Clearing Thorns: Embracing Intentional Spiritual Growth
Summary
In today's gathering, we explored the profound truths found in the parable of the sower from Matthew 13, focusing on the seeds that fell among thorns. This parable serves as a powerful reminder of how the cares of this world and the deceitfulness of riches can choke the word of God, rendering it unfruitful in our lives. It's not always the grand, overt challenges that hinder our spiritual growth, but often the mundane, everyday concerns that subtly creep in and stifle our fruitfulness. We must be vigilant, constantly clearing the thorns from our lives to ensure that we remain fruitful and effective in our walk with God.
We also delved into the story of Jonah, a narrative that is often remembered for the great fish but is truly about God's relentless pursuit to redeem His people. Jonah's reluctance and eventual obedience highlight the lengths to which God will go to reach those He loves. This story challenges us to recognize the value God places on every soul and the responsibility we have to carry on the ministry of reconciliation. Just as God invested in the people of Nineveh, we are called to invest in those around us, particularly the younger generation, who are at a critical juncture in their lives.
The message also emphasized the importance of intentionality in our spiritual lives. We cannot afford to be passive, assuming that fruitfulness will happen on its own. Instead, we must actively engage in the work of the kingdom, reaching out to those in need, and nurturing the seeds of faith in others. This requires a commitment to clear the thorns daily and to prioritize the things of God over the distractions of the world.
Finally, we were reminded of the call to feed God's lambs, as Jesus instructed Peter. This is a call to action, urging us to care for and nurture those who are spiritually young or vulnerable. It is a reminder that our work is not done until we have reached out to the one, leaving the ninety-nine to ensure that no one is left behind.
Key Takeaways:
1. The Subtlety of Thorns: The parable of the sower teaches us that the thorns in our lives are often the ordinary cares and concerns that can choke the word of God. We must be vigilant in identifying and removing these distractions to remain fruitful in our spiritual journey. [42:49]
2. God's Relentless Pursuit: Jonah's story is a testament to God's unwavering commitment to redeem His people. Despite Jonah's reluctance, God used him to bring about repentance in Nineveh, demonstrating that no one is beyond God's reach. We are called to be vessels of this same reconciliation. [49:47]
3. Intentional Fruitfulness: Spiritual fruitfulness requires intentionality. We must actively clear the thorns from our lives and prioritize God's kingdom work. This involves daily decisions to focus on what truly matters and to invest in the lives of others. [52:41]
4. The Ministry of Reconciliation: We have been entrusted with the ministry of reconciliation, a responsibility to reach out to those who are lost or struggling. This involves investing in the younger generation and being a source of guidance and support. [01:08:35]
5. Feeding God's Lambs: Jesus' instruction to Peter to feed His lambs is a call to care for those who are spiritually young or vulnerable. It is a reminder that our work is not complete until we have reached out to the one, ensuring that no one is left behind. [01:19:40]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [40:23] - Opening Prayer
- [42:49] - The Parable of the Sower
- [49:47] - Jonah's Reluctance and God's Pursuit
- [52:41] - Intentional Fruitfulness
- [59:34] - Jonah's Comfort and God's Lesson
- [01:01:00] - God's Investment in People
- [01:04:02] - The Real Story of Jonah
- [01:08:35] - The Ministry of Reconciliation
- [01:13:43] - The Value of the One
- [01:17:27] - Jesus' Call to Peter
- [01:19:40] - Feeding God's Lambs
- [01:23:51] - Caring for Our Neighbors
- [01:26:22] - Prayer for the Next Generation
- [01:30:04] - Closing Prayer
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
1. Matthew 13:7, 22 - The Parable of the Sower
2. Jonah 1:1-3 - Jonah's Reluctance
3. John 21:15-17 - Jesus' Call to Peter
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Observation Questions:
1. In the parable of the sower, what are the thorns that choke the word of God, and how do they affect spiritual growth? [42:49]
2. How did Jonah initially respond to God's command to go to Nineveh, and what does this reveal about his character? [49:47]
3. What was Jesus' instruction to Peter after His resurrection, and why was it repeated three times? [01:19:40]
4. How does the sermon describe the everyday challenges that can become thorns in our spiritual lives? [42:49]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. What does the parable of the sower suggest about the importance of being vigilant in our spiritual lives? How can ordinary life become a hindrance to our faith? [42:49]
2. In what ways does Jonah's story illustrate God's relentless pursuit of His people, and how does this challenge our understanding of God's grace? [01:04:02]
3. How does Jesus' repeated question to Peter about loving Him relate to the responsibility of caring for others in the faith community? [01:19:40]
