WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:09.599 All right. Well, folks, let's go ahead and take the Word of God and turn to the Gospel of Matthew. 00:00:12.640 --> 00:00:21.839 We are picking up a series that we started quite some time ago. I believe it was three or four weeks ago when we started this series. 00:00:21.839 --> 00:00:26.719 And then we had Texas Baptist Sunday with Julio Guarneri, the executive director, our special speaker. 00:00:26.719 --> 00:00:33.019 We had our Lord's Supper Sunday where we kind of devote the whole service to that. 00:00:33.119 --> 00:00:35.079 And then, of course, we had Easter last week. 00:00:35.759 --> 00:00:46.879 And so we are just now diving back into this brand new preaching series called Stories of the Kingdom, going through some of the parables of Jesus. 00:00:46.879 --> 00:00:51.019 So let's go to Matthew chapter 13. Matthew chapter 13. 00:00:51.020 --> 00:00:59.900 This is the same chapter that we were in last time. We talked about the weeds and the wheat or the tares and the wheat. 00:01:00.460 --> 00:01:06.100 And that began there in Matthew 13, verse 24. 00:01:06.379 --> 00:01:13.240 So we are going to back up and go to the beginning of Matthew 13 and look at verses 1 down through 23. 00:01:13.239 --> 00:01:16.939 So today we're talking about the sower and the soil. 00:01:17.379 --> 00:01:21.259 For some reason, Carson, I don't have my remote. 00:01:22.359 --> 00:01:23.879 Mike gave it to me this morning. 00:01:24.259 --> 00:01:30.239 And somehow, some way between then and now, it sprouted legs and wandered off. 00:01:30.519 --> 00:01:35.299 So if you'll just kind of watch my slides and click through, thank you. 00:01:35.500 --> 00:01:39.780 I know normally I have control over that, but I have to give up control today. 00:01:39.859 --> 00:01:40.419 So there you go. 00:01:40.420 --> 00:01:43.840 All right, so we are talking about the sower and the soil. 00:01:44.019 --> 00:01:47.840 And let's begin reading in verse 1 of Matthew 13. 00:01:50.680 --> 00:01:52.719 Matthew 13 and verse 1. 00:01:52.820 --> 00:01:56.620 On the day Jesus went out of the house, he was sitting by the sea. 00:01:56.760 --> 00:01:59.719 Such large crowds gathered around him. 00:02:00.340 --> 00:02:01.439 He got into a boat. 00:02:01.520 --> 00:02:05.140 He sat down while the whole crowd stood on the shore. 00:02:05.260 --> 00:02:08.580 He did this a few times that we have a record of in the scriptures. 00:02:08.580 --> 00:02:11.120 Hey, look at you. 00:02:11.400 --> 00:02:12.060 Thanks, man. 00:02:12.700 --> 00:02:13.740 You're on top of it. 00:02:14.420 --> 00:02:15.380 Carson, you're off duty. 00:02:15.480 --> 00:02:16.700 You can take a nap like you usually do. 00:02:16.740 --> 00:02:17.280 I'm just kidding. 00:02:18.060 --> 00:02:18.960 He doesn't. 00:02:19.260 --> 00:02:20.400 He pays attention, y'all. 00:02:20.560 --> 00:02:21.280 I'm messing around. 00:02:21.400 --> 00:02:21.720 All right. 00:02:23.300 --> 00:02:28.080 So, Jesus is in the boat. 00:02:28.200 --> 00:02:29.020 He's teaching the crowd. 00:02:29.140 --> 00:02:30.820 They're all on the shore listening to him. 00:02:30.819 --> 00:02:32.620 And by the way, just a little side note. 00:02:32.680 --> 00:02:35.579 It has nothing to do with the sermon, but I always thought that was fascinating. 00:02:36.180 --> 00:02:40.919 Jesus, of course, the creator of heavens and earth, would know that sound travels so well across the water. 00:02:41.379 --> 00:02:43.959 And so the people couldn't press up against him. 00:02:44.039 --> 00:02:45.919 Of course, they didn't have microphones like we have today. 00:02:46.159 --> 00:02:47.939 And so he would get out in the boat and he would teach. 00:02:48.000 --> 00:02:49.419 And the sound would travel across the water. 00:02:49.479 --> 00:02:50.500 And they could all hear him. 00:02:51.180 --> 00:02:53.699 Just a neat little addition that I thought to mention. 00:02:53.699 --> 00:02:57.579 Verse 3, he told them many things in parables. 00:02:58.560 --> 00:03:04.599 We can just think of them as stories or illustrations that he was using to make a greater point. 00:03:06.079 --> 00:03:10.299 Saying, consider the sower. 00:03:11.259 --> 00:03:15.099 Or, if you're reading in the New Living Translation, listen. 00:03:15.500 --> 00:03:18.579 A farmer went out to plant some seeds. 00:03:18.580 --> 00:03:24.000 As he scattered them across his field, some seeds fell on a footpath. 00:03:24.660 --> 00:03:27.160 The birds came in and ate them. 00:03:28.120 --> 00:03:31.540 Other seeds fell on shallow soil with underlying rock. 00:03:31.939 --> 00:03:35.360 The seeds sprouted quickly because the soil was shallow. 00:03:36.180 --> 00:03:38.820 But the plants soon wilted under the hot sun. 00:03:38.900 --> 00:03:41.760 And since they didn't have deep roots, they died. 00:03:42.500 --> 00:03:46.920 Other seeds fell among thorns that grew up and choked out the tender plants. 00:03:46.919 --> 00:03:49.339 Still other seeds fell on fertile soil. 00:03:49.500 --> 00:03:56.000 And they produced a crop that was 30, 60, even 100 times as much as had been planted. 00:03:57.019 --> 00:04:01.060 Anyone with ears to hear should listen and understand. 00:04:02.039 --> 00:04:04.799 Verse 10, his disciples came and asked him, 00:04:04.939 --> 00:04:06.979 Why do you use parables when you talk to the people? 00:04:07.279 --> 00:04:11.519 He replied, you're permitted to understand the secrets of the kingdom of heaven. 00:04:11.959 --> 00:04:14.639 That's why we call this series Stories of the Kingdom. 00:04:14.639 --> 00:04:17.519 Because these were all about the kingdom of heaven. 00:04:17.680 --> 00:04:21.819 But others, he said, are not permitted to understand. 00:04:22.899 --> 00:04:26.939 To those who listen to my teaching, more understanding will be given. 00:04:27.079 --> 00:04:29.319 And they will have an abundance of knowledge. 00:04:29.800 --> 00:04:31.560 But for those who are not listening, 00:04:32.539 --> 00:04:38.039 even what little understanding they have will be taken away from them. 00:04:38.040 --> 00:04:40.300 So it's important to listen, isn't it? 00:04:41.600 --> 00:04:42.460 Did everybody hear that? 00:04:44.020 --> 00:04:44.700 Thank you. 00:04:45.460 --> 00:04:46.340 You got it. 00:04:47.319 --> 00:04:48.800 It is important to listen. 00:04:49.220 --> 00:04:50.980 Especially when it's coming from Jesus. 00:04:51.140 --> 00:04:53.200 That is why I use these parables. 00:04:53.300 --> 00:04:53.900 Verse 13. 00:04:54.540 --> 00:04:56.640 For they look, but they don't really see. 00:04:57.140 --> 00:05:01.780 They hear, but they don't really listen or understand. 00:05:01.779 --> 00:05:03.379 Verse 14. 00:05:03.379 --> 00:05:05.619 This fulfills the prophecy of Isaiah that says, 00:05:06.039 --> 00:05:08.219 When you hear what I say, you will not understand. 00:05:08.339 --> 00:05:10.399 When you see what I do, you will not comprehend. 00:05:10.959 --> 00:05:12.539 For the hearts of these people are hardened. 00:05:13.199 --> 00:05:14.419 Their ears can't hear. 00:05:14.679 --> 00:05:17.299 They have closed their eyes so their eyes cannot see. 00:05:17.419 --> 00:05:18.379 Their ears cannot hear. 00:05:18.639 --> 00:05:20.639 And their hearts cannot understand. 00:05:21.639 --> 00:05:24.599 And they cannot turn to me and let me heal them. 00:05:24.600 --> 00:05:28.160 But blessed are your eyes. 00:05:28.379 --> 00:05:29.620 Because they see. 00:05:29.939 --> 00:05:31.600 And your ears, because they hear. 00:05:31.879 --> 00:05:32.980 I tell you the truth. 00:05:33.420 --> 00:05:38.160 Many prophets and righteous people long to see what you see. 00:05:38.960 --> 00:05:40.240 But they didn't see it. 00:05:41.000 --> 00:05:42.900 They long to hear what you hear. 00:05:43.420 --> 00:05:44.240 But they didn't hear it. 00:05:45.000 --> 00:05:48.520 Now listen to the explanation of the parable about the farmer planting seeds. 