Get Your Soil Right

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Date: 20 July, 2018
Text: Matthew 13
Title: Get Your Soil Tested
Theme: The Gospel will only be fruitful in good soil.
Proposition: Grow the Gospel in good soil. 
Rhetorical: Can the Gospel flourish in your heart?
Introduction:
 
I am glad to be beyond the "have to do" list on our home. It allows me to move on to the "want to do" list unless my wife gives me a "honey do" list.
 
The "want to do" list is for projects that I enjoy and are asthetically pleasing. The garden falls in between the "have to do" and the "want to do" list. 
Trimming the hedge with a chain saw was a "have to do."
Thatching the grass and planting seed was a "have to do."
Making a bench for the garden was a "want to do."
 
But, on my "want to do list", is "add soil to the grass." Our grass is extremely sandy. There isn't much dirt. I have ground cover over all of it, but the areas that aren't growing the grass seed need better soil.
 
Now - if it was a farm - it would be on my "have to do" list. Why? Because if I don't get the soil right - My farm would be unfruitful.
 
Jesus told a story - where he described your heart as soil. The seed being sown is the GOOD NEWS OF THE KINGDOM OF GOD. The Gospel seed will only be fruitful in good soil.
 
My message to our church this morning is - Grow the Gospel in good soil. Can the Gospel flourish in your heart?
 
Matthew 13:3  And he spake many things unto them in parables, saying, Behold, a sower went forth to sow;
4  And when he sowed, some seeds fell by the way side, and the fowls came and devoured them up:
5  Some fell upon stony places, where they had not much earth: and forthwith they sprung up, because they had no deepness of earth:
6  And when the sun was up, they were scorched; and because they had no root, they withered away.
7  And some fell among thorns; and the thorns sprung up, and choked them:
8  But other fell into good ground, and brought forth fruit, some an hundredfold, some sixtyfold, some thirtyfold.
9  Who hath ears to hear, let him hear.
exp. (Only those who open their ears will hear.) God doesn't want you to miss this truth this morning! 
 ill. Jesus has just explained to the disciples that the reason people do not hear and do not see is because they have wilfully rejected THE SEED.
 
15  For this people's heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them.
ill. Judas was on of the 12 disciples. How many here think Judas Iscariot did not know the Gospel?
 question: Why didn't Judas receive the truth? Because Judas was an unrepentant thief. 
 ill. Mary's sacrificial annointing of Jesus.
John 12:5  Why was not this ointment sold for three hundred pence, and given to the poor?
6  This he said, not that he cared for the poor; but because he was a thief, and had the bag, and bare what was put therein.
7  Then said Jesus, Let her alone: against the day of my burying hath she kept this.
8  For the poor always ye have with you; but me ye have not always.
exp. Judas could not hear the Gospel - because Judas was unwilling to give up his sin.
Joh 3:19  And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.
  saying - "It is as plain as the nose on your face" - unless you have a reason to remain "wilfully ignorant" of God's truth.
 
And so Jesus said to His disciples - Matthew 13:18  Hear ye therefore the parable of the sower.
(Prayer)
 
Grow the Gospel in good soil! (How)
 
