no depth, and so it withers.

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 And it dies.

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 If it falls among the weeds, well, we've all seen things trying to grow alongside the weeds,

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 and we know how that goes.

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 That's expected.

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 Really, the only unexpected thing is maybe how Jesus describes the seed that falls on the good soil.

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 He says,

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 The plants came up and yielded a crop a hundred times what was sown.

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 This is what every farmer dreams of and hopes for.

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 A hundred times what was sown is the ultimate bumper crop.

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 We're talking like a wheat yield of around 160 bushels an acre.

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 With that kind of yield, the farmer would be hooting and hollering all the way up and down the field during harvest.

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 So that would be great for a farmer.

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 But what's the point?

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 And surprisingly, Jesus didn't explain the meaning of all this to this large crowd.

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 He just left it at that.

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 Many of them went away wondering what on earth Jesus was talking about.

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 Later on, Jesus' disciples asked him what the parable meant.

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 Verse 9.

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 His disciples asked him what this parable meant.

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 He said,

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 The knowledge of the secrets of the kingdom of God has been given to you.

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 But to others, I speak in parables.

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 So that though seeing, they may not see.

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 Though hearing, they may not understand.

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 From there, Jesus goes on to explain the details of the parable to them.

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 So there was a deeper meaning to this little parable or analogy of Jesus.

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 And we're going to get to it in just a moment.

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 But before he explains it to them, there's this explanation of why he speaks in parables.

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 And perhaps it's a little surprising.

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 These particular words of Jesus have been discussed and debated thoroughly through the centuries.

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 We'll start with the clear part.

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 Jesus says,

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 The knowledge of the secrets of the kingdom has been given to you.

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 The knowledge of the secrets of the kingdom of God has been given to you.

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 So what's clear is that there are secrets.

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 There are mysteries, as some translations put it,

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 to the kingdom of God.

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 But this kingdom Jesus has been proclaiming has secrets.

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 It has elements that are hidden from plain sight.

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 It has inner workings that are not obvious or expected.

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 Jesus says,

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 The knowledge of these secrets has been given to you,

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 to his disciples.

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 According to Mark's gospel,

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 Jesus isn't just talking about the twelve,

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 but to the twelve and others of his disciples.

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 Probably it included these women as well,

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 that we've just heard were there,

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 and a good number of others as well.

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 And so what is clear is that there's this sort of insiders group,

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 and then there's an outside group.

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 And Jesus says to the insiders group,

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 The secrets of God's kingdom have been given to you,

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 but not to those on the outside.

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 And then Jesus explains the meaning of the parable to them.

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 He goes through each element,

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 and he tells what it represents.

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 We'll get to that in a moment,

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 in verses 11 to 15.

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 In other words,

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 when Jesus says the secrets of the kingdom of God

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 have been given to you,

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 what that means is that as Jesus tells these parables to the crowds,

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 he gives the explanation of them

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 only to his disciples,

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 only to the insiders group,

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 and not to everyone.

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 And this is just one of the many parables that Jesus told.

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 He told the parable of the mustard seed,

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 the parable of the prodigal son,

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 the parable of the wheat and the weeds,

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 the parables of the hidden treasure in the field,

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 and the pearl of great price,

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 and many more.

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 And Jesus, we notice,

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 begins quite a number of those parables

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 with this saying,

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 this phrase.

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 He'll say,

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 The kingdom of God is like,

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 and then he'll give this analogy,

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 he'll tell a parable,

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 where the kingdom of heaven is like,

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 by one count,

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 a dozen of the parables told,

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 which begin with those words.

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 Though some have pointed out

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 that probably about 25 to 30 of the parables

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 have to do with the kingdom of God.

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 They seem to almost all be focused around this.

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 And so Jesus is proclaiming the good news of the kingdom

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 to the crowds,

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 and as people ask questions,

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 well, what's the kingdom of God like?

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 How's it going to go?

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 Jesus is answering those questions

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 with a variety of parables and analogies.

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 But,

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 Jesus is explaining these parables

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 and their details only to his disciples.

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 Only to those who are traveling around with him

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 and following him.

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 To the twelve,

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 and to others who are part of that inside group.

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 The close followers of Jesus.

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 Now, why did Jesus do it like that?

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 Why not just explain the meaning of the parables

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 to everyone?

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 The details to everybody,

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 the whole crowd.

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 Here's where it becomes a lot less clear.

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 Here's what Jesus says about it.

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 He says,

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 He quotes from the prophet Isaiah,

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 who prophesied 700 years earlier.

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 What does that mean?

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 It almost sounds like Jesus is saying

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 he uses the parables deliberately.

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 But why?

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 Like,

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 are you saying that the purpose of them

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 is to conceal

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 or obscure the truth

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 from people who are hearing them?

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 It kind of sounds like that,

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 doesn't it?

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 To others I speak in parables

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 so that those seeing,

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 they may not see.

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 Though hearing,

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 they may not understand.

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 So,

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 what does that mean?

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 Jesus,

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 do you want them not to see?

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 Do you want them not to understand?

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 Don't you want them to see

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 and to understand everything that you're saying?

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 This apparent tension

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 has led to all sorts

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 of different explanations

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 of these words of Jesus.

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 But before we consider a few,

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 I just want to remind us that

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 this is a difficult passage to interpret.

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 And there's a number of reasons why.

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 The first reason

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 has to do with this

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 quoting the Old Testament prophet.

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 Quoting Isaiah.

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 Isaiah wrote

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 the part that Jesus

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 quoted 700 years prior.

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 He starts

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 his sentence,

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 Jesus does,

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 and then ends it

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 with the quote

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 from Isaiah.

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 If I quote Shakespeare

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 but you're not familiar

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 with that quote

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 or work

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 of Shakespeare

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 then it's not going to make sense.

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 And it's the same with this.

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 So we flip back

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 to Isaiah chapter 6

00:16:34.220 --> 00:16:35.980
 to try to understand

00:16:35.980 --> 00:16:36.980
 what Jesus means.

00:16:38.440 --> 00:16:39.600
 But then once we

00:16:39.600 --> 00:16:40.960
 get to it,

00:16:41.019 --> 00:16:42.460
 we realize that Isaiah 6

00:16:42.460 --> 00:16:43.220
 is itself

00:16:43.220 --> 00:16:44.540
 a difficult passage

00:16:44.540 --> 00:16:45.440
 to understand.

00:16:47.160 --> 00:16:48.460
 The prophet Isaiah

00:16:48.460 --> 00:16:49.840
 who lived during the reign

00:16:49.840 --> 00:16:51.379
 of King Uzziah

00:16:51.379 --> 00:16:53.420
 had a spectacular vision

00:16:53.420 --> 00:16:54.340
 from God.

00:16:55.000 --> 00:16:56.540
 He saw the Lord

00:16:56.540 --> 00:16:58.420
 high and exalted

00:16:58.420 --> 00:16:59.940
 seated on a throne.

00:16:59.940 --> 00:17:01.540
 and he saw

00:17:01.540 --> 00:17:02.400
 these strange

00:17:02.400 --> 00:17:03.460
 looking angel

00:17:03.460 --> 00:17:04.700
 things

00:17:04.700 --> 00:17:06.220
 worshiping God

00:17:06.220 --> 00:17:07.539
 and there was smoke

00:17:07.539 --> 00:17:08.320
 in the vision

00:17:08.320 --> 00:17:09.420
 and the ground shook

00:17:09.420 --> 00:17:10.500
 in the vision.

00:17:11.960 --> 00:17:12.880
 And Isaiah

00:17:12.880 --> 00:17:13.600
 is in the presence

00:17:13.600 --> 00:17:14.140
 of God

00:17:14.140 --> 00:17:15.580
 and he's crying out

00:17:15.580 --> 00:17:16.420
 sensing that he's

00:17:16.420 --> 00:17:17.279
 about to be

00:17:17.279 --> 00:17:19.160
 destroyed

00:17:19.160 --> 00:17:19.920
 because he's

00:17:19.920 --> 00:17:20.779
 a guilty sinner

00:17:20.779 --> 00:17:22.160
 in the presence

00:17:22.160 --> 00:17:22.880
 of a holy

00:17:22.880 --> 00:17:24.080
 and perfect God.

00:17:24.079 --> 00:17:26.259
 But then

00:17:26.259 --> 00:17:27.059
 in the vision

00:17:27.059 --> 00:17:28.299
 God takes his guilt

00:17:28.299 --> 00:17:28.720
 away

00:17:28.720 --> 00:17:30.359
 and makes atonement

00:17:30.359 --> 00:17:30.899
 for him

00:17:30.899 --> 00:17:32.339
 and then sends

00:17:32.339 --> 00:17:32.879
 Isaiah

00:17:32.879 --> 00:17:34.399
 to speak on his

00:17:34.399 --> 00:17:34.960
 behalf

00:17:34.960 --> 00:17:35.759
 to the people

00:17:35.759 --> 00:17:36.319
 of Israel.

00:17:37.179 --> 00:17:38.059
 It's like a

00:17:38.059 --> 00:17:39.159
 commissioning of Isaiah

00:17:39.159 --> 00:17:40.039
 to be a prophet.

00:17:41.179 --> 00:17:42.220
 But what God

00:17:42.220 --> 00:17:43.099
 says to Isaiah

00:17:43.099 --> 00:17:44.259
 in this commissioning

00:17:44.259 --> 00:17:45.199
 is

00:17:45.199 --> 00:17:46.699
 maybe unexpected.

00:17:48.579 --> 00:17:49.439
 He said

00:17:49.439 --> 00:17:50.159
 go and tell

00:17:50.159 --> 00:17:50.819
 this people

00:17:50.819 --> 00:17:52.299
 be ever hearing

00:17:52.299 --> 00:17:53.759
 but never

00:17:53.759 --> 00:17:54.579
 understanding

00:17:54.579 --> 00:17:56.839
 be ever seeing

00:17:56.839 --> 00:17:58.339
 but never perceiving

00:17:58.339 --> 00:18:00.400
 make the heart

00:18:00.400 --> 00:18:01.240
 of this people

00:18:01.240 --> 00:18:01.940
 calloused

00:18:01.940 --> 00:18:03.700
 make their ears

00:18:03.700 --> 00:18:04.180
 dull

00:18:04.180 --> 00:18:05.759
 and close their eyes

00:18:05.759 --> 00:18:06.779
 otherwise

00:18:06.779 --> 00:18:07.819
 they might see

00:18:07.819 --> 00:18:08.759
 with their eyes

00:18:08.759 --> 00:18:10.759
 hear with their ears

00:18:10.759 --> 00:18:11.819
 understand

00:18:11.819 --> 00:18:12.920
 with their hearts

00:18:12.920 --> 00:18:13.819
 and turn

00:18:13.819 --> 00:18:15.559
 and be healed.

00:18:17.980 --> 00:18:19.180
 Then I said

00:18:19.180 --> 00:18:20.680
 for how long

00:18:20.680 --> 00:18:21.019
 Lord?

00:18:22.019 --> 00:18:22.779
 And he answered

00:18:22.779 --> 00:18:23.940
 until the cities

00:18:23.940 --> 00:18:24.639
 lie ruined

00:18:24.639 --> 00:18:25.119
 and without

00:18:25.119 --> 00:18:25.879
 inhabitant

00:18:25.879 --> 00:18:27.059
 until the houses

00:18:27.059 --> 00:18:28.059
 are left deserted

00:18:28.059 --> 00:18:28.819
 and the fields

00:18:28.819 --> 00:18:29.960
 ruined and ravaged

00:18:29.960 --> 00:18:31.099
 until the Lord

00:18:31.099 --> 00:18:32.139
 has sent everyone

00:18:32.139 --> 00:18:33.059
 far away

00:18:33.059 --> 00:18:34.519
 and the land

00:18:34.519 --> 00:18:35.859
 is utterly

00:18:35.859 --> 00:18:37.000
 forsaken.

00:18:39.599 --> 00:18:40.399
 Do you see

00:18:40.399 --> 00:18:40.920
 what I mean?

00:18:41.740 --> 00:18:42.839
 Isaiah chapter 6

00:18:42.839 --> 00:18:43.500
 is a difficult

00:18:43.500 --> 00:18:44.899
 passage to understand.

00:18:47.000 --> 00:18:47.859
 He's sending

00:18:47.859 --> 00:18:48.399
 Isaiah

00:18:48.399 --> 00:18:49.200
 God is

00:18:49.200 --> 00:18:50.299
 but it sounds

00:18:50.299 --> 00:18:50.740
 here with

00:18:50.740 --> 00:18:51.100
 Isaiah

00:18:51.100 --> 00:18:51.740
 like God's

00:18:51.740 --> 00:18:52.019
 purpose

00:18:52.019 --> 00:18:52.559
 is not

00:18:52.559 --> 00:18:53.000
 to call

00:18:53.000 --> 00:18:53.160
 them

00:18:53.160 --> 00:18:53.620
 to repent

00:18:53.620 --> 00:18:54.140
 and be

00:18:54.140 --> 00:18:54.620
 saved

00:18:54.620 --> 00:18:55.519
 but rather

00:18:55.519 --> 00:18:55.900
 to bring

00:18:55.900 --> 00:18:56.160
 about

00:18:56.160 --> 00:18:56.640
 punishment

00:18:56.640 --> 00:18:57.180
 on them

00:18:57.180 --> 00:18:58.259
 for their

00:18:58.259 --> 00:18:58.720
 sins.

00:19:00.299 --> 00:19:01.059
 It seems

00:19:01.059 --> 00:19:01.360
 as if

00:19:01.360 --> 00:19:01.740
 God is

00:19:01.740 --> 00:19:02.019
 telling

00:19:02.019 --> 00:19:02.380
 Isaiah

00:19:02.380 --> 00:19:02.840
 right from

00:19:02.840 --> 00:19:03.180
 the get

00:19:03.180 --> 00:19:03.340
 go

00:19:03.340 --> 00:19:03.900
 that people

00:19:03.900 --> 00:19:04.539
 will not

00:19:04.539 --> 00:19:05.100
 respond

00:19:05.100 --> 00:19:05.819
 favorably

00:19:05.819 --> 00:19:07.039
 to his

00:19:07.039 --> 00:19:07.440
 words.

00:19:08.620 --> 00:19:09.279
 And we're

00:19:09.279 --> 00:19:09.700
 still left

00:19:09.700 --> 00:19:09.980
 with the

00:19:09.980 --> 00:19:10.299
 question

00:19:10.299 --> 00:19:10.720
 of what's

00:19:10.720 --> 00:19:10.900
 meant

00:19:10.900 --> 00:19:11.900
 by this

00:19:11.900 --> 00:19:12.700
 statement

00:19:12.700 --> 00:19:13.740
 go and

00:19:13.740 --> 00:19:13.940
 tell

00:19:13.940 --> 00:19:14.480
 this people

00:19:14.480 --> 00:19:15.059
 be ever

00:19:15.059 --> 00:19:15.559
 hearing

00:19:15.559 --> 00:19:16.740
 but never

00:19:16.740 --> 00:19:17.500
 understanding.