00:05:49.200 --> 00:05:51.760 Hey, we get this parable explained this time. 00:05:52.320 --> 00:05:52.980 Verse 19. 00:05:52.980 --> 00:05:58.259 The seed that fell on the footpath represents those who hear the message about the kingdom. 00:05:58.620 --> 00:06:00.620 And don't understand it. 00:06:01.520 --> 00:06:02.800 Then the evil one comes. 00:06:03.120 --> 00:06:05.460 Snatches away the seed that was planted in their hearts. 00:06:05.939 --> 00:06:09.080 The seed on the rocky soil represents those who hear the message. 00:06:09.300 --> 00:06:11.160 And immediately receive it with joy. 00:06:11.560 --> 00:06:13.240 But since they don't have deep roots. 00:06:13.740 --> 00:06:14.580 They don't last long. 00:06:15.180 --> 00:06:15.980 They fall away. 00:06:16.080 --> 00:06:17.660 As soon as they have problems. 00:06:17.660 --> 00:06:20.100 Or are persecuted for believing God's word. 00:06:20.460 --> 00:06:21.980 The seed that fell among the thorns. 00:06:21.980 --> 00:06:24.160 Represents those who hear God's word. 00:06:24.259 --> 00:06:27.520 But all too quickly the message is crowded out. 00:06:27.759 --> 00:06:29.620 By the worries of this life. 00:06:29.620 --> 00:06:31.360 And the lure of wealth. 00:06:31.800 --> 00:06:34.439 So no fruit is produced. 00:06:35.120 --> 00:06:37.060 The seed that fell on good soil. 00:06:37.620 --> 00:06:39.580 Represents those who truly hear. 00:06:40.259 --> 00:06:41.960 And understand God's word. 00:06:41.959 --> 00:06:44.560 And produce a harvest. 00:06:44.560 --> 00:06:44.620 And produce a harvest. 00:06:45.180 --> 00:06:48.839 Of 30, 60, or even 100 times. 00:06:49.099 --> 00:06:50.939 As much as had been planted. 00:06:51.599 --> 00:06:52.639 Would you pray with me? 00:06:53.439 --> 00:06:58.120 God I pray that right now your word would take root in our hearts. 00:06:58.740 --> 00:07:01.379 That we would not be like those who hear. 00:07:01.819 --> 00:07:03.179 And don't understand. 00:07:04.240 --> 00:07:05.120 Who see. 00:07:05.819 --> 00:07:07.279 But cannot comprehend it. 00:07:07.279 --> 00:07:09.759 Reveal to us your truth. 00:07:09.839 --> 00:07:10.939 Let it take root in us. 00:07:11.379 --> 00:07:12.719 And bear fruit in your name. 00:07:13.179 --> 00:07:14.339 And we'll give you the glory for it. 00:07:14.359 --> 00:07:15.019 In Jesus name. 00:07:15.239 --> 00:07:15.479 Amen. 00:07:17.339 --> 00:07:17.959 By the way. 00:07:18.039 --> 00:07:19.239 Thank you to the choir. 00:07:19.479 --> 00:07:20.359 To June. 00:07:20.819 --> 00:07:22.819 For providing such beautiful music. 00:07:23.239 --> 00:07:24.379 For us this morning. 00:07:24.459 --> 00:07:25.699 As well as your lovely voices. 00:07:25.819 --> 00:07:26.500 Y'all sounded great. 00:07:26.619 --> 00:07:27.279 Singing out there. 00:07:27.279 --> 00:07:28.659 Really enjoyed the music. 00:07:28.979 --> 00:07:29.899 Last Sunday on Easter. 00:07:30.199 --> 00:07:31.439 And again this morning. 00:07:31.679 --> 00:07:33.739 Let's dive into this passage here. 00:07:33.740 --> 00:07:36.060 In Matthew chapter 13. 00:07:36.980 --> 00:07:37.960 Number one. 00:07:38.079 --> 00:07:39.819 The path and the birds. 00:07:40.160 --> 00:07:40.379 Right? 00:07:41.120 --> 00:07:42.220 The path and the birds. 00:07:42.300 --> 00:07:43.060 That's what we see. 00:07:43.360 --> 00:07:44.500 So let's back up. 00:07:44.780 --> 00:07:46.699 To verse 4. 00:07:47.220 --> 00:07:48.319 Back up to verse 4. 00:07:49.800 --> 00:07:51.160 As he sowed. 00:07:51.460 --> 00:07:52.740 The sower went out to sow. 00:07:53.199 --> 00:07:54.900 The farmer went out to plant seed. 00:07:55.040 --> 00:07:55.680 You might say. 00:07:56.540 --> 00:07:58.300 And as he planted his seed. 00:07:58.379 --> 00:07:59.879 As he sowed his seed. 00:08:00.360 --> 00:08:02.660 Some of it fell along the path. 00:08:02.660 --> 00:08:03.160 Apparently. 00:08:03.600 --> 00:08:05.180 This was whatever crop. 00:08:05.300 --> 00:08:07.500 That Jesus is hypothetically using. 00:08:07.500 --> 00:08:08.439 This illustration. 00:08:09.000 --> 00:08:10.660 As an example in his parable. 00:08:10.760 --> 00:08:13.120 Whatever crop this sower is going out. 00:08:13.200 --> 00:08:14.580 He's not carefully digging. 00:08:14.580 --> 00:08:16.580 And planting it in intentional spots. 00:08:17.140 --> 00:08:17.900 In good earth. 00:08:18.020 --> 00:08:19.460 He's just casting it. 00:08:19.600 --> 00:08:20.940 And seeing where it falls. 00:08:21.680 --> 00:08:23.220 In this story. 00:08:24.000 --> 00:08:26.780 So some of it fell along the walking path. 00:08:27.280 --> 00:08:28.240 And what happens? 00:08:28.920 --> 00:08:30.320 Did it take deep roots. 00:08:30.320 --> 00:08:31.760 And grow up big fruit? 00:08:32.659 --> 00:08:33.100 No. 00:08:33.779 --> 00:08:34.199 Thank you. 00:08:34.620 --> 00:08:35.279 Appreciate that. 00:08:35.379 --> 00:08:35.699 You're right. 00:08:35.779 --> 00:08:36.319 It did not. 00:08:37.539 --> 00:08:38.679 The rest of y'all were like. 00:08:38.719 --> 00:08:40.360 Does he really want us to answer right now? 00:08:41.299 --> 00:08:42.799 Just making sure you're with me here. 00:08:43.339 --> 00:08:43.980 That's right. 00:08:44.039 --> 00:08:44.779 He didn't. 00:08:46.000 --> 00:08:47.679 The seed did not take root. 00:08:47.799 --> 00:08:48.379 What happened? 00:08:48.500 --> 00:08:49.740 It just lay there. 00:08:50.240 --> 00:08:51.179 Doing no good. 00:08:51.779 --> 00:08:52.519 And what happened? 00:08:52.620 --> 00:08:53.939 The birds came. 00:08:55.120 --> 00:08:56.100 And ate it. 00:08:56.120 --> 00:08:56.579 Didn't they? 00:08:57.259 --> 00:08:58.500 The kids like this story. 00:08:58.919 --> 00:08:59.839 I like this story. 00:08:59.840 --> 00:09:00.379 Who are we kidding? 00:09:00.800 --> 00:09:01.080 All right. 00:09:01.180 --> 00:09:02.080 Verse 19. 00:09:03.300 --> 00:09:06.960 Jesus then gives us an explanation of what he's talking about. 00:09:07.060 --> 00:09:08.639 So skip down to verse 19. 00:09:09.120 --> 00:09:10.700 Listen to the parable of the sower. 00:09:11.560 --> 00:09:16.720 When anyone hears the word about the kingdom and doesn't understand it, 00:09:17.000 --> 00:09:21.980 the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in his heart. 00:09:22.100 --> 00:09:24.860 This is the one sown along the path. 00:09:24.860 --> 00:09:28.039 So, well, there's the bird. 00:09:28.279 --> 00:09:28.940 There's the culprit. 00:09:29.820 --> 00:09:33.800 The evil flying beast that ate up the good seed that was sown, right? 00:09:34.300 --> 00:09:35.720 He doesn't look all that bad. 00:09:36.300 --> 00:09:36.960 But listen. 00:09:37.800 --> 00:09:39.580 This happens, all right? 00:09:40.100 --> 00:09:42.560 When God's word is preached, 00:09:42.779 --> 00:09:49.879 sometimes it falls on ears that will never understand it, 00:09:50.220 --> 00:09:51.420 never believe it. 00:09:51.419 --> 00:09:54.839 And what happens? 00:09:56.379 --> 00:09:58.219 The deceiver comes along. 00:09:59.299 --> 00:10:00.639 Satan comes along. 00:10:01.299 --> 00:10:03.579 The forces of Satan in this world come along, 00:10:03.779 --> 00:10:06.919 and they snatch away the truth that was told. 00:10:07.379 --> 00:10:08.839 They might distort it. 00:10:09.639 --> 00:10:11.240 They might try to change it. 00:10:11.659 --> 00:10:13.959 They might try to use it to fit their agenda. 00:10:15.120 --> 00:10:16.179 Whatever it was, 00:10:16.259 --> 00:10:19.299 it's no longer the truth that was sown. 00:10:19.299 --> 00:10:21.500 That truth is now gone. 00:10:22.539 --> 00:10:24.419 And I hate to see that happen. 00:10:25.059 --> 00:10:28.359 But I've been on missions trips all around this world, 00:10:28.500 --> 00:10:30.240 and I've seen that happen. 