Wednesday, 18 November 2015

Break Up Your Fallow Ground- Jer 4:3-4


The Parable of the Sower: Mt 13:3-23. Other texts-MK 4:3-22
In examining the Sure Foundation today, we will be examining Jesus parable of the Sower. This parable largely implies that foundation and preparation are crucial to growth and establishment for a Christian that is heaven bound.  The parable of the Sower has some unique recommendations by the Lord Jesus when He hinged the understanding of other parables on the understanding of the parable of the Sower- Mk.4:13


The choice of Seed: You have the responsibility as a Sower to choose seeds of high quality and ensure that the ground is well prepared to provide the right and conducive environment for the seed to thrive when God releases His blessing on the seed- Mk 4:26-28

The harvest is determined by:
·         The quality of the seed
·         The type of soil-extent of brokenness( How well it can receive and retain moisture in which the required  nutrients are embedded and thrives)
·         God’s blessings

Types of Foundations in the Parable of the Sower:
Way side: Vs 4, 11
The way side tells about:
·         the level of exposure to danger- being trampled underfoot, hard soil because of the frequency of passage, where all things- holy & unholy passes,
·         Unsecured and unguarded.
·         You do not put a valuable item in such places where it can be stolen without any resistance whatsoever.
·         It also talks about a ground that has not been prepared (the same location as a sinner and now a saint!)
An unprepared ground cannot receive God’s miracles.

Stony Ground- Vs 5, 16
This suggests:
·         The hardness that makes soil unfit for cultivation.
·         The little soil on a stone can be easily blown away by a light wind yet it will appear to be able to grow seed, retain little moisture but not enough to guarantee and sustain the growth that is consistent with the expectation of the Sower.
 These are those who actually heard the word, received it, and attempted to grow it BUT no depth. It soon dies off.
The time of trials and afflictions when the word is expected to be activated comes and the void is found out.
They easily get offended, full of ego and unable to let go
Naturally, the sun is a basic requirement for the seed sown to germinate (provides reasonable warmth) and upon germination, helps it to photosynthesize (produce green leaves-beautify) and bear healthy fruits.
However it is amazing that this same sun scorches this seed on a stony ground- not because the sun is bad but because there is no spiritual depth to retain the word.  
Recall that the bible calls Jesus is the Sun of righteousness (Mal. 4:2) and Simeon prophesied at the naming of Christ: And Simeon blessed them, and said unto Mary his mother, Behold, this child is set for the fall and rising again of many in Israel; and for a sign which shall be spoken against; 35 (Yea, a sword shall pierce through thy own soul also,) that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed” –Lk 2:34-35

·         Thorns-Vs 4, 18-19
Considering the way and manner of the growth of thorns, we find out
·         that there is no space for the growth of the seed among thorns.
·         In this case, rather than for the seed to grow, it is the thorns that quickly grew up( because thorns- strongholds, other’s opinions, facts of the world, theories of men, doctor’s reports… spread roots so deeply and widely) to choke the word.- Ps 1:1, 3 “Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful; Vs 3  And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.
·         These were plagued by the cares of the world, deceitfulness of riches, trust in other sources and alternatives, bewitchments, demonic forces and blindfolds which all combines to make the word unfruitful.

Good Ground- Vs 8, 20
·         They have prepared for the word before its arrival- lay aside every weight- forgiveness, prayers, consecration, sanctification, pleading of the blood of Jesus, restitution…
·         They understand 2Tim 3:16 and allows the word to do all those in their lives without ta king offences

Tests are Common-Lk 6:47-49
·         All categories of foundations shall be tested in time with similar conditions- Afflictions, persecutions, adversity, trials, temptations, etc.
·         The level of temptation we yield to determines our type of foundation. At this point the buried becomes revealed.
·         Whether on a solid rock or sand, the wind will come and works shall be proved with fire….

Work must be done-Jer 1:10
See, I have this day set thee over the nations and over the kingdoms, to root out, and to pull down, and to destroy, and to throw down, to build, and to plant”
·         4 out of 5 assignments of Jeremiah had to do with preparation of the foundation before planting.
·         There are things that if we don’t root out, pull down, destroy, throw down, we cannot plant.
·         And if anyone dared, it will just be another exercise in futility.
·         We must dig deeper to be able to establish a sure foundation.-Heb 10;23

Improve on Seed Management Skills
·         We now must learn how to manage our seed- the word of God.
·         We must make conscious effort to ensure that we grow up and are well nurtured- bible study, meditation, daily bible reading, prayers and living right must be our priorities.
·         Invest more into your foundation

Altar Call- 1Cor 3:11
For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.
·         Any foundation that is not laid on the testimony of a regenerated soul, born again and seeking to make heaven at last is no foundation.
·         Any search for the good things of life at the soul’s expense will result to pains and damnation.
·         You must have an agreement with God.

·         Sin stinks; though may not seem to but in the end sin sinks completely. For you to have rest here and hereafter you must surrender to Jesus.

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