Stony Ground People
Matthew 13:5-6
5Some fell upon stony places, where they had not much earth: and forthwith they sprung up, because they had no deepness of earth: 6And when the sun was up, they were scorched; and because they had no root, they withered away.
Again Luke brings out a little bit more, Luke 8:6.
6And some fell upon a rock; and as soon as it was sprung up, it withered away, because it lacked moisture.
This is important. If one tries to plant a seed, the moisture cannot get through the rock. There is no growth.
Do you know where the moisture comes from? It is John 4:14 and John 7:38.
14 But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.
John 7:38
38He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.
Moisture comes from the Holy Spirit. Both for us and those we minister to. But, the stones block out the sun. The sun that brings light, so the moisture can be effective. We need to get the stones out, so the seed can take root and growth will occur. Stony heart people have difficulty receiving the word to where it can take root and thrive. This includes both believers and nonbelievers alike.
In the explanation of the parable, Yeshua states in Matthew 13:20-21:
20But he that received the seed into stony places, the same is he that heareth the word, and immediately with joy receiveth it; 21Yet 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.
It is practically impossible for these to consider the claims of Yeshua. One may be able to get them to say the sinners prayer, but salvation is more than just length of life. And, yes, even a believer can be a stony ground person. They have salvation, but there is not much growth. It is very difficult for the word to take root in their heart. As soon as tribulation, persecution, affliction or temptation comes, they will be gone.
No wonder people think one can lose salvation. These people either never had salvation or they are just a dormant or slow growing seed. The word never took root in their heart. Yes one can be saved and still be a stony ground person. Salvation and growth are two different things.
What do we do with these stony ground people? These people have so many stumbling stones that the seed cannot get any depth. The problem with these people is that they do not have long term joy. They never see beyond their own circumstances. There is no growth, because they are always focused on themselves
So many of us come in to Christianity and never receive the real healing we need. Yeshua tells us in John 15:9-11:
9As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love. 10If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father’s commandments, and abide in his love. 11These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.
If we would abide in Him, we get that healing we need and the joy. If we have joy, we can get through the trials and tribulations. Then, we can do the labor to remove our own. Isaiah has more to say in Isaiah 57:14.
14And shall say, Cast ye up, cast ye up, prepare the way, take up the stumblingblock out of the way of my people.
One needs to identify stumbling blocks and help remove them. One needs to help meet their needs. Do not try to plant seeds, it will not take root.
We need to identify stumbling blocks in our lives and the lives of others. We need help to remove these stones. We need help from those that actually love us. Those that love us for who we are. Too many have conditional love. Find someone that has unconditional love. Meaning they love and forgive us even if we are jerks. They see the new creation in us
Isaiah 62:10-11
10Go through, go through the gates; prepare ye the way of the people; cast up, cast up the highway; gather out the stones; lift up a standard for the people. 11Behold, Yehovah hath proclaimed unto the end of the world, Say ye to the daughter of Zion, Behold, thy salvation cometh; behold, his reward is with him, and his work before him.
One needs to remove stones. However, before one starts, they need to heed the words of Yeshua in Matthew 7:1-5.
1Judge not, that ye be not judged. 2For with what judgment (krima) ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again. 3And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother’s eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye? 4Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, Let me pull out the mote out of thine eye; and, behold, a beam is in thine own eye? 5Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother’s eye.
Before one can minister to these people, they need to remove the stones and stumbling blocks from their own life. When their stones are removed, people will see the difference in them. Then one will understand how to minister to these people. We need to quit ministering out of our hurts. We need a healing in an area, before we should minister in that area.
There is a downside to this, Ecclesiastes 10:9A.
9AWhoso removeth stones shall be hurt therewith;
Stones have sharp edges and they are heavy. One has to be willing to have their hands cut and work hard. No matter how hard it may seem, remember Yeshua went to the cross. What He did was a lot more serious.
The only question is, how much are you willing to do for your neighbor. The one you are supposed to love?
Remember get your own stones out of your own life. You will probably need help from believers that will help lift those burdens in your life. Those who love you unconditionally. Finally, you must abide in Messiah.
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