We may be a Local Church in Kansas City, but our desire to see the lost saved extends beyond this city. We want to see the seed of Gods word flourish in the lives of people. That’s the purpose of the church!
The Bible says all scripture is Holy Spirit breathed. However not all scripture is plain. The following parable was not only told by Jesus but He took the time to explain it.
He told many stories in the form of parables, such as this one:
“Listen! A farmer went out to plant some seeds. As he scattered them across his field, some seeds fell on a footpath, and the birds came and ate them. Other seeds fell on shallow soil with underlying rock. The seeds sprouted quickly because the soil was shallow. But the plants soon wilted under the hot sun, and since they didn’t have deep roots, they died. Other seeds fell among thorns that grew up and choked out the tender plants. Still, other seeds fell on fertile soil, and they produced a crop that was thirty, sixty, and even a hundred times as much as had been planted!
“Now listen to the explanation of the parable about the farmer planting seeds: The seed that fell on the footpath represents those who hear the message about the Kingdom and don’t understand it. Then the evil one comes and snatches away the seed that was planted in their hearts. The seed on the rocky soil represents those who hear the message and immediately receive it with joy. But since they don’t have deep roots, they don’t last long. They fall away as soon as they have problems or are persecuted for believing God’s word. The seed that fell among the thorns represents those who hear God’s word, but all too quickly the message is crowded out by the worries of this life and the lure of wealth, so no fruit is produced. The seed that fell on good soil represents those who truly hear and understand God’s word and produce a harvest of thirty, sixty, or even a hundred times as much as had been planted!” Matt 3:3-8, 18-23 NLT
Today I want to talk about the seed that fell on the footpath. The seed is God’s Word.
This is the meaning of the parable: The seed is God’s word. Luke 8: 11
The soil represents the heart of people. And according to the parable, it took a farmer to plant the seeds. We cannot bypass this. Just as it took a farmer to sow the seeds in the soil we are responsible to sow the seeds of God’s Word into the hearts of men. We are commanded to go preach the gospel.
And he said to them, “As you go into all the world, preach openly the wonderful news of the gospel to the entire human race! Whoever believes the good news and is baptized will be saved, and whoever does not believe the good news will be condemned. Mark 16:15-16 TPT
If you are about to leave earth you will want to pour your heart out and share the most important thing on your heart. The last thing Jesus said before He left this earth was that we are to go and preach the gospel. The gospel changes lives. At the time I heard the gospel everyone had given up on me. I was a blue haired, drug dealing, punk rocker. The gospel changed my life.
There has been such chaos in our nation and for many the answer to that is legislation. But I am convinced the answer is Jesus. People are divided in America. So many are just so hateful. But the power of Jesus can soften the hardest of hearts. There is a responsibility for the church to guard the seed planted in the hearts of others. However, ultimately we are responsible to take care of that seed in our own hearts.
In Jesus’ parable, the first place the seed fell is on the footpath. This is not plowed earth. It’s packed down. You can attend church and still have an unplowed heart. The person with this kind of heart can respect a preacher, show up to service, and still be distracted. This person pays no attention to the warnings or the promises of God’s word. You can attend church services and still not be engaged. You can attend church and still be on the outside.
The footpath is where the devil comes and snatches the Word away. Some people have no problem getting saved but do not grasp God’s Word. There is no depth. Can I tell you something? Surface Christianity just doesn’t cut it. The soil of the heart needs to be soft in order for the seed to go in deep and take root. You must be engaged in God’s Word and you must let it change you.
The footpath represents the world. It’s an area outside the Kingdom. This is the road the world walks on. When you were in the world, were you walked on, mistreated, abused by people in the world? When you are walked on your heart can get hard. Even so, there is hope.
The first thing you need to do is get off the footpath and get transplanted in God’s house and this is what God says he will do.
Then I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean. Your filth will be washed away, and you will no longer worship idols. And I will give you a new heart, and I will put a new spirit in you. I will take out your stony, stubborn heart and give you a tender, responsive heart. And I will put my Spirit in you so that you will follow my decrees and be careful to obey my regulations. Ez 36:25-27 NLT
Next, there has to be a heart change and not just for people who a new in the church. Some of the hardest hearts can be those of people who have been in the church for a long time. To get your heart right you have to be willing to let God dig some stuff up. Let God turn the soil over. Let Him bring healing to some old hurts. Let Him deal with those things in your heart you would rather not deal with.
…that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word, Eph 5:26
Once the soil has been turned it needs to be watered with God’s Word.
Finally, you need to remember that God is watching over His Word in your life. When I was a kid my grandpa gave me a pellet gun. My job was to shoot the birds that tried to eat up the pecans from his pecan tree. He also had me and my cousins build a scarecrow. With that scarecrow in the yard, the birds were not as bold to come around my grandpa’s tree. Jesus is like that scarecrow. He is always there. His continual presence will keep the devil from devouring that seed planted in your heart.
Then the Lord said to me, “You have seen well, for I am watching over my word to perform it. Jer 1:12 ESV
PRAY THIS
Father touch my heart and soften it. Bring your healing. Bring me deep in Your Kingdom and give me an understanding of Your Word. Help me go deep inside Your Word and apply it to my life. Help me to go and be a seed sower. To share Your gospel with hardened hurting hearts. You didn’t save me just to save me but to go and bring others to You. I love you, Lord. Amen.
MEDITATE ON THIS
The seed that fell on the footpath represents those who hear the message about the Kingdom and don’t understand it. Then the evil one comes and snatches away the seed that was planted in their hearts. Matt 13:19