Baptist Catechism 111

Q. 111. What do we pray for in the fourth petition?

A. In the fourth petition, which is, “Give us this day our daily bread,” we pray that of God’s free gift, we may receive a competent portion of the good things of this life and enjoy His blessing with them. (Matt. 6:11; Prov. 30:8,9; 1 Tim. 6:6-8; 4:4,5)

Scripture Reading: Proverbs 30:7–9

“Two things I ask of you; deny them not to me before I die: Remove far from me falsehood and lying; give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with the food that is needful for me, lest I be full and deny you and say, ‘Who is the LORD?’ or lest I be poor and steal and profane the name of my God.” (Proverbs 30:7–9, ESV)

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Please excuse any typos and misspellings within this manuscript. It has been published online for the benefit of the saints of Emmaus Reformed Baptist Church but without the benefit of proofreading.

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When those who have faith in Christ pray to God they are invited to pray to him as “Father”. And to distinguish him from earthly fathers we say, our Father in heaven. God is not confined to heaven, of course. He is in all places at all times. But heaven is a realm that God created in the beginning where he manifests his glory before the angels. When we pray, we are praying to our heavenly Father.    

And our first and leading petition is that God’s name would be hallowed, honored, or glorified on earth just as it is in heaven. In heaven, God is praised day and night by his angels. And we are praying that God’s name would be praised here on earth too. 

In the second petition, we pray that God’s kingdom will come. God is king over all. He sits enthroned in heaven. But we know that in this world there are two kingdoms – a kingdom of darkness and a kingdom of light. When we pray that God’s kingdom come we are praying that things would be on earth as they are in heaven – that all on earth would come to honor God as King. This will happen progressively in this age through the preaching of the Gospel, and fully in the age to come. 

The third petition is “thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven”. Again, we find a distinction between heaven and earth. In heaven, the angels obey and submit to God’s will perfectly. And we are to pray that we would do the same on earth. 

Now, here is what I want you to recognize about the fourth petition. The fourth petition is about our earthly needs. In the fourth petition, we are praying, not for spiritual things, nor eternal things, but that the God of heaven would provide us with the things that we need to live here on earth. These are earthly things that we are to pray for under this petition.

One general observation that we can make from the outset is that God is concerned with providing for his children. Sometimes we talk as if earthy things are bad, and heavenly things are good. And yes, sometimes the scriptures do speak of “earthly” or “worldly” things in a negative way. But the scriptures do not portray the world and the things of this world as inherently evil. God created this world, brothers and sisters. This world was created good. The things of this earth are to be used and enjoyed to the glory of God. What makes worldly things worldly in a sinful sense? We make them sinful… when we misuse them. For example, money is not evil… but the love of money is. Food is not evil… but gluttony is. Alcohol is not evil… but drunkenness is. And sex is not evil… but fornication is. The point is this: when Christ taught his disciples to pray, “give us this day our daily bread”, he made it clear that God is concerned with providing for his children’s earthly needs.

The fourth petition is, “give us this day our daily bread”. Stated by itself it sounds kind of like a demand, but really it is a humble request. 

“Bread”, as I have already suggested, stands for the basic things that we need to live in this world. What do we need to live physically speaking? We need food, water, and shelter. And these are the kinds of things that we are to pray for under the fourth petition. 

And notice that this bread is called daily bread. This indicates two things: one, that we are to pray daily. And two, that we are to live in daily dependence upon God.  We are not to pray weekly for weekly bread, nor monthly for monthly bread, but daily for daily bread. The Christian is to constantly look to God’s hand for provision. 

When we pray “give us this day our daily bread” we are praying “that of God’s free gift, we may receive a competent portion of the good things of this life and enjoy His blessing with them.” That is what our catechism teaches. I think this is very good. Let us consider each portion.

The phrase, “that of God’s free gift” reminds us that “daily bread” is a gift from God. Yes, he provides us with “daily bread” through natural means. Farmers farm, bakers bake, grocers sell, and we buy and eat. But behind all of that is God’s hand. He upholds the natural order. He sends the rain. He preserves societies. All of this is a gift from God. I wonder, do you think about that when you eat something as simple as a piece of bread? Do you recognize God’s grace in the bread? We should! And we should give him thanks.

The phrase, that “we may receive a competent portion” reminds us to pray, not for riches nor for luxury, but that God would give us what we need. If God has determined to give us more than we need – if he blesses us with wealth and with luxury – then that is a gift from him, but Christ did not teach us to pray for it. He taught us to pray for basic provision – “a competent [or adequate] portion” – “daily bread”. 

The phrase, “of the good things of this life”, helps us to remember that the things of this life are good, for God made them. Paul wrote to Timothy, saying, “For everything created by God is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving for it is made holy by the word of God and prayer” (1 Timothy 4:4-5, ESV).

And the phrase, “and enjoy His blessing with them” reminds us that it is right for us to take pleasure in the things of this world. Food and drink should be enjoyed. But how can we enjoy food and drink without becoming gluttons or drunkards? Two things: we are to enjoy food and drink in moderation, and I think this is key, we are to enjoy food and drink to the glory of God. “So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God” (1 Corinthians 10:31, ESV).

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Conclusion

You know, it is interesting that in Matthew 6 we find the Lord’s Prayer, and immediately after that, we find instructions regarding fasting, laying up treasures in heaven, and anxiety over the cares of this world – what we will eat and drink and put on. I see those topics in Matthew 6:166ff. as being a kind of expansion on what Jesus said regarding the fourth petition of pray, give us this day our daily bread. The most succinct way for me to say it is this: the prayer, “give us this day our daily bread”, is a remedy to a gloomy approach to the blessing of this world (don’t fast in a gloomy way), to an idolatrous love of the things of this world (store up treasures in heaven), and to anxiety (do not be anxious about your life). It is truly amazing what these little model petitions can do for the soul of the Christian when they are properly understood and faithfully prayed. In other words, this little model prayer, “give us this day our daily bread”, is a remedy to really big soul problems. It is a remedy to ungodly asceticism, to the idolatrous love of the things of this earth, and to anxiousness regarding a lack of earthly provision. 

Are you anxious? Pray to your Father in heaven for daily bread. Are you struggling to enjoy the things of this life that God intends for you to enjoy to the glory of his name? Pray to your Father in heaven for daily bread, and thank him for it. Are you struggling against an ungodly and idolatrous love for the world and the things of this world? Pray to your Father in heaven for daily bread. 

Q. 111. What do we pray for in the fourth petition?

A. In the fourth petition, which is, “Give us this day our daily bread,” we pray that of God’s free gift, we may receive a competent portion of the good things of this life and enjoy His blessing with them. (Matt. 6:11; Prov. 30:8,9; 1 Tim. 6:6-8; 4:4,5)

Old Testament Reading: Psalm 65

“TO THE CHOIRMASTER. A PSALM OF DAVID. A SONG. Praise is due to you, O God, in Zion, and to you shall vows be performed. O you who hear prayer, to you shall all flesh come. When iniquities prevail against me, you atone for our transgressions. Blessed is the one you choose and bring near, to dwell in your courts! We shall be satisfied with the goodness of your house, the holiness of your temple! By awesome deeds you answer us with righteousness, O God of our salvation, the hope of all the ends of the earth and of the farthest seas; the one who by his strength established the mountains, being girded with might; who stills the roaring of the seas, the roaring of their waves, the tumult of the peoples, so that those who dwell at the ends of the earth are in awe at your signs. You make the going out of the morning and the evening to shout for joy. You visit the earth and water it; you greatly enrich it; the river of God is full of water; you provide their grain, for so you have prepared it. You water its furrows abundantly, settling its ridges, softening it with showers, and blessing its growth. You crown the year with your bounty; your wagon tracks overflow with abundance. The pastures of the wilderness overflow, the hills gird themselves with joy, the meadows clothe themselves with flocks, the valleys deck themselves with grain, they shout and sing together for joy.” (Psalm 65, ESV)

New Testament Reading: Luke 8:26–39

“Then they sailed to the country of the Gerasenes, which is opposite Galilee. When Jesus had stepped out on land, there met him a man from the city who had demons. For a long time he had worn no clothes, and he had not lived in a house but among the tombs. When he saw Jesus, he cried out and fell down before him and said with a loud voice, ‘What have you to do with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I beg you, do not torment me.’ For he had commanded the unclean spirit to come out of the man. (For many a time it had seized him. He was kept under guard and bound with chains and shackles, but he would break the bonds and be driven by the demon into the desert.) Jesus then asked him, ‘What is your name?’ And he said, ‘Legion,’ for many demons had entered him. And they begged him not to command them to depart into the abyss. Now a large herd of pigs was feeding there on the hillside, and they begged him to let them enter these. So he gave them permission. Then the demons came out of the man and entered the pigs, and the herd rushed down the steep bank into the lake and drowned. When the herdsmen saw what had happened, they fled and told it in the city and in the country. Then people went out to see what had happened, and they came to Jesus and found the man from whom the demons had gone, sitting at the feet of Jesus, clothed and in his right mind, and they were afraid. And those who had seen it told them how the demon-possessed man had been healed. Then all the people of the surrounding country of the Gerasenes asked him to depart from them, for they were seized with great fear. So he got into the boat and returned. The man from whom the demons had gone begged that he might be with him, but Jesus sent him away, saying, ‘Return to your home, and declare how much God has done for you.’ And he went away, proclaiming throughout the whole city how much Jesus had done for him.” (Luke 8:26–39, ESV)

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Please excuse any typos and misspellings within this manuscript. It has been published online for the benefit of the saints of Emmaus Reformed Baptist Church but without the benefit of proofreading.

Introduction

Do not forget the question that the disciples of Jesus asked after he calmed the wind and the raging sea with the power of his authoritative word. In Luke 8:25 we are told that the disciples said to one another, “Who then is this, that he commands even winds and water, and they obey him?” Who then is this, was their question, and I do believe we are to carry that question with us into the passage we are considering today, and into the next one also. Who then is this, that he commands even winds and water, and they obey him? Who then is this, that he commands even a Legion of demons, and they obey him? Who then is this, who has power and authority over sickness and death? You see, Jesus did not only tell his disciples about who he was, he also showed them – he shows us who he is by the miraculous deeds he performed. 

Who then is Jesus? The answer is that he is the God-man. He is the Word of God, the second person of the Triune God, incarnate.  He is Immanuel, which means, God with us. When Christ woke from his sleep in the boat, commanded the wind and waves, and they obeyed him, he showed himself to be a true man and true God. And he demonstrates the same in the passage before us today wherein he displays his authority even over the demons. Notice he did not cast them out in the name of God but by his own authority. And even the demons knew who he was. They cried out through the man they oppressed, “What have you to do with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God?” (Luke 8:28, ESV). You see, the demons knew who Jesus was. They knew he was the Son of the Most High God incarnate.

