Why Some Get It, Some Don't, and Some Don't Last

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Jan 17, 2016 - of the kingdom” – the gospel – to others. 2. The “Seed” (vs. ... your hearts.” ... Nothing ab
Why Some Get It, Some Don’t, and Some Don’t Last

1

Why Some Get It, Some Don’t, and Some Don’t Last Why Some Get It, Some Don’t, and Some Don’t Last Dr. Brandon Park | January 17, 2016

Have you ever wondered: “If the Gospel is the power of God, why doesn’t everyone who hears it Have you ever wondered: “If the Gospel is the power of God, Have you ever wondered: “If t he Gospel is the power of God, why doesn’t everyone who hears it why doesn’t everyone who hears it become a Christian?” or “If the Bible is the Word of God, why doesn’t the Bible have the same effect become a Christian?” or “If the Bible is the Word of God, why doesn’t the Bible have the same effect on everyone who reads it?” Jesus gave us the Parable of the Soils to help answer that question. on everyone who reads it?” Jesus gave us the Parable of the Soils to help answer that question. A parable is an earthly story with a _______________________ meaning. There are three parts to this parable: this parable: 1. The “Sower” (vs. 3) represents those Christians (disciple-makers) who are proclaiming the “word of the kingdom” – the gospel – to others. of the kingdom” – the gospel – to others. 2. The “Seed” (vs. 4) represents the Spirit of God and the Word of God coming into a person’s life. The “Seed” (vs. 4) represents the Spirit of God and the Word of God coming into a person’s life. 3. The “Soil” (vs. 8) represents our own soul and people today have four different types of souls. The “Soil” (vs. 8) represents our own soul and people today have four different types of souls. It’s interesting how Jesus compares God’s work in a person’s life to a seed because a seed is very productive. The purpose of a seed is to produce fruit. 1 Peter 1:23, “…having been born again, not of corruptible seed but incorruptible, through the word of God which lives and abides forever.” A seed cannot plant itself – it needs a sower. (That’s you and me.) God has called every one of us a “seed sower.” Psalm 126:6 says, “He who continually goes forth weeping, bearing seed for sowing, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him.” The focus of this parable is not on the Sower or the Seed – it’s the Soil. Even the best Sower, with the best Seed, will never have a harvest unless he has good soil. This is dealing with a person’s heart (vs. 19). The Bible is the only book every written that requires the _____________ ________________ to benefit from it? The Bible is a closed book to anyone whose heart is not right with God. So what are the four different soils that represent four different types of people?

I. A STUBBORN HEART ___________________ THE WORD.

In the ancient world, farmers would “broadcast” their seed. They would have a bag of seed and they would walk through the field and just throw the seed out. Vs. 4, “And as he sowed, some seed fell by the wayside, and the birds came and devoured them.” He was talking about something similar to our sidewalks today. In Palestine, people would walk through fields, and they would basically take the same path to wherever they were going. The ground would become rock hard as people would trample down all the grass. The soul was packed down so hard that the seed could not get in. It could get on the ground, but it couldn’t get in the ground. Jesus explains it this way in vs. 19, “When anyone hears the word of the kingdom, and does not understand it, then the wicked one comes and snatches away what was sown in his heart. This is he who received seed by the wayside.” Jesus is talking about people who hear the gospel – they listen to the Word of God being preached, and it goes in one ear and out the other. Jesus said that Satan is waiting to see if your heart is hard, and if you’re not open, he will snatch that seed away so that it doesn’t have an opportunity to make a difference in your life. Have you ever walked out of a church service and said, “I didn’t get anything out of that,” or, “That didn’t do anything for me”? If the word of God is being proclaimed and you’re not getting anything out of it, the problem is the condition of your soul. It’s very possible that some of you have hardened your heart against God’s Word. Hebrews 4:7 says, “Today, if you will hear His voice, do not harden your hearts.” Every time you hear truth it will either ________________ your heart or _________________ your heart. Characteristics of a Hardened / Stubborn Heart: • When you come to church, your body is here but your heart and mind are somewhere else. • You remember nothing after a message from God’s Word is given. • When God’s Word is presented, you leave the same way you came in. Nothing about you has changed.

