CWW Week 27 - Day 3 - Keeping Church Simple

Scripture

Matthew 13:1-9

1. That same day Jesus went out of the house and sat by the lake.
2. Such large crowds gathered around him that he got into a boat and sat in it, while all the people stood on the shore.
3. Then he told them many things in parables, saying: “A farmer went out to sow his seed.
4. As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up.
5. Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow.
6. But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root.
7. Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants.
8. Still other seed fell on good soil, where it produced a crop—a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown.
9. Whoever has ears, let them hear.”

In Matthew 13:18-23, Jesus explains the meaning of the parable to His disciples.

Matthew 13:18-23:

1. “Listen then to what the parable of the sower means:
2. When anyone hears the message about the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in their heart. This is the seed sown along the path.
3. The seed falling on rocky ground refers to someone who hears the word and at once receives it with joy.
4. But since they have no root, they last only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, they quickly fall away.
5. The seed falling among the thorns refers to someone who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the word, making it unfruitful.
6. But the seed falling on good soil refers to someone who hears the word and understands it. This is the one who produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown.”

In this explanation:

• Seed on the path represents those who hear the message but don’t understand it, leaving them vulnerable to losing it.
• Seed on rocky ground represents those who initially embrace the message but fall away when life becomes difficult or challenging.
• Seed among thorns represents those who hear the message but are distracted by life’s concerns, like materialism or worry, preventing the message from taking root and growing.
• Seed on good soil represents those who hear, understand, and live out the message, producing abundant fruit in their lives.

This teaching emphasises the importance of receiving God’s word with an open, receptive heart to allow it to grow and bear fruit in our lives.

Handling the challenges that come our way when we are known to be Christians can be a minefield if we over complicate matters.

Opportunities arise when non believers see faith reflected in us.

I always close a greeting with “God bless.” This often engenders the question…”Are you a Christian?” Many share their own faith but many others see an opening to ask questions.

It is so much easier to respond to questions because we know the other party is interested. The parable of the seed sower comes to mind. One way to find the right approach is to ask yourself how you might receive the message you are about to impart?

I often find it much better to give a simple and short response and then let it sit with the asker of the question. If they come back to you with another question or an observation you then know that you may be on fertile ground.

The big thing to remember is that you don’t need to know all the answers and it’s ok to admit you don’t.

Let me share an example.

A co-pilot of mine asked me why I thought differently about the world than most Captains he flew with? “I have faith in God” was my reply. I just left it to simmer for a few minutes. I knew he would come back. He then asked me if I was “a born again?” 

“Yes I think I am.” He was quick to reply. “I can’t believe someone like you could fall for that rubbish.”

“I choose to believe what the Bible tells me.” He shook his head in disbelief.

“Do you really want to have this conversation Paul?’ I asked him?

“Ok I’m game.” he said.

“Let me tell you what I think you believe. You believe that you evolved from slime, that your life has no real purpose other than making money and paying off your mortgage and when you die you’ll go back into the ground and become food for worms.”

“That sums me up pretty well.” he said.

“Ok. Now let me tell you what I believe. I believe I was created by someone who loves me, my life has a purpose because I am on a journey of character development and when I die I am going to heaven.” He pondered this and replied, “Yeah ok I get that.”

That’s when I landed the killer punch when I said, “Who’s gonna have a better day, you or me?” He was dumb struck. I went on to say, “ Look Paul, the way I see it is this. If we could both stand at the end of time and you could show me I had it all wrong, then I would shrug my shoulders and say, “wow you could have fooled me but boy I have had a great life. So who loses in faith Paul?”

That conversation continued every time we flew together. But Paul could see in the way I lived and supported others even him when he fell on bad times, that Christ had a positive effect on my life and he wanted some of that too.

All we have to do is trust in the Holy Spirit to guide us and take the chance that someone might think you’re crazy; But is that so important?What God thinks is where the rubber meets the road.

Questions.

1. Are you afraid to share Jesus because you might face ridicule and rejection?
2. Is your faith in Jesus strong enough to push that fear and do it anyway?
3. Are you ready to call on Papa to carry you on the journey of seed sowing?

Prayer.

Dear Lord, Papa God.

Help me to overcome my lack of faith and lean on your understanding more than mine. Help me to grow knowing that if I follow Your will and remain faithful and obedient then it’s what you think of me that is my driving force. Help me to remember my life before I came to faith and see clearly how much my testimony and yours can turn someones life around.

Strengthen me oh Lord and help me to keep it simple but effective, for this is my prayer in the name of Jesus. Amen.

Have a great day with Jesus today.

Graham Hood.