Get the.Word In, Then Live It Out

By Edd Sterchi   In the Parable of the Sower, Jesus tells of the sowing of the seed, which is the word of God. The seed falls on various types of soil, which are people’s hearts. You can read the parable and Jesus’ explanations in Matthew 13:3-9, 18-23; Mark 4:3-9, 13-20; and Luke 8:4-8, 11-15. With the exception of the hard soil, all of the soils received the seed and plants started to grow. But only the good soil produced a crop. Combining all three gospel accounts reveals something interesting concerning what should be done after receiving the seed to insure success: * “he who hears the word and understands it” (Matthew 13:23) * “those who hear the word, accept it” (Mark 4:20) * “having heard the word...keep it” (Luke 8:15)   Thus, if we are to bear fruit for the Lord, then we must not only hear the word, but we must understand it, accept it, and keep it active in our lives. We must read, comprehend, believe, and obey the word of God. It is then we will grow and be productive in God’s vineyard.

- Edd Sterchi preaches for the Broadway Church of Christ in Campbellsville, KY. He may be contacted through the congregation's website: http://www.broadwaychurchofchrist.net/