4. What does the sermon suggest about the role of intentionality in achieving spiritual fruitfulness, and how can this be applied in our daily lives? [52:41]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your own life: Are there any "thorns" or distractions that are currently hindering your spiritual growth? What steps can you take to address them this week? [42:49]
2. Consider a time when you, like Jonah, resisted God's call. What was the outcome, and how can you be more open to God's direction in the future? [49:47]
3. Jesus asked Peter to "feed His lambs." Who in your life might be spiritually young or vulnerable, and how can you support them this week? [01:19:40]
4. The sermon emphasized the importance of investing in the younger generation. Identify one young person in your community or church. How can you invest in their spiritual growth this month? [01:08:35]
5. How can you be more intentional about your spiritual fruitfulness? What daily practices can you implement to prioritize God's kingdom work over worldly distractions? [52:41]
6. Reflect on the concept of the ministry of reconciliation. Is there someone in your life with whom you need to reconcile? What steps can you take to initiate that process? [01:08:35]
7. Think about a time when you felt God's relentless pursuit in your life. How can you share that experience with someone who might be struggling with their faith? [01:04:02]
Devotional
Day 1: The Subtlety of Everyday Thorns
In the parable of the sower, the seeds that fell among thorns represent the word of God being choked by the cares of this world and the deceitfulness of riches. These thorns are not always obvious; they often manifest as the mundane concerns and distractions that subtly infiltrate our lives. To remain spiritually fruitful, we must be vigilant in identifying and removing these distractions. This requires a conscious effort to prioritize our spiritual growth over the temporary concerns of daily life. By doing so, we create an environment where the word of God can thrive and produce fruit. [42:49]
"And as for what fell among the thorns, they are those who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by the cares and riches and pleasures of life, and their fruit does not mature." (Luke 8:14, ESV)
Reflection: What are the specific "thorns" in your life that are currently hindering your spiritual growth, and how can you begin to remove them today?
Day 2: God's Relentless Pursuit of Redemption
The story of Jonah is a powerful testament to God's unwavering commitment to redeem His people. Despite Jonah's reluctance, God used him to bring about repentance in Nineveh, demonstrating that no one is beyond God's reach. This narrative challenges us to recognize the immense value God places on every soul and the responsibility we have to be vessels of reconciliation. We are called to carry on this ministry, reaching out to those who are lost or struggling, just as God pursued the people of Nineveh. [49:47]
"For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost." (Luke 19:10, ESV)
Reflection: Who in your life might God be calling you to reach out to with His message of reconciliation, and what steps can you take to do so this week?
Day 3: Intentional Fruitfulness in Spiritual Life
Spiritual fruitfulness does not happen by accident; it requires intentionality and effort. We must actively engage in the work of the kingdom, making daily decisions to focus on what truly matters. This involves clearing the thorns from our lives and prioritizing God's kingdom work over worldly distractions. By nurturing the seeds of faith in ourselves and others, we can ensure that our spiritual lives are productive and aligned with God's purposes. [52:41]
"Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me." (John 15:4, ESV)
Reflection: What specific actions can you take today to intentionally nurture your spiritual growth and the growth of those around you?
Day 4: Embracing the Ministry of Reconciliation
We have been entrusted with the ministry of reconciliation, a profound responsibility to reach out to those who are lost or struggling. This involves investing in the younger generation and being a source of guidance and support. By embracing this ministry, we can help others experience the transformative power of God's love and grace. It is a call to action, urging us to be proactive in our efforts to reconcile others to God. [01:08:35]
"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation." (2 Corinthians 5:17-18, ESV)
Reflection: How can you actively participate in the ministry of reconciliation in your community, and who might you need to reach out to today?
Day 5: Feeding God's Lambs with Care and Compassion
Jesus' instruction to Peter to feed His lambs is a call to care for those who are spiritually young or vulnerable. It is a reminder that our work is not complete until we have reached out to the one, ensuring that no one is left behind. This requires a commitment to nurture and support those who are in need, providing them with the spiritual nourishment they require to grow in their faith. [01:19:40]
"Take care of my sheep," Jesus said. "Feed my lambs." (John 21:15, ESV)
Reflection: Who in your life is spiritually young or vulnerable, and how can you provide them with the care and support they need to grow in their faith today?
