Transcription
So if you want to receive all the benefits of God's word, you have to go beyond just basic study. The Bible isn't just a natural text. It's supernatural. So you have to receive it deep within your spirit, not just within your mind. Now, the difference there is information versus revelation. Information informs, revelation transforms. And Jesus shows us how to receive the word properly. There's a proper way to receive truth. And so if you're tired of just reading portions of scripture and then forgetting it, or reading portions of scripture and maybe being inspired for a moment, though that's good sometimes, but never really seeing that long-term transformation, you're not really gaining that traction in spiritual growth, or your understanding of scripture isn't growing as a whole. And this message is really going to help you. I'm going to show you how, according to Jesus, to receive the word. Let's go right now to Matthew 13, and I'm going to begin reading at verse number one. And for those of you wondering, this is the New Living Translation.
Later that same day, Jesus left the house and sat beside the lake. A large crowd soon gathered around him. So he got into a boat. Then he sat there and taught as the people stood on the shore. He told many stories in the form of parables, such as this one. Listen. A farmer went out to plant some seeds. As he scattered them across his field, some seeds fell on a footpath, and the birds came and ate them. Other seeds fell on shallow soil with underlying rock. The seeds sprouted quickly because the soil was shallow. But the plants soon wilted under the hot sun, and since they didn't have deep roots, they died. Other seeds fell among thorns that grew and choked out the tender plants. Still other seeds fell on fertile soil, and they produced a crop that was 30, 60, and even 100 times as much as had been planted. Anyone with ears to hear should listen and understand.
Now, thankfully, Jesus gives us a direct explanation of this parable. Now, listen to the explanation of the parable about the farmer planting seeds. The seed that fell on the footpath represents those who hear the message about the kingdom and don't understand it. Then the evil one comes and snatches away the seed that was planted in their hearts. The seed on the rocky soil represents those who hear the message and immediately receive it with joy. But since they don't have deep roots, they don't last long. They fall away as soon as they have problems or are persecuted for believing God's word. The seed that fell among the thorns represents those who hear God's word, but all too quickly the message is crowded out by the worries of this life and the lure of wealth. So no fruit is produced. The seed that fell on good soil represents those who truly hear and understand God's word and produce a harvest of 30, 60, or even 100 times as much as had been planted.
Now, that's where I want to be. I want to be the one that receives the word, and then there is multiplication. There's a harvest produced within me. So let's take a look at this first issue that we see with receiving the word. The footpath. This is receiving the word of God in the wrong place. It wasn't sown in the soil. It was sown on the footpath. So, there was reception of the word, but the seed didn't make it to its destination. Where you receive the word is important to how it's going to transform your life. So, if you're receiving the word just in your mind, or you're studying the scripture purely as a historical text, there is some history, but it's not purely a historical text. Or maybe you're looking at the teachings of Jesus and Paul the Apostle. You're looking at some of the interactions between God and man in the Old Testament, and you're gaining philosophical wisdom. Well, there's some great philosophy in the Bible, but it's not purely a philosophical book. You need to go beyond just having the word memorized to the point of information, or where it affects your emotions, and you need to receive the word as revelation. That is not on the footpath, on the soil. You can't understand the word without the Holy Spirit.
Now, when I was first born again, I went through a very tough season of trying to understand the scripture. And maybe you can relate to this, but I would read several verses at a time, and then I would stop and realize, wait a minute, I wasn't paying attention to anything that I had just read, so I have to start all over again. And then, as I read it, I just wasn't understanding it. There was nothing that was clicking. And the parts that I did understand, I didn't really understand how to apply to my personal life. And so one day, as I'm reading the word, as I'm trying to hear from God, I just asked the Lord for wisdom. I asked for the Holy Spirit to help me to understand the word. And it's as simple as that, leaning and relying upon the precious Holy Spirit. This book is spiritual. The words that Jesus speaks are spirit and life. The word is received by the spirit. And if the word is not received by the spirit, it's vulnerable to demonic theft. Let me show you something right here. Jesus gives the explanation in verse 19. The seed that fell on the footpath represents those who hear the message about the kingdom and don't understand it. Then the evil one comes and snatches away the seed that was planted in their hearts. So if the word doesn't become revelation, that is, if the word isn't received in your spirit, it becomes vulnerable to demonic theft. The enemy can steal the revelation of the word if it hasn't permeated the spirit. In John 10:10, we read, "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I have come that they might have life and have it to the full." The enemy can fight you in your mind, but the enemy cannot fight you in your spirit. That's why it's important that we receive the word in the spirit.