00:19:19.200 --> 00:19:19.819
 Be ever

00:19:19.819 --> 00:19:20.319
 seeing

00:19:20.319 --> 00:19:21.720
 but never

00:19:21.720 --> 00:19:22.340
 perceiving.

00:19:23.440 --> 00:19:24.380
 Is God

00:19:24.380 --> 00:19:24.960
 pronouncing

00:19:24.960 --> 00:19:25.460
 judgment

00:19:25.460 --> 00:19:26.660
 on Israel

00:19:26.660 --> 00:19:27.019
 here?

00:19:28.319 --> 00:19:29.200
 Is this

00:19:29.200 --> 00:19:29.700
 punishment?

00:19:32.759 --> 00:19:33.580
 Is it

00:19:33.580 --> 00:19:33.940
 that they're

00:19:33.940 --> 00:19:34.279
 kind of

00:19:34.279 --> 00:19:35.059
 left to a

00:19:35.059 --> 00:19:35.440
 sort of

00:19:35.440 --> 00:19:35.920
 spiritual

00:19:35.920 --> 00:19:36.440
 blindness

00:19:36.440 --> 00:19:37.279
 and deafness?

00:19:37.519 --> 00:19:38.259
 Is God

00:19:38.259 --> 00:19:38.900
 giving them

00:19:38.900 --> 00:19:39.500
 over to

00:19:39.500 --> 00:19:40.180
 hardness

00:19:40.180 --> 00:19:40.759
 of heart

00:19:40.759 --> 00:19:41.620
 and blindness

00:19:41.620 --> 00:19:42.160
 with these

00:19:42.160 --> 00:19:42.559
 words?

00:19:43.759 --> 00:19:44.440
 Or

00:19:44.440 --> 00:19:44.840
 you could

00:19:44.840 --> 00:19:45.400
 almost take

00:19:45.400 --> 00:19:45.660
 it the

00:19:45.660 --> 00:19:46.059
 complete

00:19:46.059 --> 00:19:46.900
 opposite way

00:19:46.900 --> 00:19:47.279
 too.

00:19:47.460 --> 00:19:48.000
 Is God

00:19:48.000 --> 00:19:48.580
 goading

00:19:48.580 --> 00:19:48.980
 them

00:19:48.980 --> 00:19:49.660
 with these

00:19:49.660 --> 00:19:50.039
 words?

00:19:50.240 --> 00:19:50.480
 Is he

00:19:50.480 --> 00:19:50.839
 trying to

00:19:50.839 --> 00:19:51.279
 provoke

00:19:51.279 --> 00:19:52.059
 a response

00:19:52.059 --> 00:19:52.720
 from their

00:19:52.720 --> 00:19:53.599
 dull hearts?

00:19:54.420 --> 00:19:54.920
 Is he

00:19:54.920 --> 00:19:55.180
 trying to

00:19:55.180 --> 00:19:55.440
 get them

00:19:55.440 --> 00:19:55.920
 to see

00:19:55.920 --> 00:19:56.620
 that they

00:19:56.620 --> 00:19:57.019
 think

00:19:57.019 --> 00:19:57.299
 they're

00:19:57.299 --> 00:19:57.799
 wise

00:19:57.799 --> 00:19:58.779
 and

00:19:58.779 --> 00:19:59.440
 understanding

00:19:59.440 --> 00:20:00.960
 but in

00:20:00.960 --> 00:20:01.339
 fact they

00:20:01.339 --> 00:20:01.660
 aren't?

00:20:03.160 --> 00:20:03.900
 Is God's

00:20:03.900 --> 00:20:04.220
 aim with

00:20:04.220 --> 00:20:04.799
 these words

00:20:04.799 --> 00:20:05.980
 really

00:20:05.980 --> 00:20:07.200
 stated there

00:20:07.200 --> 00:20:07.460
 in the

00:20:07.460 --> 00:20:07.839
 passage

00:20:07.839 --> 00:20:08.420
 that they

00:20:08.420 --> 00:20:08.960
 might turn

00:20:08.960 --> 00:20:09.440
 to him

00:20:09.440 --> 00:20:10.480
 and be

00:20:10.480 --> 00:20:10.839
 healed?

00:20:13.720 --> 00:20:14.400
 Or is

00:20:14.400 --> 00:20:14.620
 God

00:20:14.620 --> 00:20:15.180
 mainly just

00:20:15.180 --> 00:20:15.680
 expressing

00:20:15.680 --> 00:20:16.319
 to Isaiah

00:20:16.319 --> 00:20:16.680
 what he

00:20:16.680 --> 00:20:16.900
 knows

00:20:16.900 --> 00:20:17.380
 what will

00:20:17.380 --> 00:20:17.779
 happen?

00:20:17.779 --> 00:20:19.319
 what he

00:20:19.319 --> 00:20:19.559
 knows

00:20:19.559 --> 00:20:19.819
 will be

00:20:19.819 --> 00:20:20.000
 their

00:20:20.000 --> 00:20:20.559
 response?

00:20:20.859 --> 00:20:21.200
 Not

00:20:21.200 --> 00:20:21.460
 that he

00:20:21.460 --> 00:20:21.759
 wants

00:20:21.759 --> 00:20:21.960
 them

00:20:21.960 --> 00:20:22.139
 to

00:20:22.139 --> 00:20:22.500
 ignore

00:20:22.500 --> 00:20:22.700
 and

00:20:22.700 --> 00:20:23.000
 become

00:20:23.000 --> 00:20:23.480
 callous

00:20:23.480 --> 00:20:23.859
 but that

00:20:23.859 --> 00:20:24.099
 God

00:20:24.099 --> 00:20:24.579
 knows

00:20:24.579 --> 00:20:24.980
 that as

00:20:24.980 --> 00:20:25.279
 Isaiah

00:20:25.279 --> 00:20:25.680
 preaches

00:20:25.680 --> 00:20:26.139
 to them

00:20:26.139 --> 00:20:26.859
 this is

00:20:26.859 --> 00:20:27.059
 going to

00:20:27.059 --> 00:20:27.359
 be the

00:20:27.359 --> 00:20:27.779
 result.

00:20:28.960 --> 00:20:29.420
 They're

00:20:29.420 --> 00:20:29.639
 going to

00:20:29.639 --> 00:20:29.899
 harden

00:20:29.899 --> 00:20:30.160
 their

00:20:30.160 --> 00:20:30.599
 hearts

00:20:30.599 --> 00:20:31.740
 until

00:20:31.740 --> 00:20:31.960
 the

00:20:31.960 --> 00:20:32.359
 heart's

00:20:32.359 --> 00:20:32.859
 calloused.

00:20:33.240 --> 00:20:33.500
 They're

00:20:33.500 --> 00:20:34.059
 going to

00:20:34.059 --> 00:20:34.759
 tune him

00:20:34.759 --> 00:20:35.160
 out with

00:20:35.160 --> 00:20:35.680
 their ears

00:20:35.680 --> 00:20:36.119
 until

00:20:36.119 --> 00:20:36.960
 their ears

00:20:36.960 --> 00:20:37.399
 are dull

00:20:37.399 --> 00:20:38.139
 and unable

00:20:38.139 --> 00:20:38.480
 to hear

00:20:38.480 --> 00:20:39.019
 his voice.

00:20:41.279 --> 00:20:41.839
 And then

00:20:41.839 --> 00:20:42.119
 there's the

00:20:42.119 --> 00:20:42.579
 question of

00:20:42.579 --> 00:20:42.920
 when this

00:20:42.920 --> 00:20:43.480
 will happen.

00:20:43.480 --> 00:20:47.140
 how long

00:20:47.140 --> 00:20:47.400
 is this

00:20:47.400 --> 00:20:47.700
 to go

00:20:47.700 --> 00:20:48.180
 on for?

00:20:48.259 --> 00:20:48.559
 Verses

00:20:48.559 --> 00:20:49.019
 11 to

00:20:49.019 --> 00:20:49.700
 13 of

00:20:49.700 --> 00:20:50.019
 Isaiah

00:20:50.019 --> 00:20:50.900
 chapter 6.

00:20:51.559 --> 00:20:51.740
 Is

00:20:51.740 --> 00:20:52.160
 Isaiah

00:20:52.160 --> 00:20:52.779
 saying that

00:20:52.779 --> 00:20:53.259
 the Jewish

00:20:53.259 --> 00:20:53.759
 people,

00:20:53.880 --> 00:20:54.259
 the nation

00:20:54.259 --> 00:20:54.759
 of Israel

00:20:54.759 --> 00:20:55.160
 will be

00:20:55.160 --> 00:20:55.660
 deaf and

00:20:55.660 --> 00:20:56.140
 blind to

00:20:56.140 --> 00:20:56.480
 the word

00:20:56.480 --> 00:20:57.039
 of God

00:20:57.039 --> 00:20:58.200
 until

00:20:58.200 --> 00:20:58.759
 Jerusalem

00:20:58.759 --> 00:20:59.579
 is destroyed

00:20:59.579 --> 00:21:00.420
 and the

00:21:00.420 --> 00:21:00.640
 Jews

00:21:00.640 --> 00:21:01.099
 scattered

00:21:01.099 --> 00:21:01.440
 in the

00:21:01.440 --> 00:21:01.900
 first and

00:21:01.900 --> 00:21:02.460
 second

00:21:02.460 --> 00:21:03.000
 century?

00:21:03.559 --> 00:21:04.019
 You see

00:21:04.019 --> 00:21:04.259
 what I

00:21:04.259 --> 00:21:04.680
 mean about

00:21:04.680 --> 00:21:05.299
 this passage

00:21:05.299 --> 00:21:06.019
 being difficult

00:21:06.019 --> 00:21:06.860
 to understand?

00:21:07.779 --> 00:21:08.120
 And so

00:21:08.120 --> 00:21:09.360
 it's quite

00:21:09.360 --> 00:21:10.160
 reasonable that

00:21:10.160 --> 00:21:10.740
 there's different

00:21:10.740 --> 00:21:11.339
 opinions on

00:21:11.339 --> 00:21:11.700
 what these

00:21:11.700 --> 00:21:12.200
 words of

00:21:12.200 --> 00:21:12.920
 Jesus mean.

00:21:14.279 --> 00:21:15.140
 One idea

00:21:15.140 --> 00:21:15.599
 is that

00:21:15.599 --> 00:21:16.299
 Jesus speaks

00:21:16.299 --> 00:21:16.880
 in parables

00:21:16.880 --> 00:21:17.460
 as a form

00:21:17.460 --> 00:21:17.940
 of divine

00:21:17.940 --> 00:21:18.480
 judgment.

00:21:20.519 --> 00:21:21.039
 Deliberately

00:21:21.039 --> 00:21:21.860
 concealing the

00:21:21.860 --> 00:21:22.339
 truth from

00:21:22.339 --> 00:21:22.880
 the people

00:21:22.880 --> 00:21:24.019
 so that the

00:21:24.019 --> 00:21:24.440
 people of

00:21:24.440 --> 00:21:24.920
 Israel will

00:21:24.920 --> 00:21:25.319
 get what

00:21:25.319 --> 00:21:25.960
 they deserve

00:21:25.960 --> 00:21:27.120
 for their

00:21:27.120 --> 00:21:27.420
 wicked

00:21:27.420 --> 00:21:28.180
 stubbornness

00:21:28.180 --> 00:21:29.279
 toward God.

00:21:30.240 --> 00:21:30.460
 And yet

00:21:30.460 --> 00:21:30.960
 at the same

00:21:30.960 --> 00:21:31.480
 time though

00:21:31.480 --> 00:21:31.960
 that there's

00:21:31.960 --> 00:21:33.039
 this remnant

00:21:33.039 --> 00:21:34.180
 that God

00:21:34.180 --> 00:21:34.860
 has chosen

00:21:34.860 --> 00:21:35.779
 by grace

00:21:35.779 --> 00:21:37.059
 and by his

00:21:37.059 --> 00:21:37.640
 mercy and

00:21:37.640 --> 00:21:38.019
 granted

00:21:38.019 --> 00:21:38.819
 understanding

00:21:38.819 --> 00:21:39.440
 to them

00:21:39.440 --> 00:21:39.880
 so that

00:21:39.880 --> 00:21:40.319
 not all

00:21:40.319 --> 00:21:40.900
 will perish.

00:21:42.160 --> 00:21:42.900
 Another idea

00:21:42.900 --> 00:21:43.220
 is that

00:21:43.220 --> 00:21:43.960
 Jesus simply

00:21:43.960 --> 00:21:44.800
 is focused

00:21:44.800 --> 00:21:45.660
 on explaining

00:21:45.660 --> 00:21:46.340
 how their

00:21:46.340 --> 00:21:47.060
 response to

00:21:47.060 --> 00:21:47.620
 his preaching

00:21:47.620 --> 00:21:48.320
 is the same

00:21:48.320 --> 00:21:48.620
 as the

00:21:48.620 --> 00:21:49.040
 people's

00:21:49.040 --> 00:21:49.759
 response to

00:21:49.759 --> 00:21:50.460
 Isaiah long

00:21:50.460 --> 00:21:50.820
 ago.

00:21:51.940 --> 00:21:52.640
 God would

00:21:52.640 --> 00:21:53.240
 rather they

00:21:53.240 --> 00:21:54.200
 repent and

00:21:54.200 --> 00:21:54.840
 turn and be

00:21:54.840 --> 00:21:55.920
 saved but

00:21:55.920 --> 00:21:56.500
 because of the

00:21:56.500 --> 00:21:57.160
 already hard

00:21:57.160 --> 00:21:57.880
 hearts of the

00:21:57.880 --> 00:21:58.800
 majority they

00:21:58.800 --> 00:21:59.900
 will hear and

00:21:59.900 --> 00:22:00.620
 see wonderful

00:22:00.620 --> 00:22:01.259
 things from

00:22:01.259 --> 00:22:02.519
 Jesus yet

00:22:02.519 --> 00:22:02.940
 many will

00:22:02.940 --> 00:22:04.000
 never understand

00:22:04.000 --> 00:22:05.019
 or believe

00:22:05.019 --> 00:22:06.040
 or turn back

00:22:06.040 --> 00:22:06.580
 to God and

00:22:06.580 --> 00:22:07.100
 be saved.