Brothers and sisters, you need to know who Jesus is. What is he? What is his nature? He is fully God and he is fully man. Who is he? He is the person of the eternal Son of God. Is Christ your Savior? Is Christ your Lord? Do you trust in him for the forgiveness of sins? Then you must grow in your knowledge of him. And the Gospel of Luke is a great help to us, for it answers the question, who then is this Jesus?   

Let us go now to our text for today. I have a few observations to make which will lead us to consider Jesus’ true identity.

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There Is A Spiritual Realm

First, the passage that is open before us today does remind us that there is a spiritual and heavenly realm. We who live in the West today are prone to forget this. Many in our culture live as if the natural world is all there is. But the first words of the Bible reveal otherwise. “In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.”  As the Scriptures unfold it becomes clear that “earth” refers to all that is visible (yes, even the microscopic), and “heavens” refers to the realm that is presently (and typically) invisible to us, which God created in the beginning (see Colossians 1:16). God manifests his radiant glory in the heavenly realm. The angels are spiritual beings who were created by God to dwell in the heavenly realm and to worship and serve him always. As you probably know, the Bible teaches that there was a rebellion in the heavenly realm. Some angels kept their place by submitting themselves to God. But many rebelled and were cast down. Satan is the chief of these fallen angels but he is not the only one. Under him are demons who do his bidding. And so, in the heavenly, spiritual realm, there is a kingdom of darkness and a kingdom of light. 

We are reminded of the spiritual realm, of the fallen angels, and of their dark work when we read in verses 26-27: “Then they sailed to the country of the Gerasenes, which is opposite Galilee. When Jesus had stepped out on land, there met him a man from the city who had demons. For a long time, he had worn no clothes, and he had not lived in a house but among the tombs.” So then, it should be clear to all that the heavenly realm and the earthly realm – though distinct – do interact. God relates to his creation. His elect angels are ministering spirits. And Satan and his demons do also seek to exercise control or dominion on earth and over man. These truths permeate the entirety of the Holy Scriptures, and they are certainly present in the passage that is before us today. 

The country of the Gerasenes (also called the Gadarenes) was located on the east side of the Sea of Galilee. Most of the commentators that I have read say this was Gentile territory. One claimed that it was Jewish. I’ve always believed that it was Gentile, one reason being the heard of pigs mentioned near the end of this passage. Pigs, as you know, under the Old Covenant law of Moses were deemed to be unclean animals. 

We are told, when Jesus stepped out on the land “there met him a man from the city who had demons”. When Matthew tells this story in chapter 8 of his Gospel, he mentions two men who were demon-possessed. Luke and Mark (chapter 5) focus their attention only on this one man. Luke says that he “had demons”. Later, we are told that “many demons had entered him” (verse 30). When Jesus asked the demon to reveal its name, the man said, “Legion”. In the Roman army, a legion was a group of about 6,000 soldiers. So, this man had many demons. In verse 36 this man is referred to as one who had been “demon-possessed”, or we might translate the Greek as, demon-oppressed, or demonized.

Four questions come to mind. 

One, what is demon possession or oppression? Really, I do not think it matters what term you use so long as you have in mind a man or woman coming under the strong influence or control of demons. The text that we are considering today says that “many demons had entered” this man. The text also says, at times, he would be “driven by the demon into the desert.” So then, demon possession is a very particular and extreme thing. All who not do belong to Christ do indeed belong to the Evil One. The Scriptures teach that all people are either in Christ’s kingdom or Satan’s. Satan tempts all men. He deceives men. He seeks to destroy men. But this does not always (or often) result in demon possession or oppression. Clearly, there is a difference between the non-believing Jews to whom Jesus spoke in John 8:44, saying, “You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father’s desires” and this demon-possessed man of the Gerasenes. Both were in a state of bondage to the Evil One but not in the same way. Clearly,  not everyone who is deceived by Satan is possessed by demons.  

A second question that comes to mind is, how did this man come to be demon-possessed? The text does not say. If we were to consider other texts of Scripture, I think it is safe to assume that he opened himself up to the demonic through sin, the worship of idols, which is sometimes called the worship of demons (see Leviticus 17:7, Deuteronomy 32:16, Psalm 106:36-37) or through sorcery or witchcraft (see Galatians 5:20 and Deuteronomy 18:10). The biblical perspective on demons, demon-worship, sorcery and witchcraft, is not that they are not real, but that they are to be avoided, rejected, and ultimately rebuked in Jesus name, lest men and women open themselves up to that which is dark and evil. 

A third question that comes to mind is this: though it is clear that men and women were sometimes demon-possessed in Jesus’ day, can men and women be demon-possessed today? I believe the answer is yes, but we tend not to see it as frequently in our society. And I can think of three possible reasons for this. One, I do wonder if demon possession is more limited now that Christ has accomplished our redemption having defeated the Evil One through his life, death, and resurrection. Christ won the decisive victory over Satan at the cross. Christ bound Satan then (see Matthew 12:29, Mark 3:27, and Revelation 20). He cast down the accuser of the brethren then. Mind you, this does not mean that Satan and his minions are no longer active. The Scriptures warn those living under the New Covenant era that the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour (see 1 Peter 5:8). But there was some kind of binding or restraining that occurred at Christ’s first coming nonetheless. Perhaps demonic possession is less prevalent in the world as a result. Secondly, it may be that demonic possession occurs less frequently in our naturalistic and radically secular society. Satan has won the victory over the minds of many in our culture by blinding them to the reality of the spiritual realm. He has duped millions into believing that the material world is all that exists, and so they think little of angels, demons, and God. Given the success of this tactic, why would the Evil One, disturb men and women from their spiritual slumber by troubling them with demons? Connected to this, it may be that demon possession occurs more frequently today in societies where men and women open themselves up to dark spiritual forces as they engage in idolatrous worship, sorcery, and witchcraft. Thirdly, it may be that demon possession is more prevalent in our society than we realize given our tendency to explain every ailment and malady in naturalistic, scientific, and medical terms. Now, please do not misunderstand me. I am not at all proposing that every ailment of body and mind should be blamed on demons. No, even Christ distinguished between those who were ill and those who were demon-possessed. He touched many who were ill to heal them of their physical maladies. And neither am I proposing that mental illness is not real. Certainly, it is. There are oftentimes physiological explanations for the mental and emotional troubles that we face. Here I am simply acknowledging that in our modern, secular, and naturalistic society, we tend to err on the extreme of blaming every ailment and problem we face on the physiological. Many have forgotten, it seems, that we are spiritual beings, that there is a spiritual realm, and that there is a spiritual battle that rages over the hearts and minds of men and women.

A fourth question that comes to mind is, can a true Christian be demon-possessed? The answer is, certainly not. Those united to Christ by faith have their sins forgiven (Acts 10:43). They are filled with the Holy Spirit (Acts 13:52). They have been “delivered… from the domain of darkness and transferred… to the kingdom of [God’s] beloved Son” (Colossians 1:13, ESV). And so true Christians walk in the light, not the darkness. They are to walk by the Spirit, not the flesh. Though a true believer can never be demon-possessed or oppressed, the Devil and his minions are still our advisory. He tempts. He seeks to discourage. He utters lies. He seeks to divide and conquer. But we have the victory in Jesus’ name. 

Those four questions came immediately to my mind. Perhaps you can think of others. But here is something I want you to notice about our text. Notice how very cruel Satan and his demons are. Notice where they lead those who come under their power. Satan is a very cruel and harsh taskmaster. Following after him will lead only to darkness, despair, and death. The Scriptures tell us that this demon-possessed man wore no clothes but went around exposed to the elements. He was driven by these demons from his home. The text tells us, “he had not lived in a house but among the tombs.” In this way, the demons robbed this man of life and caused him to dwell in a place of darkness and death. From time to time the man would be bound by the people of the town but with superhuman strength, he would break the chains and be driven into the desert by the demon.  

Look at where following after Satan leads. Those who have been demons possessed in the past or the present are a testimony to where following after Satan will lead you. Satan is a cruel master. Spiritually speaking, he will leave all who follow after him unclothed, naked, and exposed. He will drive those who follow after him further and further away from their home with God. He will rob them of their sanity as he leads them further and further down the path of darkness and death. 

Friends, there are only two options. We are either following after God or we are following after Satan. Granted, not all who follow after Satan are demon-possessed, but some are. Perhaps the Lord has permitted this to show his people how cruel a taskmaster the Evil One truly is so that they would turn from their sin and to Christ. And Christ is a very kind master, as we will see. 

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Jesus Has Authority Over The Forces Of Darkness And Death

So, we have been reminded of the spiritual realm. More than this, we have been reminded of the dark forces that exist there.  Now let us consider Jesus and the authority that he possesses over the forces of darkness and death. 

Verse 27 tells us, “When Jesus had stepped out on land, there met him a man from the city who had demons.” You almost get the impression that Jesus traveled across the Sea for the purpose of meeting this man and confronting these demons. Indeed, I think this is the case. 

In verse 28 we read, “When [the man] saw Jesus, he cried out and fell down before him and said with a loud voice, ‘What have you to do with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I beg you, do not torment me.’” It was the man who spoke, but I think we are to see that it was the demon – perhaps the chief of the Legion of Demons –  who spoke through him. 

Notice this – the demons knew who Jesus was. When on the sea, the disciples asked, who then is this that the wind and waves obey him? When they get to shore, demons answer the question. Again, we are told that the man “cried out and fell down before him and said with a loud voice, ‘What have you to do with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God?” Who is Jesus? He is the Son of the Most High God. In other words, he is the eternal Son of God, the second Person of the Triune God. 

How did they know him? Well, let’s just say they have a history. It was through the eternal Son that these angels who fell were created. It was against the eternal Father, Son, and Holy Spirit that they rebelled. And it will be the eternal Son incarnate who will crush them under his feet. The incarnation was a new thing. These demons did not have much of a history with the man Jesus. But the Son of the Most High God – him they knew. And they knew what he was up to. He became incarnate to defeat them, to crush them, to judge them eternally, and so they cried out. “What have you to do with me” and “I beg you, do not torment me.”

It was after Jesus asked for the name of the demon and received the answer, Legion, that “they begged him not to command them to depart into the abyss”. What is the abyss? 