Now, notice that first the thief has to steal. Once he steals the word, then he can kill and destroy. And so, we have to go beyond just superficialities here. This has to go deeper than just, "I know a couple Bible facts," or "I know a few things about the historical context," or "I understand some of the application." This has to be received by the Holy Spirit. 1 Corinthians 2:14 tells us, "But people who aren't spiritual can't receive these truths from God's spirit. It all sounds foolish to them and they can't understand it." For watch this now, and this is talking about you. "For only those who are spiritual can understand what the spirit means." So I have to have the Holy Spirit if scripture is going to come alive for me. This isn't just dead, dry text. This is life-giving spirit. So that when you approach this book, you're not just reading a book. You are fellowshipping with a person. You're receiving of life and spirit. You're receiving of spiritual truth. But that can only happen when you have the Holy Spirit. Atheists read the Bible and they just become more critical. Historians read the Bible, and that doesn't necessarily mean that they'll be saved. You, as a believer, can read the Bible not just alone, or not just by your own interpretation. You can read the Bible and have the one who inspired every word sit right next to you and give you the truth. John 14:26 says, "But when the Father sends the Advocate as my representative, that is the Holy Spirit, he will teach you everything and will remind you of everything I have told you." So for the believer, receiving the word in the spirit is as simple as when you read the Bible, you ask the Holy Spirit for his help. And by the way, as you're faithful to that revelation, God increases your knowledge. Look at this. Matthew 13:11-12. He replied, "You are permitted to understand the secrets of the kingdom of heaven, but others are not. To those who listen to my teaching, more understanding will be given, and they will have an abundance of knowledge. But for those who are not listening, even what little understanding they have will be taken away from them." In other words, as you receive that revelation, if you're faithful to obey it, to apply it, to cherish it, then God adds to that an increase of revelation. If you use well what God has revealed to you already, then you are prepared to receive more. And the Holy Spirit certainly has more that he wants to share with you.
In verse 20, we read, "The seed on the rocky soil represents those who hear the message and immediately receive it with joy. But since they don't have deep roots, they don't last long. They fall away as soon as they have problems or are persecuted for believing God's word." Let me be clear, and I don't want to sound hypercritical. There's nothing wrong with reading the verse of the day. There's nothing wrong with getting some encouragement from maybe Christian reels or Bible teachers, or maybe you're reading a devotional, or you're on a Bible reading plan. That is all wonderful. And those efforts to receive the word of God are honorable. And I want you to understand that those are honorable. So don't feel condemned when I tell you that we can't settle for just the tweetable scripture of the day, for just the Instagram post by which we receive short encouragements. We can't settle for just what's in the devotional or just what's in the Bible reading plan. We, as believers, have to be disciplined and committed when it comes to the word. There has to be consistency. There has to be diligence. Schedule the word of God. Read the word of God. Study the word of God. There's nothing wrong with studying. Now, when I talk about receiving the word of God in just your intellect as being not all there is to it, I am not saying that study isn't good. I'm saying that intellect alone can't be the way by which we receive the word. But we are told that we ought to study. We are to study to show ourselves approved unto God. We, of course, are to know the word, know the scripture, to dive in deep. Don't settle for just one or two verses a day. You need to know this word from Genesis to Revelation. You have to develop an appreciation for this word, to understand all of the implications, to understand all of the nuances, to understand and receive all of the truths. And this is a treasure trove. So don't feel discouraged if you're beginning with just the verse of the day or just that chapter a day. That's a good place to start. But be encouraged to know that there's so much more for you ahead. Be encouraged to know that you are going to get to the place where you're reading 10, 15 chapters a day. And even on that note, who cares as long as you're making contact? Some Christians look at it like reaching a quota. But that's not what I'm talking about here. I'm talking about consistency. I'm talking about a love for the word of God. Not driven by legalism. Not driven by counting how many chapters you've done. Not driven by reaching certain quotas. But that love for the depth of the word of God that begins to develop in your heart to the point where you don't even realize that you've read a dozen chapters. You're just so hooked on every word that as you move through the pages, as you turn the pages or scroll down the different verses, you're falling in love with the Lord. You're hearing from his voice. You're seeing revelation. You're seeing instruction. You're seeing the nature of the Holy Spirit. You're seeing the power of God on display. And that love is what produces depth. And that's what we need. We need consistency.
