SOWING THE SEED THE IMPOSSIBLE PATH IS THE MOST POPULAR

Transcription

1 SOWING THE SEED Hearken; Behold, there went out a sower to sow: This begins the account of the parable of the sower in Mark s account. (Mark 4:2-20). Jesus was teaching those around him in parables. He taught them about the individual who sowed seed, which fell by the way side, some fell on stony ground, some fell among thorns, and other fell on good ground. They asked him to explain this parable and he did just that. First of all, the sower soweth the word. Luke s account says, The seed is the word of God. (Luke 8:11) We know then that the seed being sown was the word of God being taught. The wayside soil was the heart that heard the word of God, but Satan immediately came and took away the word from their hearts. Satan tries to convince you that you do not need to obey the gospel, at least not now. Wait a little while, give it some more thought. He tries to convince you that it is not necessary, especially right now. The seed sown on stony ground was the heart that heard the word and immediately received it with gladness. The problem was that the seed did not develop the necessary roots because of the stony heart, therefore when affliction or persecution arose in that person s life, they fell away. When problems arose in their life, they were not ready for it. The seed sown among the thorns is the heart that heard the word of God and received it. The cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches and the lust of other things entered into their lives and choked out the word and thus they became unfruitful. In my opinion, this is one of the biggest problem areas of the church today. Christians allow the pursuit of more and more material things to take up so much of their time, that they have little time for spiritual things. The things of the world take over their lives because they allow such to happen and then there is no time for God or things spiritual. They do not even have time to assemble together to worship God. The things of the world have pushed God out of their lives and they become unfruitful. The seed that was sown on good ground is the heart that heard the word of God, received it and brought forth fruit according to their ability. This is the kind of heart you hope to find when you are sharing God s word with people. There are the individuals who remain faithful servants of God. THE IMPOSSIBLE PATH IS THE MOST POPULAR No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon (Matthew 6:24). ALTHOUGH IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO KEEP ONE FOOT IN GOD S CAMP AND THE OTHER FOOT IN THE CAMP OF GOD S ENEMY, THIS IS AN IMPOSSIBILITY THAT MOST OF US HAVE ATTEMPTED AT SOME POINT. We find the dominion of Satan to be extremely oppressive, but we re not quite willing to let go of life in him in order to live life in God. And so we nod in God s direction, hoping that when the end comes we will have given enough of ourselves to Him that He won t mind that we kept a great deal back. We attempt to be God s servant without really serving Him, and by trying to do the impossible, we find frustration rather than fulfillment. Yet however frustrating it may be, this is by far the most popular path. We ve been led to believe that we can grasp the hope of heaven and still retain all of the world that we care to keep. There can be no seeking of God, however, without taking a stand for Him and against anything that is opposed to Him. As we make our decision, it may help us to recognize that when we fail to make a positive choice in His favor, we do actual damage to the Lord s interests. We perhaps would not want to be classified as an enemy of Jesus Christ, but there is really no alternative if we fail to serve Him actively.

