1 00:00:03,900 --> 00:00:06,800 We're in a new chapter today in Mark, so meet me in the gospel 2 00:00:06,800 --> 00:00:11,600 of Mark in chapter 4. Mark chapter 4. 3 00:00:15,100 --> 00:00:19,100 But this past Friday and Sunday has been filled with exuberance 4 00:00:19,100 --> 00:00:21,900 singing. So I'm so blessed to be under 5 00:00:21,900 --> 00:00:24,600 your voices this afternoon. I hope you feel that same 6 00:00:24,600 --> 00:00:28,600 blessing, Mark chapter 4, please, and we're starting 7 00:00:28,600 --> 00:00:30,800 together in verse 1. I'm going to read these verses. 8 00:00:30,800 --> 00:00:32,900 And then together, we're just going to Bow our heads again, 9 00:00:32,900 --> 00:00:37,100 our hearts before God, and ask him to help us understand these 10 00:00:37,100 --> 00:00:40,800 verses. Mark 41. 11 00:00:42,500 --> 00:00:46,600 Again, he began to teach beside the sea and a very large crowd 12 00:00:46,600 --> 00:00:51,300 gathered about him, so that he got into a boat and sat in it on 13 00:00:51,300 --> 00:00:54,500 the sea. And the whole crowd was beside 14 00:00:54,500 --> 00:00:58,100 the Sea on the land, and he was teaching them, many things in 15 00:00:58,100 --> 00:01:01,300 Parables. And in his teaching he said to 16 00:01:01,300 --> 00:01:05,800 them. Listen behold A sower went out 17 00:01:05,800 --> 00:01:10,700 to sow and as he sowed some seed fell among the path and the 18 00:01:10,700 --> 00:01:14,500 birds came and devoured. It Other seed fell on Rocky 19 00:01:14,500 --> 00:01:18,900 ground where it did not have much soil and immediately it 20 00:01:18,900 --> 00:01:21,700 sprang up since it had no depth of soil. 21 00:01:22,400 --> 00:01:26,000 And when the sun rose it was scorched and since it had no 22 00:01:26,000 --> 00:01:29,900 root it withered away. Other seed fell among thorns and 23 00:01:29,900 --> 00:01:34,800 the Thorns grew up and choked it and it yielded no grain and 24 00:01:34,800 --> 00:01:39,500 other seeds fell into good soil and produced grain growing up 25 00:01:39,500 --> 00:01:41,500 and increasing and yielding 30 fold. 26 00:01:41,500 --> 00:01:47,300 And V and a hundredfold. And he said, he who has ears to 27 00:01:47,300 --> 00:01:53,600 hear, Let Him hear. Father, give us ears to hear 28 00:01:54,400 --> 00:01:58,700 help us. Listen we just ask, oh, God, 29 00:01:59,400 --> 00:02:03,400 that these next few messages and the next few weeks would be 30 00:02:03,400 --> 00:02:08,000 life-altering. It would be the pivotal point of 31 00:02:08,000 --> 00:02:11,900 many. Who would desire to be good soil 32 00:02:12,700 --> 00:02:16,200 for your seat to have its fullest effect in our lives. 33 00:02:16,700 --> 00:02:19,800 Lord, have your way in the service. 34 00:02:20,500 --> 00:02:25,600 Oh Lord move in great power. O Lord, be magnified as this 35 00:02:25,600 --> 00:02:28,500 word is delivered and more importantly received with 36 00:02:28,500 --> 00:02:33,000 eagerness and obedience, this is our desire in Jesus name we 37 00:02:33,000 --> 00:02:40,200 pray, amen. The parable thesaurus. some 38 00:02:40,200 --> 00:02:43,400 would say, the parable of the soils, Is one of the most 39 00:02:43,400 --> 00:02:47,000 notable and remembered Parables, not just in the ministry of 40 00:02:47,000 --> 00:02:51,000 Jesus Christ, been all of scripture, it is recorded in 41 00:02:51,000 --> 00:02:53,200 three of the four gospel accounts. 42 00:02:54,100 --> 00:02:57,200 And it is one of the few parabolic lessons that Jesus 43 00:02:57,600 --> 00:03:01,100 interprets himself many of The Parables. 44 00:03:01,500 --> 00:03:06,900 Jesus does not go out of his way to expose it like we see here. 45 00:03:07,900 --> 00:03:11,400 For those who are unfamiliar with this Parable, all you have 46 00:03:11,400 --> 00:03:15,100 to do is read on and the rest of the chapter to see Jesus has 47 00:03:15,200 --> 00:03:19,500 undeniably clear explanation of what he's trying to convey with 48 00:03:19,500 --> 00:03:22,500 these words. But the summary is very easy, 49 00:03:22,900 --> 00:03:28,200 it's as follows, there is a sower who scatters seed that 50 00:03:28,200 --> 00:03:31,000 seed is the word of God. And there are four different 51 00:03:31,000 --> 00:03:36,000 types of soils which speaks of the different conditions of the 52 00:03:36,000 --> 00:03:40,100 heart of man who Unto the word of God differently. 53 00:03:40,900 --> 00:03:42,600 And then there is the soar himself. 54 00:03:42,600 --> 00:03:46,600 Who is anybody? Who is a faithful witness to the 55 00:03:46,600 --> 00:03:50,400 Gospel of Jesus Christ, and seeks to scatter that truth into 56 00:03:50,400 --> 00:03:54,400 the hearts of men. That seems like a very 57 00:03:54,400 --> 00:03:59,300 straightforward message, but the purpose behind the message is 58 00:03:59,300 --> 00:04:03,800 much more profound. Why is it that the Lord Jesus at 59 00:04:03,800 --> 00:04:08,600 this particular moment while he sits on a boat by the shore, 60 00:04:09,000 --> 00:04:13,000 facing a sea of people? Why is it that? 61 00:04:13,000 --> 00:04:18,000 Now he is intentionally using this teaching Style with this 62 00:04:18,000 --> 00:04:21,500 specific, Parable? You and I will expound on that. 63 00:04:21,500 --> 00:04:25,800 In the coming weeks, there are many reasons why Jesus is using 64 00:04:25,800 --> 00:04:30,100 what we know as Parables. He has more than one objective 65 00:04:30,100 --> 00:04:34,200 in mind and you and I will Stand that in the coming days, but at 66 00:04:34,200 --> 00:04:39,700 this particular moment, Jesus Christ is teaching about this. 67 00:04:40,100 --> 00:04:44,900 This lesson in order to prepare his disciples and advance. 68 00:04:46,300 --> 00:04:49,000 About how the majority of the Jewish people will reject him. 69 00:04:50,800 --> 00:04:54,400 Already the religious and the spiritual and the political 70 00:04:54,400 --> 00:04:59,400 rather establishments have have made their public rejection of 71 00:04:59,400 --> 00:05:02,500 Jesus known. They were on a campaign to 72 00:05:02,500 --> 00:05:06,900 discredit his name and that was just the beginning of the 73 00:05:06,900 --> 00:05:12,400 growing number of Jewish Brethren who will join in their 74 00:05:12,400 --> 00:05:15,400 outright denial of the son of God. 75 00:05:16,300 --> 00:05:19,400 And so in part, the Lord presents this truth 76 00:05:20,200 --> 00:05:24,300 strategically right after the Pharisees are saying he's 77 00:05:24,300 --> 00:05:28,300 possessed with the Devil. So that he can help his very 78 00:05:28,300 --> 00:05:33,100 likely struggling disciples who can't seem to grasp the mixed 79 00:05:33,100 --> 00:05:36,400 reviews from the nation of Israel. 80 00:05:38,000 --> 00:05:40,700 With the arrival of the Messiah who came with undeniable 81 00:05:40,700 --> 00:05:45,700 Authority, undeniable power undeniable Miracles and it will 82 00:05:45,700 --> 00:05:49,200 not just help the disciples understand it will help the 83 00:05:49,200 --> 00:05:52,600 modern sower of the seed of the Gospel. 84 00:05:52,900 --> 00:06:00,500 Also Have you ever wondered? How is it that anyone can reject 85 00:06:00,500 --> 00:06:07,500 something as good as free as wonderful as our gospel? 86 00:06:08,700 --> 00:06:11,700 Have you ever thought or have you ever struggled with? 87 00:06:12,800 --> 00:06:15,700 Seeing somebody who with great enthusiasm embrace. 88 00:06:15,700 --> 00:06:19,700 The gospel only for a few weeks to go by or months or even years 89 00:06:20,200 --> 00:06:23,600 to shrink back and return to their old ways as though they 90 00:06:23,600 --> 00:06:28,400 have never met Christ. This Parable is for you, these 91 00:06:28,400 --> 00:06:32,800 teachings are for any serious disciple of Jesus, who longs to 92 00:06:32,808 --> 00:06:35,300 make more Disciples of Jesus Christ. 93 00:06:36,700 --> 00:06:38,700 But when you look at this, you have to understand that this 94 00:06:38,700 --> 00:06:41,900 Parable is also meant to Target a ton decisive. 95 00:06:42,600 --> 00:06:45,200 Out one who is standing in the Gap. 96 00:06:45,200 --> 00:06:48,700 Not just followers of Jesus Christ because look at Jesus 97 00:06:48,700 --> 00:06:54,600 words, in verse 3, the first one listen, Listen, this is how he 98 00:06:54,600 --> 00:06:56,800 begins his Parable, pay attention. 99 00:06:57,800 --> 00:06:59,800 It's almost as though while he's sitting on that boat. 100 00:06:59,900 --> 00:07:02,500 There's a crowd of people and some are may be distracted. 101 00:07:02,500 --> 00:07:05,100 Some are maybe looking at their sandal summer, wondering what 102 00:07:05,100 --> 00:07:06,400 they're going to do after the service. 103 00:07:06,600 --> 00:07:11,500 So Jesus observing his audience as hey, pay attention. 104 00:07:12,600 --> 00:07:15,800 And then he ends his teaching by saying the very famous phrase. 