The Sower
Matthew 13:3-9, 18-23 Pastoral Team
God faithfully sows His Word, and it bears fruit in hearts that receive it In this parable, Jesus explains how the kingdom of God comes to people through the Word The Sower scatters seed generously and without discrimination. The seed is good, true, beautiful, and full of life. What differs is not the seed, but the soil where it lands.
Jesus describes four kinds of soil to help us understand the condition of our hearts Some hearts are hard and resistant, and the Word never takes root. Others receive it quickly, but when difficulty or pressure comes, faith fades. Some hearts are slowly crowded by worries, busyness, and misplaced desires, leaving little room for growth But there is also good soil, hearts that receive the Word, hold fast to it, and bear fruit with patience
The message of this parable is not meant to discourage us, but to gently invite reflection The problem is never with God’s Word The Word of the kingdom is powerful and effective Jesus invites us to consider the condition of our heart, what kind of soil is our heart becoming over time? Growth in the kingdom is often slow and unseen, but God is at work beneath the surface, moving us toward beauty. He patiently shapes our hearts Softens them as we listen, repent, and trust Him Good soil is not a perfect heart It is a humble and receptive one God is faithful to soften what is hard, deepen what is shallow, and remove what chokes spiritual life when we come to Him in faith.
This week, ask God to search your heart Notice what may be hardening, distracting, or crowding out His Word Make space for Scripture, prayer, and faithfulness in small ways Trust God to bring growth in His time
Lord, thank You for sowing Your Word so generously Soften our hearts by Your grace, help us receive Your truth deeply, and produce lasting fruit in our lives Amen
Good Samaritan
Becky Breiland
Luke 10:25-37
“That’s not fair!” is a common cry among elementary students, sparked by anything from losing games to seat choices While children possess an innate sense of justice, they are also masters of mercy. Daily on campus, I witness older students comforting younger ones, helping peers finish projects, or organizing messy desks. Some even sacrifice recess to help classmates find lost items or sit with friends who are sad These small acts of kindness are where mercy begins and how we practice living in God’s kingdom
In the parable of the Good Samaritan, Jesus commands, “Go and do likewise,” highlighting the importance of showing mercy While we often assume belonging to Christ’s kingdom requires grand gestures, it is frequently found in these daily practices Christ’s mercy, His compassion and forgiveness, invites us into His kingdom By showing mercy to others through simple, everyday actions, we reflect His love and live out our faith.
Dear Lord, Your mercy allows us to even speak to You. Thank You for bringing us into Your kingdom. Help us to be people who freely give mercy to others, showing them the goodness of Your kingdom May they also find belonging in the kindness, compassion, and forgiveness You give to us Amen
The Prodigal Son
Pastor Marcus Martinez (’02)
Luke 15:11–32
God’s grace welcomes repentant hearts, and selfrighteousness can keep us from rejoicing in that grace. In this parable, Jesus tells a story that reveals the heart of the Father A younger son demands his inheritance, leaves home, and wastes everything in reckless living When he reaches the end of himself, he turns back, hoping only to be treated as a servant. Instead, the father runs to him, embraces him, restores him, and celebrates his return
This is a picture of God’s grace The son does not earn his way back He simply comes home in repentance, trusting the mercy of his father. His identity is not defined by his failure, but by the father’s love. Grace meets him before he can even finish his confession
But the story does not end there The older brother, who stayed and obeyed, becomes angry and self-righteous. He resents the celebration and refuses to join it. Grace doesn’t make sense until we realize we need it Though he is physically close to the father, his heart is distant His obedience has become a source of pride, and his sense of worth is rooted in performance rather than relationship.
Jesus tells this parable as a picture, we are to consider the story and outcome of both brothers, running far from God in rebellion, and staying near Him while trusting in our own righteousness Both sons need grace Both need to know the father’s heart.
Take time this week to reflect honestly Where do you see yourself in the story? If you are returning to God, trust His grace If you are tempted toward self-righteousness, ask God to soften your heart and restore joy in His mercy toward others.
Father, thank You for Your generous grace Teach us to repent quickly, rest in our true identity as Your children, and rejoice in Your mercy for ourselves and others. Amen.
Treasures and Pearls
Les Lederman
Matthew 13:44–46
It is interesting how relative value can be Ultimately, something is worth whatever someone is willing to sacrifice to obtain it. In Jesus’ parables of the hidden treasure and the pearl, He illustrates individuals who recognize immense worth in something others may have overlooked The kingdom of God is that priceless treasure, worthy of giving up everything for that we are invited to belong to, yet only those who truly understand its value will make that sacrifice
Personally, my evaluation of the kingdom’s “worth” has fluctuated, not because its value changes, but because my priorities shift.