Quotes
"A pleasant good morning to the household of faith. It is always a pleasure to be able to say that. Just that line, I always say it's a pleasure because we wouldn't always have that pleasure. I mean, not everybody has the honor of gathering with like-minded believers." [00:37:50] (30 seconds)
"Lord, not just to see what is wrong and leave it like the man who looks in the mirror and turns away. Father, but as we would look into your word, help us to apply it to our lives. Help us to effect change in our own circumstance, in our family, in our neighborhood, in our church, in our situation, dear God." [00:39:47] (20 seconds)
"And the thorns sprung up and choked them. Now, I have the experience. I guess experience is not unfortunate. It's just unfortunate that it wasn't successful. But I have the experience of being involved in agriculture. And if anybody has ever delved into that area, you know that, you see weeds? Weeds don't flavor." [00:42:13] (35 seconds)
"thing that could happen to a garden now you wish a crop would grow as good as the weeds weeds like they have their own natural built-in steroids that's it you can leave a place clean today and come back and you see full-grown vine with children it's amazing and when you take your time and you plant and you give all the nutrients to your plant and then that weeds come and just kill it I remember we planted some trees well baby trees and it was so bad when we came back we couldn't even find the trees now we'd like it use the tree for sustenance I can just eat the tree all we eat the tree to eat the tree all right but some fell amongst the thorns and this we're talking about here they're talking about just the normal weeds some fell amongst the thorns and they were choked to death and this parable we look at in verse 22 Christ was given Christ give them the revelation Christ gave them the meaning of this parable and he says in verse 22 he that also he also that receives seed among the thorns is he that here at the wood to regain the wood either which way we gain the wood stony ground thorns we get in the wood we here at the wood and the care of this world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the wood and he become it unfruitful now it's easy to think that you know the thorns were demonic forces thorns are real challenges of the devil the devil got the devil busy" [00:42:52] (129 seconds)
"the devil have it out for me I do something good in church so the devil get vexed and so the devil coming at me and he bringing thorns that's not what the bible says the thorns are you see what the thorns are the cares of this world the deceitfulness of riches you know the cares of this world you know what you know hurt me that the cares of this world just ordinary life there's ordinary life not even ministry problems just ordinary life" [00:45:02] (39 seconds)
"nobody doing obia I know it's not obia just ordinary life choking the word of God from your life so that you you then become unfruitful and that's what it says unfruitful and if it is that we are to build our church church of God this church we need to be a fruit fruit is important and the Bible says that ordinary life ordinary life could kill your fruits and to me that is so amazing because you could do nothing wrong just live in your life doing what you think you're supposed to be doing and become unfruitful because you're not aware of of the thorns of the thorns and thorns have a way trust me weeds have a way of coming when you think you're good you just clear your life you just clear this spot you just clear this portion that you can bear fruit I mean everybody here wants to bear fruit right" [00:45:43] (86 seconds)
"And as the Bible says, the Bible says, the thorns, just everyday life. And it's like, every day. Every day. So that means that you have to be clearing thorns every day. You have to be making provisions to be fruitful every day. You have to be intentional about your fruitfulness because it doesn't just happen." [00:48:53] (26 seconds)
"And Jonah chapter 1. And I want to, I'm just going to do a little summary. Because I understand that most people would know the story. But Sunday school isn't as popular as it was when I was, when I was small. Let me say that. When I was short, Sunday school was popular. But now, Sunday school is not as popular as it is. So the story of Jonah. And the story, Jonah chapter 1. And he says, Now the word of the Lord came to Jonah, the son of Amittai, saying, Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and cry against it, for the wickedness is come up before me." [00:48:53] (48 seconds)
"And again, the Bible says, from the presence of the Lord. Not very bright. Now, we kind of know the story of Jonah. So I'm not going to read the whole book. And we know that, you know, Jonah, after three days of convincing, after spending some time reflecting, I should say, in solitude, after his good friends that he went on the boat with, threw him over, say, boy, you're dead, you're bringing blight on this boat here. Hmm. All right. Jonah reflected, and he changed his mind. And Jonah went to Nineveh, and he preached up a storm, brimstone and fire. The whole city repented." [00:50:10] (52 seconds)
"God would choose a man that didn't like him. that doesn't want to go. He will turn his life around to make sure that you hear the message. Because you are precious. but her the especially as a knowing Thank you." [01:04:02] (16 seconds)
"and if you understand he had to come down from the throne because the prophets couldn't do it so alright if all you didn't make it my turn if they want to listen to you they will listen to me and he was in Christ reconciling the world to himself and he gave us the ministry of reconciliation he says you know what I did all that I could do I'm going to pass it down to you now so that you finish it finish the world reach my people that is so important to me" [01:05:32] (42 seconds)
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