I. Get the Gospel into the soil.
19  When any one heareth the word of the kingdom, and understandeth it not, then cometh the wicked one, and catcheth away that which was sown in his heart. This is he which received seed by the way side.
def. Understandeth it not - to understand is to be wise. *The will not receive wisdom.
exp. The way side would be the road running along your field. The sower in that day would scatter the seed. (We do this when sowing grass seed.) Inevitably as you do this a gust of wind is going to take the seed somewhere you never intended. In this case it lands on the road way. Where the WICKED BIRD can come and catch it away.
4  And when he sowed, some seeds fell by the way side, and the fowls came and devoured them up:
question: Are you wise enough to take in the truth of God's Word before the Wicked One snaches it away? 
Proverbs 8:1  Doth not wisdom cry? and understanding put forth her voice?
2  She standeth in the top of high places, by the way in the places of the paths.
3  She crieth at the gates, at the entry of the city, at the coming in at the doors.
4  Unto you, O men, I call; and my voice is to the sons of man.
5  O ye simple, understand wisdom: and, ye fools, be ye of an understanding heart.
6  Hear; for I will speak of excellent things; and the opening of my lips shall be right things.
7  For my mouth shall speak truth; and wickedness is an abomination to my lips.
8  All the words of my mouth are in righteousness; there is nothing froward or perverse in them.
9  They are all plain to him that understandeth, and right to them that find knowledge.
10  Receive my instruction, and not silver; and knowledge rather than choice gold.
11  For wisdom is better than rubies; and all the things that may be desired are not to be compared to it.
exp. This person is not even in the field where the seed is being sown.
This person will not go to church.
They will not read the Bible.
They will not think about God.
They will not give time to consider God's creation.
 app. If this is you this morning, THE GOSPEL CAN NOT GROW THERE - YOU MAY ACCIDENTALLY GET A LITTLE BIT OF TRUTH BUT THE DEVIL WILL QUICKLY SNATCH IT AWAY. (Get where you can get the Gospel into the soil of your heart.)
 
II. Get the Gospel into soil that is not stony.
ill. The home we rented on Clerk Street was like an archeological dig. We found a patio in the back that was completely covered by grass. There were bricks completely covered by grass. DROUGHT would have revealed this - seeing on BBC things that the drought was revealing - patterns in gardens, foundations of buildings - why because the soil was shallow there just covering the rock of the foundation.
A. Stony soil is deceptive.
20  But he that received the seed into stony places, the same is he that heareth the word, and anon with joy receiveth it;
exp. If everything is going well then by all appearances it looks to be a good crop well planted in good soil. They were so excited to hear the good news of the Gospel! 
 ill. We have a plant that has clung onto life for the last 6 years. Every now and then I think to tell my wife that we need to add some soil. As long as we nurse it back to life, nurse it back to life.... it will continue to look alive.
app. Do you need "extra care" to get you out to church to look alive? Can you endure the Christian life as long as a believer is constantly propping you up? 
Heb 5:12  For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat.
(Stony soil can maintain until there is a wee drought and then it reveals itself.)
B. Stony soil reveals itself when adversity comes.
21  Yet hath he not root in himself, but dureth for a while: for when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word, by and by he is offended.
exp. Because they are not real - "no root in himself" they are not ready to really identify with Jesus.
1Jn 2:19  They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us.
 ill. In contrast - those that are saved count it joy to suffer adversity for Jesus who suffered adversity for them.
Acts 5:40 .....and when they had called the apostles, and beaten them, they commanded that they should not speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go.
41  And they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name.
42  And daily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ.
2 Timothy 2:1  Thou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.
2  And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.
3  Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.
app. How willing are you to really stand up for Jesus? (You may fail like Peter denying Christ - but it grieves you as it did him and you repent and get back up to follow Him)
 
III. Get the Gospel into soil without thorns.
22  He also that received seed among the thorns is he that heareth the word; and the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becometh unfruitful.
exp. Money love will choke the Gospel seed making it unfruitful.
Matthew 6:
19  Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal:
20  But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:
21  For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.
24  No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.
 ill. The rich young ruler - could not be saved until he dealt with his money lust.
Luke 18:22  Now when Jesus heard these things, he said unto him, Yet lackest thou one thing: sell all that thou hast, and distribute unto the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, follow me.
23  And when he heard this, he was very sorrowful: for he was very rich.
24  And when Jesus saw that he was very sorrowful, he said, How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God!
25  For it is easier for a camel to go through a needle's eye, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.
ill. In our study of 2 Timothy we came accross Demus.
2Ti 4:10  For Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world, and is departed unto Thessalonica
Ill. We are never told that Lot's wife was righteous.
Gen 19:26  But his wife looked back from behind him, and she became a pillar of salt.
Luk 9:62  And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.
2 Timothy 2:4  No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier.
app. Are you good soil - or is your life consumed with material things? Do you want God's will for your life or are you pursuing money? Be good soil - lay up treasure in Heaven.
 
