Good Ground
Good Ground
Luke 8:4-15 Second Sunday before
Lent
In the
movie " Gettysburg" there is a haunting scene where the Commander of
the Southern forces, Robert E. Lee, looks at how the armies have run into each
other at Gettysburg and says to Longstreet, the commander of one his divisions,
" I pray this is good ground."
There is a hope that even though he did not plan running into the Union
Army under General George Meade, it will be good ground for "his
boys." Too many had already died.
That
line from the movie " Gettysburg" reminded me of the Scripture from
Luke 8, " And that in the good ground, there are they who in a heart right
and good having heard the word keep it and bring forth fruit with
endurance." vs 15 The other kinds
of hearts are also mentioned. The seed is the Word of God, sown by the sower.
1. Some
fell by the wayside; and it was trodden down, and the fowls of the air devoured
it. vs. 5 These the parable says are " they that
hear; then cometh the devil , and taketh away the word out of their hearts,
lest they should believe and be saved." vs. 11 In other words, many hear the Word, but that
is not enough. It is a seed that never takes root in the heart, because it
never enters the understanding. HEARING IS NOT BELIEVING. Also we note the existence of evil is
affirmed and made real in this parable.
NOT EVERYONE AND EVERYTHING IS HERE TO " HELP" US. The Apostle Paul in his letter to Timothy
said this about the faith, " If any
man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our
Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness; he is
proud, knowing NOTHING." 6:3
How do we hear the Word of God? The Apostle lists for Timothy some of the
distractions, " strifes of words whereof cometh envy, strife, railings
(evil speakings), evil surmisings, perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds,
and DESTITUTE OF THE TRUTH , supposing that gain is godliness : from such
withdraw thyself..." 6:4
2. "
And some fell upon a rock; and as soon as it was sprung up, it withered away,
because it lacked moisture." "
They on the rock are they which, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and
these have no root, while for a time believe, and in time of temptation fall
away..."
NOT ONCE BELIEVED, BUT TRULY BELIEVED IS THE KEY
.
"Love not the world, neither the things that
are in the world. If any man love the
world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the
lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of
the Father, but is of the world. And the world passeth away, and the lust
thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever." I John 2
3. And
some fell among thorns; and the thorns sprang up with it, and choked it.
" And that which fell among the thorns are
they, which, when they have heard, go forth, and are choked with cares and
riches and pleasures of this life, and bring no fruit to perfection."
Cares, and riches and pleasures of this life
according to Matthew 6 ---" Ye cannot serve God and mammon."
" Which of you be taking thought can add one
cubit unto his stature?"
4. Lastly, back to our first thought . GOOD GROUND
" But they on the good ground are they ,
which in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep it, and bring
forth fruit with patience."
" I PRAY THIS IS GOOD GROUND" , said
the General.
I pray having heard this parable, we see where we
are weak and tempted, and having heard the word, bring with it an honest and
good heart, keeping the Word and its directions, and bring forth fruit with
endurance and patience.
This pre-lenten season is a time of reflection,
measurement of our actions and hearts by the infallible and inerrant Word, the
Seed of the Heavenly Sower.
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