105 00:07:16,000 --> 00:07:19,600 He who has ears to hear, Let Him hear. 106 00:07:21,800 --> 00:07:25,400 Why? Because it would be a mistake to 107 00:07:25,400 --> 00:07:30,700 believe that the parable of the sower is some kind of commentary 108 00:07:30,900 --> 00:07:35,000 that is an unchangeable decree of the state of men. 109 00:07:36,100 --> 00:07:39,300 It's not like Jesus using this Parable to say, you know, here 110 00:07:39,300 --> 00:07:41,500 you got some men who are like this, some men who are like 111 00:07:41,500 --> 00:07:43,100 that. Some men are like this and 112 00:07:43,100 --> 00:07:45,800 that's just the way it is. So just you gonna have to deal 113 00:07:45,800 --> 00:07:46,900 with it. I'm just kind of giving you an 114 00:07:46,900 --> 00:07:49,900 Insight, how people respond to the preaching of God's word, 115 00:07:51,300 --> 00:07:55,900 know what Jesus is doing, is using this Parable to provoke 116 00:07:55,900 --> 00:08:00,900 personal reflection He wants his listeners, he wants his audience 117 00:08:00,900 --> 00:08:04,700 to understand that this description of the, the hearts 118 00:08:04,700 --> 00:08:10,800 of men is to stir them to, to make an individual assessment of 119 00:08:10,800 --> 00:08:13,900 which soil they are. And if they're not in the one 120 00:08:13,900 --> 00:08:17,000 that supposed to bear fruit, that they themselves would make 121 00:08:17,000 --> 00:08:23,300 that change as an Act of Faith. So again this is not this is not 122 00:08:23,300 --> 00:08:28,000 just some decree that this is how men are and if you're if 123 00:08:28,000 --> 00:08:29,400 you're there you're there were sorry. 124 00:08:29,800 --> 00:08:34,100 No he wants the listeners to lean in so that they can they 125 00:08:34,100 --> 00:08:38,000 can examine themselves and say well which one am I what you and 126 00:08:38,000 --> 00:08:42,600 I and therefore in the same way Jesus challenges immediate on, 127 00:08:42,600 --> 00:08:46,300 its I challenge you and this afternoon I Look to You and I 128 00:08:46,300 --> 00:08:52,200 say, listen, Pay attention. Because in the next four weeks, 129 00:08:52,200 --> 00:08:55,600 we are going to explore each of these soils on their separate 130 00:08:55,600 --> 00:08:57,100 days. We're not going to have a 131 00:08:57,100 --> 00:08:59,100 general overview of this message. 132 00:08:59,100 --> 00:09:01,900 Every single week, we are going to hear about these different 133 00:09:01,900 --> 00:09:06,200 class of people. And you are, if you are serious 134 00:09:06,200 --> 00:09:09,200 about the condition of your soul, will examine yourself and 135 00:09:09,200 --> 00:09:12,600 say, well, which one am I? Which one do I identify with the 136 00:09:12,600 --> 00:09:15,500 most? And that you would make the 137 00:09:15,500 --> 00:09:18,300 appropriate changes by the grace of God, to make sure that you 138 00:09:18,300 --> 00:09:21,800 are in the will of God. You and I will not rush over 139 00:09:21,800 --> 00:09:25,400 this, you know why? As much as we might be familiar 140 00:09:25,400 --> 00:09:27,700 with this Parable, I'm sure most of us in here. 141 00:09:27,700 --> 00:09:32,600 Can rehearse it by heart and even explain it in great detail. 142 00:09:33,600 --> 00:09:36,700 But I don't want us to run through this and I'll tell you 143 00:09:36,700 --> 00:09:39,900 why go to verse 13 of Mark chapter 4 and look at the words 144 00:09:39,900 --> 00:09:47,300 of Jesus and he said to them. Do you not understand this 145 00:09:47,300 --> 00:09:51,300 parable? How then will you understand all 146 00:09:51,300 --> 00:09:55,000 the parables? It's obvious here that the Lord 147 00:09:55,000 --> 00:09:59,600 is saying it in order to have access to further Revelation, 148 00:10:00,100 --> 00:10:03,000 namely Parables. You have to comprehend this one. 149 00:10:05,800 --> 00:10:09,900 This is foundational. This is not this is not optional 150 00:10:09,900 --> 00:10:13,800 here, this is not just a random. This is absolutely fundamental 151 00:10:14,000 --> 00:10:18,800 to receiving subsequent revelation of who Jesus is and 152 00:10:18,800 --> 00:10:22,300 what his kingdom is all about. If you and I can't master this 153 00:10:22,300 --> 00:10:24,900 one, there is no hope for us to understand what Jesus has to say 154 00:10:24,900 --> 00:10:28,600 after it because everything else that he will teach will be built 155 00:10:28,600 --> 00:10:32,900 upon these truths. And why is that the case? 156 00:10:33,500 --> 00:10:36,500 Because this Parable deals with the essential truths of the 157 00:10:36,500 --> 00:10:38,800 Gospel of Salvation, in the can't get any more basic than 158 00:10:38,800 --> 00:10:44,000 that. And so, why run the risk of 159 00:10:44,000 --> 00:10:47,200 having a shallow understanding of this Parable? 160 00:10:48,100 --> 00:10:54,100 When this is the key to knowing more parables, You know what 161 00:10:54,100 --> 00:10:57,200 else is more interesting? You find this teaching in 162 00:10:57,200 --> 00:10:58,700 Matthew and in Luke, not in John. 163 00:10:58,700 --> 00:11:01,700 John is very unique in comparison to the other gospel 164 00:11:01,700 --> 00:11:04,600 writers, but you find it in Matthew, you find it in Luke. 165 00:11:04,600 --> 00:11:08,800 But what you won't find is the same statement that we just read 166 00:11:09,000 --> 00:11:13,100 and the other accounts, this declaration of the importance of 167 00:11:13,300 --> 00:11:15,900 this Parable. And I thought to myself, why is 168 00:11:15,900 --> 00:11:17,900 that the case? And I think here is one reason 169 00:11:17,900 --> 00:11:22,900 why because marks goal, as you know, is depicting Jesus as the 170 00:11:22,900 --> 00:11:25,400 great sir. Of God, the perfect servant of 171 00:11:25,400 --> 00:11:30,000 God, but not only that, not only to Portrait us for us. 172 00:11:30,300 --> 00:11:33,700 Jesus being the Fulfillment of the law, him obeying, all that 173 00:11:33,700 --> 00:11:37,500 God had said for him to do. But he's also our model for 174 00:11:37,500 --> 00:11:40,300 service. We look to him as our example of 175 00:11:40,300 --> 00:11:44,900 how we ought to serve the Lord. And so it's fitting for this 176 00:11:44,900 --> 00:11:48,400 statement of how important this Parable is for us, who are 177 00:11:48,400 --> 00:11:51,900 Servants of God. Because these truths about the 178 00:11:51,900 --> 00:11:56,000 the seed and how people respond to it, will Aid us to not grow 179 00:11:56,000 --> 00:11:59,300 weary. They will encourage us and 180 00:11:59,300 --> 00:12:02,400 motivate us to remain faithful regardless of how men respond to 181 00:12:02,400 --> 00:12:06,600 the gospel. They will also Shield us from 182 00:12:06,600 --> 00:12:11,800 unnecessary self-criticism. And they will even keep us from 183 00:12:11,800 --> 00:12:17,300 being tempted from tampering with the seed in order for us to 184 00:12:17,600 --> 00:12:22,700 create more observable results. This is important for us 185 00:12:22,700 --> 00:12:25,200 practically. In fact, that is one of the main 186 00:12:25,200 --> 00:12:28,800 points of this parable. The reason people reject the 187 00:12:28,800 --> 00:12:32,000 gospel not is not because there is something wrong with this see 188 00:12:32,000 --> 00:12:35,200 that the master has placed in our hands but because of the 189 00:12:35,200 --> 00:12:40,400 quality of the soil of men's hearts, So let us Begin by 190 00:12:40,400 --> 00:12:43,100 looking at the first type of soil that Jesus speaks of and 191 00:12:43,100 --> 00:12:45,500 draw as much as we can from. So let me say it again. 192 00:12:45,600 --> 00:12:50,200 Listen. Listen, pay attention. 193 00:12:50,200 --> 00:12:54,800 This one might be about you. It could be about you wouldn't 194 00:12:54,800 --> 00:12:56,600 you want to know if Jesus is speaking about you this 195 00:12:56,600 --> 00:13:00,700 afternoon? Verse 3 and 4, let's revisit it. 196 00:13:00,900 --> 00:13:05,100 Listen. Behold A sower went out to sow 197 00:13:06,400 --> 00:13:11,100 and as he sowed some seeds fell along the path and the birds 198 00:13:11,100 --> 00:13:15,600 came and devoured. It, thankfully, you and I don't 199 00:13:15,600 --> 00:13:18,200 have to spend too much time trying to decode what Jesus 200 00:13:18,200 --> 00:13:22,500 meant by this first description, about this first, class of hers, 201 00:13:22,500 --> 00:13:25,100 because he will illuminate it in the coming versus. 