I remember I was watching this preacher on a social media platform, and he was yelling and he was screaming, and it was exciting. The crowd was cheering, and people were clapping, and I'm watching this and I'm getting excited while listening to this. But it's halfway through the sermon that I realize, wait a minute, this guy's not saying anything. There are a few clichés he's throwing out here or there, a few encouragements here or there, which are all good in and of themselves, but there was no depth. It was mostly hype. And so then, a little bit later, I come across another video, and there's this gentleman teaching. He's not screaming. He's not yelling. And honestly, his presentation wasn't all that exciting. He wasn't dressed in modern style. He was wearing just a suit, a tie. And he was very mild-mannered in his speech and very slow and methodical in the way that he was sharing. But he said more in two minutes than that other guy said in a full 45-minute message. And I remember thinking about the two and wondering what the difference was. Because one was very excited, and I'm not saying that those are mutually exclusive. I'm not saying that if you have exciting preaching that it lacks depth just because it's exciting. No, I'm saying that excitement can't make up for the lack of depth. But I'm comparing the two and I'm going, what was it? And I realized it was indeed depth. It was depth of the knowledge of the word of God. It was a love for the riches of the scripture.
So now, let me challenge you here. If you're going to be taking in much of the word on a daily basis, then you have to start somewhere. Tell me in the comment section where you currently are in your Bible reading. What book of the Bible? And if you haven't started yet, tell me in the comment section where you will begin today. And I mean, like, as soon as this video is finished, tell me in the comment section.
Now, now I want you to notice something in regards to depth. Notice that if you lack depth, there's this moment of excitement. You receive the word with gladness, but you fall away because of persecution. You fall away because problems arise. Well, how many times have you seen this in the lives of different believers where they begin very excited? They begin with this passion and this fire, but then a trial comes along, and they're nowhere to be seen. Or they experience a heartache, and suddenly they become angry with God. There are things in this life that will challenge your faith. Especially in these days, listen, especially in these days, you've got to be careful. There is so much deception out there. There are so many worldly pressures in this world. We're going to have tribulation. That's a fact. In this world, we're going to face hardship. That's a fact. This is why we have to ground ourselves in the depth of the word. If you don't have deep roots, then even a little bit of rainfall can move you along. Even a small current can move you along. Don't be that one who's excited at the beginning, but then that quickly fizzles out because you don't allow your roots to grow deep. Excitement alone can't sustain you. Hype alone can't sustain you. You have to understand that you're in spiritual warfare. There's a battle that's raging for your faith, for your life, for your soul. And so, if you are not taking in the word to where it's producing depth, then those roots aren't going to hold in the middle of trials. When the storms come, you may be tossed away. Don't allow that to be you. Become so rooted in the word that not only do you stand in the storm, but you stand strong in the storm. Don't be that one who begins with excitement and then as soon as a little bit of persecution comes, maybe you're mocked for your faith, or you or your family starts to make fun of you for believing in Jesus, and then you're gone. That can't be so with you. That won't be so with you. Grow your roots deep so that you will stand strong when trouble comes, and trouble will come, especially in this day and age.
