Mark 4:16-17 (NKJV) These likewise are the ones sown on stony ground who, when they hear the word, immediately receive it with gladness; and they have no root in themselves, and so endure only for a time. Afterward, when tribulation or persecution arises for the word’s sake, immediately they stumble.
This stony ground is a place where there is a layer of limestone embedded in the ground or a field with rocks that has a thin layer of earth. The seed in the above passage was sown on the ground where the earth is shallow. Therefore, it cannot take root because there is no depth.
The Bible says that these people receive the Word with gladness in their hearts. These are the ones who are happy to receive what they perceive as a quick fix in their lives. They will attempt to try to apply the Word and expect a quick result, but they are not able to withstand the challenges that come their way.
The Word of God helps us to know God. We need to allow the Word that we have heard to take root in our hearts by meditating on it because it is the Word that gives substance to our faith. Faith is developed through a deep trust in God and His Word, and doesn’t work without a relationship with God. We need to know God by reading His Word, praying and being dependent on Him through living a consecrated life. We believe in the inspiration and the authority of the Word of God.
This passage acts as a warning to us that we should be watchful against the work of the devil, and be wise to know his schemes to steal the seed from us. The devil uses all kinds of tribulation, persecution, deceitfulness of riches and the desires of the world to uproot, steal or cause the Word to be unfruitful in our lives. Therefore, we have to be vigilant to ensure that he does not succeed.
There is tremendous power in the seed, but it can only germinate, grow, and take root under the right condition. If we realise that we belong to this category of being a stony ground, we will need to deal with this heart condition, because we don’t want to stumble, but to protect the Word in our hearts.
Remember, there will always be persecution and tribulation in our Christian walks. The devil is there to force us to give up our conviction on God’s Word by stealing it from our lives. Therefore, let us not be naïve! Do not be the person who is happy to be saved but unaware of the price of being a Christian. Let us be immovable in our conviction.
Sermon Series: Don’t Let It Be Stolen (Part 2)
不定的信心
马可福音4：16-17那撒在石头地上的，就是人听了道，立刻欢喜领受。但他心里没有根，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。
这石头地是指下面有一层石灰石或是岩石的地，上面有一层薄土。上述经文中的种子被播种在土层很浅的地里。那么它就不能生根，因为没有深度。
圣经说，这些人欢喜领受这道。这些人乐于接受他们认为可以一蹴而就地解决他们生命中的问题的道，也会尝试应用这道，并期望得到即时的结果，但他们可能无法经受住生命中即将到来的挑战。
神的话帮助我们认识神。我们要藉着默想让所听到的话语在自己的心中生根，因为给予我们的信心以实底的正是那道。信心是通过对神和衪的话语的深度信任形成的，没有与神的关系，信就不会起效。我们要藉着阅读圣经、祷告来认识神，并藉着活出一个分别为圣的生命来依赖神。我们相信圣经的启示和权威。
这段经文是一个警告，要我们警惕魔鬼的工作，所以，我们当保持警惕，要看透魔鬼试图从我们心中把种子偷走的各种计谋。魔鬼利用各种苦难、逼迫、钱财的迷惑和世界的私欲，想把真道从我们的生命中连根拔起、偷走或致使这道不能在我们的生命中结出果子。所以我们必须保持警惕确保魔鬼不会得逞。
种子里面蕴含无穷的能力，但唯有在适宜条件下方能发芽成长并扎根。假如我们意识到自己属于石头地，就需要处理自己内心的这种状况。因为我们不想失足，我们想要保护我们心里的道。
记得在基督徒的生命中总会有逼迫和苦难。魔鬼藉着从我们的生命中偷走神的话语，好迫使我们放弃对神的话语的信念。所以不要太天真！不要作那个虽欢欢喜喜得了救赎，却稀里糊涂不晓得作基督徒所要付出之代价的人。让我们稳固扎根，坚守信念。
讲章系列：别让种子被偷走（第二部分）
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