202 00:13:25,400 --> 00:13:29,900 But just from a first reading we already can can have an idea of 203 00:13:29,900 --> 00:13:32,600 what Jesus is alluding to with this. 204 00:13:32,900 --> 00:13:37,300 Illustration. He says here that the sower 205 00:13:37,300 --> 00:13:42,100 sowed along the path, some of the seed, fell along the path 206 00:13:42,200 --> 00:13:46,100 you can, you can identify this group of people as the Wayside 207 00:13:46,100 --> 00:13:50,400 soil. Now, it doesn't help when we 208 00:13:50,400 --> 00:13:55,400 think of it in modern ideas, because back in Jesus day Fields 209 00:13:55,400 --> 00:13:59,400 were wide open to public access. There would be paths and Roads, 210 00:13:59,400 --> 00:14:04,600 very, very near and sometimes even through these fields, which 211 00:14:04,600 --> 00:14:08,800 would invite foot traffic. And when invite travelers to 212 00:14:08,800 --> 00:14:11,700 come by, remember when Jesus and his disciples, they walk through 213 00:14:11,700 --> 00:14:13,300 the fields and they were picking the grain. 214 00:14:13,600 --> 00:14:18,300 That was normal in this time there wasn't fences and there 215 00:14:18,308 --> 00:14:20,800 weren't electric wires to protect the field. 216 00:14:20,800 --> 00:14:23,200 No, it was, it was much more accessible and this day. 217 00:14:24,200 --> 00:14:27,000 And so what would happen while these paths these dirt roads 218 00:14:27,000 --> 00:14:30,600 would be would be stepped on and then compounded over time until 219 00:14:30,600 --> 00:14:37,100 they became like pavement. And Jesus has this in mind when 220 00:14:37,100 --> 00:14:39,300 he speaks about this particular soil. 221 00:14:40,300 --> 00:14:46,100 He's saying there are people who will respond to the seed and the 222 00:14:46,100 --> 00:14:51,000 same way that the paths that, you know, of that become almost 223 00:14:51,000 --> 00:14:55,600 like cement over time. And you and I can just imagine 224 00:14:55,600 --> 00:14:59,400 what happens to the seed when it does come into contact with with 225 00:14:59,400 --> 00:15:05,700 such soil, it bounces right off and it lies on the surface and 226 00:15:05,700 --> 00:15:09,500 it just rests there it's unable to penetrate. 227 00:15:09,900 --> 00:15:14,500 It does not make its way into it doesn't enter it just visits. 228 00:15:16,000 --> 00:15:20,300 and in like manner, there are many who have hearts who react 229 00:15:20,300 --> 00:15:26,200 to the gospel with similar hardness Listen. 230 00:15:27,500 --> 00:15:31,000 Yeah, there you are. Such people have no room for a 231 00:15:31,000 --> 00:15:33,200 reception. No room for meditation. 232 00:15:33,200 --> 00:15:36,000 No room for consideration for divine truth. 233 00:15:36,600 --> 00:15:40,700 No matter who or no matter how the gospel is delivered to them. 234 00:15:40,700 --> 00:15:45,400 They are quick to shut the truth out and refused to give a moment 235 00:15:45,400 --> 00:15:50,000 further of inquiry. Such people can come in and out 236 00:15:50,000 --> 00:15:53,900 of meetings like this one and be totally unmoved. 237 00:15:54,800 --> 00:15:59,100 Totally unstirred. When they hear these glories, 238 00:15:59,100 --> 00:16:02,100 about who Jesus is and what he's done and regardless of The 239 00:16:02,100 --> 00:16:05,300 Passion of the preacher, regardless of the power of the 240 00:16:05,300 --> 00:16:08,900 spirit, that can be felt such people. 241 00:16:10,600 --> 00:16:15,500 Remain the same and just like the birds of the air. 242 00:16:17,100 --> 00:16:21,000 They are ready. To move on as though nothing had 243 00:16:21,000 --> 00:16:23,000 happened. Even to begin with. 244 00:16:23,500 --> 00:16:26,800 They can hear the truth and walk away as though nothing was said 245 00:16:26,800 --> 00:16:30,500 to them. And here's where it gets more, 246 00:16:30,500 --> 00:16:33,600 interesting. Here's where it gets really, 247 00:16:33,600 --> 00:16:37,100 really interesting. When Jesus goes on to expound on 248 00:16:37,100 --> 00:16:39,700 this soil, he includes a detail that is not emphasized in any 249 00:16:39,700 --> 00:16:43,200 other type of soil and so come down to verse 15. 250 00:16:48,300 --> 00:16:51,200 And these are the ones. So now Jesus in the latter 251 00:16:51,200 --> 00:16:54,200 portion is interpreting what these soils mean. 252 00:16:54,400 --> 00:16:57,800 And now he's on the first one and he says here and these are 253 00:16:57,800 --> 00:17:01,500 the ones along the path where the word is sown. 254 00:17:01,500 --> 00:17:08,000 When they hear Satan immediately comes and takes away the word 255 00:17:08,000 --> 00:17:10,900 that is sewn in them. Aha. 256 00:17:11,500 --> 00:17:15,700 That is Paramount that is massive in our understanding of 257 00:17:15,700 --> 00:17:23,400 this Jesus reveals how Satan is so directly involved with the 258 00:17:23,400 --> 00:17:26,599 transaction of Truth and receiving truth. 259 00:17:28,200 --> 00:17:31,500 As much as God is at work in these moments even now. 260 00:17:31,500 --> 00:17:35,800 So is the devil And the fact that Mark uses the word, 261 00:17:35,800 --> 00:17:41,500 immediate means that he is near. He is not far, he's very close, 262 00:17:41,700 --> 00:17:46,000 his work is quick because he is in a sense. 263 00:17:47,300 --> 00:17:52,800 In our midst. Satan immediately comes and 264 00:17:52,800 --> 00:17:56,800 takes away the word that is shown in them. 265 00:17:57,600 --> 00:18:01,900 Jesus reveals something that we know as spiritual warfare and 266 00:18:01,900 --> 00:18:06,300 Paul says it in his own way. Obviously, by the spirit and 267 00:18:06,300 --> 00:18:11,700 second Corinthians 4:4 in their case, the God of this world has 268 00:18:11,700 --> 00:18:14,500 blinded the minds of unbelievers. 269 00:18:15,200 --> 00:18:18,600 The god little G. There is no God like Jehovah, 270 00:18:18,700 --> 00:18:20,600 not capital G, he's not in. Equal to God. 271 00:18:20,800 --> 00:18:24,500 But there is a ruler in this world and he is invisible and he 272 00:18:24,500 --> 00:18:27,700 is powerful. And their case, the God of this 273 00:18:27,700 --> 00:18:32,600 world has blinded the minds of unbelievers that they may not 274 00:18:32,600 --> 00:18:36,200 see the light of the glory of the gospel of Christ. 275 00:18:37,500 --> 00:18:42,200 Who is the image of God? Satan has one ambition in this 276 00:18:42,200 --> 00:18:46,100 life, one ambition. And that is to strategically 277 00:18:46,100 --> 00:18:51,400 derail Souls from even getting a glimpse of the glory of Jesus 278 00:18:51,400 --> 00:18:54,000 Christ. Namely in his saving work on the 279 00:18:54,000 --> 00:18:57,400 cross, and he will do everything that he can. 280 00:18:57,400 --> 00:19:02,500 To make sure that you would not even have an opportunity to be 281 00:19:02,500 --> 00:19:09,200 exposed to such wonderful light. And so he has many ways of doing 282 00:19:09,200 --> 00:19:12,700 this. That is not to say that Sinners 283 00:19:12,700 --> 00:19:15,600 are mere victims of Satan's strategies. 284 00:19:17,300 --> 00:19:21,200 What it means though, is that the wicked one constantly aims 285 00:19:21,200 --> 00:19:26,000 to drive Sinners into deeper Darkness, our hearts already 286 00:19:26,000 --> 00:19:32,700 dark but the enemy wants to make sure to bury you to bury you and 287 00:19:32,700 --> 00:19:37,700 such a depth of clouded vision and distraction. 288 00:19:38,200 --> 00:19:42,600 So that as much as he can, if even it would happen that the 289 00:19:42,600 --> 00:19:46,300 light would come by, your way, it would have little effect on 290 00:19:46,300 --> 00:19:47,900 your callous. Soul. 291 00:19:49,800 --> 00:19:55,700 And so he seeks to Blind and he does this by either trying to 292 00:19:55,700 --> 00:20:01,300 prematurely invite you into sin and maybe you'll kill yourself 293 00:20:01,300 --> 00:20:05,400 in the process and if you can't do that then then he is 294 00:20:05,400 --> 00:20:10,500 satisfied with just distracting. You long enough with seemingly 295 00:20:10,500 --> 00:20:15,400 innocent toys. And ambitions. 296 00:20:16,600 --> 00:20:20,700 So that you would not even give a thought to life after death. 297 00:20:23,500 --> 00:20:26,200 And this is why I partly believe, why all men are capable 298 00:20:26,200 --> 00:20:27,500 of responding to the gospel or else. 299 00:20:27,500 --> 00:20:30,300 Why would Satan make any effort? Why would the scripture record 300 00:20:30,300 --> 00:20:34,500 any type of effort on Satan's part to try to keep men from 301 00:20:34,500 --> 00:20:40,100 being influenced by the gospel? This is why the enemy absolutely 302 00:20:40,100 --> 00:20:43,900 hates the proclamation of the truth, because it is through the 303 00:20:43,900 --> 00:20:49,100 proclamation of the truth. That those who have been caked 304 00:20:49,100 --> 00:20:57,000 in their vision from seeing such wonders of Grace, It's through 305 00:20:57,000 --> 00:21:00,400 what Jesus told, Paul and acts 26:18. 306 00:21:00,500 --> 00:21:02,500 He commission's him to preach and you know what? 307 00:21:02,500 --> 00:21:04,900 He says, Paul, I'm raising you up. 308 00:21:04,900 --> 00:21:07,300 I've chosen you, I have selected. 