The "Rocky Ground" Disciples Matthew 13:5-6; 20-21

Matthew 13 5 Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow. 6 But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root...20 The seed falling on rocky ground refers to someone who hears the word and at once receives it with joy. 21 But since they have no root, they last only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, they quickly fall away.

•   Key Thought: Just hearing the Word will not make you spiritually strong. The Word must be planted and rooted deep within your heart. 

I was greeted after the worship service by a man who was so excited. The Word had entered into his soul and he wanted to join the kingdom. He wanted to know how to join and get involved in the ministry of the church. After some discussion we agreed to meet on Saturday that week. 

He came to the first meeting and six months later, he was ready to publicly join the church. He was a dedicated member for a year. He was serving in various ministries and committees. However, something happened. His marriage came to a test and without any warning; he gave up his spiritual journey for something else. How could this on fire Christian suddenly change course?

He and others like him are "Rocky Ground" Christians. They hear the Word, receive the Word immediately, their souls appears to be joyful, but they last only a little while. Why? Because the Word never really penetrated their hearts deeply. 

In some parts of Palestine lying right beneath the ground is a layer of limestone. When seed fall upon this ground, something dramatic happens. The limestone holds the rain and heat from the sunlight right under the surface; therefore, the fallen seed sprouts quickly and dramatically. But, it has no root. (TPOSB, Matthew Vol. 1, p. 291)

Jesus describes this soil as he teaches us about "rocky ground" growth for certain disciples. A sermon is preached or a Bible lesson is taught or a ministry gesture hits home. The gospel is received with great passion and joy. There seems to be spiritual growth. Then a test of faith or life comes. The "rocky ground" believer has no root and just gives up quickly. The faith growth that had a good beginning has a sad ending. 

The Law/Gospel approach is needed to correct this event. The use of the Law acts as a pickaxe to dig deep into the heart so that the Word of God can penetrate further. As the Law sinks deeper into the heart, the realization of sinfulness focuses on our shame and a better understanding of God's love. It is the Gospel that truly makes us to repent and be rooted in Christ. 

Questions:

1. Is faith or feeling the keynote of the gospel? (Romans 5:1)

2. How has life tests affected your faith?

3. How are "rocky ground" believers better than "on the path" disciples? (Mattew 13:4; 19)

Matthew 24:12 Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold,

Luke 6:49 But the one who hears my words and does not put them into practice is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. The moment the torrent struck that house, it collapsed and its destruction was complete.”

Luke 9:62 Jesus replied, “No one who puts a hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God.”

Galatians 4:9 But now that you know God—or rather are known by God—how is it that you are turning back to those weak and miserable forces? Do you wish to be enslaved by them all over again?

The “On the Path” Disciples Matthew 13:4; 19

Matthew 13: 4 As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up… 19 When anyone hears the message about the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in their heart. This is the seed sown along the path.

           

·      Key Thought: Some listen but do not really listen.

Who are the “On the Path” Disciples? These are believers who hear and listen to the Word of God but they are not really hearing or listening. They hear and listen but do not understand. These people attend worship services and Bible studies. The Word has fallen upon them and around them. Some have been baptized and confirmed. Yet, their hearts, minds, and souls are hard and closed. Their thoughts are not on God’s Word but are elsewhere. These disciples faith is easily taken away or given up.

Recently, I met a woman who discovered that I was a minister. She told me that she was no longer a believer because of the recent lost of her son in a tragic accident. She could no longer believe that there is a loving God anywhere. Her faith was not deep seated in the heart. She had an “on the surface of the heart” faith.

There have been other occasions when people ask me to help them with a problem. They read the Holy Scriptures but do not understand the Word.

There are at least four reasons why some believers are “On the Path” disciples:

1.     Rebellion. They rebel because of some tragedy or some circumstance and they blame God.

2.     They do not watch and pray. They do not consider the gospel important enough to merit their attention. In their minds, other things need their attention more than the gospel.

3.     They are careless in handling the gospel. They treat the gospel as an item, an additive, a part of life instead of life itself. When needed and when time is available, the gospel is acceptable. Their attitude is that the gospel has its place, but it is not the permeating factor of life that so many make it.