00:10:30.799 --> 00:10:35.059 Where you go to a place that's in spiritual darkness, 00:10:35.599 --> 00:10:37.939 been to deep, remote villages in India, 00:10:38.159 --> 00:10:41.500 where they've never heard the truth of Jesus Christ ever. 00:10:41.500 --> 00:10:45.820 And you go and you sow the seed of the gospel, 00:10:45.980 --> 00:10:47.240 the good news of Jesus, 00:10:47.580 --> 00:10:48.860 and the people listen, 00:10:49.100 --> 00:10:53.200 and you can see some of that seed is falling on good ground, 00:10:53.299 --> 00:10:54.240 and ears are hearing, 00:10:54.500 --> 00:10:55.519 and they're understanding, 00:10:55.759 --> 00:10:57.799 and God is giving them that understanding, 00:10:58.019 --> 00:10:59.360 and they're responding to it. 00:10:59.559 --> 00:11:00.820 And then others, you see, 00:11:00.879 --> 00:11:03.000 it's just not making sense. 00:11:03.000 --> 00:11:06.259 And sometimes you even go back later, 00:11:06.559 --> 00:11:09.259 and you see that the devil has been at work. 00:11:10.919 --> 00:11:15.200 And he's snatched up the truth that was planted, 00:11:15.899 --> 00:11:18.220 attempted to be planted in some of those hearts. 00:11:19.480 --> 00:11:20.259 And he's distorted. 00:11:20.399 --> 00:11:21.019 He's changed it. 00:11:21.100 --> 00:11:23.379 He's rerouted them back to the land, 00:11:24.059 --> 00:11:25.899 to the traditions of their land, 00:11:25.980 --> 00:11:27.039 to their false gods, 00:11:27.940 --> 00:11:29.679 to things that will never bring them hope, 00:11:29.840 --> 00:11:31.179 joy, and peace like Jesus can. 00:11:31.179 --> 00:11:33.699 So that is a reality. 00:11:34.679 --> 00:11:36.659 That sometimes, even in your attempts, 00:11:36.759 --> 00:11:37.500 you know, we're doing this, 00:11:37.839 --> 00:11:38.899 who's your one campaign. 00:11:39.439 --> 00:11:41.079 And sometimes in your attempts, 00:11:41.319 --> 00:11:43.919 to share the gospel with the people in your life, 00:11:44.479 --> 00:11:47.979 you might feel like it's just landing on the path, 00:11:48.620 --> 00:11:49.959 and the devil is coming, 00:11:50.359 --> 00:11:52.239 and snatching the seeds away. 00:11:53.199 --> 00:11:54.479 So that's the path, 00:11:54.899 --> 00:11:55.819 and the birds. 00:11:56.979 --> 00:11:58.959 We're not responsible for that. 00:11:58.960 --> 00:12:01.180 We can't help that. 00:12:01.660 --> 00:12:02.759 We can mourn it. 00:12:03.120 --> 00:12:04.259 We can grieve it. 00:12:04.340 --> 00:12:05.280 We can be sorry, 00:12:05.980 --> 00:12:08.379 and wish that somehow, 00:12:08.700 --> 00:12:11.400 the light of the gospel would cut through the darkness. 00:12:11.540 --> 00:12:12.400 And we never know, 00:12:12.879 --> 00:12:13.840 if at some point, 00:12:14.060 --> 00:12:15.560 God is going to allow that to happen. 00:12:17.320 --> 00:12:19.139 But there is a very real reality, 00:12:19.340 --> 00:12:21.080 and Paul warns about it in his second letter, 00:12:21.160 --> 00:12:22.060 to the church at Corinth. 00:12:22.160 --> 00:12:22.500 He says, 00:12:22.500 --> 00:12:23.580 in their case, 00:12:23.679 --> 00:12:24.919 the God of this world, 00:12:25.259 --> 00:12:28.120 has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, 00:12:28.379 --> 00:12:29.620 to keep them, 00:12:29.799 --> 00:12:31.679 from seeing the light of the gospel, 00:12:31.820 --> 00:12:32.659 the glory of Christ, 00:12:33.000 --> 00:12:34.559 who is the image of God. 00:12:34.600 --> 00:12:35.440 That is reality. 00:12:35.960 --> 00:12:37.740 This world is surrounded by darkness. 00:12:37.840 --> 00:12:39.200 That's not too hard to see, right? 00:12:40.840 --> 00:12:43.860 But the light doesn't always cut through, 00:12:44.419 --> 00:12:45.299 some of the darkness. 00:12:46.519 --> 00:12:48.320 Thank God it shined in your heart. 00:12:49.100 --> 00:12:50.639 Thank God it shined in mine. 00:12:50.639 --> 00:12:53.840 It's nothing that we did. 00:12:54.419 --> 00:12:56.419 That was all according to God's grace, 00:12:57.039 --> 00:12:58.419 and his mercy. 00:12:59.600 --> 00:12:59.939 So, 00:13:00.539 --> 00:13:01.659 some of the seed, 00:13:02.059 --> 00:13:03.299 will fall along the path, 00:13:03.740 --> 00:13:05.120 and the birds will eat it up, 00:13:05.620 --> 00:13:07.399 and it will never bear fruit. 00:13:07.699 --> 00:13:08.779 But he doesn't stop there. 00:13:09.100 --> 00:13:10.519 He goes on to the rocky ground. 00:13:11.379 --> 00:13:12.379 The rocky ground, 00:13:12.480 --> 00:13:12.980 verse five, 00:13:13.039 --> 00:13:13.600 let's look at it. 00:13:13.679 --> 00:13:15.620 Other seed fell on rocky ground, 00:13:15.620 --> 00:13:17.319 where it didn't have much soil, 00:13:17.779 --> 00:13:19.480 and it grew up quickly, 00:13:19.480 --> 00:13:22.139 since the soil wasn't deep. 00:13:23.360 --> 00:13:23.840 Y'all, 00:13:23.920 --> 00:13:25.480 now we're getting a little bit closer to home here. 00:13:27.120 --> 00:13:29.060 It's easy to look along the path, 00:13:29.120 --> 00:13:29.420 and say, 00:13:29.560 --> 00:13:29.840 yeah, 00:13:30.480 --> 00:13:31.420 some of those people, 00:13:31.519 --> 00:13:32.560 they might hear about Jesus. 00:13:33.159 --> 00:13:34.779 Maybe they'll visit church on Easter, 00:13:35.019 --> 00:13:36.480 but we'll never see him again. 00:13:37.180 --> 00:13:37.960 Some of those people, 00:13:38.039 --> 00:13:39.560 they just live like heathen all the time, 00:13:39.600 --> 00:13:41.759 and you know there's nothing about God in their life. 00:13:41.759 --> 00:13:44.419 But what about the ones, 00:13:44.419 --> 00:13:46.480 where it falls on rocky ground, 00:13:46.980 --> 00:13:48.519 and all of a sudden, 00:13:48.799 --> 00:13:50.600 you see this shoot up, 00:13:51.200 --> 00:13:52.620 and it looks like, 00:13:52.860 --> 00:13:53.159 wow, 00:13:53.799 --> 00:13:55.559 something really happens there. 00:13:57.139 --> 00:13:57.620 Boy, 00:13:57.679 --> 00:13:59.159 that person just found Jesus, 00:13:59.279 --> 00:13:59.720 didn't they? 00:14:00.340 --> 00:14:02.720 What an amazing change we see. 00:14:02.919 --> 00:14:03.679 All of a sudden, 00:14:03.799 --> 00:14:04.480 from rocky, 00:14:04.840 --> 00:14:05.480 barren ground, 00:14:05.480 --> 00:14:07.920 we see this little plant pop up. 00:14:08.580 --> 00:14:09.100 Amazing. 00:14:09.779 --> 00:14:10.600 And we celebrate, 00:14:10.840 --> 00:14:11.680 and we get excited, 00:14:12.159 --> 00:14:13.440 and what happened? 00:14:15.659 --> 00:14:16.940 The sun came up. 00:14:17.980 --> 00:14:20.019 The hot sun shined on it. 00:14:21.159 --> 00:14:22.899 You know what plants need to grow? 00:14:23.180 --> 00:14:23.360 Anybody? 00:14:24.960 --> 00:14:25.519 Sunshine, 00:14:25.779 --> 00:14:26.100 don't they? 00:14:26.659 --> 00:14:27.800 They need water too. 00:14:28.960 --> 00:14:31.039 But sunshine is one of the key ingredients, 00:14:31.200 --> 00:14:32.720 that plants need to grow. 00:14:32.720 --> 00:14:36.100 But in this case, 00:14:36.540 --> 00:14:38.440 the sun came up, 00:14:39.340 --> 00:14:42.639 and the plant was scorched, 00:14:43.060 --> 00:14:44.720 and it had no root, 00:14:45.519 --> 00:14:47.200 and it withered away. 00:14:48.540 --> 00:14:50.080 I can promise you, 00:14:50.460 --> 00:14:51.840 that this happens time, 00:14:52.080 --> 00:14:53.000 and time, 00:14:53.120 --> 00:14:54.120 and time again, 00:14:54.580 --> 00:14:56.680 with people who hear, 00:14:57.040 --> 00:14:58.320 the good news of Jesus, 00:14:59.080 --> 00:15:01.240 and they're drawn to it. 00:15:01.240 --> 00:15:02.899 They think, 00:15:03.200 --> 00:15:03.940 I want that. 00:15:04.539 --> 00:15:06.519 That promises me something better, 00:15:06.620 --> 00:15:07.519 than what I have. 00:15:08.320 --> 00:15:09.560 That's something bigger, 00:15:09.700 --> 00:15:10.639 that I could believe in. 00:15:11.080 --> 00:15:12.580 That sounds really good. 00:15:13.379 --> 00:15:14.899 I got me a free ticket to heaven. 