00:22:08.380 --> 00:22:09.160
 Some even

00:22:09.160 --> 00:22:09.780
 suggest that

00:22:09.779 --> 00:22:10.440
 these parables

00:22:10.440 --> 00:22:11.000
 have a sort

00:22:11.000 --> 00:22:11.359
 of dual

00:22:11.359 --> 00:22:11.799
 effect.

00:22:12.680 --> 00:22:13.019
 In their

00:22:13.019 --> 00:22:14.339
 outside form

00:22:14.339 --> 00:22:14.899
 they have

00:22:14.899 --> 00:22:15.960
 kind of the

00:22:15.960 --> 00:22:16.759
 function of

00:22:16.759 --> 00:22:17.220
 a veil

00:22:17.220 --> 00:22:18.799
 and they

00:22:18.799 --> 00:22:19.859
 cover the

00:22:19.859 --> 00:22:20.539
 truth that's

00:22:20.539 --> 00:22:21.000
 inside.

00:22:21.639 --> 00:22:22.339
 They only

00:22:22.339 --> 00:22:23.139
 reveal enough

00:22:23.139 --> 00:22:23.920
 to invite

00:22:23.920 --> 00:22:24.779
 and to

00:22:24.779 --> 00:22:25.139
 provoke

00:22:25.139 --> 00:22:25.799
 people to

00:22:25.799 --> 00:22:26.440
 draw near

00:22:26.440 --> 00:22:27.899
 to come

00:22:27.899 --> 00:22:28.379
 to God

00:22:28.379 --> 00:22:28.779
 to come

00:22:28.779 --> 00:22:29.299
 to Jesus

00:22:29.299 --> 00:22:29.920
 for more

00:22:29.920 --> 00:22:31.200
 and then

00:22:31.200 --> 00:22:31.779
 whether people

00:22:31.779 --> 00:22:32.539
 press in

00:22:32.539 --> 00:22:33.559
 and come

00:22:33.559 --> 00:22:34.019
 to Jesus

00:22:34.019 --> 00:22:34.740
 and ask

00:22:34.740 --> 00:22:35.180
 what does

00:22:35.180 --> 00:22:35.660
 it mean

00:22:35.660 --> 00:22:36.819
 is the

00:22:36.819 --> 00:22:37.180
 thing that

00:22:37.180 --> 00:22:37.680
 determines

00:22:37.680 --> 00:22:38.099
 whether or

00:22:38.099 --> 00:22:38.399
 not they

00:22:38.399 --> 00:22:39.480
 will receive

00:22:39.480 --> 00:22:40.199
 the secrets

00:22:40.199 --> 00:22:40.559
 of the

00:22:40.559 --> 00:22:40.859
 kingdom.

00:22:42.179 --> 00:22:42.779
 It's sort

00:22:42.779 --> 00:22:43.299
 of a litmus

00:22:43.299 --> 00:22:44.619
 test about

00:22:44.619 --> 00:22:45.099
 what's really

00:22:45.099 --> 00:22:45.579
 in the heart

00:22:45.579 --> 00:22:46.099
 of a person.

00:22:46.219 --> 00:22:46.439
 Do they

00:22:46.439 --> 00:22:46.919
 really want

00:22:46.919 --> 00:22:47.740
 to understand

00:22:47.740 --> 00:22:48.319
 God's

00:22:48.319 --> 00:22:48.619
 kingdom?

00:22:49.619 --> 00:22:50.379
 And if so

00:22:50.379 --> 00:22:50.679
 they will

00:22:50.679 --> 00:22:51.159
 draw near

00:22:51.159 --> 00:22:51.699
 to Jesus

00:22:51.699 --> 00:22:52.119
 they will

00:22:52.119 --> 00:22:52.779
 follow him

00:22:52.779 --> 00:22:54.240
 they'll

00:22:54.240 --> 00:22:54.740
 become one

00:22:54.740 --> 00:22:54.980
 of the

00:22:54.980 --> 00:22:55.439
 inside

00:22:55.439 --> 00:22:55.899
 group

00:22:55.899 --> 00:22:57.839
 but if

00:22:57.839 --> 00:22:58.339
 not they'll

00:22:58.339 --> 00:22:58.919
 just listen

00:22:58.919 --> 00:22:59.659
 and go

00:22:59.659 --> 00:23:00.119
 their way

00:23:00.119 --> 00:23:01.579
 and ignore

00:23:01.579 --> 00:23:02.139
 the teachings

00:23:02.139 --> 00:23:02.699
 of Jesus.

00:23:03.939 --> 00:23:04.459
 These are

00:23:04.459 --> 00:23:04.839
 some of the

00:23:04.839 --> 00:23:05.579
 ideas Christians

00:23:05.579 --> 00:23:06.279
 have had about

00:23:06.279 --> 00:23:06.939
 these words

00:23:06.939 --> 00:23:08.000
 of Jesus

00:23:08.000 --> 00:23:08.380
 and what

00:23:08.380 --> 00:23:08.859
 they mean

00:23:08.859 --> 00:23:09.940
 but let's

00:23:09.940 --> 00:23:10.500
 just now

00:23:10.500 --> 00:23:11.079
 focus on

00:23:11.079 --> 00:23:11.539
 the parable

00:23:11.539 --> 00:23:11.880
 of the

00:23:11.880 --> 00:23:12.180
 farmer.

00:23:12.380 --> 00:23:12.720
 Back to

00:23:12.720 --> 00:23:13.099
 the parable

00:23:13.099 --> 00:23:13.420
 of the

00:23:13.420 --> 00:23:13.700
 farmer.

00:23:14.279 --> 00:23:14.579
 One of

00:23:14.579 --> 00:23:15.059
 the wonderful

00:23:15.059 --> 00:23:15.680
 things here

00:23:15.680 --> 00:23:16.099
 is that

00:23:16.099 --> 00:23:17.099
 Luke takes

00:23:17.099 --> 00:23:17.920
 us to

00:23:17.920 --> 00:23:18.640
 the insider

00:23:18.640 --> 00:23:19.539
 group's

00:23:19.539 --> 00:23:20.119
 meeting

00:23:20.119 --> 00:23:21.079
 where Jesus

00:23:21.079 --> 00:23:21.900
 explained the

00:23:21.900 --> 00:23:22.339
 details.

00:23:22.480 --> 00:23:22.799
 We get

00:23:22.799 --> 00:23:23.480
 the details

00:23:23.480 --> 00:23:26.759
 so let's

00:23:26.759 --> 00:23:27.240
 look at that

00:23:27.240 --> 00:23:27.680
 in verses

00:23:27.680 --> 00:23:28.220
 11 to

00:23:28.220 --> 00:23:28.680
 15.

00:23:29.619 --> 00:23:29.960
 Jesus

00:23:29.960 --> 00:23:30.500
 goes back

00:23:30.500 --> 00:23:30.880
 over the

00:23:30.880 --> 00:23:31.180
 parable

00:23:31.180 --> 00:23:31.619
 with them

00:23:31.619 --> 00:23:32.119
 in private

00:23:32.119 --> 00:23:33.880
 and he

00:23:33.880 --> 00:23:34.740
 starts by

00:23:34.740 --> 00:23:35.279
 explaining

00:23:35.279 --> 00:23:35.920
 the overall

00:23:35.920 --> 00:23:36.720
 elements.

00:23:36.880 --> 00:23:37.180
 This is

00:23:37.180 --> 00:23:37.579
 the meaning

00:23:37.579 --> 00:23:37.939
 of the

00:23:37.939 --> 00:23:38.299
 parable.

00:23:38.879 --> 00:23:39.579
 The seed

00:23:39.579 --> 00:23:40.319
 is the

00:23:40.319 --> 00:23:40.759
 word of

00:23:40.759 --> 00:23:41.119
 God.

00:23:42.720 --> 00:23:43.279
 Those

00:23:43.279 --> 00:23:43.779
 along the

00:23:43.779 --> 00:23:44.399
 path are

00:23:44.399 --> 00:23:44.859
 the ones

00:23:44.859 --> 00:23:45.460
 who hear

00:23:45.460 --> 00:23:47.079
 and then

00:23:47.079 --> 00:23:47.439
 the devil

00:23:47.439 --> 00:23:47.960
 comes and

00:23:47.960 --> 00:23:48.500
 takes away

00:23:48.500 --> 00:23:49.000
 the word

00:23:49.000 --> 00:23:49.579
 from their

00:23:49.579 --> 00:23:50.000
 hearts.

00:23:51.279 --> 00:23:51.980
 So this

00:23:51.980 --> 00:23:52.259
 is a

00:23:52.259 --> 00:23:52.799
 parable about

00:23:52.799 --> 00:23:53.599
 people hearing

00:23:53.599 --> 00:23:54.139
 the word

00:23:54.139 --> 00:23:54.659
 of God.

00:23:56.439 --> 00:23:57.000
 Matthew's

00:23:57.000 --> 00:23:57.619
 gospel makes

00:23:57.619 --> 00:23:58.139
 it especially

00:23:58.139 --> 00:23:58.639
 clear.

00:23:59.879 --> 00:24:00.259
 In Matthew

00:24:00.259 --> 00:24:01.159
 chapter 13

00:24:01.159 --> 00:24:01.819
 Jesus says

00:24:01.819 --> 00:24:02.539
 listen then to

00:24:02.539 --> 00:24:02.839
 what the

00:24:02.839 --> 00:24:03.319
 parable of

00:24:03.319 --> 00:24:03.659
 the sower

00:24:03.659 --> 00:24:04.099
 means.

00:24:04.519 --> 00:24:05.019
 When anyone

00:24:05.019 --> 00:24:05.720
 hears the

00:24:05.720 --> 00:24:06.379
 message about

00:24:06.380 --> 00:24:07.000
 the kingdom

00:24:07.000 --> 00:24:08.460
 and does

00:24:08.460 --> 00:24:09.160
 not understand

00:24:09.160 --> 00:24:11.060
 it the

00:24:11.060 --> 00:24:11.540
 evil one

00:24:11.540 --> 00:24:12.060
 comes and

00:24:12.060 --> 00:24:12.760
 snatches away

00:24:12.760 --> 00:24:13.160
 what was

00:24:13.160 --> 00:24:14.120
 sown in

00:24:14.120 --> 00:24:14.640
 their hearts.

00:24:15.740 --> 00:24:16.600
 So this

00:24:16.600 --> 00:24:17.180
 parable is

00:24:17.180 --> 00:24:17.840
 actually an

00:24:17.840 --> 00:24:18.520
 explanation

00:24:18.520 --> 00:24:19.900
 of why

00:24:19.900 --> 00:24:21.040
 people respond

00:24:21.040 --> 00:24:21.640
 the way they

00:24:21.640 --> 00:24:23.380
 do to

00:24:23.380 --> 00:24:23.720
 Jesus

00:24:23.720 --> 00:24:24.240
 preaching.

00:24:25.760 --> 00:24:26.800
 With that

00:24:26.800 --> 00:24:28.420
 key now

00:24:28.420 --> 00:24:28.920
 the meaning

00:24:28.920 --> 00:24:29.820
 of all of

00:24:29.820 --> 00:24:30.060
 it is

00:24:30.060 --> 00:24:30.520
 unlocked.

00:24:31.120 --> 00:24:31.680
 We can

00:24:31.680 --> 00:24:32.120
 understand

00:24:32.120 --> 00:24:32.940
 something of

00:24:32.940 --> 00:24:33.400
 what Jesus

00:24:33.400 --> 00:24:33.980
 was getting

00:24:33.980 --> 00:24:34.259
 at.

00:24:35.259 --> 00:24:35.920
 Now Jesus

00:24:35.920 --> 00:24:36.519
 goes through

00:24:36.519 --> 00:24:37.100
 each of the

00:24:37.100 --> 00:24:38.220
 four places

00:24:38.220 --> 00:24:38.640
 that the

00:24:38.640 --> 00:24:39.180
 seed fell

00:24:39.180 --> 00:24:39.680
 and each

00:24:39.680 --> 00:24:40.660
 one represents

00:24:40.660 --> 00:24:41.700
 the word

00:24:41.700 --> 00:24:42.200
 of God

00:24:42.200 --> 00:24:42.759
 that Jesus

00:24:42.759 --> 00:24:43.840
 is proclaiming

00:24:43.840 --> 00:24:45.000
 being heard

00:24:45.000 --> 00:24:45.680
 by people.

00:24:47.700 --> 00:24:48.299
 Suddenly

00:24:48.299 --> 00:24:49.440
 what Jesus

00:24:49.440 --> 00:24:50.080
 said at the

00:24:50.080 --> 00:24:50.920
 end makes

00:24:50.920 --> 00:24:51.340
 sense.

00:24:52.440 --> 00:24:52.980
 He who has

00:24:52.980 --> 00:24:53.779
 ears to hear

00:24:53.779 --> 00:24:54.480
 let him hear.

00:24:55.500 --> 00:24:56.059
 This whole

00:24:56.059 --> 00:24:57.380
 parable is

00:24:57.380 --> 00:24:58.180
 about hearing

00:24:58.180 --> 00:24:58.880
 the word

00:24:58.880 --> 00:24:59.360
 of God

00:24:59.360 --> 00:25:00.480
 which Jesus

00:25:00.480 --> 00:25:01.019
 has been

00:25:01.019 --> 00:25:01.440
 speaking.

00:25:02.940 --> 00:25:03.620
 So let's

00:25:03.620 --> 00:25:04.019
 go through

00:25:04.019 --> 00:25:04.320
 each of

00:25:04.320 --> 00:25:04.680
 these four

00:25:04.680 --> 00:25:05.080
 places

00:25:05.080 --> 00:25:06.180
 and see

00:25:06.180 --> 00:25:07.360
 how Jesus

00:25:07.360 --> 00:25:08.200
 explains them.

00:25:08.920 --> 00:25:09.559
 First there's

00:25:09.559 --> 00:25:09.940
 the seed

00:25:09.940 --> 00:25:10.360
 that fell

00:25:10.360 --> 00:25:10.779
 on the

00:25:10.779 --> 00:25:11.220
 path

00:25:11.220 --> 00:25:12.880
 and was

00:25:12.880 --> 00:25:13.480
 trampled

00:25:13.480 --> 00:25:14.880
 or eaten

00:25:14.880 --> 00:25:15.600
 by birds.

