Luke 8:4-15

1. The first caution that we learn is to beware of the devil when we hear the Word.
2. The second caution that we learn is to beware of resting on mere temporary impressions when we have heard the word.
3. The third caution is to beware of the cares of this world.
4. The last caution is to beware of being content with any religion which does not bear FRUIT in our lives.

"The parable is preeminently a parable of caution, and caution about a most important subject--the way of hearing the word of God."

"But nowhere perhaps is the devil so active as in a congregation of Gospel-hearers. Nowhere does he labor so hard to stop the progress of that which is good, and to prevent men and women being saved. From him come wandering thoughts and roving imaginations--listless minds and dull memories--sleepy eyes and fidgety nerves, weary ears and distracted attention. In all these things Satan has a great hand."

"We may be warm admirers of favorite preachers, and yet remain nothing better than stony-ground hearers. Nothing should content us but a deep, humbling, self-mortifying work of the Holy Spirit, and a heart-union with Christ."

"The money, the pleasures, the daily business of the world, are so many traps to catch souls. Thousands of things, which in themselves are innocent, become, when followed to excess, little better than soul-poisons, and helps to hell. Open sin is not the only thing that ruins souls."

"Let us leave the parable with a deep sense of the danger and responsibility of all hearers of the Gospel. There are four ways in which we may hear, and of these four only one is right. There are three kinds of hearers whose souls are in imminent peril."

Questions:

1. Ryle says that Satan is very present in a congregation of Gospel-hearers. Does that surprise us? Are we suspicious of anything that would keep us from hearing and reading God’s Word?

2. Ryle says that emotions are good, but not deep enough for God’s intent for the Word. Are we content to only be filled with joy or tears to fill our eyes and nothing else?

3. It has been said elsewhere that ‘good things become bad things when they become god-things.’ What cares in this world, even good things, are trapping and poisoning our souls?

4. The question that must sit upon us is this: are we those who hear and do the Word of God? Does our hearing produce practical results in faith and practice?