4.     They are deceived. What matters to them is attendance, being present in worship services and associating with other Christians. A change of heart and life is meaningless. Religion to them is a matter of form and ceremony, not life.

Acts 28:27 For this people’s heart has become calloused; they hardly hear with their ears, and they have closed their eyes.
Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts
and turn, and I would heal them.

Ephesians 4:19 Having lost all sensitivity, they have given themselves over to sensuality so as to indulge in every kind of impurity, and they are full of greed.

Hebrews 3:13 But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called “Today,” so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness.

Proverbs 29:1 Whoever remains stiff-necked after many rebukes
will suddenly be destroyed—without remedy.

Romans 2:5 But because of your stubbornness and your unrepentant heart, you are storing up wrath against yourself for the day of God’s wrath, when his righteous judgment will be revealed.

Questions:

1.     When was the last time you “tuned out” a speaker?

2.     Have you been tempted lately to give up on your faith?

3.     How well do you hear and listen to the Word of God?

4.     What one action could you do this week to improve the way you listen to God’s Word?

Warning: The devil goes to church and bible study. He is there to make us inattentive and distracted. He is there to taint our confessions and beliefs. Every time we are around the Word, there is an attempt by the evil one to stop it from taking root.

Hebrews 2:1f We must pay the most careful attention, therefore, to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away.

Discipleship According To the Parable of the Sower Matthew 13 1-9; 18-23

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

¹⁸ “Listen then to what the parable of the sower means: ¹⁹ When anyone hears the message about the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in their heart. This is the seed sown along the path. ²⁰ The seed falling on rocky ground refers to someone who hears the word and at once receives it with joy. ²¹ But since they have no root, they last only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, they quickly fall away. ²² The seed falling among the thorns refers to someone who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the word, making it unfruitful. ²³ But the seed falling on good soil refers to someone who hears the word and understands it. This is the one who produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown.” (NIV)

Disciples Pray

Luke 11:1 One day Jesus was praying in a certain place. When he finished, one of his disciples said to him, “Lord, teach us to pray, just as John taught his disciples.”

A disciple’s prayer life is an important element. We should not only pray often but we should surround all mission events and ministry activities in prayer.

It has been said that prayer is the daughter, the voice, of faith.

John the Baptist’s disciples learned to pray. A disciple of Jesus asked for a similar lesson. Then Jesus opened his mouth and gave him and us the “Our Father” – The Lord’s Prayer.

The Lord’s Prayer is the model prayer for the kingdom.  It shows us not only how to pray but also how to worship. Yes, prayer is an act of worship. When we pray we bring our petitions before God with our hearts and lips and offer up praise and thanksgiving to Him. Where there is praise and thanksgiving there is worship.

Prayer is needed for guidance, for the healing of the sick, and for intercession. Prayer is also associated with the act of commissioning for ministry and the laying on of hands. Prayers can be short or long. The one reality for all is that God hears our prayers.

A disciple should not forget to pray daily. If you have difficulty finding words to say, use prayer books or other devotional references. Remember, when you pray, you are speaking to an awesome God who is Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

Questions:

1. When you pray, what are some favorite expressions that you like to use?

2. Where do you go for help in times of trouble?

3. How can your faith in God be expressed through the prayers you pray?

4. What changes can you make in your personal prayer life today?

Applications:

1. We should pray with an attitude of deep respect for God.

Psalm 115:3 Our God is in heaven; he does whatever pleases him.

James 1:17 Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.

Romans 8:16 The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children.

2. We should pray with confidence in God’s grace.

John 16:23 In that day you will no longer ask me anything. Very truly I tell you, my Father will give you whatever you ask in my name.

Romans 8:1Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus,

3. We should pray with humility and sincerity.

Psalm 37:25 I was young and now I am old,
 yet I have never seen the righteous forsaken
 or their children begging bread.

Galatians 4:4 But when the set time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, 5 to redeem those under the law, that we might receive adoption to sonship.

Ephesians 3:14 For this reason I kneel before the Father, 15 from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name.

4. We should pray for others.

3 John 1

1 The elder,

To my dear friend Gaius, whom I love in the truth.