00:25:16.660 --> 00:25:16.880
 Jesus

00:25:16.880 --> 00:25:17.400
 says this

00:25:17.400 --> 00:25:18.019
 represents

00:25:18.019 --> 00:25:18.960
 those who

00:25:18.960 --> 00:25:19.400
 hear the

00:25:19.400 --> 00:25:19.720
 word of

00:25:19.720 --> 00:25:20.120
 God

00:25:20.120 --> 00:25:21.279
 but then

00:25:21.279 --> 00:25:21.840
 the devil

00:25:21.840 --> 00:25:22.759
 takes away

00:25:22.759 --> 00:25:23.900
 or snatches

00:25:23.900 --> 00:25:24.460
 the word

00:25:24.460 --> 00:25:25.120
 from their

00:25:25.120 --> 00:25:25.519
 hearts

00:25:25.519 --> 00:25:27.680
 so that

00:25:27.680 --> 00:25:28.080
 they may

00:25:28.080 --> 00:25:28.880
 not believe

00:25:28.880 --> 00:25:30.320
 and be

00:25:30.320 --> 00:25:30.740
 saved.

00:25:32.940 --> 00:25:33.299
 That's a

00:25:33.299 --> 00:25:34.019
 pretty sobering

00:25:34.019 --> 00:25:34.299
 thought

00:25:34.299 --> 00:25:34.759
 isn't it?

00:25:36.100 --> 00:25:36.539
 In other

00:25:36.539 --> 00:25:36.779
 words

00:25:36.779 --> 00:25:37.820
 some people

00:25:37.820 --> 00:25:38.559
 are responding

00:25:38.559 --> 00:25:39.140
 to Jesus

00:25:39.140 --> 00:25:39.640
 the way

00:25:39.640 --> 00:25:40.039
 that they

00:25:40.039 --> 00:25:40.400
 are

00:25:40.400 --> 00:25:41.759
 because

00:25:41.759 --> 00:25:42.299
 Satan

00:25:42.299 --> 00:25:43.539
 the devil

00:25:43.539 --> 00:25:44.340
 is at

00:25:44.340 --> 00:25:44.680
 work.

00:25:45.820 --> 00:25:46.120
 He is

00:25:46.120 --> 00:25:46.660
 influencing

00:25:46.660 --> 00:25:47.039
 them.

00:25:48.460 --> 00:25:48.940
 Personally

00:25:48.940 --> 00:25:49.420
 I find

00:25:49.420 --> 00:25:49.840
 the word

00:25:49.840 --> 00:25:50.160
 choice

00:25:50.160 --> 00:25:50.620
 of Jesus

00:25:50.620 --> 00:25:50.960
 rather

00:25:50.960 --> 00:25:51.460
 shocking

00:25:51.460 --> 00:25:51.820
 here.

00:25:53.440 --> 00:25:54.299
 The devil

00:25:54.299 --> 00:25:54.960
 comes and

00:25:54.960 --> 00:25:55.840
 takes away

00:25:55.840 --> 00:25:56.440
 the word

00:25:56.440 --> 00:25:56.940
 from their

00:25:56.940 --> 00:25:57.519
 hearts

00:25:57.519 --> 00:25:59.440
 so that

00:25:59.440 --> 00:25:59.820
 they may

00:25:59.820 --> 00:26:00.580
 not believe

00:26:00.579 --> 00:26:01.679
 and be

00:26:01.679 --> 00:26:02.119
 saved.

00:26:03.779 --> 00:26:04.500
 Can the

00:26:04.500 --> 00:26:05.059
 devil mess

00:26:05.059 --> 00:26:05.359
 with a

00:26:05.359 --> 00:26:05.779
 person's

00:26:05.779 --> 00:26:06.039
 heart?

00:26:07.720 --> 00:26:08.519
 Can he

00:26:08.519 --> 00:26:09.039
 steal

00:26:09.039 --> 00:26:09.720
 from that

00:26:09.720 --> 00:26:10.099
 deepest

00:26:10.099 --> 00:26:10.740
 part of

00:26:10.740 --> 00:26:11.199
 a person

00:26:11.199 --> 00:26:11.779
 the truth

00:26:11.779 --> 00:26:12.259
 that they've

00:26:12.259 --> 00:26:12.500
 heard?

00:26:14.099 --> 00:26:14.879
 According to

00:26:14.879 --> 00:26:15.159
 Jesus

00:26:15.159 --> 00:26:15.699
 the answer

00:26:15.699 --> 00:26:16.259
 is yes.

00:26:18.099 --> 00:26:18.779
 And his

00:26:18.779 --> 00:26:19.519
 purpose in

00:26:19.519 --> 00:26:20.000
 doing it

00:26:20.000 --> 00:26:20.579
 is so

00:26:20.579 --> 00:26:20.960
 wicked

00:26:20.960 --> 00:26:22.299
 so that

00:26:22.299 --> 00:26:22.839
 they might

00:26:22.839 --> 00:26:23.679
 not believe

00:26:23.679 --> 00:26:24.699
 and be

00:26:24.699 --> 00:26:25.119
 saved.

00:26:25.879 --> 00:26:26.879
 How evil.

00:26:27.960 --> 00:26:28.559
 The devil

00:26:28.559 --> 00:26:29.939
 hates God

00:26:29.940 --> 00:26:30.880
 and he

00:26:30.880 --> 00:26:31.140
 doesn't

00:26:31.140 --> 00:26:31.340
 want

00:26:31.340 --> 00:26:31.820
 anyone

00:26:31.820 --> 00:26:32.240
 to

00:26:32.240 --> 00:26:32.519
 believe

00:26:32.519 --> 00:26:32.700
 in

00:26:32.700 --> 00:26:32.900
 him.

00:26:33.500 --> 00:26:33.880
 He

00:26:33.880 --> 00:26:34.180
 wants

00:26:34.180 --> 00:26:34.320
 you

00:26:34.320 --> 00:26:34.539
 to

00:26:34.539 --> 00:26:34.940
 perish.

00:26:37.259 --> 00:26:37.799
 Now

00:26:37.799 --> 00:26:38.160
 we might

00:26:38.160 --> 00:26:38.480
 wonder

00:26:38.480 --> 00:26:39.039
 how the

00:26:39.039 --> 00:26:39.259
 devil

00:26:39.259 --> 00:26:39.580
 does

00:26:39.580 --> 00:26:39.820
 this

00:26:39.820 --> 00:26:40.080
 and we

00:26:40.080 --> 00:26:40.220
 could

00:26:40.220 --> 00:26:40.480
 talk

00:26:40.480 --> 00:26:40.759
 a little

00:26:40.759 --> 00:26:40.960
 bit

00:26:40.960 --> 00:26:41.200
 about

00:26:41.200 --> 00:26:41.600
 that.

00:26:42.500 --> 00:26:43.039
 We

00:26:43.039 --> 00:26:43.240
 know

00:26:43.240 --> 00:26:43.460
 from

00:26:43.460 --> 00:26:43.660
 other

00:26:43.660 --> 00:26:44.019
 places

00:26:44.019 --> 00:26:44.360
 that

00:26:44.360 --> 00:26:44.600
 his

00:26:44.600 --> 00:26:44.940
 main

00:26:44.940 --> 00:26:45.180
 way

00:26:45.180 --> 00:26:45.340
 of

00:26:45.340 --> 00:26:45.820
 operating

00:26:45.820 --> 00:26:46.500
 is

00:26:46.500 --> 00:26:46.680
 through

00:26:46.680 --> 00:26:47.200
 deception.

00:26:48.539 --> 00:26:49.080
 Jesus

00:26:49.080 --> 00:26:49.460
 called

00:26:49.460 --> 00:26:49.740
 him

00:26:49.740 --> 00:26:50.880
 a liar

00:26:50.880 --> 00:26:51.640
 and the

00:26:51.640 --> 00:26:51.980
 father

00:26:51.980 --> 00:26:52.220
 of

00:26:52.220 --> 00:26:52.620
 lies.

00:26:53.620 --> 00:26:53.860
 Jesus

00:26:53.860 --> 00:26:54.160
 said

00:26:54.160 --> 00:26:54.440
 that

00:26:54.440 --> 00:26:54.960
 when he

00:26:54.960 --> 00:26:55.360
 lies

00:26:55.360 --> 00:26:55.580
 he

00:26:55.580 --> 00:26:55.960
 speaks

00:26:55.960 --> 00:26:56.180
 his

00:26:56.180 --> 00:26:56.480
 native

00:26:56.480 --> 00:26:57.059
 language.

00:26:57.779 --> 00:26:58.320
 That's

00:26:58.320 --> 00:26:58.440
 in

00:26:58.440 --> 00:26:58.640
 John

00:26:58.640 --> 00:26:59.220
 chapter 8

00:26:59.220 --> 00:26:59.440
 verse

00:26:59.440 --> 00:26:59.920
 44.

00:26:59.940 --> 00:27:02.759
 And it's

00:27:02.759 --> 00:27:03.019
 not

00:27:03.019 --> 00:27:04.340
 like the

00:27:04.340 --> 00:27:05.059
 TV shows

00:27:05.059 --> 00:27:05.539
 where he

00:27:05.539 --> 00:27:06.420
 sits on

00:27:06.420 --> 00:27:06.580
 your

00:27:06.580 --> 00:27:06.920
 shoulder

00:27:06.920 --> 00:27:07.160
 and

00:27:07.160 --> 00:27:07.539
 whispers

00:27:07.539 --> 00:27:08.440
 lies

00:27:08.440 --> 00:27:08.660
 into

00:27:08.660 --> 00:27:08.880
 your

00:27:08.880 --> 00:27:09.180
 ear.

00:27:10.220 --> 00:27:10.799
 He's

00:27:10.799 --> 00:27:10.980
 not

00:27:10.980 --> 00:27:11.299
 everywhere

00:27:11.299 --> 00:27:11.539
 at

00:27:11.539 --> 00:27:11.860
 once

00:27:11.860 --> 00:27:14.220
 but he

00:27:14.220 --> 00:27:14.360
 is

00:27:14.360 --> 00:27:14.660
 deeply

00:27:14.660 --> 00:27:15.279
 responsible

00:27:15.279 --> 00:27:15.620
 for

00:27:15.620 --> 00:27:16.200
 creating

00:27:16.200 --> 00:27:16.680
 and

00:27:16.680 --> 00:27:17.400
 circulating

00:27:17.400 --> 00:27:18.140
 insidious

00:27:18.140 --> 00:27:18.700
 deceptions

00:27:18.700 --> 00:27:19.100
 in our

00:27:19.100 --> 00:27:19.440
 world.

00:27:23.160 --> 00:27:23.720
 Mix

00:27:23.720 --> 00:27:23.980
 enough

00:27:23.980 --> 00:27:24.340
 truth

00:27:24.340 --> 00:27:24.680
 with a

00:27:24.680 --> 00:27:24.920
 lie

00:27:24.920 --> 00:27:26.880
 and make

00:27:26.880 --> 00:27:27.299
 the lie

00:27:27.299 --> 00:27:27.820
 coherent

00:27:27.820 --> 00:27:28.440
 with other

00:27:28.440 --> 00:27:28.900
 lies

00:27:28.900 --> 00:27:29.820
 and

00:27:29.820 --> 00:27:29.920
 you

00:27:29.920 --> 00:27:30.040
 can

00:27:30.040 --> 00:27:30.500
 explain

00:27:30.500 --> 00:27:30.900
 all

00:27:30.900 --> 00:27:31.280
 sorts

00:27:31.280 --> 00:27:31.440
 of

00:27:31.440 --> 00:27:31.880
 things

00:27:31.880 --> 00:27:32.360
 without

00:27:32.360 --> 00:27:32.600
 the

00:27:32.600 --> 00:27:32.800
 need

00:27:32.800 --> 00:27:33.000
 for

00:27:33.000 --> 00:27:33.420
 God

00:27:33.420 --> 00:27:33.860
 or

00:27:33.860 --> 00:27:34.259
 Jesus.

00:27:35.300 --> 00:27:35.860
 He

00:27:35.860 --> 00:27:36.220
 doesn't

00:27:36.220 --> 00:27:36.519
 want

00:27:36.519 --> 00:27:36.759
 you

00:27:36.759 --> 00:27:37.120
 to

00:27:37.120 --> 00:27:37.400
 believe

00:27:37.400 --> 00:27:37.600
 in

00:27:37.600 --> 00:27:37.920
 Jesus.

00:27:38.720 --> 00:27:39.300
 He

00:27:39.300 --> 00:27:39.660
 doesn't

00:27:39.660 --> 00:27:39.980
 want

00:27:39.980 --> 00:27:40.259
 you

00:27:40.259 --> 00:27:40.940
 to be

00:27:40.940 --> 00:27:41.320
 saved.

00:27:42.720 --> 00:27:43.440
 And so

00:27:43.440 --> 00:27:43.759
 as far

00:27:43.759 --> 00:27:43.980
 as it

00:27:43.980 --> 00:27:44.300
 depends

00:27:44.300 --> 00:27:44.660
 on us

00:27:44.660 --> 00:27:45.000
 we need

00:27:45.000 --> 00:27:45.240
 to do

00:27:45.240 --> 00:27:45.560
 everything

00:27:45.560 --> 00:27:46.040
 we can

00:27:46.040 --> 00:27:46.720
 to receive

00:27:46.720 --> 00:27:47.259
 the word

00:27:47.259 --> 00:27:47.840
 of God

00:27:47.840 --> 00:27:48.560
 the words

00:27:48.560 --> 00:27:49.160
 of Jesus

00:27:49.160 --> 00:27:50.240
 deeply

00:27:50.240 --> 00:27:51.400
 into our

00:27:51.400 --> 00:27:51.780
 hearts.

00:27:51.779 --> 00:27:53.099
 we

00:27:53.099 --> 00:27:53.399
 can't

00:27:53.399 --> 00:27:53.559
 just

00:27:53.559 --> 00:27:53.799
 let

00:27:53.799 --> 00:27:54.000
 the

00:27:54.000 --> 00:27:54.359
 words

00:27:54.359 --> 00:27:55.039
 come

00:27:55.039 --> 00:27:55.279
 at

00:27:55.279 --> 00:27:55.519
 us

00:27:55.519 --> 00:27:55.700
 and

00:27:55.700 --> 00:27:56.420
 sit

00:27:56.420 --> 00:27:56.599
 up

00:27:56.599 --> 00:27:56.740
 on

00:27:56.740 --> 00:27:56.879
 the

00:27:56.879 --> 00:27:57.319
 surface.

00:27:57.319 --> 00:27:57.899
 We need

00:27:57.899 --> 00:27:58.279
 to take

00:27:58.279 --> 00:27:58.420
 it

00:27:58.420 --> 00:27:58.619
 in

00:27:58.619 --> 00:27:58.980
 deeply.

