This morning we continue our series entitled, “Refined Focus”. Last week I introduced you to the parable of the sower. Let’s get back to it today. Jesus said:
“The farmer is like someone who plants God’s teaching in people. Sometimes the teaching falls on the path. That is like some people who hear the teaching of God. As soon as they hear it, Satan comes and takes away the teaching that was planted in them.
Other people are like the seed planted on rocky ground. They hear the teaching, and they quickly and gladly accept it. But they don’t allow it to go deep into their lives. They keep it only a short time. As soon as trouble or persecution comes because of the teaching they accepted, they give up.
Others are like the seed planted among the thorny weeds. They hear the teaching, but their lives become full of other things: the worries of this life, the love of money, and everything else they want. This keeps the teaching from growing, and it does not produce a crop in their lives.
And others are like the seed planted on the good ground. They hear the teaching and accept it. Then they grow and produce a good crop—sometimes 30 times more, sometimes 60 times more, and sometimes 100 times more.” (Mark 4:13-20 ERV)
So far we have covered the first type of soil: the soil along the path. These are people who receive the Word of God, but lack understanding, so satan comes immediately and snatches the Word away. Today we transition to the next type of soil Jesus discusses: rocky ground. Jesus said these people, “Hear the teaching, and they quickly and gladly accept it. But they don’t allow it to go deep into their lives. They keep it only a short time. As soon as trouble or persecution comes because of the teaching they accepted, they give up.” There is a lot to cover in these few sentences. I will take my time and carefully walk us through Jesus’ statement over the next few days. For this morning I simply want to highlight a few things about this type of soil and the people it represents. Many of these thoughts will be further developed in the days to come.
So what does this mean to you today? A few things.
- The Lord provides you His Word as a long-term investment. He is not impressed by the excitement you display on Sundays as you receive the Word. He is looking for the change it will produce IN you and the fruit it will produce FROM you in the long term.
- Getting excited about a Word you receive from God is one thing. But if that excitement does not lead to implementation there will be no results.
- Getting excited about something God said is good. But excitement wears-off. When the emotions are over, what are you doing to DO with the Word you received?
- The boundless potential found in the Word of God actually attracts opposition. Satan wants to stop you before you tap into the potential of the Word sown in your heart. So when the Word comes, get ready, because trouble and persecution will come BECAUSE of the Word.
- The Word of God can and will produce a supernatural harvest in your life… if you don’t give up on the Word before harvest time.
Closing Confession: Father, this is a season of refined focus for me. I bring my life into focus in 2016 by giving careful attention to Your Word. Your Word is incorruptible seed and it brings forth supernatural harvest in my life. I receive the Word with gladness. I get excited what I hear what You are saying. But when the excitement is over, I am still focused. I follow-up and follow-through with what You said. I do not allow my expectation to wane. I never give up. I never cave in. I refuse to throw in the towel. I do not cast away the confidence I have in You, because Your Word promises that it has a great recompense of reward! I am committed to You and Your Word for the long haul and my commitment keeps me focused long enough to see supernatural results! I declare this by faith. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
This is Today’s Word! Apply it and Prosper.
