Scripture:
Luke 8:11-15, 22-25 NKJV
[11] “Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God. [12] Those by the wayside are the ones who hear; then the devil comes and takes away the word out of their hearts, lest they should believe and be saved. [13] But the ones on the rock are those who, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no root, who believe for a while and in time of temptation fall away. [14] Now the ones that fell among thorns are those who, when they have heard, go out and are choked with cares, riches, and pleasures of life, and bring no fruit to maturity. [15] But the ones that fell on the good ground are those who, having heard the word with a noble and good heart, keep it and bear fruit with patience.
[22] Now it happened, on a certain day, that He got into a boat with His disciples. And He said to them, “Let us cross over to the other side of the lake.” And they launched out. [23] But as they sailed He fell asleep. And a windstorm came down on the lake, and they were filling with water, and were in jeopardy. [24] And they came to Him and awoke Him, saying, “Master, Master, we are perishing!” Then He arose and rebuked the wind and the raging of the water. And they ceased, and there was a calm. [25] But He said to them, “Where is your faith?” And they were afraid, and marveled, saying to one another, “Who can this be? For He commands even the winds and water, and they obey Him!”
Observation:
These scriptures have been on my heart for the last several days. To be honest I may have been thinking about them for over a week or two. GOD tends to do that for me when HE is trying to tell me some, so as we take a look at what HE is saying this morning I hope to be able to comprehend and deliver a message that will allow us all to see what is going on in our lives. As you look at the two sections of scripture that have been chosen for us, if you pay close attention there is a separate in them. I skipped over verses 16 through 21, not because they are not important, but because the point I believe needs to be made is in the verses at hand. Let’s take a look at what is seen in the first group of verses. Jesus had just gotten done speaking a parable to a large group of people. It’s a parable that a lot of us are familiar with. The title of it in my bible is the parable of the sower. As the crowd is dismissed, the disciples approach Jesus and ask HIM to explain what HE is talking about. Taking the time to teach them he says something to the effect of, “This information isn’t for everyone, only the ones who will seek it out.” Now I know as you look back in your bible, you will not find those exact words in this chapter. I have paraphrased what Christ said. But that is ultimately the response that HE gave, and in the 29th Jeremiah if you read just past the fluffy 11th verses that everyone loves so much you can see the basis for that statement. GOD has given us a road map to life if we will take the time to seek HIM with all our hearts. Before I go down to much of a rabbit trail. Let me get back on track. Explaining the parable of the seed sower to the disciples, Jesus talks about what spiritual warfare looks like. This is something that may be missed as we read over the scripture, so I want to explain it as clearly as I can with the limited time that I have. The first round of attack is the enemy, the seed that falls on the path… he doesn’t allow it to do anything snatching it up as fast as possible, the rocky soil is a little different that seed he can’t get to as easy so he has to wait for it to start doing something, but knowing that it can’t take root and will be easily weathered, his concern is not overbearing. As the seed gets deeper into the field his concern grows. The vines will have to play a part in the next attack he will have to bring doubt and fear in, to choke out that one. Drawing to an end of HIS explanation of this parable. HE takes about the most dangerous seed to the enemy, the one that produces fruit, the one that lands on good fertile soil, however, the more important of it is HE explains what the seed is… it’s the word of GOD, moving deeper into our study this morning by skipping over a few verses we find the test. I want us to remember that Jesus is teaching these men to walk by faith. The words that were spoken in the parable of the seed sower were put to the test when HE gave the directions to get in the boat. Let’s look at what was said. But first we need to understand that Jesus said nothing that HE did not get the directions from HIS Father to say, so when HE said, “ Let’s cross over to the other side.” That came directly from GOD, it was designed to see if what had been taught in the parable was received by those listening. What was the condition of their soil? Was it rocky, or did the seed just land on the path. It would appear that the seed that was spoken by Christ would get close enough to get them in the boat, but somewhere in the middle as the test came the cares of life would cause it to fold. As the boat crossed over the lake a wind storm took the calm sea and turned it into a moment where things didn’t look so good. As Jesus spelt in the front of the boat resting on the words that HE had spoken from the Father. The waves crashed over the side. What began as smooth sailing turned into rough waters. That’s the test. The words that were spoken were let’s cross over to the other side. The question was did the disciples have faith in what the SON of GOD said or what it looked like in the moment. As panic set in they felt like they had no choice but to wake HIM, calling to HIM in fear of losing their lives, HE woke up to rebuke the wind, waves and the small amount of faith that was placed in the words HE spoke getting into the boat… “Let’s cross over to the other side.” Although the question that came out of HIS mouth was, “where is your faith,” HE might as well have asked them, “do you remember what I said, let’s cross over to the other side, what part of that did you not understand?”
Application:
Faith can be a difficult thing to navigate. What I have learned about it is that it will always be tested. But a faith that can not be tested is a faith that can not be trusted. You see somewhere in the middle of what GOD told you and that happening, a test will come. The question: do you trust what GOD told you over what it looks like? Believe me this is something I know all too well. My life has been flipped upside down again, and things do not look good. I understand crying out to Jesus thinking the waves are over taking the boat. Standing on HIM saying we are going to the other side is difficult, especially when you can’t even see the other side due to the wind and waves. Not allowing the cares of life to detour you from what GOD’S word says takes true focus on what GOD’S word says. You can’t look at what’s going on around you… nor can you focus on how you feel. I know that’s contrary to what the world wants us to believe…. But it’s true. I’m not saying that you have to be cold hearted. I’m saying that faith is the substance of things hoped for the evidence of things not seen. What I want you to know is if GOD has told you something… your faith in what HE has said “WILL BE TESTED” somewhere in the middle of where you start and where you are going a storm will come, with waves so big that it will feel like you are sinking. Don’t panic. The SAVIOR is in the boat with you. Rest on what GOD has said. I know it’s hard to have unshakable faith. I know this because everytime I start to feel like I’m getting somewhere a storm arises and the waves wash over the boat, that’s when I do my best to grab a bucket, get the water out and start repeating…. I’m going to the other side, I’m going to the other side, I’m going to the other side, let the seed take root don’t allow the enemy to bring in doubts and fears, the cares of this life are not the ones to pay attention to. The bible says in Matthew chapter 6 and verse 33, “Seek first the kingdom of GOD and HIS righteousness and all these things will be added to you.” All the stuff that seems to overtake you will be taken care of if you keep your focus on HIM. No listen. I know that’s easier said than done, especially when the waves are so big, believe me my waves are huge at the moment, but I’m telling you today, my SAVIOR said we are going to the other side so I’m just going to row like hell.
Prayer:
Father, we trust you, and we know that what you have said is what we need to focus on. We are not asking you to show us some kind of sign that will make us believe… we already believe it because it’s what you have said. We are doing our absolute best to stand on it. The faith you have given us seems too big for us to handle at times, but we trust that you have said we are not staying where you found us… we are going to the other side. You have said that you will not leave us nor forsake us. Even in the storms of life you are right there with us. Calm, cool and collected in the bow of the boat. We know that we are almost there and trusting what you say over what it looks like is the key to getting all the way across. Thank you for the courage to face the storm with faith in what you have said. You are our shield and sword, for the battle that takes place in our mind. What an amazing GOD you are. It’s in the mighty name of Jesus we pray amen.