Focus on the Sower

Jul 16, 2017 | by Pastor Penny | series: (All)

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July 16, 2017. In today’s Gospel reading from Matthew 13, Jesus tells a parable to help his followers understand why many people rejected his teachings. The sower in the story spreads seeds on the path, on rocky ground, among thorns, and on good soil. Pastor Penny wants us to focus on the sower in her sermon today. He was wasteful, foolish, and a risk-taker — like parents are out of love for their children, and like God is with us.

*** [Keywords: 2017 Bible class Bible study God showers us with gifts Gospel Greek family Heavenly parent Jesus Kingdom of Heaven Matthew 13:1-9 My Big Fat Greek Wedding movie Pastor Penny Holste Toula accept our love all at once all four kinds of soil asks us to repent begins in this life boisterous Greek family brings us joy business of life buy something cares of the world cast off not long after chairman of congregation child wants come to take teaching positions created beautiful world culture clash describes deserve our love didn’t come dinner did not go well disposal early in the morning encroaching on that time every Sunday excited experience the Kingdom of God extended Greek family extends throughout eternity fiancée focus on the sower following through foolish four ways from another state gift from God given of the Spirit go to counseling good soil grateful great spiritual growth have coffee with lonely person hearts are like rocky soil help Jesus’ followers understand immigrants impatient integral to congregation invited them to come joy of the Kingdom kept coming like what parents do looking at other people love as God loves love lavishly loving cultures loving us lures of wealth man off his back many people rejected his words more money to charity or church more responsibility more than what happens after we die most superior lifestyle neither was superior new couple in church nice quiet intimate evening not a good farmer not enough money not enough time not the one opportunities originally intended our hearts are open parables parents are wasteful out of love parents meet path patronize new store people may not want our love persist picture of God picture of Kingdom potty train prejudiced promise our family promotion prophets push away those fears quiet polite proper people quiet time receive word seed in different ways resentful risk-taker seed dies seed falls on our hearts seed never puts down roots seed takes root seeds take root sends us amazing experiences sent us son to die sermon seven different stories small town smile on face so glad he came so is God some people in his day rejected his teachings speaking in Greek spend less time at work start a good thing start to feel uncomfortable stones stubborn take risks thanked him that’s not the point thorns thorny tone of irritation umpteenth invitation understand beautiful concept understand it upgrading our electronics was irritated waste food waste money waste time watched for them way of life way of living we become more like the farmer we pray we resist we stop we quit whenever we do something loving for someone else whether they receive it]

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