February 18, 2024, Matthew 13:3-23, "Good Seed, Good Ground, Good Fruit" (Full)

Matthew 13:13-15, the obstinate nation had a heart of stone as prophesied by Isaiah; they received the truth in the flesh and did understand it, but they rejected it the first time, and in the future they would receive the truth the 2nd time, have their hearts softened, look upon whom they pierced, and then finally understand and have the truth written in their hearts. There are messianic Jews today who have already accepted the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Luke 8:10, parables were given to teach, but the obstinate nation had already made up their minds; if they had understood, they would still not accept it, which was equivalent to not understanding at all

Matthew 13:3-13, the Holy Spirit became the sower at the day of Pentecost, and there were, there are, and will be different kinds of people who are given the opportunity to accept the truth that will set them free

Matthew 13:4, 19, the unresponsive listener (stiff-necked listener)
2 Corinthians 4:4, Matthew 13:19, the wicked one is mentioned here as an influencer or tempter over the unresponsive listener. The sin nature of fallen creation and man allows the tempter to tempt them (creation) to sin. However, that fallen angel is not omnipotent- he can only be in one place at one time. So what does that imply about the sinner?

Matthew 13:5-6, 20, the superficial listener
Matthew 7:26-27, 1 John 2:19, has had the word of God at some point and time, but never lived in it (because they were never saved and born again). They are vulnerable to every wonder and sign that confronts their senses of vision, hearing, feeling, tasting, and smelling.

Matthew 13:7, 22, the worldly listener
1 John 2:15-16, the love of the Father is not in them
James 4:4, they are unfaithful to God and go lusting after other things

Matthew 13:8, 23, the receptive listener
Galatians 5:22-26, has the fruits of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance
James 3:18, has the fruits of righteousness, which are sown in PEACE
1 Corinthians 6:18-20, is free from corruption: here in these verses, sexual immorality is described as a deep sin that destroys, not only the person's personal life, but everything around them
Psalm 1:2, rather, the receptive listener's delight is the LORD

Matthew 13:16-17, the privilege of receiving the mystery of the kingdom and understanding it, is a gift from God, if anyone will accept it

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