The Threshold of the Church

Tuesday, April 26, 2016 Rio Gallegos, Pcia de Santa Cruz

Scripture reading:  2 Sam 1   Ps 140   Matt 13

S=Scripture  O=Observation  A=Application  P=Prayer  SOAP for the soul.

S.  Matt 13:22 Now he who received seed among the thorns is he who hears the word, and the cares of this world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and he becomes unfruitful. But he who received seed on the good ground is he who hears the word and understands it, who indeed bears fruit and produces: some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty. NKJV

O.  Our Master gives high priority to fruitfulness. He is saying that even those who have listened to His Word can easily allow that wonderful Word to be choked by the luring, siren call of wealth.  He says these people will be unfruitful. Jesus sees unfruitfulness as failure.  

A.  Let’s face it. Jesus is concerned about our lives bearing fruit... 100%, 60% or even 30%. He is describing many, perhaps most of us today. We hear the Word, but we also hear the deceitful call of wealth.  Our hours, our plans and our creative thinking are devoted to how we can advance financially, while little thought is given to becoming fruitful Christians in the sense that Jesus is suggesting.

P.  Without doubt, Lord Jesus, the seed of Your Word is good seed. We often receive it with great joy.  We even offer applause at the close of that great sermon.  We pat each other on the back and congratulate the preacher. Then we step across the threshold of the church out into the ‘real world’ and go to work devising a plan to get rich. Lord, help us... Help me to get my priorities in line with Yours. For You are searching my life for fruitfulness. Amen.

Ralph