The Discouraged Heart

Text: Matthew 13:1-8 & 20-21

Place Preached - (Mississauga International Baptist Church)

Date Preached - (06/02/02)

Introduction:   

ILLUS: Would you cast aside something of great value because of a few discouragements?

EG. – Vehicle / Computer / Sports Championship / Marriage / Christian Life?

REVIEW of previous messages in this series:

• We are to be Sowers of the Seed – Scattering it everywhere.

• That seed will fall on a variety of soils.

• The soils represent various spiritual conditions of the heart as seen in the response to God’s Word.

• Some seed falls by the wayside. (Deluded or Deceived Heart)

• Although this is a transaction of spiritual significance the effect of the Word here is quickly extinguished because of spiritual ignorance and the spiritual wickedness of the adversary.

Today we look at the second soil. 

It is the Stony Ground vs.5-6 EXPLAIN

Spiritual application found in vs.20-21.

I call this the Discouraged Heart.

I call it the Discouraged Heart because there comes at time when this one is thinking – “The Christian life is not what I imagined it to be, it is more difficult and discouraging than I ever thought it would be.”

What are some characteristics of the Discouraged Heart?

I. The Discouraged Heart has an Initial Reception to the Word.

“he heareth….and….receiveth it” vs.20

There is more substance to his hearing than that of the deceived heart (Wayside Soil).

There is at least an intellectual understanding.  There is something appealing and attractive about the message for this one.

But there remain some problems even in his reception of the Word.

A. It is a sudden reception..

ANON – straightway, quickly.

He is a faddish or trendy listener.  A spiritual “bandwagon” jumper.

There is something attractive in the message for him, and he quickly begins to follow.

Acts 17:21  (For all the Athenians and strangers which were there spent their time in nothing else, but either to tell, or to hear some new thing.)

2 Timothy 4:3  For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;

Ephesians 4:14  That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;

B. It is an emotional reception.

“with joy”

From time to time we may be moved emotionally, yet nothing substantial changes in our life.

ILLUS: The Terrorist Attacks of 9/11

The renewed spiritual interest sparked by this tragedy has now all but fizzled.

C. It is a superficial reception.

“Not root in himself”

ILLUS: The difference between mushrooms and Oak trees.

What are we looking for in our lives?  Quick fixes or life-changing convictions?

Colossians 2:6-7   As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him:

7  Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving.

Hebrews 6:19  Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast, and which entereth into that within the veil;

We must remember that…

1). Salvation is not a decision of the head.

Not mere intellectual assent.  Although the intellect is involved.

Isaiah 1:18  Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.

2). Salvation is not a feeling-oriented decision.

Not an emotional experience – Though the feelings may be strongly involved.

3). Salvation is a deep-rooted transformation of the heart.  (Heart = control center of man).

Romans 8:8-10  So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.

9  But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.

10  ¶And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness.

One more problem with the Discouraged heart’s reception of the Word…

D. It is a short-lived reception.

“dureth for a while” – A LITTLE while (implied)

It is scorched by that noon-day’s sun.

Why is such reception of the Word so short lived?

II. The Discouraged Heart is filled with Misconceptions which ultimately become Objections. Vs.21

Those misconceptions are the stones in the stony ground.

ILLUS: Rocky soil or clay in gardens must be removed.

This individual had an idea or concept of the Christian life that ultimately did not match up with Scriptural model of Christianity.

When that reality dawned upon them they were “offended” vs.21

OFFENDED – From skandalizo , signifies "to put a snare or stumblingblock in the way,"

The truth, the harsh reality of certain aspects of the Christian life became a stumbling-block to them.

There are many misconceptions people have of the Christian life.  We will examine a few here.

A. The Christian Life is trouble-free

There is a prosperity teaching – Health & wealth gospel.

Name it & Claim it – Blab it & Grab it….

We don’t subscribe to that!!!

The Bible says…

2 Timothy 3:12  Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.

B. The Christian Life will cost me very little

The Bible says…

LOOK UP & READ Luke 14:26-27 & 33

C. The Christian Life will enhance my public image or reputation

The Bible says…

LOOK UP & READ I Cor. 4:9-13

D. The Christian Life is “Self-styled” religion

Restriction free living.   Liberty, Grace…. Do your own thing!!

“Burger King” religion.

Notice the Phrase – “Because of the Word” vs.21

Why are they offended? - “Because of the Word”

You see, the Christian life requires commitment, obedience, there is a price to be paid, there are some requirements!!

And where do we find those requirements?  - In the Word!!!

Conclusion:     (Review)

Here are a couple of questions:

How can we ourselves avoid superficial spiritual decisions – How can we keep from having a discouraged heart?

1. Develop a Berean attitude toward the Scriptures.

Acts 17:10  And the brethren immediately sent away Paul and Silas by night unto Berea: who coming thither went into the synagogue of the Jews.

2. Allow your heart to be governed by faith, not feelings.

3. Develop a Biblical perspective on trials and suffering.

The source – The purpose

Why does God allow them?

Are they common to man?

4. Become command-oriented rather than result-oriented (ie. The “Gimmick”)

How can we help remove the “Stones” – (objections and misconceptions) in the stony ground or Discouraged Heart?

1. Pray consistently for them.

2. Keep bringing them back to the Word.

You’ll never alleviate the objection by avoiding the source of the discouragement!!

3. Model Biblical principles of dealing with trials and suffering.

Help them see what the Christian life looks like in the tough times.

Patient / Not vengeful / Not Angry / Not Discouraged

“Have we trials and temptations?  Is there trouble anywhere?

We should never be discouraged, Take it to the Lord in prayer.

Can we find a friend so faithful, Who will all our sorrows share?

Jesus knows our every weakness, Take it to the Lord in prayer.”