Thesis: To instill in the hearers the truth concerning the power contained in God’s word, the seed of the kingdom, and how blessed we are to have it.
Text: Luke 8:4-8, (9-15)
Luk 8:4 And when a great crowd was gathering and people from town after town came to him, he said in a parable,
Luk 8:5 "A sower went out to sow his seed. And as he sowed, some fell along the path (wayside) and was trampled underfoot, and the birds of the air devoured it.
Luk 8:6 And some fell on the rock(y ground), and as it grew up, it withered away, because it had no moisture.
Luk 8:7 And some fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up with it and choked it.
Luk 8:8 And some fell into good soil and grew and yielded a hundredfold." As he said these things, he called out, "He who has ears to hear, let him hear."
Introduction,
1. In this passage we are looking at what is commonly known as “the parable of the sower” (Mt 13, Mk 4).
2. Here, our Lord describes to a great multitude how the kingdom of God is going to be propagated within the hearts of individuals, remember the Lord stated (Luke 17:21) . . .
Luk 17:21 nor will they say, 'Look, here it is!' or 'There!' for behold, the kingdom of God is (within) in the midst of you."
3. And the way it gets there is through that life imparting, living and active, living word of the living God.
4. There is brought forth here 4 different scenarios by our Lord, of which we should consider (at least generally), to be a picture of every person that has heard or read God’s word.
5. One of the wonderful aspects of this parable is the fact that the Lord interprets it for us, in order that we may more readily know the truth, and be made free (John 8:32).
6. Thus in this lesson we will take a deeper look into this passage, and specifically . . .
1) Parabolic teaching (Luke 8:9-10)
2) The three scenarios why most people will not be saved (Luke 8:11-14)
3) The saving scenario (Luke 8:15)
4) What about those that do not hear?
I. PARABOLIC TEACHING (Luke 8:9-10)
A. (v 9)
Luk 8:9 And when his disciples asked him what this parable meant,
The parable is one of the oldest and most common of all the figures of speech.
a. The word “parable” (parabole) comes from 2 Greek words “para” which means “beside”, and “ballein” which means “to throw”, thus what is seen is a “throwing or placing beside” of things, in other words a comparison, an extended comparison.
b. That which is thrown beside each other is . . .
(1) an earthly yet fictitious story, by which something in everyday life is used to portray . . .
(2) a spiritual message.
c. The fact that it is given in a story form helps fasten it to one’s heart, in order that it may be more readily brought to remembrance.
d. Another trait of the parable is to cause individuals to acknowledge it as truth before they realize it is applied to them, as seen in the case of David in 2 Sam 12:1-7, wherein David after hearing a parable, condemned a certain rich man that treated a certain poor man and his lamb terribly, and at that time the prophet Nathan told him “you are the man!” And he knew it was indeed the case.
e. We also need to be able to recognize ourselves in the parables and in all the teachings that come from heaven, for God’s word is no dead letter, but rather that which cuts deep into the hearts and souls of its hearers.
2. (v 10)
Luk 8:10 he said, "To you it has been given to know the (mysteries) secrets of the kingdom of God, but for others they are in parables, so that 'seeing they may not see, and hearing they may not understand.'
The parable is also dual in nature, it conceals and reveals at the same time.
a. It is designed so that spiritual depth, contemplation, diligence and study is needed to fully understand and comprehend it correctly.
b. The parable is said to be likened to the shell of a nut, it keeps the good fruit “for” the diligent, those that are spiritually minded, and at the same time keeping it “from” the spiritually slothful, the carnal, the worldly.
c. The word “mystery” in the NT simply refers to something that was not previously or fully revealed, not that which is incomprehensible, at least not to those who are spiritually-minded.
d. Here the disciples exercise diligence in this matter, in Mark’s account (Mk 4:10) we learn that there were others besides just the twelve, they “asked” and by “asking” they were “told” the meaning of the parable, they were led by the Lord Jesus to some of its spiritual overtones, in this manner it was given them to know the mysteries of the kingdom,
e. We also need to pray to God, to open our hearts and minds to His truths contained in His word (Ja 1:5) . . .
Jas 1:5 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.
3. But where was the rest of the great multitude (v 4), why weren’t they asking Jesus? Jesus quotes Isa 6:9-10 in Matthew’s account of this parable to describe them (turn to Mt 13:14-16) . . .