00:15:15.139 --> 00:15:16.120 How great is this? 00:15:17.600 --> 00:15:19.019 And they latch on, 00:15:19.899 --> 00:15:21.139 but no root, 00:15:22.139 --> 00:15:23.639 takes place. 00:15:25.060 --> 00:15:26.320 They're never rooted, 00:15:26.320 --> 00:15:27.240 in the gospel. 00:15:28.000 --> 00:15:28.879 They never have, 00:15:28.960 --> 00:15:29.940 a real understanding, 00:15:29.940 --> 00:15:32.040 believing, 00:15:32.040 --> 00:15:33.360 that they are a child of God, 00:15:33.560 --> 00:15:35.460 only by His grace. 00:15:36.300 --> 00:15:37.200 They think maybe, 00:15:37.260 --> 00:15:38.320 they had something to do with it. 00:15:39.320 --> 00:15:40.260 I think maybe that, 00:15:40.860 --> 00:15:42.620 because they made a good decision, 00:15:42.700 --> 00:15:43.840 to come to church that day, 00:15:43.980 --> 00:15:46.140 and God changed their life, 00:15:46.200 --> 00:15:47.160 and now He's going to give, 00:15:47.240 --> 00:15:49.280 untold blessings to them, 00:15:49.940 --> 00:15:50.880 turn their life around, 00:15:50.920 --> 00:15:52.180 and everything's going to be okay now. 00:15:52.179 --> 00:15:54.859 But then the sun comes, 00:15:55.599 --> 00:15:56.579 the troubles come, 00:15:57.279 --> 00:15:58.699 the storms of life come, 00:15:59.120 --> 00:16:00.199 and what happens? 00:16:00.699 --> 00:16:01.779 There's no root there. 00:16:02.699 --> 00:16:04.319 They were never taught, 00:16:06.479 --> 00:16:07.819 and seemingly never drawn, 00:16:07.919 --> 00:16:08.759 by the Holy Spirit, 00:16:09.279 --> 00:16:11.579 to learn more about the Lord. 00:16:12.459 --> 00:16:13.879 Maybe they never even truly, 00:16:14.139 --> 00:16:16.339 made a commitment to follow Jesus. 00:16:16.340 --> 00:16:19.740 Maybe it was in their head, 00:16:20.000 --> 00:16:21.259 but it never made it, 00:16:21.259 --> 00:16:22.399 to their heart. 00:16:22.460 --> 00:16:23.360 Anybody know the difference? 00:16:24.460 --> 00:16:25.300 How many inches, 00:16:25.340 --> 00:16:26.280 between the head and the heart? 00:16:27.500 --> 00:16:28.000 What's that? 00:16:28.759 --> 00:16:29.160 18, 00:16:29.280 --> 00:16:29.620 is it 18? 00:16:29.840 --> 00:16:30.500 I think that's right. 00:16:31.280 --> 00:16:31.560 18, 00:16:31.680 --> 00:16:32.800 I had 16 in my head, 00:16:32.860 --> 00:16:33.560 but you might be right. 00:16:34.360 --> 00:16:35.120 Split the difference, 00:16:35.379 --> 00:16:36.019 17 inches. 00:16:38.960 --> 00:16:39.360 Look, 00:16:39.360 --> 00:16:42.399 there is a difference, 00:16:42.399 --> 00:16:44.879 between knowing, 00:16:44.879 --> 00:16:46.340 knowing that God is, 00:16:47.700 --> 00:16:49.120 and even believing, 00:16:49.340 --> 00:16:49.980 that He is good. 00:16:51.539 --> 00:16:52.419 There's a difference, 00:16:52.419 --> 00:16:53.159 between that, 00:16:53.320 --> 00:16:54.600 and placing your faith, 00:16:55.399 --> 00:16:56.320 in God, 00:16:56.379 --> 00:16:56.980 and God alone. 00:16:58.740 --> 00:16:59.600 It doesn't mean, 00:16:59.659 --> 00:17:00.139 you have to know, 00:17:00.259 --> 00:17:00.899 all the theology. 00:17:01.659 --> 00:17:02.259 It doesn't mean, 00:17:02.320 --> 00:17:02.879 you have to be able, 00:17:03.000 --> 00:17:05.079 to answer all the quiz questions, 00:17:05.259 --> 00:17:06.539 about God and the Bible. 00:17:07.480 --> 00:17:08.720 But there is a difference, 00:17:08.720 --> 00:17:09.660 when it's real, 00:17:10.559 --> 00:17:13.319 and when it's shallow. 00:17:15.519 --> 00:17:16.680 And I'm afraid, 00:17:17.640 --> 00:17:19.180 that many of us, 00:17:22.180 --> 00:17:24.180 might be rocky ground, 00:17:24.460 --> 00:17:25.480 followers of Jesus. 00:17:28.600 --> 00:17:30.519 And our soil is very shallow. 00:17:31.720 --> 00:17:33.059 And that's why sometimes, 00:17:33.160 --> 00:17:34.019 the storms of life, 00:17:34.100 --> 00:17:35.059 will veer us off course. 00:17:36.299 --> 00:17:37.319 Sometimes we'll, 00:17:37.480 --> 00:17:38.480 quit coming to church, 00:17:38.480 --> 00:17:38.980 for a while. 00:17:40.079 --> 00:17:41.000 Because we got, 00:17:41.000 --> 00:17:42.220 upset at somebody. 00:17:42.860 --> 00:17:44.099 Because the storm came, 00:17:44.200 --> 00:17:44.700 the sun, 00:17:44.880 --> 00:17:46.140 shined hot, 00:17:46.559 --> 00:17:47.839 and scorched us. 00:17:48.360 --> 00:17:49.339 And we couldn't take it, 00:17:49.360 --> 00:17:50.339 because the roots, 00:17:50.539 --> 00:17:51.360 were not, 00:17:51.940 --> 00:17:52.279 deep. 00:17:52.839 --> 00:17:53.920 I promise you, 00:17:54.000 --> 00:17:54.860 if your roots, 00:17:54.940 --> 00:17:55.640 are deep, 00:17:56.019 --> 00:17:57.519 nothing can shake you. 00:17:57.960 --> 00:17:59.339 You might feel shaken, 00:17:59.460 --> 00:17:59.980 at times. 00:18:00.920 --> 00:18:01.579 But nothing, 00:18:01.579 --> 00:18:02.940 can shake those roots. 00:18:03.339 --> 00:18:03.740 Nothing, 00:18:03.740 --> 00:18:05.299 can dig those roots up. 00:18:05.299 --> 00:18:07.019 nothing can make, 00:18:07.019 --> 00:18:08.519 your plant die, 00:18:08.519 --> 00:18:09.899 because Jesus, 00:18:10.180 --> 00:18:11.480 is the root of it. 00:18:11.680 --> 00:18:12.940 And he will continue, 00:18:12.940 --> 00:18:14.000 to feed you. 00:18:14.159 --> 00:18:14.980 He will continue, 00:18:14.980 --> 00:18:15.799 to cause you, 00:18:15.899 --> 00:18:16.480 to thrive. 00:18:16.619 --> 00:18:17.399 To cause you, 00:18:17.500 --> 00:18:18.079 to recover. 00:18:18.339 --> 00:18:19.059 To cause you, 00:18:19.119 --> 00:18:19.940 to come back. 00:18:21.879 --> 00:18:23.359 So I promise you, 00:18:23.759 --> 00:18:26.519 rocky ground Christians, 00:18:26.519 --> 00:18:28.059 are not, 00:18:28.059 --> 00:18:29.420 genuine followers, 00:18:29.420 --> 00:18:30.160 of Jesus. 00:18:31.279 --> 00:18:32.059 And someday, 00:18:32.559 --> 00:18:33.359 they'll stand, 00:18:33.359 --> 00:18:34.400 before the father, 00:18:34.599 --> 00:18:35.500 and he will say, 00:18:35.920 --> 00:18:36.920 depart from me, 00:18:37.039 --> 00:18:38.619 I never knew you. 00:18:42.299 --> 00:18:43.539 Don't let that be you. 00:18:44.779 --> 00:18:45.700 Don't be a, 00:18:45.700 --> 00:18:46.879 rocky ground Christian, 00:18:46.960 --> 00:18:47.400 because a, 00:18:47.639 --> 00:18:48.379 rocky ground Christian, 00:18:48.379 --> 00:18:49.299 is not a Christian, 00:18:49.440 --> 00:18:49.920 at all. 00:18:53.200 --> 00:18:54.500 They've just jumped in, 00:18:54.500 --> 00:18:56.920 with a nice group of people. 00:18:58.900 --> 00:18:59.539 They've done, 00:18:59.619 --> 00:19:00.660 what society expected. 00:19:01.420 --> 00:19:02.039 They've done, 00:19:02.099 --> 00:19:02.759 what felt right, 00:19:02.819 --> 00:19:03.359 at the time. 00:19:04.359 --> 00:19:05.319 They had a moment, 00:19:05.420 --> 00:19:06.119 where maybe they felt, 00:19:06.200 --> 00:19:07.019 close to God. 00:19:07.980 --> 00:19:08.720 They had a moment, 00:19:08.720 --> 00:19:10.119 where something, 00:19:10.920 --> 00:19:11.660 felt good, 00:19:11.720 --> 00:19:12.400 and felt right. 00:19:12.480 --> 00:19:12.920 And so they said, 00:19:13.000 --> 00:19:13.259 yeah, 00:19:13.740 --> 00:19:14.480 I'm in. 00:19:14.940 --> 00:19:15.759 I want to jump in, 00:19:15.759 --> 00:19:16.380 with that group. 00:19:17.500 --> 00:19:18.400 But we see it, 00:19:18.400 --> 00:19:19.279 time and time again. 00:19:20.000 --> 00:19:21.119 The sun comes up, 00:19:21.819 --> 00:19:24.119 and they can't survive it. 00:19:25.460 --> 00:19:26.799 That's how you know, 00:19:27.539 --> 00:19:28.759 their roots were never planted, 00:19:28.759 --> 00:19:29.319 in Christ. 