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Soil Problems

Soil Problems

Words of Faith 5-29-18

Dr. Jeffrey D. Hoy © 2018

Jeff.Hoy@faithfellowshipweb.com

Faith Fellowship Church - Melbourne, FL

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Luke 8

   [11] "This is the meaning of the parable: The seed is the word of God. [12] Those along the path are the ones who hear, and then the devil comes and takes away the word from their hearts, so that they may not believe and be saved. [13] Those on the rock are the ones who receive the word with joy when they hear it, but they have no root. They believe for a while, but in the time of testing they fall away. [14] The seed that fell among thorns stands for those who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by life's worries, riches and pleasures, and they do not mature. [15] But the seed on good soil stands for those with a noble and good heart, who hear the word, retain it, and by persevering produce a crop.

 

       Jesus was talking about soil problems. Have you ever had a soil problem? Trouble getting a particular plant to grow? If you have, you might have gone to the County Extension office for some answers. These folks can usually tell you what the problem is and what to add in order to get the growth you want. As believers, our County extension office is the Word of God itself.

       The soil on the path represents the ones who hear, and then the devil comes and takes away the word from their hearts, so that they may not believe and be saved. We have all seen situations like this. People hear the Word and the devil snatches it away. But notice it does not say the devil wrestles the word away, or that the devil fights and struggles. The devil just comes, and because there is no resistance the devil takes away the Word.

   The Bible is clear in James 4:7: Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. When you hear the Word, a response is required. Submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.

     When we hear the Word we need to submit to God and resist the devil. If we do not, we are in danger. The Word is just out there on the path. You know when you have heard God's Word. You know when God is calling you to obedience.

     Do you feel at times as if every time you begin to get a handle on your life with God the devil steals away from you? Submit to God. Resist the devil.

     What is the soil like on the path?   The path is a busy place where people travel amid the influences of the world. It is a busy, moving, active place. On the path is where we often forget to submit to God and resist the devil. Nothing grows on the path.   Paths are bare places where new growth is trampled.

     The place on the rock represents the ones who receive the word with joy when they hear it, but they have no root. They believe for a while, but in the time of testing they fall away.  The problem is not so much because of the rock but because they have no root. In the time of testing they fall away. We are responsible to become rooted Christians and not be just Jesus sprouts. How do we do that? We don't just RECEIVE the Word. We must set a deep root into the Nutrition of the Word.

       Psalm 1:1-3: Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers. But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers.

     We must delight in the Word of God and meditate upon it. Jesus never said to make converts; He said to make disciples. It really does not matter what church you belong to or what conversion or experiences you have had. Your testimony of what God did ten years ago or even last week are not relevant. One vital question: Are you rooted in the Word of God?

     When we are in Colorado we hike all over the mountain and have a great time. There is a huge rock I love to go and look at because right up out of this huge rock there is a tree growing that has split the rock in half! Even the hardest heart can be broken before God if the root begins to work through the core of that rock.

       O God, in this New Year make the seed of Your Word grow powerfully in my life. Break through any hard heartedness. Cause me to be that person whose delight is in the Word planted by the deep streams of water. In Jesus' name.