Mat 13:14 Indeed, in their case the prophecy of Isaiah is fulfilled that says: "'"You will indeed hear but never understand, and you will indeed see but never perceive."
Mat 13:15 For this people's heart has grown dull, and with their ears they can barely hear, and their eyes they have closed, lest they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears and understand with their heart and turn, and I would heal them.'
Mat 13:16 But blessed are your eyes, for they see, and your ears, for they hear.
a. These that didn’t want to know what was being taught THEY had hardened THEIR hearts, THEY had closed THEIR ears, THEY were just not that interested in the things of God, they were more interested in the here and now, than the there and then, the corrupting earth instead of the imperishable heaven.
b. But That Day is approaching quickly for all of us, and each one of us knows deep down that we must give an account for that which we did in the body to God, and it’s not going to be good, but God foresaw this and thus in the fullness of time brought forth Jesus and the gospel, yet He gave us the power of “choice” and desires that we use it for our good, instead of for our demise.
c. In Tit 2:11 it is written . . . (Tit 2:11)
Tit 2:11 For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people,
d. This (the grace of God) refers to Jesus Christ and His gospel, God’s saving grace is available to all, to whosoever wills (Rev 22:17) . . .
Rev 22:17 The Spirit and the Bride say, "Come." And let the one who hears say, "Come." And let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who (wills) desires take the water of life without price (freely).
e. The bible plainly teaches mankind has been given the by God the gift of free will, many of the lower creatures have not this gift, they operate for the most part on that which we refer to as “instinct”, not so with humanity, I believe this is at least one way that we are made in the image of God (Gen 1:26).
f. But concerning the things of God most people have more important things to doL, yet what could be more important that the immortal soul of a person? But those that heard and asked, they were blessed, let us be so diligent, let us continue to ask, seek, and knock, for it is written (Mt 7:7; 2 Pet 1:10) . . .
Mat 7:7 "Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.
2Pe 1:10 Therefore, brothers, be even more diligent to make your calling and election sure, for by doing these things you shall by no means stumble at any time.
II. THE THREE SCENARIOS WHY MOST PEOPLE WILL NOT BE SAVED (Luke 8:11-14).
1. It is not I that assert that few will be saved, but rather the Lord (Mt 7:14; Luke 13:23-24)
Mat 7:14 For the gate is narrow and the way is hard (difficult) that leads to life, and those who find it are few.
Luk 13:23 And someone said to Him, "Lord, are there just a few who are being saved?" And He said to them,
Luk 13:24 "Strive to enter through the narrow door. For many, I tell you, will seek to enter and will not be able. (NASB)
a. If I had my way “all” would be saved, and so would God, for it is written (1 Tim 2:4) . . .
1Ti 2:4 who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.
b. Yet salvation is a conditional matter, and most will not believe and through faith (belief) comply with the conditions set forth by the Most High in order to continue in the process of “being saved” (Lk 13:23; Acts 2:47; 1 Cor 1:18; 15:2; 2 Cor 2:15), the cost is just too high for most, the Lord states (Luke 14:33) . . .
Luk 14:33 So therefore, any one of you who does not renounce all that he has cannot be my disciple.
c. Our lives in the world, our possessions, our very existence, are all God’s, they always have been, we as God’s children believe, and acknowledge this as truth.
(v 11)
Luk 8:11 Now the (meaning of the) parable is this: The seed is the word of God.
Note carefully what the Lord said here, “the seed is the word of God.”
a. It is not the word and a direct operation upon one’s heart from the Holy Spirit, you receive Him after you hear the word and believe it (Gal 3:2; Eph 1:13).
b. It is not an opening of the Scriptures by some person that claims modern day inspiration.
c. It is not one’s “inner light” given to all people by God (as taught by the Quakers/Friends; John 1:9).
d. The seed is none of these, it is the word of God, and it is alive (Heb 4:12) . . .
Heb 4:12 For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.
e. The word imparts spiritual life, Jesus stated (John 6:63) . . .
Joh 6:63 It is the spirit that gives life; the flesh profits nothing: the words that I have spoken unto you are spirit, and are life.
f. The word is completely sufficient for what God purposes it to do (Isa 55:10; 2 Tim 3:16-17; 2 Pet 1:3),
Isa 55:11 so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it.
2Ti 3:16 All Scripture is breathed out (inspired) by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness,
2Ti 3:17 that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.
