Pilot Knob Lutheran Thistles!? 6/7//2023
Matthew 13:22 The seed that fell among the thorns represents those who hear God’s word, but all too quickly the message is crowded out by the worries of this life and the lure of wealth, so no fruit is produced.
There is yet another type of soil that seed fell on from the Sowers hand; land producing thorns. The thorns were not visible at the time of sowing, but the roots and runners were active below the surface. Every year I plant my garden and flowers in what looks like a weed-free bed only to discover in a few days, weeds sprouting here and there along with walnut and oak seedlings.
This is a picture of the person who hears the Word of God and receives it in faith and begins to follow Jesus. They rejoice in receiving forgiveness, and knowing they have salvation. They attend church, worship and are involved in the congregations’ activities. Unbeknown to them weeds are growing alongside them. What kind of weeds? Deceitful weeds that have the ability to choke out life. The weeds that are the most dangerous to one’s faith and spiritual life are wealth and general worries of life. Money has a way of promising us happiness, security, peace, and fulfillment. Unfortunately, it is not true. It can provide some of those things temporally, but nothing lasting and can drive a wedge between us and God if not kept in its proper perspective and that is that God owns everything and we own nothing. What we have and the abilities we have are a gift from God, on loan and we are to be good stewards of it all.
The general worries of life are unique to every generation. They have a propensity to move our eyes away from God’s promise to provide and protect in all circumstances. Instead, we worry and fret looking for the world’s answers and not God’s. When things go amuck, we blame God and move away. Matthew 6:33-34 Seek the Kingdom of Godabove all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need. “So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today.
The thorny ground produces no fruit of true faith. Next week, the Good Ground and conclusion.
Pr. Bob Snitzer
By the Way:
June 11, 9:00 AM Morning worship. Sermon: Joshua 5:13-6:5 Sermon: Divine Warfare
10:00 congregational meeting regarding shed improvements.
2:00 GriefShare
~ Past communiques and sermons can be read and heard on our website: www.pilotknob.org and Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PilotKnobLutheran/
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