00:28:00.940 --> 00:28:01.639
 We need

00:28:01.639 --> 00:28:01.859
 to do

00:28:01.859 --> 00:28:02.139
 everything

00:28:02.139 --> 00:28:02.619
 we can

00:28:02.619 --> 00:28:03.160
 to soften

00:28:03.160 --> 00:28:03.680
 our hearts

00:28:03.680 --> 00:28:03.960
 towards

00:28:03.960 --> 00:28:04.399
 God

00:28:04.399 --> 00:28:04.559
 and

00:28:04.559 --> 00:28:04.740
 his

00:28:04.740 --> 00:28:05.059
 word.

00:28:06.539 --> 00:28:07.059
 Otherwise

00:28:07.059 --> 00:28:07.660
 we give

00:28:07.660 --> 00:28:08.319
 opportunity

00:28:08.319 --> 00:28:08.839
 to the

00:28:08.839 --> 00:28:09.139
 devil

00:28:09.139 --> 00:28:10.240
 to snatch

00:28:10.240 --> 00:28:10.639
 away

00:28:10.639 --> 00:28:11.680
 the truth

00:28:11.680 --> 00:28:12.819
 that we've

00:28:12.819 --> 00:28:13.059
 heard.

00:28:14.879 --> 00:28:15.399
 Next

00:28:15.399 --> 00:28:15.819
 there's the

00:28:15.819 --> 00:28:16.220
 seed that

00:28:16.220 --> 00:28:16.779
 fell on

00:28:16.779 --> 00:28:17.319
 the rocky

00:28:17.319 --> 00:28:17.720
 ground.

00:28:17.720 --> 00:28:18.600
 and

00:28:18.600 --> 00:28:19.140
 we

00:28:19.140 --> 00:28:19.460
 notice

00:28:19.460 --> 00:28:19.700
 that

00:28:19.700 --> 00:28:19.940
 these

00:28:19.940 --> 00:28:20.079
 are

00:28:20.079 --> 00:28:20.400
 people

00:28:20.400 --> 00:28:20.660
 who

00:28:20.660 --> 00:28:21.220
 receive

00:28:21.220 --> 00:28:21.480
 the

00:28:21.480 --> 00:28:21.860
 word

00:28:21.860 --> 00:28:22.640
 with

00:28:22.640 --> 00:28:23.160
 joy

00:28:23.160 --> 00:28:24.240
 when

00:28:24.240 --> 00:28:24.420
 they

00:28:24.420 --> 00:28:24.640
 hear

00:28:24.640 --> 00:28:24.880
 it.

00:28:26.539 --> 00:28:27.240
 The

00:28:27.240 --> 00:28:27.460
 good

00:28:27.460 --> 00:28:27.720
 news

00:28:27.720 --> 00:28:27.900
 of

00:28:27.900 --> 00:28:28.240
 Jesus

00:28:28.240 --> 00:28:29.380
 sounds

00:28:29.380 --> 00:28:29.660
 and

00:28:29.660 --> 00:28:30.299
 feels

00:28:30.299 --> 00:28:30.920
 like

00:28:30.920 --> 00:28:31.180
 good

00:28:31.180 --> 00:28:31.420
 news

00:28:31.420 --> 00:28:31.600
 to

00:28:31.600 --> 00:28:31.819
 them.

00:28:32.940 --> 00:28:33.180
 They

00:28:33.180 --> 00:28:33.620
 accept

00:28:33.620 --> 00:28:33.960
 it

00:28:33.960 --> 00:28:35.660
 but

00:28:35.660 --> 00:28:35.880
 not

00:28:35.880 --> 00:28:36.259
 deeply.

00:28:37.539 --> 00:28:38.240
 It's

00:28:38.240 --> 00:28:38.539
 still a

00:28:38.539 --> 00:28:38.740
 rather

00:28:38.740 --> 00:28:39.279
 shallow

00:28:39.279 --> 00:28:39.620
 and

00:28:39.620 --> 00:28:40.039
 surface

00:28:40.039 --> 00:28:40.460
 kind

00:28:40.460 --> 00:28:40.680
 of

00:28:40.680 --> 00:28:41.380
 belief.

00:28:41.519 --> 00:28:41.640
 They

00:28:41.640 --> 00:28:41.880
 have

00:28:41.880 --> 00:28:42.420
 no

00:28:42.420 --> 00:28:42.759
 root.

00:28:43.799 --> 00:28:44.039
 The

00:28:44.039 --> 00:28:44.279
 roots

00:28:44.279 --> 00:28:44.680
 can't

00:28:44.680 --> 00:28:44.860
 go

00:28:44.860 --> 00:28:45.279
 down

00:28:45.279 --> 00:28:45.960
 because

00:28:45.960 --> 00:28:46.279
 of the

00:28:46.279 --> 00:28:46.720
 rocks.

00:28:47.720 --> 00:28:48.279
 the

00:28:48.279 --> 00:28:48.500
 word

00:28:48.500 --> 00:28:48.799
 doesn't

00:28:48.799 --> 00:28:48.940
 go

00:28:48.940 --> 00:28:49.240
 deep

00:28:49.240 --> 00:28:49.440
 into

00:28:49.440 --> 00:28:49.640
 their

00:28:49.640 --> 00:28:50.059
 hearts.

00:28:50.759 --> 00:28:50.839
 They

00:28:50.839 --> 00:28:51.200
 believe

00:28:51.200 --> 00:28:51.539
 for a

00:28:51.539 --> 00:28:51.880
 while

00:28:51.880 --> 00:28:52.480
 says

00:28:52.480 --> 00:28:52.920
 Jesus

00:28:52.920 --> 00:28:54.000
 but

00:28:54.000 --> 00:28:54.100
 in

00:28:54.100 --> 00:28:54.220
 the

00:28:54.220 --> 00:28:54.460
 time

00:28:54.460 --> 00:28:54.620
 of

00:28:54.620 --> 00:28:55.039
 testing

00:28:55.039 --> 00:28:56.380
 they

00:28:56.380 --> 00:28:56.660
 fall

00:28:56.660 --> 00:28:57.000
 away.

00:28:59.120 --> 00:28:59.680
 Right

00:28:59.680 --> 00:28:59.920
 now

00:28:59.920 --> 00:29:00.120
 the

00:29:00.120 --> 00:29:00.420
 crowds

00:29:00.420 --> 00:29:00.600
 are

00:29:00.600 --> 00:29:00.980
 large

00:29:00.980 --> 00:29:01.200
 for

00:29:01.200 --> 00:29:01.559
 Jesus

00:29:01.559 --> 00:29:02.900
 but

00:29:02.900 --> 00:29:03.079
 the

00:29:03.079 --> 00:29:03.400
 size

00:29:03.400 --> 00:29:03.559
 of

00:29:03.559 --> 00:29:03.700
 the

00:29:03.700 --> 00:29:04.059
 crowds

00:29:04.059 --> 00:29:04.620
 doesn't

00:29:04.620 --> 00:29:04.880
 mean

00:29:04.880 --> 00:29:05.079
 that

00:29:05.079 --> 00:29:05.240
 all

00:29:05.240 --> 00:29:05.380
 of

00:29:05.380 --> 00:29:05.539
 them

00:29:05.539 --> 00:29:05.980
 really

00:29:05.980 --> 00:29:06.420
 believe

00:29:06.420 --> 00:29:06.640
 in

00:29:06.640 --> 00:29:07.000
 Jesus.

00:29:07.559 --> 00:29:07.819
 When

00:29:07.819 --> 00:29:07.940
 it

00:29:07.940 --> 00:29:08.259
 becomes

00:29:08.259 --> 00:29:08.740
 difficult

00:29:08.740 --> 00:29:09.160
 to be

00:29:09.160 --> 00:29:09.319
 a

00:29:09.319 --> 00:29:09.539
 follower

00:29:09.539 --> 00:29:09.720
 of

00:29:09.720 --> 00:29:10.000
 Jesus

00:29:10.000 --> 00:29:10.339
 later

00:29:10.339 --> 00:29:10.539
 on

00:29:10.539 --> 00:29:10.660
 in

00:29:10.660 --> 00:29:10.799
 the

00:29:10.799 --> 00:29:11.140
 story

00:29:11.140 --> 00:29:11.339
 and

00:29:11.339 --> 00:29:11.480
 the

00:29:11.480 --> 00:29:12.019
 opposition

00:29:12.019 --> 00:29:12.940
 intensifies

00:29:12.940 --> 00:29:13.779
 many

00:29:13.779 --> 00:29:14.039
 will

00:29:14.039 --> 00:29:14.600
 disappear

00:29:14.600 --> 00:29:14.860
 and

00:29:14.860 --> 00:29:15.039
 no

00:29:15.039 --> 00:29:15.339
 longer

00:29:15.339 --> 00:29:15.679
 follow

00:29:15.679 --> 00:29:15.959
 him

00:29:15.959 --> 00:29:17.039
 they

00:29:17.039 --> 00:29:17.240
 will

00:29:17.240 --> 00:29:17.659
 fall

00:29:17.659 --> 00:29:18.019
 away.

00:29:20.339 --> 00:29:20.939
 This

00:29:20.939 --> 00:29:21.220
 is the

00:29:21.220 --> 00:29:21.459
 story

00:29:21.459 --> 00:29:21.679
 for

00:29:21.679 --> 00:29:21.959
 many

00:29:21.959 --> 00:29:22.379
 in

00:29:22.379 --> 00:29:22.699
 every

00:29:22.699 --> 00:29:23.299
 generation.

00:29:24.539 --> 00:29:25.139
 They

00:29:25.139 --> 00:29:25.519
 grow up

00:29:25.519 --> 00:29:26.019
 going to

00:29:26.019 --> 00:29:26.319
 church

00:29:26.319 --> 00:29:26.539
 with

00:29:26.539 --> 00:29:26.699
 their

00:29:26.699 --> 00:29:27.139
 parents

00:29:27.139 --> 00:29:28.319
 and

00:29:28.319 --> 00:29:28.459
 for

00:29:28.459 --> 00:29:28.699
 many

00:29:28.699 --> 00:29:29.039
 years

00:29:29.039 --> 00:29:29.399
 that's

00:29:29.399 --> 00:29:29.639
 all

00:29:29.639 --> 00:29:30.059
 they

00:29:30.059 --> 00:29:30.379
 know.

00:29:31.659 --> 00:29:32.119
 It's

00:29:32.119 --> 00:29:32.299
 just

00:29:32.299 --> 00:29:32.500
 what

00:29:32.500 --> 00:29:32.659
 they

00:29:32.659 --> 00:29:32.980
 do.

00:29:33.980 --> 00:29:34.539
 But

00:29:34.539 --> 00:29:34.699
 then

00:29:34.699 --> 00:29:34.819
 when

00:29:34.819 --> 00:29:34.919
 it

00:29:34.919 --> 00:29:35.240
 becomes

00:29:35.240 --> 00:29:35.599
 apparent

00:29:35.599 --> 00:29:35.819
 that

00:29:35.819 --> 00:29:36.039
 there's

00:29:36.039 --> 00:29:36.159
 a

00:29:36.159 --> 00:29:36.659
 cost

00:29:36.659 --> 00:29:37.439
 to

00:29:37.439 --> 00:29:37.799
 following

00:29:37.799 --> 00:29:38.240
 Jesus

00:29:38.240 --> 00:29:39.240
 that

00:29:39.240 --> 00:29:39.419
 it

00:29:39.419 --> 00:29:40.079
 requires

00:29:40.079 --> 00:29:40.939
 personal

00:29:40.939 --> 00:29:41.619
 sacrifice

00:29:41.619 --> 00:29:42.480
 and

00:29:42.480 --> 00:29:42.959
 commitment

00:29:42.959 --> 00:29:44.019
 or

00:29:44.019 --> 00:29:44.199
 when

00:29:44.199 --> 00:29:44.319
 it

00:29:44.319 --> 00:29:44.679
 becomes

00:29:44.679 --> 00:29:45.319
 unpopular

00:29:45.319 --> 00:29:46.099
 to

00:29:46.099 --> 00:29:46.359
 follow

00:29:46.359 --> 00:29:46.839
 Jesus

00:29:46.839 --> 00:29:48.079
 they

00:29:48.079 --> 00:29:48.319
 fall

00:29:48.319 --> 00:29:48.599
 away.

00:29:50.139 --> 00:29:50.679
 They

00:29:50.679 --> 00:29:50.939
 stop

00:29:50.939 --> 00:29:51.179
 going

00:29:51.179 --> 00:29:51.359
 to

00:29:51.359 --> 00:29:51.700
 church

00:29:51.700 --> 00:29:52.039
 they

00:29:52.039 --> 00:29:52.319
 stop

00:29:52.319 --> 00:29:52.539
 doing

00:29:52.539 --> 00:29:52.720
 the

00:29:52.720 --> 00:29:53.000
 Christian

00:29:53.000 --> 00:29:53.500
 things

00:29:53.500 --> 00:29:54.099
 and

00:29:54.099 --> 00:29:54.240
 it

00:29:54.240 --> 00:29:54.539
 comes

00:29:54.539 --> 00:29:54.740
 out

00:29:54.740 --> 00:29:54.919
 that

00:29:54.919 --> 00:29:55.099
 their

00:29:55.099 --> 00:29:55.639
 faith

00:29:55.639 --> 00:29:56.179
 their

00:29:56.179 --> 00:29:56.659
 commitment

00:29:56.659 --> 00:29:57.000
 to

00:29:57.000 --> 00:29:57.279
 him

00:29:57.279 --> 00:29:57.899
 was

00:29:57.899 --> 00:29:58.240
 shallow

00:29:58.240 --> 00:29:58.559
 from

00:29:58.559 --> 00:29:58.740
 the

00:29:58.740 --> 00:29:59.079
 start.

00:30:01.619 --> 00:30:02.259
 Next

00:30:02.259 --> 00:30:02.619
 there is

00:30:02.619 --> 00:30:02.779
 the

00:30:02.779 --> 00:30:03.039
 seed

00:30:03.039 --> 00:30:03.220
 that

00:30:03.220 --> 00:30:03.839
 among

00:30:03.839 --> 00:30:04.439
 the

00:30:04.439 --> 00:30:04.919
 thorns

00:30:04.919 --> 00:30:06.519
 or

00:30:06.519 --> 00:30:06.720
 the

00:30:06.720 --> 00:30:07.179
 weeds.