To understand what the abyss is, you must first know what Sheol (or Hades) is. Sheol (or Hades) is a spiritual place of punishment and torment filled with the souls of sinners. When men and women die, their bodies go into the grave, and their souls go either into the blessed presence of God in heaven or to the torments of Sheol (or Hades). What makes the difference? It is Christ who makes the difference. Those who in this life turn from their sins and trust in Christ will go to heaven when they die. Those who die apart from Christ and in their sins will go to Sheol (or Hades). On the last day, there will be a great resurrection. Bodies will be raised from the graves and Hades will give up the souls imprisoned within to be reunited with the body. And these whole persons will stand before God Almighty to be judged. This is what Revelation 20:11-15 describes, saying,  

“Then I saw a great white throne and him who was seated on it. From his presence earth and sky fled away, and no place was found for them. And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Then another book was opened, which is the book of life. And the dead were judged by what was written in the books, according to what they had done. And the sea gave up the dead who were in it, Death and Hades gave up the dead who were in them, and they were judged, each one of them, according to what they had done. Then Death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death, the lake of fire. And if anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.” (Revelation 20:11–15, ESV)

Sheol (or Hades) is the temporary place of punishment where the souls of the wicked go when they die. But it is also a place of imprisonment and torment for the demons. The Abyss is the deepest pit of Sheol or Hades. It is where Satan is bound now so that he might not deceive the nations any longer. This is what Revelation 20:1-3 says: 

“Then I saw an angel coming down from heaven, holding in his hand the key to the bottomless pit [ἄβυσσος – the Abyss] and a great chain. And he seized the dragon, that ancient serpent, who is the devil and Satan, and bound him for a thousand years, and threw him into the pit [ἄβυσσος – the Abyss], and shut it and sealed it over him, so that he might not deceive the nations any longer, until the thousand years were ended. After that he must be released for a little while” (Revelation 20:1–3, ESV).

The Abyss is a place of temporary imprisonment and torment for Satan and his demons. In 2 Peter 2:4, this place is called Tartarus. There we read, “For if God did not spare angels when they sinned, but cast them into hell [ταρταρόω – Tartarus] and committed them to chains of gloomy darkness to be kept until the judgment”, etc.  Jude 1:6 teaches the same, saying,  “And the angels who did not stay within their own position of authority, but left their proper dwelling, he has kept in eternal chains under gloomy darkness until the judgment of the great day…” (Jude 6, ESV). 

The final place of punishment for all of God’s enemies, of angels and of men, will be the lake of fire. Sheol (or Hades) is the temporary place of punishment for the souls of men who pass from this earth apart from Christ. Fallen angels are imprisoned there too. They have been cast into the Abyss, that is to say, into the pit, which is called Tartarus, a place of gloomy darkness. 

I can hear the critics now. But Satan is still active! He prowls around like a roaring lion! Yes, this is true. But we must account for all of the passages that speak of the binding of Satan at Christ’s first coming, and of the imprisonment of demons in the abyss before and during Christ’s earthy ministry. 2 Peter 2:4 says that demons were cast into Tartarus when the sinned. Jude 6 also speaks of a binding of demons that took place long ago. And notice this: the demons who revealed themselves to Jesus as Legion clearly thought that the abyss was a place that Jesus Christ could cast them into at that very moment. “[T]hey begged him not to command them to depart into the abyss” (Luke 8:31). They were not yet bound in the abyss. They knew of the abyss. And they thought that Christ could cast them into the abyss at that very moment.  

I will admit, there are mysteries here that I do not fully understand. But when all that Scriptures have to say on this subject are considered, one is left with the impression that the overthrow of Satan’s kingdom has been and will continue to be progressive. It seems that with the passing of time, and with every advancement in the accomplishment of our redemption, there is more damage done to the kingdom of Satan. There is more ground taken, if you will. There is more conquering and binding of the kingdom of darkness by the kingdom of light. Certainly, the greatest advancements were made at Christ’s first coming through his life, death, resurrection, and ascension. And the Apostle reminds us that the end will one day come “when [Christ] delivers the kingdom to God the Father after destroying every rule and every authority and power. For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet. The last enemy to be destroyed is death” (1 Corinthians 15:24–26, ESV).

In verse 31 we are told that the demons “begged [Jesus] not to command them to depart into the abyss.” And in verse 32 we learn that the demons made a strange request. “Now a large herd of pigs was feeding there on the hillside, and they begged him to let them enter these. So he gave them permission.” I cannot say that I fully understand what is going on here. It seems that these demons needed somewhere to go. They knew that Christ was evicting them from the man of the Gareasenes. They did not want to go to the abyss. And so they requested that Christ allow them to enter the filthy and unclean swine. And Christ gave them permission. Matthew 12:43-45  is also mysterious, but it seems to agree with this text. There Christ says, “When the unclean spirit has gone out of a person, it passes through waterless places seeking rest, but finds none. Then it says, ‘I will return to my house from which I came.’ And when it comes, it finds the house empty, swept, and put in order. Then it goes and brings with it seven other spirits more evil than itself, and they enter and dwell there, and the last state of that person is worse than the first. So also will it be with this evil generation” (Matthew 12:43–45, ESV). 

What happened next got everyone’s attention. Verse 33 says, “Then the demons came out of the man and entered the pigs, and the herd rushed down the steep bank into the lake and drowned.” What a strange and frightening scene! Mark tells us in his gospel there were about 2,000 pigs in this herd. Can you imagine it? The question we must ask is, why? Why did Christ permit the demons to enter these pigs? And why did they rush down the hillside into the water and drown?

The commentaries I read all seem to assume that it was the demons who drove the pigs into the sea. As it pertains to the question of why, they suggest that it was because the demons were very cruel and only wished to do damage to God’s creation. I didn’t find that explanation to be very satisfying. As I reflected on this text the thought occurred to me that it was not the demons that drove the swine into the sea, but Christ himself. And if it was Christ who drove these demon-possessed pigs into the sea, the answer to the question of why becomes more clear. The demons begged to not be cast into the abyss. It seems to me that their request was denied. 

The depths of the sea have always symbolized the abyss. The depths of the sea in the story of Jonah symbolized Sheol! After Jonah was cast into the stormy sea and swallowed by that great fish, “Jonah prayed to the LORD his God from the belly of the fish, saying, ‘I called out to the LORD, out of my distress, and he answered me; out of the belly of Sheol I cried, and you heard my voice. For you cast me into the deep, into the heart of the seas, and the flood surrounded me; all your waves and your billows passed over me”, etc. (Jonah 2:1–3, ESV). In the Scriptures, the sea signifies Sheol and the deep pit of the abyss. 

Not long before this encounter with the demoniac on land, Jesus saved his disciple from the abyss by calming the wind and the waves with his word. “Master, Master, we are perishing!”, they said.  “And he awoke and rebuked the wind and the raging waves, and they ceased, and there was a calm.” (Luke 8:24, ESV). Christ saved his disciples who were with him in that little ark from perishing in the abyss of the sea! And once on land, Christ demonstrated his power and authority even over the demons. They begged to be spared from the abyss. As I have said, it appears to me that their request was denied, and Christ wanted everyone to know it. He permitted those filthy demons to enter those filthy pigs, and he drove them into the depths of the sea in order to demonstrate to all that he has the power and the authority to cast Satan and his demons into the abyss of Sheol now, and into the lake of fire on the day of judgment, to bind them there to be justly punished forever and ever. When the demons entered the swine, and when the swine rushed into the sea, it was a visible demonstration of the power of Christ over Satan and his demons. He has the power to cast them out and into the abyss.      Is this not a picture of the redemption that Christ has accomplished? He came to save those who trust in him from the abyss of hell, and to conquer every evil principality and power. 

Let us briefly return to the man out of whom these demons were driven. Verse 34: “When the herdsmen saw what had happened, they fled and told it in the city and in the country. Then people went out to see what had happened, and they came to Jesus and found the man from whom the demons had gone, sitting at the feet of Jesus, clothed and in his right mind, and they were afraid.” The description of this man who had been delivered from such terrible oppression is marvelous. Notice, he is no longer fighting or fleeing, he is sitting at the feet of Jesus. The demons are no longer his lord – Christ is, and he is finally at peace. Furthermore, the text says that he is clothed. Yes, Christ does clothe and cover all who come to him by faith. Finally, the text says that he was in his right mind. So here we have a picture of what Christ does for all of his redeemed. He frees them from bondage to sin and Satan, he subdues them so that they honor him as Lord, he reconciles them to God through himself, so that they are at peace, he clothes them with his righteousness, and he renews their minds so that they might think rightly about God and their relationship to him in this world. 

It is no wonder that the man begged to go with Jesus when Jesus got into the boat to return. Those who have been delivered from the domain of darkness by Jesus want nothing more than to be with him. But Christ sent him away saying, “Return to your home, and declare how much God has done for you.” And he went away, proclaiming throughout the whole city how much Jesus had done for him.” And so we see that even at this early point in Jesus’ ministry, the gospel of the kingdom began to spread out from Jerusalem and Judea to far-off places. 

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Conclusion

Who then is this who commands the wind and the waves and they obey him? Who then is this who has the power to cast even a Legion of demons out of a man and into the abyss? His name is Jesus. And he is no ordinary man, but is the person of the eternal Son of God incarnate. He is the Messiah. He is the Savior. He is the only mediator between God and man. To be delivered from the domain of darkness, and to be saved from the abyss of hell, one must turn from their sins and trust in him. Have you? 

And if you have, can you see what Christ has saved you from? Can you see his deliverance? Granted, the condition of this man of the Gerasenes was very extreme. Not many have been as opposed by demons to the degree that he was. But all who are not in Christ do in fact belong to the kingdom of Satan. And those in Christ have been delivered. Thanks be to God, “He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.” (Colossians 1:13–14, ESV)

Old Testament Reading: Psalm 77

“TO THE CHOIRMASTER: ACCORDING TO JEDUTHUN. A PSALM OF ASAPH. I cry aloud to God, aloud to God, and he will hear me. In the day of my trouble I seek the Lord; in the night my hand is stretched out without wearying; my soul refuses to be comforted. When I remember God, I moan; when I meditate, my spirit faints. Selah You hold my eyelids open; I am so troubled that I cannot speak. I consider the days of old, the years long ago. I said, ‘Let me remember my song in the night; let me meditate in my heart.’ Then my spirit made a diligent search: ‘Will the Lord spurn forever, and never again be favorable? Has his steadfast love forever ceased? Are his promises at an end for all time? Has God forgotten to be gracious? Has he in anger shut up his compassion?’ Selah Then I said, ‘I will appeal to this, to the years of the right hand of the Most High. I will remember the deeds of the LORD; yes, I will remember your wonders of old. I will ponder all your work, and meditate on your mighty deeds. Your way, O God, is holy. What god is great like our God? You are the God who works wonders; you have made known your might among the peoples. You with your arm redeemed your people, the children of Jacob and Joseph. Selah When the waters saw you, O God, when the waters saw you, they were afraid; indeed, the deep trembled. The clouds poured out water; the skies gave forth thunder; your arrows flashed on every side. The crash of your thunder was in the whirlwind; your lightnings lighted up the world; the earth trembled and shook. Your way was through the sea, your path through the great waters; yet your footprints were unseen. You led your people like a flock by the hand of Moses and Aaron.” (Psalm 77, ESV)

New Testament Reading: Luke 8:22-25

“One day he got into a boat with his disciples, and he said to them, ‘Let us go across to the other side of the lake.’ So they set out, and as they sailed he fell asleep. And a windstorm came down on the lake, and they were filling with water and were in danger. And they went and woke him, saying, ‘Master, Master, we are perishing!’ And he awoke and rebuked the wind and the raging waves, and they ceased, and there was a calm. He said to them, ‘Where is your faith?’ And they were afraid, and they marveled, saying to one another, ‘Who then is this, that he commands even winds and water, and they obey him?’” (Luke 8:22–25, ESV)

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Please excuse any typos and misspellings within this manuscript. It has been published online for the benefit of the saints of Emmaus Reformed Baptist Church but without the benefit of proofreading.