00:19:31.099 --> 00:19:32.380 Now I pray, 00:19:33.019 --> 00:19:34.299 that at some point, 00:19:35.019 --> 00:19:36.519 God takes those, 00:19:36.880 --> 00:19:37.799 rocky ground Christians, 00:19:38.660 --> 00:19:40.500 and that seed, 00:19:40.740 --> 00:19:41.700 gets planted, 00:19:41.859 --> 00:19:42.779 in good soil. 00:19:43.559 --> 00:19:44.599 That's up to God, 00:19:45.259 --> 00:19:46.259 and their response. 00:19:47.559 --> 00:19:49.519 But so many times, 00:19:49.519 --> 00:19:52.660 that seed, 00:19:52.660 --> 00:19:54.539 falls on rocky ground, 00:19:55.539 --> 00:19:57.900 and the sun, 00:19:57.900 --> 00:20:00.299 scorches it. 00:20:01.480 --> 00:20:02.180 What are you? 00:20:02.720 --> 00:20:03.579 I'm asking you, 00:20:03.660 --> 00:20:04.599 to examine your heart, 00:20:04.740 --> 00:20:05.079 this morning. 00:20:06.220 --> 00:20:07.220 Is your heart, 00:20:07.379 --> 00:20:09.139 the hard footpath, 00:20:09.400 --> 00:20:10.460 where the birds come, 00:20:10.519 --> 00:20:11.279 and eat the seed, 00:20:11.619 --> 00:20:12.839 before it ever has a chance? 00:20:13.420 --> 00:20:14.319 Is your heart, 00:20:14.400 --> 00:20:15.200 the rocky ground, 00:20:15.259 --> 00:20:16.440 with the shallow bit of dirt, 00:20:16.440 --> 00:20:17.460 that can pop up, 00:20:17.519 --> 00:20:18.380 the little plant there? 00:20:19.019 --> 00:20:19.360 Or, 00:20:20.320 --> 00:20:21.279 is your heart, 00:20:21.840 --> 00:20:23.620 one of these others? 00:20:23.840 --> 00:20:24.559 Let's move on. 00:20:25.019 --> 00:20:25.660 So we've got, 00:20:25.740 --> 00:20:26.420 the rocky ground, 00:20:26.519 --> 00:20:27.100 we've got the, 00:20:27.400 --> 00:20:28.360 path and the birds, 00:20:28.440 --> 00:20:29.160 and then we've got, 00:20:29.400 --> 00:20:29.900 the thorns. 00:20:30.779 --> 00:20:31.360 The thorns. 00:20:33.000 --> 00:20:34.299 Jesus picks it up, 00:20:34.340 --> 00:20:34.900 in verse 20, 00:20:35.000 --> 00:20:35.220 he said, 00:20:35.279 --> 00:20:36.600 the one sown on rocky ground, 00:20:36.860 --> 00:20:37.519 this is the one, 00:20:37.559 --> 00:20:38.360 who hears the word, 00:20:38.420 --> 00:20:38.900 and immediately, 00:20:39.080 --> 00:20:40.200 receives it with joy, 00:20:40.400 --> 00:20:41.580 but he has no root, 00:20:41.680 --> 00:20:42.539 it's short lived, 00:20:42.539 --> 00:20:43.539 when distress, 00:20:43.619 --> 00:20:44.180 or persecution, 00:20:44.180 --> 00:20:45.639 comes because of the word, 00:20:45.700 --> 00:20:46.220 immediately, 00:20:46.420 --> 00:20:48.039 he falls away, 00:20:48.720 --> 00:20:49.559 and then he moves on, 00:20:49.599 --> 00:20:50.180 to the thorns. 00:20:50.680 --> 00:20:52.039 The one sown among the thorns, 00:20:52.159 --> 00:20:52.839 this is the one, 00:20:52.920 --> 00:20:54.139 who hears the word, 00:20:54.240 --> 00:20:56.159 but the worries of this age, 00:20:56.779 --> 00:20:58.139 and the deceitfulness, 00:20:58.399 --> 00:20:59.339 of wealth, 00:21:00.299 --> 00:21:01.639 choke the word, 00:21:01.759 --> 00:21:02.720 and it becomes, 00:21:02.720 --> 00:21:04.079 unfruitful. 00:21:05.539 --> 00:21:06.240 Now folks, 00:21:06.319 --> 00:21:06.639 seemingly, 00:21:06.819 --> 00:21:07.720 these are the ones, 00:21:08.159 --> 00:21:09.899 who genuinely, 00:21:09.899 --> 00:21:11.000 did become followers, 00:21:11.119 --> 00:21:11.480 of Jesus. 00:21:11.480 --> 00:21:13.720 They had a real, 00:21:13.720 --> 00:21:14.860 conversion experience, 00:21:14.980 --> 00:21:15.920 they truly placed, 00:21:16.059 --> 00:21:16.900 their faith in him, 00:21:17.620 --> 00:21:19.099 but at some point, 00:21:19.120 --> 00:21:19.720 along the way, 00:21:19.860 --> 00:21:20.940 something keeps them, 00:21:21.160 --> 00:21:21.900 from bearing fruit. 00:21:22.000 --> 00:21:22.700 You know what it is? 00:21:23.120 --> 00:21:24.059 It's the thorns. 00:21:24.940 --> 00:21:25.759 The thorns, 00:21:25.759 --> 00:21:26.440 choke, 00:21:27.299 --> 00:21:28.960 what God's trying to do, 00:21:29.039 --> 00:21:30.059 in their life, 00:21:30.160 --> 00:21:30.880 in their heart. 00:21:33.500 --> 00:21:34.559 And do you notice, 00:21:34.740 --> 00:21:35.420 what he said, 00:21:35.819 --> 00:21:37.740 the specific thorns were? 00:21:38.940 --> 00:21:39.779 He said, 00:21:39.900 --> 00:21:41.460 the worries of this age, 00:21:41.480 --> 00:21:41.880 age, 00:21:42.680 --> 00:21:45.940 and the deceitfulness, 00:21:45.940 --> 00:21:47.120 of wealth. 00:21:48.319 --> 00:21:50.299 The worries of this age, 00:21:50.680 --> 00:21:51.480 the deceitfulness, 00:21:51.720 --> 00:21:52.860 of wealth. 00:21:53.339 --> 00:21:54.099 Isn't that fascinating? 00:21:54.559 --> 00:21:55.920 Those are the two things, 00:21:56.039 --> 00:21:57.500 that he seemed to indicate, 00:21:57.559 --> 00:21:58.940 were the primary thorns, 00:21:59.099 --> 00:22:01.019 that could choke this out. 00:22:02.440 --> 00:22:03.279 Back in, 00:22:03.920 --> 00:22:04.440 what is that, 00:22:04.500 --> 00:22:05.539 verse 22, 00:22:05.539 --> 00:22:08.319 in the New Living Translation, 00:22:08.420 --> 00:22:09.359 that we read at first, 00:22:10.159 --> 00:22:10.579 it said, 00:22:10.680 --> 00:22:11.940 the seed that fell among the thorns, 00:22:12.059 --> 00:22:12.720 represents those, 00:22:12.779 --> 00:22:13.539 who hear God's word, 00:22:13.579 --> 00:22:14.279 all too quickly, 00:22:14.359 --> 00:22:15.500 the message is crowded out, 00:22:15.579 --> 00:22:18.039 by the worries of this life, 00:22:18.099 --> 00:22:19.899 and the lure of wealth. 00:22:20.500 --> 00:22:21.740 Have you ever been deceived, 00:22:22.000 --> 00:22:23.659 or lured by wealth, 00:22:23.660 --> 00:22:25.540 or the pursuit of it? 00:22:26.660 --> 00:22:28.120 I had to add that last part, 00:22:28.180 --> 00:22:29.080 because you're looking at me like, 00:22:29.200 --> 00:22:29.360 no, 00:22:30.000 --> 00:22:31.200 wealth has never really, 00:22:31.200 --> 00:22:33.480 wrapped its arms around me, 00:22:33.560 --> 00:22:34.180 and you know, 00:22:34.259 --> 00:22:35.060 carried me away. 00:22:35.519 --> 00:22:36.980 It's stayed pretty far away, 00:22:36.980 --> 00:22:37.980 from me in my life. 00:22:37.980 --> 00:22:40.960 But how about the pursuit of it? 00:22:42.180 --> 00:22:43.700 The pursuit of wealth, 00:22:43.799 --> 00:22:45.360 the obsession with wealth. 00:22:45.960 --> 00:22:47.559 Has that ever deceived you? 00:22:47.960 --> 00:22:49.400 Has that ever lured you? 00:22:52.519 --> 00:22:53.819 All of our bank accounts, 00:22:53.980 --> 00:22:54.400 look different, 00:22:54.460 --> 00:22:54.799 don't they? 00:22:55.539 --> 00:22:56.799 All of our retirements, 00:22:57.000 --> 00:22:57.519 look different. 00:22:58.120 --> 00:22:59.059 All of our savings, 00:22:59.200 --> 00:22:59.759 look different. 00:23:01.180 --> 00:23:01.900 Some of it, 00:23:01.980 --> 00:23:03.620 we're happy with. 00:23:04.519 --> 00:23:05.180 Some of it, 00:23:05.240 --> 00:23:05.680 we wish, 00:23:05.839 --> 00:23:07.039 was a whole lot better, 00:23:07.039 --> 00:23:08.019 better than it is. 00:23:10.139 --> 00:23:11.579 But I can promise you, 00:23:12.740 --> 00:23:14.240 that it's not money, 00:23:14.339 --> 00:23:15.559 that's the root of all evil. 00:23:16.579 --> 00:23:17.440 How many of you knew that? 00:23:17.740 --> 00:23:19.079 Money is not the root of all evil. 00:23:20.259 --> 00:23:21.319 Some of you are looking at me like, 00:23:21.399 --> 00:23:22.259 isn't that in the Bible? 00:23:23.399 --> 00:23:24.119 What is it? 00:23:24.180 --> 00:23:25.180 What is the root of all evil? 00:23:25.899 --> 00:23:26.940 The love, right. 00:23:27.019 --> 00:23:28.259 The love of money. 00:23:28.680 --> 00:23:28.980 Why? 00:23:29.099 --> 00:23:30.940 Because then you've been deceived. 00:23:31.639 --> 00:23:33.279 Money is an inanimate object. 00:23:33.440 --> 00:23:34.619 It's a means to an end. 00:23:34.619 --> 00:23:36.159 But if you love it, 00:23:36.160 --> 00:23:38.560 then you've been lured by it. 00:23:38.640 --> 00:23:40.140 You've been deceived by it. 00:23:40.279 --> 00:23:42.420 And your love is misplaced. 