Pondering the Incomprehensible
Rev. Kenneth Redmann
July 12 7PentAG
There are moments in every Christian’s life when God’s ways seem impossible to understand. We ask difficult questions about suffering, injustice, unanswered prayers, and the challenges of living faithfully in a broken world. Yet Scripture reminds us that our faith is not built upon understanding everything—it is built upon trusting the One who understands all things.
In this week’s sermon, “Pondering the Incomprehensible,” Pastor Kenneth Redmann explores Jesus’ Parable of the Sower (Matthew 13) and the mystery of God’s kingdom. As a Conservative Church in Tampa, Zion Lutheran Church faithfully proclaims God’s Word, helping believers grow in faith even when life’s circumstances seem beyond comprehension. If you’re searching for a Family Friendly Church in Tampa where God’s truth is taught with clarity and compassion, this message offers encouragement rooted firmly in Scripture.
The Danger of Failing to Understand God’s Word
Jesus gives a sobering warning in Matthew 13:
“When anyone hears the word of the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what has been sown in his heart.” (Matthew 13:19)
This warning reminds us that God’s Word is never something to hear casually. Satan desires nothing more than to steal the Gospel from hearts before it can take root.
Yet Jesus presents this warning through a parable—a story that even His own disciples did not immediately understand.
Why Did Jesus Teach in Parables?
After hearing the Parable of the Sower, the disciples asked Jesus,
“Why do you speak to them in parables?”
Their question reveals an important truth:
- Even faithful believers do not understand everything immediately.
- God’s mysteries cannot be fully grasped by human wisdom.
- Understanding comes through faith in Christ.
As Christians, we acknowledge what the Athanasian Creed teaches:
- The Father is incomprehensible.
- The Son is incomprehensible.
- The Holy Spirit is incomprehensible.
God is infinitely greater than our ability to comprehend Him.
The Four Types of Soil
Although often called the Parable of the Sower, Pastor Redmann explains that the focus is really the condition of the ground.
The ground represents our hearts.
The Hard Path
The hardened path has been trampled until the seed cannot penetrate.
Before the Word can take root, Satan quickly snatches it away, leaving the heart empty and spiritually starving.
The Rocky Ground
Rocky soil allows quick growth but shallow roots.
When hardship, persecution, or suffering comes because of faith in Christ, the plant withers because it has no deep foundation.
The Thorny Ground
The thorny soil receives the seed, but competing priorities choke its growth.
Jesus specifically warns about:
- The worries of this life
- Health struggles
- The deceitfulness of riches
The danger is not wealth itself, but believing that money can provide lasting peace, purpose, or contentment apart from God.
The Good Soil
Good soil hears God’s Word.
Good soil receives God’s Word.
Good soil nurtures God’s Word.
Good soil bears fruit.
Christ calls His people to:
- Make disciples.
- Baptize.
- Teach His Word.
- Live out their faith.
- Bear fruit for His kingdom.
When We Simply Don’t Understand
Many believers wrestle with questions like:
- Why does suffering continue?
- Why do faithful Christians endure hardship?
- Why do prayers sometimes seem unanswered?
- Why does evil appear to prosper?
Pastor Redmann reminds us that this is precisely where faith meets the mystery of God.
Isaiah 55 declares:
“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord.
God’s purposes are always greater than our understanding.
Even when we cannot explain His ways, we can trust His promises.
God’s Word never returns empty.
God always accomplishes His perfect will.
The Greatest Mystery: The Cross
Perhaps nowhere is God’s incomprehensible wisdom seen more clearly than at Calvary.
From every human perspective, Jesus’ trial was the greatest miscarriage of justice.
Pilate knew Jesus was innocent.
The evidence proved His innocence.
The crowd still cried,
“Crucify Him!”
Yet this apparent injustice became God’s perfect plan of salvation.
Jesus Himself declared:
“I lay down my life… No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord.”
Christ willingly endured the cross to accomplish what sinful humanity never could—our redemption.
What We Do Know
Although God’s full wisdom is beyond our understanding, Scripture clearly reveals what every believer can know.
We know:
- We are sinful people.
- God is the Creator of all things.
- Our conscience reveals our need for Him.
- We cannot come to God by our own reason or strength.
- We cannot earn His favor through our works.
Most importantly, we know that:
- Jesus is the promised Messiah.
- Jesus is the Son of God.
- Jesus died for our sins.
- Jesus defeated Satan, death, and the grave.
- Jesus has redeemed us and calls us His own.
Declared “Not Guilty”
Pontius Pilate declared the innocent Jesus guilty.
Yet through Christ’s sacrifice, God declares guilty sinners righteous.
That is the Gospel.
Though we deserve condemnation, Jesus took our punishment upon Himself.
Because of His death and resurrection, God now declares every believer:
“Not Guilty.”
That is truly something to ponder.
It is the incomprehensible grace of God given freely through Jesus Christ.
Conclusion
There will always be questions we cannot fully answer this side of heaven. Yet God’s greatest mysteries ultimately point us back to His greatest gift—Jesus Christ, crucified and risen for the forgiveness of our sins. Even when we cannot understand God’s ways, we can trust His perfect love, His unfailing promises, and His saving grace.
If you’re looking for a Conservative Church in Tampa where God’s Word is faithfully preached, or a Family Friendly Church in Tampa where Christ remains at the center of worship, we warmly invite you to join us this Sunday at Zion Lutheran Church. We also invite you to download this week’s worship folder and listen to the full sermon as we continue growing together in God’s Word.
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