Seeds on the Rocks
Matthew 13:5 Some fell upon stony places, where they had not much earth: and forthwith they sprung up, because they had no deepness of earth: 6 And when the sun was up, they were scorched; and because they had no root, they withered away....20 But he that received the seed into stony places, the same is he that heareth the word, and anon with joy receiveth it; 21 Yet hath he not root in himself, but dureth for a while: for when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word, by and by he is offended
Mark 4:5 And some fell on stony ground, where it had not much earth; and immediately it sprang up, because it had no depth of earth:...16 And these are they likewise which are sown on stony ground; who, when they have heard the word, immediately receive it with gladness;17 And have no root in themselves, and so endure but for a time: afterward, when affliction or persecution ariseth for the word’s sake, immediately they are offended.
Luke 8:6 And some fell upon a rock; and as soon as it was sprung up, it withered away, because it lacked moisture....13 They on the rock are they, which, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no root, which for a while believe, and in time of temptation fall away.
It is interesting to note that Satan does not have anything to do with taking this seed as it actually starts to immediately grow in their heart with joy. Satan does start the affliction and persecution part trying to take that joy away from you. Remember, God does not tempt us (James 1:13). I love this verse "immediately they are offended". This makes me laugh with tears in my eyes. Why? I was one of these people.
There is one caveat which we need to remain diligently to hold our Pastors to the truth. It is true many Christian pastors who speak the word of God say many things that are simply not true or half truths. It bugs me to hear Pastors say Luke wrote Luke and it is eloquently written because Luke was a doctor. No where does it identify Luke as the writer and we cant prove it is true. God made it clear the writer was not important but the message is all that needs to be known.
Another example was a major television Pastor came to Houston and said in his teachings the ground was still cursed from the day of Adam even though it contradicted Genesis 8 "I will not again curse the ground any more for man’s sake;". My ears were closed the rest of teachings. Every time I see this Pastor on TV, I turn the channel.
One church we went to cursed me and my family because we don't tithe. Cursed me. I approached an Associate Pastor asking how can a pastor curse someone, anyone in the Church. Jesus died for this curse and all curses fulfilling the law on the Cross. You know what he said, it is implied. Really, implied. Not the answer I was expecting. Let me be very clear, we are to give freely to those in need and to the church. Jesus is very clear in his message of giving but for those who still think the tithing exists either read Hebrews or read my book Walk to God.
Sorry i digress, Back to these Christians whose seeds entered their heart but just as quickly withered away. One tragedy that I remember from which happened many years ago involved a family that lost both of their children, a boy and a girl, over the course of a few days. I can't remember the actually events that caused each of their deaths but the article was becoming of how people react to these tragic events. One parent drew closer to God, the other away from God.
You need wisdom on how to deal with tragedy, the Holy Bible is full of stories of people that have been persecuted and had major afflictions yet held strong to their faith. It all really starts with Noah building a boat. Abraham maybe the prime example of reacting stupidly to his persecutions by telling Pharaoh in Genesis 13 and Abimelech in Genesis 20 that Sarah was his sister because he thought each one would kill him. Sarah did not trust God for a child allowing Abraham to have sex with her maid who bore children. The Holy Bible is full of amazing stories like Joseph, Job, David, Solomon, Jonah, Rahab, Ruth, Esther, and many other characters of the Holy Bible.
Being Easter weekend, the story of God coming down to earth in Jesus to bring salvation to the Jews and the Gentiles is the greatest seed ever planted in the world since Genesis 1:3 when God spoke into the universe the famous words "Let there be light". Jesus dying on the cross said the last words God has spoken on Earth. Luke (23:46) says Jesus said "Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit" while John (19:30) says Jesus said "It is finished". God in Genesis says "Let there be light" while Jesus says "it is finished" and "into thy hands I commit my spirit".
Talk about the ultimate start and finish of God's creation story. Jesus breathed the breath of God into man in Genesis 2 to taking the last breath on the cross in Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. God took all persecutions and afflictions on the Cross for us. Don't let the Word of God, the seed of Jesus, be lost on rocky soil. Let the Word take root; in order to produce the fruit of everlasting life.
