St. George Antiochian Orthodox Christian

Church237 Long Hill Rd

Little Falls, NJ 07424

Parish Office: (973)256 8961Father Dimitri Office (973)256-9475

]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]

The Most Reverend Metropolitan PHILIP SALIBAArchbishop of New York and Metropolitan of All North America

]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]

His Grace Bishop NICHOLAS OZONEBishop of Brooklyn and Resident assistant to the Metropolitan

]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]

V. Rev. Father Dimitri Darwich, PastorV. Rev. Father Elias Bitar

Rev. Father Michael Ibrahim

Office Hours Monday – Friday 8:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.Saturday - By Appointment OnlySunday - CLOSED

Church Services Saturday - Great Vespers 5:30pmSunday - Orthros 9:00am / Divine Liturgy 10:00amMonday- Bible Study 7:30pm

Church Office E-mail

info@stgeorgenj.com

Father Dimitri E-mail

vrevfatherdimitri@gmail.com

All announcements for the Weekly Bulletin must be submitted by Wednesday afternoon

Confessions by appointment.WEEKLY BULLETIN FOR OCTOBER 14, 2012

1

Tone 2 Sunday of Holy Fathers of Seventh Ecumenical Council

Eothinon 8

Epistle Reader

Rami Kurzum

Sermon Victoria AyoubUshers Anthony, Anna, Yara, AndriehAltar

ServersMatthew Marwan Haddad, David Salem Joubran, John Joseph Lubbos, David Thomas Oliver, Michael Salem Saykali

God Himself lives in that man who has a peaceful heart. Above all: consider yourself worse than everyone, seek neither love not honor from anyone, but have them yourself for everyone - thus you will obtain peace. But as soon as you want others to notice the goodness and virtue in you, then say good-bye to spiritual peace.

TO BE CHANTED AFTER THE LITTLE ENTRANCERESURRECTIONAL APOLYTIKION IN TONE TWO

When thou didst submit thyself unto death, O immortal life, then thou didst destroy Hades by the brightness of thy Divinity. And when thou didst raise the dead from the underworld, then all the powers of heaven  did cry aloud unto thee O Christ, O our God, thou giver of life! Glory to thee.

طروبارية القيامة على اللحن الثانيHHك, عندما انحدرت إلى الموت, أيها الحياة الذي ال يمHHوت, حينئHHذ أمت الجحيم بHHبرق الهوت وعندما أقمت األموات من تحت الثرى, صرخ نحوك جميع القوات السماويين أيها المسHHيح

.اإلله المعطي الحياة, المجد لكTROPARION FOR THE HOLY FATHERS

O CHRIST OUR GOD, Thou art exceedingly glorified, for thou hast established our Fathers as radiant stars on earth.  Through them, thou hast led us to the true faith. O Most Merciful One, glory to thee!

طروبارية االباء على اللحن الثامن

2

أنت أيها المسيح إلهنا فHائق التسHبيح, ألنHك أقمت آباءنHا كHواكب على األرض, وبهم هHديتنان المجد لك. جميعا إلى اإليمان الحقيقي. فيا جزيل التحن

TROPARION OF SAINT GEORGE IN TONE 4 As deliverer of captives, as defender of the poor, healer of the infirm, champion of kings, Victorious, Great Martyr George, intercede with Christ our Lord, intercede for the soul’s salvation.

طروبارية القديس جاورجيوس باللحن الرابعر ومعتق، وللفقراء والمساكين عاضد وناصر، وللمرضى طHHبيب ك للمأسورين محر بما أنها العظيم في الشهداء جHHاورجيوس المظفر. وشاف، وعن المؤمنين مكافح ومحارب. أي

تشفع إلى المسيح اإلله في خالص نفوسنا.

KONTAKION FOR ORDINARY SUNDAYS IN TONE TWOO protection of Christians that cannot be put to shame, mediation unto the Creator most constant, O despise not the suppliant voices of those who have sinned; but be thou quick, O good one, to come unto our aid, who in faith cry unto thee: Hasten to intercession, and speed thou to make supplication, thou who dost ever protect, O Theotokos, them that honor thee.