When I chase the fleeting treasures of the world over the eternal treasure of the kingdom, I fall into the trap of sacrificing something of great worth for something of little significance It is an illogical trade, yet a common struggle
When we fully embrace the value of the treasure of salvation, grace, and freedom God offers, and are willing to become people formed into Christlikeness, we realize that no possession, title, or achievement, is worth holding onto if it keeps us from the kingdom
Dear God, help me identify the earthly treasures I have given more value than they deserve, and help me be willing to trade it all in for the most valuable treasure Jesus is offering me today
The Mustard Seed
Pastor Anna Messersmith
Matthew 13:31-32
Heads would have turned when Jesus said that the longawaited kingdom of heaven was like an unimpressive, tiny, and insignificant seed However, what begins as a onemillimeter mustard seed disproportionately grows up to 15 feet Something extraordinarily tiny can grow into something deeply rooted, strong, and thousands of times larger than its original form The mustard seed does not stay a mustard seed forever; that is only the beginning
It is okay for something to have humble and small beginnings. Even the Savior of the world was born in a barn, and the disciples who followed Jesus came from ragtag origins Jesus was telling His audience that the kingdom of heaven does not arrive in the way we would expect, but because God is in it, it grows into something unstoppable. Something that may look insignificant could actually change the world
above ground Do not underplay what you may feel like is insignificant, for you never know what God may grow that into.
Heavenly Father, may I surrender my plans into Your hands and trust You with my growth May I trust You with the things I cannot see, and may I not doubt the things that seem too small.
The Lost Sheep
Mini Kommu
Luke 15:3-7
Assam, a state in Northeast India, was once inhabited by aggressive tribes in remote, ominous regions that most feared to enter. However, driven by the Great Welsh Revival, American Baptists ventured into this hostile territory to share the Gospel, fulfilling the call of Acts 1:8 Amidst great danger, their obedience led to the conversion of Nokseng, a leader of the Garo tribe Facing persecution, Nokseng stood firm in his faith, uttering the now-famous words, “I have decided to follow Jesus no turning back ”
This powerful testimony reminds us that God shows no favoritism (Romans 2:11) As John 3:16 affirms, His love encompasses all of humanity; no one is too far gone for Him to pursue. The seed of faith planted in that remote village ignited an unstoppable revival throughout the state.
This proves that while God may seek just one “lost sheep,” the impact can be unbelievably huge.
This season, as we contemplate the beauty of the cross and the miracle of the resurrection, let us rest in the truth of His unfailing, redemptive love
Lord, thank You for Your unfathomable love that seeks us even on thorny terrain Thank You for replacing the terror of being lost with the blessed assurance of being bought by Your blood Grant us confidence to rely on You, our Good Shepherd, especially when the road seems bleak. Lord, give us the strength to love others the way You have loved us! In Jesus’ precious name, Amen!
Pastoral Team
God entrusts His servants with gifts and responsibilities and calls them to faithful stewardship Jesus tells this parable to help His listeners understand life in God’s kingdom as they await the King’s return A master entrusts his servants with different amounts of resources, each according to their ability. Two servants faithfully invest what they are given. One, out of fear, hides his talent and returns it unused
The focus of the parable is not comparison, but faithfulness
The servants are not judged by how much they produce, the outcome is always up to God, but by how they respond to what was entrusted to them The master’s praise is the same for both faithful servants: “Well done, good and faithful servant ” Their reward is not simply increased responsibility, but deeper intimacy and joy of their master.
The unfaithful servant reveals a distorted view of the master His actions are guided by fear instead of trust, believing the master to be harsh rather than generous His passivity exposes a heart that does not truly trust the one he serves Jesus warns that failing to trust God’s goodness can lead to wasted opportunity and spiritual loss
This parable reminds us that everything we have belongs to God Our abilities, time, and opportunities are gifts meant to be used in service to His kingdom. Faithful stewardship flows from knowing God as a gracious and trustworthy King.
Reflect on what God has entrusted to you Ask where fear or comparison may be holding you back Choose one step of faithful obedience this week, trusting God with the outcome. Lord, thank You for entrusting us with Your gifts Help us to know You as good and faithful, and to steward all You give us for Your glory and the good of Your kingdom Amen
Firm Foundations
Dr. Ivan Utomo
Matthew 7:24-27
At face value, the lesson of this parable seems simple enough to understand: It doesn’t matter how grand or beautiful the house is, if the foundation is compromised, a single storm will bring it all crashing down. We may even think, “Well of course I won’t build my life on anything less than the most secure foundation! Why would I purposely build on a foundation of sand?” But perhaps one reason Jesus gave us this parable is because we tend to overestimate the strength of the building materials we use for our lives’ foundations: money, power, reputation, relationships, achievements We look to these things to help us weather the storms of life
Jesus offers a different foundation, one He promises will carry us through the worst of storms. He gives us Himself. He promises that those who trust in Him and humbly live in obedience to His Word will not fall, but stand, because He is their Rock
When I almost lost my wife in a car accident nine years ago, God sustained us and has walked with us every day since What are you building your life on? I pray you will build your house on the Solid Rock, on Jesus Christ who loves you and will never leave you
Lord, may we not only hear Your words, but obey them. Thank you for providing eternal safety and security that is greater than even the most terrible storms of this life We trust in You
