Parable of the Sower-Which Seed are You?

"Again Jesus began to teach by the lake. The crowd that gathered around him was so large that he got into a boat and sat in it out on the lake, while all the people were along the shore at the water's edge. He taught them many things by parables, and in his teaching said: "Listen! A farmer went out to sow his seed. As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up. Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow. But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root. Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants, so that they did not bear grain. Still other seed fell on good soil. It came up, grew and produced a crop, multiplying thirty, sixty, or even a hundred times." Then Jesus said, "He who has ears to hear, let him hear." -Mark 4:1-9 NIV

The Parable of the Sower reveals a lot about how people can respond to the gospel. On a recent visit to Sacramento City College, a group of us from the Sacramento Metro Church of Christ went around the campus while the students prepare for the upcoming school year. For those who were interested, we discussed this very passage. One gentleman was a bit quiet, but another individual was curious about what our group is all about. Once I talked to that person, she seemed eager to know more about this passage.

The seeds of the gospel were planted and will continue to be planted at City College. However, there will always be four different reactions: path (distractions), rock (hindrance), Thorns (slow growth), and soil (deep roots). Who knows how those two individuals responded that day, but I can tell you that they will react in one of those four. The last of the four however indicates the real response that Jesus is looking for for those who claim to follow Him.

So, if you read the above passage of Scripture, which seed are you? Do you wish to be the fourth seed that flourishes?

Saved for Works

"For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast. 1For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do."
-Ephesians 2:8-10 NIV

It is a Bible fact that were are saved by grace, that is through the blood of Jesus Christ. many people look at verses eight and nine and somehow downplay verse ten. While our actions alone is insufficent for salvation, our acceptance of Christ through faith, repentance ,and baptism compells us to do good works to serve Him.

On a recent retreat in Valley Springs, CA, I challenged the participants to not forsake meeting together as a body (Heb. 10:24-25). I set a precedent with ephesians 2:8-10. While seemingly unrelated, our good works such as going to church is an expression of grattitude for what Jesus Christe done for us at the cross. In fact, if we claim to follow Jesus, we must do everything possible to serve Him and immitate Him (I John 2:6).

Grace saves us through the power of the cross. We express our gratitude to him by our good works to serve Him and draw people to Him.

Awkward Circumstances

"Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." -I Thessalonians 5:16-18


The above passage of Scripture is what I recited on a recent worship service. I was aked to speak and welcolme my congregation, and I wanted to find an appropriate passage to set the tone. However, I was a bit nervous because I am rarely asked to speak at any major function of the church. Due to challenges in my speech, I wanted to make sure I got my point across and make sure that the congregation feel welcolmed.

The above passage also exposed my insecurities. Many commerntend that I did a good job; I felt that I rambled and stuttered. I assumed that since it was a rare occasion for me to speak, they were only cheering me up (FYI, I do not like people to compliment me for the sake of making me feel better, but rather for doing what is right). However, it is through the power of the Holy Spirit that allowed me to even speak that Sunday morning, for which I am grateful.

Whenever you are in a situation that may seem unconfotable, allow God to work through it. While I didn't see my opening speech it as a total success, the Spirit did work in my life.

Welcolme to my new teaching blog!

Welcolme to Wierd Theology! Do not let the name fool you. In the past, I have sent e-mails to the Sacramento Metro Church of Christ's Campus Ministry on what I have been learning from the Scriptures. Due to a busy schedule over the last few months, they were sporadic. After much prayer, I decided to convert the e-mails into a blog.

This is much more than a teaching tool. In addition, this will be used as a sermon/devotional recap for thiose who are unable to listen to the messages from my congregation. In a way, it can also be an evangelistic tool for those onlookers who seek the truth from God's Word.

My approach to Scripture draws insight from not only what I learn from church, but what i observe in the world arround me, particularly in popular culture. It is an unusual insight about what I learn from my own faith in Christ.

I hope that you can learn and grow from this site and will be encouraged to examine Scripture in moore depth and for seekers to learn abnout having a relationship with Jesus Christ.