قنداق السيدة على اللحن الثاني المسيحيين غير المخذولة, المتوسطة لدى الخالق غير المردودة, ال تعرضي عن يا شفيعة

أصوات طلباتنا نحن الخطأة, بل تHداركينا بالمعونHة بمHا أنHك صHالحة نحن الصHارخين إليHك بإيمHان: بHادري إلى الشHفاعة وأسHرعي في الطلبHة, يHا والHدة اإللHه المتشHفعة دائمHا في

مكرميك.

THE EPISTLEBlessed art Thou, O LORD, the God of our Fathers. For Thou art just in all that

Thou has done to us!Reading from Saint Paul's Epistle to Titus - Titus 3:8-15

 My child Titus, faithful is the saying, and concerning these things I desire you to affirm confidently, that those who have believed in God may be thoughtful of how to preside in honorable occupations. These things are good and

3

profitable to men. But avoid foolish disputes, and genealogies, and contentions, and controversies about the Law; for they are unprofitable and vain. A man who is a heretic after the first and second admonition reject, knowing that such a one is subverted, and sins, being self-condemned. When I send Artemas to you, or Tychicos, give diligence to come to me to Nicopolis; for I have determined to winter there. Set forward Zenas the lawyer and Apollos on their journey diligently, that they may be lacking in nothing. And let our people also learn how to preside in honorable occupations, so as to help in cases of urgent need, that they should not be unfruitful. All who are with me salute you. Salute those who love us in the faith. Grace be with you all. Amen

الرسالة آبائنا, ألنك عدل في كل ما صنعت بنا.مبارك أنت يا رب اله

رسالة القديس بولس الرسول إلى تيطس   فصل من يا ولHدي تيطس, هHذا قHول صHادق, وأريHد أن تكHون حازمHا في هHذا األمHر حHتى ينصHرف المؤمنون بالله إلى القيام بالعمل الصالح. فهذا حسن ومفيد للناس. أما المجادلة السخيفة

والخصام والمماحكة في الشريعة فتجنبها, ألنها ال تفيد وال تنفHHع. وأمHHا رجHHلوذكر األنساب البدعة فأعرض عنه بعد أن تنذره مرة أو مرتين, فأنت تعرف أن من كان مثله ضHHل وكHHان خاطئا وحكم على نفسه. ومتى أرسلت إليHHك أرتمHاس أو تيخيكHوس فأسHرع واتبعHني إلى نيكوبوليس, ألني عزمت أن أشتو هناك. واجتهHHد في إعHHداد سHHفر زينHHاس معلم الشHHريعة,هما شHHيء. وليتعلم ذوونHHا القيHHام بالعمHHل الصHHالح ليسHHدوا الحاجHHات HHوأبلس, لئال ينقص الضرورية, فال يكونوا عقماء. يسلم عليك جميع الذين معي. سلم على أحبائنHHا في اإليمHHان.

عليكم النعمة أجمعين, آمين.

THE GOSPEL The Reading from the Holy Gospel according to St. Luke. ( 8:5-15)

 The Lord spoke this parable: "A sower went out to sow his seeds; and as he sowed, some fell along the path, and was trodden under foot, and the birds of the air devoured it. And some fell on the rock; and as it grew up, it withered away, because it has no moisture. And some fell among thorns; and the thorns grew with it and choked it. And some fell into good soil and grew, and yielded a hundred fold." As he said this, 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

4

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 evil comes and takes away the word from their hearts, 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 temptation 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. And as for that in the good soil, they are those who, hearing the word, hold it fast in an honest and good heart, and bring forth fruit with patience." As Jesus said this, He called out, “He who has ears to hear, let him hear.”." As Jesus said this, He called out, “He who has ears to hear, let him hear.”

