Pilot Knob Lutheran Good Ground 6/14//2023
“He who has ears, let him hear.” Have your ears been working this past week? We considered three types of soil not producing any yield. What farmer would plant that brand of seed again? He would probably try something different.
When we come to the good ground hearer, we see different results, we see a great harvest. Notice it was the same seed that was scattered on the other soils. The difference was the condition of the soil. It was plowed, rocks removed, herbicide applied and fertilized by the local ‘honey wagon.’
The soil is a person’s heart condition that receives the identical seed of God’s word, the Law and Gospel. The heart had been prepared to not only believe but what to expect as a result; the all-out attack by the enemy. Because they understood there would be persecution and temptations, they were prepared to stand firm, knowing that following Jesus Christ automatically places one in God’s army and in the crosshairs of Satan.
Perhaps the heart is prepared by someone praying for them, being exposed to the Word and parents who instill in them the truth, and worshipping in a bible believing church. It is what Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 3:6-7. I planted the seed in your hearts, and Apollos watered it, but it was God who made it grow. It’s not important who does the planting, or who does the watering. What’s important is that God makes the seed grow.
We should consider several things: the condition of our heart. Is there any fruit and are we sowing seed everywhere. Don’t sow only where you think it will take hold, sow no matter where it lands because God does and he is the one who makes it grow and produce a harvest. The amount of fruit is not what is important, it is that it produces fruit. The contrast is between the seeds that produce no fruit and those that do.
When you read or hear God’s Word consider the following: do you have an open or closed mind? Do you view the bible as just another book written by man with mistakes or the very Word of God? Do you believe Jesus is the Son of God who died for you or is he a great religious teacher or prophet? What or who is the most important person or thing in your life?
Remember, “We have power over what we believe, but what we believe has power over us: power to heal or power to destroy.”
Pr. Bob Snitzer
By the Way:
June 18, 9:00 AM Morning worship. Sermon: Joshua 6:5-25 Pt. 8. Sermon: Around and Around We Go
~ Past communiques and sermons can be read and heard on our website: www.pilotknob.org and Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PilotKnobLutheran/
Sermons may be heard on KIOW 107.3 FM Sunday mornings at 7:00. Spread the word. If you would like to support this outreach with a contribution, it costs $55 each week.
