The Garden Within (Part 2)
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Help I’m Choking
Help I’m Choking
“ A seed is a living plant in a dormant state. The seed waiting to release the tiny plant tucked inside of it doesn’t need to be planted to come to life. A seed is not dead; it is only sleeping. When the seed awakens, things start moving in the soil. The seed pulls air and water from the ground into itself, swelling larger and larger until it breaks open. That moment is called germination.
As for what was sown among thorns, this is the one who hears the word, but the cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and it proves unfruitful.
Fruit is a visible manifestation.
The fruit of the Spirit is about a transformation that occurs from within as one grows in their faith and relationship with God.
Fruit = Product
Remember the seed is the word of God…
Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God.
The fruit is produced because of a seed…
“Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. You will recognize them by their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? So, every healthy tree bears good fruit, but the diseased tree bears bad fruit. A healthy tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a diseased tree bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus you will recognize them by their fruits.
The key to producing good fruit is revealed by Jesus…
As for what was sown on good soil, this is the one who hears the word and understands it. He indeed bears fruit and yields, in one case a hundredfold, in another sixty, and in another thirty.”
Good soil are those who…
Hear the word + Understands it
Understand: to know and comprehend the nature or meaning of.
"understanding" means much more than just intellectual comprehension of the Word.
Understanding implies a spiritual awakening or insight that enables us to grasp the deeper truths of God's Word.
(Personal Application) Understanding involves applying the Word to one's own life.
Understanding leads to transformation
But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.
(Heartfelt Acceptance) Understanding signifies a receptive and open heart.
The Word of God flourishes in a heart that is receptive and willing to embrace its teachings wholeheartedly.
(Lasting Change) Understanding produces spiritual change and growth. It's evidenced by the bearing of fruit
Understanding God’s word produces a life that visibly reflects the teachings of the Bible.
Visible manifestation of an inward transformation:
Dr. Phillips said this… “In your heart, the moment a word-seed germinates is called belief.”
This is how the fruit is produced”
Love
Joy
Peace
Patience
Kindness
Goodness
Faithfulness
Gentleness
Self-control
A major problem for a believer being productive is also revealed by Jesus.
As for what was sown among thorns, this is the one who hears the word, but the cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and it proves unfruitful.
It’s when the word is sown among thorns…
You hear the word....
But… (The Contrast)
“The cares of the world”
Cares: Care / Anxiety / Worry (Concern)
“ World”
Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world.
World represents a system of values, priorities, and practices that are at odds with God's will and teachings.
System Contrary to God's Values: The "world" represents a mindset or system that operates contrary to God's principles and instructions.
Selfishness Vs. Selflessness
Pride Vs. Humility
Hate Vs. Love
Marriage
Relationships
Cultural and Social Norms Against God’s Teachings: "World" can mean the prevailing cultural and social norms that are in conflict with the word of God.
This includes societal values and lifestyles that promote or glorify behavior contrary to biblical morality.
Human-Centric Viewpoints: encompasses viewpoints and philosophies that prioritize human wisdom and desires over divine guidance.
Pursuit of Power and Status: The "world" includes the pursuit of power, fame, and status, which often leads to arrogance and a sense of self-sufficiency apart from God.
Desires of the flesh
Desires of the eyes
The pride of Life
“The deceitfulness of riches”
Deceitfulness: deception (act) n. — causing someone to believe an untruth.
The deceitfulness of riches, lies in its ability to divert attention and trust away from God and spiritual matters, leading to a misplaced sense of security, fulfillment, and purpose in material wealth.
When my desire is my foundation it causes my perception to produce deception.
Jesus said the reason why you are “unfruitful” is because your choking!
Choking: to inhibit ⇔ choke v. — to inhibit the action, function, or development of something (entirely); conceived of as choking someone to deprive them of life.
My desire is inhibiting my development!
It’s the fight of my life....
Remember seeds need oxygen…
Help I’m Choking
I’m hearing the word but my desire is choking it…
This is why I’m unfruitful or producing bad fruit.
I have to move from hearing to doing…
In order to be good soil… In order to be productive… In order to develop…
I have to understand....
So whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin.
Acting on God’s words denies myself of my desire/will and acknowledges God’s will is what is perfect and right for my life.
But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like. But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing.
“Hearing the word only”
It’s like looking at yourself in the mirror and forgetting what he looks like…
“A doer who acts”
The one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty.
Look: to examine ⇔ to stoop to look v. — to examine, conceived of as exerting effort to see something (not in the line of sight) by bending or stooping down.
It takes effort…
Perfect law - perfect adj. — being complete of its kind and without defect or blemish.
Law of Liberty - liberty n. — personal freedom from servitude, confinement, or oppression.
And perseveres
Perseveres: to stay (continue) v. — to continue in a place, position, or situation.
Will cause be to produce good fruit…
And I am blessed
Blessed adj. — characterized by happiness and being highly favored (as by divine grace).