Thai 13: 3-23
Introduction:
? In this parable, the sower is the Lord Jesus, including all those who preach the word of God. Seeds are the word of God, and fields refer to people's hearts. The same seed has different results because people have different attitudes towards accepting God's Word. Jesus also used this metaphor to teach us how important it is for listeners to prepare their hearts. Otherwise, you heard it, but you didn't understand.
First, the content of metaphor
1, roadside-cruel
? Roadside refers to a kind of path in the field, which becomes hard because it is often trampled by people. Therefore, this kind of land represents those who are hard-hearted and refuse to believe, and also represents those who believe in theory but are still hard-hearted and refuse to repent.
? Why are the seeds scattered on this soil taken away and eaten by birds? Because these people have no desire for the word of God, although they have received the truth, they have not taken root in their hearts.
2, stone floor-shallow foundation
? The rocky land here does not refer to the land with a lot of stones, but refers to the rock layer with a thin layer of soil on the surface and limestone below. So this kind of land refers to those believers who have no foundation in truth, or those who have a shallow foundation in faith. These people are only moved by superficial words, but have no actual actions. These people believe in the Lord only for the benefit of the world, and they are never willing to pay any price for the Lord.
? Why can't the seeds planted on this soil take root and sprout? Because there are stubborn stones buried under the soil. This "stone" refers to people's idols, passions or hobbies. This shows that if people refuse to repent thoroughly, confess guilt and break the stone in their hearts, the truth will not be deeply rooted in people's hearts.
3. Difficult land affairs are intertwined.
? This land is deceptive. The surface looks clean and soft, but there are still vines and thatched roots under the soil. If the seeds fall on this land, they will soon be squeezed and suffocated by this very tenacious harmful plant.
Similarly, believers who are bound by thoughts, money and pleasures in this life cannot get light and nutrition from the Lord and his words, and their spiritual life will wither and they will not bear fruit. Therefore, if you want to bear fruit, you must thoroughly eradicate the thorns in your heart.
4, fertile land-many fruits.
? What is good soil? Jesus explained that "some people understand it, and then it becomes solid …", so "understanding" is the key. The "understanding" here is not only a rational understanding, but also an action.
What are the characteristics of good soil? In Luke 8: 15, Jesus explained this way: those who fall into good soil are those who listen to the word, have an honest and kind heart, endure and bear fruit. "
Therefore, if we want to bear a hundredfold fruit, we must: learn the word of God with an honest and kind heart. "Honesty" and "kindness" can be understood as: a humble and educated heart, a heart eager for truth. This reminds us that every time we listen to the sermon, don't stick to the rules, don't stick to the rules, but seek the truth of God with humility and eagerness.
We must also: keep the word of God. Because god's word is a seed, it must be kept in the heart, and life can be changed; God's word is water, which must be kept clean to please God. God's Word is a weapon that must be preserved to overcome temptation and interference.
You must also: endure the result. Patience shows that the word of the Lord will bear fruit on us, not overnight, but it will take some time to practice. Patience also reminds us that Christians will face difficulties, disasters, obstacles and persecution in this world.
Second, the purpose of metaphor
1, a metaphor for people
Metaphor uses the well-known to explain the little-known, the familiar to explain the unfamiliar and the concrete to explain the abstract. Metaphor can make the truth and lessons lively, not only stimulate the audience's interest and attention, but also impress the audience, enduring.
Step 2 identify the audience
When Jesus told the parable of the kingdom of heaven, many people listened to the sermon, but what about their quality? From their reaction after listening to the sermon, we can distinguish them: after listening to the metaphor, the disciples are interested in further understanding its meaning. Therefore, the Lord praised them and said, blessed are your eyes, because they see; Blessed are your ears, for they hear.
For ordinary listeners, Jesus described them like this: listening is for listening, not for understanding; Seeing is looking, but I don't know, that is to say, I can't see, hear or understand. This is the reaction of metaphor to them.
Step 3 point out the problem
This nation's heart is full of oil, its ears are heavy and its eyes are closed. Jesus quoted Isaiah and accused the audience: uneducated ears and eager hearts. I also want to warn everyone who listens to Taoism that the motivation and attitude of listening to Taoism must be correct, and listening to Taoism is not a spiritual pastime, so as to eliminate my troubles and alleviate the difficulties in my life. Listening to the word is to let the word of God heal the diseases of our lives, change our lives, and let us bear more fruits, glorify God and benefit others.
Thirdly, the application of metaphor.
1, eager for truth
People should not live by food, but by everything that comes out of their mouths. How important the word of God is! In this case, what should we do with God's Word?
Is it like a poet: my heart longs for you, just like a deer longs for a stream. (Ps。 42: 1) Like Jeremiah: O LORD God of hosts, I have received your words as food. (Leaf 15: 16)
Step 2 stick to the truth
? When we listen to the word, we are disturbed by Satan, tested by the environment and entangled by the world, so that we can't concentrate on listening to the word of the Lord and keep it in our hearts. Therefore, if we don't try our best to keep the accepted truth, we will lose it (Hebrews 2: 1).
Step 3 practice the truth
Whoever has ears to hear, let him hear! This is warning us not only to have a sensory understanding of God's Word, but also to respond with practical actions. When you read the Bible every day, or listen to God's words every time, how do you react and respond to God's words?
Conclusion:
? Jesus used four fields to illustrate people's different reactions to God's Word. Some people turned away without thinking after hearing this word; Some people were attracted by Tao at first, and later found that truth had to pay a price, so they decided to give up. Some people allow things of various attributes to crowd out the accepted Tao. Only those believers who understand the truth and stick to it can bear many fruits for the Lord. In the face of this parable told by Jesus, let's compare our inner situation and think about what kind of land we are.