اإلنجيلفصل من بشارة القديس لوقا االنجيلي

قال الرب هذا المثل: خرج الHزارع لHيزرع, وبينمHا هHو يHزرع وقHع بعض الحب على جHانب الطريق, فداسته األقدام وأكلته طيور السماء. ووقع بعضHه على الصHخر, فلمHا نبت يبس, ألنه لم تكن له رطوبة. ووقع بعضه بين الشوك, فنبت الشوك معه فخنقHه. ومنHه مHHا وقHع على أرض طيبة, فنبت وأثمر مائة ضعف. فسأله تالميذه عن مغHزى هHذا المثHل, فأجHاب: "أنتم أعطيتم أن تعرفوا أسرار ملكوت الله. وأمHHا سHHائر النHHاس فنكلمهم عليهHHا باألمثHHال:

وهذا هو مغزى هذا المثل: "الزرع هHHو حتى إذا نظروا ال يبصرون, وإذا سمعوا ال يفهمون. كلمة الله: ما وقHHع منHHه على جHHانب الطريHHق هم الHHذين يسHHمعون الكلمHHة, فيجيء إبليس وينتزعها من قلوبهم لئال يؤمنوا فيخلصوا. وما وقHع منHه على الصHخر هم الHذين يسHمعون الكلمHHة ويقبلونهHHا فHHرحين, ولكن ال جHHذور لهم, فيؤمنHHون إلى حين, وفي وقت التجربHHة يرتدون. وما وقع منه بين الشوك هم الذين يسمعون الكلمة, ثم يذهبون ويختنقون بهمHHوم هذه الحياة وغناها وملذاتها فال ينضج لهم ثمر. وأما الذي وقع في األرض الطيبة فهم الذين يسمعون الكلمة ويحفظونها بقلب طيب صHالح ويثمHرون بثبHاتهم. قHال هHذا وصHرخ: "من

كان له أذنان تسمعان فليسمع."

Today’s Thoughts

5

"The unholy doubt, not because they are ostensibly more rational, but because they are unholy. The holier man is always the more rational, for in the clear mirror of his heart he sees the truth." -- St. Nicholai of Zica

"We have a sacred obligation to prepare our youth and new members to receive the power of God. If we teach our children to do their homework but not to pray, we are only preparing them for misery. Good grades cannot save us from a tormented conscience. We cannot prepare a catechumen just by getting him to memorize dogmas. We must help him to be healed from the wounds of sin." -- His Grace, Bishop JOSEPH

"We have a sacred obligation to prepare our youth and new members to receive the power of God. If we teach our children to do their homework but not to pray, we are only preparing them for misery. Good grades cannot save us from a tormented conscience. We cannot prepare a catechumen just by getting him to memorize dogmas. We must help him to be healed from the wounds of sin." -- His Grace, Bishop JOSEPH

"If a person earnestly seeks salvation with his whole heart, God will lead him to a true instructor. Do not worry, each will find the one who is just right for him." -- St. Leo of Optina

"Not trusting in yourself and not acting according to your own will and understanding is the path to humility. Without this, even though we may do good, it is not pleasing to God." -- St. Macarius of Optina

How Rich Are We?One day a father and his rich family took

his son on a trip to the country with the firm purpose to show him

6

how poor people can be. They spent a day and a night on the farm of a very poor family. When they got back from their trip, the father asked his son, "How was the trip?" "Very good Dad!" "Did you see how poor people can be?" the father asked. "Yeah!" "And what did you learn?" The son answered, "I saw that we have a dog at home, and they have four. We have a pool that reaches to the middle of the garden; they have a creek that has no end. We have imported lamps in the garden; they have the stars. Our patio reaches to the front yard; they have a whole horizon." When the little boy was finished, his father was speechless. His son added, "Thanks, Dad, for showing me how 'poor' we are!" Isn't it true that it all depends on the way you look at things? If you have love, friends, family, health, good humor and a positive attitude towards life -- you've got everything! You can't buy any of these things. You may have all the material possessions you can imagine, provisions for the future, etc.; but if you are poor of spirit, you have nothing!

FROM BOOK OF PROVERBS األمثال كتاب منA false balance is abomination to the LORD: but a just weight is his delight. When pride cometh, then cometh shame: but with the lowly is wisdom.The integrity of the upright shall guide them: but the perverseness of transgressors shall destroy them.Riches profit not in the day of wrath: but righteousness delivereth from death.5 The righteousness of the perfect shall direct his way: but the wicked shall fall by his own wickedness.The righteousness of the upright shall deliver them: but transgressors shall be taken in their own naughtiness.

