TWO KINGDOMS
The Sower.
Colossians 1:12-14 (NLTSE) “Always thanking the Father. He has enabled you to share in the inheritance that belongs to his people, who live in the light. For he has rescued us from the kingdom of darkness and transferred us into the Kingdom of his dear Son, Who purchased our freedom and forgave our sins.”
We are talking about 2 Kingdoms!
Matthew 13:1-3 NKJV “On the same day Jesus went out of the house and sat by the sea. And great multitudes were gathered together to Him, so that He got into a boat and sat; and the whole multitude stood on the shore. Then He spoke many things to them in parables, saying: “Behold, a sower went out to sow.”
– He sowed and seed fell by the wayside, but the birds at it!
– Seed fell on stony places, not much soil, it sprang up but had no depth, so the sun scorched it!
– Seed fell among thorns and the thorns sprang up and choked it!
– Other seed fell on good ground and yielded a crop 100, 60 & 30 fold!
Matthew 13:10-11 NKJV “And the disciples came and said to Him, “Why do You speak to them in parables?” He answered and said to them, “Because it has been given to you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been given.”
👑 For the 1st time Jesus begins to use parables as a means of teaching them about the KINGDOM.
👑 Of the 40 parables He taught He mentions the Kingdom in half of them!
Notice Jesus always ministered to the crowd but He only revealed the depth of His knowledge and the Kingdom and how to be successful in the Kingdom to His Disciples!
Matthew 13:12-13 NKJV “For whoever has, to him more will be given, and he will have abundance; but whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken away from him. Therefore I speak to them in parables, because seeing they do not see, and hearing they do not hear, nor do they understand.”
Mark 4:13 NKJV “And He said to them, “Do you not understand this parable? How then will you understand all the parables?”
👑 Understand (discern or grasp, to come to know by giving something your attention)
This parable is the key to all other 40 parables Jesus spoke or the key to been successful in the Kingdom!
Matthew 13:15 NKJV “For the hearts of this people have grown dull. Their ears are hard of hearing, And their eyes they have closed, Lest they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears, Lest they should understand with their hearts and turn, So that I should heal them.’”
Success in the Kingdom comes from our Spiritual Eyes and Ears been open to the Word and the Holy Spirit!
Matthew 13:16-17 NKJV “But blessed are your eyes for they see, and your ears for they hear; for assuredly, I say to you that many prophets and righteous men desired to see what you see, and did not see it, and to hear what you hear, and did not hear it.”
Desired:- to have a sharp or keen spirit that walks in revelation, it speaks of an intensity and intention of pursuing something!
What are you pursuing in your life is very important!
I Corinthians 9:24-27 NKJV “Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it. And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown. Therefore I run thus: not with uncertainty. Thus I fight: not as one who beats the air. But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified.”
Matthew 13:18-19 NKJV “Therefore hear the parable of the sower: When anyone hears the word of the kingdom, and does not understand it, then the wicked one comes and snatches away what was sown in his heart. This is he who received seed by the wayside.”
A WAYSIDE HEART:- is a heart that has no understanding of spiritual things or that there is that spirituality is important. They view life as one dimensional.
Matthew 13:20 NKJV “But he who received the seed on stony places, this is he who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy; yet he has no root in himself, but endures only for a while. For when tribulation or persecution arises because of the word, immediately he stumbles.
STONY HEART:- the external or outward appearance, form figure, shape. From the outside everything looks great, appears to be just fine (say the right thing and look the part, but all is not what it seems)
Matthew 13:22 NKJV “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”
THORNS:- That which pricks and punctures and hurts!
CHOKE:- To crowd out, strangle or drown to the point of destroying the fruit!
UNFRUITFUL:-
- the fruit of the trees, vines, of the field.
- the fruit of one’s loins, i.e. his progeny, his posterity
- that which originates or comes from something, an effect, result
- work, act, deed
- advantage, profit, utility
- praises, which are presented to God as a thank offering
- to gather fruit (i.e. a reaped harvest) into life eternal (as into a granary), is used in fig. discourse of those who by their labours have fitted souls to obtain eternal.
II Corinthians 13:5-6 NKJV “Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Do you not know yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you are disqualified.” “But I trust that you will know that we are not disqualified.”
You are qualified because Jesus qualifies us!
By virtue of His Perfect work and shed blood you are made perfect!
God no longer puts “demands” on you to be holy or righteous, He Abundantly Supplies or makes you these things available to you in Christ (that’s GRACE) and know you are empowered to love them!
Matthew 13:23 NKJV “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.””
GOOD:- Beautiful, excellent, approved by reason of purity! Hundred, Sixty, Thirty…..the measure or degree you apply yourself (heart) will determine the measure you produce!
Response: Deepening our faith and avoiding having shallow soil in our hearts requires intentional and consistent effort.
Just as the parable of the sower teaches us, we want to become the good soil that receives the seed of God’s Word and allows it to take root and bear fruit.
This means understanding and applying God’s Word practically everyday!
Here are several ways to live out the teachings of Scripture:
- Love and serve others:
Jesus taught the importance of loving our neighbors as ourselves (Mark 12:31). Look for opportunities to serve those around you, whether through acts of kindness, volunteering, or simply offering support and encouragement to those in need.
- Practice forgiveness: Ephesians 4:32 tells us, “And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.”
Forgiveness can transform relationships and release us from the burden of holding onto anger or resentment.
- Share your faith: Matthew 28:19-20 encourages believers to make disciples and share the Good News.
This can be through sharing your personal testimony, engaging in conversations about faith, or supporting missions and outreach efforts.
- Cultivate a spirit of gratitude: 1 Thessalonians 5:18 instructs, “in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”
Keeping a gratitude journal or regularly acknowledging the blessings in your life can foster a positive outlook and deepen your faith.
- Spend time in prayer and study: Luke 18:1 Regularly engaging with God’s Word and spending time in prayer are foundational to spiritual growth.
These practices help us to align our hearts and minds with God’s will and gain wisdom for daily living.
- Live with integrity: Proverbs 10:9 “He who walks with integrity walks securely, But he who perverts his ways will become known.”
In your professional and personal life, strive to be honest, reliable, and ethical, reflecting the character of Christ.
- Manage resources wisely: Proverbs 27:18 NKJV “Whoever keeps the fig tree will eat its fruit; So he who waits on his master will be honored.”
The Bible speaks about stewardship and the wise management of our resources, including time, talents, and finances. Tithing, offering, and using your gifts for the benefit of others are practical ways to apply biblical principles.
- Seek justice and show mercy: Micah 6:8 says, “He has shown you, O man, what is good; And what does the Lord require of you But to do justly, To love mercy, And to walk humbly with your God?”
Advocating for justice, showing compassion to the marginalised, and engaging in acts of mercy are tangible ways to live out God’s Word.
- Foster spiritual disciplines: 2 Timothy 2:15 Beyond reading the Bible and praying, other spiritual disciplines such as fasting, meditation on Scripture, and solitude can enrich your spiritual life and draw you closer to God.
- Create a godly environment: Psalm 51:10 Surround yourself with uplifting and positive influences, whether it’s through Christian fellowship, music, books, or media. This can help strengthen your faith and keep your focus on God.
All these help our Hearts stay good and align our lives more closely with God’s Word so we experience the transforming power of His truth in our everyday lives.
