QT 20 Apr 17, Matt 13:18-23, An evil and crooked generation asks for a sign--that's us now!

Matthew 13:18–23 (ESV) — 18 “Hear then the parable of the sower: 19 When anyone hears the word of the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what has been sown in his heart. This is what was sown along the path. 20 As for what was sown on rocky ground, this is the one who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy, 21 yet he has no root in himself, but endures for a while, and when tribulation or persecution arises on account of the word, immediately he falls away. 22 As for what was sown among thorns, this is the one who hears the word, but the cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and it proves unfruitful. 23 As for what was sown on good soil, this is the one who hears the word and understands it. He indeed bears fruit and yields, in one case a hundredfold, in another sixty, and in another thirty.”

NOTE: Jesus explains the parable of the sowers. There are four response. I believe most people fall into the first response. The evil one, represented by the birds in the parable, snatch away the truth--essentially, this group (the hard path) lets the evil one snatch away the truth. They don't want to believe truth, but they want to believe that they are their own gods. They can do what they want to do. They do not need to obey God. They do not want to acknowledge a creator. They do not want to believe that Jesus died for their sin. They do not want to accept that sin even exists. This is where our post-Christian culture is today. They think they have logic and scientific reasoning behind them, but it is a pick-and-choose type of factual basis, that only selects those things that agree with their own bias -- fake news that no one wants to admit is fake -- and to charge fakeness to everything that disagrees with them. We live in a sad world where right is wrong, and wrong is right; where perceived hurts are challenged in the courts; and where evil rules in the name of rightness. O Lord, how much worse can it get? Have mercy on us, a crooked and evil generation. A generation wanting to be entertained but complaining at the entertainment. Is there any good left?