00:23:42.840 --> 00:23:44.759 Money will never make you happy. 00:23:46.060 --> 00:23:47.640 God can make you happy. 00:23:48.060 --> 00:23:50.580 And God can provide resources 00:23:50.580 --> 00:23:53.660 along the way 00:23:53.660 --> 00:23:56.279 that will help you fulfill 00:23:56.279 --> 00:23:58.360 what he has you to do in your life. 00:23:58.359 --> 00:24:00.459 But the love 00:24:00.459 --> 00:24:02.779 or being deceived by 00:24:02.779 --> 00:24:04.539 or lured by money, 00:24:04.740 --> 00:24:07.839 that will absolutely become a thorn 00:24:07.839 --> 00:24:09.500 that chokes out 00:24:09.500 --> 00:24:11.579 whatever God's trying to do in your life. 00:24:11.679 --> 00:24:13.500 Because your agenda 00:24:13.500 --> 00:24:16.159 will never be God's agenda. 00:24:17.059 --> 00:24:17.899 Do we realize that? 00:24:18.699 --> 00:24:21.240 Our hearts will on their own 00:24:21.240 --> 00:24:22.359 never pursue 00:24:22.359 --> 00:24:24.619 what God's heart has for us. 00:24:24.619 --> 00:24:27.019 They will always lead us 00:24:27.019 --> 00:24:27.759 towards something 00:24:27.759 --> 00:24:29.919 that we can't ultimately ever achieve. 00:24:31.059 --> 00:24:32.659 They will always lead us 00:24:32.659 --> 00:24:33.339 down a path 00:24:33.339 --> 00:24:35.099 that ends in destruction. 00:24:36.019 --> 00:24:37.419 That's where our hearts 00:24:37.419 --> 00:24:38.519 will lead us. 00:24:39.179 --> 00:24:41.559 But if God has a different plan for you 00:24:41.559 --> 00:24:43.019 and a different path 00:24:43.019 --> 00:24:44.039 for you to walk, 00:24:45.199 --> 00:24:47.859 be careful of the thorns. 00:24:47.859 --> 00:24:50.459 Because those thorns 00:24:50.459 --> 00:24:51.799 can come up 00:24:51.799 --> 00:24:54.639 and even without you realizing it, 00:24:55.059 --> 00:24:56.659 they can choke out the fruit 00:24:56.659 --> 00:24:57.839 that God's trying to bear 00:24:57.839 --> 00:24:58.500 in your life. 00:25:00.199 --> 00:25:01.139 Young people, 00:25:01.679 --> 00:25:02.199 be careful 00:25:02.199 --> 00:25:03.959 of the lure 00:25:03.959 --> 00:25:04.939 of money. 00:25:05.919 --> 00:25:07.199 Be careful of the lure 00:25:07.199 --> 00:25:08.939 of the pursuit, 00:25:09.099 --> 00:25:09.699 the love 00:25:09.699 --> 00:25:11.339 of wealth. 00:25:12.539 --> 00:25:13.779 It can absolutely 00:25:13.779 --> 00:25:15.099 be seductive. 00:25:15.179 --> 00:25:15.959 It can absolutely 00:25:15.960 --> 00:25:17.680 lead you to concentrate 00:25:17.680 --> 00:25:18.279 on that 00:25:18.279 --> 00:25:19.120 and all of a sudden 00:25:19.120 --> 00:25:20.340 you're making decisions 00:25:20.340 --> 00:25:22.480 not based on 00:25:22.480 --> 00:25:23.620 what is good 00:25:23.620 --> 00:25:24.559 for my soul. 00:25:25.960 --> 00:25:27.420 What does God want 00:25:27.420 --> 00:25:27.920 with me 00:25:27.920 --> 00:25:28.740 in my life? 00:25:29.200 --> 00:25:29.579 Instead, 00:25:29.799 --> 00:25:30.799 you're making decisions 00:25:30.799 --> 00:25:31.600 based on 00:25:31.600 --> 00:25:33.279 what makes the most sense 00:25:33.279 --> 00:25:34.240 financially for me. 00:25:36.420 --> 00:25:36.980 Sometimes, 00:25:37.259 --> 00:25:37.759 those things 00:25:37.759 --> 00:25:38.660 might coincide. 00:25:39.579 --> 00:25:39.840 Sometimes, 00:25:40.100 --> 00:25:41.120 God might have you 00:25:41.120 --> 00:25:42.420 make the soundest 00:25:42.420 --> 00:25:43.360 financial decision. 00:25:43.700 --> 00:25:44.559 But sometimes, 00:25:44.559 --> 00:25:46.579 your financial advisor 00:25:46.579 --> 00:25:47.240 might say, 00:25:47.799 --> 00:25:48.779 you tithe money 00:25:48.779 --> 00:25:49.460 to the church 00:25:49.460 --> 00:25:50.079 every month. 00:25:50.720 --> 00:25:51.659 Do you realize 00:25:51.659 --> 00:25:52.419 what you could do 00:25:52.419 --> 00:25:52.940 with that? 00:25:53.659 --> 00:25:54.419 Do you realize 00:25:54.419 --> 00:25:55.019 the investments 00:25:55.019 --> 00:25:55.740 you could make 00:25:55.740 --> 00:25:56.240 with that? 00:25:57.099 --> 00:25:58.639 You give extra money 00:25:58.639 --> 00:26:00.119 to this church 00:26:00.119 --> 00:26:01.259 and what does that do 00:26:01.259 --> 00:26:03.519 for you? 00:26:04.139 --> 00:26:05.079 How does that 00:26:05.079 --> 00:26:06.379 improve your bottom line? 00:26:07.440 --> 00:26:08.119 How does that 00:26:08.119 --> 00:26:09.779 ensure your financial security? 00:26:10.599 --> 00:26:11.980 Doesn't make sense 00:26:11.980 --> 00:26:13.240 on the balance sheet. 00:26:14.559 --> 00:26:16.339 And so, 00:26:16.460 --> 00:26:17.039 you choose 00:26:17.039 --> 00:26:18.559 not to follow 00:26:18.559 --> 00:26:19.339 God's command 00:26:19.339 --> 00:26:20.619 in giving back 00:26:20.619 --> 00:26:21.460 a portion of what 00:26:21.460 --> 00:26:22.339 he's given to you. 00:26:23.639 --> 00:26:24.539 And the thorn 00:26:24.539 --> 00:26:25.240 has come up 00:26:25.240 --> 00:26:26.700 and it's choked out 00:26:26.700 --> 00:26:27.319 the blessings 00:26:27.319 --> 00:26:28.279 that God wanted 00:26:28.279 --> 00:26:28.839 for you. 00:26:29.220 --> 00:26:30.579 Because when you invest 00:26:30.579 --> 00:26:31.819 in the kingdom of God, 00:26:32.480 --> 00:26:34.359 God returns that to you 00:26:34.359 --> 00:26:35.179 more than you could 00:26:35.179 --> 00:26:35.639 ever, 00:26:35.720 --> 00:26:36.779 ever imagine. 00:26:37.099 --> 00:26:38.200 And I'm not talking about 00:26:38.200 --> 00:26:39.139 you give $10 00:26:39.139 --> 00:26:40.419 and God's gonna turn it 00:26:40.419 --> 00:26:41.059 into a thousand 00:26:41.059 --> 00:26:41.919 in your bank account. 00:26:41.920 --> 00:26:43.140 That's not what 00:26:43.140 --> 00:26:43.779 I'm talking about. 00:26:44.279 --> 00:26:45.220 I'm talking about 00:26:45.220 --> 00:26:46.480 God reaps 00:26:46.480 --> 00:26:47.680 great rewards 00:26:47.680 --> 00:26:48.660 in your life. 00:26:50.180 --> 00:26:51.220 In the areas 00:26:51.220 --> 00:26:52.460 that only he can know. 00:26:52.820 --> 00:26:54.360 Whether it's relationships 00:26:54.360 --> 00:26:56.320 being put back together. 00:26:56.820 --> 00:26:57.779 Whether it's you 00:26:57.779 --> 00:26:58.440 being used 00:26:58.440 --> 00:26:59.480 to bring other people 00:26:59.480 --> 00:27:00.800 to the saving knowledge 00:27:00.800 --> 00:27:01.360 of Jesus 00:27:01.360 --> 00:27:03.000 brought from darkness 00:27:03.000 --> 00:27:03.600 to light. 00:27:03.900 --> 00:27:04.480 You don't know 00:27:04.480 --> 00:27:05.460 what God's gonna do 00:27:05.460 --> 00:27:06.200 in your life 00:27:06.200 --> 00:27:07.860 transform you 00:27:07.860 --> 00:27:09.039 and those you love 00:27:09.039 --> 00:27:09.800 in ways that you 00:27:09.800 --> 00:27:10.680 can't imagine. 00:27:10.680 --> 00:27:12.220 But when you invest 00:27:12.220 --> 00:27:13.039 in God's kingdom 00:27:13.039 --> 00:27:14.200 you see it happen. 00:27:15.640 --> 00:27:16.720 That's your time. 00:27:16.880 --> 00:27:17.620 That's your energy. 00:27:17.820 --> 00:27:18.320 And yes, 00:27:18.600 --> 00:27:20.060 that's also your finances. 00:27:21.360 --> 00:27:22.420 So the lure 00:27:22.420 --> 00:27:23.380 of wealth 00:27:23.380 --> 00:27:24.860 can be a thorn 00:27:24.860 --> 00:27:26.440 that chokes 00:27:26.440 --> 00:27:27.860 what God's trying to do. 00:27:28.039 --> 00:27:28.840 Also the worries 00:27:28.840 --> 00:27:29.480 of this life. 00:27:30.180 --> 00:27:31.360 The cares of this life. 00:27:32.180 --> 00:27:32.480 Say man, 00:27:32.519 --> 00:27:33.660 I'd love to come help 00:27:33.660 --> 00:27:34.680 with the teens, 00:27:34.779 --> 00:27:35.039 you know. 00:27:35.500 --> 00:27:36.080 They're doing 00:27:36.080 --> 00:27:36.779 Wednesday night 00:27:36.779 --> 00:27:37.680 activities. 