Notes from today’s sermon 07.26.09 Steven Hedgecoth

The Good Seed and The Evil Seed

Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43
24-30 "Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is likened unto a man which sowed good seed in his field: But while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat, and went his way. But when the blade was sprung up, and brought forth fruit, then appeared the tares also. So the servants of the householder came and said unto him, Sir, didst not thou sow good seed in thy field? from whence then hath it tares? He said unto them, An enemy hath done this. The servants said unto him, Wilt thou then that we go and gather them up? But he said, Nay; lest while ye gather up the tares, ye root up also the wheat with them. Let both grow together until the harvest: and in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat into my barn."
36-43 "Then Jesus sent the multitude away, and went into the house: and his disciples came unto him, saying, Declare unto us the parable of the tares of the field. He answered and said unto them, He that soweth the good seed is the Son of man; The field is the world; the good seed are the children of the kingdom; but the tares are the children of the wicked one; The enemy that sowed them is the devil; the harvest is the end of the world; and the reapers are the angels. As therefore the tares are gathered and burned in the fire; so shall it be in the end of this world. The Son of man shall send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity; And shall cast them into a furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth. Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Who hath ears to hear, let him hear."

We have to seize the new opportunities, because God is doing new things in new ways.

1. Sower
a. Jesus
i. Sows the good seed
ii. Claims the ground

b. Devil
i. Sows the evil seed
ii. Sneaks and steals
iii. Sowing tares in someone’s claimed ground was a crime

2. Seeds
a. The good seed is wheat
i. Has the DNA of Jesus
ii. Is grown everywhere
iii. Is nourishment
iv. Replants/reproduces itself

b. The evil seed is tares
i. Has the DNA of Satan
ii. Chokes and tries to kill the wheat
iii. Is poison
iv. Makes us sick if we eat it
v. Looks like wheat until it matures

3. Field
a. Is the world
b. It is Jesus’ field
i. Satan may be the prince of this world
ii. Jesus is the King
iii. Where ever we go Satan has to leave

We are called to:

• Grow
• Reproduce
• Nourish

• Which seed am I?
• Do I have the DNA of God or Satan?
• How often am I nourishment to the weak?
• How often do I make them sick?
• Am I reproducing the kingdom?

Proverbs 12:22 "Lying lips are abomination to the LORD: but they that deal truly are his delight."

• If I let my pride well up I become an evil seed.
• Don’t pull up the bad seed yet, because you may uproot the good stuff, wait for God.
• Sometimes God will plant you in places that you don’t necessarily want to be.
• God show me somebody that I can reach out to.
• Anytime that you mess with the DNA of something you get a monster.
• Maybe the church’s DNA has been altered such that the world sees it as a monster.
• It is our job as the seed to grow and reproduce good seed.
• God wants to use you as a good seed. He wants to plant the good seed where ever you go.

Picture of Pastor Steven sowing seeds into the church:

Inspirational 07/02/09 It's Only A Quarter!

It's Only A Quarter!
Author: Unknown

Several years ago a preacher moved to Houston, Texas. Some weeks after he arrived, he had occasion to ride the bus from his home to the downtown area. When he sat down, he discovered that the driver had accidentally given him a quarter too much change.

As he considered what to do, he thought to himself, you better give the quarter back. It would be wrong to keep it. Then he thought, "Oh, forget it, it's only a quarter. Who would worry about this little amount? Anyway the bus company already gets too much fare; they will never miss it. Accept it as a gift from God and keep quiet." When his stop came, he paused momentarily at the door, then he handed the quarter to the driver and said, "Here, you gave me too much change."

The driver with a smile, replied, "Aren't you the new preacher in town? I have been thinking lately about going to worship somewhere. I just wanted to see what you would do if I gave you too much change."

When my friend stepped off the bus, he literally grabbed the nearest light pole, and held on, and said, "O God, I almost sold your Son for a quarter."

Our lives are the only Bible some people will ever read.

But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy. 1 Peter 1:15-16 Just a note: Holiness should not be something that we wear just on Sunday, it’s a lifestyle!

“Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” - Matthew 5:16

“Laat julle lig só skyn voor die mense, dat hulle julle goeie werke kan sien en julle Vader wat in die hemele is, verheerlik.” - Matthew 5:16
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