2Pe 1:3 His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence,
g. The word is the instrument/weapon of choice of the Holy Spirit, it is referred to as the sword of the Spirit (Eph 6:17).
Eph 6:17 and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God,
h. Our Lord explains how one is born from the Spirit to Nicodemus in (John 3:8), one “hears”.
Joh 3:8 The Spirit breathes where He desires, and you hear His voice; but you do not know from where He comes, and where He goes; so is everyone having been generated (born) from the Spirit. (LITV)
i. Paul also affirms this fact (Gal 3:2). . .
Gal 3:2 Let me ask you only this: Did you receive the Spirit by works of the law or by hearing with faith?
j. The Spirit speaks through the word (look at Acts 1:16; 28:25; Heb 3:7-8) . . .
Act 1:16 "Brothers, the Scripture had to be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit spoke beforehand by the mouth of David concerning Judas, who became a guide to those who arrested Jesus.
Act 28:25 And disagreeing among themselves, they departed after Paul had made one statement: "The Holy Spirit was right in saying to your fathers through Isaiah the prophet:
Heb 3:7 Therefore, as the Holy Spirit says, "Today, if you hear his voice,
k. These are all references to Scripture, through which the Spirit speaks, works, within the heart of humanity.
l. The same is true today . . . “faith comes by hearing God’s word” (Rom 10:17).
m. Yet we see a different seed being planted by many, those that proclaim only part of the truth, and deny the rest, those that proclaim that God is a God of love “only,” while pushing the majority of His commands aside, those that proclaim the blessings, but not the tribulations promised to the children of God.
n. Yet the apostle Paul wrote that Christians are to behold “the goodness AND the severity of God” (Rom 11:22), we are to maintain a reverential fear of God, while loving Him simultaneously, as you would your father on earth, so you should your Father in heaven.
o. Those that teach a different Jesus, or a different God, than that which is revealed in the bible, or a different plan of salvation, other than that which is revealed in the bible, are planting the doctrines of demons, which are merely the doctrines of men led by evil spirits. . . (Gal 6:7),
Gal 6:7 Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap.
p. This (Gal 6:7) is a universal law, seed always produces after its own kind (the law of biogenesis; Gen 1:11), if we plant Baptist doctrine, the end result will be a Baptist, if we plant Methodist doctrine, the result is a Methodist, Catholic, a Catholic, Pentecostal, Seventh Day Adventist, Jehovah Witness, so on, and so forth.
q. Thus we must believe Jesus’ words here, “the seed is the word of GOD” nothing more, nothing less.
r. And it must be the “pure” word of God, because the Lord states (Mt 15:13b).
Mat 15:13 … "Every plant that my heavenly Father has not planted will be rooted up.
s. Thus, (1 Pet 2:2) . . .
1Pe 2:2 Like newborn babies, thirst for the pure milk of the word so that by it you may grow in your salvation. (ISV)
t. We must therefore read and study out of the most literal Bible possible, word for word translations, for God gave His revelation in the form of words (1 Thess 2:13), but we need to understand that there is no perfect translation, all have some errors, yet some are worse than others, paraphrases are just not acceptable, they are the words of men not the word of God which is able to save your souls (Ja 1:21).
2. (v 12)
Luk 8:12 The ones along the path (wayside) are those who have heard; then the devil comes and takes away the word from their hearts, so that they may not believe and be saved.
Here is pictured the way(path)side hearts, those that hear, and then the devil comes and takes away the word from their hearts before they have a chance to believe and be saved.
a. Note here that Jesus teaches us that through belief (faith) one is saved, it is the crossover point wherein one enters into the process of “being saved” (Jn 5:24) and ultimately at the end of time will “be saved” . . .
Joh 5:24 Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life.
b. But keep in mind that “the sum of God’s word is truth” (Ps 119:160), Ja 2:24 teaches that man is not justified by faith alone, thus we need to continue in the process of “being saved”, one is to hear, believe, and obey to be saved, practicing the obedience of faith (Rom 1:5; 16:26), Jesus teaches that only those that continue to DO the Fathers will can be saved on That Day (Mt 7:21),
Mat 7:21 "Not everyone who keeps saying to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will get into the kingdom from heaven, but only the person who keeps doing the will of my Father in heaven. (ISV)
c. Did Satan come and miraculously snatch the word out of the hearer’s heart in our parable?
d. No! It was through his agents, the lusts (desires) of the eyes, the lusts (desires) of the flesh, and the pride of life (1 John 2:16).
e. Satan never has, and never will work directly upon the heart of a person, he doesn’t have to!
f. He works the same way he has since the beginning of creation, through a person’s inordinate desires, “their” lusts, in other words “their” God given attributes that “they” have allowed to go beyond that which is lawful in the sight of God (Ja 1:14-15),
Jas 1:14 But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire (lust).