00:27:38.519 --> 00:27:39.400 They're going out 00:27:39.400 --> 00:27:40.580 and going to youth camp. 00:27:40.660 --> 00:27:40.900 They're doing 00:27:40.900 --> 00:27:41.740 all kinds of things. 00:27:41.920 --> 00:27:42.700 I'd love to help 00:27:42.700 --> 00:27:44.360 in the children's department. 00:27:44.960 --> 00:27:45.620 I know they need 00:27:45.620 --> 00:27:46.140 more teachers. 00:27:46.280 --> 00:27:47.060 They need more volunteers. 00:27:47.720 --> 00:27:48.940 I know there are places 00:27:48.940 --> 00:27:50.620 that God has 00:27:50.620 --> 00:27:52.080 for me to serve. 00:27:52.560 --> 00:27:53.060 But you see, 00:27:53.140 --> 00:27:54.040 I can't right now 00:27:54.040 --> 00:27:54.780 because the cares 00:27:54.780 --> 00:27:55.540 of this life 00:27:55.540 --> 00:27:56.100 are thorns 00:27:56.100 --> 00:27:57.000 that are choking me. 00:27:59.600 --> 00:28:00.900 So what you're saying is, 00:28:00.920 --> 00:28:01.480 and I'm not picking 00:28:01.480 --> 00:28:02.460 on anybody in this room, 00:28:02.980 --> 00:28:04.360 but what you're saying is 00:28:04.359 --> 00:28:09.059 these thorns 00:28:09.059 --> 00:28:10.319 are bigger than God. 00:28:12.399 --> 00:28:13.399 These thorns, 00:28:13.759 --> 00:28:15.219 I can't handle 00:28:15.219 --> 00:28:17.039 and if I can't handle them, 00:28:17.199 --> 00:28:18.279 God can't handle them. 00:28:18.839 --> 00:28:20.500 So I can't do 00:28:20.500 --> 00:28:21.719 what I was placed 00:28:21.719 --> 00:28:23.199 on this earth to do, 00:28:23.579 --> 00:28:25.399 which is let God use me 00:28:25.399 --> 00:28:26.699 to impact others. 00:28:27.619 --> 00:28:29.019 I can't do that 00:28:29.019 --> 00:28:29.740 because the cares 00:28:29.740 --> 00:28:30.379 of this world 00:28:30.379 --> 00:28:31.279 are choking me. 00:28:31.279 --> 00:28:34.099 Y'all, I promise you, 00:28:34.200 --> 00:28:35.420 we serve a God 00:28:35.420 --> 00:28:36.639 who understands 00:28:36.639 --> 00:28:37.960 what you're going through. 00:28:38.859 --> 00:28:39.819 He's been there. 00:28:40.660 --> 00:28:41.700 He's been rejected 00:28:41.700 --> 00:28:42.579 by everyone. 00:28:43.160 --> 00:28:44.160 He's had those 00:28:44.160 --> 00:28:45.019 he loved 00:28:45.019 --> 00:28:45.759 and loved him 00:28:45.759 --> 00:28:46.579 turn on him. 00:28:46.920 --> 00:28:47.799 He's been tempted 00:28:47.799 --> 00:28:48.660 in every way 00:28:48.660 --> 00:28:49.559 that you could possibly 00:28:49.559 --> 00:28:50.099 be tempted. 00:28:50.440 --> 00:28:51.240 He's been tired. 00:28:51.519 --> 00:28:52.240 He's been hungry. 00:28:52.539 --> 00:28:53.259 He's been poor. 00:28:53.379 --> 00:28:54.000 He's been without. 00:28:54.359 --> 00:28:55.879 He's been through it all 00:28:55.879 --> 00:28:57.500 and he says, 00:28:58.059 --> 00:29:00.200 I am enough for you. 00:29:00.200 --> 00:29:02.180 I will sustain you. 00:29:02.319 --> 00:29:03.580 I will see you through. 00:29:03.880 --> 00:29:05.019 Don't cut out 00:29:05.019 --> 00:29:06.500 the healthiest part 00:29:06.500 --> 00:29:07.480 of your life 00:29:07.480 --> 00:29:09.120 when you're going through 00:29:09.120 --> 00:29:10.380 difficult times. 00:29:12.019 --> 00:29:13.160 Maybe you've got 00:29:13.160 --> 00:29:14.440 to cut back certain areas. 00:29:15.259 --> 00:29:15.819 Maybe you've got 00:29:15.819 --> 00:29:16.960 to cut back certain things 00:29:16.960 --> 00:29:17.819 you're involved in, 00:29:18.200 --> 00:29:19.840 certain obligations you have, 00:29:19.960 --> 00:29:21.840 but don't cut out 00:29:21.840 --> 00:29:23.460 serving Jesus. 00:29:24.819 --> 00:29:27.240 That's where your lifeline is. 00:29:27.240 --> 00:29:29.559 That's where your strength 00:29:29.559 --> 00:29:30.319 comes from. 00:29:31.920 --> 00:29:33.400 Maybe God places you 00:29:33.400 --> 00:29:34.039 in a situation 00:29:34.039 --> 00:29:34.740 where you can't 00:29:34.740 --> 00:29:35.839 physically do something. 00:29:36.240 --> 00:29:37.539 Or maybe you're in a season 00:29:37.539 --> 00:29:38.980 where you're exhausted. 00:29:41.200 --> 00:29:42.240 And you understand 00:29:42.240 --> 00:29:43.539 that I've got to step back 00:29:43.539 --> 00:29:44.140 from teaching, 00:29:44.539 --> 00:29:45.279 but I'm going to find 00:29:45.279 --> 00:29:46.819 another way to serve. 00:29:47.279 --> 00:29:47.940 I'm going to jump 00:29:47.940 --> 00:29:48.660 on the prayer team. 00:29:49.099 --> 00:29:49.620 I'm going to do 00:29:49.620 --> 00:29:50.799 whatever I can do 00:29:50.799 --> 00:29:51.960 to be a part 00:29:51.960 --> 00:29:52.859 of God's kingdom 00:29:52.859 --> 00:29:53.960 because that's where 00:29:53.960 --> 00:29:55.200 I get my strength from. 00:29:55.200 --> 00:29:56.539 That's where I get 00:29:56.539 --> 00:29:57.580 my lifeline from. 00:29:59.519 --> 00:30:00.759 What are our priorities? 00:30:01.400 --> 00:30:02.400 And what thorns 00:30:02.400 --> 00:30:03.880 are choking out 00:30:03.880 --> 00:30:05.380 what God wants to do 00:30:05.380 --> 00:30:06.580 in our lives? 00:30:07.420 --> 00:30:08.080 The path 00:30:08.080 --> 00:30:10.220 had seeds on it. 00:30:10.259 --> 00:30:11.140 The birds came 00:30:11.140 --> 00:30:11.759 and ate it. 00:30:11.940 --> 00:30:12.900 The rocky ground 00:30:12.900 --> 00:30:14.140 had seeds, 00:30:14.740 --> 00:30:16.580 but the sun scorched them 00:30:16.580 --> 00:30:18.059 because they had no roots. 00:30:18.160 --> 00:30:18.779 The thorns 00:30:18.779 --> 00:30:20.900 grew up. 00:30:21.720 --> 00:30:22.680 The roots went down, 00:30:22.799 --> 00:30:23.720 but it choked out. 00:30:23.720 --> 00:30:26.259 What God wanted to do 00:30:26.259 --> 00:30:28.120 with the cares 00:30:28.120 --> 00:30:28.779 of this world 00:30:28.779 --> 00:30:31.200 and the lure 00:30:31.200 --> 00:30:32.000 of wealth. 00:30:33.140 --> 00:30:34.200 But then you get 00:30:34.200 --> 00:30:35.220 to the good ground. 00:30:36.900 --> 00:30:38.120 You get to the good ground. 00:30:38.200 --> 00:30:39.720 Let's look at verse 23. 00:30:41.720 --> 00:30:43.660 The seeds that were sown 00:30:43.660 --> 00:30:44.920 on the good ground, 00:30:45.920 --> 00:30:47.200 this is the one 00:30:47.200 --> 00:30:48.120 who hears 00:30:48.120 --> 00:30:49.720 and understands the word, 00:30:50.400 --> 00:30:52.220 who does produce fruit 00:30:52.220 --> 00:30:53.120 and yields. 00:30:53.799 --> 00:30:55.039 Sometimes a hundred, 00:30:55.779 --> 00:30:56.860 sometimes sixty, 00:30:57.019 --> 00:30:58.480 sometimes thirty times 00:30:58.480 --> 00:30:59.839 what was sown. 00:31:00.980 --> 00:31:02.339 The good ground 00:31:02.339 --> 00:31:04.620 is what God desires 00:31:04.620 --> 00:31:06.259 all of us to be. 00:31:07.079 --> 00:31:08.000 All of us 00:31:08.000 --> 00:31:09.019 can be good ground. 00:31:09.900 --> 00:31:10.559 Say, man, 00:31:10.600 --> 00:31:11.920 if you think I can be good ground, 00:31:12.019 --> 00:31:13.279 you don't know me very well. 00:31:13.720 --> 00:31:15.500 I'm more like that rocky ground. 00:31:15.600 --> 00:31:17.279 I've got a pretty rough exterior. 00:31:17.920 --> 00:31:19.440 I'm more like that thorns, 00:31:19.440 --> 00:31:19.940 you know, 00:31:20.019 --> 00:31:21.200 I'm kind of thorny. 00:31:22.360 --> 00:31:23.100 So I'm not 00:31:23.100 --> 00:31:24.539 this good ground, 00:31:24.700 --> 00:31:25.240 this soft, 00:31:25.420 --> 00:31:26.080 fertile soil. 00:31:27.620 --> 00:31:29.660 God can make you 00:31:29.660 --> 00:31:30.559 good ground 00:31:30.559 --> 00:31:31.720 if you'll let him. 00:31:32.259 --> 00:31:33.559 If you will open up 00:31:33.559 --> 00:31:34.080 your heart 00:31:34.080 --> 00:31:34.660 to the Lord, 00:31:34.880 --> 00:31:36.240 God can change you. 00:31:36.539 --> 00:31:37.660 He can soften you. 00:31:38.019 --> 00:31:39.080 He can make you 00:31:39.080 --> 00:31:40.100 into good ground 00:31:40.100 --> 00:31:41.340 that bears fruit 00:31:41.340 --> 00:31:42.920 for his kingdom. 