II. A SHALLOW HEART _________________ THE WORD.

Vs. 5-6, “Some fell on stony places, where they did not have much earth; and they immediately sprang up because they had no depth of earth. But when the sun was up they were scorched, and because they had no root they withered away.”

Much of Israel is covered by limestone and bedrock that is covered over with a thin layer of soil. Whenever you plant seed on this soil, it cannot take root because although it appears to begin to grow, it runs into hard rock. The first soil was soil where seed could not get in; this is soil where the seed cannot get down. Who is Jesus describing here? Look in vs. 20-21, “But he who received the seed on stony places, this is he who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy; yet he has no root in himself, but endures only for a while. For when tribulation or persecution arises because of the word, immediately he stumbles.” Jesus is describing a person who comes to Him and supposedly makes a “profession of faith,” but it is nothing more than a superficial shallow emotionalism that does not become true salvation. The reason why they fall away is because trials, troubles, and tribulations come into their life. That person is here today and gone tomorrow for they “endure only for a time.” Their “salvation experience” was nothing more than an emotional experience. Salvation is the _________________ work of God. Your emotions are the _______________________ part of your life. God doesn’t do his deepest work in the shallowest part! A true, genuine Christian may fall down but they never fall away (John 8:31). Characteristics of a Shallow Heart: 1. Much of your spiritual life is based on your emotions. 2. When trouble comes, you easily fall away from your faith. 3. Your feelings get hurt easily causing you to give up on your faith or your church.

III. A STRANGLED HEART __________________ THE WORD.

Vs. 7, “And some fell among thorns, and the thorns sprang up and choked them.” In the first soil, the seed could not get in; in the second soil, the seed could not get down; in the third soil, the seed could not get out. Thorns, weeds, and briars literally choked the life out of it. What did Jesus mean? Vs. 22, “Now he who received seed among the thorns is he who hears the word, and the cares of this world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and he becomes unfruitful.” There are two things that can choke the spiritual life out of a person: 1.) THE _____________________ OF LIFE – “cares of this world.” If your life is preoccupied with problems and consumed by those cares rather than by Christ, then you’re going to walk out of here no different than how you walked in. 2.) THE ________________________ OF LIFE – “the deceitfulness of riches.” This is the tendency to make this world your home and care everything about the world that is here and nothing about the world that is to come. Anything that you LOVE more, FEAR more, or SERVE more than God is an ___________ in your life Characteristics of a Strangled Heart: 1. You are too busy to spend time in God’s Word. 2. You can’t focus on what God is saying to you because you’re preoccupied with your own problems. 3. You are far more consumed and distracted by “making this world your home” while giving little or no thought about the world that is to come.

IV. A SURRENDERED HEART ______________________ THE WORD.

Vs. 8, “But others fell on good ground and yielded a crop: some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.” Jesus is talking about a soil that is fertile and a soil that is fruitful! What kind of heart is this? Vs. 23, “But he who received seed on the good ground is he who hears the word and understands it, who indeed bears fruit and produces: some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.” 1.) It is ________________________ to God’s Word. This is a person who “hears the Word.” They get it into their mind and down into their heart. 2.) It is _________________________ to God’s Word. He not only hears it, but he understands it. God speaks to people who decide in advance they’re going to do what he tells them to do, even before he tells them. 3.) It is ______________________________ to God’s Word. Because it bears fruit! How do you bear fruit when God tells you something? You tell somebody else! You pass it on! When God tells you something, the quickest way to get it into your life is to tell somebody else something you just ______________________. Characteristics of a surrendered heart: 1. You have an eager passion to grow and put into practice what you learn. 2. You decide in advance you are going to receive from God and obey God in whatever He tells you. 3. You find yourself sharing with others what God is showing you.