00:30:08.200 --> 00:30:08.839
 Jesus

00:30:08.839 --> 00:30:09.179
 says

00:30:09.179 --> 00:30:09.339
 that

00:30:09.339 --> 00:30:09.559
 this

00:30:09.559 --> 00:30:09.980
 stands

00:30:09.980 --> 00:30:10.159
 for

00:30:10.159 --> 00:30:10.480
 those

00:30:10.480 --> 00:30:10.659
 who

00:30:10.659 --> 00:30:11.039
 hear

00:30:11.039 --> 00:30:11.980
 but

00:30:11.980 --> 00:30:12.119
 then

00:30:12.119 --> 00:30:12.299
 are

00:30:12.299 --> 00:30:12.759
 choked

00:30:12.759 --> 00:30:13.059
 by

00:30:13.059 --> 00:30:13.599
 life's

00:30:13.599 --> 00:30:13.980
 worries

00:30:13.980 --> 00:30:15.740
 riches

00:30:15.740 --> 00:30:17.079
 and

00:30:17.079 --> 00:30:17.539
 pleasures

00:30:17.539 --> 00:30:18.299
 and

00:30:18.299 --> 00:30:18.440
 they

00:30:18.440 --> 00:30:18.640
 do

00:30:18.640 --> 00:30:18.900
 not

00:30:18.900 --> 00:30:19.319
 mature.

00:30:21.599 --> 00:30:22.360
 So

00:30:22.360 --> 00:30:22.519
 they

00:30:22.519 --> 00:30:22.779
 hear

00:30:22.779 --> 00:30:23.160
 God's

00:30:23.160 --> 00:30:23.440
 word

00:30:23.440 --> 00:30:25.660
 maybe

00:30:25.660 --> 00:30:26.000
 even

00:30:26.000 --> 00:30:26.259
 make

00:30:26.259 --> 00:30:26.380
 a

00:30:26.380 --> 00:30:26.799
 profession

00:30:26.799 --> 00:30:27.079
 of

00:30:27.079 --> 00:30:27.360
 faith

00:30:27.360 --> 00:30:27.559
 in

00:30:27.559 --> 00:30:27.880
 Jesus

00:30:27.880 --> 00:30:30.640
 but

00:30:30.640 --> 00:30:31.200
 ultimately

00:30:31.200 --> 00:30:33.759
 they

00:30:33.759 --> 00:30:33.920
 do

00:30:33.920 --> 00:30:34.160
 not

00:30:34.160 --> 00:30:34.599
 respond

00:30:34.599 --> 00:30:34.819
 to

00:30:34.819 --> 00:30:35.180
 God's

00:30:35.180 --> 00:30:35.460
 word.

00:30:35.940 --> 00:30:36.079
 It's

00:30:36.079 --> 00:30:36.500
 choked

00:30:36.500 --> 00:30:36.920
 out.

00:30:37.360 --> 00:30:37.819
 It's

00:30:37.819 --> 00:30:38.279
 crowded

00:30:38.279 --> 00:30:38.759
 out

00:30:38.759 --> 00:30:39.240
 in their

00:30:39.240 --> 00:30:39.720
 hearts

00:30:39.720 --> 00:30:40.660
 and

00:30:40.660 --> 00:30:40.779
 in

00:30:40.779 --> 00:30:40.940
 their

00:30:40.940 --> 00:30:41.319
 lives

00:30:41.319 --> 00:30:41.539
 by

00:30:41.539 --> 00:30:41.700
 a

00:30:41.700 --> 00:30:41.920
 number

00:30:41.920 --> 00:30:42.160
 of

00:30:42.160 --> 00:30:42.559
 things.

00:30:43.839 --> 00:30:44.660
 Life's

00:30:44.660 --> 00:30:45.039
 worries.

00:30:47.360 --> 00:30:48.160
 Riches.

00:30:49.740 --> 00:30:49.960
 The

00:30:49.960 --> 00:30:50.400
 pursuit

00:30:50.400 --> 00:30:50.640
 of

00:30:50.640 --> 00:30:51.059
 material

00:30:51.059 --> 00:30:51.660
 things.

00:30:53.360 --> 00:30:53.779
 Pleasures.

00:30:55.420 --> 00:30:55.799
 Chasing

00:30:55.799 --> 00:30:56.259
 after

00:30:56.259 --> 00:30:56.980
 pleasures.

00:30:58.420 --> 00:30:58.960
 Feelings.

00:30:59.220 --> 00:30:59.759
 Entertainment.

00:31:04.079 --> 00:31:04.860
 They're

00:31:04.860 --> 00:31:05.059
 not

00:31:05.059 --> 00:31:05.440
 able to

00:31:05.440 --> 00:31:05.860
 respond

00:31:05.860 --> 00:31:06.120
 to

00:31:06.120 --> 00:31:06.480
 God's

00:31:06.480 --> 00:31:06.900
 words

00:31:06.900 --> 00:31:08.220
 deeply

00:31:08.220 --> 00:31:10.540
 because

00:31:10.540 --> 00:31:10.759
 even

00:31:10.759 --> 00:31:10.940
 though

00:31:10.940 --> 00:31:11.180
 they've

00:31:11.180 --> 00:31:11.400
 heard

00:31:11.400 --> 00:31:11.519
 it

00:31:11.519 --> 00:31:11.780
 there's

00:31:11.780 --> 00:31:12.100
 other

00:31:12.100 --> 00:31:12.540
 things

00:31:12.540 --> 00:31:12.720
 that

00:31:12.720 --> 00:31:12.860
 they're

00:31:12.860 --> 00:31:13.160
 giving

00:31:13.160 --> 00:31:13.340
 the

00:31:13.340 --> 00:31:14.019
 attention

00:31:14.019 --> 00:31:14.220
 of

00:31:14.220 --> 00:31:14.340
 their

00:31:14.340 --> 00:31:14.580
 heart

00:31:14.580 --> 00:31:14.840
 to

00:31:14.840 --> 00:31:15.240
 more.

00:31:18.560 --> 00:31:19.140
 Are

00:31:19.140 --> 00:31:19.320
 you

00:31:19.320 --> 00:31:19.759
 worried

00:31:19.759 --> 00:31:20.400
 about

00:31:20.400 --> 00:31:20.660
 a lot

00:31:20.660 --> 00:31:20.780
 of

00:31:20.780 --> 00:31:21.060
 things

00:31:21.060 --> 00:31:21.280
 in

00:31:21.280 --> 00:31:21.580
 life?

00:31:23.740 --> 00:31:24.300
 According

00:31:24.300 --> 00:31:24.540
 to

00:31:24.540 --> 00:31:24.860
 Jesus

00:31:24.860 --> 00:31:25.340
 worrying

00:31:25.340 --> 00:31:25.620
 about

00:31:25.620 --> 00:31:25.960
 things

00:31:25.960 --> 00:31:26.140
 in

00:31:26.140 --> 00:31:26.519
 life

00:31:26.519 --> 00:31:27.820
 can

00:31:27.820 --> 00:31:28.140
 affect

00:31:28.140 --> 00:31:28.360
 your

00:31:28.360 --> 00:31:28.700
 hearing.

00:31:31.000 --> 00:31:31.620
 Worrying

00:31:31.620 --> 00:31:31.860
 can

00:31:31.860 --> 00:31:32.380
 hinder

00:31:32.380 --> 00:31:32.759
 your

00:31:32.759 --> 00:31:33.280
 ability

00:31:33.280 --> 00:31:33.660
 to

00:31:33.660 --> 00:31:34.040
 hear

00:31:34.040 --> 00:31:34.300
 and

00:31:34.300 --> 00:31:34.780
 respond

00:31:34.780 --> 00:31:35.080
 to

00:31:35.080 --> 00:31:35.320
 the

00:31:35.320 --> 00:31:35.519
 word

00:31:35.519 --> 00:31:35.700
 of

00:31:35.700 --> 00:31:35.980
 God.

00:31:36.900 --> 00:31:39.720
 Or

00:31:39.720 --> 00:31:39.880
 are

00:31:39.880 --> 00:31:40.000
 you

00:31:40.000 --> 00:31:40.440
 constantly

00:31:40.440 --> 00:31:40.840
 thinking

00:31:40.840 --> 00:31:41.120
 about

00:31:41.120 --> 00:31:41.300
 how

00:31:41.300 --> 00:31:41.519
 much

00:31:41.519 --> 00:31:41.759
 money

00:31:41.759 --> 00:31:41.940
 you

00:31:41.940 --> 00:31:42.300
 have?

00:31:43.940 --> 00:31:44.519
 Or

00:31:44.519 --> 00:31:44.660
 the

00:31:44.660 --> 00:31:44.900
 next

00:31:44.900 --> 00:31:45.160
 thing

00:31:45.160 --> 00:31:45.340
 that

00:31:45.340 --> 00:31:45.540
 you'd

00:31:45.540 --> 00:31:45.680
 like

00:31:45.680 --> 00:31:45.860
 to

00:31:45.860 --> 00:31:46.400
 obtain

00:31:46.400 --> 00:31:46.980
 or

00:31:46.980 --> 00:31:47.360
 buy?

00:31:49.120 --> 00:31:49.700
 This

00:31:49.700 --> 00:31:49.820
 is

00:31:49.820 --> 00:31:50.080
 another

00:31:50.080 --> 00:31:50.360
 thing

00:31:50.360 --> 00:31:50.560
 that

00:31:50.560 --> 00:31:50.759
 can

00:31:50.759 --> 00:31:51.120
 affect

00:31:51.120 --> 00:31:51.320
 our

00:31:51.320 --> 00:31:51.740
 hearing.

00:31:51.880 --> 00:31:51.980
 The

00:31:51.980 --> 00:31:52.320
 pursuit

00:31:52.320 --> 00:31:52.540
 of

00:31:52.540 --> 00:31:52.880
 riches,

00:31:54.060 --> 00:31:54.480
 wealth,

00:31:55.580 --> 00:31:55.980
 material

00:31:55.980 --> 00:31:56.620
 things.

00:31:59.040 --> 00:31:59.640
 Or

00:31:59.640 --> 00:31:59.759
 is

00:31:59.759 --> 00:31:59.880
 it

00:31:59.880 --> 00:32:00.220
 pleasure?

00:32:02.620 --> 00:32:03.220
 Could

00:32:03.220 --> 00:32:03.400
 be

00:32:03.400 --> 00:32:03.680
 even

00:32:03.680 --> 00:32:04.019
 as

00:32:04.019 --> 00:32:04.320
 simple

00:32:04.320 --> 00:32:04.640
 as

00:32:04.640 --> 00:32:05.000
 being

00:32:05.000 --> 00:32:05.380
 addicted

00:32:05.380 --> 00:32:05.680
 to

00:32:05.680 --> 00:32:05.860
 our

00:32:05.860 --> 00:32:06.259
 phones.

00:32:06.900 --> 00:32:08.160
 habitually

00:32:08.160 --> 00:32:08.640
 scrolling

00:32:08.640 --> 00:32:09.000
 on a

00:32:09.000 --> 00:32:09.440
 device,

00:32:09.560 --> 00:32:09.620
 an

00:32:09.620 --> 00:32:09.920
 excess

00:32:09.920 --> 00:32:10.220
 of

00:32:10.220 --> 00:32:10.680
 movies

00:32:10.680 --> 00:32:10.900
 or

00:32:10.900 --> 00:32:11.340
 games

00:32:11.340 --> 00:32:11.560
 or

00:32:11.560 --> 00:32:12.019
 sports

00:32:12.019 --> 00:32:12.220
 or

00:32:12.220 --> 00:32:12.580
 social

00:32:12.580 --> 00:32:13.080
 media.

00:32:14.940 --> 00:32:15.460
 Or

00:32:15.460 --> 00:32:15.560
 it

00:32:15.560 --> 00:32:15.800
 could be

00:32:15.800 --> 00:32:16.080
 something

00:32:16.080 --> 00:32:16.500
 bigger

00:32:16.500 --> 00:32:17.800
 like

00:32:17.800 --> 00:32:17.940
 the

00:32:17.940 --> 00:32:18.160
 next

00:32:18.160 --> 00:32:18.420
 great

00:32:18.420 --> 00:32:19.100
 experience

00:32:19.100 --> 00:32:19.380
 that

00:32:19.380 --> 00:32:19.640
 we're

00:32:19.640 --> 00:32:20.200
 hoping

00:32:20.200 --> 00:32:20.600
 for,

00:32:21.080 --> 00:32:21.860
 the

00:32:21.860 --> 00:32:22.140
 next

00:32:22.140 --> 00:32:22.759
 luxury

00:32:22.759 --> 00:32:23.280
 getaway

00:32:23.280 --> 00:32:23.800
 or a

00:32:23.800 --> 00:32:24.000
 new

00:32:24.000 --> 00:32:24.580
 romantic

00:32:24.580 --> 00:32:25.300
 relationship.

00:32:26.800 --> 00:32:26.920
 And

00:32:26.920 --> 00:32:27.140
 God

00:32:27.140 --> 00:32:27.440
 has

00:32:27.440 --> 00:32:27.640
 made

00:32:27.640 --> 00:32:27.840
 this

00:32:27.840 --> 00:32:28.200
 life

00:32:28.200 --> 00:32:28.360
 and

00:32:28.360 --> 00:32:28.540
 this

00:32:28.540 --> 00:32:28.820
 world

00:32:28.820 --> 00:32:29.019
 with

00:32:29.019 --> 00:32:29.480
 pleasures,

00:32:30.160 --> 00:32:30.519
 things

00:32:30.519 --> 00:32:30.940
 for our

00:32:30.940 --> 00:32:31.380
 enjoyment.

00:32:32.500 --> 00:32:32.680
 But

00:32:32.680 --> 00:32:32.840
 the

00:32:32.840 --> 00:32:33.160
 problem

00:32:33.160 --> 00:32:33.600
 happens

00:32:33.600 --> 00:32:33.860
 when we

00:32:33.860 --> 00:32:34.259
 turn our

00:32:34.259 --> 00:32:34.600
 hearts

00:32:34.599 --> 00:32:35.500
 primarily

00:32:35.500 --> 00:32:36.119
 towards

00:32:36.119 --> 00:32:36.439
 getting

00:32:36.439 --> 00:32:36.740
 those

00:32:36.740 --> 00:32:37.159
 pleasures,

00:32:37.379 --> 00:32:37.179
!

00:32:37.179 --> 00:32:37.779
 That's

00:32:37.779 --> 00:32:37.959
 the

00:32:37.959 --> 00:32:38.219
 main

00:32:38.219 --> 00:32:38.519
 thing

00:32:38.519 --> 00:32:39.019
 for us.