Jas 1:15 Then desire (lust) when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death.
d. Thus “they” don’t want to hear, thus “they” don’t believe, thus “they” won’t obey, thus “they” cannot be saved.
3. (v 13)
Luk 8:13 And the ones on the rock(y ground) are those who, when they hear the word, receive it with joy. But these have no root; they believe for a while, and in time of testing fall away.
Now this group is a little more open minded, they actually hear and believe God’s teachings, for a while.
a. Then in time of temptation (testing; ESV) they fall away, “falling away” refers to sin, but what kind of sin did they commit?
b. In the other accounts of this parable we learn the answer to this question (turn to Matt 13:20-21).
Mat 13:20 As for what was sown on rocky ground, this is the one who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy,
Mat 13:21 yet he has no root in himself, but endures for a while, and when tribulation or persecution arises on account of the word, immediately he falls away.
c. They are joyful at first, they received (believed; Jn 5:24) the word and responded to it, they may have repented (Lk 13:1-5), confessed Christ (Rom 10:9-10), have had their sins washed away (Acts 22:16) through the working of God in the waters of baptism (Col 2:12), yet this one was not deeply rooted, being a Christian was not exactly what was expected, the Lord warned us of this (John 15:19). . .
Joh 15:19 If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you.
d. As did Paul (2 Tim 3:12) . . .
2Ti 3:12 Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted,
e. Why? Because the Christian Faith is diametrically opposed to the sins off the world (Jn 7:7), therefore when exhibited in word or deed it oftentimes brings back a counter-attack (1 Jn 3:12).
Joh 7:7 The world cannot hate you, but it hates me because I testify about it that its works are evil.
1Jn 3:12 We should not be like Cain, who was of the evil one and murdered his brother. And why did he murder him? Because his own deeds were evil and his brother's righteous.
f. So how can one be joyful in the Lord in the face of various persecutions? By a shifting of one’s focus, this is essential (Col 3:1-4) . . .
Col 3:1 If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.
Col 3:2 Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.
Col 3:3 For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.
Col 3:4 When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.
g. Note that the persecution and tribulation arises “because of the word” (Matt 13:21), the 1st century Christians as well as all Christians throughout the age are commanded to contend earnestly for the Faith (Jude 3), to be set for the defense of the Gospel (Phil 1:16), to be a pillars and grounds of the one unchanging Truth (1 Tim 3:15), today we are dealing primarily with what the word teaches concerning “marriage/divorce/remarriage,” “sodomy and lesbianism,” “baby-murdering,” and “money/world-loving”.
h. If one doesn’t defend God’s truths concerning these, if they sit idly by with their mouths closed, while others decimate the truth, they stumble, they sin, and before long they likely will fall into these teachings of men, and are lost, as it is written (Luke 9:26) . . .
Luk 9:26 For whoever is ashamed of me and of my words, of him will the Son of Man be ashamed when he comes in his glory and the glory of the Father and of the holy angels.
i. We see various Christian denominations “voting” to approve of these sins on a weekly basis, they have no such authority, Jesus has been given “all authority” (Mt 28:18), it is easy to understand why the Father gave to Him, and not to men, they need to repent! And believe in the Gospel. (Look back at Luke 8:14)
4. (v 14; Jn 15:2a, 6)
Luk 8:14 And as for what fell among the thorns, they are those who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by the cares and riches and pleasures of life, and their fruit does not mature.
Joh 15:2a Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away,
Joh 15:6 If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned.
a. This is a busy world in which we live, and that is just the way that Satan wants it, he is referred to as the god of this world (2 Cor 4:4), and it is because he uses the things of this world to control others.
b. We are deceived into believing that we need everything everyone else has, thus we must work more, find better paying jobs, work overtime, many times to the neglect of the things of God and our families.
c. God has assured us we will have what we need “if” we put Him first (Matt 6:32-33),
Mat 6:32 For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all.
