Dr. Barclay with Something to Think About - THE SEED AND THE SOIL

 The SEED and the SOIL

In the parable of the seed and the soil Jesus said this:

a sower went out to sow. 

And as he sowed, some seed fell by the wayside…

Some fell on stony places…

some fell among thorns… 

but others fell on good ground and yielded a crop…

He who has ears to hear, let him hear!

(Matthew 13:3-9)

Jesus was using this as an example of how the message of the Gospel can be received by different persons and under different circumstances. Now, the seed referred to here is the Word of God and the good news it implies. And it can be heard by those who

constitute the wayside 

(Matthew 13:4)

and are not receptive to or understand the Word when it is presented to them. And the more it is presented, the harder their hearts become against it. 

Still others represent 

the stony places 

(Matthew 13:5)

and are initially enraptured by what the word implies but soon turn cold toward it; especially when trials or tribulation develop. Their reception of the Word comes quickly but dissipates  just as fast. 

There are those who receive the Word and hold on to it but their problems in dealing with other aspects of their lives soon overshadows the message of the Word. As a result, the Word ends up fighting for survival

among the thorns 

(Matthew 13:7)

of this world but soon the problems of life and of living choke out the apparent benefits of what the Word states and so the cares of this life and the lure of materialism tends to win out. 

Finally, 

there is good ground 

(Matthew 13:8)

in which the word of God continues to be received and can eventually bring forth the fruit and benefits that it was intended to do.

In each case, the sower remained the same; what changed was the “soil” unto which the seed fell so that, the soil, should be the only variable in the parable. This was probably the case when Christ first gave the story. But is it still the same today? Has the Word of God, as presented today, remained the uncorrupted seed that it once was; or has it, and the message been altered to an extent that makes the pure Word of God essentially unavailable? If the seed that is being given is tainted in some way then it is unlikely to bear much fruit, even if that seed does land on good ground. If we want good crops then we must plant good seed.

When one looks at the various ways that the initial Word of God has been modified, adapted, and altered in so many ways by present day proponents of the Gospel, is it any wonder why the present day seems to be bring forth such mediocre results? The initial church preached essentially one message:

 

we preach Christ crucified,

to the Jews a stumbling block

and to the Greeks foolishness… 

(1 Corinthians 1:23)

At present, it sometimes seems that what is preached and has been adopted is more like a stumbling block and more like foolishness than what should be delivered by a pure and undefiled seed. Only a true seed can bring forth good crops.

And that is something to really think about.

    

Rev Vincent Hanley March 30, 2025

Dr. Barclays Bible Study - The Book of Ephesians Part 14

Dr. Barclay with Something to Think About - ONE

ONE

“that they may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in you; 

that they also may be one in Us… 

(John 17:21)

The plea that the Christian church should be unified seems to basically have gone unheeded throughout history. The multiple denominations give evidence as to how small differences in various aspects of ministry have resulted in large fractures in the oneness of Christian life. But the plea still remains - that we should be one with the Godhead.

The Bible relates the ways in which we should come together over those means which tend to drive us apart. In spite of our differences, we are all part of one entity.

One body. We, who belong to Christ, are all part of His one body and our differences should compliment each other, not cause separation, as the parts of the human body are all needed to make us work properly.

One spirit. If we are all part of the same body, then we should all be acting under the same spirit, the Holy Spirit, the only one we should listen to.

One hope. We should work together as and for one body under the direction of the one Spirit because we all have the same hope as to what awaits us some day in Christ.

One Lord. Because if you have only one body, and only one Spirit, then there must be only one Lord over it all. This belief ensures that there is that one hope at the end provided that…

…One faith is adhered to. There may be many ways in which that faith may be celebrated but in essence it comes down to having that one unifying belief which is required of all.

And one baptism which unites us all even though the manner of baptism may vary, the meaning remains the same, the message is unchanged; the acceptance of… 

…One God over us all. 

As Paul put it:

 

There is one body and one Spirit… 

one Lord, one faith, one baptism; 

one God and Father of all… 

(Ephesians 4:4-6) 

If we could accept these points and not quibble over other less significant details, then perhaps we would be closer to achieving that situation in which Christ wanted us to be; that is united “one in Us…as You, Father, are in Me and I in You.” (John 17:21)

Perhaps something to which we should all give more thought.

