June 14. What are the Thorns
J.R. Miller explains that the thorns in the parable represent worldly cares, riches, and lusts that choke spiritual growth and prevent believers from bearing mature fruit.
In this sermon, J.R. Miller explores the meaning of the thorns in Jesus' parable, revealing how worldly cares, riches, and lusts can choke a believer's spiritual life and hinder fruitfulness. He emphasizes the importance of vigilance in guarding the heart and allowing God to remove distractions. Miller encourages believers to maintain a healthy faith that produces lasting spiritual fruit.
Text
"Some fell among thorns — and thorns grew up and choked it, and it yielded no fruit." Mark 4:7
The thorns had been chopped off — but their roots were still in the ground. Then as the seed began to grow, so did the thorns; and growing faster and more rankly than the wheat, they soon choked it out, so that it came to nothing in the end.
What are these thorns? Our Lord says they are "the cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches." "Cares" are anxieties, distractions, worries. Martha was in danger of having the good seed in her heart choked out by her distracting thoughts about her household affairs. Many a promising Christian life has been dwarfed and stunted, from the same cause. "The deceitfulness of riches" — thousands of spiritual lives have been starved into ghostly leanness by the desire for riches. "The lust of other things entering in, choke the word." We have all seen people who began well; but as cares multiplied or riches increased — their zeal waned. We need, however, to look to our own hearts — for we shall probably have enough to do, if we keep out all the thorns and weeds in the one little garden committed to us.
Jesus did not say these people are not Christians — but that they "bring no fruit to perfection." The distractions of this life, the deceitfulness of riches, the lusts of others things, entering in — choke the spiritual life, stunting its graces. They lose the sweet comforts of a healthy faith. The fruits of the Spirit in them are shriveled. They may go on working in the church, preaching, teaching, praying; but the life is lacking.
What is the lesson? This: we need to watch without ceasing these hearts of ours, and let no weed or brier grown there for a day. Sometimes God himself does the weeding. He lifts out of the bosom, the earthly object that is absorbing all the heart\
Sermon Outline
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I
- Explanation of the thorns in the parable
- Thorns represent cares, riches, and lusts
- These choke the seed and prevent fruitfulness
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II
- The nature of worldly cares as distractions
- The deceitfulness of riches starving spiritual life
- Examples of lives stunted by these thorns
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III
- Jesus' teaching that these people are not necessarily unbelievers
- They lack mature fruit and healthy faith
- The outward work may continue but life is lacking
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IV
- The need for constant vigilance over the heart
- God sometimes removes these thorns Himself
- Call to keep the heart free from weeds and distractions
Key Quotes
“The thorns had been chopped off — but their roots were still in the ground. Then as the seed began to grow, so did the thorns; and growing faster and more rankly than the wheat, they soon choked it out.” — J.R. Miller
“"Our Lord says they are 'the cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches.' 'Cares' are anxieties, distractions, worries.” — J.R. Miller
“"Jesus did not say these people are not Christians — but that they 'bring no fruit to perfection.'” — J.R. Miller
Application Points
- Regularly examine your heart to identify and remove worldly distractions.
- Trust God to help you overcome the cares and lusts that choke your spiritual growth.
- Focus on cultivating a faith that bears lasting fruit rather than merely outward religious activity.
Frequently Asked Questions
What do the thorns symbolize in the parable?
They symbolize the cares of the world, deceitfulness of riches, and lusts that choke spiritual growth.
Are those choked by thorns still Christians?
Yes, Jesus indicates they may be believers but they fail to bring their faith to full fruitfulness.
How do worldly cares affect a Christian life?
They distract and worry the believer, stunting spiritual growth and diminishing faith's comfort.
Can God remove these thorns from our hearts?
Yes, sometimes God Himself does the weeding to remove earthly objects absorbing our hearts.
What practical steps should believers take?
Believers should watch their hearts without ceasing and prevent any distractions or lusts from taking root.