Pastor Ray integrates the story of a dear brother, Charles Simeon (from the "They Knew Their God" series), with Micah 7. This dear brother was hidden away and largely scorned.
Pastor Ray asks the question have you made an acceptable offering before the Lord, where you have divorced your sin and have been crucified with Christ or have you offered a profane offering before the Lord?
Pastor Ray continues the illumination of the parable of the sower in Luke Chapter 8. The key to the parable of the sower is a willingness to suffer, as we deny ourselves take up our cross and follow Jesus.
Today's sermon is dedicated to a dear one, who has by God's grace been planted in Jesus. I pray that this message is an encouragement to those planted in Jesus,
I'm not saved from ignorance or shortcomings, neither from mistakes and infirmities of various kinds. Yet I believe it to be a Christian's privilege to love God with an undivided heart and his neighbor as himself." Amen!
Our only place of rest is in Jesus himself, not your church, not your pastor, your own strength. Either you will submit yourself to Jesus fully and be made a saint or not and be a sinner.