The Secrets of the Kingdom

1 Corinthians 3:9  (ESV)

... You are God's field...

...that God plants the seed of His word into. 

Matthew 13  (ESV)

13 That same day Jesus went out of the house and sat beside the sea.

2 And great crowds gathered about him, 

so that he got into a boat and sat down. 

And the whole crowd stood on the beach.

 

3 And he told them many things in parables, saying: 

“A sower went out to sow. 

4 And as he sowed, some seeds fell along the path, 

and the birds came and devoured them.

 

5 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, 

6 but when the sun rose they were scorched. 

And since they had no root, they withered away. 

7 Other seeds fell among thorns, 

and the thorns grew up and choked them. 

8 Other seeds fell on good soil and produced grain, 

some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty. 

9 He who has ears, let him hear.”

The soils represents 4 different types of people who live upon the earth.  

75% of the people got no results by hearing God's Word.  

The devil's techniques for robbing people were exposed by Jesus in this parable.  

It also reveals the devil's fear of God's word.  

He tries to snatch it, suppress it, or distract it.  

That's his game plan.  

It is entirely up to us what kind of soil we are.  

It's a ground problem, and not a seed problem.  

Matthew 13:10-12(ESV)

10 Then the disciples came and said to him, 

“Why do you speak to them in parables?” 

11 And he answered them, 

“To you it has been given to know the secrets of the kingdom of heaven, 

but to them it has not been given. 

12 For to the one who has, more will be given, 

and he will have an abundance, 

but from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away.

This comment had to do with those who respect God's Word, and those who don't.

Matthew 13:18-19 (ESV)

18 “Hear then the parable of the sower: 

19 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.

God's Word was disrespected, never understood, and never got into the ground.  

It could have been studied until it was understood. 

The cure for not understanding is persistent.  

Matthew 13:20-21 (ESV)

20 As for what was sown on rocky ground (a thin layer of underlying rock), 

this is the one who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy,

21 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.  

The word is going to be opposed. 

If you lay hold of God's Word, you will experience opposition.  

Although people will oppose it, it is not really from people, but a demonic spirit. 

1 Peter 4:12  (ESV)

12 Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you.

Why didn't the stony ground get results.  

Pressure.  

Persecution has the purpose of separating you from God's Word.

  

When you get excited about a revelation, the enemy will create pressure to drive you away from it. 

Satan wants to turn you from be excited to being offended. 

Offended means to trip up or to cause to stumble.  

It brings you displeasure because it caused you pain.  

The devil is trying to get you to stumble.  

John 6:56  (ESV)

56 Whoever feeds on my flesh and drinks my blood abides in me, and I in him (Jesus was not speaking literally, but symbolically).  

  

60 When many of his disciples heard it, they said, “This is a hard saying; who can listen to it?”  

61 But Jesus, knowing in himself that his disciples were grumbling about this, said to them, “Do you take offense at this? 

Jesus did not chase after them.  

He didn't try to explain it to them.  

It wasn't Him who was failing the test.  

It was them.  

It is insecurity to chase people and try to get them to like you.  

If they get offended, it's their problem, and they need to repent.  

John 6:64-65 (ESV)

64 But there are some of you who do not believe.”

 (For Jesus knew from the beginning who those were who did not believe, and who it was who would betray him.)

65 And he said, “This is why I told you that no one can come to me unless it is granted him by the Father.” 

The beginning of knowledge is the fear of the Lord (Proverbs 1:7).  

Jesus knew from the beginning  who would not follow Him after Satan applied his pressure.  

Mark 6:2-3  (ESV)

2 And on the Sabbath he began to teach in the synagogue, 

and many who heard him were astonished, saying, 

“Where did this man get these things? 

What is the wisdom given to him? 

How are such mighty works done by his hands?

3 Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary and brother of James and Joses and Judas and Simon? 

And are not his sisters here with us?” 

And they took offense at him.

Was it that Jesus thought too much of Himself, or that they don't think enough of Him? 

  

Mark 6:4-5  (ESV)

4 And Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor (lack of respect),

 except in his hometown and among his relatives and in his own household.”

5 And he could do no mighty work there, except that he laid his hands on a few sick people and healed them.

Why is stony ground stony ground?

  

There was a quick but shallow reception.  

It lacked moisture.  

When a seed is planted, it's not the end, but the beginning.

Hearing teaching about the seed that was planted, is called watering.

  

Satan works to get you offended by God's Word that you were once excited about.  

Faith is not for the faint of heart.  

Galatians 5:7 (ESV)

7 You were running well. Who hindered you from obeying the truth?

Satan can't stop you, but only you can stop you.  

It's beyond his ability to stop you.

You have a free will.  

He can hinder you.  

He throws stuff in your path to slow you down.  

He tries to get you offended, so you'll quit yourself.  

  

Galatians 5:8-9  (ESV)

8 This persuasion is not from him who calls you. 9 A little leaven leavens the whole lump.

Beware of thoughts of offense.  

It will take over your mind.

Galatians 5:10-11 (ESV)

10 I have confidence in the Lord that you will take no other view, 

and the one who is troubling you will bear the penalty, whoever he is. 

11 But if I, brothers, still preach circumcision, 

why am I still being persecuted? 

In that case the offense of the cross has been removed.

When you say that Jesus is the only way to God, you will be opposed.  

That's telling others that their religion is fake. 

The real gospel is offensive to the world. 

  

If it is really the Word of God, we've got to get over ourselves. 

It doesn't matter who else is hanging onto their traditions.  

We must not make the Word of God of none effect.  

God's Word isn't going to change.  

It's up to us to change.  

If everybody likes you, it's a bad sign.  

Not everybody liked Jesus.  

Hosea 4:6 (ESV)

6 My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge;
    

because you have rejected knowledge,

Keith Moore, Faith Life Church
https://flcmedia.nyc3.digitaloceanspaces.com/productvideo/1214-GodsIncorruptibleWordSeed-08-StonyGround-03-HD.mp4