Mat 6:33 But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.
d. Yet faithlessness abounds, we are not content with what we have been blessed with, we believe we need more, here is Paul’s stance concerning one’s physical status, and it should be ours (Phili 4:11).
Php 4:11 Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therein to be content.
e. For most there is a difference between what we want, and what God knows we need, this ought not be, covetousness is at that root of this problem (Luke 12:15).
Luk 12:15 And he said to them, "Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions."
f. Some spend more time on the pursuit of their pleasures, their hobbies, rather than the things of God, they travel around the world, they are constantly consumed in sports or pastimes of their likings.
g. And all the while, time is passing, the Last Day is drawing near, people are burying their talents, bearing no fruit, and our all knowing, all seeing God is taking note (Mt 25:24-30).
h. Good works are not the focus, but mere a sideline for many that claim to follow Christ, the Christian is to be “fervent” about doing good works (Tit 2:14).
Tit 2:14 who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works.
i. Bibles are staying closed, many are not gathering, thus they are not being renewed, but rather their spirituality is being choked off by their lives being consumed with the things of “this world,” instead of “the things above” (spiritual things) unto eternal destruction.
j. Therefore they can’t bring any spiritual fruit to perfection, it’s green at best, it never ripens, because they just don’t have the time for God and others first, these are second fiddle at best; the person that follows Christ must remember that self-denial is essential, it is to be our number one priority concerning ourselves (look at Luke 9:23) . . .
Luk 9:23 And he said to all, "If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.
k. “Taking up our cross” speaks putting our old person unto death daily, dealing with our daily struggles according to God’s will, and “following Jesus” refers to our imitating Him, as salt and light, new creatures, bearing fruit unto God’s glory (Mt 5:13-16) . . .
Mat 5:13 "You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people's feet.
Mat 5:14 "You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden.
Mat 5:15 Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house.
Mat 5:16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.
III. THE SAVING SCENARIO (Luke 8:15)
Luk 8:15 As for that in the good (ground) soil, they are those who, hearing the word, hold it fast in an honest and good heart, and bear fruit with patience (perseverance).
1. (v 15) Here is seen the type of person that is approved of God, they are pictured as “the good ground.”
a. They are said to have good and honest hearts; well some may say, “so and so has a good and honest heart” but the Lord says that if these have heard God’s word, and are not holding fast to it and bearing fruit as Christians, they have a heart problem, and I believe the Lord.
b. These are those that hear the word of God, realize the great worth of such, and hold on to it, with all their might, nothing nor no one is going to keep them from that goal that God has set before them, it is written (Phili 3:8) . . .
Php 3:8 Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ
c. Not their own lusts, not their former lives, not the persecutions that go hand in hand with Christianity, not the time limited world in which we live, not the pursuit of physical riches nor pleasures, nothing!
d. “They” have “their” sights, “their” lives, “their” resources (which all come from God; Ps 24:1) set on heavenly treasures, which perish not, these live “by faith” over the long haul.
e. Doing as God has instructed, following His commands, from the heart, based upon love, of God, and others, as it is written . . .
1Jn 2:5 But whoever continually keeps his commandments is the kind of person in whom God's love has truly been perfected. This is how we can be sure that we are in union with God: (ISV)
f. “These” will hear those much sought after words from our Lord . . . “Well done, good and faithful servant, enter into the joy of thy Lord,” (Mt 25:21). If we allow God to work in us (Phili 2:13), we will be among this group, but if we resist Him (Acts 7:51), we will not.
g. Also let us keep in mind that our hearts, our inner persons, our spirits are something that needs to be kept (Pro 4:23) . . .
Pro 4:23 Keep your heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.
h. We need to be careful of what we expose ourselves to, in the media, in the world, and even in
our own families, ungodly speech, ungodly thoughts, ungodly actions, ungodly lives, these
things rub off on us, we learn them, and there is a lot of this going around today, Satan has been
loosed for a season, the spirit of anti-Christ is everywhere in society making its move, we need to
be salt, but we also need to keep our saltiness, our ability to preserve this world through the
Gospel.
i. So let us keep ourselves from these heart corrupters by saturating ourselves in the word of God, the seed of the kingdom, by hearing it, by reading it, by living it, and planting it, then Satan will be defeated, in our lives and in others.
j. Also note that these ‘good grounders’ bear fruit with “perseverance” some versions render this word “patience”, I believe “perseverance” is a better translation.
k. The Lord states that every branch that does not bear fruit is taken away and cast into the fire (Jn 15:1-6), therefore it is essential that we bear fruit, that is why we are new creatures in Christ Jesus (Eph 2:10), yet the way that leads to life is “hard”, “difficult” (Mt 7:14), thus to accomplish God’s will we have to “persevere”, and it won’t be easy, “easy is the broad-way that leads to destruction” (Mt 7:13) not that leads to eternal life, therefore let us give all the more diligence to make our calling and election sure, for if we do these things we shall never stumble.
