Scripture

The seed that fell on the footpath represents those who hear the message about the Kingdom and don’t understand it. Then the evil one comes and snatches away the seed that was planted in their hearts.

~Matthew 13:19, NLT

Quote

Worship is fundamentally the act of listening.

~Eugene L. Peterson

Peterson says a lot that I am not sure I agree with, but it provokes me to thing, to study and ponder. He stirs or aggravates the mind. I do think listening is very important and I encourage active listening which is to take notes and to meditate on the message. An active listener takes the message to heart and to home.  If you just go in the sanctuary, grab a seat, and listen passively to the sermon, you are not apt to take much from it. Matter of fact, you will probably forget most of it before you leave the building. I am taking the scripture out of context just a bit but what is happening is described by Jesus in Matthew 13 and the parable of the Sower. The SEED that fell on the path [hard surface] and the seed that fell on rocky soil did not penetrate the soil. The SEED was dropped but it did not get covered. This means the SEEDS were at the mercy of the sun and the birds because it did not get properly covered with good topsoil. Many pastors get discouraged because they study and spend hours preparing a message, but then the message seems to fall on deaf ears. A very good pastor told me recently, “I’ve been preaching the word for two years and waiting on it to take root in my folks lives but it is just not happening.” I and practically every pastor understands this frustration. Our responsibility is to broadcast the SEED and let it fall where it may. The congregation has the responsibility of receiving the SEED and they will be held accountable for all the SEED that did not penetrate their indifference and hardness of heart. We will be held accountable if we don’t preach the word.

One person told me [30 years ago], “Nothing you say bothers me…it goes in one ear and out the other.” The bad news is–he meant what he said, and he was rather proud of it. The good news is that he changed. It was very gradual and a near death experience helped the cause, but his attitude changed 180 degrees and I think the WORD had a lot to do with it. I like to believe the WORD/SEED was having more effect on him than he realized. If you want growth and production, you have to cover the SEED. You do this by active listening, mediation, prayer and application. Hearing a sermon is one thing, applying it to your life is another. The words of James come to mind…

Don’t just listen to God’s word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves. For if you listen to the word and don’t obey, it is like glancing at your face in a mirror. You see yourself, walk away, and forget what you look like. But if you look carefully into the perfect law that sets you free, and if you do what it says and don’t forget what you heard, then God will bless you for doing it. The words of Jesus in Luke 11:28 also come to mind…“Blessed are all who hear the word of God and put it into practice.”

Extra

Great weather this week. I tilled a couple of gardens yesterday and both were dust bowls and hard. I couldn’t get over it: I thought it would still be wet underneath, but it was not. I think I will be able to mow our ditches with the riding mower today. We also have corn up and our tomatoes and peppers are looking good.

Keep praying for our sick folks; especially those battling cancer.

God bless you! I hope you have a great weekend and thanks for reading the blog.