Does the steeple of the church, block the view of the cross

Sermon preached by Chaplain Rick Brewer 07-28-13

Matthew 13:3 And he spake many things unto them in parables, saying, Behold, a sower went forth to sow;
[4] And when he sowed, some seeds fell by the way side, and the fowls came and devoured them up:
[5] Some fell upon stony places, where they had not much earth: and forthwith they sprung up, because they had no deepness of earth:
[6] And when the sun was up, they were scorched; and because they had no root, they withered away.
[7] And some fell among thorns; and the thorns sprung up, and choked them:
[8] But other fell into good ground, and brought forth fruit, some an hundredfold, some sixtyfold, some thirtyfold.
[9] Who hath ears to hear, let him hear.

Proverbs 29:18 Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he.

Matthew 13:18 Hear ye therefore the parable of the sower.
[19] When any one heareth the word of the kingdom, and understandeth it not, then cometh the wicked one, and catcheth away that which was sown in his heart. This is he which received seed by the way side.

•Those that have faltered – Allowed the programs of the Church to hide the view of the cross.
•The Awesome responsibility – Preach the truth

If we are not to see those who would fall to the wayside our vision must not be to create “Christians” but rather to see souls saved in a mighty way.. A way the transforms their lives into  being a New Creature

Matthew 13:20 But he that received the seed into stony places, the same is he that heareth the word, and anon with joy receiveth it;
[21] Yet hath he not root in himself, but dureth for a while: for when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word, by and by he is offended.

•We cannot be the “1, 2, 3 repeat after me” church
•We are loosing Christians to the world everyday because we see those who are looking for a spiritual handout. “Yet hath he not root in himself”
•You can’t build the deep roots of spirituality without Reading, praying and attending church.•

Matthew 13:22 He also that received seed among the thorns is he that heareth the word; and the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becometh unfruitful.

The pull of this world is great.

•The internet, Video games, TV, Radio, Nascar, NFL, Fashion, Science, Cars, cell phones,
•Note that those riches of the world..choke the word… you can still hear someone when their choking… you just can’t understand them.

But my God is greater.

But choosing to hear God in that still small voice, choosing to clear the thorns away and till the ground is not a choice for the Church to make. It is the choice of the individual.

[23] But he that received seed into the good ground is he that heareth the word, and understandeth it; which also beareth fruit, and bringeth forth, some an hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.

Without vision, the people perish.. So here’s the vision.

We are not like other churches, nor do we have the desire to be.

We want to be clear on:

•How to be Saved
•How to grow as a Christian
•How to present Christ to others

We desire to be that good ground where people can hear the Word of God and understand it… Giving every opportunity to see folks saved. Then to see them bear fruit, bringing others to Christ.

May we never get to the point that when someone thinks about God they think of this church… May we never block the view of the cross..

We are merely a tool, forged and formed to work as an extension of Christ’s hand and His feet.. Doing His good will for His Glory.

[9] Who hath ears to hear, let him hear.
[10] And the disciples came, and said unto him, Why speakest thou unto them in parables?
[11] He answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given.
[12] For whosoever hath, to him shall be given, and he shall have more abundance: but whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken away even that he hath.
[13] Therefore speak I to them in parables: because they seeing see not; and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand.
[14] And in them is fulfilled the prophecy of Esaias, which saith, By hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and shall not perceive:
[15] For this people’s heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them.
[16] But blessed are your eyes, for they see: and your ears, for they hear.
[17] For verily I say unto you, That many prophets and righteous men have desired to see those things which ye see, and have not seen them; and to hear those things which ye hear, and have not heard them.