In order to grow intentionally, we must guard our heart to be fertile, not hardened and nothing of thorns. In this good soil, a heavenly seed will be sown into. Stop focusing on our situation. Let us fix our eyes upon God, and we will walk above the impossibility.
During these times, we should not be in stagnant condition. Our faith has to keep growing, and don’t let our situation take control of ourselves. Do not underestimate God’s powerful Word. Also, do not put your faith either in yourselves or the pastors, as well as the situation. Have faith in the seed of God’s powerful Word.
What kind of soil in our heart is the word of God sown into?
- Look carefully on how we receive the Word of God
“Listen then to what the parable of the sower means:??When anyone hears the message about the kingdom?and does not understand it, the evil one?comes and snatches away what was sown in their heart. This is the seed sown along the path.” (Matthew 13: 18-19)
The right attitude in receiving the Word of God is to receive with a thirst and hunger, and willingness to believe. How we listen will affect how we understand. - Be Committed
“The seed falling on rocky ground refers to someone who hears the word and at once receives it with joy.?But since they have no root, they last only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, they quickly fall away.” (Matthew 13: 18-19)
Make a commitment so the Word of God can root deeply in our life, because we know the Word of God is eternal. We cannot grow a seed, because it grows by itself. But what we can do is to guard our hearts to be a good soil for seeds to be sown. - Eliminate Distractions
“The seed falling among the thorns refers to someone who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth?choke the word, making it unfruitful.” (Matthew 13: 22)
When we receive God’s promises and realize something needs to be settled, such as the root of bitterness, then you have to forgive immediately. Do not delay! Do not play with sin that seems to be small and not disturbing at first, but sooner or later it will certainly destruct our heart. Delayed obedience means delayed glory.
- Surrender the result to God
“But the seed falling on good soil refers to someone who hears the word and understands it. This is the one who produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown.” (Matthew 13: 22)
Do not underestimate the seed of God’s Word that seems to be small at this moment, because it will multiply in great number. No mind has imagined what God has prepared. Even a single word of God can change our entire life.
Excerpted from Ps. Philip Mantofas's Sermon, 05 May 2021, Youtube & Instagram Live
https://youtu.be/E3vBolSf0AA
