The Deluded Heart

Text: Matthew 13:1-8 & 18-19

Place Preached - (Mississauga International Baptist Church)

Date Preached - (05/26/02)

Introduction:   

ILLUS: America (Canada too) – The land of opportunity.  You can be born in poverty and become a CEO or College President etc.  You can do great things!!   You have freedom

Let’s talk about our spiritual opportunities – And I want to emphasize that word Opportunity, as opposed to Rights.

We miss out on many opportunities.

They had great spiritual opportunities in Christ’s day yet…..

Briefly explain context found in vs.13-17

PRICIPLE vs.12

PROPHECY vs.14-15 (Isa 6:9-10)

Say what you want about Calvinism, There is a lot of Free Will here!!

Why is it that some do not or will not receive God’s truth? – While others do?

1). Not because a lack of seed sown (Should not be)

We pray that it would not be here!!

2). Not because of any deficiency of the seed.  SEE I Peter 1:23 Incorruptible Seed.

3). Not because of lack of education or intelligence.

4). Not because of lack of religious training or spiritual heritage.

5). It has everything to do with the Heart – Vs.15

Therefore Christ explains the parable of the soils (the various conditions of the heart.

NOTE: We are not called to be soil testers, but seed-sowers!!

This series on spiritual heart conditions is not preached with the intent that we would take upon ourselves the task of examining and determining the heart’s condition of everyone we know.

That does reveal itself…(in their reception of the Word)

But this series is preached with the two-fold purpose that….

1). We will examine and measure our own heart’s receptivity to the seed of God’s Word.

2). We will not be discouraged when the ministry of the Word (our efforts in gospel ministry) seem to be unfruitful.

Today we look at the first of four soil types or heart conditions.

I call this the Deluded or Deceived Heart.

It is the Wayside Soil – EXPLAIN vs.4 (The Hardened Path)

EXPLAIN the spiritual application from verse 19.

NOW, what is going on in the wayside soil (the Deluded Heart)?

There is something of….

I. Spiritual Significance

“Heareth the Word”  - That is significant!!

It is significant because it is ordained of God.

It is significant because of man’s opportunity.

It is sown “in his heart” vs.19

Any time an unsaved person will hear the word, it is a significant transaction that has taken place….

• In a personal witness.

• Attending a church service where the gospel message is proclaimed.

• Other form of a gospel witness.

Whenever the Word is sown – something happens. It is not a neutral experience!!

Anytime we as believers are exposed to God’s Word, there are eternal ramifications.

And we are accountable!!!

There is something of spiritual significance there regardless of the person’s response.

Now, if a person will come under the power of that truth, a marvelous transformation will take place.

ILLUS: Luther changed by Gal. 3:11 “The just shall live by faith”

ILLUS: Salvation of suicidal man – Kettle Falls, WA

It is not a neutral experience!!  That is why Satan is so quick to move.

Isaiah 55:11  So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.

Romans 1:16  For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.

2 Timothy 2:9  Wherein I suffer trouble, as an evil doer, even unto bonds; but the word of God is not bound.

There is something of….

II. Spiritual Ignorance

“Understandeth it not”

Is that not an plague today?  Are ignorance and apathy not at epidemic levels??

Lot’s of information and education, but little understanding, and little receptivity to the Word of God.

“Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools” Rom 1:21

Biblically speaking, what are some characteristics of Spiritual Ignorance??

A. Spiritual Ignorance is Natural

1 Corinthians 2:14  But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.

B. Spiritual Ignorance is Willful

2 Peter 3:5  For this they willingly are ignorant of, that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of the water and in the water:

C. Spiritual Ignorance is Prideful

Romans 10:3  For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God.

D. Spiritual Ignorance is Satanic

2 Corinthians 4:4  In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.

E. Spiritual Ignorance Can be Overcome

LOOK UP & READ Acts 8:26-31 (Comment)

There is something of….

III. Spiritual Wickedness

“Then cometh the wicked one” - Satan

Ephesians 6:12  For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

A. Satan as the Adversary

1. Active opposition to God’s Word.

“Catcheth away” – GREEK harpazo – to snatch or catch away (ie Rapture)  the idea is that of “forceful seizure”

“That which was (JUST) sown”

Satan's work is simultaneous with that of the gospel instructor. "While any one is hearing, the evil one is coming and snatching away”

Just as the birds do not wait for the sower to be out of the way, but are at work while he is sowing.

2. Inroads of opposition through our sinful nature.

3. Limited in his opposition.

Satan is powerful, but not all-powerful!  He can only operate within the parameters set by God.

B. Satan’s Limitations

Some things that Satan cannot touch…

1). The church that Christ is building.

Matthew 16:18  And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.

2). That which is hedged about and protected by His grace.

Job 1:10  Hast not thou made an hedge about him, and about his house, and about all that he hath on every side? thou hast blessed the work of his hands, and his substance is increased in the land.

3). The soul that is humbly surrendered and submitted to God’s will.

James 4:6-7  But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.

7  Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

C. Satan’s Opportunities

The devil will take advantage of every open door he is given

1 Peter 5:8  Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:

2 Timothy 2:26  And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.

1). In the world (Here he has almost free rein).

1 John 5:19  And we know that we are of God, and the whole world lieth in wickedness.

2). In a believer’s life.

Ephesians 4:27  Neither give place to the devil.

3). In religious institutions.

Whenever we see the symbolism of the bird, it is usually not a positive thing.

SEE Matthew 13:31-32

Revelation 18:2  And he cried mightily with a strong voice, saying, Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and is become the habitation of devils, and the hold of every foul spirit, and a cage of every unclean and hateful bird.

Conclusion:     (Review)

MAIN POINTS….

1). God’s Word give to us, provides for us many great opportunities of Spiritual Significance.

2). Sadly we squander these opportunities because of Spiritual Ignorance.

3). We may also miss these opportunities due to Spiritual Wickedness.