Introduction

There are two questions that I would like to ask concerning this text that is open before us today. Firstly, what does this story about the calming of the stormy sea teach us about Jesus? Secondly, what does this story about the calming of the stormy sea teach us about being a disciple of Jesus? 

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What Does The Story Of The Calming Of The Sea Teach Us About Jesus? 

That this story is meant to teach us something about Jesus is made clear by the question asked at the end. The disciples “marveled, saying to one another, ‘Who then is this, that he commands even winds and water, and they obey him?” Who is this man? That is a great question, don’t you think?

And I will have you notice that three more stories follow this one in Luke’s Gospel that prompt us to ask the same question, who is this man? In Luke 8:26-39 we learn that Jesus cast demons out of a man. In Luke 8:40-48 we learn that he healed a woman of chronic illness. In Luke 8:49-56 we learn that Jesus raised a twelve-year-old girl from the dead. Each one of these stories should prompt us to ask the question, who then is this? Who is this who has authority over the wind and the waves of the sea, demons, sickness, and even death? Who is this Jesus?

Well, let’s focus our attention on the story of Jesus calming the stormy sea. What does this story teach us about who Jesus is? Two things: First, it shows us that Jesus is truly human. Secondly, it shows us that Jesus is God. 

That Jesus is truly human is evident throughout this story. He used his human mind and his human will to choose to take his disciples to the other side of the lake to the gentile land of Gerasenes. And he carried out the decision made with his human mind and will through his human body – he walked as you and I would walk and he got into a boat, and then he used his human voice, powered by human lunges and shaped by a human tongue to speak in a human language to other human beings, saying, “‘Let us go across to the other side of the lake.’ So they set out…” (Luke 8:22, ESV). And as they journeyed across the lake, Jesus’ human body (and soul) grew tired – he was physically (and probably mentally) exhausted from all of the travel and teaching – and so “as they sailed he fell asleep” (Luke 8:23a, ESV). So then, the first thing that we must say about Jesus in answer to the question, “Who then is this, that he commands even winds and water, and they obey him?”, is that he is a man. He possesses a true human body and a true human soul.   

You might be tempted to think that this is a throwaway observation – one so obvious that it is hardly worth mentioning – but you would be mistaken. First of all, many throughout history have errored by denying that Jesus is truly human. These errors take many different forms. Some have denied that he has a true human body. Others have denied that he has a true human soul – a human mind, a human will, and human affections. These errors must be avoided. Christ was and is truly human in every respect. Secondly, this is no throwaway observation because our salvation depends upon the true humanity of Christ. While it is true that no mere man could earn the salvation of sinners, it is also true that a man had to do it. Though Christ is no mere man, he truly is a man, and for this reason, he is qualified to be our Redeemer and Savior.  A true son of Adam had to live an obedient life and die a sacrificial death to bring many sons and daughters of Adam to glory, and this is what Jesus Christ has done.  The Scriptures speak of the necessity of the true humanity of Christ for our salvation in many places. Hebrews 2 is very beautiful. It says, among other things, that Christ “had to be made like his brothers in every respect, so that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. For because he himself has suffered when tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted” (Hebrews 2:17–18, ESV). And something similar is said about Christ in Hebrews 4:15: “For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” (Hebrews 4:15–16, ESV)

“Who then is this, that he commands even winds and water, and they obey him?” First, he is Jesus the Messiah, a true man. Secondly, he is Jesus the Messiah, one who is more than a man. Indeed, he is the eternal Son or Word of God, the second person of the Triune God, incarnate. This is demonstrated by the authority that Jesus exercised even over the wind and the waves of the sea. In verse 23b we read, “And a windstorm came down on the lake, and they were filling with water and were in danger. And they went and woke him, saying, ‘Master, Master, we are perishing!’ And he awoke and rebuked the wind and the raging waves, and they ceased, and there was a calm” (Luke 8:23–24, ESV). 

That this was a miracle should be clear to all. The storm that came upon Jesus and his disciples in that boat was large and furious, so much so that the disciples (some of whom were fishermen, mind you) were convinced that were dead men. Yet, the wind immediately died down and the sea became calm at the moment that Christ sent forth his word. This was a miracle. It was a demonstration that Jesus was no ordinary man. And so it is no wonder that the disciples marveled and asked, “Who then is this..?”

But the true meaning or significance of this miracle becomes clear when we look back upon the Old Testament Scriptures to think about the theme of stormy waters that threaten the lives of God’s people and God’s power and authority over those waters. Let me briefly remind you of this biblical theme. 

First, do not forget about the turbulent waters that covered the earth at the beginning of the first day of creation and before God formed and fashioned the earth into a place suitable for human habitation. “In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was without form and void, and darkness was over the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters…” (Genesis 1:1–3, ESV). Verse 6: “And God said, ‘Let there be an expanse in the midst of the waters, and let it separate the waters from the waters.’” Verse 9: “And God said, ‘Let the waters under the heavens be gathered together into one place, and let the dry land appear.’ And it was so” (Genesis 1:9, ESV). The earthly realm that was created by God in the beginning was, at first, not a place for humans to dwell. We might say that waters threatened our very existence. But God subdued the waters. And how did he do it? By the Word of his power. So, when Christ calmed the stormy sea with his voice he did it to show his disciples who he truly was. He is no mere man. He is the eternal Word of the Father – the one through whom the heavens and earth were created in the beginning and the one through whom the primordial waters were separated and subdued – incarnate. The Apostles John states this truth at the very beginning of his gospel. He speaks of Jesus Christ when he says, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made” (John 1:1–3, ESV). Verse 14: “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth” (John 1:14, ESV). When Jesus Christ commanded the wind and the waves of the sea and they listened, we are to think of the Father creating through the Word and by the Spirit in the beginning. Jesus Christ is the Word. 

Secondly, I will (very briefly) remind you of the story of the flood. It was God who commanded the flood waters to rise and fall. 

Thirdly, I will remind you of the parting of the waters of the Red Sea by the hand of Moses at the time of the Exodus. Granted, the waters of the sea parted when Moses lifted up his staff (Exodus 14:16) but the story is very clear, it was the God who parted the waters of the sea. Moses was simply his instrument (“The LORD will fight for you, and you have only to be silent” (Exodus 14:14, ESV)). Things were very different with Jesus Christ. He spoke with an authority all his own when he calmed the wind and the waves. 

Fourthly, I will (very briefly) remind you of the story of the stopping up of teh waters of the Jordan River in the days of Joshua and at the time of the conquest (Joshua 3). God did that for Isarel. Joshua and especially the priests were his instruments. Jesus here demonstrates that he is greater than Joshua and the priests of Aaron for he commanded the wind and the waves with his own authoritative word. 

The fifth and last Old Testament text I would like to remind you of is the story of Jonah. This, I think, is a very interesting connection. As a bit of a side note, I read the book of Jonah in my morning devotions on the same day that I started preparation for this sermon. The similarities and differences between Jonah 1 and this story in Luke 8 are very interesting. Jonah was a rebellious prophet who abhorred the thought of ministering to the Gentiles in Ninavah. Jesus was happy to go to the Gentiles. A storm arose and threatened Jonah’s life as a judgment from God. Jonah 1:4 says, “But the LORD hurled a great wind upon the sea, and there was a mighty tempest on the sea, so that the ship threatened to break up” (Jonah 1:4, ESV). The storm of Luke 8 was not sent by God to judge Jesus and his disciples but it was permitted by him to be used for his glory. Both of the stories are similar in that Jesus and Jonah are said to have been fast asleep. Jonah 1:5-6 says, “But Jonah had gone down into the inner part of the ship and had lain down and was fast asleep. So the captain came and said to him, ‘What do you mean, you sleeper? Arise, call out to your god! Perhaps the god will give a thought to us, that we may not perish’” (Jonah 1:5–6, ESV). Jonah could not calm the storm, for he was a mere man. In fact, his prayers would do no good, for he was in rebellion against God. The relief came to the people in Jonah’s boat only after Jonah – that rebellious prophet – was thrown overboard. After that the LORD caused the storm to cease.  The text tells us that these pagans who were spared “feared the LORD exceedingly, and they offered a sacrifice to the LORD and made vows” (Jonah 1:16, ESV). On the most basic level, we are to see that in the story of Jonah, God himself commanded the wind and sea to make it rage and to make it calm again, and here in our passage for today Christ demonstrates that he possesses this same power and authority, for he is no mere man, but is the eternal Word of God incarnate. On a bit deeper level, I do believe that we are to compare and contrast Jesus and Jonah. Both were prophets called to bring light to the Gentiles. Both calmed the stormy sea. Both spent three days in Sheol and in a tomb and were resurrected, Jonah in a typological way (I think) and Christ in reality. But Jesus is a far greater Prophet. He was obedient to the Father. He cared for the nations. And he did not merely carry within him the word of God, he is the Word of God incarnate, and he demonstrated this when he calmed the stormy sea with his voice.    

“Who then is this, that he commands even winds and water, and they obey him?” He is the eternal Word of God, the Creator of heaven and earth, God Almighty, the second person of the Triune God incarnate. He is the one who has authority even over the wind and waves of the sea. He calmed the waters of the Sea of Galilee. More importantly, he has calmed the waters of God’s wrath for all who are in the boat with him, being united to him by faith. He, like Jonah, would calm the waters of God’s wrath by being cast into the grave and by going down into Sheol through the suffering and death of the cross, and he, like Jonah, would rise again on the third day in victory.  

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What Does The Story Of The Calming of The Sea Teach Us About Being A Disciple Of Jesus? 

Now we come to our second question. What does this story about Jesus’ calming of the stormy sea teach us about being a disciple of Jesus? 

Firstly, being a disciple of Jesus means that we must get into the boat with him to follow him wherever he leads.

