This morning we continue our series entitled, “Refined Focus”. We have been studying the parable of the sower for months. Before I move on to the next topic next week, I have been providing you a series of recap messages. Today’s message will be the last. I trust you have been blessed by God through the revelation of this parable; a parable I call “The mother of all parables”.
So what does this mean to you today? Let’s find out as I give you one final recap of each of the four soils.
- From what Jesus said about the wayside ground we learned that receiving divine understanding is critical. It is possible to receive a Word from God and to clearly understand it. If we don’t understand it, Jesus told us that satan will come immediately to snatch away the Word that was sown in our hearts. This teaches us to put an emphasis on understanding God’s Word; and we should not be surprised when satan comes after the Word we received. The more Word you receive, the better equipped you are to win in life, and the more of a threat you will be to satan and his kingdom.
- From what Jesus said about the rocky ground we learn the importance of going beyond a surface-level relationship with God. Jesus told us that trouble and persecution will come BECAUSE of the Word we receive. If we have not allowed the Word to go deep into our lives, we will not be equipped to handle the opposition. As a result, we will give up. From this we learn that that opposition is actually attracted by the potential of the Word and that we must have a deep and personal relationship with God in order to withstand the attacks of the enemy.
- From what Jesus said about the thorny ground we learn the importance of giving God and His Word first-place in our lives. This is a matter of competing priorities. Some people allow the cares of this world, the love of money, and other selfish desires to take priority over God and His Word. As a result, the Word of God is ineffective in their lives. It’s not that the Word of God does not work. It’s just that it will not work for them, because they have allowed other things to take priority over the Word. The other things grow up like weeds and choke-out the Word in their lives. From this we learn the danger of allowing our lives to become “full of other things”. Don’t let this be you.
- From what Jesus said about the good ground we learn that when you don’t make the mistakes the first three grounds made, you can position yourself to receive the Word of God with gladness and that Word will cause supernatural growth. Now, sometimes the growth will be 30 times more, sometimes 60 times more, and even sometimes 100 times more. You may ask me, “Rick, why is this so?” I could give you lots of reasons for the disparity in the return on God’s investment in our lives, but for this morning I will simply give you ONE. Here’s what I am led to tell you. There is a certain level of mystery to walking with God and you must get comfortable with that mystery. God does not have to explain everything to you, and you should not want Him to. Living by faith is exciting. Not being able to explain everything God does reminds us that He is God and we are not! So don’t worry about why some seem to be walking in 30 fold, others 60 fold and others 100 fold. Don’t concern yourself with others. Don’t compare yourself to people. Walk your own walk. Live your own life. Run your own race with your own grace. And maximize every opportunity the Lord gives you, so you can become the man/woman He called you to be!
Closing Confession: Father, this is a season of refined focus for me. I bring my life into focus in 2016. I free my heart of all distractors. I give Your Word the priority it deserves. I allow Your Word to go deep into my life. I open my heart to believe and receive daily. Your Word is sown in my heart and it produces supernatural growth and change. I am thankful for the change it is producing in me and through me. I am not surprised when the Word attracts trouble and persecution. I am simply not moved. I am not swayed. I am not dismayed. I am not distracted. I remain focused, encouraged, and thankful, as I walk my walk, run my race, and pursue my purpose. 2016 is the best year of my life, because I am now living every day with supernatural focus! I declare this by faith. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
This is Today’s Word! Apply it and Prosper.
