• Psalms 1:3, 1-2 – To be blessed like this man, we must delight in the law of the Lord and avoid sin.
  • Review: parables
    • Earthly stories with a heavenly meaning.
    • Figurative language (extended metaphor)
      • Luke 18:1-8, 9 – Parable of the persistent widow.
      • Illustrates a point, should not be erroneously or over-applied.
    • Told to many, understood by few.
  • The parable, explained
    • Luke 8:11 – Seed is the word of God.
    • Emphasis is on the hearts of men and how they interact with the word of God.
    • Hearing the word is common in all four scenarios.
  • The path
    • Matthew 13:18-19
    • Path: hardened heart
      • Example: Pharaoh (Exodus 7:13, 22-23)
      • Matthew 13:15
    • Hears, but no understanding.
    • No possibility of faith developing (Luke 8:12)
    • Application:
      • Personal Bible study
      • Bible class this morning
      • Words in the songs we sang
    • Is your heart closed and incapable of accepting God’s word?
  • The rocky ground
    • Enthusiasm and some growth, but no perseverance when trials or tribulations come.
      • Example: Peter (Matthew 26:30-35, 69-75)
    • Important for new converts to grow their faith
      • Matthew 13:12
    • Jeremiah 17:7-8
    • What to do in times of tribulation?
      • James 1:2-4
  • The thorns
    • Mark 4:18-19
      • YLT: “cares of the world” translated as “anxiety of this age”
    • Competition for limited resources (time, energy, etc.)
      • Example: Demas (II Timothy 4:10)
      • Example: growing grass under a shade tree
    • Stunted growth » no fruit
      • No fruit = no purpose (Matthew 21:18-19; Luke 13:6-9)
      • Results from spiritual laziness (Proverbs 24:30-34)
    • Importance of regular pruning
      • Example: cutting cable bill or streaming service
      • Example: taking a less demanding job
    • Application:
      • No good fruit = no purpose (Matthew 3:10)
  • The good soil
    • Acts 2:37, 41-42 – Our hearts must be prepared to receive the word of God.
    • Hears + understands » fruit
      • Mark 4:20; Luke 8:15
    • God expects us to understand His word.
      • Matthew 15:10; Ephesians 5:17
    • God expects us to bear fruit (grow spiritually)
      • Galatians 5:19-23; Matthew 3:8; Hebrews 5:12
    • Suggestion: Pick someone who is bearing spiritual fruit and emulate what they are doing.
  • Matthew 13:9