309 00:21:07,300 --> 00:21:10,700 You and acts 26:18 to open their eyes. 310 00:21:12,800 --> 00:21:17,000 To open their eyes so that they may turn from Darkness to light. 311 00:21:17,000 --> 00:21:21,400 And from the power of Satan to God, what is the means by which 312 00:21:21,700 --> 00:21:26,100 somebody who is blinded comes to receive miraculous vision? 313 00:21:27,800 --> 00:21:30,000 Ambassadors of Jesus Christ Faithfully. 314 00:21:30,000 --> 00:21:32,700 Proclaiming that gospel. That is how it's done. 315 00:21:32,700 --> 00:21:34,400 It's very simple. We don't have to complicate this 316 00:21:34,400 --> 00:21:38,500 whole thing that they may receive forgiveness of sins and 317 00:21:38,500 --> 00:21:41,500 a place among those who are Sanctified by faith in me. 318 00:21:44,200 --> 00:21:50,300 So, you have Satan roaming. Strategizing planning creating 319 00:21:50,500 --> 00:21:57,600 inventing ways to do one thing and that's to keep men from 320 00:21:57,600 --> 00:21:59,600 seeing the glory of Jesus Christ. 321 00:22:02,000 --> 00:22:04,500 The very same eyes that I've been blinded by him can be 322 00:22:04,500 --> 00:22:07,400 opened by the truth declared through us. 323 00:22:08,400 --> 00:22:12,700 Now, if that is the case, then how do we reconcile Jesus 324 00:22:12,700 --> 00:22:15,900 teaching, how Satan is able to take that seed. 325 00:22:16,300 --> 00:22:19,500 And this truth that when people are in the presence of the 326 00:22:19,500 --> 00:22:25,700 Gospel, their eyes can be open. Is it because is it because 327 00:22:25,700 --> 00:22:27,900 Satan is very powerful. Is it? 328 00:22:27,900 --> 00:22:31,600 Because he is, he is able to obstruct, is he's able to 329 00:22:31,600 --> 00:22:34,100 hijack? Well, yes or no. 330 00:22:34,900 --> 00:22:37,400 Remember one of the goals of this, Parable is not just to 331 00:22:37,400 --> 00:22:41,800 explain why it is certain people reject the truth. 332 00:22:42,000 --> 00:22:49,700 Jesus gives this Parable to also expose to expose and to unveil 333 00:22:50,700 --> 00:22:55,300 why some people won't believe and they are responsible for it. 334 00:22:56,500 --> 00:23:01,400 They are responsible for it. Because Satan will not overcome, 335 00:23:01,400 --> 00:23:03,500 your will. He can just influence it? 336 00:23:04,900 --> 00:23:07,900 And in a giving this Parable, he is letting his audience know. 337 00:23:07,900 --> 00:23:12,700 Hey, there is, there is a vicious foe who would love to 338 00:23:12,700 --> 00:23:18,300 drag you to hell with him? Do you realize that that's what 339 00:23:18,300 --> 00:23:19,900 Jesus is saying? In part? 340 00:23:20,200 --> 00:23:25,800 There is a there is a Satan who really wants to make sure you 341 00:23:25,800 --> 00:23:30,100 don't even get to hear what I have to say to you and hopefully 342 00:23:30,100 --> 00:23:33,800 people really listen. They would seek to escape from 343 00:23:33,800 --> 00:23:35,200 that Dreadful place. Is. 344 00:23:37,700 --> 00:23:40,400 Listen. You know, I looked at this and I 345 00:23:40,408 --> 00:23:44,100 thought to myself, okay, well, it's clear, there are men's 346 00:23:44,100 --> 00:23:47,700 whose hearts are hard. You know why your heart is hard 347 00:23:47,700 --> 00:23:52,900 because you've allowed the world to beat you down with its lies, 348 00:23:53,700 --> 00:23:58,000 and it's hurts and it's pains and it's ugly ways. 349 00:23:58,200 --> 00:24:01,000 And you come into a place like this and I'm preaching to, you 350 00:24:01,008 --> 00:24:04,600 know, what's happening? That's what's happening. 351 00:24:06,200 --> 00:24:08,400 And you're the easiest Target for the devil. 352 00:24:09,500 --> 00:24:13,000 The easiest he just comes by and goes look at this. 353 00:24:13,500 --> 00:24:15,900 And he puts it away to ensure that you would never think about 354 00:24:15,900 --> 00:24:17,300 the truth. That you just heard that Sunday 355 00:24:17,300 --> 00:24:22,200 afternoon. But how does he do it? 356 00:24:23,200 --> 00:24:25,400 How does Satan? How does he pluck? 357 00:24:25,400 --> 00:24:31,200 That seed from people's hearts? Well, I'll tell you how he 358 00:24:31,200 --> 00:24:34,600 doesn't do it in this way. Some would say he does it by 359 00:24:34,600 --> 00:24:37,600 making men fearful through the threat of persecution. 360 00:24:38,600 --> 00:24:43,000 That is true, but remember Jesus uses that for the second type of 361 00:24:43,000 --> 00:24:46,400 soil. It's the rocky soil that 362 00:24:46,500 --> 00:24:49,900 received the truth excitingly at first, but they wither away 363 00:24:49,900 --> 00:24:54,400 because persecution comes well, maybe it's through the lies of 364 00:24:54,400 --> 00:24:59,700 possessions and and pleasure. And Tease. 365 00:25:00,300 --> 00:25:02,800 Maybe that's how he snatches the seat away and I would say, yeah. 366 00:25:02,800 --> 00:25:04,800 But I don't think that's what Jesus has in mind because that's 367 00:25:04,800 --> 00:25:06,800 how he uses. That's what he uses to describe 368 00:25:06,800 --> 00:25:11,000 the third type of soil, the thorny soil, that that chokes 369 00:25:12,200 --> 00:25:14,600 chokes. Some of you are choking even 370 00:25:14,600 --> 00:25:16,400 though you're breathing. We'll get to that in a few 371 00:25:16,400 --> 00:25:18,800 weeks. You're breathing physically by 372 00:25:18,800 --> 00:25:25,300 your spirit is dying. So, so it can't mean that it's 373 00:25:25,300 --> 00:25:27,600 through the threat of persecution because he mentions 374 00:25:27,600 --> 00:25:32,100 that in the next type of soil. It can't mean through pleasure, 375 00:25:32,100 --> 00:25:36,800 priority, or anything else in terms of the material world 376 00:25:36,800 --> 00:25:38,500 because he mentions that in the third type of soil. 377 00:25:38,600 --> 00:25:41,200 So then, what does the Lord have in mind? 378 00:25:41,200 --> 00:25:45,300 When he says that Satan has a way of snatching that seed from 379 00:25:45,300 --> 00:25:50,900 your heart? I believe it's to reveal a 380 00:25:50,908 --> 00:25:53,800 different kind of strategy that you and I don't think of often. 381 00:25:55,300 --> 00:25:57,000 And the only way you and I actually going to get the 382 00:25:57,000 --> 00:25:59,900 answers is when we compare this version of the parable of the 383 00:25:59,900 --> 00:26:04,000 sower with the two other ones. So meet me in Luke chapter 8, if 384 00:26:04,000 --> 00:26:06,000 you want to know how Satan does this. 385 00:26:11,500 --> 00:26:20,000 And Luke chapter 8. Let's read in verse 4. 386 00:26:24,200 --> 00:26:26,800 Luke 84. And when a great crowd was 387 00:26:26,800 --> 00:26:31,100 gathering and people from town, after town came to him, he said 388 00:26:31,100 --> 00:26:34,600 in a parable. Listen, that's not there, I'm 389 00:26:34,600 --> 00:26:37,200 just telling you to listen. Listen, yeah. 390 00:26:37,400 --> 00:26:43,500 Listen verse 5. A sower went out to sow his seed 391 00:26:44,200 --> 00:26:50,800 and as he sowed some fell along the path and was Trampled Under 392 00:26:50,900 --> 00:26:57,700 Foot. and the birds of the air devoured, it The holy spirit in 393 00:26:57,700 --> 00:27:01,900 Luke's version adds how men before the the birds. 394 00:27:01,900 --> 00:27:05,000 The Demonic Agents come to take away the seed. 395 00:27:05,200 --> 00:27:12,200 Men will trample underfoot the seed that was scattered along 396 00:27:12,200 --> 00:27:15,700 their path. What is it mean? 397 00:27:15,700 --> 00:27:22,000 For men to trample underfoot the seed that was scattered along 398 00:27:22,000 --> 00:27:23,600 their path was very simple. Right? 399 00:27:24,300 --> 00:27:32,100 If I put something of value here in this space, And Men walk on 400 00:27:32,100 --> 00:27:34,700 it. What does that reveal about the 401 00:27:34,700 --> 00:27:40,300 man? They're inattentive at best, 402 00:27:41,200 --> 00:27:45,000 they're careless. Disrespectful. 403 00:27:46,600 --> 00:27:52,600 And indifferent. I believe this is what Jesus has 404 00:27:52,600 --> 00:27:57,200 in mind. That in essence, Satan is most 405 00:27:57,200 --> 00:28:01,000 effective with those who have an irreverence for the word of God. 406 00:28:02,300 --> 00:28:07,400 Who treated as worthless, who don't see its value and who can 407 00:28:07,400 --> 00:28:15,500 just walk over it as though, it was nothing. and when Satan sees 408 00:28:15,800 --> 00:28:20,900 a man or a woman with such an attitude, this is this is a 409 00:28:20,900 --> 00:28:25,800 piece of cake, he takes that truth and steals it from that 410 00:28:25,800 --> 00:28:29,500 person. If you doubt that, this is what 411 00:28:29,500 --> 00:28:32,500 Jesus has in mind. Sometimes it helps to go into 412 00:28:32,500 --> 00:28:35,400 the word to see what it means. The phrase Trampled Under Foot 413 00:28:35,400 --> 00:28:37,200 is one work, in one word in the Greek. 414 00:28:38,300 --> 00:28:40,700 It's one word in the Greek and its capital. 