IV. WHAT ABOUT THOSE THAT DO NOT HEAR? (Eph 2:11-12)
1. Everyone that hears the word of God will fall into one of these four categories (wayside, rocky, thorny, or good), what about those that don’t hear? What does the bible say about them?
a. In Eph 2:11-12 it states . . .
Eph 2:11 Therefore remember that at one time you Gentiles in the flesh, called “the uncircumcision” by what is called the circumcision, which is made in the flesh by hands—
Eph 2:12 remember that you were at that time separated from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world.
b. Does that seem a little unfair? Evidently God doesn’t think so (look at Rom 1:20).
Rom 1:20 For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse.
c. This verse (Rom 1:20) states that creation demands a Creator, design a Designer, and implies, that those that don’t seek out God, are without excuse considering the evidence He has given them, no one in their right mind can look at this physical realm and think that all this is an accident, only a fool says there is no God (Ps 14:1), and such a one is doomed for eternal destruction, for we are created for His glory (Isa 43:7), not to deny His existence.
d. Also Eccl 3:11 teaches that God has put the knowledge of eternity in every person’s heart (Eccl 3:11, turn there) . . .
Ecc 3:11 He has made everything beautiful in its time. Also, he has put eternity into man's heart, yet so that he cannot find out what God has done from the beginning to the end.
e. Therefore every person, claimed atheist or not, deep down within knows of the eternal realms in general (the heavenly places), that there is a God and so forth, even if they deny it, which basically makes them fools, here is what God’s word says about fools (Ps 14:1) . . .
Psa 14:1 The fool says in his heart, "There is no God." They are corrupt, they do abominable deeds, there is none who does good.
f. Also no one will accidentally, or unknowingly become a child of God after accountability, it is written in the prophet Isaiah (Isa 35:8, look there),
Isa 35:8 And a highway shall be there, and a way, and it shall be called The way of holiness; the unclean shall not pass over it; but is shall be for the redeemed: the wayfaring men, yea fools, shall not err therein. (ASV)
c. This verse (Isa 35:8) doesn’t teach that Christians will never sin (as many translations incorrectly render it), but rather that one will not err into the Way, they will not accidentally fall into the Christian Faith, as correctly translated by the God’s Word version . . .
Isa 35:8 A highway will be there, a roadway. It will be called the Holy Road. Sinners won't travel on it. It will be for those who walk on it. Godless fools won't wander onto it. (GW)
d. Therefore being a child of God isn’t automatic, but rather it is something that must be strived for, the Lord said (Luke 13:24) . . .
Luk 13:24 "Strive to enter through the narrow door. For many, I tell you, will seek to enter and will not be able.
e. We need to remember that all have sinned and fallen short of the Most High (Rom 3:23), and the wages of sin is death (Rom 6:23), in other words, sinful man get what he deserves and this is just and righteous in the sight of God.
f. Yet, the love of God abounds, He has set up an aggressive system of propagating the soul saving gospel of Christ in order that all the more may have the hope of eternal life which is in Christ, it is commanded (Mt 28:19; Mk 16:15; Rom 10:13-15) . . .
Mat 28:19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in(to) the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,
Mar 16:15 And he said to them, "Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation.
Rom 10:13 For "everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved."
Rom 10:14 How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching?
