Stony Ground Hearers (Matt 13:20-21) Intro: Review - The seed is the word of the kingdom & the soils are the hearts of the hearers. And the seed reveals the condition of the soil. - The parables are given to the disciples & primarily teach the mysteries of the kingdom, how it comes & what it's like. They explain the present disappointments & future expectations. - They are also given for this reason: 'Therefore take heed how _you_ hear' (Lk 8:18)
Exposition: Stony ground represents heart in which the root of the matter is absent.
When he hears the word, he actually brings forth some manifestation of life, for a time, until the sun rises. And so, Jesus says, there are people who receive the word of the kingdom with joy, but what's in their heart is not revealed to the world until the day of tribulation or persecution.
Doctrine: Tribulation & persecution are great revealers of hidden condition of the heart.
Everything was just fine for that little plant as long as the heat of the sun didn't start beating on it. And you can't blame the sun. It simply reveals the hidden defect in the soil.
Application: The blessing of persecution is not to be despised but joyfully endured.
The same sun that scorches one plant causes the other to grow. And we should therefore not seek to avoid persecution totally, but when it comes, to sink our roots deep & thank God for his blessins (Jam 1:2-5, Rom 5:3, Matt 5:10-12, Acts 5:41, Phil 1:29, Lk 22:32, 1Pet 4:12-19, Acts 14:22).
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