A disciple is a follower or learner. To have faith in Christ is to follow him, learn from him, and obey him. We see an image of this in the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. These Gospels tell us about men following after Jesus in a very literal way. He called them, and they left their old way of life behind and walked with him in the world to learn from him and obey him. And here in the story that is before us today, we see a particular instance of this. Jesus spoke to his disciples, saying, “‘Let us go across to the other side of the lake.’ So they set out…”  They obeyed his voice. They responded to his call. They got into the boat with Jesus and followed after him. 

Though we do not see Jesus in the flesh presently, the same is still true for you and me. If we have faith in Christ, we are his disciples. This means we are followers and learners of Jesus. Of course, we walk with him by faith and not by sight. He leads us, not in the flesh, but by his word and Spirit. And he is certainly present with us. He is separated from us bodily, being now enthroned in heaven at the Father’s right hand, but he is present with us to lead us and teach us according to his divinity and in the Holy Spirit he has poured out. 

Friends, I ask you, do you think of yourself as a disciple, learner, and follower of Jesus?  The disciples who walked with him in his earthly ministry certainly thought of themselves in this way. In a sense, it was easier for them to be mindful of this relationship. When they woke in the morning, they saw their Rabbi in the flesh with their physical eyes. They could hear his voice with their physical ears. For you and I who live nearly 2,000 years after his resurrection and ascension, things are different. We cannot see him now. And we do not hear his audible voice. But we are no less disciples of his.

Do not forget the commission that Christ gave to his Apostles, and through them to the church, before he ascended bodily. He said,  “Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations…” Jesus did not stop making disciples when he ascended bodily. No, the work was just beginning. Many more disciples of Jesus have been made after he was taken from our sight than in the days of his earthly ministry. How can this be? How can a Rabbi have disciples if he is not present with him? Well, the answer is that he cannot. But Jesus is present with us. We have his word. We have his Holy Spirit. Christ is with us, not in his humanity, but in his divinity, for as the eternal Word or Son of the Father he is as omnipresent as he has ever been. 

I know this might sound strange to you, but our privileges as disciples of Jesus are greater, not less, than the privileges experienced by the disciples of Jesus when he walked with them on earth.  Christ is nearer to us now. He is more intimately involved. He is more active in his teaching now that he has ascended. Christ himself taught this. I am thinking of his words to his disciples as recorded in John 14:18. He spoke of his death, resurrection, and ascension, saying, “I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you.” In John 14:23 he said, “If anyone loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him.” And in John 16:7 he said, “Nevertheless, I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you.” The Helper that he speaks of is the Holy Spirit. 

A Rabbi cannot effectively teach and lead his disciples if he is not present with them, but Christ is present with us, and we are disciples of his today. Do not forget what Christ said to his Apostles after commissioning them. “And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age” (Matthew 28:18–20, ESV).

If you have faith in Christ today, he is your Rabbi and you are his disciple, follower, and learner. He is present with you to lead you and to teach you. My question for you is this: are you mindful of it? Do you arise in the morning being mindful of the duty that you have to follow Jesus and to be taught by him? When you open his word to read, you are reading the very words of Jesus, the eternal Word incarnate. And if you are united to Christ by faith, he has given you the Holy Spirit to help you and to guide you into all truth. How does Christ teach his disciples now that he has ascended on high? He teaches us by his word and Spirit. He teaches us and guides us day by day, and Lord’s Day after Lord’s Day. His presence with us is made audible and visible each Lord’s Day through the public reading and preaching of the Word of God and in the sacrament of the Lord’s Table.  Again, the question: Are you living like a disciple of Jesus? Are you hearing, learning, and obeying his word? Are you following his lead? Are you learning from the lessons he brings to you even through the experiences of this life? 

Secondly, true disciples of Jesus will not be immune from the storms of life, that is to say, trials, and tribulations of various kinds.

I will not linger long on this point for I think it is rather obvious. If these disciples of Jesus experienced this great and terrifying storm while Jesus was in the boat with them on the Sea of Galilee, then we should not be surprised to experience storms in this life as we walk with our Savior in this world.  

Peter speaks of the storms of persecution when he says, “Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you.” (1 Peter 4:12, ESV). James speaks of trials and tribulations more broadly when he says, “Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing” (James 1:2-4, ESV)

This story about Jesus calming the wind and waves by the word of his power teaches us many things about being his disciples, one of them being that true disciples of Jesus will not be immune from the storms of life.

Thirdly, true disciples of Jesus do not always display strong faith. This is simply the reality of things. 

The faith of these disciples of Jesus appeared strong when they were on land, the sun was shining, and the skies were blue. But what happened when they were out on the sea and the wind and the waves threatened? They were terrified. “[T]hey went and woke [Jesus], saying, ‘Master, Master, we are perishing!”  

Brothers and sisters, I think it is important to notice the weaknesses and failing of true disciples of Jesus as recorded in the Scriptures so that, one, we do not despair over our own weaknesses and failings, and two, so that we do not judge one another too harshly. 

Should we strive to have strong faith? Should we encourage one another to have strong faith? Yes, indeed. But the reality is that, in this present evil age, true disciples of Jesus will not always exhibit strong faith. We often sin. We are tainted by false beliefs. Sometimes we doubt. At other times we are overcome by fear. We long for the day when all these corruptions will be removed. Until then, this is the reality. Imperfections and corruptions remain. The church needs to be reminded of this reality so that we might be patient with one another. 

Three verses come to mind. Romans 14: 1 says, “As for the one who is weak in faith, welcome him, but not to quarrel over opinions.” So then, the church is to welcome and receive into their membership those who are weak in faith. These are to be cared for, but not if they are going to stir up division within the church. Colossians 1:28 also comes to mind. Here Paul says, “[Christ] we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we may present everyone mature in Christ.” What was Paul’s aim as a minister of teh word of God? To preach Christ so that those under his care would reach maturity. But this implies that not all are mature now. And with these, we must be patient and kind. The third verse that comes to mind is 1 Thessalonians 5:14. Here Paul instructs the whole church, saying, “And we urge you, brothers, admonish the idle, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with them all.” Even the Apostles of Jesus had moments of weakness. I mention this not to excuse sin, immaturity, and faithlessness, but to encourage patience and kindness amongst the members of the congregation. 

Before we move on from this point, notice what the disciples of Jesus did in their moment of weakness and fear. They ran to Jesus to petition him. And this is what we must do in our moments of faithlessness, fear, and anxiety. We must run to God through Jesus our High Priest to petition him in prayer. “He will not let your foot be moved; he who keeps you will not slumber. Behold, he who keeps Israel will neither slumber nor sleep” (Psalm 121:3–4, ESV).

Fourthly, true disciples of Jesus will be tried and tested so that their faith may grow stronger.

Why did Jesus allow his disciples to experience this harrowing ordeal? Why did he take them out onto the sea? Why did he sleep for a time and allow the storm to rage? Why did he permit his disciples to experience this fear and sense this despair? It was to teach them to trust in him. It was to strengthen their faith. And so he spoke to them, saying, “Where is your faith?” 

Certainly, these disciples of Jesus would look back upon this storm to remember the Lord’s faithfulness when experiencing storms of a different kind later in life. And know this, they experienced many storms after Christ ascended. Most of them would be killed for their faith. Peter, tradition tells us, was crucified. John was badly persecuted and exiled for a time. But it was, among other things, this experience with Jesus on the Sea of Galilee that prepared them to face the trials and tribulations of life, and even the great trial of death, with faith and courage. They learned that Christ would always be with him. They learned that Christ had the power to calm the fierceness of God’s wrath and to save them from destruction, and so they were strengthened to walk with him faithfully until the end.  

Those who have walked with Christ for many years will know what this is like. Seasoned believers are able to look back upon earlier storms and remember God’s faithfulness. In this way, they are strengthened to face the present storm, whatever it may be.

Fifthly, and lastly, the faith of Jesus’ disciples will grow stronger as they grow in their understanding of who Christ is and what he has done for them. 

In a way, we return now to the first half of this sermon. Jesus did not take his disciples out on the sea and into the storm to merely test their faith. He took them out on the sea and allowed them to experience this storm to show forth his power and his glory. So then, it was not only the weakness of the disciples’ faith that was exposed, but the power, glory, and greatness of the object of their faith was also put on display. If they had remained on the land, and if the storm had never arisen, the power and glory of Christ would have never been displayed.  

Our faith will grow stronger as we grow in our understanding of who Christ is and what he has done for us. We see this principle play out in the Gospel of Luke and in Acts. The disciples do mature. They grow from being weak in faith to strong and bold in faith. But how does this growth take place? They grow as their understanding of Christ grows. 

 “Who then is this, that he commands even winds and water, and they obey him?” That, my friends, is a very importaint question. These disciples of Jesus would be prompted to ask this same question in different ways many times before Christ ascended into heaven. Even if it is not recorded for us, they must have wondered, who then is this whom the demons obey? Who then is this who has power over sickness? Who then is this who has power over death? 

The disciples of Jesus grew in their faith, not through natural self-improvement, the development of discipline, or by willpower alone, but by growing in their knowledge of the person and work of Jesus Christ. Who then is this? He is the Messiah, the eternal Word of God incarnate. He is our Creator, Sustainer, and Redeemer. Indeed, he is worthy of all our trust and of all our praise. 

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Prayer

Baptist Catechism 109

Q. 109. What do we pray for in the second petition?

A. In the second petition, which is “Thy kingdom come,” we pray that Satan’s kingdom may be destroyed, and that the kingdom of grace may be advanced; ourselves and others brought into it, and kept in it, and that the kingdom of glory may be hastened. (Matt. 6:10; Ps. 68:1-18; Rom. 10:1; 2 Thess. 3:1; Matt. 9:37,38; Rev. 22:20)

Scripture Reading: Matthew 9:35–38

“And Jesus went throughout all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom and healing every disease and every affliction. When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, ‘The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.’” (Matthew 9:35–38, ESV)

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Please excuse any typos and misspellings within this manuscript. It has been published online for the benefit of the saints of Emmaus Reformed Baptist Church but without the benefit of proofreading.

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You know, over the years I’ve tried to teach you to think of the story of the Bible as a story about the establishment of God’s kingdom. Yes, there are other ways to talk about the story of the Bible. We may divide the story into four parts: creation, fall, redemption, and consummation. Or we may divide up the scriptures according to the covenants that God has made with man: the Covenant of Works in the garden, the Old Covenant transacted with Abraham, and later with Israel through Moses, and with David. And then finally, the New Covenant, which is the Covenant of Grace that was promised immediately after the fall of man into sin. These are important and helpful ways to understand the story of scripture too. And please hear me, they do not disagree with the story of God’s kingdom, but complement it perfectly. The story of scripture is indeed the story of the establishment of God’s kingdom. That story involves creation, fall, redemption, and consummation. It also involves covenants, for this is how God administers his kingdom: through covenants. 

