{"id":2426,"date":"2022-04-19T19:11:41","date_gmt":"2022-04-19T19:11:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bethelmacclesfield.org.uk\/?page_id=2426"},"modified":"2022-04-28T19:26:21","modified_gmt":"2022-04-28T19:26:21","slug":"24-april-2022-the-parable-of-the-sower","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/bethelmacclesfield.org.uk\/?page_id=2426","title":{"rendered":"24 April 2022: The parable of the sower"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text alignwide is-stacked-on-mobile\" style=\"grid-template-columns:26% auto\"><figure class=\"wp-block-media-text__media\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"510\" height=\"340\" src=\"https:\/\/bethelmacclesfield.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/20220424.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2427 size-full\" srcset=\"https:\/\/bethelmacclesfield.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/20220424.jpg 510w, https:\/\/bethelmacclesfield.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/20220424-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/bethelmacclesfield.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/20220424-24x16.jpg 24w, https:\/\/bethelmacclesfield.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/20220424-36x24.jpg 36w, https:\/\/bethelmacclesfield.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/20220424-48x32.jpg 48w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 510px) 100vw, 510px\" \/><\/figure><div class=\"wp-block-media-text__content\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"block-090a7876-6b6f-475f-bd24-2fdf9d5343ad\"><strong>Bethel Baptist Church<br>Worship Service @ Home<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"block-090a7876-6b6f-475f-bd24-2fdf9d5343ad\"><strong>24 April 2022<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-layout-flex wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link has-black-color has-pale-cyan-blue-background-color has-text-color has-background\" href=\"https:\/\/bethelmacclesfield.org.uk\/?page_id=2418\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"15\" height=\"10\" class=\"wp-image-1006\" style=\"width: 15px;\" src=\"https:\/\/bethelmacclesfield.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/leftarrow.png\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/bethelmacclesfield.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/leftarrow.png 120w, https:\/\/bethelmacclesfield.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/leftarrow-24x16.png 24w, https:\/\/bethelmacclesfield.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/leftarrow-36x24.png 36w, https:\/\/bethelmacclesfield.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/leftarrow-48x32.png 48w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 15px) 100vw, 15px\" \/> <strong>Previous Service<\/strong><\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link has-black-color has-pale-cyan-blue-background-color has-text-color has-background\" href=\"https:\/\/bethelmacclesfield.org.uk\/?page_id=2434\"><strong>Next Service<\/strong> <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"15\" height=\"10\" class=\"wp-image-1007\" style=\"width: 15px;\" src=\"https:\/\/bethelmacclesfield.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/rightarrow.png\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/bethelmacclesfield.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/rightarrow.png 120w, https:\/\/bethelmacclesfield.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/rightarrow-24x16.png 24w, https:\/\/bethelmacclesfield.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/rightarrow-36x24.png 36w, https:\/\/bethelmacclesfield.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/rightarrow-48x32.png 48w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 15px) 100vw, 15px\" \/><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>Service available on Youtube, or as text (below), or for audio see the&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/bethelmacclesfield.org.uk\/?page_id=72\">Podcasts<\/a>&nbsp;page<em>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-4-3 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"24 April 2022: The parable of the sower\" width=\"1200\" height=\"900\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/vub2FXMory8?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Welcome<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Let\u2019s pray that we can love the Lord with all our hearts and our neighbours also!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Testimony<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\"><p>I saw the Lord, high and exalted \u2026 <em>&#8220;Woe to me!\u201d<\/em> I cried. <em>\u201cI am ruined! For I am a man of unclean lips and my eyes have seen the King, the Lord Almighty.\u201d<\/em><\/p><cite>Isaiah 6:1, 5<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Worship<\/strong><strong><\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-4-3 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Refiner&#039;s Fire (worship video w\/ lyrics)\" width=\"1200\" height=\"900\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/9Y8zP34AhuU?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Word<\/strong><strong><\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Please read:<\/strong><strong> <\/strong>Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23; Mark 4:1-20; Luke 8:4-15.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u2018<em>The parable of the Sower<\/em>\u2019, or as some entitle it \u2018<em>The parable of the soils<\/em>\u2019, is a parable to emphasize how important the spiritual state of our heart is. The parable seems to the most important, for Jesus stated,<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\"><p>\u201cDon\u2019t you understand this parable? How then will you understand any parable?\u201d<\/p><cite>Mark 4:13<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p>Some apply it to those who are not yet saved, and those who are on the point of being saved, yes, but also the truths herein can be applied to us throughout our walk with the Lord. We all have to keep a check on the state of our hearts, &#8211; are we allowing hardness to enter? sin to enter?, doubt? unbelief? and the like. We do well to keep at the forefront of our thinking the exhortation:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\"><p>Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life.