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The Jews had “fat hearts” and had closed off their eyes and ears

Descrepancy between Isaiah and Acts?

Messenger typically serves to strengthen the people’s stubborness

The gospel sower can only do so much, it is up to the hearers to open their ears and eyes

Parable of the sower

Enemies of the Gospel:

Sadducees- Wealth/status

When we are doing well, it’s easier not to see the people who are not doing well (World)

Pharisees- complacency/comfort; wanting to keep things the way they are/always have been

When we are comfortable, we fail to see the problems our habits have created (Church)

Essenes- Self-righteousness/pride

When we are self-righteous, we cannot see the things we need to change in ourselves (Self)

Are we comfortable with the way the world is?

Are we comfortable with where our church is?

Are we comfortable with where we are?

Gospel Solutions:

Poverty- Give it all away, live generously, hold onto nothing

Justice- God’s kingdom places the poor and less powerful first. The least of these must become the greatest, and all must become servants

Repentance- The gospel calls us to acknowledge the ways we have failed, and to acknowledge how we fall short

The gospel takes everything away, which is painful. But in return, it offers something better:

A better world: peace and joy

A better community: equity and justice

A better self: true righteousness