415 00:28:41,000 --> 00:28:42,700 You don't need to memorize that just memorize. 416 00:28:42,700 --> 00:28:46,000 What I'm about to say, cut the potatoes only mentioned 5 times 417 00:28:46,000 --> 00:28:49,400 in the New Testament, once in the sermon of the mount. 418 00:28:49,400 --> 00:28:53,300 When Jesus says that if men lose their saltiness, the only thing 419 00:28:53,300 --> 00:28:56,400 that's left is for them to be trampled upon by other men. 420 00:28:57,000 --> 00:28:59,600 And what Jesus meant there is that if a Christian loses, his 421 00:28:59,600 --> 00:29:05,000 testimony because of sin because of hypocrisy all that a watching 422 00:29:05,000 --> 00:29:06,600 world will do is just walk all over them. 423 00:29:06,600 --> 00:29:09,600 That's why when you hear of a I do love a big-time preacher. 424 00:29:10,200 --> 00:29:13,100 We see our news and our tabloids eat it up and they're doing 425 00:29:13,100 --> 00:29:16,100 exactly what Jesus said would do you lose your saltiness, your 426 00:29:16,100 --> 00:29:20,500 trampled upon by men? Two other times in the sermon 427 00:29:20,800 --> 00:29:23,400 and the parable of the sower, one other time. 428 00:29:23,400 --> 00:29:27,200 In Luke chapter 12 when men were physically trampling on one 429 00:29:27,200 --> 00:29:29,700 another, when they were attending one of Jesus meetings 430 00:29:30,200 --> 00:29:33,100 and there is a final one. We already mentioned for there 431 00:29:33,100 --> 00:29:37,700 is a last one where this word capitao trampled upon is 432 00:29:37,700 --> 00:29:40,200 mentioned turn their Hebrews 10:29. 433 00:29:49,600 --> 00:29:52,500 How does Satan snatch the seed of the word from people? 434 00:29:52,500 --> 00:29:54,800 So that it doesn't even enter into their hearts? 435 00:29:55,100 --> 00:29:59,800 You know how number one he inspires and in reverence for 436 00:29:59,800 --> 00:30:04,800 the word of God and Hebrews 10:29, how much worse punishment 437 00:30:05,200 --> 00:30:07,500 do you think? Will be deserved by the one who 438 00:30:07,500 --> 00:30:14,600 has trampled underfoot? The Son of God and as profaned 439 00:30:14,600 --> 00:30:17,800 the blood of the Covenant by which he was Sanctified and has 440 00:30:17,800 --> 00:30:22,800 outraged the spirit of Grace, that's the same word trampled 441 00:30:22,800 --> 00:30:25,500 underfoot. What is he trying to say? 442 00:30:25,700 --> 00:30:29,200 The Hebrew author is writing to Hebrew Christians, who have left 443 00:30:29,200 --> 00:30:32,200 Judaism for the true gospel. But because of persecution now, 444 00:30:32,200 --> 00:30:35,200 they want to shrink back and go back to the levitical law, a 445 00:30:35,200 --> 00:30:38,800 Salvation by works. And the spirit of God through 446 00:30:38,800 --> 00:30:43,400 this man is saying, listen, if you Turn on Christ, if you go 447 00:30:43,400 --> 00:30:47,000 back to animal sacrifices, if you go back to Works based 448 00:30:47,000 --> 00:30:52,000 salvation, you are essentially stepping all over the Son of God 449 00:30:52,000 --> 00:30:55,600 himself. And you see this picture 450 00:30:55,600 --> 00:30:58,600 throughout the Bible? You remember on the first 451 00:30:58,600 --> 00:30:59,800 Passover? Do you not? 452 00:31:01,300 --> 00:31:03,800 Then when the Lord told the nation of Israel who were 453 00:31:03,800 --> 00:31:06,400 enslaved in Egypt, I'm going to get you out, but I'm going to 454 00:31:06,400 --> 00:31:08,600 send a destroy to do it. He's gonna kill all the 455 00:31:08,600 --> 00:31:11,900 firstborns. So, take the blood of the lamb 456 00:31:12,400 --> 00:31:17,300 and smear on the lintel, and on the doorpost and hide underneath 457 00:31:17,300 --> 00:31:19,900 that blood. Interestingly, he never gave 458 00:31:19,900 --> 00:31:22,000 instruction to put it on the ground. 459 00:31:24,500 --> 00:31:26,800 Cover everything above you but don't you dare put it on the 460 00:31:26,800 --> 00:31:31,000 ground as a prophetic picture that you should have this utmost 461 00:31:31,000 --> 00:31:34,300 reverence for the blood of Christ as it has authority over. 462 00:31:34,300 --> 00:31:39,100 You never under you. And so, in some sense, the 463 00:31:39,100 --> 00:31:41,200 author here is using that same imagery. 464 00:31:42,100 --> 00:31:46,300 You are essentially, you're just stepping all over Jesus. 465 00:31:47,000 --> 00:31:50,700 When you say, I don't want this gospel after the Great Lengths 466 00:31:50,700 --> 00:31:53,600 of Mercy that he is implemented to save your soul. 467 00:31:56,000 --> 00:32:00,700 And so when Jesus says in Luke 8 that some seed fell along a path 468 00:32:01,300 --> 00:32:03,700 and it was trampled underfoot, this is an Essence. 469 00:32:03,700 --> 00:32:08,900 What he is communicating it means that they were 470 00:32:08,900 --> 00:32:12,400 disrespectful to the word of God and attentive under estimating 471 00:32:12,400 --> 00:32:16,800 the life-giving power that it has and such people. 472 00:32:18,200 --> 00:32:20,200 I like sitting ducks to the devil. 473 00:32:22,800 --> 00:32:26,600 Is that you? Is that you today? 474 00:32:26,800 --> 00:32:28,600 What's this preaching doing to you right now? 475 00:32:30,000 --> 00:32:31,400 What are these words doing to you? 476 00:32:32,000 --> 00:32:35,700 Hmm. It could be you and you're 477 00:32:35,700 --> 00:32:38,100 unaware it because your attention is diverted even as I 478 00:32:38,108 --> 00:32:43,300 speak. Let me briefly, share how Satan, 479 00:32:43,300 --> 00:32:45,900 inspires irreverence for the word of God. 480 00:32:46,900 --> 00:32:52,700 Preparing People to give up the seed of truth that can save them 481 00:32:52,700 --> 00:32:58,500 apart from our culture creating This normalization, and more 482 00:32:58,700 --> 00:33:03,300 than that, a Blasphemous approach and attitude towards 483 00:33:03,300 --> 00:33:06,400 Jesus, by using his name, as a cuss word and creating movies 484 00:33:06,400 --> 00:33:10,600 and plays that degrade Christ and making the Lord's Day, 485 00:33:10,600 --> 00:33:14,200 increasingly more and more, just like any other day. 486 00:33:14,800 --> 00:33:17,500 I've seen that over the years, I remember I don't remember, I was 487 00:33:17,500 --> 00:33:20,200 maybe I do, but there was a day when no stores were open on 488 00:33:20,200 --> 00:33:22,200 Sunday. Remember that day? 489 00:33:22,700 --> 00:33:26,200 No stores were open on Sunday and then stores open till 5:00. 490 00:33:26,500 --> 00:33:28,700 And I remember in college when they announced because I used to 491 00:33:28,700 --> 00:33:31,500 work at the mall that now store hours are going to go till 9:00 492 00:33:32,300 --> 00:33:33,900 till closing like any other weekday. 493 00:33:34,100 --> 00:33:37,300 Why do you think that is? Do we need more money? 494 00:33:39,200 --> 00:33:43,200 or is the Lord's Day increasingly becoming ordinary. 495 00:33:46,400 --> 00:33:51,700 one about besides that one of the favorite weapons of Satan 496 00:33:51,700 --> 00:33:58,900 distracting people so that they cannot receive The truth. 497 00:34:00,000 --> 00:34:04,400 Is by distracting them. And he's very clever. 498 00:34:06,000 --> 00:34:09,699 Because it's much more difficult to walk and pay attention to 499 00:34:09,707 --> 00:34:13,600 what's ahead of you when your senses are not on alert. 500 00:34:16,100 --> 00:34:18,699 Remember the demon eyes man in Mark chapter 1, while Jesus was 501 00:34:18,699 --> 00:34:20,800 preaching in a people were stirred ready to praise 502 00:34:21,100 --> 00:34:23,100 manifestation of a devil from a man. 503 00:34:23,800 --> 00:34:25,400 Why do you think that was? You know why? 504 00:34:25,900 --> 00:34:29,800 Because there's there's power and distraction or we think of 505 00:34:29,800 --> 00:34:32,600 Ellie mass in Acts 13 when Paul and Barnabas are preaching to 506 00:34:32,607 --> 00:34:34,900 the proconsul. And here's this man in the 507 00:34:34,900 --> 00:34:38,199 presence of these missionaries. Trying to persuade the 508 00:34:38,199 --> 00:34:40,699 proconsul. Not to believe what is being 509 00:34:40,699 --> 00:34:45,100 said. Satan, as we heard in Mark, can 510 00:34:45,100 --> 00:34:47,500 immediately snatch the seed which? 511 00:34:47,699 --> 00:34:52,100 Which tells me that he's at work here? 512 00:34:53,600 --> 00:35:00,500 and every time that we gather, And I've seen it from the 513 00:35:00,500 --> 00:35:03,000 pulpit. I've seen it. 514 00:35:04,000 --> 00:35:07,700 I've seen people being intentionally distracting or 515 00:35:07,700 --> 00:35:11,200 distracted. I've seen people lean in to 516 00:35:11,200 --> 00:35:14,200 other people and whispering in their ears. 517 00:35:14,200 --> 00:35:16,300 Not saying, don't believe what that preacher saying is true, 518 00:35:16,300 --> 00:35:22,800 although, that can happen. But you know, vain conversations 519 00:35:23,300 --> 00:35:28,400 jokes. Texting each other and sending 520 00:35:28,400 --> 00:35:29,900 memes to each other. While the word is being 521 00:35:29,900 --> 00:35:36,000 preached. Because distraction is much more 522 00:35:36,000 --> 00:35:39,100 prevalent than it was in Jesus day, with these things that we 523 00:35:39,100 --> 00:35:44,000 call devices, right? Facebook and Instagram, 524 00:35:44,000 --> 00:35:47,900 Snapchat, these colorful, and engaging things. 