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T h e
K i n g ’ s
B u s i n e s s
February 1930
stumble. Luke (8:13) has “ fall away.” V. 22. Among the thorns. This hearer receives the Word, but offers it soil that is preoccupied. Care o f the world (age). Worldly anxieties, or things that concern the present age, crowd out concern for and choice of the things o f the age to come. Such a professed disciple w a s Demás who “loved this present world” (2 Tim. 4:10; cf. LuJUe 14:16-20). Deceit fulness of. riches. This is not merely de ceitful riches (cf. “uncertainty o f riches,” 1 Tim. 6:17, R. V .), Riches deceive men by leading to dishonest practices, by rais ing false hopes, by drawing them into many snares. One may be harmed by de siring riches though never getting them (1 Tim. 6:9). Luke (8:14) adds “and pleasures o f this life”—always an accom paniment o f a lust for riches (cf. Luke 12:19). Choke the word. The verb is expressive. It is sometimes translated “drown” (cf. Luke 8:33, R. V .). Once it is translated “take by the throat” (Matt. 18:28), The worldly mind in the end completely stifles spiritual desires. Un fruitful. There may seem for a time to be some fruit in such a life, but it is not brought to maturity. V. 23. Good ground. This heart is not hardened by resistance, nor is it shallow, nor divided between love for God and love for the world. It has been plowed deep by the Holy Spirit’s conviction and cleansing. Heareth and understandeth. Mark (4:20) adds “and receive it.” Luke ( 8 :15) is even moré full—“in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep it.” Such hearts have no con scious objection or resistance to the Word. They hear, meditate and obey. Bring forth fruit. All other hearers failed, though some were promising for a time. The fruitful hearers had keen apprehension and glad acceptance of the truth, and strong endurance for the truth. All of these qualities are necessary for true success. There were varieties of fruitfulness. _ Perhaps we may draw the lesson that if our situation permits only thirtyfold of increase we may have equal reward with those more favorably placed, who gain one hundredfold. However, there should be with every disciple a holy ambition to bring forth fruit- one hun dredfold. What is there to hinder? * * * L esson Q uestions V. 1. What other events had occurred earlier in the day? Why did Jesus go to the seaside? Did He often teach in the open air ? V. 2. Why did the multitudes come? Was Jesus always as willing to teach one person as He was to address a crowd (cf. John 3:1, 2; 4:7) ? V. 3. What is a parable? Had Jesus employed this method o f teaching before (v. 10) ? Why did He use it now (vs. 10-13; Mark 4:11, 12)? Was Jesus a Sower? May we be sowers? V. 4. Why is the Word likened to a seed (Col. 1:5, 6 )? What kind of soil is first mentioned? What happened to the seed? Vs. 5, 6. What was the nature o f the stony ground? What caused the grain to. sprout quickly? What caused the grain to wither quickly? V. 7. Do thorns grow rapidly, without cultivation? How do they “choke” the grain ?
