Luke 8:4-8 CSB – As a large crowd was gathering, and people were coming to Jesus from every town, he said in a parable, 5 “A sower went out to sow his seed. As he sowed, some seed fell along the path; it was trampled on, and the birds of the sky devoured it. 6 Other seed fell on the rock; when it grew up, it withered away, since it lacked moisture. 7 Other seed fell among thorns; the thorns grew up with it and choked it. 8 Still other seed fell on good ground; when it grew up, it produced fruit: a hundred times what was sown.” As he said this, he called out, “Let anyone who has ears to hear listen.”

Some Hearts are Hard–need to be softened

Luke 8:11-12 CSB – “This is the meaning of the parable: The seed is the word of God. 12 The seed along the path are those who have heard and then the devil comes and takes away the word from their hearts, so that they may not believe and be saved.

  • Zechariah 7:11-12 CSB – But they refused to pay attention and turned a stubborn shoulder; they closed their ears so they could not hear. They made their hearts like a rock so as not to obey …

What Makes a Heart Hard?

  • Skepticism is all some have ever known
  • Pride hardens the heart

Psalm 51:17 CSB – The sacrifice pleasing to God is a broken spirit. You will not despise a broken and humbled heart, God.

Matthew 5:3 CSB – “Blessed are the poor in spirit.  There’s in the kingdom of heaven.”

Luke 6:46 CSB – “Why do you call me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and don’t do the things I say?

  • Hypocrisy hardens some
  • Unresolved hurt hardens many
  • Love for sin hardens many hearts

Matthew 13:15 CSB – For this people’s heart has grown callous;
their ears are hard of hearing,
and they have shut their eyes;
otherwise they might see with their eyes,
and hear with their ears,…

Jesus is a Friend to Hard-Hearted People

Matthew 23:37 CSB – “Jerusalem, Jerusalem, who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her. How often I wanted to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing!

DON’T EVER GIVE UP ON HARD-HEARTED PEOPLE!

Jeremiah 23:29 CSB – “Is not my word like fire….and like a hammer that pulverizes rock? “

Hebrews 3:15 CSB – As it is said: Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion.

Luke 8:13 CSB – And the seed on the rock are those who, when they hear, receive the word with joy. Having no root, these believe for a while and fall away in a time of testing.

Some Hearts are Shallow—need to deepen

Proverbs 24:10 NIV – If you falter in a time of trouble, how small is your strength!

John Mark

Demas

2 Timothy 4:10 CSB – … Demas has deserted me, since he loved this present world

Shallow Soil

Psalm 50:23 CSB – Whoever offers a thanksgiving sacrifice honors me,

Luke 8:13b CSB – …having no root, these believe for a while and fall away in a time of testing.

Jesus is a Friend to Shallow People

John 6:26 CSB – Jesus said, Jesus answered, “Truly I tell you, you are looking for me… because you ate the loaves and were filled.

John 6:30 CSB – “What sign, then, are you going to do so that we may see and believe you?” they asked. “What are you going to perform?

John 6:60 CSB – …when many of his disciples heard this, they said, “This teaching is hard. Who can accept it?”

John 6:66 CSB – From that moment many of his disciples turned back and no longer accompanied him.

John 6:67-69 CSB – So Jesus said to the Twelve, “You don’t want to go away too, do you?”

68 Simon Peter answered, “Lord, to whom will we go? You have the words of eternal life. 69 We have come to believe and know that you are the Holy One of God.

4 Primary Tools God Uses to Deepens Us 

  • Bible study/Prayer

2 Timothy 3:16,17, All Scripture is inspired by God[a] and is profitable for teaching, for rebuking, for correcting, for training in righteousness, 17 so that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.

  • Serving
  • Worship
  • Deepening Relationships

Some Hearts are Distracted— need to focus

Luke 8:14 CSB – As for the seed that fell among thorns, these are the ones who, when they have heard, go on their way and are choked with worries, riches, and pleasures of life, and produce no mature fruit.

Jesus is a Friend to those with Distracted Hearts

Matthew 6:33 CSB – But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be provided for you.

Jesus is a Friend to the Receptive Heart

Luke 8:15 CSB – But the seed in the good ground—these are the ones who, having heard the word with an honest and good heart, hold on to it and by enduring, produce fruit.

Philippians 1:21-25 CSB – For me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. 22 Now if I live on in the flesh, this means fruitful work for me; and I don’t know which one I should choose. 23 I am torn between the two. I long to depart and be with Christ—which is far better— 24 but to remain in the flesh is more necessary for your sake. 25 Since I am persuaded of this, I know that I will remain and continue with all of you for your progress and joy in the faith,

John 20:21 CSB – Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, I also send you.”

Jesus wants to produce a great harvest in you

John 4:35 CSB – Jesus says, “Don’t you say, ‘There are still four more months, and then comes the harvest’? Listen to what I’m telling you: Open your eyes and look at the fields, because they are ready for harvest. The reaper is already receiving pay and gathering fruit for eternal life, so that the sower and reaper can rejoice together.

Receptive hearts endure

Luke 8:15 CSB – the seed in the good ground—these are the ones who, having heard the word with an honest and good heart, hold on to it and by enduring, produce fruit.

John 4:35 CSB – Jesus says, “Don’t you say, ‘There are still four more months, and then comes the harvest’? Listen to what I’m telling you: Open your eyes and look at the fields, because they are ready for harvest.

What do we need to endure with confidence?

  • Training (Find out what training we are offering for disciple-making)
  • A Team