IV. Get the Gospel into soil in which it can flourish.
23  But he that received seed into the good ground is he that heareth the word, and understandeth it; which also beareth fruit, and bringeth forth, some an hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.
exp. The key to receiving the seed into the good ground is hearing, understanding and bearing fruit.
question: How does this take place?
15  For this people's heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them.
16  But blessed are your eyes, for they see: and your ears, for they hear.
question: "WHICH ALSO BEAREATH FRUIT, AND BRINGETH FORTH...."
What evidence (Fruit) is there in your life that you have been saved?
Joh 15:8  Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.
DOES YOUR LIFE EVIDENCE THAT YOU HAVE BEEN BORN AGAIN WITH LIFE FROM ABOVE?
note: Pro 20:11  Even a child is known by his doings, whether his work be pure, and whether it be right.
Ill. Josiah - 2 Chron. 34:
1  Josiah was eight years old when he began to reign, and he reigned in Jerusalem one and thirty years.
2  And he did that which was right in the sight of the LORD, and walked in the ways of David his father, and declined neither to the right hand, nor to the left.
ill. Jehoiachin
2Ch 36:9  Jehoiachin was eight years old when he began to reign, and he reigned three months and ten days in Jerusalem: and he did that which was evil in the sight of the LORD.
exp. Fruit is evidence of whether or not you have really received the Gospel seed.
Matthew 7:13  Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat:
14  Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.
15  Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.
16  Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?
17  Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit.
18  A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.
19  Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.
20  Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.
21  Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.
22  Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?
23  And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
app. Are you good soil this morning? Do you have the fruit to prove it.
 
conclusion: The soil in my garden isn't good. I want to change that.
 
You may realize today that the soil in your life is not good. Praise God - you can do something about it.
 
1.) Get into the field where God is sowing the seed. (Not the wayside where the devil has his way.)
2.) Repent of your pride that keeps you from identifying with Jesus.
3.) Repent of your materialism that gives you a false sense of value.

Date: 20 July, 2018

Text: Matthew 13

Title: Get Your Soil Tested

Theme: The Gospel will only be fruitful in good soil.

Proposition: Grow the Gospel in good soil. 

Rhetorical: Can the Gospel flourish in your heart?

Introduction:

 

I am glad to be beyond the "have to do" list on our home. It allows me to move on to the "want to do" list unless my wife gives me a "honey do" list.

 

The "want to do" list is for projects that I enjoy and are asthetically pleasing. The garden falls in between the "have to do" and the "want to do" list. 

Trimming the hedge with a chain saw was a "have to do."

Thatching the grass and planting seed was a "have to do."

Making a bench for the garden was a "want to do."

 

But, on my "want to do list", is "add soil to the grass." Our grass is extremely sandy. There isn't much dirt. I have ground cover over all of it, but the areas that aren't growing the grass seed need better soil.

 

Now - if it was a farm - it would be on my "have to do" list. Why? Because if I don't get the soil right - My farm would be unfruitful.

 

Jesus told a story - where he described your heart as soil. The seed being sown is the GOOD NEWS OF THE KINGDOM OF GOD. The Gospel seed will only be fruitful in good soil.

 

My message to our church this morning is - Grow the Gospel in good soil. Can the Gospel flourish in your heart?

 

Matthew 13:3  And he spake many things unto them in parables, saying, Behold, a sower went forth to sow;

4  And when he sowed, some seeds fell by the way side, and the fowls came and devoured them up:

5  Some fell upon stony places, where they had not much earth: and forthwith they sprung up, because they had no deepness of earth:

6  And when the sun was up, they were scorched; and because they had no root, they withered away.

7  And some fell among thorns; and the thorns sprung up, and choked them:

8  But other fell into good ground, and brought forth fruit, some an hundredfold, some sixtyfold, some thirtyfold.

9  Who hath ears to hear, let him hear.

exp. (Only those who open their ears will hear.) God doesn't want you to miss this truth this morning! 

 ill. Jesus has just explained to the disciples that the reason people do not hear and do not see is because they have wilfully rejected THE SEED.