2 Jesus Himself said it unequivocally: He who is not with Me is against Me, and he who does not gather with Me scatters abroad (Matthew 12:30). In the real world, there is no neutral stance that we can take with regard to God. The only right place to stand is shoulder-to-shoulder with Jesus Christ. It would take a larger perspective than any of us have right now to see how much we really lose when we temporize and fail to take decisive action. Real life awaits us abundant life is what Jesus called it (John 10:10) but if we don t summon the courage to reject its opposite, that life cannot be ours. Like all other good things, the joys of life in God are the consequences of having a character that is not afraid to make big sacrifices. The well-defined spiritual life is not only the highest life, but it is also the most easily lived. The whole cross is more easily carried than the half. It is the man who tries to make the best of both worlds who makes nothing of either. And he who seeks to serve two masters misses the benediction of both (Henry Drummond). Gary Henry WordPoints.com EXCUSES, EXCUSES: YOU HEAR THEM EVERYDAY Sometimes excuses can be so irrational they become entertaining. The dog ate my homework. I can t come to work because they re paving my street today and I can t get out. I won t be there because I stopped at Wal-Mart to get my blood pressure checked and I m stuck in the machine. The story of Moses in Exodus 3-4 is filled with excuses. The Lord picked Moses to lead the Israelites out of Egypt. He appeared to Moses from a burning bush giving him his mission. Moses offers several excuses. Notice these excuses: 1. Who am I? (Exodus 3:11) Moses makes the excuse that he s not worthy to fulfill such a great role. God s answer is clear and simple? I will be with you (v.12). When God picks you for a role, it doesn t matter who you think you are or are not. God is with you. 2. What will I say? (Exodus 3:13) The second excuse focuses on the message. Moses says he won t know what to say when they ask who sent him. God again removes this excuse by giving him the proper answer in vv The message was not as confusing as Moses wanted it to be. 3. What if they don t believe me? (Exodus 4:1) God gives Moses three powerful signs to prove he is sent for a Divine purpose: a staff that turns into a serpent, a hand that can become leprous, and the ability to turn water from the Nile River into blood (vv. 2-9). Again, Moses sought a way out but God removes the excuse from discussion with a powerful answer. 4. Lord, I m not a good speaker. (Exodus 4:10) God answer centers on His ability to make Moses into a competent communicator (vv.11-12). God made Moses mouth. He could easily make Moses into a qualified speaker. Later we read that God removes this excuse by providing Moses with a spokesman in his brother Aaron (vv.14-17). We ought to see ourselves in Moses. There are many things we need to be doing in service to God. God has called us to be workers in His Kingdom. We are to be teachers, soul winners, encouragers, givers, burden bearers, etc. As Christians, we are aware of these responsibilities. We are reminded from the pulpit, Bible classes, announcements, personal encouragement and by our elders and deacons to fulfill these roles. Yet often our response is, Please just let somebody else do it. It s time that we lay our excuses down. It s time for us to stop waiting for someone else to do the jobs we know we should be doing. May God help us all to fulfill our responsibilities in service to Him and our fellow man without excuse. Mark Posey, Pulpit Preview, 5/27/11

3 MONTROSE FAMILY NEWS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS Oct 27, 2013 THOSE PRIVILEGED TO SERVE WORSHIP----SUNDAY---9:00 AM Co-Coordinator George Clay Announcements Billy Halliburton Scriptures Reading Psa 103: Austin Clay Song Leader Jimmy Smith Opening Prayer Roger Draper Lord s Supper-Preside: Robert Hackett Serve: Jacky Carver Jr, Mitchell Brooks Ted Russell, Alex Armour Closing Prayer... Brian Smith Greeter Robert & Linda Hackett Greeter Ted & Vicki Russell Count Offering Jacky Carver, Sr Kaleb Bush AM Sermon Bless the Lord, O My Soul (Psa. 103) PM Sermon 4 th Sunday Singing WORSHIP---SUNDAY---6:00 PM Announcements Billy Halliburton Song Leader Steve Anderson Scripture Reading... Heb. 2:11-13 Craig Anderson Opening Prayer Harold Smith Lord s Supper Jacky Carver, Sr Addison Halliburton Closing Prayer Roger Draper BIBLE STUDY WEDNESDAY---7:00 PM Announcement Billy Halliburton Song Leader Alex Armour First Prayer Jacky Carver, Sr. Opening Prayer Roger Draper Closing Prayer Mitchell Brooks Prepare Communion for OCTOBER Patsy T. & Lesa L. Note: If you are not able to fulfill your assignment listed above, please notify the coordinator so that he can find a replacement.

4 MONTROSE BULLETIN BOARD NURSING HOME: Hoss West, Larry Kemp, Richard & Kathy Hommrich (Tim s parents) Those on the sick list: Wayne P. Lankford improving Bob Dillehay, Kasel Dillehay Gladys Bowling M.C. Hix Kathy Harville OUR RECORD OF LOVE FOR CHRIST 10/20/13 Wednesday Worship Sunday AM Bible Study Sunday AM Daily Bible Readers Worship Sunday PM Offering $3, We are asking each family to bring items for the pantry to be used for needs in the community as they arise: Items for week: Chicken Noodle Soup Upcoming Events: Oct Fall Lectureship with Tim McHenry Nov. 3-6 Meeting at Carthage church of Christ If your address changes, please let us know. It cost 18 cents to mail the bulletin, but it cost an additional 46 cents when I get a bulletin back. BIBLE READING SCHEDULE FOR OCTOBER 01 Micah Nahum Habakkuk Zephaniah Hag. 1-2; Zech Zech Zech Zech Zech ; Mal Mal Matt Matt Matt Matt Matt

5 16 Matt Matt Matt Matt ; Mark 1 20 Mark Mark Mark Mark Mark 16; Lk Luke Luke Luke Luke Luke Luke Luke 23-24; John 1