Good Seed, Bad Seed, and Kingdom Treasure.
Pastor Kent Landhuis
THEME - When good and evil grow side by side - we keep trusting!
TEXT - Luke 13:18-19
Three responses to evil in the world:
1. Plant seeds.
* Luke 13:18-19 (Matthew 13:31-32)
* Matthew 13:1-9, 24-27
* Romans 12:9
2. Leave weeds.
* Matthew 13:28-30
* Wisdom
* Patience.
* Luke 13:24-43
* Romans 12:17-21
3. Trust God.
* Matthew 21:28-32
* Matthew 21:33-46
* Ask “need” questions.
* Beware “trap” questions.
NEXT STEPS
1. Ask God to grow your trust.
2. Keep planting seeds!
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GROWING IN TRUST
If we trust in God, we will obey. God is King and the King is in charge of the Kingdom—always. Disobedience and trust cannot coexist; if we trust God, we will walk in God’s ways - even when bad things happen to us or around us! Consider the fruit of trusting and obeying:
* Trusting God helps us wait on him when he delays or is silent
regarding our prayers or the fulfillment of his promises. When God delays, it
is for a good reason. God’s actions are founded on wisdom and love. Keep
trusting.
* Trusting God keeps us from taking matters into our own hands. (As
if we know better than God.) When we trust, we surrender our plans and
agendas.
* Trusting God overcomes fear and anxiety. Fear and anxiety
come when we take our eyes off God and start to look at our surroundings and
circumstances. (When we focus on the evil around us instead of God’s goodness).
* Trusting God leads to contentment. God promises to give good
things to his people and God holds nothing back (Rom. 8:32). He tells us to ask
him for our daily bread and to seek first his kingdom. God will supply our
needs one day at a time according to his will.
* Trusting God leads to acting in faith. Knowing who God is,
what God has promised, and what God has done grows faith. Faith allows us to
keep trusting God in times of temptation, darkness, adversity, and affliction,
as well as in times of joy and abundance.