 

15  For this people's heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them.

ill. Judas was on of the 12 disciples. How many here think Judas Iscariot did not know the Gospel?

 question: Why didn't Judas receive the truth? Because Judas was an unrepentant thief. 

 ill. Mary's sacrificial annointing of Jesus.

John 12:5  Why was not this ointment sold for three hundred pence, and given to the poor?

6  This he said, not that he cared for the poor; but because he was a thief, and had the bag, and bare what was put therein.

7  Then said Jesus, Let her alone: against the day of my burying hath she kept this.

8  For the poor always ye have with you; but me ye have not always.

exp. Judas could not hear the Gospel - because Judas was unwilling to give up his sin.

Joh 3:19  And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.

  saying - "It is as plain as the nose on your face" - unless you have a reason to remain "wilfully ignorant" of God's truth.

 

And so Jesus said to His disciples - Matthew 13:18  Hear ye therefore the parable of the sower.

(Prayer)

 

Grow the Gospel in good soil! (How)

 

I. Get the Gospel into the soil.

19  When any one heareth the word of the kingdom, and understandeth it not, then cometh the wicked one, and catcheth away that which was sown in his heart. This is he which received seed by the way side.

def. Understandeth it not - to understand is to be wise. *The will not receive wisdom.

exp. The way side would be the road running along your field. The sower in that day would scatter the seed. (We do this when sowing grass seed.) Inevitably as you do this a gust of wind is going to take the seed somewhere you never intended. In this case it lands on the road way. Where the WICKED BIRD can come and catch it away.

4  And when he sowed, some seeds fell by the way side, and the fowls came and devoured them up:

question: Are you wise enough to take in the truth of God's Word before the Wicked One snaches it away? 

Proverbs 8:1  Doth not wisdom cry? and understanding put forth her voice?

2  She standeth in the top of high places, by the way in the places of the paths.

3  She crieth at the gates, at the entry of the city, at the coming in at the doors.

4  Unto you, O men, I call; and my voice is to the sons of man.

5  O ye simple, understand wisdom: and, ye fools, be ye of an understanding heart.

6  Hear; for I will speak of excellent things; and the opening of my lips shall be right things.

7  For my mouth shall speak truth; and wickedness is an abomination to my lips.

8  All the words of my mouth are in righteousness; there is nothing froward or perverse in them.

9  They are all plain to him that understandeth, and right to them that find knowledge.

10  Receive my instruction, and not silver; and knowledge rather than choice gold.

11  For wisdom is better than rubies; and all the things that may be desired are not to be compared to it.

exp. This person is not even in the field where the seed is being sown.

This person will not go to church.

They will not read the Bible.

They will not think about God.

They will not give time to consider God's creation.

 app. If this is you this morning, THE GOSPEL CAN NOT GROW THERE - YOU MAY ACCIDENTALLY GET A LITTLE BIT OF TRUTH BUT THE DEVIL WILL QUICKLY SNATCH IT AWAY. (Get where you can get the Gospel into the soil of your heart.)

 

II. Get the Gospel into soil that is not stony.

ill. The home we rented on Clerk Street was like an archeological dig. We found a patio in the back that was completely covered by grass. There were bricks completely covered by grass. DROUGHT would have revealed this - seeing on BBC things that the drought was revealing - patterns in gardens, foundations of buildings - why because the soil was shallow there just covering the rock of the foundation.

A. Stony soil is deceptive.

20  But he that received the seed into stony places, the same is he that heareth the word, and anon with joy receiveth it;

exp. If everything is going well then by all appearances it looks to be a good crop well planted in good soil. They were so excited to hear the good news of the Gospel! 

 ill. We have a plant that has clung onto life for the last 6 years. Every now and then I think to tell my wife that we need to add some soil. As long as we nurse it back to life, nurse it back to life.... it will continue to look alive.

app. Do you need "extra care" to get you out to church to look alive? Can you endure the Christian life as long as a believer is constantly propping you up? 

Heb 5:12  For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat.

(Stony soil can maintain until there is a wee drought and then it reveals itself.)