وش، ويفHرح بمناللHه HHيزان المغشHر المHيحتق يزن بالعدل.

HHأتي معهHHا العHHار، ومHHع  HHأتي الكبريHHاء، ي عندما تواضع تأتي الحكمة. الت

نزاهHHة المسHHتقيمين تقHHودهم، أمHHا انحHHراف المخادع فيدمره.

HHر ينقHHذ  الغنى ال ينفع في يوم الغضب، لكن البمن الموت.

ير  ر HHا الشHHوأم ، جل البHHار البر يسهل طريق الره. فسيسقط بشر

بر المستقيم ينقذه، أما الغادرون فيقعHHون في فخ رغباتهم.

ير فHHإن رجHHاءه يمHHوت، وال  ر HHعندما يموت الش تتحقق أمانيه.

 ، HHHة عنHHHدما ينجح البHHHار كان المدين HHHرح سHHHيف ير. ر ويبتهجون عندما يموت الش

7

When a wicked man dieth, his expectation shall perish: and the hope of unjust men perisheth.When it goeth well with the righteous, the city rejoiceth: and when the wicked perish, there is shouting.By the blessing of the upright the city is exalted: but it is overthrown by the mouth of the wicked. He that is void of wisdom despiseth his neighbour: but a man of understanding holdeth his peace. A talebearer revealeth secrets: but he that is of a faithful spirit concealeth the matter.Where no counsel is, the people fall: but in the multitude of counsellors there is safety. He that is surety for a stranger shall smart for it: and he that hateth suretiship is sure.A gracious woman retaineth honour: and strong men retain riches.

  HHHة، وتخHHHرب بكالم HHHة البHHHار تتمجد المدين ببركير. ر الش

من يحتقر جاره ال يفهم، والعاقل يبقى صامتا. ، واألمين يبقي األمر سرا.  ر مام يفشي الس النجاة  عب، أما الن بدون قيادة الحكمة يسقط الش

فبكثرة المشيرين.م، ومن يرفض ذلك ينج.  من يكفل غريبا يتألجHHHال  المHHHرأة الكريمHHHة تنHHHال كرامHHHة، والر

العدوانيون ينالون غنى بال كرامة.جHHل  ه، أمHHا الر HHع نفسHHف ينفHHحيم واللطي الHHر

القاسي فيؤذي نفسه.HHع ذي يتب الثابت في البر يعطى حياة أطول، وال

ر سيموت. روناللهالش يكره الناس الذين يفكون HHHHذين يعيش HHHHل ال يرة، ويقب ر HHHHار شHHHHبأفك

باستقامة. المرأة الجميلة الحمقاء، تشبه الخاتم الHHذهبي 

في أنف الخنزير. رغبة البار هي للخير، أما األشرار فرجاؤهم 

يؤدي إلى الغيظ.

Holy BreadThe Holy bread is offered today by Daniel & May Matkiwsky in loving memory of Abraham Robert Abdo. May his memory be eternal.

“With the Spirits of the Righteous Made Perfect…”Please remember in your prayers the servants of God fallen asleep in the Lord: Wasela Andalaft, Nazera Gousen, Charles Arrout, Louise Mele, Joseph Nasra, Wedad Kassab, Kathleen Azrak, Mouna Khoury, JayeAnn Abbood, Lillian Nahass.May the Lord God rest their souls in peace and grant comfort to their families!

8

Happy BirthdayHappy and blessed birthday to Joseph Haddad, Luke Kurzum, George Fakes, Marielle Balonze, Rami Mamary. May God grant them good health and length of days. Amen.

Thank You For Your DonationsBlessed are those who give without remembering and receive without forgetting. Saint George Church would like to thank Daniel & May Matkiwsky and family in memory of Abraham Robert Abdo, Samir & Hala Alain and Souhel & Yola Shehady in memory of Kamel Hajal, George & Souha Hanna in memory of Yana, George & Peir, Marie Fadil in memory of Salima Abboud. Thank you.