Why Some Get It, Some Don’t, and Some Don’t Last

1

Why Some Get It, Some Don’t, and Some Don’t Last Why Some Get It, Some Don’t, and Some Don’t Last Dr. Brandon Park | January 17, 2016

Have you ever wondered: “If the Gospel is the power of God, why doesn’t everyone who hears it Have you ever wondered: “If the Gospel is the power of God, Have you ever wondered: “If t he Gospel is the power of God, why doesn’t everyone who hears it why doesn’t everyone who hears it become a Christian?” or “If the Bible is the Word of God, why doesn’t the Bible have the same effect become a Christian?” or “If the Bible is the Word of God, why doesn’t the Bible have the same effect on everyone who reads it?” Jesus gave us the Parable of the Soils to help answer that question. on everyone who reads it?” Jesus gave us the Parable of the Soils to help answer that question. heavenly A parable is an earthly story with a _______________________ meaning. There are three parts to this parable: this parable: 1. The “Sower” (vs. 3) represents those Christians (disciple-makers) who are proclaiming the “word of the kingdom” – the gospel – to others. of the kingdom” – the gospel – to others. 2. The “Seed” (vs. 4) represents the Spirit of God and the Word of God coming into a person’s life. The “Seed” (vs. 4) represents the Spirit of God and the Word of God coming into a person’s life. 3. The “Soil” (vs. 8) represents our own soul and people today have four different types of souls. The “Soil” (vs. 8) represents our own soul and people today have four different types of souls. It’s interesting how Jesus compares God’s work in a person’s life to a seed because a seed is very productive. The purpose of a seed is to produce fruit. 1 Peter 1:23, “…having been born again, not of corruptible seed but incorruptible, through the word of God which lives and abides forever.” A seed cannot plant itself – it needs a sower. (That’s you and me.) God has called every one of us a “seed sower.” Psalm 126:6 says, “He who continually goes forth weeping, bearing seed for sowing, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him.” The focus of this parable is not on the Sower or the Seed – it’s the Soil. Even the best Sower, with the best Seed, will never have a harvest unless he has good soil. This is dealing with a person’s heart (vs. 19). right heart The Bible is the only book every written that requires the _____________ ________________ to benefit from it? The Bible is a closed book to anyone whose heart is not right with God. So what are the four different soils that represent four different types of people?

REJECTS I. A STUBBORN HEART ___________________ THE WORD.

In the ancient world, farmers would “broadcast” their seed. They would have a bag of seed and they would walk through the field and just throw the seed out. Vs. 4, “And as he sowed, some seed fell by the wayside, and the birds came and devoured them.” He was talking about something similar to our sidewalks today. In Palestine, people would walk through fields, and they would basically take the same path to wherever they were going. The ground would become rock hard as people would trample down all the grass. The soul was packed down so hard that the seed could not get in. It could get on the ground, but it couldn’t get in the ground. Jesus explains it this way in vs. 19, “When anyone hears the word of the kingdom, and does not understand it, then the wicked one comes and snatches away what was sown in his heart. This is he who received seed by the wayside.” Jesus is talking about people who hear the gospel – they listen to the Word of God being preached, and it goes in one ear and out the other. Jesus said that Satan is waiting to see if your heart is hard, and if you’re not open, he will snatch that seed away so that it doesn’t have an opportunity to make a difference in your life. Have you ever walked out of a church service and said, “I didn’t get anything out of that,” or, “That didn’t do anything for me”? If the word of God is being proclaimed and you’re not getting anything out of it, the problem is the condition of your soul. It’s very possible that some of you have hardened your heart against God’s Word. Hebrews 4:7 says, “Today, if you will hear His voice, do not harden your hearts.” soften harden Every time you hear truth it will either ________________ your heart or _________________ your heart. Characteristics of a Hardened / Stubborn Heart: • When you come to church, your body is here but your heart and mind are somewhere else. • You remember nothing after a message from God’s Word is given. • When God’s Word is presented, you leave the same way you came in. Nothing about you has changed.

