That same day Jesus went out of the house and sat beside the sea. And great crowds gathered about him, so that he got into a boat and sat down. And the whole crowd stood on the beach. And he told them many things in parables, saying: “A sower went out to sow. And as he sowed, some seeds fell along the path, and the birds came and devoured them. Other seeds fell on rocky ground, where they did not have much soil, and immediately they sprang up, since they had no depth of soil, but when the sun rose they were scorched. And since they had no root, they withered away. Other seeds fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked them. Other seeds fell on good soil and produced grain, some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty. He who has ears, let him hear.”
“Hear then the parable of the sower: When anyone hears the word of the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what has been sown in his heart. This is what was sown along the path. As for what was sown on rocky ground, this is the one who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy, 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. As for what was sown among thorns, this is the one who hears the word, but the cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and it proves unfruitful. As for what was sown on good soil, this is the one who hears the word and understands it. He indeed bears fruit and yields, in one case a hundredfold, in another sixty, and in another thirty.”
Ping.
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Always enjoy your sermons. It saddens me that so many Pastors seem to be falling away from the Gospel. I am glad you have stayed faithful.
Pastor, I think I understand some of your points; DO the right things in your daily waking life, whether or not you get noticed or properly thanked. As much as you can in today’s world, live by the Golden Rule. Live with both eyes open, be charitable, but don’t be easy prey for those who work at getting what they need by use of deception and trickery. Protect what is given to you, which is your life and the lives of your dependents. Give without purposely making yourself a victim, as this is often a deliberate indulgence, a cry for attention, disguised as extreme charity. Learn to give love and understanding away freely, and for it’s own sake, knowing that most deeds will never be acknowledged, reciprocated or treasured in ways you would expect or prefer.
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Thanks. I needed to hear this message-especially today.
Lots of tares in the Church, choking the message and undermining the good work done by many poor Pastors!
Thank you for these thoughts.