Elkan's Word For Today

THE WORD FOR TODAY

A TALE OF FOUR GROUNDS (Part 4)

 “Listen! A farmer went out to plant his seed.” Mark 4:3 (easy-to-read).

Today, we’ll conclude our study of the Four Grounds in Jesus’ The Parable of the Sower.

“And he spoke many things unto them in parables, saying, Behold, a sower went forth to sow...

But others fell into good ground, and brought forth fruit, some a hundredfold, some sixtyfold, some thirtyfold.

Who has ears to hear, let him hear.” - Matthew 13:3-89

Ground 4 – It’s All In The Heart

Finally we meet them at last, the elite group; the special group of hearts that didn’t just receive the word but kept it up to fruition.

I’ve always wondered about this group even as a child when I first heard the story in Sunday School. How are they different? They must really have something special about them. But when I grew up and studied Our Lord’s words myself, I saw that the secret to their success was not that complicated.

Let’s look at the 3 factors of being a “good ground” from the 3 synoptic gospels:

Factor 1: UNDERSTANDING

But he that received seed into the good ground is he that hears the word, and understands it, (Mt 13: 23)

Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understands, (Pr 4:7).

When we receive the word, we need to take time to know and comprehend that word: meditate over it, weigh the implications, etc.

In 1 chronicle 17 after God gave David a profound promise that David’s throne would last FOREVER! David didn’t jump out to go tell the  remaining members of Saul’s family the good (bad?) news.  

We see that he responded by taking the promise directly back to God (it originally came through a prophet); he "SAT DOWN" and talked to God about the details of that Promise he had just received. At a point he was even actually holding God to His words (vs. 25,26). 

Understanding the details of the promise is very important.

Factor 2 :ACCEPTANCE

And these are they which are sown on good ground; such as hear the word, and RECEIVE it,  (Mk4: 20)

It’s not enough to comprehend what God has shown you; you must also acknowledge or accept it. In the Old Testament, when God gave a prophet a vision, He sometimes began with the phrase, “What do you see?” He said it 7 times – thrice to Jeremiah and twice each to Amos and Zechariah (Jer 1:11,13; 24:3; Am 7:8, 8:2, Zech 4:2, 5:2). Of course God knew what they were seeing, but He needed them to acknowledge it for the vision to be effective. 

When you get a vision, check to see if you actually BUY it, (that’s what receiving means). Without faith, it is impossible to please God . 

Do you know what it means to have a dynasty that lasts forever? (David)

Do you know what it means to have a baby as a virgin, and not just any baby but the Messiah? (Mary)

We read their stories and simply move on, but when God gives us our own FANTASTIC promise, we let it slip because we want to be “Realistic”.

Have you accepted the promise?

Factor 3: PATIENCE

But that 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. (Lk 8:15)

The literal Greek rendition means “In patience”; as if that is where you put the seed in.

“There is no other way for real fruit to come. Mushrooms spring up overnight, but they are usually poisonous. The best fruits require time, cultivation, patience”. (A.T. Robertson)

Heb 6:12  That you be not slothful, but followers of them who THROUGH FAITH AND PATIENCE INHERIT THE PROMISES.

Heb 10:36  For you have need of PATIENCE, that, after you have done the will of God, YOU MIGHT RECEIVE THE PROMISE.

Jas 1:4  But LET PATIENCE HAVE HER PERFECT WORK, that you may be perfect and entire, LACKING IN NOTHING.

Jas 5:7  Behold, THE FARMER waits for the precious fruit of the earth, and has LONG PATIENCE for it, until he receives the early and latter rain.

We'll close the series with these 2 verses:

But the seed planted in the good earth represents those who hear the Word, embrace it, and produce a harvest beyond their  wildest dreams.  Mk 4:20 (MSG).

They that sow in tears shall reap in joy.  He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him. (Psalm 126:5,6).

AMEN.

More Blessings Await you today, you’ll not miss them in Jesus Name.

Greg Elkan