Matt 13:1-9 (3)
Jesus was always ahead of His time. Even in our own day many do not seem to either accept or realize this truth., If we can understand this little picture lesson of the receptivity of the soils then we will be more likely to have a direct influence on those whom we are trying to win to Christ.
Not all people have the same level of interest concerning their salvation at a given time. They are at different points in their spiritual pilgrimage each day. This truth cannot be even limited to the four soils that Jesus described. He was not trying to limit the possibilities to four but was trying to teach a concept.
Due to varying circumstances, levels of training, understanding, emotional, psychological and spiritual concerns a person may be more willing to listen to the gospel at 9 a.m. on a given day than he will at 2 p.m. On the other hand his receptivity may wane again in a few hours and not return to the same level of interest for several days, weeks, or months. Knowing this we must seize the moment of opportunity to present the gospel when we see that someone is ready. We must continue to cultivate relationships with those who are not presently ready to come to Christ.
Dr. Gayle Woods
Acts 19:8-20
I stood looking at the large colorful poster on the store front. My emotions were mixed. My thoughts struggled with what I saw and read. On the poster was a picture of heavily muscled men. They wore little clothing. Their pose displayed confidence and strength. Around them were the various implements of weight lifting. My eyes dropped to the bottom of the poster and I read about this “Power Team.” They were going to be leading a service in a neighboring church. In this evangelistic service they promised to tear huge telephone books in half with their hands. They would strike a stack of cement blocks with their forearms and bust them in two. They would lift more weight than would seem humanly possible. They would give their testimony. I turned away from the poster musing. Why do we settle for what man can do? Why are we so amazed at the display of human strength when we can have so much more? Jesus promised that if we only obey Him that we could be the recipients of spiritual power that would dazzle the strongest he-man alive. So much rests upon our desire and our reaction. Why are our churches dry and spiritually weak? Why do we quake when the devil causes a stir in our community? We either do not believe God’s promise of power or we desire to continue to flirt with the world so much that we can never receive what God wishes to give to His people.
Dr. Gayle Woods
