Sexagesima Sunday (1891)

Luke 8:4-15 A fundamentally perverted interpretation of our parable that one probably encounters is that among people a great difference in regard to the nature of the heart is the cause of the different reactions to the effects of the Word of God, that some embrace the Word because they were very receptive to divine Truth, the others as stubborn or reckless men refusing the working of grace. That this is a perverted teaching, God's Word tells us in many places. We Christians are even evidence of this; although we are children of God born from the Spirit; we are still carnal, not sincerely good field, but also bad land. This we should surely heed. The stern warning which is for all Christians in the parable of four different fields; 1. even with us much of the Word fall on the road; we ourselves should beware of that with all diligence; a. our flesh is averse and hostile to the Word. Hence frequent inattention during the sermon, during the reading of the Scriptures, and other activity with the Word of God; hence many earthly thoughts that fly between us and bear the Word to the four winds, that it does not come into our heart and conscience when it even falls into our ear. So many Christians remain so poor in knowledge in spiritual matters, although they hear and read the Word year out and year in. As a result, over time they come to the effect that they think listening and reading still does not help; they will erode, probably will die in the end. 1 Therefore we should protect ourselves from inattention during the sermon, during the reading and singing, even after the Divine Service, before the free birds and wiles of the devil, who want to rob us of the Word before the Word can begin to work. Sunday afternoons and evenings should not be spent in frivolous conversations and tomfoolery. Bible reading at home is not done as a mere habit, but is driven by devotion. Blessing of the prefaces, summaries, and vota in the Altenburg Bible Society2; 2. even with us some of the Word falls upon rock; however, we should watch with all diligence; a. Our flesh is hostile to the cross, which comes to us through the Word's sake, if we have received the Word and now would even put it to practice in doctrine, confession, and new obedience. Because we go short in all things, one more, another less; and takes the upper hand, so it is from a lack of loyalty in the confession of the truth and in the sincere way of life of a Christian manifest denial and a running with the world, utter rubbish3; b. however, we should watch with all diligence. A Christian should know from the outset and always remain mindful that Christ's kingdom on earth is a kingdom of the cross, that the
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Luke 8:5, 12. ibid. 3 Luke 8:6, 13.

world is never our friend, even if she flatters and does well; that God's Truth of reason is a scandal and a folly; that we should be lights in the darkness. We should train ourselves in the confession of the Truth with Word and way of life; also ask God, He would want to provide, that temptation shall win such an end, that we could bear it4 3. even with us some of the Word falls among thorns; that we should fight back with all diligence; a. our flesh is earthly-minded; worries, riches, and pleasures of this life are the ones that preoccupy his thoughts, his desires, his will. It is no different, our flesh will never be heavenly minded. But how would the spiritual Seed, how would the effects of the Word grow so beautifully in much higher degree, particularly in the orthodox Church under the sound of the pure Gospel, which is given to us in such rich abundance - if there were not thorny roots in our hearts! How would it then be different for families, congregations, institutions, missions, etc. But where this brush proliferates upward, there the spiritual life declines more and more. How is it now with us, in families, congregations, synods?5 b. there we should fight, break down, uproot with all diligence, the old and the young, the poor and the rich, prepare depending on the cares, riches, and pleasures of this life and hardship and danger6; 4. even with us some of the Word falls on a good soil; this we should demonstrate with all diligence; a. through God's grace we also have a new heart, whose delight is in God's law and testimony, and ever more and more. God's Word is the dessert of our soul in house, school, and church7; b. we should also demonstrate this with hundredfold fruit, with diligent hearing, with joyful confession, through diligent propagation of the recognized Truth, with unfeigned love, with all kinds of fruits of godliness, and therein not grow weary, but evermore increasing.8 A.G.

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ibid. Luke 8:7, 14. 6 ibid. 7 Luke 8:8, 15. 8 ibid.