Evangelism on SermonAudio

Study in the 1689 Second London Baptist Confession of Faith

The sermon examines the selection of Saul as Israel's first king to illustrate the danger of prioritizing outward appearance over inward godliness. It highlights Saul's physical stature and the people's desire for a visible, majestic leader, contrasting this with his lack of spiritual knowledge and reverence for God.

1. The Covenantal Gathering 2. The Covenantal Life 3. The Covenantal Blessing

Jesus is making a change of focus that results from a judicial act of judgment against Israel. They have refused to listen and respond to His calls for and invitations to salvation. Now, He is acting on God's warnings that though they see, they would not see truly, and though they hear, they would not understand. The understanding of the parables is limited to those who believe...at this point, the disciples. The point of this parable revolves around the seed (gospel message) and the hearer's hearts (soil). The sower is not Jesus, in this case. Rather, it is anyone who is sowing (preaching) the gospel message. The quality of the preaching is not at issue here. Rather, it is the condition of the hearts of those who hear. Today's message focuses upon those who initially receive the seed/gospel with joy and whose lives seem to quickly sprout and show signs of growth. But they quickly lose the signs of a maturing faith. Were they emotionally seduced into faith but then awaken to find they don't want to actually put their effort into trusting Christ alone. Or maybe they did it to make someone think they were a believer now. Or, maybe their profession of faith was insincere so that they could tell someone "I tried it and it didn't change anything." Whatever the reason for their initial acceptance, there is no lasting fruit to show that they were truly of the faith. The condition of their heart was unable to accept the gospel and put their trust in Jesus Christ.