KICS talks

THE GOOD SEED PICTURES CHRISTIANS.

“The field is the world; the good seed are the children of the kingdom,” verse 38.

1. Christian, you are the Lord’s planting. “Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever,” 1 Peter 1:23. “But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen,” 2 Peter 3:18.

Within us has been planted a new nature which will manifest itself and which will require us to reject the world and its ways and rather obey God and His law.

“But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you,” Matthew 6:33. This will bring us into conflict with the world when the world demands that we disobey God and submit to its commands.

This is what happened Peter and John. They put God’s kingdom first!

The enemies of the gospel in their day said: “Did not we straitly command you that ye should not teach in this name? and, behold, ye have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend to bring this man’s blood upon us. Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men,” Acts 5:28-29.

That choice has had to be made by God’s people throughout the ages and it has brought suffering, persecution and death to countless multitudes of the saints of God. The time of such conflict draws near again! Have you the seed of God planted within you? Is there a new nature springing up in you? Give thought to this today.

Stream or download The Parables #16

God’s activities are beneficial to the earth. “Sowed good seed.”

The influence of this seed is good, morally good and helpful.

Isaiah 61:1-3 sets the standard for the Saviour’s ministry and points to the work He continues to carry on through the preaching of the gospel and His works of Province.

“The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me; because the LORD hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound; To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all that mourn; To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he might be glorified.”

These verses form the text of the Saviour’s first recorded sermon, Luke 4:16-21.

Many verses are found in the New Testament which enforce this truth.

“And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all manner of sickness and all manner of disease among the people. And his fame went throughout all Syria: and they brought unto him all sick people that were taken with divers diseases and torments, and those which were possessed with devils, and those which were lunatick, and those that had the palsy; and he healed them,” Matthew 4:23-24.

See also Matthew 9:35, Acts 2:22, 4:27, 10;38.

All these indicate the character of the Saviour’s ministry and of the work of God amongst men.

Stream or download The Parables #15

The Wheat and The tares

Scripture: Matthew 13:24-30, 37-43.

We have another wonderful picture presented to us for our instruction and edification.

I. HERE IS A PICTURE OF THE KINGDOM OF GOD.
Our second consideration under this heading:

2. God is actively at work amongst mankind. “The kingdom of heaven is likened unto a man which sowed good seed in his field.” God is busy in the midst of this world’s affairs, sowing seed. His work is largely unnoticed by men. Men must be reminded of God and His work. Daniel 2:28, 5:21. The Saviour used the image of the farmer – a busy man!

Stream or download The Parables #14