REMOVES II. A SHALLOW HEART _________________ THE WORD.

Vs. 5-6, “Some fell on stony places, where they did not have much earth; and they immediately sprang up because they had no depth of earth. But when the sun was up they were scorched, and because they had no root they withered away.”

Much of Israel is covered by limestone and bedrock that is covered over with a thin layer of soil. Whenever you plant seed on this soil, it cannot take root because although it appears to begin to grow, it runs into hard rock. The first soil was soil where seed could not get in; this is soil where the seed cannot get down. Who is Jesus describing here? Look in vs. 20-21, “But he who received the seed on stony places, this is he who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy; yet he has no root in himself, but endures only for a while. For when tribulation or persecution arises because of the word, immediately he stumbles.” Jesus is describing a person who comes to Him and supposedly makes a “profession of faith,” but it is nothing more than a superficial shallow emotionalism that does not become true salvation. The reason why they fall away is because trials, troubles, and tribulations come into their life. That person is here today and gone tomorrow for they “endure only for a time.” Their “salvation experience” was deepest nothing more than an emotional experience. Salvation is the _________________ work of God. Your shallowest emotions are the _______________________ part of your life. God doesn’t do his deepest work in the shallowest part! A true, genuine Christian may fall down but they never fall away (John 8:31). Characteristics of a Shallow Heart: 1. Much of your spiritual life is based on your emotions. 2. When trouble comes, you easily fall away from your faith. 3. Your feelings get hurt easily causing you to give up on your faith or your church.

RESTRICTS III. A STRANGLED HEART __________________ THE WORD.

Vs. 7, “And some fell among thorns, and the thorns sprang up and choked them.” In the first soil, the seed could not get in; in the second soil, the seed could not get down; in the third soil, the seed could not get out. Thorns, weeds, and briars literally choked the life out of it. What did Jesus mean? Vs. 22, “Now he who received seed among the thorns is he who hears the word, and the cares of this world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and he becomes unfruitful.” There are two things that can choke the spiritual life out of a person: PROBLEMS 1.) THE _____________________ OF LIFE – “cares of this world.” If your life is preoccupied with problems and consumed by those cares rather than by Christ, then you’re going to walk out of here no different than how you walked in. PROSPERITIES 2.) THE ________________________ OF LIFE – “the deceitfulness of riches.” This is the tendency to make this world your home and care everything about the world that is here and nothing about the world that is to come. idol Anything that you LOVE more, FEAR more, or SERVE more than God is an ___________ in your life Characteristics of a Strangled Heart: 1. You are too busy to spend time in God’s Word. 2. You can’t focus on what God is saying to you because you’re preoccupied with your own problems. 3. You are far more consumed and distracted by “making this world your home” while giving little or no thought about the world that is to come.

RECEIVES IV. A SURRENDERED HEART ______________________ THE WORD.

Vs. 8, “But others fell on good ground and yielded a crop: some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.” Jesus is talking about a soil that is fertile and a soil that is fruitful! What kind of heart is this? Vs. 23, “But he who received seed on the good ground is he who hears the word and understands it, who indeed bears fruit and produces: some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.” receptive 1.) It is ________________________ to God’s Word. This is a person who “hears the Word.” They get it into their mind and down into their heart. responsive 2.) It is _________________________ to God’s Word. He not only hears it, but he understands it. God speaks to people who decide in advance they’re going to do what he tells them to do, even before he tells them. reproductive 3.) It is ______________________________ to God’s Word. Because it bears fruit! How do you bear fruit when God tells you something? You tell somebody else! You pass it on! When God tells you something, the quickest way to get it into your life is to tell somebody else learned something you just ______________________. Characteristics of a surrendered heart: 1. You have an eager passion to grow and put into practice what you learn. 2. You decide in advance you are going to receive from God and obey God in whatever He tells you. 3. You find yourself sharing with others what God is showing you.