Sunday 12th July 2026 - Seventh Sunday of Pentecost

REFLECTION: Matthew 13:1-23 “The Purpose of the Parables”

Why will one person reject the gospel, and another person believe the gospel?

To explain a bit more why some believe and some don’t, and what the factors

are that drive people to not believe, Jesus tells the Parable of the Sower. He

also teaches his disciples quoting Isaiah to show how some hearts are hardened

to God, but others seek him. Jesus’ use of parables to teach highlights this

difference as it is those who hearts are seeking God who will hear and

understand and believe.

Here is an outline:

1. The Parable of the Sower explains the purpose of the parables (10-16)

a. Why do some hear and believe, and others just tune out?

b. Some see with their eyes, listen with their ears, understand with their hearts,

and repent.

c. There are some whose hearts have grown dull and who have stopped

listening.

2. What does the Parable of the Sower teach us about those who reject the

gospel?

a. Some seeds fell on the path – the evil one comes and snatches away what is

sown in the heart (4, 18)

b. Other seeds fell on rocky ground – such a person has no root, but endures

only for a while (5, 21)

c. Other seeds fell among thorns – but the cares of the world and the lure of

wealth choke the word (7, 22)

3. And what about those who repent and believe?

a. Other seeds fell on good soil and brought forth grain, some a hundredfold (

b. Let anyone with ears listen! (9)

c. Which best describes your experience?

To Think About:

Even those who have received the good news of Jesus can be troubled by the

cares of this world or the lure of wealth.

Can you identify a weakness here in your life?

Hymns:

TIS 215 You servants of God, your master

For the cause of Christ the king

TIS 245 We have a gospel to proclaim

MP 126 Facing a task unfinished

OLD TESTAMENT TALKS FROM BISHOP PAUL BARKER on the

Character of God: "The LORD, slow to anger, abounding in steadfast

love." July 22, 29 and August 5. 7:30 to 8:30pm at Glen Waverley Anglican

and on livestream. We will be using the livestream at our Wednesday Growth

Group.

EVENING OF PRAYER AT THE CATHEDRAL Our Archbishop Ric

invites all Parishes to come to the Cathedral for an evening of Prayer this

Wednesday 15th July from 7:00 to 8:30 pm. Put it in your diary.

BUILDING FUND GOLD COIN Our buildings are always in need of

repairs. Envelopes are available from Cliff/Lorraine Willis to put your coin in.

ARCHBISHOP RIC THORPE and his wife Louie will be with us on Sunday

August 2nd at our 10am service for a joyful celebration of our St James

Patronal Festival together with baptisms, confirmations and reception of

members. Preparation is underway for those to be confirmed and

baptized. There is still time for anyone from another tradition who wishes to

be received as a member of the Anglican Church; speak to Graeme. We

encourage folk from all our congregations to be present at this special service.

This will be followed by our traditional international lunch.

WORKING BEE We are planning a working bee for Saturday morning July

25th to get the place clean and tidy, inside and out for our forthcoming patronal

festival and visit from the Archbishop on 2nd of August.

FOOD, GLORIOUS FOOD Enjoy a plate of fish and chips after the service.

Only $10.

LAWN MOWING ROSTER 11th July – Oyem & Rob

READINGS FOR NEXT SUNDAY – 19th July: Genesis 28. 10-19;

Psalm 139. 1-11, 23-24; Romans 8. 12-25; Matthew 13. 24-33, 36-43

FROM THE ANGLICAN DIARY, WE PRAY FOR St Luke’s Cockatoo, St

Mark’s Emerald, St George’s Monbulk, Parish of Mount Dandenong, Upper

Yarra Anglican Parish, Anglican Parish of Wandin, Seville & Mt Evelyn,

Anglican Parish of Upwey/Belgrave, All Saints’ Selby, St Martin’s Belgrave

Heights

THIS WEEK WE CONTINUE TO PRAY FOR: Nigel, Jen, Glen, Sherene,

Gloria, Ron, Ruth, Mike, Amy, Cecil, Beryl, Paul, Fabian, Charles, Marla,

Jeremiah, Tahlia, Suzanne, Kurt, Kieran & Colin.