Three Verses One
-Life’s Greatest Influences-
Matthew 13:18-23
This morning I want to examine scripture that describes Life’s Greatest Influences. I’m titled the message, “Three Verses One.” I want us to look at three influences that lead people away from God and one influence that leads people to God.
The parable of the soils illustrates these influences. Jesus said that a farmer went out to sow seed. Some seek fell on the path hardened by the traffic of life. The seed could not sink into the soil and the evil one, Satan came along snatched the seed (Good news about the Kingdom) because the people are not open to receiving the Word of God.
Some seed fell on rocky soil. There was not depth of dirt and the seed quickly took root but without deep roots the plant quickly wilts in the sun Jesus said rocky soil hearers are emotional hearers and made their decision to go along with the crowd. When hard times came into their lives they quickly gave up.
Other seeds fell on ground that was filled with thorns and the thorns crowded out the plant and it died. Jesus said thorny soil hears are the people who hear the word and accept the good news but the message is crowded out of their lives by the cares of the world the lures of pleasures and wealth and the thorny soil people quickly give up and go back to their old ways.
Some seek fell on good soil. Jesus said the good soil represents those who gladly accept God’s Word and become a fruitful productive Christian.
The three influences mentioned in the parable of the different soils lead people away from God. The three influences lead people to an eternity separated from God.
The first influence that leads people away from God is the Devil.
I. The influence of the Devil
Seed (God’s Word) that fell on hard hearts was quickly snatched up by the Devil. Satan’s mission is to keep people from God. I Peter 3:8 “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walks about seeking whom he may devour.”
Satan shows no mercy to anyone. He will use all his tricks and deceptions to lead people away from God. He is a master of deception. Jesus said, “Beware of the Devil – I saw him descending from heaven as an angel of light.” Luke 10:18 Paul declared in II Corinthians 11:14, “Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light.” II Corinthians 4:4, “Satan, the god of this evil world, has blinded the minds of those who don’t believe, so they are unable to see the glorious light of the Good News that is shining upon them…”
Satan has many faces and disguises. He is Lucifer, a fallen arch angel. Lucifer rebelled against God and was cast out of heaven and given the names of Satan or the Devil. Satan is a blasphemer, he lied to the first family Adam and Eve and he continues to lie to people today. His mission in the world is to keep people from knowing God and defeat and discourage the people of God.
If you continue to study and know God’s word you will not be fooled by the tricks and disguises of the Devil. Jesus said, “For false Messiahs and false prophets will rise up and perform great miraculous signs and wonders so as to deceive, if possible, even God’s chosen ones.” Matthew 24:24
Satan may offer peace but brings destruction and devastation. Satan’s strategy is diversion. He diverts your attention from the things of God to pleasure, possessions, and the lust of the flesh.
Satan’s strategy is delusion. He tempts people to believe they don’t need God. Have you ever asked anyone if they are prepared to meet God and they told you, “I’m okay, I’ll go to heaven if anyone goes. I’m better than the majority of people I associate with.”
Satan’s strategy is doubt. Satan would have you believe that God is just a figment of your mind. Why pray to the wind? Why read the Bible, it is merely a story book of fables. Why go to Church and waste your time.
Satan’s strategy is delay. He convinces people that there is no hurry. Wait until sometime in the future to get serious about God. You will always have a tomorrow.
Satan is delighted when people hear the Good News of the gospel and time after time refuse to accept the Word and their hearts become hardened. Satan doesn’t want anyone to allow the Word of God to penetrate a person heart and life.
II. The Influence of the Flesh – Carnal Mind
Seed that fell on rocky soil and the response was positive for selfish reasons. The person wanted the benefits of God’s grace without paying the price of self surrender. Accepting the good news was more about receiving the benefits of God’s grace devoid of serving others. There is no deep pondering or weighting the cost of following Jesus.
When the Bible refers to “flesh” (sarks – Greek) it is speaking of an evil influence and principle of indwelling sin. In Galatians 5
the works of the flesh are described as impure thoughts, lustful pleasure, hatred, fighting, jealousy, anger, constant effort to get the best for yourself, envy, murder, drunkenness, wild parties and all that sort of thing. “They which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.” Living Bible, verses 19-21 “For it you live after the flesh, you shall die.”
Satan will fan the flames of the flesh to lead people away from God.
The way of the flesh is a selfish way. The way of flesh says: “I want my own way. If I want to blast with words and use my fist against people who rub me the wrong way, I will. I will choose what I want to do. I have the right to express my own personality.”
The Apostle Paul testified that before he became a Christ follower, that he was “carnal, sold under sin.”
The influence of flesh is not referring to a person’s physical body, but a sinful principle or condition of moral corruption. When a person is not fully surrendered to Jesus there is constant warfare between the influence of the flesh and the Holy Spirit. Without the work of the Spirit in a person’s life the battle against the flesh is futile. Before the Apostle Paul surrendered his life to Christ he testified: “I really don’t understand myself at all, for I want to do what is right, but I can’t. I do what I don’t want to do. But I can’t help myself because I’m not doing it. It is sin inside of me that is stronger than I am that makes me do these evil things.” Romans 7:17,20
In Romans 7:24-25 Paul cries out, “Who will free me from this life that is dominated by sin? Thank God! The answer is in Jesus Christ our Lord...”
Victory over the evil influence of flesh is made possible by full consecration to God. In the power of Jesus Paul testified: “And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.” Galatians 5:24
When a person lives according to the influence of the flesh he has a wilted life. He has no root and is tossed and thrown in all directions by the winds of life.