6. To those who are rooted deep, trials will be stepping stones, not stum bling stones. 7. “It is possible to be rich and not to be deceived; and to be in the world, and not to be choked with its cares.”-— Origen. . 8. The sower may be ever so faithful yet have little sign o f immediate results. Stephen’s sermon gained no converts that day, apparently, but drew a shower of stones. Yet if his death meant later the gaining of a Saul o f Tarsus, the results were great and glorious. 9. It is the sower’s privilege to go “ forth weeping, bearing precious seed.” If there were more weeping over-the lost, there would be more fruit, followed by more rejoicing. . 10. Some sinners look like Christians until they fail to show “ fruit.” 11. The second hearer was better than the first; the third, better than the sec ond-—but all failed in the final test. What advantage have you if you are not as bad as other men—-if-you are lost? 12. God will not be satisfied with thirtyfold fruitfulness in your life if you can make it one hundredfold. 13. Temptations to live for the present age come to all Christians; only those are choked” who choose* “this present world.” * , * * G olden T ext I llustration The venerable Dr. Gordon o f Temple University, Philadelphia, in a recent ser mon told the story of an infidel in New England who went to hear Whitefield preach in the open air. He was curious to see the crowds he drew, but he made up his mind not to listen to a word he said. Climbing a tree, this infidel put both hands over his ears-; but a fly alighted upon his face, and shaking the head would not budge it. As the man with drew his hand for an instant to brush the fly away, he heard Whitefield quoting Christ, He that hath ears to hear, let him hear." The Spirit o f God so con victed the man that he dared no longer refuse to listen, and he was saved. ♦ * * Hearers and Doers Matt. 13:1-9 Memory Verse : “ Be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only” (James 1 • 22).' ■ Approach.—How many of you, boys and girls, have ever planted a garden in the spring time? If any o f ,you live in the. country, I am sure you have. In
Helpful “Have been reading your dear magazine fo r several years and thoroughly enjoy it, so many of the articles have proven a real blessing to me, enjoy so much the daily readings and the S. S. in teaching Sunday school.’1 —V. D. T.
■ V. 8. What was the nature o f the good ground? How much fruit did it yield? How explain the various degrees o f fruit fulness ? Vs. 9, 18. Were the disciples under spe cial obligation to “hear” ? Did they have a special privilege, not appreciated by the Pharisees? Had the disciples asked for an explanation o f the parable? V. 19. Who are represented by the wayside hearers (cf. Luke 8:12)? Who takes away the seed sown in such hearts? How do people become wayside hearers? Can their hearts be changed? V. 20, Who are represented by the rocky-ground hearers? Do these hearers seem to begin well (Mark 4:16)? V. 21. Why are such hearers shallow? What causes them to stumble ? Is it necessary for any Christian to “ fall away” because o f tribulation? Have we New Testament illustrations of rocky ground hearers. (John 6:15, 22, 66)? V. 22. What happened to the seed in the third case ? What do thorns represent (cf. Mark 4:18, 19; Luke 8:14)? Could the thorns have been removed? What New Testament examples o f this kind of hearer can you recall (cf. Luke 10:41, 42; 14:18-20)? Can you find other similar warnings given by Jesus (cf. Luke 21:34, 35) ? V. 23. Who are represented here ? What made the ground good? Is the good soil all equally productive? Is fruitfulness, the real test of a Christian life? Are we to understand from this parable that only a small part o f the seed sown becomes fruitful (cf. Isa. 55:11; Psa. 126:6)? P ractical P oints 1. A place o f worship at the seaside under the open heaven is as sacred as the finest cathedral if the message of the Lord Jesus is given. 2. The Word of God is living; there fore it grows when implanted in the heart and conscience. 3. Hardness o f heart does not come in a day, but is caused by long-continued re sistance to truth. Today, an impression able child—after a while, unless the Gos pel is received, a rebellious and confirmed sinner. Therefore earnestly seek to bring your Sunday-school pupils to Jesus Christ. 4. Some enthusiasts “run well” for a season, like the Galatians o f whom Paul complained (Gal. 1:6, 7; 4:15; 5:7; 6:12), and like a certain scribe who had not counted the cost (Matt. 8:19). Lay aside the things that hinder and “run with pa tience” (H e b ,'12:1-3). - 5. If corn is to be grown, root up every other kind o f crop—good and bad. Many things that may seem harmless are dangerous if they crowd out of the life the highest things. Forsake .even the good and the better to gain the best.
choosing, the place for y o u r garden, you are a l w a y s careful to select a spot where the soil is good, are you not? ( C o n s i d e r other things t ha t make f o r success ful gardening.) One day the Lord Jesus went to the s e a s i d e and sat
down. This was the position o f a teacher, and the people, realizing that He was go ing to teach them, gathered about Him in great numbers. Indeed, so many came that- Jesus had to enter a ship and put out from the shore, for in this way all o f the
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