Big Idea: The seed of the gospel is available to all. It is sown generously no matter the heart condition of the individual. Its ability to take root and grow when planted is dependent on the condition of the “soil” of one’s heart.
THINK: Our goal is to believe that we have the ability to make life choices that ensure that our hearts are fertile soil for the truth of the Gospel to take root in.
FEEL: Develop a deep sense that your connection to the Kingdom of God is directly correlated to the condition of your heart.
DO: Make a conscious choice to adjust your lifestyle, by the help of the Holy Spirit in your life, to create the kind of environment where your relationship with God can grow.
Prayer: “God, we believe the harvest is ready. Prepare hearts to hear and receive the good news of Jesus Christ. May it take root and produce a crop that is far beyond our comprehension.”
MATTHEW 13:1-9
Jesus Teaches in Parables
On that day Jesus had gone out of the house and was sitting by the sea. And large crowds gathered to Him, so He got into a boat and sat down, and the whole crowd was standing on the beach.
And He told them many things in parables, saying, “Behold, the sower went out to sow; and as he sowed, some seeds fell beside the road, and the birds came and ate them up. Others fell on the rocky places, where they did not have much soil; and they sprang up immediately, because they had no depth of soil. But after the sun rose, they were scorched; and because they had no root, they withered away. Others fell among the thorns, and the thorns came up and choked them out. But others fell on the good soil and yielded a crop, some a hundred, some sixty, and some thirty times as much. The one who has ears, let him hear.”
MATTHEW 13:18-23
The Sower Explained
“Listen then to the parable of the sower. 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. This is the one sown with seed beside the road. The one sown with seed on the rocky places, this is the one who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy; yet he has no firm root in himself, but is only temporary, and when affliction or persecution occurs because of the word, immediately he falls away. And the one sown with seed among the thorns, this is the one who hears the word, and the anxiety of the world and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful. But the one sown with seed on the good soil, this is the one who hears the word and understands it, who indeed bears fruit and produces, some a hundred, some sixty, and some thirty times as much.”
MATTHEW 13:15
For the heart of this people has become dull,
With their ears they scarcely hear,
And they have closed their eyes,
Otherwise they might see with their eyes,
Hear with their ears,
Understand with their heart, and return,
And I would heal them.
MARK 8:35
For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake and the gospel’s will save it.
JOHN 16:33
These things I have spoken to you so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world.
LUKE 21:34
But be on your guard, so that your hearts will not be weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and the worries of life, and that this day will not come on you suddenly, like a trap;
PROVERBS 4:23
Watch over your heart with all diligence,
For from it flow the springs of life.