SOIL #3

SOIL #3

What’s Going on Below the Surface

It is in the painful moments of life where the most growth happens.

Before God does something through you, he always does something in you.

Luke 8:4-7, 11-15 One day Jesus told a story in the form of a parable to a large crowd that had gathered from many towns to hear him: ⁵ “A farmer went out to plant his seed. As he scattered it across his field, some seed fell on a footpath, where it was stepped on, and the birds ate it. ⁶ Other seed fell among rocks. It began to grow, but the plant soon wilted and died for lack of moisture. ⁷ Other seed fell among thorns that grew up with it and choked out the tender plants. ⁸ Still other seed fell on fertile soil. This seed grew and produced a crop that was a hundred times as much as had been planted!” When he had said this, he called out, “Anyone with ears to hear should listen and understand.”

¹¹ “This is the meaning of the parable: The seed is God’s word. ¹² The seeds that fell on the footpath represent those who hear the message, only to have the devil come and take it away from their hearts and prevent them from believing and being saved. ¹³ The seeds on the rocky soil represent those who hear the message and receive it with joy. But since they don’t have deep roots, they believe for a while, then they fall away when they face temptation. ¹⁴ The seeds that fell among the thorns represent those who hear the message, but all too quickly the message is crowded out by the cares and riches and pleasures of this life. And so they never grow into maturity. God’s Word is consistent my heart is not

God wants to take what happens to you to accomplish his work in you so he can fulfill his purpose through you.

JESUS MENTIONS 3 THINGS THAT CHOKE OUT THE GROWTH

1. The worries of life

• Worry is consumed with what is happening around us and leaves little emotional energy to reflect on what is happening in us.

2. The deceitfulness of wealth

• Great servant – horrible master

3. Pleasures of life

Maybe the application is to weed our garden.