III The Influence of the World
A third influence that leads people away from God is the world. Some seed fell among thorns and when the thorns sprung up they choked out the seed. Jesus said the thorns represent the cares of the world and influences of a culture with no moral fiber.
The meaning of “world” in the Bible in this context means an attitude that is hostile to the cause of Christ. I John 2:16-17, “For the world offers only the lust for physical pleasure, the lust for everything we see, and pride in our possessions. Those are not from the Father. They are from this evil world. And this world is fading away, along with everything it craves. But if you do the will of God, you will live forever.”
Worldliness has nothing to do with outward appearance. You may look like plain Jane or cool Joe but have a heart in rebellion. What you put on or wear does not demonstrate holiness. Your heart condition and your soul are what are important to God. Worldliness is not a list of do’s and don’ts. Worldliness is a heart condition.
The Bible is clear that what you do put on and wear should display modesty and not draw attention to yourselves. Our Christian school has a dress code for that very fact. Living the Christian life is not about ourselves it is about honoring Christ. Doing certain things to your body or putting on certain clothes can spring from a spirit of rebellion.
Worldliness is an attitude of the soul. It is a horizontal look, never vertical. God is not denied, but forgotten and ignored. The world offers pleasure, comfort, honor, promotion, popularity, and all kinds of privileges on a horizontal human level.
People of worldly aspirations enjoy the company of people with similar ambitions. As Christ followers you are called to stand strong in your relationships and not compromise. I Corinthians 15:33, “Be not deceived; evil companionships corrupt good moral attitudes.” You can live in the world and not allow the world to live in you. There is a vast difference between water being in a boat and a boat being in water. You are to live in the world but not compromise to the standards of the world.
In Christ you have the power to overcome the pull of the world. I John 5:4-5, “For every child of God defeats this evil would by trusting Christ to give the victory. And the ones who in this battle against the world are the ones who believe that Jesus is the Son of God.”
The Word of God challenges every Christ follower to live in the world but not compromise to the standards of the world. II Corinthians 6:17-18, 8:1 “Therefore, come out from them and separate yourselves from the, says the Lord. Don’t touch their filthy things, and I will welcome you. And I will be your Father, and you will be my sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty. Because we have these promises, dear friends, let us cleanse ourselves from everything that can defile our body or spirit. And let us work toward complete purity because we fear God.”
Three of Life’s Great Influences lead you away from God. One of life great influences lead us to God.
III. The Influence of the Holy Spirit
Jesus promised that after he ascended into heaven He would send the Holy Spirit to guide people toward truth and God. Jesus said, “But when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, you will receive power and will tell people about me everywhere – in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” Acts 1:8 NLT
The Holy Spirit leads us toward God and living a life of holiness. I Thessalonians 5:23-24, “Now may the God of peace make you holy in every way, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless until that day when our Lord Jesus Christ comes again. God who calls you, is faithful he will do this.”
The word for make you holy is “sanctification.” “May the God of peace sanctify you in every way…” Sanctification means a separation from sin and the world and separated unto God. Jesus prayed in John 17:17, “Sanctify them (Christ followers) through your truth, your word is truth.”
Dr. Bill Bright, past president of Campus Crusade for Christ, tells about a man living in Western Texas. During the depression the man owned a ranch and raised sheep. Mr. Yates was struggling to keep al his bills paid and was in danger of losing his ranch. Then one day a drilling crew asked for permission to drill for oil on his land and Mr. Yates signed a lease contract.
At eleven hundred and fifteen feet they struck oil which produced 85,000 barrels per day. Another well thirty years later was still producing 125,000 barrels a day. When Mr. Yates purchased the land, he purchased the oil and mineral rights and yet he was living in poverty. He did not know the oil was there. He owned it but did not possess the land. He was a potential multi-millionaire, yet living in poverty.
As Christians we become heirs of God and joint-heirs of Christ – all the vast resources of God become available to us. But to often we continue to live in self-imposed spiritual poverty because we fail to appropriate the resources of God.
As a new Christian we have Jesus as resident in our life. When we surrender completely to the Holy Spirit Jesus becomes president and master of our lives. That’s what Paul is talking about in I Thessalonians 5:23, “I pray the very God of peace sanctify you wholly.”
The carnal, self-centered life, and compromise to the world all need to be cleansed away and filled with the Holy Spirit.
The way of sanctification is the way of spiritual refreshment from the presence of the Lord. Picture your house when you go away for an extended vacation. You shut up the house and close all the blinds. While you’re gone the air becomes stale and musty. When you return the first thing you do is open the windows and doors and let the fresh air flow in. You don’t have to force the fresh air to flow in it just flows in.
When you open up your life fully to the Holy Spirit he flows in and refreshes your soul and fills you with His Spirit of love and power.
Seed planted in good soil becomes fruitful and produces 30, 60 and 100 fold.
Three of life’s great influences lead you away from God: The influence of sinful flesh, the influence of Satan, and the world. The Holy Spirit is at work in your to lead you to God.
God’s call on your life as His follower is to live a life of holiness and sanctification.
Here is a practical way to look at total commitment to follow Jesus. You can take a piece of blank paper and fill the page with all you will do for Jesus. Jesus would say: “Give me the blank paper and I’ll fill in what I want you to do”
The Holy Spirit draws you toward God and living a life of holiness. I Thessalonians 5:23-24, “Now may the God of peace make you holy in every way, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless until that day when our Lord Jesus Christ comes again. God who calls you, is faithful he will do this.” May that be fulfilled in all our hearts and lives today.