What is a kingdom? To have a kingdom you must have three elements. One, a king. Two, a land. And three, citizens. 

And if we were to speak of the story of the Bible using kingdom language, how would we put it? We say something like this: 

In the beginning, God offered his eternally blessed kingdom to Adam, but Adam rejected it.  Where was that kingdom? It was originally in the garden but was to spread to the ends of the earth. Who were the citizens of that kingdom? Adam and Eve were, and all of their posterity. And who was the King? God was, and Adam was to function as God’s representative on earth. He was the original prophet, priest, and king, the head or representative of the human race.  He was to worship and serve his Maker faithfully on the earth and thus bring this kingdom to its consummate state, that is to say, to glory. But as I said, Adam rejected the kingdom. This he did when he listened to the voice of another. He decided to cast the authority of his Maker aside and to live for his own glory. Adam became the first rebel and traitor, and the kingdom was lost.  

But God, by his grace, determined to establish his kingdom another way, and he made a promise even in the presence of Adam and Eve, that he would provide a Savior or Redeemer through the offspring of Eve. A son of hers would one day establish the kingdom that Adam failed to obtain. This announcement is found in Genesis 3:15 and it is repeated throughout the Old Testament scriptures in different ways and with ever-increasing clarity until that Redeemer and Savior did come.   

So then, we may talk about the kingdom in these terms: first, it was offered and rejected by Adam, and then it was graciously promised by the Lord. 

It must also be said that in the days of Moses on to the resurrection of Christ from the grave and his ascension to the Father’s right hand, God’s kingdom was prefigured in the nation of Israel. Laws were added to set those people apart as holy. Those people were given land. In due time, kings were appointed who were to serve, like Adam, as God’s representatives. At the very heart of that nation’s existence was the tabernacle, and later the temple. Old Covenant Israel was a holy nation, set apart by God to worship and to serve him. And I am saying that this was an earth picture of the kingdom of God. The kingdom of God was prefigured there.

But it was not until Christ came into the world to accomplish his work that it was said, “the kingdom of heaven is at hand”. John the Baptist said it. Christ said it too. And when Christ rose from the grave, ascended, and poured out his Spirit upon those who believe, God’s eternal kingdom was truly present on earth. Who is the king of this kingdom? God rules it through Christ.  Who are the citizens of this kingdom? All who believe, who have Christ as Lord, and are sealed with the Holy Spirit. And where is this kingdom now? It is visibly manifest in the church, but it will one day fill the earth when Christ returns to judge and to make all things new. Therefore, when we speak of the kingdom of God on earth today we must speak of it as inaugurated, (or begun), but not yet consummated (or brought to completion).

And all of that serves as a vital introduction to our catechism questions for today, which asks, “What do we pray for in the second petition?”

Answer: “In the second petition, which is ‘Thy kingdom come,’ we pray that Satan’s kingdom may be destroyed and that the kingdom of grace may be advanced; ourselves and others brought into it, and kept in it, and that the kingdom of glory may be hastened.”

The kingdom of God advances in this age as Satan’s kingdom is destroyed. Everyone in the world belongs to one of two kingdoms. All men are born in Adam, into the broken covenant of works, and into Satan’s kingdom. Remember, Adam rebelled against God and submitted himself to Satan instead. God’s kingdom and Satan’s kingdom are diametrically opposed to one another now. The one is light, the other is darkness. And when God’s kingdom advances, Satan’s must be destroyed.  That is what we pray for when we pray that God’s kingdom come. 

More than this, we pray that the “kingdom of grace may be advanced; ourselves and others brought into it, and kept in it…” How does this happen except through the preaching of the gospel of Jesus Christ, which is the gospel of the kingdom of God. As men and women believe this gospel, they do turn from their sins, and they bow the knee to Jesus, confessing him to be Lord. When we pray, thy kingdom come, we are praying for the success of the gospel, that men and women would hear it and believe it by the power of the Holy Spirit, and that they would be kept by God. In other words, we are praying for the building up and preservation of the church.

Lastly, we are praying that “the kingdom of glory may be hastened.” The distinction that is made between the kingdom of God inaugurated and consummated is important here. The kingdom was inaugurated as Christ’s first coming. When we pray that God’s kingdom come we are praying that God’s kingdom would advance on earth today, as I have already said. But we are also praying that God’s kingdom come in fullness. When our catechism speaks of “the kingdom of glory” it is a reference to the kingdom of Christ in its consummate and eternal state. Taken in this sense, the prayer, “thy kingdom come”,  is like praying, Lord Jesus, come quickly. 

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Conclusion

So what sorts of things should we pray for under the petition, thy kingdom come? We should pray for the salvation of those we know and their baptism into the church. We should pray for the growth of the church, the health of the church, the work of elders and deacons, the success of missionaries and church planters, the flourishing of those institutions that train pastors, the prosperity of our association and the churches within. We should also pray for one another in the body of Christ, that the Lord would keep us from falling, that we would use the gifts that God has given to us for the building up of the body of Christ, that our love for one another would grow and our unity would be preserved, along with many other things. What should we pray for under the second pertion? Really, anything having to do with sinners being transferred from the kingdom of darkness and into the kingdom of God’s beloved Son

Old Testament Reading: Ezekiel 36:22–32

“Therefore say to the house of Israel, Thus says the Lord GOD: It is not for your sake, O house of Israel, that I am about to act, but for the sake of my holy name, which you have profaned among the nations to which you came. And I will vindicate the holiness of my great name, which has been profaned among the nations, and which you have profaned among them. And the nations will know that I am the LORD, declares the Lord GOD, when through you I vindicate my holiness before their eyes. I will take you from the nations and gather you from all the countries and bring you into your own land. I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you shall be clean from all your uncleannesses, and from all your idols I will cleanse you. And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes and be careful to obey my rules. You shall dwell in the land that I gave to your fathers, and you shall be my people, and I will be your God. And I will deliver you from all your uncleannesses. And I will summon the grain and make it abundant and lay no famine upon you. I will make the fruit of the tree and the increase of the field abundant, that you may never again suffer the disgrace of famine among the nations. Then you will remember your evil ways, and your deeds that were not good, and you will loathe yourselves for your iniquities and your abominations. It is not for your sake that I will act, declares the Lord GOD; let that be known to you. Be ashamed and confounded for your ways, O house of Israel.” (Ezekiel 36:22–32, ESV)

New Testament Reading: Luke 8:4-15

“And when a great crowd was gathering and people from town after town came to him, he said in a parable, ‘A sower went out to sow his seed. And as he sowed, some fell along the path and was trampled underfoot, and the birds of the air devoured it. And some fell on the rock, and as it grew up, it withered away, because it had no moisture. And some fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up with it and choked it. And some fell into good soil and grew and yielded a hundredfold.’ As he said these things, he called out, ‘He who has ears to hear, let him hear.’ And when his disciples asked him what this parable meant, he said, ‘To you it has been given to know the secrets of the kingdom of God, but for others they are in parables, so that ‘seeing they may not see, and hearing they may not understand.’ Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God. The ones along the path are those who have heard; then the devil comes and takes away the word from their hearts, so that they may not believe and be saved. And the ones on the rock are those who, when they hear the word, receive it with joy. But these have no root; they believe for a while, and in time of testing fall away. And as for what fell among the thorns, they are those who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by the cares and riches and pleasures of life, and their fruit does not mature. As for that in the good soil, they are those who, hearing the word, hold it fast in an honest and good heart, and bear fruit with patience.” (Luke 8:4–15, ESV)

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Please excuse any typos and misspellings within this manuscript. It has been published online for the benefit of the saints of Emmaus Reformed Baptist Church but without the benefit of proofreading.

Introduction

A parable is a simple story that has spiritual meaning. As you probably know, Jesus often spoke in parables. And here in Luke 8, we find one of the more famous and beloved parables of Jesus. 

What should we call this parable? Should we call it The Parable Of The Sower? Or should we call it The Parable Of The Soils? Those are two fine options, for in this parable we do find a sower – that is, a farmer who is casting seed in his field – and we find a description of four different kinds of soils upon which the seed fell – there is hardpacked soil, rocky soil, thorny soil, and good soil. The parable itself is found in Luke 8:4-8, and in verses 11-15, Jesus explains what each component of the story represents. The seed that is thrown represents the word of God. The sower is the one who preaches the word of God. The soils represent all who hear the word preached. And the different soils represent the different ways that people hear or receive the word of God. 

So what should we call this parable? I’ll admit, in a way, it doesn’t matter what we call it. Jesus did not give this parable a title. If the translation of the Bible you are reading from has a section heading above this passage, you should know that is not original to the text but was added by the publisher. But in another way, it does matter, for what we call this parable will likely have some impact on how we interpret it. 

Here is the interpretive question we must answer: Is this parable about the sower, that is to say, the one who preaches the word of God? Or is this parable about the soils, that is to say, those who hear the word of God preached? Stated differently, when Jesus spoke this parable was his intention to teach us about how the word of God is to be preached or was his intention to teach us about how the word of God is to be heard and received? Stated in yet another way, is this parable intended for the preachers or the hearers of God’s word? 

May I suggest to you that the answer is, both? It seems to me that this one parable contains valuable insights for both preachers and the hearers of the word of God. I think the text itself pushes us in this interpretive direction when Luke informs us that this teaching was delivered in two places before two different audiences. Firstly, we are told that Jesus spoke this parable to the great crowds that came to him from the towns. Certainly, Jesus aimed to exhort these people to receive the word of God well. By telling this parable to the multitudes he was warning them to be good hearers of God’s word. Secondly, Luke informs us that Jesus explained this parable to his disciples in private. Yes, they too needed to be warned to receive the word of God well, but they would also be sent out to preach, that is to say, to sow the seed of the gospel of the kingdom of God. And Jesus said some things to his disciples in private that would help them to be good and faithful preachers of God’s word. So, if you ask me, a wonderful title for this parable would be, The Parable Of The Sower, The Seed, And The Soils, for in this one parable we learn a great deal about preaching and receiving the seed of God’s word. 

Before I go on, you should know that I will be devoting two sermons to this text. The title of today’s sermon is The Parable Of The Sower, The Seed, And The Soils, With Special Attention Given To The Soils. The title of next Sunday’s sermon will be, The Parable Of The Sower, The Seed, And The Soils, With Special Attention Given To The Sower And The Seed.   

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The Soils

So, let us now consider the soils. What does the soil represent in this parable? It represents all people who come into contact with God’s word. The sower is a preacher. The seed that he sows is the word of God. And the soil represents all who hear the preaching of the word of God.

