Parable of the sower

 Luke 8:4-6

4 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. As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path; it was trampled on, and the birds ate it up. 6 Some fell on rocky ground, and when it came up, the plants withered because they had no moisture. 7 Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up with it and choked the plants. 8 Still other seed fell on good soil. It came up and yielded a crop, a hundred times more than was sown.”

Explanation:

Two type of believers - Superficial and Genuine believers

Both believers listen to the word of GOD. The superficial believers doesn't have

root and they are uprooted by the storm however genuine believers are deeply

rooted in the word of GOD and they will withstand the storm. In Christian walk, the

enemy attacks in the form of diseases, death or loses. One who is Geunine in christian

faith will face the challenge and overcome the fear however others won't.

Many people travel from great distance to listen to Jesus due to his popularity.

However, its what they truly understand and accept in their heart really matters.

If the word of GOD is not transforming you, then its superficial and not genuine faith.

Extraordinary faith of the Centurion

 Luke 7:1-10

The Faith of the Centurion

7 When Jesus had finished saying all this to the people who were listening, he entered Capernaum. 2 There a centurion’s servant, whom his master valued highly, was sick and about to die. 3 The centurion heard of Jesus and sent some elders of the Jews to him, asking him to come and heal his servant. 4 When they came to Jesus, they pleaded earnestly with him, “This man deserves to have you do this, 5 because he loves our nation and has built our synagogue.” 6 So Jesus went with them.

He was not far from the house when the centurion sent friends to say to him: “Lord, don’t trouble yourself, for I do not deserve to have you come under my roof. 7 That is why I did not even consider myself worthy to come to you. But say the word, and my servant will be healed. 8 For I myself am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. I tell this one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and that one, ‘Come,’ and he comes. I say to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.”

9 When Jesus heard this, he was amazed at him, and turning to the crowd following him, he said, “I tell you, I have not found such great faith even in Israel.” 10 Then the men who had been sent returned to the house and found the servant well.

Roman Centurion is Gentile (non Jew),  and he was compassionate to his servant. In olden days, the servants are bought for a price and they are the task masters for their masters. And he even helped the Jews in building their synagogue. Gentile Centurion was unworthy in the worldly standard, but was worthy in the Divine standard of Jesus Christ. Jesus says I tell you not even in Israel have I found such faith. 

Compassion and Humility

“Lord, I am not worthy that you should enter under my roof, but only say the word and my soul shall be healed.”

Often times, we have felt times where we are not worthy in the eyes of the world, family or friends, but because of HIS grace we become precious and valuable.

Recognizing our imperfection is important, and that helps us to surrender to GOD.

Roman centurion is acknowledging that he is sinful and that he is not worthy to be inviting Jesus into his soul.

Comparing Centurion and the Tax collector, they both were acknowledging the fact that they are sinners. Tax collector went home justified and the centurion's servant got healed completely due to his strong faith.

In our daily life, we need to transform to be compassionate to human beings,  ask forgiveness for our sins and the Lord will be compassionate and merciful to us.

Accept Authority and Strong faith

“For I too am a man under authority,” 

A high ranking military official in Roman empire is acknowledging the authority of Jesus. The one with authority has Power, Influence and followers who obey them.   

Jesus was amazed at the Centurion's extraordinary faith. People who followed him, saw the miracles, healing didn't have a faith 

Centurion is a good example to follow in our life. Though having a high position in society, great respect, authority and wealth in his life, he had humility and stronger faith in Jesus. He openly acknowledges that he is unworthy.

“He is worthy to have you do this for him” 

We need to pray to GOD so that our daily life is worthy to be in the eyes of the Lord.

How to build your life ?

 Luke 6:46-49

46 “Why do you call me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say? 47 As for everyone who comes to me and hears my words and puts them into practice, I will show you what they are like. 48 They are like a man building a house, who dug down deep and laid the foundation on rock. When a flood came, the torrent struck that house but could not shake it, because it was well built. 49 But the one who hears my words and does not put them into practice is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. The moment the torrent struck that house, it collapsed and its destruction was complete.”

The concern here is that people show respect or act as Christians but unwilling to

submit to HIS authority or surrender. They lead a double life.

Religious but not serious about the obedience to God's word.

Three fundamental principles or value to lead a holy Christian life :

1. Practice what you preach

2. Obedience provides protection.

3. Disobedience invites destruction.

Our life is compared to a house, and through that he is emphasizing on the storms as trials and challenges that storm against our life.  

1 Peter 1:6-7

In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.

And these storms or trials in this life are to test the genuineness of our faith. To make us strong and pure refined by fire.

And at the end of the journey, Jesus promised us an inheritance that is imperishable, undefined, unfading kept in heaven for you.

The wise builder come to Jesus, hear the words, obeys and does that in his life where as the foolish didn’t.

Our Christian life, we should always prepare for a disaster. Either we are just recovering from one, going through one or stepping into one.

Building our life on the foundation of Lord Jesus Christ will help us to overcome fear, loss, temptations, daily struggles, financial losses, death and all worldly pleasures.

Meditate word of God, Come to Jesus and be Obedient to HIM.

Lead a principle driven life with Christ because he gave us HOPE of eternity.

God Bless.