The "Tater" Patch
Matthew 13:24-30
The world is a garden filled with a vast array of " taters." Some good, and
some not so good.
California whites - big, smooth-skinned potatoes - inside rotten spots.
Rudyard reds -Assorted sizes, dirty, rough-skinned potatoes - the best I've
had.
Idaho russets - depends on the batch
I. Some Bad Taters in the Family Tree.
Devas Tater - Satan's minions, doers of evil
"The thief cometh but to steal, kill & destroy. I am come, Jesus said, that
ye may have life and that abundantly. John 10:10
Dic Tater - I wrote something to the church; but Diotrophes, who loves to be
first among them, does not accept what we say..... I will call attention to
his deeds which he does, Unjustly accusing us with wicked words; and not
satisfied with this, neither does he himself receive the brethren, and he
forbids those who desire to do so and puts them out of the church. III John
9
" The kings of the gentiles lord it over them; and those who have authority
over them are called 'Benefactors'. But not so with you, but let him who is
greatest among you become as the youngest, and the leader as the servant. "
Luke 22:25,26
Decapi Tater - Behead the church by forgetting who God is.
"... Savage wolves will come among you, not sparing the flock; and from
among your own selves men will arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away
disciples to themselves." Acts 20: 29,30 "And He put all things in
subjection under His feet, and gave Him as head over all things to the
church, which is His Body, the fulness of Him who fills all in all. "
Colossians 1:22,23
Spec Tator - Those who merely observe that God exists and stand on the
sidelines.
" You believe God is one. You do well; the demons also believe and shudder.
But are you willing to recognize, you foolish fellow, that faith without
works is dead. ' James 2:19,20
Vegi Tater - Overgrown "baby" Christians who don't grow in their faith
"... You have become dull of hearing. For though by this time you ought to
be teachers, you have need again for someone to teach you the elementary
principles of the oracles of God, and you have need for milk and not solid
food. Hebrews 5:11b,12
" Like newborn babes, long for the pure milk of the word, they by it you may
grow in respect to salvation if you have tasted the kindness of the Lord. "
1 Peter 2:2,3
Mu Tater - Call evil good and good evil; always changing shaped by
circumstances.
" But realize this that in the last days difficult times will come. For men
will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, revilers,
disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy, unloving, irreconcilable,
malicious gossips, without self-control, brutal, haters of good,
treacherous, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of
God; holding to a form of godliness although they have denied its power;
avoid such men as this.... always learning but never able to come to the
knowledge of truth... men who oppose the truth. " 2 Timothy 3:1-9
Ro Tater - Tossed to and fro by every whim of doctrine
" We are no longer to be children, tossed here and there by the waves, and
carried about by every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, by the
craftiness of deceitful scheming; but speaking the truth in love, we are to
grow in all aspects into Him, who is the head, even Christ. " Ephesians
4:14,15
II. Some Good Taters in the Family Tree
Medi Tator - Those who serve God day & night.
" Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with
thanksgiving let your request be made known to God. And the peace of God
that surpasses all comprehension, shall guard your hearts and minds in
Christ Jesus. Finally, brethren, whatsoever is true, whatever is honorable,
whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good
repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, let
your mind dwell upon these things. " Philippians 4:6-8
Facili Tator - Always available when God calls ... ready to serve
" And these things which you have heard from me in the presence of many
faithful witnesses, entrust them to faithful men, who will be able to teach
others also. " 1 Timothy 2:2
III. Some Common Taters in the Family Tree
Agi Tater - Stir up people over minor issues while neglecting the major
issues.
" These men have upset the world have come here also and Jason has welcomed
them, and they act contrary to the decrees of Caesar, saying that there is
another king, Jesus, and they stirred up the crowd and the city authorities
who heard these things. " Acts 17:6-8
Cohabi Tator - Use their gifts for the common good
" But to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common
good. " 1 Corinthians 12:7
Commen Tator - Talk the talk but don't walk the walk
" This people honors me with their lips but their heart is far away from me.
But in vain do they worship me, teaching as doctrines the precepts of men.
Neglecting the commandment of God, you hold to the traditions of men. " Mark
7:6-8
" Through Him then, let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to
God, that is, the fruit of the lips that gives thanks to His name. And do
not neglect doing good and sharing; for with such sacrifices God is well
pleased. " Hebrews 13:15,16
Irri Tater - Like a grain of sand in an oyster
" Let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds not
forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but
encouraging one another. " Hebrews 10:24,25
Prestidigi Tator - Glad handers
" Greet one another with a holy kiss. " 2 Corinthians 13:12
" Be devoted to one another in brotherly love; give preference to one
another in honor. " Romans 12:10
CONCLUSION
>From which branch of the tater/tator family are you ?
Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow, yes and forever -
Hebrews 13:8
" You can't see the beauty of a soul until you see the Son shine through. "
Ruth Ann Kins