Notice I did not say that the soil represents all people in the world without exception. No, these soils represent those who hear God’s word in the world. And it must be remembered, friends, that there are people who live in this world who have never heard the word of God. I mention this for two reasons: One, as a reminder that we must be committed to taking the gospel to these unreached people. And two – and this is more to the point of the sermon today – to remind you that you are privileged to have heard the good news of Jesus Christ and to sit regularly under the ministry of the word. The seed of the word of God has been cast upon you. It has come into your ears. Do not forget that it is not cast upon all. You are in a privileged place, therefore, and you should know it. 

So I ask you, friends, do you consider it a privilege to hear the word of God read and preached? Do you cherish God’s word? Do you prepare your minds and hearts to receive it? Do you listen to God’s word carefully? Do you receive it humbly? Do you meditate upon it so that it changes your mind and your heart? And do you receive the word with the intent to obey? That is what this parable of the soils is about. It is, in part, an exhortation to receive the word of God in the right way and with a good heart so that it would be fruitful in you. 

Four types of soil are mentioned in this parable. Each one represents a different kind of hearer. As we consider this parable, the question that you and I must ask ourselves is, which soil represents me? What kind of hearer am I? What kind of heart do I have? 

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The Wayside

The first type of soil is the wayside. It is the hard compacted soil of a well-traveled path. We do not live in an agrarian society, but I’m sure you can picture it. Picture a field that is tilled and ready to be planted. Now picture the perimeter of that field and the path on which the farmer and his family walk every day. The ground is hard and compacted. That is the kind of soil that is described in Luke 8:5. There we read,  ​“A sower went out to sow his seed. And as he sowed, some fell along the path and was trampled underfoot, and the birds of the air devoured it” (Luke 8:5, ESV). In Luke 8:11 Jesus explains the meaning. “Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God. The ones along the path are those who have heard; then the devil comes and takes away the word from their hearts, so that they may not believe and be saved” (Luke 8:11–12, ESV).

So here we have a picture of a person who hears the word of God proclaimed but does not really hear. They pay no attention to the word. When they hear the word preached they are distracted, disengaged, disinterested, and dismissive. The word of God falls on their ears but in no way does it fall upon the ears of their mind or heart. The seed of the word of God does fall on them, but it has no impact. It makes no impression. Why? Because their heart is hard to God and to the things of God. Because the seed of the word falls on them and lays only on the surface of the hardpacked soil of their heart, there is no opportunity for it to germinate, much less, to set down healthy roots, sprout, grow, and bear fruit. The seed of the gospel is soon trampled upon, crushed, and carried away by the birds. And the birds, Jesus says, represent the devil himself. The devil and his minions have many ways and tactics of snatching the gospel of the kingdom away from the minds and hearts of men and women hardened by sin. This we will consider in more detail in the following sermon. 

The hard, compacted soil of the wayside is a good description of those outside of the Christian congregation who have heard the word of the gospel proclaimed and yet never have they received it. The gospel is preached to them and they scoff. The gospel is preached to them and it seems like foolishness. The gospel is preached to them and they are unmoved and indifferent. They reject Christ as he is offered to them in the gospel, therefore they remain in their sins and are not saved. 

Now, though it is true that those with hearts like this will rarely ever assemble with the Christian congregation, it is not impossible to imagine a situation where they might. As you probably know, people assemble with the church for all kinds of reasons. Many do so from the heart because they have sincere faith. But others might assemble to please family, because their parents make them, to appear religious in the eyes of others in society, or because they think that attending church will better their life in some way. I think you can understand the point that I am making. While most who hear the word of God with a hard, compacted heart will never darken the door of the church, some will enter. Some may even sit for a very long time under the ministry of the word with a heart like this, They hear, but they do not hear. 

And so I must ask the question (yes, even in this setting), does this describe you? Does the word of God bounce off of you like seeds thrown upon the concrete? If so, I plead with you to call out to God for mercy. Turn from your sins and believe upon Christ for salvation. Stop mocking God and presuming on his kindness. As Paul the Apostles says, “do you presume on the riches of his kindness and forbearance and patience, not knowing that God’s kindness is meant to lead you to repentance? But because of your hard and impenitent heart you are storing up wrath for yourself on the day of wrath when God’s righteous judgment will be revealed. He will render to each one according to his works: to those who by patience in well-doing seek for glory and honor and immortality, he will give eternal life; but for those who are self-seeking and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, there will be wrath and fury” (Romans 2:4–8, ESV). If your heart is hard to God and things of God, humble yourself, turn from your sins, and trust in Christ today lest you die in your sins and go to judgment and condemnation.  

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The Rocky Soil

While it might be difficult to imagine someone with a hard, compacted heart regularly assembling with the Christian congregation, it is not at all difficult to see that those with hearts represented by the next three soil types will always be present within the church – the church will always have those with rocky, thorny, and good hearts in her midst. Consider now the rocky soil and be warned.

In verse 6 we read, “And some [seed] fell on the rock, and as it grew up, it withered away, because it had no moisture.” Now consider the explanation of Jesus in verse 13: “And the ones on the rock are those who, when they hear the word, receive it with joy. But these have no root; they believe for a while, and in time of testing fall away”.

Brothers and sisters, are you able to imagine what rocky soil is like? It is different from the hard, compacted soil of the path described above. That soil is hard and flat. When the seed is cast upon it, it has no place to go. It cannot penetrate the soil in any way but rests exposed on the surface of the ground. It is soon trampled and carried away. The rocky soil is different. We are to think here of good soil with many small stones in it. The surface of this soil type is rough and jagged, with cracks and crevices. And in those cracks and crevices, there is sprinkled some good soil. So, there is a place for the seed to go. In a sense, the seed is received by this soil easily. It falls into the cracks and crevices between the stones and into the dusting of good soil that is present there. It quickly germinates and begins to grow in that protected place. In fact, it grows up very quickly. And why does the seed that falls on rocky soil sprout up so quickly? It is because all of the energy is directed, not downwards into the soil (for there is little soil), but upwards. So, there is at first the appearance of life and the hope of fruitfulness, but it is in vain. These plants will thrive early in the springtime, but they will not last long. As the coolness and dampness of springtime give way to the heat and drought of summer, these plants that have sprouted in the rocky soil will quickly whither, for they have no roots. And here we have a picture of those who “believe for a while, and in a time of testing fall away.” They fall away in the heat of temptation and trial because they “have no root” (vs. 13). It is because they “have no root” that they are not able to survive the heat of the testings, trials, and tribulations of this life.  

I think you would agree with me that there are some – maybe even many – who assemble with the church and claim to be followers of Jesus Christ, who have received the word, not in a true way to the salvation of their souls, but only in a false, external, and superficial way. They appear to us to have faith. They may for a time appear to be very zealous – very full of life. But when times of testing come, they wither away, revealing that their faith was not true, for these received the word of God, not deeply and authentically, but only superficially and externally. The word of God – the gospel of Jesus Christ – has not taken root in them.  

Yes, we do confess that salvation is by the grace of God alone received through faith in Christ alone. And yes, we confess that all who call on the name of the Lord will be saved. John 3:16 is true! “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16, ESV). Romans 10:13 is true!  “For ‘everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved’” (Romans 10:13, ESV). But these passages refer to a belief in Christ that is true. 

There is such a thing as false belief or a false profession of faith, and that is what is pictured here by the rocky soil. For a time, there appears to be a reception of God’s word. There is a profession of faith that is made and a gathering together with the people of God. But over time, the one who receives the word in this shallow, heartless, and insincere way will certainly fall away. The trials of life will overwhelm them just as the heat of summer overwhelms a plant that has sprouted in shallow soil. To paraphrase the Apostle John, these false professors go out from us, but this shows that they were not truly of us; “for if they had been of us, they would have continued with us. But they [go] out, that it might become plain that they all are not of us” (1 John 2:19, ESV). These our confession refers to as “temporary believers” (2LCF 14.3). 

Again, the question I must ask (yes, even of this audience) is, does this describe you? Have you received the word of God but only in a superficial way?  It can be difficult to judge our own hearts, can’t it? I suppose we could all look inward and say, Lord, I have not loved you and your word as deeply as I should. I have not stored up your word in my mind or cherished it in my heart as I ought. My faith is weak. I’m too easily shaken, etc. I suppose the purpose of the question, does this describe you?, is not so much to have you answer yes or no definitively, but so that you, by God’s grace, might be moved to tremble at the thought of it being you. Stated differently, as I ask the question, does the rocky soil represent you?, I hope and pray that the Spirit of God will awaken you to the danger of receiving the word of God superficially and produce within you a deeper and more sincere faith.     

If you fear that the rocky soil describes your heart, what should you do? Well, you should cry out to God for mercy. You should turn from your sins and look to Christ more sincerely. And you should resolve, by the grace of God and in the strength that he provides to receive the word of God, the gospel of Jesus Christ, more deeply into the heart and mind. Yes, this is a work that God, by his grace, must do in you. But it is also a work that God calls you to do. We are to obey James 1:21 which says, “Therefore put away all filthiness and rampant wickedness and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls” (James 1:21, ESV). That is a command, friends. We are to “receive with meekness the implanted word”. Lord, have mercy on us and grant us this gift. Enable us to be good hearers of your word. May we receive your word sincerely and deeply in the mind and heart, and not shallowly.  This should be our prayer. And after praying a prayer like this, we ought to rise up with the intent to obey. We are to be eager hearers of God’s word. We are to be well-prepared and attentive listeners. And we are to be doers of the word of God. As James says in the next verse, “But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves” (James 1:22, ESV).

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The Thorny Soil

The third type of soil mentioned is the thorny soil.

In Luke 8:7 Christ says, “And some fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up with it and choked it.” In verse 14 Christ explains, “And as for what fell among the thorns, they are those who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by the cares and riches and pleasures of life, and their fruit does not mature.”

Some of you may be wondering, does this soil type – the thorny soil – represent true believers or false believers? It is not so clear, is it? Clearly, those represented by the wayside are not believers – in no way do they receive the word. And those represented by the rocky soil are not true believers either. They appear to believe, but over time their profession of faith is proven false as they fall away. But the matter is not so clear with the thorny soil. And perhaps the reason is that both true believers and false professors are threatened by the thorns of life. The one who makes a false profession of faith will be choked by the thorns of life unto spiritual ruin and death. But it is also possible for a true believer to be choked by the thorns of life to the detriment of their spiritual vitality and fruitfulness. 

The warning delivered by Jesus is very clear and it is for all who profess faith in him. Beware of the thorns of life, friends. Cut them back and uproot them lest they steal your spiritual vitality and diminish your fruitfulness. Indeed, some have been so overrun by the thorns of this life that they have denied the faith. Judas was one of these. Mind you, he heard this teaching from our Lord, but he did not heed the warning. 

