A Lamp on a Standġ6 “No one lights a lamp and hides it in a clay jar or puts it under a bed. 15 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. 14 The seed that fell among thorns stands for those who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by life’s worries, riches and pleasures, and they do not mature. They believe for a while, but in the time of testing they fall away. 13 Those on the rocky ground are the ones who receive the word with joy when they hear it, but they have no root. 12 Those along the path are the ones who hear, and then the devil comes and takes away the word from their hearts, so that they may not believe and be saved. Though hearing, they may not understand.’ġ1 “This is the meaning of the parable: The seed is the word of God. 10 He said, “The knowledge of the secrets of the kingdom of God has been given to you, but to others I speak in parables, so that, When he said this, he called out, “Whoever has ears to hear, let them hear.”ĩ His disciples asked him what this parable meant. It came up and yielded a crop, a hundred times more than was sown.” 7 Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up with it and choked the plants. 6 Some fell on rocky ground, and when it came up, the plants withered because they had no moisture. As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path it was trampled on, and the birds ate it up. These women were helping to support them out of their own means.Ĥ While a large crowd was gathering and people were coming to Jesus from town after town, he told this parable: 5 “A farmer went out to sow his seed. The Twelve were with him, 2 and also some women who had been cured of evil spirits and diseases: Mary (called Magdalene) from whom seven demons had come out 3 Joanna the wife of Chuza, the manager of Herod’s household Susanna and many others. Come quickly to help me, O Lord my Saviour’ (vv.21–22).ĨAfter this, Jesus traveled about from one town and village to another, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom of God. Trust God to save you: ‘O Lord, do not forsake me be not far from me, O my God. ‘For in you, O Lord, do I hope’ (v.15, AMP). For I said, “Do not let them gloat or exalt themselves over me when my foot slips”’ (vv.15–16).Ĭonfess your sin: ‘I’m ready to tell my story of failure, I’m no longer smug in my sin’ (v.18, MSG). You may or may not be facing the extreme difficulties David faced, but you can still follow this pattern today:Ĭry out for help: ‘I wait for you, O Lord you will answer, O Lord my God. Commentary Personal Saviourĭavid, in the midst of all his troubles, suffering and persecution, turns to the Lord as his personal Saviour: ‘ my saviour’ (v.22). Those who hate me without reason are numerous. Or exalt themselves over me when my feet slip.”ġ9 Many have become my enemies without cause
He encountered Jesus as his Saviour, Sower and Shepherd.ġ4 I have become like one who does not hear, He heard the word, retained it and by persevering has produced a crop hundreds of times more than was sown (Luke 8:8,15). Paul Cowley, author of Thief, Prisoner, Soldier, Priest, is an example of someone who was the good soil on which the seed fell. Hundreds of men and women have been placed in churches through the ministry of Caring for Ex-Offenders. Thousands have come to faith in Jesus Christ.
Under his leadership, Alpha for Prisons has spread through the prisons in the UK and seventy-six countries around the world. He started a course to help those with addictions and courses to help those struggling with depression and debt. He started an organisation to care for ex-offenders. He joined the HTB staff team to head up the work in prisons. He encountered Jesus and was filled with the Holy Spirit. In 1994, he walked into our church and did Alpha. He got involved in crime and ended up in prison. He was brought up on one of the roughest estates in Manchester.
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