Sermon: Resisting Freedom

Scripture Text: Exodus 8 and Matthew 13:1-23

Quotes for Reflection

Dan Doriani
The parable of the sower continues to declare that many hear the Word and fail to respond to it. Surely most Israelites considered themselves faithful, but most were not. So too, the vast majority of Matthew’s readers believe, often erroneously, that God numbers them among his people. Yet if they hear the Word, disobey, and bear no fruit, they are not redeemed.

Jay Sklar
In sum the signs make clear that Israel—and the entire world—is to obey Yahweh reverently because of his power, confidently because of his faithfulness, and joyfully because of his love. . . . In light of this we do well to ask questions such as these: How might obedience show my belief in Jesus’ power? Are there commands of his I consider too hard to obey or steps of faith I am too afraid to take? What might obedience look like instead? And how might obedience show my belief in Jesus’ faithfulness and love? How can his faithfulness encourage me to obey boldly and to quiet my heart’s fears? How can his love serve as a bedrock of assurance out of which I am free to live with wild abandon to him, knowing he will never let me go? To know the Lord is the most grounding and freeing way to live, because we have been created to do these very things.

Augustine of Hippo
Great are You, O Lord, and greatly to be praised; great is Your power, and of Your wisdom there is no end. And man, being a part of Your creation, desires to praise You — man, who bears about with him his mortality, the witness of his sin, even the witness that You “resist the proud,” — yet man, this part of Your creation, desires to praise You. You move us to delight in praising You; for You have made us for Yourself, and our hearts are restless until they rest in You.

Application Questions

1. Think of a time when you were hard-hearted. How did God lead you to repentance?

2. How have you seen the gospel bear fruit in your life recently? Thank God for his grace in your life.

3. In what area of your life is God calling you to experience the freedom of repentance? What does the fruit of the Gospel look like in that area.