Meetings Parish Council meeting will be held on Wednesday, October

17th, at 7:00 pm. The meetings of the Parish Council are open to all our beloved parishioners.

Annual General Parish meeting will be held On Sunday November 11th, 2012, immediately following the Liturgy. As a member of this church family, your presence at this meeting is essential to participate in discussions about church activities, approve next year’s church budget and elect new members to the Parish Council. If you’d like to run for Parish Council, please speak to Richard Abbate, Brian Nasfash or Souhel Shehady to submit your nomination. All the members of St. George Church are welcome to participate. During the meeting, we will discuss our goals for the New Year!

Home Blessing

9

Fr. Dimitri is now blessing homes. He would like to visit every family in our parish. Please call the church office 973-256-8961 to set up a convenient time.

Great Vespers ServiceEvery Saturday, St. George Church will celebrate the Service of Great Vespers at 5:30 p.m. All our beloved parishioners are welcomed to attend! Please try to make these services a part of your commitment to Christ and to yourselves. Remember that this service is to be especially dedicated to God and to the development of our spiritual lives. Make it a true time for spiritual development, which includes increased almsgiving and increased prayer!!!

Adult Bible StudyEvery Monday an Adult Bible Study will be held at 7:30pm at the Church. All adults are welcome to attend!

Altar ServersIt is the responsibility of all the parents to make sure their children are in Church each and every Sunday to attend and serve in the Divine Liturgy according to the Server Schedule, and participate in all Church functions. (If your child’s name is not on the list and he is nine years old or older, please see Father Dimitri). Only Sunday School Children will be Altar Servers.

Ladies Work Days TODAY, Meeting, after Liturgy in Conference Room. Monday, October 15th, Preparation for Pastries -6:00pm Friday, October 19, Apricot & Date Mamool – 6:00pm Monday, October 29th, Walnut Mamool & Baklawa – 6:00pm Thursday, November 1st, Graybeh – 6:00pm Saturday, November 10th, Packing Pastries – 10:00am

10

We are now taking orders for pastries. Order forms are available in the church hall or see any Ladies Society member. Thank you!

Arabic ClassesWe are offering three classes, beginners, advanced beginners and advanced. If your are interested in enrolling, please call Marlene Bassil at 973-299-0848 or email her at gmbassil@yahoo.com . Marlene Bassil, Roula Saliby and Sana Hindeleh are also available on Sunday after Liturgy. Please let them know as soon as possible if you would like to enroll.

Arabic Liturgy Arabic Liturgy will be held every last Friday of the month beginning October 26th, at 7:00 pm. The Arabic choir members are requested to attend to make this a beautiful service.

11

Organizations and Committees Contact Information

Ladies Society

The Ladies Society is considered the

foundation organization involved in many

spiritual and fundraising activities for the benefit

of the church. The society is open to all

women who are members of the parish. For more information on

how to help, please contact Fadia Juzdan at

973-220-3687.

Today’s coffee hour is being offered by the Hajal family in memory of Kamel Hajal.

12

Ladies SocietyFadia Juzdan

973-220-3687 fjuzdan@gmail.com

Hall RentalJennifer Zabaneh

Elias Chalet973-259-6684 or

hallrental@stgeorgenj.com

Charity CommitteeJulie Abboud

973-812-0444 immalbert@aol.com

Sunday SchoolRima Bandali973-872-1382

katanda2@yahoo.com

Teen SOYOKh. Hend Kevorkian

201-715-4514 hendk99@optonline.

net

Fellowship of St. John

Michael Kabbash609-865-9661

mikek@iggybragg.com

ChampionThe Champion will be published on a bi-monthly basis. If any one wishes to submit an article, please email Michelle Handal at michellehandal@aol.com.

Building Fund FundraiserThis building fund committee was established to initiate fund raising in

order to supplement the costs involved with capital improvements of our church facilities and structures. For more information please contact Rob

Maloof or Rich Abbate. 

