The seed represents the word of God and the soil is human hearts. The soil is tilled to prepare it for the seed. We need to cultivate the soil and help prepare people for the gospel. Our goal is to produce fruit. The fruitful heart is called to obedience and discipleship. We need to aim for growth in our spiritual life and for others by living out our faith and seeking opportunities to share our faith.

Jesus came to usher in the new. New clothes, new wineskins. The Pharisees' old ways were decaying. The world wants us to mix and match and blend all faiths together in one world religion that pleases everyone - but there is only one way - through the name of Jesus. The Pharisees wanted to fit Jesus into their system, but he wouldn't fit. Do we try to fit Jesus into what we believe? Jesus did not make people jump through man-made regulations. God is always working in our world, changing people's hearts and doesn't need our rules. Do we want to make people fit our rules? Are we vessels that can carry God's new wine into this world?

Just as Christ came into our world, we are Christ's ambassadors in this world. We live amongst people, to fellowship with them, work with them and eat with them. Our eyes are to be turned to others as we look to the interests of others. We are to be other-centred and love others as we love ourselves. Our eyes are to be turned to Jesus and our attitude is to be the same as Jesus. Having an attitude of serving brings blessing and glory to God. Are we living for ourselves or others?

Paul refers to himself as abnormally born. He said that he does not deserve to be called an apostle because of his persecution of the church. God has chosen ordinary people to do extra ordinary things for the sake of the gospel. Paul acknowledges that it was by the grace of God that allowd him to be who he was and indicates that the most important information that we can share with others is that Christ died for our sin, was buried and was raised again on the third day. By the grace of God we are who we are but, as Christians, we all have the same message of sharing with others the love of Jesus.

Peter was the Apostle of hope and that is how he finishes his letter, with the hope that the best is yet to come. Jesus wants us to be people who are humble, watchful and hopeful. We need to seek to serve, not gain from others. We need to respect the power of the devil, resist him and stand firm in our faith in Jesus. We have received undeserved grace from God through the sacrifice of Jesus and now have the hope of salvation and eternity in glory with God.