TSK · Matthew 13:21

If you say,‘How we will pursue him, since the root of the trouble is found in him!’

The words he speaks are sinful and deceitful; he does not care about doing what is wise and right.

The wicked person has desired the stronghold of the wicked, but the root of the righteous will yield fruit.

“Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to them.

Everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them is like a foolish man who built his house on sand.

“Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me, and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.

But when the sun came up, they were scorched, and because they did not have sufficient root, they withered.

Then Jesus said to his disciples,“If anyone wants to become my follower, he must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me.

But the person who endures to the end will be saved.

Peter said to him,“If they all fall away because of you, I will never fall away!”

Following Jesus Then Jesus called the crowd, along with his disciples, and said to them,“If anyone wants to become my follower, he must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me.

Those on the rock are the ones who receive the word with joy when they hear it, but they have no root. They believe for a while, but in a time of testing fall away.

“If anyone comes to me and does not hate his own father and mother, and wife and children, and brothers and sisters, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple.

Jesus replied,“I tell you the solemn truth, you are looking for me not because you saw miraculous signs, but because you ate all the loaves of bread you wanted.

Jesus replied,“Didn’t I choose you, the twelve, and yet one of you is the devil?”

“I am the vine; you are the branches. The one who remains in me– and I in him– bears much fruit, because apart from me you can accomplish nothing.

eternal life to those who by perseverance in good works seek glory and honor and immortality,

Those who want to make a good showing in external matters are trying to force you to be circumcised. They do so only to avoid being persecuted for the cross of Christ.

that Christ will dwell in your hearts through faith, so that, because you have been rooted and grounded in love,

You know that everyone in the province of Asia deserted me, including Phygelus and Hermogenes.

So do not throw away your confidence, because it has great reward.

For if these things are really yours and are continually increasing, they will keep you from becoming ineffective and unproductive in your pursuit of knowing our Lord Jesus Christ more intimately.

‘I know where you live– where Satan’s throne is. Yet you continue to cling to my name and you have not denied your faith in me, even in the days of Antipas, my faithful witness, who was killed in your city where Satan lives.