00:32:39.539 --> 00:32:39.619
 And

00:32:39.619 --> 00:32:39.740
 it

00:32:39.740 --> 00:32:39.879
 can

00:32:39.879 --> 00:32:40.240
 affect

00:32:40.240 --> 00:32:40.419
 our

00:32:40.419 --> 00:32:40.779
 ability

00:32:40.779 --> 00:32:41.219
 to hear

00:32:41.219 --> 00:32:41.419
 the

00:32:41.419 --> 00:32:41.579
 word

00:32:41.579 --> 00:32:41.759
 of

00:32:41.759 --> 00:32:42.119
 God

00:32:42.119 --> 00:32:42.399
 and

00:32:42.399 --> 00:32:42.599
 to

00:32:42.599 --> 00:32:43.099
 have

00:32:43.099 --> 00:32:43.279
 the

00:32:43.279 --> 00:32:43.459
 word

00:32:43.459 --> 00:32:43.619
 of

00:32:43.619 --> 00:32:43.919
 God

00:32:43.919 --> 00:32:44.379
 have

00:32:44.379 --> 00:32:44.599
 its

00:32:44.599 --> 00:32:44.980
 intended

00:32:44.980 --> 00:32:45.500
 result

00:32:45.500 --> 00:32:45.759
 in

00:32:45.759 --> 00:32:45.899
 our

00:32:45.899 --> 00:32:46.240
 life.

00:32:49.139 --> 00:32:49.859
 Finally,

00:32:50.039 --> 00:32:49.859
!

00:32:49.859 --> 00:32:50.159
 There's

00:32:50.159 --> 00:32:50.559
 the seed

00:32:50.559 --> 00:32:51.039
 that fell

00:32:51.039 --> 00:32:51.480
 on the

00:32:51.480 --> 00:32:51.659
 good

00:32:51.659 --> 00:32:52.019
 soil

00:32:52.019 --> 00:32:52.980
 and

00:32:52.980 --> 00:32:53.359
 produced

00:32:53.359 --> 00:32:53.579
 the

00:32:53.579 --> 00:32:54.000
 ultimate

00:32:54.000 --> 00:32:54.439
 bumper

00:32:54.439 --> 00:32:54.839
 crop.

00:32:56.919 --> 00:32:57.439
 Jesus

00:32:57.439 --> 00:32:58.000
 says the

00:32:58.000 --> 00:32:58.319
 least

00:32:58.319 --> 00:32:58.799
 about

00:32:58.799 --> 00:32:59.819
 what this

00:32:59.819 --> 00:33:00.319
 looks like

00:33:00.319 --> 00:33:00.559
 in the

00:33:00.559 --> 00:33:00.879
 life of

00:33:00.879 --> 00:33:01.019
 a

00:33:01.019 --> 00:33:01.319
 person,

00:33:01.459 --> 00:33:01.559
 but

00:33:01.559 --> 00:33:01.740
 we

00:33:01.740 --> 00:33:02.179
 notice

00:33:02.180 --> 00:33:03.779
 just a

00:33:03.779 --> 00:33:03.940
 few

00:33:03.940 --> 00:33:04.500
 details.

00:33:04.740 --> 00:33:04.820
 We

00:33:04.820 --> 00:33:05.259
 notice

00:33:05.259 --> 00:33:05.660
 that

00:33:05.660 --> 00:33:05.840
 the

00:33:05.840 --> 00:33:06.060
 word

00:33:06.060 --> 00:33:06.240
 of

00:33:06.240 --> 00:33:06.460
 God

00:33:06.460 --> 00:33:06.640
 is

00:33:06.640 --> 00:33:07.320
 retained.

00:33:08.980 --> 00:33:09.660
 There are

00:33:09.660 --> 00:33:10.000
 those who

00:33:10.000 --> 00:33:10.460
 hear the

00:33:10.460 --> 00:33:10.820
 word,

00:33:11.120 --> 00:33:12.000
 retain it,

00:33:13.100 --> 00:33:13.799
 and by

00:33:13.799 --> 00:33:14.940
 persevering,

00:33:15.299 --> 00:33:16.360
 produce a

00:33:16.360 --> 00:33:16.680
 crop.

00:33:18.900 --> 00:33:19.500
 That

00:33:19.500 --> 00:33:19.720
 word

00:33:19.720 --> 00:33:20.380
 persevering

00:33:20.380 --> 00:33:21.039
 catches my

00:33:21.039 --> 00:33:21.480
 attention.

00:33:22.860 --> 00:33:23.460
 God's

00:33:23.460 --> 00:33:23.799
 word can

00:33:23.799 --> 00:33:24.320
 do great

00:33:24.320 --> 00:33:24.720
 things in

00:33:24.720 --> 00:33:25.259
 a person's

00:33:25.259 --> 00:33:25.580
 life,

00:33:25.700 --> 00:33:26.080
 but that

00:33:26.080 --> 00:33:26.480
 doesn't mean

00:33:26.480 --> 00:33:26.779
 it's going

00:33:26.779 --> 00:33:27.000
 to be

00:33:27.000 --> 00:33:27.539
 automatic,

00:33:28.640 --> 00:33:29.080
 instant,

00:33:29.600 --> 00:33:30.240
 or easy.

00:33:30.240 --> 00:33:31.620
 it requires

00:33:31.620 --> 00:33:32.599
 that we

00:33:32.599 --> 00:33:33.480
 stick with

00:33:33.480 --> 00:33:33.900
 the words

00:33:33.900 --> 00:33:34.420
 of Jesus.

00:33:36.279 --> 00:33:37.240
 It requires

00:33:37.240 --> 00:33:37.579
 that we

00:33:37.579 --> 00:33:38.099
 hear them

00:33:38.099 --> 00:33:38.819
 and go

00:33:38.819 --> 00:33:39.380
 on through

00:33:39.380 --> 00:33:39.880
 our lives

00:33:39.880 --> 00:33:40.400
 holding

00:33:40.400 --> 00:33:40.880
 on to

00:33:40.880 --> 00:33:41.200
 them

00:33:41.200 --> 00:33:42.180
 deeply

00:33:42.180 --> 00:33:42.920
 as

00:33:42.920 --> 00:33:43.660
 true.

00:33:45.319 --> 00:33:46.039
 But if

00:33:46.039 --> 00:33:46.500
 we do,

00:33:46.920 --> 00:33:47.500
 it leads

00:33:47.500 --> 00:33:47.779
 to the

00:33:47.779 --> 00:33:48.599
 most amazing

00:33:48.599 --> 00:33:49.400
 outcome,

00:33:50.420 --> 00:33:50.900
 the great

00:33:50.900 --> 00:33:51.700
 bumper crop,

00:33:53.180 --> 00:33:53.519
 which,

00:33:53.700 --> 00:33:53.900
 if we

00:33:53.900 --> 00:33:54.500
 translate the

00:33:54.500 --> 00:33:54.799
 metaphor,

00:33:55.359 --> 00:33:55.920
 salvation,

00:33:57.299 --> 00:33:58.059
 life as a

00:33:58.059 --> 00:33:59.500
 citizen in

00:33:59.500 --> 00:33:59.839
 God's

00:33:59.839 --> 00:34:00.160
 kingdom,

00:34:00.240 --> 00:34:00.880
 which is

00:34:00.880 --> 00:34:01.200
 coming.

00:34:02.940 --> 00:34:03.240
 And so

00:34:03.240 --> 00:34:03.700
 this is one

00:34:03.700 --> 00:34:03.940
 of the

00:34:03.940 --> 00:34:05.279
 first secrets

00:34:05.279 --> 00:34:05.660
 of the

00:34:05.660 --> 00:34:05.940
 kingdom.

00:34:07.120 --> 00:34:07.620
 Not

00:34:07.620 --> 00:34:08.119
 everyone,

00:34:08.840 --> 00:34:09.159
 sadly,

00:34:09.360 --> 00:34:09.820
 will enter

00:34:09.820 --> 00:34:10.360
 into it.

00:34:11.460 --> 00:34:11.860
 Many will

00:34:11.860 --> 00:34:12.400
 hear about

00:34:12.400 --> 00:34:12.659
 it,

00:34:13.119 --> 00:34:13.739
 or at least

00:34:13.739 --> 00:34:14.260
 hear about

00:34:14.260 --> 00:34:14.719
 the king

00:34:14.719 --> 00:34:15.559
 of this

00:34:15.559 --> 00:34:15.880
 kingdom,

00:34:16.260 --> 00:34:16.599
 and yet

00:34:16.599 --> 00:34:17.380
 only some

00:34:17.380 --> 00:34:17.860
 will end

00:34:17.860 --> 00:34:18.260
 up with

00:34:18.260 --> 00:34:18.579
 the good

00:34:18.579 --> 00:34:19.019
 outcome.

00:34:21.420 --> 00:34:22.079
 And it

00:34:22.079 --> 00:34:22.699
 comes down

00:34:22.699 --> 00:34:23.119
 to what

00:34:23.119 --> 00:34:24.039
 happens when

00:34:24.039 --> 00:34:24.440
 we hear

00:34:24.440 --> 00:34:24.820
 the word

00:34:24.820 --> 00:34:25.280
 of God,

00:34:26.280 --> 00:34:27.840
 the message

00:34:27.840 --> 00:34:28.420
 of Jesus.

00:34:28.420 --> 00:34:28.559
 Jesus.

00:34:31.180 --> 00:34:31.880
 It's not

00:34:31.880 --> 00:34:32.360
 enough to

00:34:32.360 --> 00:34:33.200
 just hear

00:34:33.200 --> 00:34:33.380
 it,

00:34:33.460 --> 00:34:33.940
 we must

00:34:33.940 --> 00:34:34.639
 believe it.

00:34:35.599 --> 00:34:36.260
 And it's

00:34:36.260 --> 00:34:36.680
 not enough

00:34:36.680 --> 00:34:37.220
 to believe

00:34:37.220 --> 00:34:37.659
 it in a

00:34:37.659 --> 00:34:38.360
 surface way,

00:34:39.059 --> 00:34:39.760
 to just

00:34:39.760 --> 00:34:40.320
 agree with

00:34:40.320 --> 00:34:40.619
 it,

00:34:40.840 --> 00:34:41.619
 or think it

00:34:41.619 --> 00:34:42.139
 sounds pretty

00:34:42.139 --> 00:34:42.400
 good,

00:34:42.460 --> 00:34:42.780
 we must

00:34:42.780 --> 00:34:43.320
 believe it

00:34:43.320 --> 00:34:43.659
 in the

00:34:43.659 --> 00:34:43.960
 deepest

00:34:43.960 --> 00:34:45.159
 depths of

00:34:45.159 --> 00:34:45.680
 our hearts.

00:34:46.280 --> 00:34:46.980
 We must

00:34:46.980 --> 00:34:47.639
 take Jesus'

00:34:47.840 --> 00:34:48.280
 words as

00:34:48.280 --> 00:34:48.720
 truth,

00:34:49.619 --> 00:34:50.260
 as the

00:34:50.260 --> 00:34:50.980
 very words

00:34:50.980 --> 00:34:51.539
 of God

00:34:51.539 --> 00:34:52.480
 to us.

00:34:52.480 --> 00:34:55.559
 and it's

00:34:55.559 --> 00:34:56.000
 not enough

00:34:56.000 --> 00:34:56.420
 to add

00:34:56.420 --> 00:34:56.699
 Jesus'

00:34:56.880 --> 00:34:57.300
 words to

00:34:57.300 --> 00:34:57.480
 the

00:34:57.480 --> 00:34:57.980
 collection

00:34:57.980 --> 00:34:58.460
 of all

00:34:58.460 --> 00:34:58.619
 the

00:34:58.619 --> 00:34:58.880
 other

00:34:58.880 --> 00:34:59.320
 things

00:34:59.320 --> 00:34:59.699
 that we

00:34:59.699 --> 00:35:00.119
 value,

00:35:00.240 --> 00:35:00.539
 but you

00:35:00.539 --> 00:35:00.639
 know,

00:35:00.719 --> 00:35:00.960
 kind of

00:35:00.960 --> 00:35:01.280
 keep it

00:35:01.280 --> 00:35:01.519
 on the

00:35:01.519 --> 00:35:01.980
 side while

00:35:01.980 --> 00:35:02.300
 we go

00:35:02.300 --> 00:35:02.860
 after all

00:35:02.860 --> 00:35:03.099
 these

00:35:03.099 --> 00:35:03.519
 things.

00:35:04.840 --> 00:35:05.579
 We must

00:35:05.579 --> 00:35:06.260
 value the

00:35:06.260 --> 00:35:06.679
 word of

00:35:06.679 --> 00:35:07.119
 God

00:35:07.119 --> 00:35:08.820
 as the

00:35:08.820 --> 00:35:09.480
 very word

00:35:09.480 --> 00:35:10.039
 of God

00:35:10.039 --> 00:35:12.300
 and prioritize

00:35:12.300 --> 00:35:12.880
 it above

00:35:12.880 --> 00:35:13.440
 all else

00:35:13.440 --> 00:35:13.900
 in life.

00:35:16.099 --> 00:35:16.719
 And it's

00:35:16.719 --> 00:35:17.139
 not easy

00:35:17.139 --> 00:35:17.460
 to do

00:35:17.460 --> 00:35:17.800
 this,

00:35:18.800 --> 00:35:19.900
 but the

00:35:19.900 --> 00:35:20.559
 good outcome,

00:35:20.559 --> 00:35:21.840
 the kingdom

00:35:21.840 --> 00:35:22.299
 of God

00:35:22.299 --> 00:35:22.639
 will be

00:35:22.639 --> 00:35:23.099
 found and

00:35:23.099 --> 00:35:23.480
 enjoyed

00:35:23.480 --> 00:35:24.719
 by those

00:35:24.719 --> 00:35:25.079
 who do.

00:35:27.239 --> 00:35:27.840
 Just a

00:35:27.840 --> 00:35:28.299
 brief word

00:35:28.299 --> 00:35:28.599
 on what

00:35:28.599 --> 00:35:28.900
 to do

00:35:28.900 --> 00:35:29.239
 with all

00:35:29.239 --> 00:35:29.519
 this.

00:35:30.019 --> 00:35:30.199
 You know,

00:35:30.259 --> 00:35:30.579
 the first

00:35:30.579 --> 00:35:31.059
 place of

00:35:31.059 --> 00:35:31.599
 this parable

00:35:31.599 --> 00:35:32.259
 was probably

00:35:32.259 --> 00:35:33.000
 very helpful

00:35:33.000 --> 00:35:33.480
 was no

00:35:33.480 --> 00:35:33.900
 doubt for

00:35:33.900 --> 00:35:34.519
 the disciples.

00:35:36.159 --> 00:35:36.779
 Think of

00:35:36.779 --> 00:35:37.279
 how they

00:35:37.279 --> 00:35:37.659
 followed

00:35:37.659 --> 00:35:39.039
 Jesus in

00:35:39.039 --> 00:35:39.400
 their own

00:35:39.400 --> 00:35:39.759
 day and

00:35:39.759 --> 00:35:40.079
 time,

00:35:40.159 --> 00:35:40.380
 and they

00:35:40.380 --> 00:35:40.900
 watched the

00:35:40.900 --> 00:35:41.179
 crowd

00:35:41.179 --> 00:35:41.840
 swarming

00:35:41.840 --> 00:35:42.239
 Jesus,

00:35:42.420 --> 00:35:42.840
 and everybody

00:35:42.840 --> 00:35:43.480
 is excited

00:35:43.480 --> 00:35:44.099
 about him.