ChoirChristine Lynch973-256-8961

Parable of the Sower (Luke 8:5-15)

Today I want to go over one of Jesus’ most famous teachings. The parable of the soweris included in three of the four gospel books.

Jesus told this parable to make people consider how they respond to God’s message.

He didn’t just to teach morals or perform miracles … No; He wanted to show them the WAY, the TRUTH, and the LIFE!

He was telling them that whether or not the message had effect depended on how it was received.

First, it will help us to understand the parable if we know the context. Jesus was coming into conflict with the Jewish religious leaders, but also was becoming extremely popular because of miraculous healings He performed.

In Matthew 13, we can read about this particular day. Jesus was healing the demon-possessed and the sick while the Pharisees and teachers of the law sat around looking for reasons to criticize Him.

He was so busy that day that his own family could not get into the house where He was to meet Him. Eventually, Jesus went out to the nearby lake, sat in a boat just offshore, and told the parable of the sower:

Matthew 13:1-23

What is going on here? Jesus told a parable to get the crowd to consider their own hearts. He didn’t want them to just come and observe what He was doing or to only seek miraculous signs, but to really consider the implications of what He said and did. Jesus accurately described the hearts of people in the crowd. He knew most of their hearts were hard and insensitive, so that even as they saw miracles and heard the good news, they did not benefit.

13

Matthew 13:14-15

Jesus told the disciples either you “got it” or you didn’t. To those who received Jesus’ words, God would cause the word to bear much fruit in their lives. But to those who did not seriously consider and accept the word of God, they would receive nothing.

Matthew 13:11-12

So how does this parable apply to us? Let’s consider each type of soil and see if it describes us.

Seed on the path

v. 19 “When anyone hears the message about the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in his heart. This is the seed sown along the path.”

Jesus describes ground that has not been plowed up and is hard. When the seed falls on it, it cannot penetrate the surface. Jesus said that, in order for God’s word to have effect, we have to let it “sink in.” We have to carefully consider the message.

I was thinking how to explain this and came up with an interesting analogy: God’s word is like the red pill in The Matrix. In The Matrix, Morpheus said Neo could either take the blue pill and he would wake up in his bed and everything would be the same. But if Neo took the red pill, he would “see how deep the rabbit-hole goes.”

In the same way, we have to decide to accept God’s word and see how it will change our lives—like Neo, we may be in for a big surprise! But first, we have to make a conscious decision to accept God’s word in order for it to have any effect. If we decide to leave God’s word on the table for later, Satan will snatch it away.

So what makes people’s hearts hard toward the gospel? Why are some people’s hearts like the path so that they don’t even consider the message? Some people may have prejudices that have trampled down the soil so that it is hard. They may accept what others say about Christianity instead of considering God’s word itself. Maybe all they know about Christianity is from Hollywood and The DaVinc Code. Or maybe they knew some hypocritical Christians before and don’t want to be like them.

14

There could be millions of excuses for us to not truly consider the message of the kingdom. Maybe we feel we are too young, or too old, too busy, or not the right ethnicity. Whatever your excuse—Jesus wants you to hear today. “He who has ears, let him hear.” Make sure your heart is plowed and ready for the message.

Seed on rocky soil

v. 20-21 “The one who received the seed that fell on rocky places is the man who hears the word and at once receives it with joy. But since he has no root, he lasts only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, he quickly falls away.”

This second type of soil is shallow so that the word is received joyfully, but does not mature within us. When trouble comes because of that person’s faith, they will fall away because they do not have the roots to draw spiritual sustenance from God.

One thing I noticed was that in Matthew, Mark, and Luke, this trouble refers to persecution because of that person’s faith. Sometimes I think we might have stronger faith if we experienced more persecution. In American society, it’s difficult to think we are being persecuted in the same way that early Christians were persecuted. Our situation is not like Abdul Rahman, the Afghan Christian who is currently facing execution for converting from Islam to Christianity. His roots must be deep, because his faith has not wilted under persecution. How many of us would be able to withstand such persecution? So how do we grow roots? We have to train ourselves by living out God’s word. Don’t just accept the message joyfully, but carry it out to its logical conclusion in your life. How do you build physical muscles? By exercising them. In the same way, we need to exercise our spiritual muscles by obeying the Spirit of God who lives inside us. The person who does this will be a mature Christian.