525 00:35:49,000 --> 00:35:50,900 Have been the means to steal a lot of seed. 526 00:35:50,900 --> 00:35:55,000 Over the years, I can tell you that I don't know how it's 527 00:35:55,000 --> 00:35:58,500 possible but it's possible. You have people who can scroll 528 00:35:58,500 --> 00:36:03,900 through social media while the Holy unadulterated life-saving 529 00:36:04,000 --> 00:36:07,500 Soul preserving truth is being heralded. 530 00:36:09,000 --> 00:36:12,500 Innocent right. Just like little birds are cute 531 00:36:12,500 --> 00:36:16,800 and innocent to stealing the seed. 532 00:36:18,300 --> 00:36:21,100 Stealing the seed. And if you can't do it during 533 00:36:21,100 --> 00:36:23,500 the service, he is more than willing to do it the night 534 00:36:23,500 --> 00:36:27,500 before. Right the night before. 535 00:36:30,300 --> 00:36:33,200 I know there's some here who work all night Saturday and 536 00:36:33,200 --> 00:36:37,200 sometimes into the morning and they arrived here and they fight 537 00:36:37,300 --> 00:36:40,100 all that, they can to make sure that they are engaging. 538 00:36:40,300 --> 00:36:42,000 And to you, I say may the Lord bless you. 539 00:36:43,000 --> 00:36:45,000 May the Lord bless you. I'm not here to hammer anybody 540 00:36:45,000 --> 00:36:46,800 who does that. I'm speaking about those who 541 00:36:46,800 --> 00:36:50,900 have a choice of what they do on Saturday night before they come 542 00:36:50,900 --> 00:36:53,600 to the house of God on Sunday morning, he'll convince you 543 00:36:53,600 --> 00:36:57,700 ahead of time that what is happening here is not worth you 544 00:36:57,700 --> 00:37:05,700 being rested or prepared. He loves sloppy churchgoers. 545 00:37:05,800 --> 00:37:07,400 On Sunday, afternoon or Sunday morning. 546 00:37:07,500 --> 00:37:10,400 He loves it. Remember, I told you there was a 547 00:37:10,400 --> 00:37:13,000 day when stores weren't open on Sundays, you know, there was a 548 00:37:13,000 --> 00:37:16,900 day when families would get their outfits ready on Saturday 549 00:37:16,900 --> 00:37:19,900 night for Sunday morning. Maybe some of you grew up that 550 00:37:19,900 --> 00:37:25,100 way there was a day. Where you would eat breakfast. 551 00:37:26,700 --> 00:37:30,400 And have something to fill your stomach before coming to the 552 00:37:30,408 --> 00:37:32,800 house of God. So that while a spiritual Feast 553 00:37:32,800 --> 00:37:34,100 is being provided. You're not thinking about which 554 00:37:34,100 --> 00:37:36,800 restaurant you want to go to after the service during the 555 00:37:36,800 --> 00:37:38,900 whole time. There was a day. 556 00:37:41,100 --> 00:37:48,000 And so the enemy knows how to create a sense of irreverence by 557 00:37:48,000 --> 00:37:52,500 making us. Inattentive careless sloppy and 558 00:37:52,500 --> 00:37:55,300 I know what you may be thinking. I thought this was about souls 559 00:37:55,300 --> 00:37:59,900 being saved, brother, I'm saved. I'm already among the redeemed 560 00:37:59,900 --> 00:38:02,700 now that is true. But do you really think that the 561 00:38:02,700 --> 00:38:07,100 enemy will allow you? To grow in the word of God and 562 00:38:07,100 --> 00:38:09,500 mature in the word of got. You think, you think the birds 563 00:38:09,500 --> 00:38:11,300 are just reserved for those who have never been saved? 564 00:38:11,700 --> 00:38:15,200 You don't think that there is a plan even after that to make 565 00:38:15,200 --> 00:38:17,100 sure that the word doesn't get in you in a deeper way. 566 00:38:20,000 --> 00:38:23,900 I've seen this in evangelism. I've seen this in evangelism 567 00:38:24,300 --> 00:38:25,800 when we should do Street evangelism week. 568 00:38:25,800 --> 00:38:27,800 After week I've seen it in so many ways. 569 00:38:27,800 --> 00:38:31,000 I'll never forget the time when a group of us went to go in the 570 00:38:31,000 --> 00:38:32,900 streets of downtown Toronto, there was a Street Preacher 571 00:38:32,900 --> 00:38:36,200 there and as he was preaching, the corner a crowd was 572 00:38:36,200 --> 00:38:38,900 gathering. People would, I was shocked to 573 00:38:38,900 --> 00:38:40,900 see the amount of people was like, Wow. 574 00:38:41,400 --> 00:38:44,600 And in the middle of the Proclamation, all you heard is a 575 00:38:44,700 --> 00:38:47,100 scuffle and two men out of nowhere. 576 00:38:47,100 --> 00:38:49,500 I don't know where they came from, and I don't know where 577 00:38:49,500 --> 00:38:52,500 they went after that. They start hitting each other in 578 00:38:52,500 --> 00:38:54,400 the face, and they start fighting. 579 00:38:54,400 --> 00:38:57,500 And the entire crowd turned away from the preacher and went to go 580 00:38:57,500 --> 00:39:01,400 watch the fight. And those two men just ran off. 581 00:39:02,000 --> 00:39:05,900 It was so strange. I've seen people witnessing to 582 00:39:05,900 --> 00:39:09,100 others on the street one-on-one and in the middle of that, 583 00:39:09,100 --> 00:39:12,400 transaction of Truth, a homeless man will step in the middle and 584 00:39:12,400 --> 00:39:18,000 scream at the top of his lungs. Seen it. 585 00:39:19,200 --> 00:39:22,000 I've seen it out there unfortunately at times, I see it 586 00:39:22,000 --> 00:39:27,700 even in here. The enemy knows how to create an 587 00:39:27,700 --> 00:39:32,800 irreverence which I which I take to mean that as a church, we 588 00:39:32,800 --> 00:39:35,200 have a responsibility to cultivate an atmosphere of 589 00:39:35,200 --> 00:39:38,000 reverence for God. You know I'm saying? 590 00:39:39,700 --> 00:39:42,500 There should be a reverence in this place and that's that's 591 00:39:42,700 --> 00:39:46,200 that's in great part. The leaderships role to ensure 592 00:39:46,200 --> 00:39:48,900 that the people of God are stepping into a place where this 593 00:39:48,900 --> 00:39:51,100 is sacred. This is Holy. 594 00:39:53,400 --> 00:39:55,900 And that's increasingly, not the case. 595 00:39:55,900 --> 00:39:59,100 Where there is a growing trend of irreverence of casual 596 00:39:59,100 --> 00:40:03,000 approach in the Lord's supper, and the preaching of God's word 597 00:40:03,000 --> 00:40:05,100 and worship. I've seen strange things during 598 00:40:05,100 --> 00:40:07,200 worship. I've seen couples kissing during 599 00:40:07,200 --> 00:40:09,300 worship. I've seen people distracted in 600 00:40:09,300 --> 00:40:11,800 so many ways during worship, but I could not believe what I was 601 00:40:11,800 --> 00:40:16,100 seeing some places. And so there is a great 602 00:40:16,100 --> 00:40:20,800 responsibility for us to protect this place as much as it depends 603 00:40:20,800 --> 00:40:25,500 on us to ensure that there is nothing that Satan can use to 604 00:40:25,500 --> 00:40:30,300 strengthen his efforts. To rob that seed. 605 00:40:31,800 --> 00:40:33,700 I remember I was invited to speak somewhere. 606 00:40:35,000 --> 00:40:38,700 So, young preacher, still am. I guess early 20s never been to 607 00:40:38,700 --> 00:40:42,700 this church and I was downstairs and they called me up to come up 608 00:40:42,700 --> 00:40:45,200 before a certain time. And so I grabbed my stuff I was 609 00:40:45,200 --> 00:40:47,900 in my room by myself and I was heading upstairs. 610 00:40:49,000 --> 00:40:51,400 And somebody was praying, I was coming in from outside. 611 00:40:51,400 --> 00:40:53,800 There was a door, but there was a deacon, I guess at the door. 612 00:40:54,100 --> 00:40:56,100 And while the person was praying, I heard the person 613 00:40:56,100 --> 00:40:58,600 praying and I thought well he's you know, I walk in and I'll 614 00:40:58,600 --> 00:41:01,200 just so I was making my way into the service and the Deacon 615 00:41:01,200 --> 00:41:02,400 stopped me. He says we're praying. 616 00:41:04,500 --> 00:41:07,400 Sweet. Instant conviction. 617 00:41:07,700 --> 00:41:10,200 Here's the preacher preaching. Hoping to convince people I'm 618 00:41:10,200 --> 00:41:11,700 convicted by the deacon at the door. 619 00:41:13,400 --> 00:41:16,500 So yeah, you're right. We are praying, I guess, and 620 00:41:16,508 --> 00:41:19,200 there was a sense of reverence that visited me in that moment 621 00:41:19,900 --> 00:41:24,100 we're speaking to almighty God. We're turning our attention to 622 00:41:24,100 --> 00:41:28,800 him. One of the ways by which Satan 623 00:41:29,400 --> 00:41:31,500 steals the word. According to Luke chapter 8 624 00:41:31,500 --> 00:41:37,000 verse 5 is he finds men who can easily trampled on the seed. 625 00:41:38,400 --> 00:41:40,200 But there's a second way and it's found in gospel. 