B. Stony soil reveals itself when adversity comes.

21  Yet hath he not root in himself, but dureth for a while: for when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word, by and by he is offended.

exp. Because they are not real - "no root in himself" they are not ready to really identify with Jesus.

1Jn 2:19  They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us.

 ill. In contrast - those that are saved count it joy to suffer adversity for Jesus who suffered adversity for them.

Acts 5:40 .....and when they had called the apostles, and beaten them, they commanded that they should not speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go.

41  And they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name.

42  And daily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ.

2 Timothy 2:1  Thou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.

2  And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.

3  Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.

app. How willing are you to really stand up for Jesus? (You may fail like Peter denying Christ - but it grieves you as it did him and you repent and get back up to follow Him)

 

III. Get the Gospel into soil without thorns.

22  He also that received seed among the thorns is he that heareth the word; and the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becometh unfruitful.

exp. Money love will choke the Gospel seed making it unfruitful.

Matthew 6:

19  Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal:

20  But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:

21  For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.

24  No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.

 ill. The rich young ruler - could not be saved until he dealt with his money lust.

Luke 18:22  Now when Jesus heard these things, he said unto him, Yet lackest thou one thing: sell all that thou hast, and distribute unto the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, follow me.

23  And when he heard this, he was very sorrowful: for he was very rich.

24  And when Jesus saw that he was very sorrowful, he said, How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God!

25  For it is easier for a camel to go through a needle's eye, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.

ill. In our study of 2 Timothy we came accross Demus.

2Ti 4:10  For Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world, and is departed unto Thessalonica

Ill. We are never told that Lot's wife was righteous.

Gen 19:26  But his wife looked back from behind him, and she became a pillar of salt.

Luk 9:62  And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.

2 Timothy 2:4  No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier.

app. Are you good soil - or is your life consumed with material things? Do you want God's will for your life or are you pursuing money? Be good soil - lay up treasure in Heaven.

 

IV. Get the Gospel into soil in which it can flourish.

23  But he that received seed into the good ground is he that heareth the word, and understandeth it; which also beareth fruit, and bringeth forth, some an hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.

exp. The key to receiving the seed into the good ground is hearing, understanding and bearing fruit.

question: How does this take place?

15  For this people's heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them.

16  But blessed are your eyes, for they see: and your ears, for they hear.

question: "WHICH ALSO BEAREATH FRUIT, AND BRINGETH FORTH...."

What evidence (Fruit) is there in your life that you have been saved?

Joh 15:8  Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.

DOES YOUR LIFE EVIDENCE THAT YOU HAVE BEEN BORN AGAIN WITH LIFE FROM ABOVE?

note: Pro 20:11  Even a child is known by his doings, whether his work be pure, and whether it be right.

Ill. Josiah - 2 Chron. 34:

1  Josiah was eight years old when he began to reign, and he reigned in Jerusalem one and thirty years.

2  And he did that which was right in the sight of the LORD, and walked in the ways of David his father, and declined neither to the right hand, nor to the left.

ill. Jehoiachin

2Ch 36:9  Jehoiachin was eight years old when he began to reign, and he reigned three months and ten days in Jerusalem: and he did that which was evil in the sight of the LORD.

exp. Fruit is evidence of whether or not you have really received the Gospel seed.

Matthew 7:13  Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat:

14  Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.

15  Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.

16  Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?

17  Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit.

18  A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.

19  Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.

20  Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.

21  Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.

22  Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?

23  And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.

app. Are you good soil this morning? Do you have the fruit to prove it.

 

conclusion: The soil in my garden isn't good. I want to change that.

 

You may realize today that the soil in your life is not good. Praise God - you can do something about it.

 

1.) Get into the field where God is sowing the seed. (Not the wayside where the devil has his way.)

2.) Repent of your pride that keeps you from identifying with Jesus.

3.) Repent of your materialism that gives you a false sense of value.

 

4.) Open your heart and receive the Gospel seed and let it bear fruit in your life.

4.) Open your heart and receive the Gospel seed and let it bear fruit in your life.