This morning, we continue our series on “The Parables of Jesus.” We will seek to glean “Pearls from the Parables.”
Before we get to the parable, let’s look at a scripture we have been looking at all year. This is something I believe the Lord wants us to meditate on.
(Psalm 126:4 TPT)
Now, Lord, do it again! Restore us to our former glory! May streams of your refreshing flow over us until our dry hearts are drenched again.
This is a season of refreshing and restoring for us.
Last week, I introduced you to “The Mother of All Parables.” Let’s get back to it today. Jesus said:
(Mark 4:13-20 ERV)
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.
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 following 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. This morning, I simply want to highlight a few things about this type of soil and the people it represents. I will further develop many of these thoughts in the days to come.
So what does this mean to you today? A few things.
1. The Lord provides you with 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 should produce IN YOU and the fruit it should produce FROM YOU in the long term.
2. 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.
3. 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?
4. The boundless potential locked up inside 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.
5. The Word of God can and will produce a supernatural harvest in your life if you don’t give up on the Word before your harvest season comes due.
6. Excitement about the Word of God is important, but sustaining that flame of fervor over time is critical. The Word isn’t just for a moment of emotional high; it’s designed to provide a lifetime of spiritual growth.
7. You must remain steadfast and unmovable in the face of adversity. Jesus said that as soon as persecution or difficulties come (because of the Word they received), these people are quick to give up! Don’t let the pressures of the world cause you to derail yourself from your destiny. Stand firm in the faith, regardless of the circumstances.
8. You have to go beyond the surface level with the Word of God. Jesus said these people do not allow the Word to go deep into their hearts. As a result, they are quick to give up before the Word produces. Like a seed planted in fertile soil, the Word of God needs depth for your life to grow and flourish.
9. Your learning must turn into living! It’s not enough to just hear and rejoice over the Word. You must act on it. Hearing, understanding, and implementing the Word of God in your life is the key to spiritual growth and earthly success.
10. Change will happen, but it will not happen overnight. Patience is a virtue in the kingdom of God. Even if you don’t see the fruit immediately, don’t give up on the Word. It has a season of harvest. Trust in God’s timing and believe He makes “all things beautiful in His time.”
11. Part of walking with God is developing the spirit of an overcomer. Opposition is not an indication that you’re on the wrong path. On the contrary, it’s often a sign that you’re on the right path. The Word of God in you is so potent that it stirs up and attracts opposition. Stay the course!
12. You must hold fast to the Word of God without being moved by what you see! The writer of Hebrews said:
(Hebrews 10:35-37 KJV)
35 Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompence of reward.
36 For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise.
37 For yet a little while, and he that shall come will come, and will not tarry.
Don’t let the temporary challenges of life cause you to lose sight of the eternal promises of God. Keep the Word of God close to your heart, meditate on it day and night, and you will be like a tree planted by streams of water, yielding its fruit in season.
Declaration of Faith:
Father, this is a season of refreshing and restoring for me! I boldly declare:
I believe, receive, and embrace the Word of God daily. I know it will have a long-lasting impact on my life!
I receive the Word of God with a level of excitement, but when the emotions fade, I will apply the Word of God to my life so it can produce change IN ME and fruit FROM ME!
I know the Word of God is so powerful that it will attract opposition. Therefore, I am prepared for it! I trust in the power of the Word of God, and challenges do not move me!
I will not give up on the Word of God before my harvest season arrives.
I will stand firm in my faith, regardless of adversity. I refuse to let the pressures of the world derail me from my destiny.
I allow the Word of God to penetrate deep into my heart. It becomes the foundation for my life and living.
I am an overcomer. I will not interpret opposition as a sign of being on the wrong path. I will remain strong in faith, without a doubt, without wavering, and I will receive a great recompense of reward!
I know GREATER IS COMING FOR ME! I declare this by faith. In Jesus’ name, Amen!
This is Today’s Word. Apply it and prosper!