2 Dear friend, I pray that you may enjoy good health and that all may go well with you, even as your soul is getting along well. 3 It gave me great joy when some believers came and testified about your faithfulness to the truth, telling how you continue to walk in it. 4 I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth. 5 Dear friend, you are faithful in what you are doing for the brothers and sisters,[a] even though they are strangers to you. 6 They have told the church about your love. Please send them on their way in a manner that honors God. 7 It was for the sake of the Name that they went out, receiving no help from the pagans. 8 We ought therefore to show hospitality to such people so that we may work together for the truth. 9 I wrote to the church, but Diotrephes, who loves to be first, will not welcome us. 10 So when I come, I will call attention to what he is doing, spreading malicious nonsense about us. Not satisfied with that, he even refuses to welcome other believers. He also stops those who want to do so and puts them out of the church. 11 Dear friend, do not imitate what is evil but what is good. Anyone who does what is good is from God. Anyone who does what is evil has not seen God. 12 Demetrius is well spoken of by everyone—and even by the truth itself. We also speak well of him, and you know that our testimony is true. 13 I have much to write you, but I do not want to do so with pen and ink. 14 I hope to see you soon, and we will talk face to face.

Peace to you. The friends here send their greetings. Greet the friends there by name.

5. Prayer must be more than an emergency measure in a time of trouble.

Romans 12:12 Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.

Philippians 4:6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

1 Thessalonians 5:17 pray continually,

`

Shining Your Gospel Light

“You are the light of the world.” Matthew 5:14

Vacation Bible Schools bring back fond memories that go back 50 years. 50 years ago, my siblings and I were participants in our first VBS at Resurrection Church in Richmond. We study the Word, made crafts and learn songs. The most popular song was This Little Gospel Light of Mine. The song was joyful and active. We made all the hand movements that the song and the class leader suggested. We also made the promise that our little Gospel lights would not be blown out.

Christians are the light of the world. We do not have to proclaim who we are to the world for the world sees our radiance. Yes, the world knows us by our light! Just as a city on a hill cannot be hid, an active believer cannot be hid. Our life as a Christian believer radiates joy, love, peace, hope, faith, long-suffering, and assurance. We are glass half full thinkers. We have a daily positive attitude. We glorify God through our speech and actions.

We are to be the light of the world to the world (all), to the city (neighborhood) and the home (family). You are the light of the world and cannot be hid. Live your lives as children of God by Word and by service to God and one another.

Questions:

1.     How are we like light? Mt. 5:14

2.     According to Jesus, how exactly are Christians to be like lamps? Mt. 5:16

3.     If believers live as they are supposed to live, how will others respond toward God? Mt. 5:16

4.     In light of your gifts, abilities, and interests, what specific problem in our world can you counteract as a representative of Christ?

Applications:

1.    All believers are to function as lights to world.

Matthew 5:14 “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.

Luke 16:8 “The master commended the dishonest manager because he had acted shrewdly. For the people of this world are more shrewd in dealing with their own kind than are the people of the light.

Ephesians 5:8 For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light

Philippians 2:15 so that you may become blameless and pure, “children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.” Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky

1 Thessalonians 5:5 You are all children of the light and children of the day. We do not belong to the night or to the darkness.

1 Peter 2:9 But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.

2.    Light figuratively designates:

·      Holiness and Purity

Proverbs 623 For this command is a lamp,
this teaching is a light,
and correction and instruction
are the way to life,

Isaiah 5:20 Woe to those who call evil good
and good evil,
who put darkness for light
 and light for darkness,
who put bitter for sweet
and sweet for bitter.

Romans 13:12 The night is nearly over; the day is almost here. So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light.

·      Spiritual Illumination

2 Corinthians 4:6 For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of God’s glory displayed in the face of Christ.

Ephesians 5:14 This is why it is said: “Wake up, sleeper,
 rise from the dead,
 and Christ will shine on you.”

·      The Heavenly State

Isaiah 60:19 The sun will no more be your light by day,
 nor will the brightness of the moon shine on you,
for the Lord will be your everlasting light,
and your God will be your glory. 20 Your sun will never set again,
and your moon will wane no more;
the Lord will be your everlasting light,
 and your days of sorrow will end.

Colossians 1:12 and giving joyful thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of his holy people in the kingdom of light.

Revelation 21:23 The city does not need the sun or the moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and the Lamb is its lamp.