Don’t Assume You Are Good Soil… Examine Yourself.
Mt 13:3-9; 18-23
Looking back on 2008… did the world see Christ in you? (Col 1:27)
The church in America is not doing well… we don’t measure up to NT standards.
Lukewarm, fruitless Christian walk is not the NT norm.
God doesn’t change & we are not evolving… the way it was, is how it should be.
God wants us to want more of Jesus Christ… to know Him, to be one with Him, & to walk as He did. (1Jn 2:3-5) May we be moved to say “Yes, Lord” & passionately pursue Him!
Core problem isn’t that we are lukewarm, half-hearted or stagnant churchgoers… the core problem is that we have a grossly inaccurate view of God. (Isa 55:8-9)
We see Him as benevolent being who is satisfied when people manage to fit Him into their lives in some small way.
But He is God almighty, creator of all things, & the great & sovereign Lord who deserves to be the center of our lives. He never begs us to give Him a small part of our lives… He is Lord & commands everything from His followers.
Related to this core problem is our grossly exaggerated view of ourselves.
The Scriptural standard for Christ’s disciples is holiness… impossible in the flesh.
Christ in you, living His life in & thru you is your only hope.
If you are certain you are bankrupt… yours is the Kingdom of God. (Mt 5:3)
Trials & trouble that lead to brokenness, weakness, & failure are good… essential for Christian walk because grace & strength only abound in your weakness. (2Cor 12:10)
Don’t assume you are good soil… examine yourself. (Mt 13:23; 2Cor 13:5)
Have you sold everything you have to obtain the only thing that matters? (Mt 13:44)
Jesus eliminated people who weren’t sincere… He wasn’t interested in those who fake it.
Most present-day churchgoers live sub-Christian lives… they are not joyful because they are not holy, they are not holy because they are not filled with H Spirit, & they are not filled with H Spirit because they are not separated persons (2Cor 6:17). The Spirit cannot fill what He cannot separate. In addition, they are not Christ-like, they are morally weak, suffer frequent defeats, have dulled understanding, & often live far below the standard of Scriptures & thus outside the will of God. (A.W. Tozer)
Most American churchgoers are thorny soil that chokes the seed (Word). (Mt 13:22)
Life’s worries, riches, pleasures, etc. crowd out God & lead to fruitlessness.
When we want God and a bunch of other stuff… we have thorns in our soil.
Most of us have too much in our lives… too much of the good life is toxic.
Many other churchgoers are rocky soil… have or will fall away when trouble comes.
Has your relationship with Christ actually changed the way you live?
Do you see evidence of God’s Kingdom (Christ’s life) in your daily life?
Do you spend most of your time, money, energy & thoughts on things of this world?
Do you say with Paul, “I want to know Christ…”? (Phil 3:10)
This is eternal life, that you know God & Jesus Christ. (Jn 17:3)
Have you moved from religion (rocks or thorns) to relationship?
What comes into our minds when we think about God is most important thing about us. (A.W. Tozer) Who do you say I am? (Mt 16:15)… most important question of all of life.
Christ’s promise… you will have trouble. (Jn 16:33)
2009 has potential to become a very difficult year. Regardless of America’s economic woes, if you are “in Christ” you are promised trouble.
You are also promised inner peace thru it all because of Christ’s victory.
Spiritual warfare is about God’s reputation… will you trust & honor Him in all circumstances. Trouble is an opportunity to trust & glorify God. (Job 1)
How will you endure & remain faithful thru trouble… By looking to the cross!
At Christ’s cross you realize He does know, care & love you. (Jn 3:16)
You can trust God… He’s huge, created all things, & He loves you.
He uses evil, pain, suffering for His purpose & your good! (Rm 8:28; Gen 50:20)
Because His plan for you is to be like Christ, suffering & trials are necessary.
How can you increase your faith so that you’ll trust & honor God thru Trouble?
1. Read about His love, faithfulness & sovereignty thru the ages. (Rm 10:17)
2. Consider the works of His hands. (Ps 19:1-2)
3. Fix your eyes on the Cross of Christ… He loves you. (Heb 12:2-3; Rm 5:8)
Resolve to live near to God… to do all to His glory. (1Cor 10:31)
God created the universe for His pleasure & glory… it is all about God.
How can we live as though life is about us? Where were you when He created?
We need to get over ourselves. We should purpose to make our very brief life all about glorifying God.
If blessed, show world you can enjoy blessings but still be totally in love with God.
If in difficult circumstances, show world your God is great, that you trust Him in all circumstances, & that knowing Him brings peace & joy.
It really doesn’t matter what your current circumstances are… your part in life is to bring glory to God. Your life should honor & point to God… it’s all about Him.
01-04-09