626 00:41:40,200 --> 00:41:41,900 The gospel of Matthew Chapter 13. 627 00:41:41,900 --> 00:41:45,800 Let's turn it together. Matthew 13:18. 628 00:42:00,700 --> 00:42:03,500 Matthew 13, 18 reads in the same parable. 629 00:42:05,700 --> 00:42:09,500 Here then the parable, the swallower, when anyone hears the 630 00:42:09,500 --> 00:42:14,700 word of the kingdom and does not understand it. 631 00:42:15,900 --> 00:42:18,400 The evil one comes and snatches away. 632 00:42:18,400 --> 00:42:22,900 What has been sown in his heart? This is what was sown along the 633 00:42:22,900 --> 00:42:26,300 path. Luke touches on how the enemy is 634 00:42:26,300 --> 00:42:31,100 able to rob people of the truth by inspiring and irreverence and 635 00:42:31,100 --> 00:42:35,100 inattentiveness that is caused. By various means, Matthew has 636 00:42:35,100 --> 00:42:38,500 something very similar to say but it is slightly different. 637 00:42:38,500 --> 00:42:44,700 He adds a danger and He suggests that those who hear it. 638 00:42:45,300 --> 00:42:49,200 And Understand, it are equally in trouble, but what does that 639 00:42:49,200 --> 00:42:53,500 mean to not understand it? I don't think it means that 640 00:42:53,500 --> 00:42:56,400 somebody is hearing it, but because of a deficiency in the 641 00:42:56,400 --> 00:42:59,200 message, they can't make the connection and their minds. 642 00:42:59,200 --> 00:43:03,100 Therefore, they walk away and the enemy's able to play with 643 00:43:03,100 --> 00:43:04,100 their minds. I don't believe that's what's 644 00:43:04,100 --> 00:43:09,100 happening here to not. Understand means to hear it too. 645 00:43:09,100 --> 00:43:14,000 Yes, not understand it, but further to have it disinterest 646 00:43:14,100 --> 00:43:17,000 in grasping, the implications of that truth. 647 00:43:17,800 --> 00:43:20,500 Leaving somebody vulnerable to satanic influence. 648 00:43:22,000 --> 00:43:29,600 It's more about this laziness or this, this failure to realize 649 00:43:29,600 --> 00:43:33,500 the urgency of what is being said, that puts that person in 650 00:43:33,500 --> 00:43:36,300 jeopardy. It's not again. 651 00:43:36,300 --> 00:43:38,800 That the gospel is not understood logically 652 00:43:38,800 --> 00:43:41,400 irrationally. It's that though it may seem to 653 00:43:41,400 --> 00:43:45,300 be a mystery. That person's response is a 654 00:43:45,308 --> 00:43:49,600 failure to act upon that truth to inquire of that truth. 655 00:43:49,900 --> 00:43:55,200 Placing them. Add Satan's disposal. 656 00:43:56,600 --> 00:44:02,300 So, I believe that what Matthew is touching on is not so much 657 00:44:02,300 --> 00:44:05,800 distraction as much as procrastination. 658 00:44:06,900 --> 00:44:09,800 There is a delay here, there is a stagnation. 659 00:44:10,400 --> 00:44:13,500 There is this refusal to move quickly? 660 00:44:14,200 --> 00:44:18,200 Because of a, because of a heart posture. 661 00:44:18,200 --> 00:44:21,200 That doesn't see how serious this messages, or this seed is 662 00:44:21,800 --> 00:44:25,700 when Providence passes our way and throws a seed along our 663 00:44:25,700 --> 00:44:28,200 path. The devil is right there hoping 664 00:44:28,200 --> 00:44:31,000 that we will not move and take a hold of what was made known to 665 00:44:31,000 --> 00:44:35,000 us so that he can get his slimy hands on it. 666 00:44:37,300 --> 00:44:39,400 That we would never examine that truth for ourselves. 667 00:44:40,400 --> 00:44:43,500 So if you brush off the necessity, you brush off, the 668 00:44:43,500 --> 00:44:46,600 urgency of knowing the interpretation and the 669 00:44:46,600 --> 00:44:48,600 implication of what is being said. 670 00:44:49,600 --> 00:44:54,300 You're in trouble, all hearers are responsible for what they 671 00:44:54,300 --> 00:44:57,600 hear and God will hold us all responsible for what truth has 672 00:44:57,600 --> 00:45:01,900 been made to know to us. Too dangerous game to play. 673 00:45:03,600 --> 00:45:05,300 And so there are those who don't understand it because they don't 674 00:45:05,300 --> 00:45:09,400 care to understand it, they don't care to listen, they don't 675 00:45:09,400 --> 00:45:16,100 care to have ears to hear. And they may be delayed. 676 00:45:16,700 --> 00:45:18,900 Why would the enemy try to come in immediately unless he 677 00:45:18,908 --> 00:45:21,600 believes that if that thing sits on the surface of their hearts, 678 00:45:21,600 --> 00:45:25,800 long enough, maybe maybe they will actually look at it and 679 00:45:25,800 --> 00:45:28,400 start examining it and doing something with it. 680 00:45:30,200 --> 00:45:34,500 So even in this moment, there has to be an understanding of 681 00:45:34,500 --> 00:45:38,400 how serious this is. And to be in that place is a 682 00:45:38,400 --> 00:45:42,800 really safe place to not be in that place is extremely 683 00:45:42,800 --> 00:45:44,600 dangerous according to the words of Jesus. 684 00:45:44,900 --> 00:45:47,400 Now here's how I want to end. I want to show you an example of 685 00:45:47,400 --> 00:45:50,800 somebody who does the opposite of what this soil represents. 686 00:45:50,800 --> 00:45:53,200 It's only found in the gospel of Mark. 687 00:45:53,200 --> 00:45:57,200 And Jesus statement to this man is only found in the gospel of 688 00:45:57,207 --> 00:46:00,200 Mark and it's an encouraging word as much as it is. 689 00:46:00,500 --> 00:46:02,600 A word of warning. Here's our final text. 690 00:46:02,600 --> 00:46:05,000 Mark chapter 12, let's go there together. 691 00:46:06,600 --> 00:46:14,300 Mark 12. This man who is a scribe? 692 00:46:21,600 --> 00:46:25,600 Verse 28 of Mark 12 and one of the scribes came up and heard 693 00:46:25,600 --> 00:46:28,900 them disputing with one another and seeing that he answered 694 00:46:28,900 --> 00:46:30,000 them. Well asked him. 695 00:46:30,300 --> 00:46:33,800 So now you have a man approaching Jesus and he asks a 696 00:46:33,808 --> 00:46:37,200 question, which commandment is the most important of all? 697 00:46:37,700 --> 00:46:40,100 Jesus answered? You know this answer, right? 698 00:46:40,600 --> 00:46:42,200 The most important is hear o Israel. 699 00:46:42,200 --> 00:46:44,700 The Lord Our God. The Lord is one and you shall 700 00:46:44,700 --> 00:46:46,700 love the Lord, your God with all your heart and with all your 701 00:46:46,700 --> 00:46:49,500 soul, with all your mind. And with all your strength, the 702 00:46:49,500 --> 00:46:52,000 second is this you shall love your neighbor as Yourself. 703 00:46:52,100 --> 00:46:55,600 There is no other commandment greater than these and the 704 00:46:55,600 --> 00:46:58,800 scribes set them and notice the response Of The Scribe you are 705 00:46:58,800 --> 00:47:03,400 right? Teacher you have truly said that 706 00:47:03,400 --> 00:47:08,100 he is one and there is no other besides him and to love him with 707 00:47:08,100 --> 00:47:10,900 all the heart. And with all the understanding, 708 00:47:10,900 --> 00:47:13,400 and with all the strength and to love ones neighbor, as oneself, 709 00:47:13,500 --> 00:47:16,700 his much more than that, all burnt offerings, whole burnt 710 00:47:16,700 --> 00:47:20,800 offerings and sacrifices Do you see this man? 711 00:47:20,900 --> 00:47:22,300 I want you to pay attention to what's happening. 712 00:47:22,800 --> 00:47:26,300 He's in the presence of a sower. There's Solar Capital s. 713 00:47:27,700 --> 00:47:32,100 A truth was made known. Yes, he inquired and you're 714 00:47:32,100 --> 00:47:34,700 almost in question, right? Is he doing this out of just 715 00:47:34,700 --> 00:47:36,500 spite, is he doing this to trap Jesus? 716 00:47:37,300 --> 00:47:40,200 So he asks a question. Jesus responds with accuracy as 717 00:47:40,200 --> 00:47:43,000 he always does. And then the man's response to 718 00:47:43,000 --> 00:47:47,100 the truth. That was planted, Reveals the 719 00:47:47,100 --> 00:47:50,100 sincerity of his soul and he goes. 720 00:47:50,700 --> 00:47:55,700 Yeah, you're right. That is that is the greatest 721 00:47:55,700 --> 00:47:58,800 commandment and the second one is close to it and you can tell 722 00:47:58,800 --> 00:48:04,200 that he's locked in. That is not how somebody who has 723 00:48:04,800 --> 00:48:07,000 the first type of soil response to truth. 724 00:48:08,200 --> 00:48:13,400 They get right up and they walk right out as though, divine 725 00:48:13,400 --> 00:48:19,900 revelation was not just exposed. And then they can go on exactly 726 00:48:19,900 --> 00:48:23,900 how they came in without any contemplation of where they 727 00:48:23,900 --> 00:48:27,800 stand before. God This man is showing the 728 00:48:27,800 --> 00:48:31,800 opposite attitude and notice how Jesus answers that's the proof. 