The Implanted Word

by Pastor Mark
October 12, 2023

The place of the Word of God

The Lord’s Word plays a significant role in our Christian walk. It gives us wisdom, guidance, strength and much more. Without it, we cannot sustain our daily walk with the Lord. The Word of God is also vital for our continued growth in life and ministry. It is prudent to ask ourselves, “Do we have the right approach to receive the Lord’s Word consistently?” The Apostle James sought to teach his readers how to receive God’s Word well.

The need to deal with our sins

“Therefore lay aside all filthiness and overflow of wickedness,” (James 1:21)

  1. The challenge is to lay aside, which means “stripping off/casting away”.
  2. We ought to strip off the sinful things affecting our approach to the Scriptures.
    1. All filthiness, which is moral defilement/dirtiness.
    2. Overflowing of wickedness…the abundance of evil.
  3. Let us cleanse ourselves first in order to receive the holy Word of God well.

The challenge to receive the implanted Word

“And receive with meekness the implanted word,” (James 1:21)

  1. The word “implanted” means “to plant”.
  2. The Word of God is to be planted into our hearts…to become a real part of us.
  3. With meekness and gentleness, we ought to receive the Lord’s Word.
    1. When we hear it, we will humbly submit to it.
    2. Not to go against it or question it inappropriately.
  4. If we receive the Lord’s Word well, it becomes “planted” in us.

The things that threaten the implanted Word (Matthew 13:18–23)

The Lord Jesus raised three threats in the Parable of the Sower.

1. The evil one

  1. When the seed of the Lord’s Word falls on the “wayside”…on a hardened heart
  2. There is no planting of the Lord’s Word.
  3. The evil one comes along and takes away the Word.

2. Tribulation and persecution

  1. When the seed falls on a “stony” place…a shallow heart
  2. The Word of the Lord is planted but cannot be deeply rooted due to a shallow heart.
  3. When the tribulation and persecution of life are encountered, this man’s faith stumbles.
  4. There is no depth of understanding to face the trials of life.

3. The cares and riches of the world

  1. When the seed falls on “thorny” ground…a distracted heart
  2. The Lord’s Word is implanted, but there are thorns that hinder growth.
  3. The cares and riches of the world become deceitful distractions of the heart.
  4. A love for the things of the world chokes the Lord’s Word and this man remains unfruitful.

The implanted Word

When the seed of the Lord’s Word is planted on “good” ground, which is a good and noble heart, it is implanted in the heart. None of the abovementioned threats affect the implanted Word. With a good heart, we will be able to bear much fruit.

Let us be challenged to have the right and wise approach to receiving the Lord’s Word. Let us ensure that the power of the Lord’s Word works effectively in our hearts so that we may be fruitful in life and ministry.

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