Matthew 15:13 But he answered and said, Every plant, which my heavenly Father has not planted, shall be rooted up. 1. What is meant by plants. (a) Every doctrine: (b) Every practice: (c) Every person. 2. Some plants God never planted. (a) What is meant by planting? Planting is setting or putting things into the ground, as trees, herbs, flowers. So mystical planting denotes the transplanting (in a spiritual way) this or that person, from a course of open profaneness into a visible profession. (b) Who is it that plants people in the gospel Church? God, and gospel ministers. 3. Run a parallel between an external planting; and a spiritual planting. (a) A planter, as one instructed into the mystery of that art, has wisdom and skill in planting which others have not; so a minister of Christ is one God hath taught the mysteries of the gospel unto. (b) A planter must have a call by the owner of the vineyard; so every minister must be called and regularly empowered. (c) A planter must have fit and proper instruments for his work. (d) A planter doth not know infallibly the difference there is in plants. (e) A skilful planter knows that a wild, ungrateful tree never bears good fruit. (f) A planter observes the proper season for planting. (g) He doth not only plant, but water. (h) He greatly rejoices to see his plants grow, thrive, and bear much fruit.As to plants. (a) They must be well-rooted. (b) They must be pruned and purged. (c) Some plants, who promised well, prove barren and good for nothing. (d) Plants that prove utterly barren, are rooted up or cut down. 4. Why shall every plant God hath not planted be rooted up? (a) Because they are wild plants. (b) Because all plants that God hath not planted, have no right to be planted in his vineyard. (c) Because they do but cumber the ground. (d) Because they are good for nothing but the fire.The plants which God Himself has planted shall stand and never be rooted up. (a) Because they are ordained to bring forth fruit: (b) They are planted into Christ: (c) The love of God to them is everlasting and unchangeable. (B. Keach.) Parallel Verses KJV: But he answered and said, Every plant, which my heavenly Father hath not planted, shall be rooted up.WEB: But he answered, "Every plant which my heavenly Father didn't plant will be uprooted. |
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