729 00:48:34,100 --> 00:48:37,600 Verse 34. And when Jesus saw that he 730 00:48:37,600 --> 00:48:41,700 answered wisely, he said to him, you are not far from the kingdom 731 00:48:41,700 --> 00:48:45,500 of God. I love that answer. 732 00:48:47,000 --> 00:48:51,600 Jesus looks at this man, he hears the the Deep interest, the 733 00:48:51,600 --> 00:48:55,600 engagement, the Longing, To Know, truth the softness of the 734 00:48:55,600 --> 00:49:00,800 heart, and Jesus confidently said to him, you're very close. 735 00:49:01,800 --> 00:49:03,900 You're very close. You're not there yet. 736 00:49:03,900 --> 00:49:10,000 You're at the doorstep though. And I bring that truth of the 737 00:49:10,000 --> 00:49:14,400 perilous or and I shine light up on this with it to say that this 738 00:49:14,400 --> 00:49:18,000 man if Satan is right there immediately take it, this man 739 00:49:18,000 --> 00:49:20,600 gave little room for Satan to work with him. 740 00:49:22,200 --> 00:49:23,900 Because that's truth was revealed. 741 00:49:24,100 --> 00:49:27,800 He's inquiring he's seeking he's, he's meditating. 742 00:49:27,800 --> 00:49:31,000 He's engaging, he's died. Logging would truth, he want. 743 00:49:31,000 --> 00:49:33,200 He wants to know the truth and say there's my mirror. 744 00:49:33,200 --> 00:49:35,300 I can't do. I can't do much here. 745 00:49:38,100 --> 00:49:39,600 And Jesus says you're very close. 746 00:49:40,900 --> 00:49:43,900 You're very close. I wonder if this man will be in 747 00:49:43,900 --> 00:49:44,700 heaven. We don't know. 748 00:49:47,600 --> 00:49:50,100 But as much as this is a compliment, it's also a word of 749 00:49:50,100 --> 00:49:52,400 warning because clothes is not close enough. 750 00:49:53,500 --> 00:49:57,000 Need to be in, you need to be secure and you need to be 751 00:49:57,000 --> 00:49:59,300 sealed. You need to have your name 752 00:49:59,300 --> 00:50:04,300 signed up so to speak and so I wonder if you're in this place 753 00:50:04,300 --> 00:50:08,300 today and you can identify with the first type of soil is that 754 00:50:08,300 --> 00:50:12,800 you a lot of seed has been sown this afternoon what's happening 755 00:50:12,800 --> 00:50:18,900 to it? Only, you know. 756 00:50:20,100 --> 00:50:22,800 Only you know, which I am somewhat relieved. 757 00:50:24,200 --> 00:50:28,800 Because the sower went out to sow, it's not my job necessary 758 00:50:28,800 --> 00:50:32,800 to know what kind of heart you have just like this, or I 759 00:50:32,800 --> 00:50:35,800 scatter the seed just like you Faithful disciple of Jesus. 760 00:50:35,800 --> 00:50:41,700 You scatter the seed, that's your job and men have the 761 00:50:41,700 --> 00:50:46,200 responsibility to do what they would want with that seed and 762 00:50:46,200 --> 00:50:47,700 God will hold them accountable for it. 763 00:50:48,800 --> 00:50:51,100 You know, Jesus share this shares his truth again. 764 00:50:51,100 --> 00:50:54,800 Not because there are some who have this sealed fate. 765 00:50:58,700 --> 00:51:02,500 Of a heart that cannot be changed or moved by the truth. 766 00:51:02,500 --> 00:51:07,400 It's to have you listen And here and say is that me? 767 00:51:09,000 --> 00:51:12,700 Is that me? God, I don't want it to be me. 768 00:51:14,000 --> 00:51:20,000 Oh god, Till the soil. Plow through this heart. 769 00:51:20,900 --> 00:51:24,100 Whatever you need to do for it to be fluffy, whatever you need 770 00:51:24,100 --> 00:51:27,700 it to do for it to be soft. So that, that seed can can 771 00:51:27,700 --> 00:51:30,700 germinate and bring forth the life that you've ordained for 772 00:51:30,700 --> 00:51:32,200 me. Old God, do it. 773 00:51:33,400 --> 00:51:36,200 If that is you, if that's how you're responding to what I'm 774 00:51:36,200 --> 00:51:38,600 saying today because you don't know, Jesus Christ. 775 00:51:38,800 --> 00:51:42,400 I can Echo the words of Jesus and say you're not too far from 776 00:51:42,400 --> 00:51:48,100 the kingdom of God. But I wonder how much of the 777 00:51:48,100 --> 00:51:52,000 city this afternoon. Will be walked on. 778 00:51:54,700 --> 00:51:58,000 May not be so. Lord, we thank you for this 779 00:51:58,000 --> 00:52:03,400 word. You know who in this place knows 780 00:52:03,400 --> 00:52:05,800 you, you know, who in this place doesn't know you. 781 00:52:11,800 --> 00:52:19,300 And we just ask, oh, God. That the gospel fall on good 782 00:52:19,300 --> 00:52:31,400 soil today. And we just pray O Lord that our 783 00:52:31,400 --> 00:52:35,600 hearts would be encouraged at the same time to know. but if we 784 00:52:35,600 --> 00:52:43,100 want that heart, To embrace the seed, we can have it. 785 00:52:45,000 --> 00:52:46,000 And we just pray. Oh God. 786 00:52:46,000 --> 00:52:49,700 That this would be the Cry of this congregation today of those 787 00:52:49,700 --> 00:52:52,700 who are in attendance today, Lord. 788 00:52:53,900 --> 00:52:57,500 Bear fruit in me, thirtyfold sixtyfold 100-fold. 789 00:52:57,500 --> 00:52:59,300 Whatever you can do in me. Do it. 790 00:52:59,800 --> 00:53:04,100 Lord made that be the prayer of every person in this house. 791 00:53:06,000 --> 00:53:10,000 Louis worship you because of the depth of your word, the inside 792 00:53:10,000 --> 00:53:15,000 of your word, May the Sowers of this house be built up to know 793 00:53:15,000 --> 00:53:17,500 that the problem is not with the seed. 794 00:53:17,500 --> 00:53:22,000 But with the soil, the issue is not in the power of the truth. 795 00:53:23,500 --> 00:53:27,700 but in those who refuse to embrace that power, Lord, we 796 00:53:27,700 --> 00:53:31,200 give you glory in this place. Even with a message as heavy in 797 00:53:31,200 --> 00:53:33,800 a series. As we give you maximum praise 798 00:53:34,200 --> 00:53:36,600 for you are worthy of it and Jesus name, we pray. 799 00:53:36,900 --> 00:53:37,700 Amen. And amen. 800 00:53:37,700 --> 00:53:39,100 Let's stand and Worship the Lord together. 801 00:59:28,500 --> 00:59:30,800 It's a great. You came to church this 802 00:59:30,800 --> 00:59:35,900 afternoon, but have you come to Christ? 803 00:59:37,200 --> 00:59:42,500 Have you come to Christ? It's a great to know that he is 804 00:59:42,500 --> 00:59:47,700 still available, he still welcoming, he still wants you to 805 00:59:47,700 --> 00:59:51,700 come to him. Even today he is ready to 806 00:59:51,700 --> 00:59:55,400 forgive his ready to wash your sins. 807 00:59:55,600 --> 00:59:58,000 He's ready to make you a child of God. 808 01:00:02,700 --> 01:00:05,000 Maybe the message today resonated to you and you thought 809 01:00:05,000 --> 01:00:10,400 of yourself, yes I am that ground and that grounded rejects 810 01:00:10,400 --> 01:00:14,200 the word and the ground that trembled Under Foot the word of 811 01:00:14,200 --> 01:00:16,700 God. But, you know, Christ, even 812 01:00:16,700 --> 01:00:21,300 today can tell this ground can make it soft can make it 813 01:00:21,300 --> 01:00:26,800 through. Ready to receive him. 814 01:00:29,100 --> 01:00:31,600 Are you ready? Are you ready? 815 01:00:32,700 --> 01:00:40,400 Let's pray. Lord, we thank you for your 816 01:00:40,400 --> 01:00:44,000 message. We thank you for your word. 817 01:00:45,500 --> 01:00:49,700 The still changes people, loyal preyed on none Among Us. 818 01:00:49,700 --> 01:00:54,300 This afternoon would be that ground that rejects the word, 819 01:00:54,800 --> 01:00:58,500 but it will be a land, a ground that is ready. 820 01:00:58,600 --> 01:01:01,300 Fertile? That we are much fruit. 821 01:01:01,800 --> 01:01:05,100 God will pray that people even this afternoon will come to you 822 01:01:05,300 --> 01:01:10,200 in Repentance and in faith. In faith in you alone, the one 823 01:01:10,200 --> 01:01:13,700 who can save the one who can change the one, who can give 824 01:01:13,700 --> 01:01:18,000 them eternal life. And eternal Joy will pray that 825 01:01:18,000 --> 01:01:22,200 today will be a day of salvation for many in Jesus name. 826 01:01:22,900 --> 01:01:27,000 Amen. Some of you probably have known 827 01:01:27,000 --> 01:01:30,600 already. If not all of you that Pastor 828 01:01:30,600 --> 01:01:38,100 Daniel did something last week. He got engaged to beautiful 829 01:01:38,100 --> 01:02:17,900 Jewel. So, so immediately after the 830 01:02:17,900 --> 01:02:22,200 service, right away will be going downstairs, to celebrate 831 01:02:22,200 --> 01:02:25,000 their engagement and to congratulate them. 832 01:02:25,700 --> 01:02:30,100 So please, meet us downstairs as we congratulate them and 833 01:02:30,100 --> 01:02:32,700 celebrate and pray for them. God bless you, we'll see you 834 01:02:32,707 --> 01:02:33,300 downstairs.