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Pastor Beal

CROP REPORT

"Who hath ears to hear, let
him hear." Matt. 13:9

In Matt. 13, Jesus teaches a spiritual truth from an earthly analogy, called a parable. Here we find a great lesson for every sower of the Word of God to learn. Jesus tells of the four (4) types of ground the seed falls on. First in vs. 4 we find the "way side" ground. This is referring to the pathways between the fields of Palestine which the people walked on. This way side path became so packed and hard, that the seed would lie on top while the birds would snatch it away. This is the heart which has been hardened by the world (trampled by worldly influence) and will not receive the truth. Vs. 19 explains that they lack understanding. This heart is like a child that is always saying "why" and questions everything that their parents try to teach them. They never "get it" and continue to reject the truth. They hear but do not understand, or refuse to receive! The second heart is in vs. 5, of Matt. 13, and is called the "stony" ground. This ground is a shallow layer of soil that lies over a rock and is warmed by the sun and is fertile. When the seed falls on this ground, it immediately takes off like a whirlwind and grows like a wildfire. It grows so fast that it can easily wonder why the rest of the seeds don't grow like them. But the Bible tells us in vss. 5, 6, and 21, that this sprout is short lived. It ran ahead of God and forgot to root itself. When the sun's heat came, it quickly wilted. It is like so many who trust Christ and are so excited, that they run on fumes and fleshly desires, while forgetting to grow by faith and mature in the Word. We have some short hybrids today, but they still need a good root system, and a growing season to produce choice fruit. Three and four next week.

Thanks! Pastor Earl Beal