Philippians 2:12-13

12Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, 13for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose.

Sometimes we have a misunderstanding about what it means to be a mature Christian. We think that if we can quote the Bible and teach doctrine, then we are mature. But maturity is not measured by head knowledge, but by the degree that God’s word is actually working in your

15

life. Even if you only focus on Jesus’ sermon on the mount in Matthew chapters 5, 6, and 7 and obey that completely, you will be a perfect Christian.

Seed on thorny soil

v.22 “The one who received the seed that fell among the thorns is the man who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke it, making it unfruitful.”

The third type of soil has thorns planted alongside the good seed. Those thorns grow larger until they eventually choke the good plant. Jesus says these thorns are worldly concerns and pleasures. See how Jesus includes what we consider good things! Worldly pleasures are deceiving, and we need to be careful about being tricked. We should live our lives with eternity in mind, not just this world.

Love your husband or wife, but remember the one who joined you together for this life and who will welcome you both back into heaven.

Pay attention to your children and teach them with your life example, but remember they are entrusted to you by God, who is their eternal Father.

Yes, you can enjoy a new car every five years, but remember that is a temporary pleasure and the treasures you store up in heaven are eternal.

Please enjoy your job and do your best, because God made us to work and be productive, but remember your boss is God and your real job is being a fisher of men.

It’s fine to enjoy and use the things of this world, but don’t be engrossed in them because the time is short, and this world is passing away.

Luke 9:61-62

61Still another said, "I will follow you, Lord; but first let me go back and say good bye to my family." 62Jesus replied, "No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God.”

Once we make a decision to follow Jesus, we have to be careful not to let worldly attachments distract us. When someone is guiding a plow, they need to keep their eyes on where they are going in order to plow a straight furrow. In the same way, once we make a decision to follow Jesus, we cannot allow other things to distract us.

The point here is not to reject all our family and worldly responsibilities, but to realize that this world is only a temporary home. Jesus said this world is deceitful. Sometimes we are

16

tricked into thinking this world is all there is, and so we live that way. I remember being in junior high school—it seemed my problems at that time were so huge. Now, looking back, I understand there is so much more to life than junior high and high school. In the same way, sometimes we get so focused on this world that we forget about eternity.

So how can we clear thorns out of our heart? First, get rid of things in your life that make you unfruitful. Is some worldly concern or pleasure choking your spiritual life? Maybe you ought to consider leaving that thing aside in order to become fruitful in God’s kingdom.

Tithing and giving is alsoa great way to put things in perspective. When we pledge our “first fruits” to God, we affirm our trust in Him. He is able to take care of us. Therefore, I don’t worry too much because I know God will provide. But if you don’t tithe, it’s unlikely that you can have that mindset. There is good advice on the one dollar bill: “In God we trust.”

Seed on good soil

v. 23 “But the one who received the seed that fell on good soil is the man who hears the word and understands it. He produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty, or thirty times what was sown.”

This person considers the message, thenputs their hand to the plow without looking back. They overcome each of the obstacles that made others stumble:

1)They considered the message carefully, understood it, and said “Yes.” 2)They grew deep roots by practicing the word and carrying it to its logical conclusion in their life. 3)They were not deceived by worldly pleasures, nor did they become so caught up with other concerns that they were unfruitful.

Luke writes in his gospel this: “But the seed on good soil stands for those with a noble and good heart, who hear the word, retain it, and by persevering produce a crop.” Brothers and sisters, I hope you are not thinking of reasons why you cannot be this last type of soil. You can be good soil! First, you need to consider God’s message squarely; don’t put it on the shelf, because the devil will steal it away. Realize what the consequences will be. Then make a decision to accept it. Work it out in your every day life. Make sure to grow deep spiritual roots so you can be mature. Watch out for thorns that grow up to choke your spiritual life. Clear your heart of thorns.

17

18