So what are the thorns of life that choke our vitality and fruitfulness and threaten to keep us from reaching maturity, yes, even the maturity of life eternal? Jesus gives us three categories. They are the “cares and riches and pleasures of life”.   

The cares of life may also be called the worries or the anxieties of life. In the Greek, it is the same root word that is used in Matthew 6:25 where Christ says, “Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on”, etc. Here in our text, Christ warns about the cares or anxieties of life, and he compares them to thorny weeds. 

Everyone has cares. Everyone has worries. Everyone feels anxious from time to time. But these cares must be kept in check. By faith, we must cut them back. By faith, we must uproot them. If we allow the cares of this world to grow unabated in the garden of our souls, they will choke our vitality. These thorny weeds will diminish our fruitfulness. They might even lead to our destruction.

Christ also warns us of the danger of riches or possessions. To be rich is not sinful. But the desire and pursuit of wealth is dangerous. It can choke the soul. Think of how all-consuming the pursuit and maintenance of wealth and possessions can be. Has the Lord blessed you with wealth? Do you have nice possessions?  Christ does not here condemn this. But he does warn of the danger of riches and possessions. Riches and the pursuit of riches must be kept in check lest they overrun the soul. 

In 1 Timothy 6:6 Paul speaks to the importance of keeping the heart pure in this regard. He says, “But godliness with contentment is great gain, for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world. But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content. But those who desire [have it as their aim or goal] to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving [aspiration, longing] that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs” (1 Timothy 6:6–10, ESV).

Beware, brothers and sisters, of making the attainment of wealth and possessions your aim. Beware of the love of money. The love and pursuit of wealth and possessions are like thorny weeds that threaten to overrun your soul. The pursuit of riches can rob your vitality. It can diminish your fruitfulness in Christ’s kingdom as you are driven to live for the wrong thing. “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal” (Matthew 6:19–20, ESV). So then, Christians who are rich in this world and Christians who are poor in this world must keep their hearts pure as it pertains to the love of money.

Thirdly, Christ warns us of the pleasures of this life. Isn’t marvelous to think that God created us in such a way that we are able to enjoy pleasures? Have you ever stopped to think about that? Think of the capacity that you have to experience pleasure, both in body and soul. And think of all the pleasures we enjoy in this life. The pleasures of life and the ability to enjoy them is a gift from God. And we ought to give him thanks for this gift every time we enjoy the good things of this life. But here Christ warns us about the desire to enjoy the pleasures of this life. He describes the pleasures of this life as thorny weeds that may choke the fruit of the seed of the gospel if allowed to grow unrestrained. 

So when does the enjoyment of pleasures become a thorny weed of the soul – a curse rather than a blessing? One, when the earthly pleasures we enjoy are enjoyed as an end in themselves instead of as a gift from God, to the glory of his name. Two, when the pursuit of the enjoyment of earthly pleasures become the aim of our life? Three, when the earthly pleasures we enjoy are sinful. And four, when we chose the pleasures of this life over devotion to the God of heaven and the Christ he has sent. Sometimes following Christ means suffering the loss of earthly pleasure. 

So then, you can see that there is a sense in which the “cares and riches and pleasures of life” are all common things and even good things in their proper place and within proportion. But if these things are allowed to grow out of control, they will consume our souls, choke out the word of God, and hinder us from producing mature fruit. 

Truly, the thorny weed is an apt metaphor for how the cares, riches, and pleasures of life threaten to overrun the soul, for these things threaten the soul in a very subtle way. Like weeds in the garden, the cares, riches, and pleasures of life are ever-present realities in the life of every man. And like weeds in the garden, these cares and desires must be contained and controlled. Like weeds in the garden, they must be cut back and uprooted in mind and heart. The thorny weeds in the garden grow rather slowly, especially when they are small. But if allowed to grow, their growth accelerates as the plant matures. And if they are allowed to grow to full maturity, those thorny weeds will drop seeds of their own, and they will multiply. That is how a garden is overrun with noxious weeds. And so it is with the mind and heart of man. We must keep our hearts and our minds, brothers and sisters. We must tend to the garden of our souls, lest the cares of this world, and the desire for the riches and pleasures of this life, overrun us and render us “ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ” (2 Peter 1:8, ESV).

So I must ask, does the thorny soil describe you? Are there weeds in the garden of your mind and heart? In fact, I know there are. No one is without anxieties in this life. Everyone desires prosperity and pleasure to some degree. But are you tending to these cares and desires in the mind and heart to control them according to the truth of God’s word and by his Spirit? Are you meditating on the truth of God’s word and asking yourself the question, are these thoughts that I am thinking – are these cares that I am dwelling upon – are these emotions and desires that I feel – good, right, true, and pleasing to my God, in whom I trust? Or have these anxieties and desires for earthly possessions and pleasures begun to choke my spiritual life to make me unfruitful in Christ’s kingdom? Pull the weeds, brothers and sisters. Tend to the garden of your soul. Tend to it daily by meditating on God’s word. Tend to it in prayer. Tend to it through repentance – yes, we must repent of sinful thoughts, desires, and attitudes. Tend to the garden of your soul by faith, trusting always in God and the Messiah he has sent. Tend to the garden of your soul daily, especially on the Lord’s Day. The Lord’s Day is a wonderful day for gardening, not in your earthly garden, but certainly in the garden of your mind and heart.      

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The Good Soil

The fourth and final soil mentioned by our Lord is the good soil. 

Luke 8:8: “And some [seed] fell into good soil and grew and yielded a hundredfold.” In Luke 8:15 Christ explains the meaning: “As for that in the good soil, they are those who, hearing the word, hold it fast in an honest and good heart, and bear fruit with patience.”

This entire parable is, in part, an exhortation from our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, to hear and receive the word of God in a good way. We are to hear and receive God’s word just as good soil receives good seed. So, how are we to receive God’s word in a good way? 

Firstly, we must hear the word. Christ said, “As for that in the good soil, they are those who, hearing the word…”Here I am simply asking, do you hear the word when it is read and preached? Do you listen attentively or is your mind running this way and that? Do you fight to focus or are you easily distracted? Do you fix your mind on what is being said or are you given to mental laziness? If we are to be good hearers of God’s word, then we must not only listen with our physical ears, but we must also listen with the ears of our minds, that is to say, with our intellect. This takes practice. To be a good hearer of the word of God we must listen well. 

Secondly, to be a good hearer of the word of God we must hold it fast. “As for that in the good soil, they are those who, hearing the word,” To hold the word fast is to keep it. It is to receive the word into our minds and hearts and hold onto it. This, I think, is to be contrasted with the soil of the wayside. That soil represented those who hear the word with their natural ears. Perhaps they even contemplated the word somewhat with their intellect. But never did they take it in and keep it. The good soil receives the seed that is cast upon it and the seed is retained within. To hold the word fast is to “cling to it” (NET), “keep it” (NKJV), and “retain it” (NIV). The seed of the word of God is powerful. It has life in it. But it must be received deeply and kept in the soil of the mind and heart if it is to germinate, sprout, grow, and bear fruit. The word is to be cherished and meditated upon, you see.

Thirdly, to be a good hearer of the word of God we must hold it fast in an honest and good heart. Of course, when we speak of the heart of man in this way we are not talking about his physical heart, but his inner self; his soul; his mind, will, and the affection therein. To be a good hearer of the word one must receive the seed of the word of God down into an honest (noble, upright) and good (healthy, clear, fertile) heart. 

What does it mean for the heart to be good and honest? Well, the context makes this clear, for the good soil is certainly to be contracted with the bad soils mentioned above. A good and honest heart will be humble, soft, and receptive to God’s word as opposed to the hard, compacted soil of the wayside. A good and honest heart will be well prepared to receive the word of God deeply, as opposed to the rocky soil mentioned above. And a good and honest heart will be cleared of the thorny weeds mentioned above – the cares of this life and the love of the riches and pleasures of this world. In brief, a good and honest heart loves God supremely, submits to his holy word, receives it with meekness, hates what is evil, clings to what is good, and intends to obey what God has said.

Fifthly, and lastly, a good and honest heart will bear fruit with patience. What is the fruit that the seed of the word of God produces? It is the fruit of faith and obedience leading to eternal life. When the seed of God’s word falls upon a good and honest heart (made good by the grace of God alone) it germinates, sprouts, grows to maturity, and yields much fruit – even a hundredfold! The fruit of God’s word is faith in Christ, obedience to God’s commandments, and a multiplicity of good works, stemming from a heart filled with love for God and our neighbor. When God’s word is received into a good it will grow to maturity and produce good fruit with patience, that is to say, consistently and persistently, even through the various seasons of life.

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Conclusion

The question that we must ask by way of conclusion is this: how then can we come to have a heart that is good and honest, well tilled and receptive to God’s most holy word? 

There are two answers: The first is, by the grace of God alone. God alone can take a heart hardened by sin and make it soft and receptive to his word. God alone can clear our hearts of the stones of sin and rebellion. God alone can eradicate the thorns that threaten to choke the word and steal away our vitality and fruitfulness. God alone can till the soil of our hearts to make it soft, receptive, and fertile. This he does for all of his elect by his word and Spirit. It is God who saves us and sanctifies us by his grace through his word as the Spirit works. Do you wish to have a heart that is good and receptive to his word? Then cry out to God for mercy and grace. Ask him to change you inwardly. Depend upon him. Trust in the Christ he has sent. And walk by the Spirit. “[F]or it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure” (Philippians 2:13, ESV).

The second answer is that we, by God’s grace, must also tend to the soil of our hearts.  And no, brothers and sisters, these two points are not contradictory. God is the one who must do this work in us. But God works through means. He works externally through the preaching of the word of God. He works through passages such as the one we have considered today that warn of dangers and call us to action. God is calling you to action, friends. He is calling you to tend to the garden of your heart. “Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God…” (1 Peter 5:6, ESV). “[P]ut away all filthiness and rampant wickedness and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls” (James 1:21, ESV). “[F]lee youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart” (2 Timothy 2:22, ESV). [L]et us… lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith…” (Hebrews 12:1–2, ESV). “Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life” (Proverbs 4:23, ESV). These are commands, brothers, and sisters, and they are commands that we must be careful to obey. But we must not attempt to obey them in our own strength. We must obey with the strength that God supplies.  We must “work out [our] own salvation with fear and trembling, [knowing that] it is God who works in [us], both to will and to work for his good pleasure” (Philippians 2:12–13, ESV). 

May the Lord have mercy on us, and may he strengthen us by his grace, through his word and by the Spirit, to keep our hearts with all vigilance, so that we would be brought to maturity in Christ Jesus and made fruitful, to his glory, honor, and praise. Amen.