Matthew 13

v1-23: While it is God’s grace that gives us understanding of His Word, it our duty to give our minds to understanding it.  The sad truth is that of those who hear the gospel, only one in four, produces mature fruit.  If we  are going to be fruitful hearers, we need to put what we hear and understand into practice, so that “our attitudes and the direction of our lives are consistent with the gospel we have received, and we do as we are taught to do."

v24-43: The disciples coming to Christ for further explanation reminds us that it is good to make the most of every opportunity we have, to talk about the preaching we have heard.  A good discussion about the sermon, is a way of helping one another to understand it, to remember it, and to be affected by it, “for we lose the benefit of many sermons by worthless and unprofitable talk after them."

v44-52: If we are to instruct others in the truths of God, we need to be instructed well ourselves, so we have something to bring out of our storerooms.  Bringing out of our storerooms is what we must do.  “Many people are full but do not express themselves… we store in order to give out, so that others may benefit.”

v53-58: “Lack of faith is the great obstruction to Christ’s salvation.”  If someone is not saved by Jesus, it is not because He is not powerful to save them,  or that He is not gracious enough to save them, but because of their lack of faith in Him.