Wednesday's SOAP - Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23

¹ Later that same day Jesus left the house and sat beside the lake. ² A large crowd soon gathered around him, so he got into a boat. Then he sat there and taught as the people stood on the shore. ³ He told many stories in the form of parables, such as this one:   “Listen! A farmer went out to plant some seeds. ⁴ As he scattered them across his field, some seeds fell on a footpath, and the birds came and ate them. ⁵ Other seeds fell on shallow soil with underlying rock. The seeds sprouted quickly because the soil was shallow. ⁶ But the plants soon wilted under the hot sun, and since they didn’t have deep roots, they died. ⁷ Other seeds fell among thorns that grew up and choked out the tender plants. ⁸ Still other seeds fell on fertile soil, and they produced a crop that was thirty, sixty, and even a hundred times as much as had been planted! ⁹ Anyone with ears to hear should listen and understand.”
 ¹⁸ “Now listen to the explanation of the parable about the farmer planting seeds: ¹⁹ The seed that fell on the footpath represents those who hear the message about the Kingdom and don’t understand it. Then the evil one comes and snatches away the seed that was planted in their hearts. ²⁰ The seed on the rocky soil represents those who hear the message and immediately receive it with joy. ²¹ But since they don’t have deep roots, they don’t last long. They fall away as soon as they have problems or are persecuted for believing God’s word. 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. ²³ The seed that fell on good soil represents those who truly hear and understand God’s word and produce a harvest of thirty, sixty, or even a hundred times as much as had been planted!”

S(cripture) - 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.

O(bservation) - This is one of the most significant verses for the church and Christ-followers in America.  Life distractions and affluence choke out a fruitful Kingdom life.  I am amazed (but shouldn't be) at how often the Kingdom is connected to fruitfulness.  It is the first command given to Adam and Eve.  It is the life verse for our community - the Vine.  A fruitful life is a Kingdom life.  Anything less, the prophets and Jesus warn is to be gathered as dead branches and burned.  John the Baptist (yesterday) proclaimed - show you've truly repented by your fruitfulness.  The Psalmist declared (Monday) that we should be like a tree planted by a stream, yielding it's fruit in season.  And today, seed that produces a 30-60-100 fold harvest.

In all cases there is a clear contrast.  Joy for those who are fruit bearers and destruction for those who don't.  THIS SHOULD NOT BE LOST ON US.

Fruit-bearing is not an optional activity for Christ followers!

I am reminded of the African farmer (Sunday's message) who felt sorry for us because we are poor - we have God and things (the worries of this life and a lure for wealth) and he has only God.

 A(pplication) This simplicity thing is not a simple concept. It's NOT just de-cluttering and balancing the checkbook and clearing the calendar.  Christ-followers can be very busy and still use their full calendar as an opportunity for mission.  Christ-followers can still have great monetary resources, but they use it all to back and build the Kingdom of God.  The truth is, there is nothing wrong with wealth, but most of us can't handle it.  (I can hear Jack Nicholson in A Few Good Men (my slant) "You can't handle the Wealth!!!!") For most of us, we are distracted by our busy lives and comforted by our wealth.  At then end of a day, reflect on how often you thought about and lived out your place in the Kingdom?  Be honest - all of life is an opportunity to live out the Kingdom - all of your days are filled with sacred opportunity.  What needs to change?

P(rayer) - Abba,
I am no longer my own, but Yours
Put me to what You will, rank me with whom You will.
Put me to doing, put me to suffering.
Let me be employed for You or laid aside for You,
exalted for You or brought low for You.
Let me be full, let me be empty.
Let me have all things, let me have nothing.
I freely and heartily yield all things to Your pleasure and disposal.
And now, O glorious and blessed God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit,
You are mine, and I am Yours.
So be it.
And the covenant which I have made on earth,
let it be ratified in heaven.
Amen. (Wesley's Covenant Prayer)