Rev. Steve Webb March 23, 2025

Dr. Barclays Bible Study - The Book of Ephesians Part 13

Dr. Barclay with Something to Think About - SEVEN STEPS

SEVEN STEPS

At times, Christianity seems too complicated and oppressive. With about 33,000 different denominations within the overall church, it is evident that there are too many rules, regulations, and restrictions in play. In reality, Christianity should be nothing more than a true relationship between God and man: a direct interpersonal relationship. Thus, there are really only seven steps involved in such a relationship.

First is the awareness that none of us are as we should be.

for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. 

(Romans 3:23)

Once we become aware of the inevitability of our sin, the second step is to come to the understanding that the knowledge of such sin comes from the law.

…for by the law is the knowledge of sin. 

(Romans 3:20)

And from this is the third step, that we have to accept the fact that, in spite of our best efforts and intents in this world, according to Scripture:

There is none who does good, no, not one. 

(Psalm 14:3 and 53:3) 

There is none righteous, no, not one… 

(Romans 3:10)

And all our righteousnesses are like filthy rags… 

(Isaiah 64:6)

[and] the wages of sin is death… 

(Romans 6:23)

Now, since we can do nothing ourselves to right this problem, as the Bible indicates that all our efforts are as filthy rags, we are on our own without much hope. Different religions teach that you get beyond the death sentence by good works - even though the abilities of individuals vary to such an extent that no two can do the same work all the time. Many, however, have faith that this will be enough. Others feel that it makes no difference, for nothing exists outside of this world. Scripture, though, tells us that we need only one thing - that is faith that Christ paid for any sin we might have committed or actually will commit. Just faith. Nothing more; nothing less. For it states that:

…without faith it is impossible to please Him… 

(Hebrews 11:6) 

Therefore,

….the just shall live by faith. 

(Romans 1:17) 

For we walk by faith, not by sight. 

(2 Corinthians 5:7) 

Thus…

…we have boldness and access with confidence 

[to the manifold wisdom of God] through faith in Him. 

(Ephesians 3:12)

Having said this, many do not seem to have the awareness of this truth and continue to rely on their own counsel. But as the Bible puts it:

…the world through wisdom did not know God, 

it pleased God through the foolishness of the message 

preached to save those who believe. 

(1 Corinthians 1:21)

And 

…the foolishness of God is wiser than men… 

(1Corinthians 1:25)

Therefore, to understand all this requires a practice the all too few do for…

 

faith [and understanding] comes by hearing, 

and hearing by the word of God.

(Romans 10:17)

Thus, by this people can become aware of the message of the gospel, come to understand it, and hopefully develop an acceptance of what a relationship with Christ is all about.

All just something more to think about.

Jeanne Kirk March 16, 2025

Join Us For Church

 

Join us for church tomorrow morning as Jeanne Kirk brings us a message from the Word of God and Jasmine Trott leads us in worship.

Our service will be held at 11 AM in the Hillside Community Hall 27 Chance Harbour Rd.

Bring a friend and don't forget your Bible.

Dr. Barclays Bible Study - The Book of Ephesians Part 12

Dr. Barclay with Something to Think About - FORSAKEN

 FORSAKEN

One of the most familiar statements in the New Testament is the one spoken by Jesus as He hung on the cross:

“My God, My God, why have you forsaken Me?” 

(Matthew 27:46)

Did God really forsake His other persona, Jesus? Or was it the weight of the world’s sin that Christ carried which actually made Christ, for a time, turn away from God? After all, did not He Himself say that:

“I will never leave you nor forsake you.” 

(Hebrews 13:5)

In Romans, however, we are told that mankind…

 

….did not glorify Him as God…

but became futile in their thoughts…

Professing to be wise, they became fools,

Therefore God gave them up to uncleanness…

[and] up to vile passions. 

(Romans 1:21-22, 24, & 26)

Thus, in carrying the sins of mankind on His back, in essence, Christ, for an instant, forsook God and so felt the abandonment that He expressed in the statement mentioned above.

This same statement is also found in the Psalms.

My God, My god, why have You forsaken Me?

Why are you so far from helping Me,

And from the words of My groaning? 

