Mat 13:31-32 KJV Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is like to a grain of mustard seed, which a man took, and sowed in his field: (32) Which indeed is the least of all seeds: but when it is grown, it is the greatest among herbs, and becometh a tree, so that the birds of the air come and lodge in the branches thereof.
Introduction
Life is full of choices.
- Which direction shall I take?
- Do I allow this event to control my life?
- Do I stand up to the challenge, or roll over and succumb?
- What word shall I use in this situation?
- Do I smile at the person behind the counter, or just mutter a greeting?
- Do I pay with cash or credit?
- Do I tell my spouse the truth, or “those colors look just fine…”
Choices… There are so many ways to accomplish something and so many pathways available to each of us. If we could look at each choice and then peer into the future and see the results, would that help us to make better choices?
We could take this portion of scripture today and apply it in so many ways, but let me direct our attention to this thought:
Words are insignificantly tossed about, but there is Power in your word, and your word has consequences…
Jesus is teaching a parable. In this chapter it is stated that he talked only in parables so as to fulfill scripture. Yet the power of these parables is that we can take them and apply them to multiple scenarios of life…
Example:
- This one parable primarily applies to the start of the church in the early days. Small to begin with, but mighty as it matures.
- Let’s apply it to any action. Seemingly insignificant in its first stages, but powerfully seen in its maturity – whether for the good or bad.
- Michael Dell leaves college to continue his desire of making PC better for his friends – and creates Dell.
Today let me take this parable and apply it to the Spoken Word.
Words
Words are powerful. Consider that with just His Voice, God created the entire universe.
David writes about the power of Words that are good:
- Psa 19:14 Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer.
- Psa 54:2 Hear my prayer, O God; give ear to the words of my mouth.
At the same time, he writes about the power of Words that are destructive:
- Psa 52:2-4 Thy tongue deviseth mischiefs; like a sharp razor, working deceitfully. (3) Thou lovest evil more than good; and lying rather than to speak righteousness. Selah. (4) Thou lovest all devouring words, O thou deceitful tongue.
- Psa 55:21 The words of his mouth were smoother than butter, but war was in his heart: his words were softer than oil, yet were they drawn swords.
Consider though that God knows there is power in the unspoken word before it is unheard by anyone:
- Psa 139:4 For there is not a word in my tongue, but, lo, O LORD, thou knowest it altogether.
Before we speak, God knows the word that will come out of our mouth.
- Mat 12:25 And Jesus knew their thoughts…:
If God is so aware of the power of our Words, then why do we not give more attention to what we are about to say?
We need to understand the power of the word. We go through life looking for answers and purpose and all along it is in our hands. The Gospel is the seed that the scripture speaks of and to most men it seems to be the least of all seeds. We spend more time speaking about other life issues, and the most powerful thing we have to share is something we are seemingly ashamed of. The Gospel is more than just a book – these words are life everlasting, principals for action and activity, roadmaps on making and following good pathways. The Words we Speak to others can take root and grow into a might tree.
Now then the scripture says that then it will grow branches and limbs and the birds of the air will come and rest in them. There are two ways to look at that now.
James 1:17– Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.
When you are founded upon the Gospel good things, heavenly things will rest upon your life. If we will allow God, he would open up the windows of heaven and pour out a blessing that you can’t even contain.
Mat 11:28– Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
Or think about it like this, all those birds are flying around looking for a place to land and rest and it was upon the greatest tree that they chose to find rest. What does the scripture say? There are people going around seeking for a place of rest a place to find security and peace.
It is time we offer the world something else other than religion and ideas about their situations, and philosophies that don’t hold water. People are looking for rest, that is what Jesus gave to us, and we should freely give it to the world.
Use Your Words Wisely
Are you having trouble with a neighbor or a family member, or a co-worker, or some strange situation? The next time that the trouble arises, plant into the situation some gospel seed! You cannot force it upon them, but interspersing the situation with the Good News might possibly take root.
Mat 13:18-23 Hear ye therefore the parable of the sower. (19) When any one heareth the word of the kingdom, and understandeth it not, then cometh the wicked one, and catcheth away that which was sown in his heart. This is he which received seed by the way side. (20) But he that received the seed into stony places, the same is he that heareth the word, and anon with joy receiveth it; (21) Yet hath he not root in himself, but dureth for a while: for when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word, by and by he is offended. (22) He also that received seed among the thorns is he that heareth the word; and the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becometh unfruitful. (23) But he that received seed into the good ground is he that heareth the word, and understandeth it; which also beareth fruit, and bringeth forth, some an hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.
Some may be confused by this parable (it’s in the same chapter…)
Why waste time throwing seed in improperly prepared ground? Perhaps seeing that the ground is ill prepared for the seed gives you opportunity to acknowledge how best to proceed. Not every seed will have a high survival rate in every field type. Here, the field is categorized by different areas of struggle. Consider that the areas do not represent a person in their entirety. Surely every one of us has some “Good”, but are each struggling with areas that the parable speaks to.
- Wayside – Areas where we have walked constantly and packed the soil so hard that there would be no way for seed to ever germinate. This soil must be broken up by constant attention and preparation by the owner of the packed ground.
- Rocks – Hard barriers that take the place of good soil. These rocks must first be addressed before seed can properly grow.
- Thorns – They are just weeds and need to be controlled lest they spring up and take over everything (I speak from experience…).
Yet, our scripture does not tell me it’s MY JOB to FIX THEIR PROBLEMS! It is only my job to SOW… I can not go in and break up the ground, remove the rocks, nor kill the weeds. My job is only to cast the seed.
Finally…
Perhaps the most important thing we need to address before we consider the sowing of the gospel: What is the status of the fields of my own life? What percentage of my life is found in the Wayside, the Rock, or full of Thorns? What about all the sowing that has been done in my life? Am I letting those seeds go to waste? How different am I from others around me? Before I can take a speck of dirt out of someone else’s eye, I must consider the beam that is in my own life.
Let’s quit being judgmental against others and their sins without considering that first we are imperfect every day of our lives. Let’s prepare our life to receive the seed of the Gospel in all areas of our lives. Then let’s look to those that need the Gospel with looks of Love, and not hate. We should never try to help God do what is His job, just obey him first for your life, and then be involved in His commissioning to us.
- Mat 28:18 – 19 – And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. (19) Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
- Mat 13:47 – 48 – Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a net, that was cast into the sea, and gathered of every kind: (48) Which, when it was full, they drew to shore, and sat down, and gathered the good into vessels, but cast the bad away.
Let’s do our job and Let God Reap His Harvest!