Now, if this message is blessing you and you think other believers would be blessed by this message, maybe you think the church in this generation could recapture the love of the word, then make sure you leave a like on this video. That's actually going to help us to spread the content to more people. And also, make sure you subscribe to my channel if you want to continue to receive these teachings. And when you subscribe, do click that notification bell so that you don't miss a thing.
The seed that fell among the thorns represents those who hear God's word, but all too quickly the message is crowded out by the worries of this life and the lure of wealth. So no fruit is produced. So these are people who receive the word, but bottom line, they are distracted by the things of this world. Now, I'm not talking about just trials, as I mentioned in my previous point. I'm talking about distractions. I'm talking about the lure of wealth. I'm talking about the lure of life. I'm talking about the responsibilities that you have, the goals you set, you don't even have time to think about the word. Some of us are living such rushed lives that there's no time to read the word. There's no time for devotion to hearing from God. Look, if you're too busy to read the word daily, you're too busy. You need to schedule the rest of your life around daily Bible reading, not the other way around. Some of us, instead of scheduling around daily Bible reading, what do we do? We move through the day, and then by the end of the day, we're trying to just squeeze in what we can, and we give God our leftovers when it comes to our time. But we need to be people who not only are not distracted by the cares of this world, but who meditate upon the word. That is repetition in thought, repetition even vocally. You say it out loud again and again to yourself. You think about it constantly. You analyze it. You obsess over it. You meditate upon that truth. The focus needs to remain on the word. Psalm 1:1-3 says, "Oh, the joys of those who do not follow the advice of the wicked or stand around with sinners or sit in with mockers. But they delight in the law of the Lord, meditating on it day and night. They are like trees planted along the riverbank, bearing fruit each season. Their leaves never wither, and they prosper in all they do."
A powerful man of God taught me how to meditate on the word. One of the techniques he taught me was very simple: that as you're reading, let's just say Matthew chapter 13, this parable of Jesus, you go verse by verse slowly, no rush, and just begin to think about all of the different things that you're reading, not allowing your mind to wander. Because sometimes what we do is, maybe you've had experience like this where you read a sentence and then suddenly you start to daydream about other things. Don't do that. Discipline of the mind. Focus of the mind. Diligence of the mind. Focus. Don't let your mind wander. Focus on those words that you're reading. Focus on the truths being communicated. Then begin to repeat it out loud to yourself. Digest it. If reading the word is eating the word, then meditation is digestion. Repetition in thought, and then, as best I can, I try to memorize as much of the text as possible, and I'll go over the chapter again and again and again and again. So first, I'll maybe be able to memorize verses 1 through 3. I say it out loud. I look back. Maybe I didn't get it word for word, but I got the gist of it. And so I do that again and again until I can go through the whole chapter and repeat it back, if not word for word, at least idea for idea, thought for thought. And then close my eyes, and I just repeat that. And I focus on the words, and I analyze what it could mean to me today. And I ask the Lord to help me to apply it. And I ask the Lord to help show me where maybe my life is contradicting some of the teachings there. And I ask the Holy Spirit to help me to appreciate each saying, each word. There's this love for the word, this passion for the sayings of scripture. And that love causes the word to, the nutrients to begin to go deep. And then you get that spiritual strength. Sadly, what happens typically is someone will read the word and then they'll close the Bible and immediately they'll jump on TikTok, or immediately they'll jump on YouTube. "Okay, I read the Bible, and that's when you treat it like an obligation. Okay, I read the Bible. I'm done now. Now I'm going to go and get on with my day." Well, that's because there's no passion for the word. It was just done as an obligation. Check it off my list. Moving right on to the next thing.
