This morning we continue our series entitled, “Refined Focus”. We have been studying the parable of the sower for months. Today I want to go back to the parable with a message entitled, “God’s Word is NOT the Issue.”
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 what does this mean to you today? A few things.
- The same sower provided the same seed to all four types of soil. The only variable was the soil. The seed produced based on the quality of the soil, not the quality of the sower or the seed. There was nothing wrong with the sower and there was certainly nothing wrong with the with the seed. There was something wrong, however, with three out-of-the-four types of soil. You are the soil in the parable. The issue is never with the seed (i.e., The Bible). If there is ever an issue, it is always with you.
- God’s Word is incorruptible seed (1 Peter 1:23). The Word of God has the power to produce a life-yielding and life-changing harvest in, with and through you. There is nothing wrong with the Word. But if the Word is not producing in your life, then there is something wrong with you. If there is ever an issue between you and God, the issue is always you. Until you accept this truth, you won’t take responsibility for the things in your life that are keeping the Word from producing a harvest.
- Joshua and Caleb received the same Gospel (Good News) the rest of the 12 spies received. The Good News was that God was GIVING THEM the land of Canaan. Joshua and Caleb mixed faith with what they heard. 10 of the 12 spies did not. The result? The 10 unbelieving spies and the millions who agreed with their unbelief died in the wilderness. Will you be like the 10, or will you be like the two? Are you a Joshua/Caleb? Or are you one of the unbelievers, who receives God’s Word, but fails to have the faith to accept, believe and apply what the Word of God says?
- If you fail to rid your life of all Blessing-Blockers and receive the Word in faith, the Word will fail to produce a harvest in your life. But it won’t be because there was something wrong with the Word. It will be because there was something wrong with you.
- I run into people who say, “Rick, I tried the Bible and the Bible did not work.” To which I respond, “No, the Bible tried YOU and YOU did not work.” There is nothing wrong with the Bible. The Word will work every time you work the Word.
Closing Confession: Father, this is a season of refined focus for me. I bring my life into focus in 2016. There was a time in my life when I was not good ground, but those days are over. I rid my life of every Blessing-Blocker. I open my heart to receive Your Word. I mix what I hear with faith. I believe I receive what I read, pray, hear and am taught. Your Word works in my life, because I work the Word. I meditate and medicate on it day and night. I pray over what You say. I apply it to my life every day. I don’t live by bread only, I live by every Word You speak to me Father. I am good ground and Your Word is working IN and FOR me! I declare this by faith. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
This is Today’s Word! Apply it and Prosper.