00:35:44.940 --> 00:35:45.179
 Surely

00:35:45.179 --> 00:35:45.820
 they wondered

00:35:45.820 --> 00:35:46.119
 though,

00:35:46.699 --> 00:35:47.139
 why all of

00:35:47.139 --> 00:35:47.380
 a sudden

00:35:47.380 --> 00:35:47.920
 some people

00:35:47.920 --> 00:35:48.420
 just stopped

00:35:48.420 --> 00:35:48.840
 following.

00:35:50.559 --> 00:35:52.039
 And then

00:35:52.039 --> 00:35:52.299
 as it

00:35:52.299 --> 00:35:52.840
 gets closer

00:35:52.840 --> 00:35:53.400
 to Jesus'

00:35:53.599 --> 00:35:53.880
 death,

00:35:54.460 --> 00:35:54.920
 the crowds

00:35:54.920 --> 00:35:55.299
 are getting

00:35:55.299 --> 00:35:56.059
 really thin.

00:35:58.820 --> 00:35:59.279
 Maybe

00:35:59.279 --> 00:35:59.679
 even at

00:35:59.679 --> 00:36:00.279
 times they

00:36:00.279 --> 00:36:01.099
 felt discouraged

00:36:01.099 --> 00:36:01.639
 and had

00:36:01.639 --> 00:36:02.199
 doubts and

00:36:02.199 --> 00:36:02.659
 were even

00:36:02.659 --> 00:36:03.219
 tempted to

00:36:03.219 --> 00:36:03.820
 give up on

00:36:03.820 --> 00:36:04.360
 Jesus as

00:36:04.360 --> 00:36:04.840
 they saw

00:36:04.840 --> 00:36:05.840
 where this

00:36:05.840 --> 00:36:06.380
 was going.

00:36:07.019 --> 00:36:07.239
 And so

00:36:07.239 --> 00:36:07.619
 this, I

00:36:07.619 --> 00:36:07.779
 think,

00:36:07.840 --> 00:36:08.440
 was encouragement

00:36:08.440 --> 00:36:09.119
 for them

00:36:09.119 --> 00:36:10.259
 to understand

00:36:10.259 --> 00:36:10.799
 what's going

00:36:10.799 --> 00:36:11.219
 on.

00:36:13.159 --> 00:36:13.779
 It was

00:36:13.779 --> 00:36:14.219
 encouragement

00:36:14.219 --> 00:36:14.699
 for them

00:36:14.699 --> 00:36:15.519
 to persevere

00:36:15.519 --> 00:36:16.000
 and hold

00:36:16.000 --> 00:36:16.559
 on tightly

00:36:16.559 --> 00:36:17.000
 to the

00:36:17.000 --> 00:36:17.579
 word that

00:36:17.579 --> 00:36:18.139
 Jesus was

00:36:18.139 --> 00:36:18.500
 saying,

00:36:19.019 --> 00:36:19.759
 even with

00:36:19.759 --> 00:36:20.420
 the opposition.

00:36:20.559 --> 00:36:23.199
 But I

00:36:23.199 --> 00:36:23.559
 think we

00:36:23.559 --> 00:36:24.219
 can find

00:36:24.219 --> 00:36:24.599
 wisdom

00:36:24.599 --> 00:36:25.960
 and insight

00:36:25.960 --> 00:36:26.420
 in these

00:36:26.420 --> 00:36:28.079
 words too

00:36:28.079 --> 00:36:28.599
 as we

00:36:28.599 --> 00:36:29.039
 see how

00:36:29.039 --> 00:36:29.719
 people around

00:36:29.719 --> 00:36:30.440
 us today

00:36:30.440 --> 00:36:31.900
 respond to

00:36:31.900 --> 00:36:32.219
 the good

00:36:32.219 --> 00:36:32.699
 news about

00:36:32.699 --> 00:36:33.079
 Jesus.

00:36:34.840 --> 00:36:35.699
 It helps

00:36:35.699 --> 00:36:36.079
 us at

00:36:36.079 --> 00:36:36.480
 least to

00:36:36.480 --> 00:36:37.360
 understand a

00:36:37.360 --> 00:36:37.719
 little bit

00:36:37.719 --> 00:36:38.299
 of why

00:36:38.299 --> 00:36:39.920
 so many

00:36:39.920 --> 00:36:40.699
 fall short

00:36:40.699 --> 00:36:41.500
 of becoming

00:36:41.500 --> 00:36:43.079
 full-fledged

00:36:43.079 --> 00:36:43.900
 followers of

00:36:43.900 --> 00:36:44.219
 Jesus.

00:36:44.219 --> 00:36:44.359
 Jesus.

00:36:46.619 --> 00:36:47.379
 It tells

00:36:47.379 --> 00:36:47.679
 us to

00:36:47.679 --> 00:36:48.480
 expect this

00:36:48.480 --> 00:36:50.059
 and not

00:36:50.059 --> 00:36:50.539
 to think

00:36:50.539 --> 00:36:51.619
 that there's

00:36:51.619 --> 00:36:52.039
 some kind

00:36:52.039 --> 00:36:52.579
 of problem

00:36:52.579 --> 00:36:53.119
 with the

00:36:53.119 --> 00:36:54.599
 seed or

00:36:54.599 --> 00:36:54.879
 with the

00:36:54.879 --> 00:36:55.399
 message that

00:36:55.399 --> 00:36:55.779
 we've

00:36:55.779 --> 00:36:57.039
 believed.

00:36:57.039 --> 00:36:57.099
 saved.

00:36:59.179 --> 00:36:59.759
 But I

00:36:59.759 --> 00:37:00.179
 think more

00:37:00.179 --> 00:37:00.719
 important than

00:37:00.719 --> 00:37:01.239
 all that is

00:37:01.239 --> 00:37:01.639
 just this

00:37:01.639 --> 00:37:02.360
 simple question

00:37:02.360 --> 00:37:02.900
 that this

00:37:02.900 --> 00:37:03.579
 parable leads

00:37:03.579 --> 00:37:04.019
 us to.

00:37:04.820 --> 00:37:05.079
 It's a

00:37:05.079 --> 00:37:05.599
 question I've

00:37:05.599 --> 00:37:06.039
 never been

00:37:06.039 --> 00:37:06.500
 able to get

00:37:06.500 --> 00:37:07.019
 away from.

00:37:08.019 --> 00:37:08.699
 Every time I

00:37:08.699 --> 00:37:09.099
 read this

00:37:09.099 --> 00:37:09.619
 parable I'm

00:37:09.619 --> 00:37:10.259
 reminded of

00:37:10.259 --> 00:37:10.420
 it.

00:37:10.759 --> 00:37:11.059
 And I

00:37:11.059 --> 00:37:11.400
 hope it's

00:37:11.400 --> 00:37:11.860
 the question

00:37:11.860 --> 00:37:12.239
 that you

00:37:12.239 --> 00:37:12.719
 leave with

00:37:12.719 --> 00:37:13.099
 today.

00:37:14.179 --> 00:37:14.679
 Which of

00:37:14.679 --> 00:37:15.219
 these four

00:37:15.219 --> 00:37:15.719
 soils

00:37:15.719 --> 00:37:16.880
 am I?

00:37:16.880 --> 00:37:20.940
 which of

00:37:20.940 --> 00:37:21.460
 these four

00:37:21.460 --> 00:37:22.340
 soils most

00:37:22.340 --> 00:37:23.940
 describes my

00:37:23.940 --> 00:37:24.360
 heart?

00:37:27.320 --> 00:37:28.000
 My

00:37:28.000 --> 00:37:29.700
 response to

00:37:29.700 --> 00:37:30.260
 the word of

00:37:30.260 --> 00:37:30.539
 God?

00:37:33.480 --> 00:37:34.300
 Could it

00:37:34.300 --> 00:37:34.800
 be that I've

00:37:34.800 --> 00:37:35.700
 been seeing

00:37:35.700 --> 00:37:36.260
 but not

00:37:36.260 --> 00:37:37.019
 really seeing?

00:37:38.019 --> 00:37:38.880
 That I've

00:37:38.880 --> 00:37:39.539
 been hearing

00:37:39.539 --> 00:37:42.180
 but not

00:37:42.180 --> 00:37:42.940
 really hearing

00:37:42.940 --> 00:37:43.920
 his words?

00:37:45.680 --> 00:37:46.619
 Has my

00:37:46.619 --> 00:37:47.239
 heart become

00:37:47.239 --> 00:37:47.819
 calloused

00:37:47.819 --> 00:37:48.719
 toward God

00:37:48.719 --> 00:37:49.619
 like the

00:37:49.619 --> 00:37:50.079
 path?

00:37:51.139 --> 00:37:51.759
 And my

00:37:51.759 --> 00:37:52.480
 ears dull

00:37:52.480 --> 00:37:53.819
 to his

00:37:53.819 --> 00:37:54.199
 voice?

00:37:57.519 --> 00:37:58.299
 Which of

00:37:58.299 --> 00:37:58.819
 these four

00:37:58.819 --> 00:37:59.599
 soils am I?

00:38:00.900 --> 00:38:01.880
 We may not

00:38:01.880 --> 00:38:02.559
 understand the

00:38:02.559 --> 00:38:03.139
 full purpose

00:38:03.139 --> 00:38:03.739
 and intention

00:38:03.739 --> 00:38:04.400
 of God and

00:38:04.400 --> 00:38:05.079
 all he does

00:38:05.079 --> 00:38:06.199
 and why he

00:38:06.199 --> 00:38:07.659
 uses these

00:38:07.659 --> 00:38:08.440
 parables like

00:38:08.440 --> 00:38:10.279
 this but I

00:38:10.279 --> 00:38:10.659
 hope the

00:38:10.659 --> 00:38:11.420
 reminder that

00:38:11.420 --> 00:38:12.420
 Satan does

00:38:12.420 --> 00:38:13.420
 not want us

00:38:13.420 --> 00:38:14.099
 to believe

00:38:14.099 --> 00:38:15.900
 or to be

00:38:15.900 --> 00:38:16.259
 saved.

00:38:16.260 --> 00:38:16.720
 I hope

00:38:16.720 --> 00:38:17.400
 that reminder

00:38:17.400 --> 00:38:18.240
 drives us

00:38:18.240 --> 00:38:18.800
 to Jesus

00:38:18.800 --> 00:38:20.260
 and back

00:38:20.260 --> 00:38:20.820
 to Jesus

00:38:20.820 --> 00:38:21.340
 words.

00:38:22.140 --> 00:38:22.760
 Whatever the

00:38:22.760 --> 00:38:23.240
 past has

00:38:23.240 --> 00:38:23.540
 held,

00:38:24.740 --> 00:38:26.320
 if you've

00:38:26.320 --> 00:38:26.960
 fallen away

00:38:26.960 --> 00:38:28.400
 or maybe

00:38:28.400 --> 00:38:29.100
 never really

00:38:29.100 --> 00:38:29.760
 believed and

00:38:29.760 --> 00:38:30.280
 you know it

00:38:30.280 --> 00:38:32.160
 or maybe you

00:38:32.160 --> 00:38:32.880
 have but you're

00:38:32.880 --> 00:38:33.600
 tempted to give

00:38:33.600 --> 00:38:34.860
 up on

00:38:34.860 --> 00:38:35.240
 Jesus,

00:38:36.240 --> 00:38:37.580
 know that

00:38:37.580 --> 00:38:38.280
 there is a

00:38:38.280 --> 00:38:38.920
 good outcome

00:38:38.920 --> 00:38:40.020
 for those who

00:38:40.020 --> 00:38:41.040
 persevere in

00:38:41.040 --> 00:38:41.920
 faith and

00:38:41.920 --> 00:38:42.680
 cling to the

00:38:42.680 --> 00:38:43.160
 words of

00:38:43.159 --> 00:38:44.179
 Jesus to

00:38:44.179 --> 00:38:44.599
 the end

00:38:44.599 --> 00:38:45.960
 and it's

00:38:45.960 --> 00:38:46.420
 not too

00:38:46.420 --> 00:38:46.719
 late.

00:38:49.539 --> 00:38:50.259
 Let's pray.

00:38:55.960 --> 00:38:56.619
 Father in

00:38:56.619 --> 00:38:57.000
 heaven, we

00:38:57.000 --> 00:38:57.420
 ask that you

00:38:57.420 --> 00:38:57.799
 would go to

00:38:57.799 --> 00:38:58.279
 work in our

00:38:58.279 --> 00:38:58.960
 hearts by your

00:38:58.960 --> 00:38:59.359
 spirit.

00:39:02.079 --> 00:39:03.000
 Lord, convict

00:39:03.000 --> 00:39:03.239
 us.

00:39:03.319 --> 00:39:04.000
 We need that.

00:39:05.440 --> 00:39:06.019
 Speak the

00:39:06.019 --> 00:39:06.619
 truth to our

00:39:06.619 --> 00:39:06.920
 hearts.

00:39:07.079 --> 00:39:07.779
 Help us see

00:39:07.780 --> 00:39:09.440
 which soil

00:39:09.440 --> 00:39:09.900
 we are,

00:39:10.840 --> 00:39:11.340
 which soil

00:39:11.340 --> 00:39:11.780
 we've been

00:39:11.780 --> 00:39:12.300
 this past

00:39:12.300 --> 00:39:12.660
 week.

00:39:15.600 --> 00:39:16.280
 Call us

00:39:16.280 --> 00:39:16.840
 and draw us

00:39:16.840 --> 00:39:17.180
 near to

00:39:17.180 --> 00:39:17.620
 yourself.

00:39:19.280 --> 00:39:20.000
 We want

00:39:20.000 --> 00:39:20.440
 to be

00:39:20.440 --> 00:39:21.220
 that good

00:39:21.220 --> 00:39:21.540
 soil.

00:39:22.480 --> 00:39:23.160
 We want

00:39:23.160 --> 00:39:23.440
 to know

00:39:23.440 --> 00:39:23.880
 the joy

00:39:23.880 --> 00:39:24.260
 of that

00:39:24.260 --> 00:39:24.900
 bumper crop

00:39:24.900 --> 00:39:25.300
 in our

00:39:25.300 --> 00:39:26.019
 lives.

00:39:29.280 --> 00:39:29.940
 Pray this

00:39:29.940 --> 00:39:30.340
 in Jesus'

00:39:30.560 --> 00:39:30.740
 name.

00:39:31.340 --> 00:39:31.620
 Amen.