0218-Grow Deep Roots 向深处扎根成长

Matthew 13:20-21 Some fell on stony places, where they did not have much earth; and they immediately sprang up because they had no depth of earth. But when the sun was up they were scorched, and because they had no root they withered away. But he who received the seed on stony places, this is he who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy; yet he has no root in himself, but endures only for a while. For when tribulation or persecution arises because of the word, immediately he stumbles.In this parable, Jesus described some seeds that fell upon stony places. Palestine had a lot of rocks, where the soil above was often just a thin layer. Without adequate soil to grow roots, such seeds would wither away easily. This suggests the kind of enthusiastic response we often see in new church goers who seem very excited to hear the Word of God, but a few months later, that enthusiasm would be gone.

One of the devil’s tactics is to put affliction and tribulation in your path to steal the Word from you and to pressurize you into giving up—sifting your faith as he tried to do to Peter. He wants you to stumble, be offended by the circumstances and to think that God gave you the affliction and tribulation. Because man is used to “seeing is believing”, you may encounter circumstances contrary to what you are believing. However, the Bible says it is through faith and patience that we inherit the promises of God. Faith is the substance of things hope for, the evidence of things not seen. Therefore, the way to overcome the devil is to hold on to our faith. Your conviction of the truth and the character of God is the root that holds you down firmly, and it has to be stronger in order to overcome the affliction and tribulation!

Psalm 1:2-3 But his delight is in the law of the Lord, And in His law he meditates day and night. He shall be like a tree Planted by the rivers of water, That brings forth its fruit in its season, Whose leaf also shall not wither; And whatever he does shall prosper.

If you fall into this category, know that persecution and pressure come because they are the devil’s tactics against you. Lift your eyes from the circumstances and stand on the Word of God and His character! Refuse to be offended but press into God and His Word because it is the Word that will lead you out of the wilderness and cause you to triumph in life!

Sermon Series: Breaking Free – What Jesus Want Us to Know


向深处扎根成长

馬 太 福 音 13:20-21 撒 在 石 头 地 上 的 , 就 是 人 听 了 道 , 当 下 欢 喜 领 受。 只 因 心 里 没 有 根 , 不 过 是 暂 时 的 , 及 至 为 道 遭 了 患 难 , 或 是 受 了 逼 迫 , 立 刻 就 跌 倒 了 。

在这则寓言里,耶稣描绘了一些落在石头地上的种子。巴勒斯坦有许多石头,上面往往只有一层薄薄的土。没有足够的土壤让根部生长,这些种子轻易就干瘪了。这象征了我们在新去教会的人身上所看到的那种热情,他们听到神的话语很激动,但是几个月后,这种热情就消失了。

魔鬼的招数之一就是把痛苦和患难放在你的路上,以便从你那里偷走神的话,并且逼迫你直到让你放弃 – 牠像曾经对彼得那样地来筛你的信心。他想把你绊倒,被环境冒犯而认为是神给了你这些痛苦和患难。因为人类习惯了“眼见为实”,你可能遇到和你信仰相反的环境。但是,圣经说我们通过信心和耐心继承神的应许。信心是对未见之事的確据,所盼之事的实底。因此,胜过魔鬼的方法是抓住信心。你对真理和神品格的坚信是让你坚立的根基,为了胜过痛苦和患难,它必须越来越强。

詩 篇 1:2-3 惟 喜 爱 耶 和 华 的 律 法 , 昼 夜 思 想 , 这 人 便 为 有 福 !他 要 像 一 棵 树 栽 在 溪 水 旁 , 按 时 候 结 果 子 , 叶 子 也 不 枯 乾 。 凡 他 所 做 的 尽 都 顺 利。

如果你是这类人,知道逼迫和压力的到来是魔鬼用来对抗你的招数。你要把目光从环境上挪开,站立在神的话语和祂的品格上!拒绝被冒犯,而是来到神的同在和他的话语里,因为神的话语将把你从旷野里领出来,让你过得胜的生活!

讲章系列:挣脱得自由 – 什么是耶稣想让我们明白的