You know, there's this thing, you all know Stephen McTazuma. He and I sometimes will go see a movie, and one of the things that we do, and you can say we're nerding out a little bit, one of the things we'll do is after a movie, we'll immediately go and start watching reviews of the movie on YouTube to maybe get some depth, some insight, to point out some things that we may have missed. Why? Because there's an excitement there. There's passion there. Well, shouldn't we be doing that for the word? Where you read the word, and instead of just closing that book and saying, "Okay, now I can maybe go do the workout," or "maybe I can go hang out with my friends," or "now I can start texting people back." Can't you just pause? Can't you just pause for a moment to allow for the seed to avoid those thorns? To where when you actually receive the word, instead of just tossing the book aside or closing the Bible app and going right to the text, to social media, to email, just pause. Say, "Okay, I'm going to now take in the word. I'm going to meditate on that word." That's what it means to meditate: repetition in thought, contemplation, consideration, thinking about the application, praying over the word, asking the Holy Spirit to reveal its meaning, to help you live it, and if you have to repent for not living up to that standard. Think about it throughout the day. Talk about it with your friends. Maybe even read some commentary and go look up a Christian teaching on that particular portion of scripture. Just meditate. Don't just receive it and move on to the next thing. Repetition, that is how you avoid those thorns. That is how you avoid those distractions. Meditation on the word and love for the word.
So, precious Lord, I pray you help them to do it. Holy Spirit, develop within us a greater love for your word. Teach us, Lord, that it comes by revelation. Teach us, Lord, that it's not by power nor by might, but by your Spirit. Teach us, Lord, to be consistent, to develop depth of the word through consistency, that we might love the word so much that we take in much of the word daily. And when we do, give us the focus. Give us such a love for your word that it's on our minds and hearts day and night, that we repeat it and rehearse it and put it into practice. In the mighty name of Jesus, we pray. I want you to type it real big in the comment section. If you believe it, type a big amen.
Well, this ministry is growing, and I want to give you an opportunity to be a part of what God is doing through this ministry. You know, as you've received the word through this ministry, it's biblical to support the ministry. That's a biblical concept that you sow seed financially where you've received the word. And that is honoring the word. That's learning to appreciate the ministry of the word. Think about how the ministry is growing and lives are being impacted. Think about how your life has been impacted through this work. This is the Lord's work, not mine. But think about how your life has been impacted through this ministry. Honor that today. Appreciate that today. Support that today so that others can experience the same. If you've been blessed by this ministry, then I'm asking you to sow into the ministry so that we can continue to do our work, that we might take the gospel around the world in the power of the Holy Spirit. So join us today, help our cause, get on the front lines with us, and help us win the soul of a generation. Help us to evangelize the lost and to encourage Christians around the world. To become a monthly supporter of this ministry, and I need many of you to do this. Go to davidhernandisministries.com/partner. That monthly support is so key. Consider today signing up for a gift of just $25 a month. I know that might be sacrificial. I know that may be challenging, but maybe look at the books and say, "What can I sacrifice for the sake of ministry?" Or whatever the Lord puts on your heart monthly. Everything is appreciated. davidhernandisministries.com/partner. Sign up to become a monthly supporter today. You can also give a single gift to this ministry by going to davidhernandisministries.com/donate. Single or monthly, large or small, everything counts. So get to that website right now and say, "Holy Spirit, I've been blessed by this ministry. I've received the word from this ministry. I've been encouraged by this ministry. And thank you for the privilege of now doing my part to help others." And then ask the Holy Spirit what you should do financially. And I sure do appreciate you for that.
Now listen, if you enjoyed this teaching on how to receive the word in the spirit, add to the spiritual the practical. If you want a practical guide on how to study the Bible, then check out my teaching, "Bible Study for Beginners: Five Easy Keys." In that message, I give you a breakdown of how to study the Bible in a practical way. Of course, there are other spiritual dynamics, but I know if you enjoyed this teaching, you will love that one. Blessings to you.