Seeds by the Wayside (pt 2)

Mark 4:3, 5-6 "Listen! Behold, a sower went forth to sow.... Other seed fell on rocky ground, where it did not have much soil, and immediately it sprang up, since it had no depth of soil. And when the sun rose, it was scorched, and since it had no root, it withered away." (ESV)

I think we all have been this seed at various times, haven't we? Let's look at Jesus's explanation, then do some introspection. Mark 4:16-17 "And these are the ones sown on rocky ground: the ones who, when they hear the word, immediately receive it with joy. And they have no root in themselves, but endure for a while; then, when tribulation or persecution arises on account of the word, immediately they fall away."

I think as young Christians, this is a more likely scenario, but it still exists in people who claim to have been following Christ for years. These are Christians who are Sunday Morning Believers. At church they enjoy shaking hands, talking sports. The love to sip coffee in the fellowship hall, sing songs during worship. But the moment service is over and they step out into the parking lot, they put all that aside. Church is for church.

Jesus says in the passage, that these are the one's who receive the word with joy, at least until it gets hard. They have no depth to their worship, no growth in their spiritual life. They love that God loves them, that Jesus cared enough to die for them, but are they really supposed to be freak about it? I mean, they may get made fun of for that, they may even lose some friends. No, that's okay. "I don't think I need to shove my beliefs down someone else's throat." Ever use that logic?

The thing is, God does expect us to reach out, spread the word. Remember the Great Commission? Mark 16:15 "Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation." (ESV) It doesn't say, unless you're shy, embarrassed, or unless it gets tough. It says 'Go.'

Remember that excitement upon receiving Christ? Remember the warmth, the joy? Everything made sense, you felt the love of God like never before. You felt whole. Why would you keep that to yourself? God wants to save the whole world, but He uses us to do that. God's army, Believers, are His messengers of Truth. And His Army doesn't have any Secret Agents, no Spec-Ops.

Christ warns us in Mark 8:38 "For whoever is ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him will the Son of Man also be ashamed when he comes in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.” (ESV)

Whatever shame you may have, whatever temporary embarrassment the Gospel may bring you, remember what God is saving you from. From your past, from Hell. Whatever you may experience in this life, it is far better then what you may face in the afterlife, and that is worth suffering to save others from that same fate.

Hebrews 11:36-38 "Others suffered mocking and flogging, and even chains and imprisonment. They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were killed with the sword. They went about in skins of sheep and goats, destitute, afflicted, mistreated— of whom the world was not worthy—wandering about in deserts and mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth." (ESV)

These were the men and women who suffered and died to reach us. Imagine if they gave in as easily as we do.