Rom 10:15 And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, "How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!"
g. Thus we preach, we teach, we live godly lives, we speak the truth in love, within our God given roles, wherever and whenever possible, it seems like hate to many, because it speaks against their beliefs, lives and deeds, but if they believe in the good news about Jesus, God’s Spirit will convict them of their sins, and convince them of the truth that will make them free.
h. We can also supply the funds to get God’s word to peoples that have difficulty in obtaining it, through ministries supplying bibles, through sending preachers, in order that even more can hear and choose the grace, the love of God manifested supremely in the gospel of Christ.
i. Thus God has thrown out the gospel as a lifesaver to the person drowning in their own sins.
j. And if that person drowns, it is not because of the life saver; that doesn’t kill him, that person drowns because of the water (which is sin), and God takes no pleasure in the death of the wicked (Ezek 18:23), He would rather that person turn to Him, through His Son, and be saved.
k. But Satan is working overtime, and seems to be making headway against the faithful, yet there always has been, and always will be, a remnant of God’s people, doing His will, His way, in order that some may be saved, the Lord said . . . (Matt 5:13a, 14-16).
Mat 5:13a "You are the salt of the earth, . . .
Mat 5:14 "You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden.
Mat 5:15 Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house.
Mat 5:16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.
l. As did the inspired apostle . . . (Phili 2:15-16a).
Php 2:15 that you may be blameless and harmless, the children of God, unblemished in the midst of a crooked and perverse race; among whom shine as lights in the world,
Php 2:16a holding forth the word of life; (LONT)
Conclusion,
1) We looked at “Parabolic teaching” it does exactly what is intended, the diligent will never forget, and the worldly cannot and do not want to make heads nor tails of it.
2) We also seen “the three scenarios why most people will not be saved,” they are pictured as 3 types of soil (wayside, rocky, or thorny), these are in this condition because of their own choosing, they need to break up their fallow ground, loosen their choked off hearts.
3) The one and only “saving scenario” is pictured as the “good ground” one with an honest and good heart, notice that “honest” comes before “good.”
a. We must be honest with ourselves, and our spiritual condition, with the light of the gospel exposing our shortcomings (John 3:19-21).
b. Only then can we be good, the righteousness of God, which “only” comes through the gospel of Christ (2 Cor 5:21).
4) What about “those that do not hear?” God says they are without excuse, and their self imposed ignorance in the face of a ton of evidence will cost them their immortal souls.
a. Yet Christians have been given the task of making sure that all that desire to hear, may hear, that answer to that question above all questions, “what must I do to be saved” the answer is . . .
One is to . . .
Hear the Word of God (Acts 2:37; Rom 10:17) this how the Father plants the word, the seed of the kingdom (Lk 8:11), within the good ground, that good, honest and open heart.
One is to . . .
Believe that Jesus died for our sins, was raised from the dead, and ascended into Heaven, and that we have a living hope of following Him (1 Cor 15:1-4; 23; 1 Pet 1:3-4), belief (faith) is the crossover point (Jn 5:24) wherein one enters into the process of “being saved” (Lk 13:23; Acts 2:46; 1 Cor 1:18; 15:2; 2 Cor 2:15)
Joh 5:24 Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life.
And one is not to stop there, but rather continue in the process of “being saved” (Lk 13:23; Acts 2:46; 1 Cor 1:18; 15:2; 2 Cor 2:15) . . .
One is to . . .
Repent of sins, (Acts 17:30; Luke 13:3, 5), Repentance is a change of mind that results in a changed life, a life
that is likened unto Christ’s, Whom we follow (Jn 14:6; 1 Cor 11:1)
One is to . . .
Confess Jesus as the Christ to others (Acts 8:37; Rom 10:9), if you are ashamed of Christ and His words, He will be ashamed of you on That Day (Luke 9:26), this is how God propagates His kingdom (Mt 28:19-20).
One is to . . .
Be baptized (immersed) into Christ (Gal 3:27) into the death of Christ (Rom 6:3) where His precious blood was shed (John 19:34) unto (for) the remission of sins (Acts 2:38; 22:16), it is the point where one is to be dead to the practice of sin and alive unto God (Rom 6:1-11).
And finally one is to . . .
Live a holy life (1 Pet 1:15), and “knowing” what being “holy” is, “separated” “set-apart” “from” the ways of the world and “to” the Way of God (2 Cor 6:14-7:1), being renewed day by day, walking not as the world walks, but as God directs, in every aspect of one’s life.
Putting off that old man, and putting on the new, being constantly in a state of spiritual growth,
Engraving, implanting God’s word and will deeper and deeper into our hearts with each passing day.
As the good ground, determined to follow God’s instructions, that difficult Way (Mt 7:14), whatever the cost may be (Rev 2:10), it is worth all that and more (Rom 8:18).