<\/p><cite>Proverbs 4:23<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p>Above all else \u2013 means that this is the most important matter, our top priority because our heart is the place we connect with God, the place the Holy Spirit seeks to dwell within us. Why is it that in some places, or with some people there is a great reception to God\u2019s Word, whereas with others there is indifference, even downright hostility? The answer is here, the state of a person\u2019s heart. Jesus doesn\u2019t blame the Sower, or the Seed, rather it\u2019s the soil which he explains later on is a person\u2019s heart:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\"><p>This is the meaning of the parable: The seed is the word of God \u2026&nbsp; the seed on good soil stands for those with a noble and good <strong>heart<\/strong>, who hear the word, retain it, and by persevering produce a crop.<\/p><cite>Luke 8:11, 15<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p>Compare this to the state of other hearts, the hard heart,<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\"><p>Those along the path are the ones who hear, and then the devil comes and takes away the word from their <strong>hearts<\/strong>, so that they may not believe and be saved.<\/p><cite>Luke 8:12<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p>Then mention is made of hearts that are overcrowded with the cares of this life:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\"><p>The seed that fell among thorns stands for those who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by life\u2019s worries, riches and pleasures, and they do not mature.<\/p><cite>Luke 8:14<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p>And finally there are those who give the Lord a couple of hours a week, who say a quick prayer or two, now and again, and as a result their hearts are shallow,<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\"><p>Those on the rocky ground are the ones who receive the word with joy when they hear it, but they have no root. They believe for a while, but in the time of testing they fall away.<\/p><cite>Luke 8:13<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p>We have become good as a nation at blaming others:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>It\u2019s their fault<\/li><li>It\u2019s the Government\u2019s fault<\/li><li>It\u2019s my upbringing<\/li><li>It\u2019s my lack of money<\/li><li>It\u2019s because I have too much money!<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>There is no end to it. And yes some of these things will have undoubtedly have had a negative impact on us. However, it seems here in this parable that no excuses are permitted, and everyone is responsible for the state of their own heart. So everyone, as they face the Lord at His Judgement Seat will have nothing to protest, no defence, He is the Lord who sends His rain on the just and unjust alike; He is the Sower who has scattered His seed generously. The problem is with the human heart, <em>\u201cAt the heart of the problem is the problem of the human heart\u201d.<\/em> So let\u2019s have regular check ups on the state of our own hearts and let\u2019s keep sowing the seed and praying for all and sundry that their hearts become more and more responsive, Amen!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Quote of the week<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-background\" style=\"background-color:#fdf1d1\"><em>\u201cSee that your chief study be about your heart; that there God\u2019s image may be planted; that there His interests be advanced; that there the world and flesh are subdued; that there the love of every sin is cast out; that there the love of holiness grows.\u201d<br><\/em><br>Jonathan Edwards<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Verse of the week<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\"><p>You shall say to them, \u2018This is what the Sovereign Lord says. \u201cWhoever will listen let them listen, and whoever will refuse let them refuse; for they are a rebellious people\u201d&#8217;.<\/p><cite>Ezekiel 3:27<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Let\u2019s Pray<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Lord have mercy upon us; be gracious to us; prepare the soil of our hearts; remove hardness, fear, doubt, immorality, indifference; may we have the heart of Jesus. We pray the same for this nation who once knew you and was so close to you. Lord, we have drifted far-away from you. Restore us back to Yourself in Jesus Christ by the power of Your Spirit, Amen!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Service available on Youtube, or as text (below), or for audio see the&nbsp;Podcasts&nbsp;page. Welcome Let\u2019s pray that we can love the Lord with all our hearts and our neighbours also! Testimony I saw the Lord, high and exalted \u2026 &#8220;Woe to me!\u201d I cried. \u201cI am ruined! For I am a man of unclean lips &#8230; <a title=\"24 April 2022: The parable of the sower\" class=\"read-more\" href=\"https:\/\/bethelmacclesfield.org.uk\/?page_id=2426\" aria-label=\"Read more about 24 April 2022: The parable of the sower\">Read more<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-2426","page","type-page","status-publish"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/bethelmacclesfield.org.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/2426","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/bethelmacclesfield.org.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/bethelmacclesfield.org.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bethelmacclesfield.org.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bethelmacclesfield.org.uk\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=2426"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/bethelmacclesfield.org.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/2426\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2440,"href":"https:\/\/bethelmacclesfield.org.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/2426\/revisions\/2440"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/bethelmacclesfield.org.uk\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=2426"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}