(Psalm 22:1)

This Psalm, by David, reflects the feeling of someone who believes he has been abandoned by God. Someone who is in so much agony and distress that he feels totally abandoned by the One with whom he previously had a relationship with and a trust in; but now the weight of sin has resulted in God’s displeasure and apparent separation.

At the present time, when so much is going on in the world, and when people who profess to be Christian act in ways which are so contrary to what they profess, it becomes very easy to feel the same way David did when he made the statement in Psalm 22. It becomes easy to feel that God has abandoned us and has just left us to our own devices with the result that the world will continue to slide further into chaos.  This is further exemplified in our day by what Peter said:

…false prophets…and false teachers among you

….many will follow their destructive ways,

…[and] they will exploit you with deceptive words…

(2 Peter 2:1-3)

There are so many people spouting falsehoods and so many leaders not willing to be truthful that it is easy to be deceived and to realize that God is no longer a viable part of our culture. As a result, we have abandoned God, and although He is still there, He stands apart as He did during the apostasy in the days of the Judges of Israel. We have not been forsaken by God but have forsaken Him. But, in the future, it will be most likely ourselves who will be crying:

My God, My God why have you forsaken me?

It’s not pleasant, but it is something to think about.

Terry Binskin and Pastor Caroline Mar 9, 2025

Please watch the Pictou County Palliative Care Society

video here:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0kEz-S3g-H8

Don’t Forget to Set Your Clocks Ahead Saturday Night

 

A

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Dr. Barclays Bible Study - The Book of Ephesians Part 11

Dr. Barclay with Something to Think About - F.I.R.S.T.

F.I.R.S.T.

No one can serve two masters; 

for either he will hate the one and love the other, 

or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. 

(Matthew 6:24)

[So] seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness… 

(Matthew 6:33)

What is really meant by seeking “first” the kingdom? In one instance, “first” has been broken down in this manner.*

Finances - How often do many people spend their entire lives working day and night to increase their wealth? People spend years working toward careers, toward advancement and prosperity. Yet how often do they forget God in the process? The Bible states clearly that:

…the earth is the Lord’s and all its fullness. 

(1 Corinthians 10:26) 

Therefore putting God in to a financial plan often leads to a greater benefit than otherwise would occur because, after all, He’s the one who really controls the purse strings.

Interests - Everyone these days seem to have multiple interests. We all get involved in our favourite sports, shows, or plays; our favourite restaurants and places to shop, in fact, we often seem to be going in multiple different directions every day. This frequently displaces any time people might have for God and as result these interests become an alternative deity.

The Bible states that God is:

…a holy God. He is a jealous God… 

(Joshua 24:19)

and that we are to 

…meditate in [the Book of the Law] day and night… 

(Joshua 1:8)

Do we make God and His Word part  of our daily interests?

Relationships - True Christianity is considered a relationship and not a religion. A relationship that exists between God and ourselves and is perhaps best stated this way:

I’ve known You as a Father

I’ve known you as a friend**

The Bible states that:

 

Abraham believed…and was called the friend of God. 

(James 2:23)

If one considers God a friend, then the interests of that person should certainly involve an interest in having a relationship with God.

Schedules - We all have a schedule to keep each day even if we don’t consider it in that context. We have classes to make or work to clock into or after hours events to go to. We have times for meals and TV and bed, but do we fit God into our schedule? Often, He is the last one thought of. How can we maintain a good relationship with God if we don’t fit Him into our schedule? It would be like trying to keep a relationship with your fiancé but never seeing them.

Troubles - We all have these. The Bible says in Psalm 34:6:

[The] poor man cried out, and the Lord hears him,

And saved him out of all his troubles. 

This because…

…My yoke is easy and My burden is light. 

(Matthew 11:30)

If we can do this with our finances, our interests, our schedules, and can enter a relationship as mentioned then we know He will help with our troubles and we can truthfully say that Christ is first in our lives.

And that is something we should all think about.

*Adapted from a talk by Canon J. John on Sharing Your Faith-Invitation
**Lyrics from The Goodness of God by Bethel Music and Jenn Johnson, 2019

Matthew and Jasmine Trott's Ordination with Rev. Bill Annis March 2, 2025