00:31:43.799 --> 00:31:44.960 There are four types 00:31:44.960 --> 00:31:45.680 of soil here. 00:31:45.680 --> 00:31:48.340 A sower went out 00:31:48.340 --> 00:31:48.799 to sow. 00:31:49.460 --> 00:31:50.460 You've got your pathway. 00:31:50.759 --> 00:31:51.759 It was trampled on. 00:31:52.160 --> 00:31:53.259 The birds ate it up. 00:31:53.779 --> 00:31:54.420 And what happened? 00:31:54.480 --> 00:31:55.420 The seeds were destroyed. 00:31:56.000 --> 00:31:57.440 You've got your rocky ground. 00:31:57.720 --> 00:31:58.620 There were no roots. 00:31:58.740 --> 00:31:59.860 The sun scorched it 00:31:59.860 --> 00:32:01.100 and the plant 00:32:01.100 --> 00:32:01.700 withered away. 00:32:02.259 --> 00:32:03.720 You've got your thorny ground. 00:32:04.700 --> 00:32:05.240 The thorns 00:32:05.240 --> 00:32:06.060 choked it out. 00:32:06.519 --> 00:32:07.320 It suffocated 00:32:07.320 --> 00:32:08.320 and it died. 00:32:09.160 --> 00:32:10.620 God might bring you 00:32:10.620 --> 00:32:11.580 home to heaven 00:32:11.580 --> 00:32:13.420 if you're not going 00:32:13.420 --> 00:32:14.180 to bear fruit 00:32:14.180 --> 00:32:15.080 for his kingdom. 00:32:15.079 --> 00:32:16.539 He warns about that 00:32:16.539 --> 00:32:17.720 time and time again. 00:32:18.039 --> 00:32:19.779 He's warned entire churches 00:32:19.779 --> 00:32:20.839 about that. 00:32:21.659 --> 00:32:22.579 In Revelation, 00:32:22.859 --> 00:32:23.220 he says, 00:32:23.319 --> 00:32:24.559 I'll shut you down, 00:32:25.359 --> 00:32:25.740 church, 00:32:26.279 --> 00:32:28.240 if you don't bear fruit 00:32:28.240 --> 00:32:28.879 for me. 00:32:29.720 --> 00:32:30.720 The way he put it, 00:32:30.779 --> 00:32:31.059 he said, 00:32:31.139 --> 00:32:31.960 I will remove 00:32:31.960 --> 00:32:33.019 your 00:32:33.019 --> 00:32:35.419 lamp stick. 00:32:36.399 --> 00:32:37.639 I will remove 00:32:37.639 --> 00:32:38.599 your lamp stand. 00:32:41.220 --> 00:32:42.379 I don't want to see 00:32:42.379 --> 00:32:43.159 that happen to you. 00:32:43.159 --> 00:32:44.139 I don't want to see 00:32:44.139 --> 00:32:44.799 that happen to me 00:32:44.799 --> 00:32:45.359 and my family. 00:32:45.539 --> 00:32:46.240 I don't want to see 00:32:46.240 --> 00:32:47.440 that happen to this church. 00:32:48.099 --> 00:32:49.559 So what can we do 00:32:49.559 --> 00:32:50.960 to be good ground, 00:32:51.119 --> 00:32:51.720 good soil? 00:32:51.799 --> 00:32:52.680 Because what happened there? 00:32:52.799 --> 00:32:53.579 It grew up. 00:32:53.680 --> 00:32:54.460 It increased. 00:32:54.599 --> 00:32:55.379 It yielded 00:32:55.379 --> 00:32:56.960 many times 00:32:56.960 --> 00:32:58.299 what was originally planted. 00:32:58.659 --> 00:32:59.419 Would you go one more 00:32:59.419 --> 00:32:59.960 place with me 00:32:59.960 --> 00:33:00.599 and we'll be done. 00:33:00.940 --> 00:33:01.940 Colossians chapter 2. 00:33:02.759 --> 00:33:03.779 Colossians chapter 2 00:33:03.779 --> 00:33:04.480 in verse 6. 00:33:05.680 --> 00:33:06.819 Paul is writing this letter 00:33:06.819 --> 00:33:07.940 to the church at Colossae 00:33:07.940 --> 00:33:08.659 and he says, 00:33:08.660 --> 00:33:09.600 so then, 00:33:09.600 --> 00:33:11.380 just as you have received 00:33:11.380 --> 00:33:12.720 Christ Jesus as Lord, 00:33:12.860 --> 00:33:13.860 Colossians 2.6, 00:33:14.320 --> 00:33:15.600 continue to walk 00:33:15.600 --> 00:33:16.600 in him. 00:33:18.340 --> 00:33:19.860 Just as you have received 00:33:19.860 --> 00:33:21.080 Christ Jesus as Lord, 00:33:21.480 --> 00:33:23.100 continue to walk in him, 00:33:23.660 --> 00:33:24.580 being rooted 00:33:24.580 --> 00:33:26.320 and built up 00:33:26.320 --> 00:33:27.040 in him. 00:33:27.380 --> 00:33:28.960 This is how you know 00:33:28.960 --> 00:33:30.420 if you are good soil. 00:33:31.180 --> 00:33:32.600 Are you being rooted 00:33:32.600 --> 00:33:33.960 and built up 00:33:33.960 --> 00:33:35.340 in Christ Jesus? 00:33:35.339 --> 00:33:37.859 established in the faith 00:33:37.859 --> 00:33:39.319 just as you were taught 00:33:39.319 --> 00:33:40.439 and overflowing 00:33:40.439 --> 00:33:41.139 with gratitude. 00:33:41.359 --> 00:33:41.899 Verse 8. 00:33:42.299 --> 00:33:42.939 Be careful 00:33:42.939 --> 00:33:44.279 that no one 00:33:44.279 --> 00:33:45.319 takes you captive 00:33:45.319 --> 00:33:47.619 through philosophy 00:33:47.619 --> 00:33:49.419 and empty deceit 00:33:49.419 --> 00:33:51.379 based on human 00:33:51.379 --> 00:33:52.740 tradition. 00:33:54.220 --> 00:33:55.779 Based on the elements 00:33:55.779 --> 00:33:56.799 of this world 00:33:56.799 --> 00:33:58.539 rather than Christ. 00:33:59.439 --> 00:34:00.240 Do you see 00:34:00.240 --> 00:34:01.240 what he's saying here? 00:34:01.740 --> 00:34:03.199 This is how you know 00:34:03.199 --> 00:34:04.259 if you're good ground. 00:34:04.259 --> 00:34:05.519 This is how you know 00:34:05.519 --> 00:34:06.319 if you're good soil 00:34:06.319 --> 00:34:07.680 if you're being rooted 00:34:07.680 --> 00:34:09.340 and built up 00:34:09.340 --> 00:34:10.059 in Christ. 00:34:10.139 --> 00:34:10.619 You see that? 00:34:11.119 --> 00:34:11.960 Being rooted 00:34:11.960 --> 00:34:13.380 and built up. 00:34:14.179 --> 00:34:15.019 Trying to give you 00:34:15.019 --> 00:34:15.639 a visual here. 00:34:15.800 --> 00:34:16.519 Being rooted 00:34:16.519 --> 00:34:17.980 and built up. 00:34:18.239 --> 00:34:19.579 That is how we know 00:34:19.579 --> 00:34:20.619 we're good ground. 00:34:21.000 --> 00:34:22.440 Are you being rooted 00:34:22.440 --> 00:34:23.780 and built up 00:34:23.780 --> 00:34:24.599 in Christ? 00:34:24.960 --> 00:34:25.619 I love how the 00:34:25.619 --> 00:34:26.400 New Living Translation 00:34:26.400 --> 00:34:26.920 puts this. 00:34:27.000 --> 00:34:27.320 It says, 00:34:27.820 --> 00:34:28.579 let your roots 00:34:28.579 --> 00:34:29.719 grow down 00:34:29.719 --> 00:34:30.679 into him. 00:34:31.619 --> 00:34:32.400 And then the Christian 00:34:32.400 --> 00:34:32.780 standard, 00:34:32.940 --> 00:34:33.559 which is what I've got 00:34:33.559 --> 00:34:33.980 right here, 00:34:34.199 --> 00:34:35.360 says being built 00:34:35.360 --> 00:34:36.960 up in him. 00:34:37.960 --> 00:34:38.779 So you put that 00:34:38.779 --> 00:34:39.199 together, 00:34:39.340 --> 00:34:40.000 what do you have? 00:34:40.299 --> 00:34:41.059 Let your roots 00:34:41.059 --> 00:34:42.079 grow down into him. 00:34:42.320 --> 00:34:43.279 Being built up 00:34:43.279 --> 00:34:43.719 in him. 00:34:43.960 --> 00:34:44.699 Let's say this 00:34:44.699 --> 00:34:45.059 together. 00:34:45.179 --> 00:34:45.360 Ready? 00:34:46.579 --> 00:34:47.239 If we can get to it. 00:34:48.000 --> 00:34:48.559 Here we go. 00:34:48.619 --> 00:34:48.960 Here we go. 00:34:49.000 --> 00:34:49.159 Ready? 00:34:49.920 --> 00:34:50.920 As my roots 00:34:50.920 --> 00:34:51.920 grow down, 00:34:52.199 --> 00:34:53.360 I'm built up. 00:34:53.400 --> 00:34:53.860 One more time. 00:34:53.920 --> 00:34:54.039 Ready? 00:34:54.360 --> 00:34:55.420 As my roots 00:34:55.420 --> 00:34:56.420 grow down, 00:34:56.579 --> 00:34:58.019 I'm built up. 00:34:58.019 --> 00:34:59.639 That is how we 00:34:59.639 --> 00:35:00.920 avoid being rocky 00:35:00.920 --> 00:35:01.420 ground, 00:35:01.780 --> 00:35:02.880 being the path 00:35:02.880 --> 00:35:03.519 that the birds 00:35:03.519 --> 00:35:04.320 eat from, 00:35:04.659 --> 00:35:06.139 and being thorny 00:35:06.139 --> 00:35:06.940 ground. 00:35:07.820 --> 00:35:09.079 When my roots 00:35:09.079 --> 00:35:09.820 grow down, 00:35:10.079 --> 00:35:11.900 I'm built up. 00:35:13.500 --> 00:35:15.340 Grow down into what? 00:35:16.800 --> 00:35:17.619 Rooted, 00:35:18.360 --> 00:35:18.980 built up, 00:35:19.759 --> 00:35:20.400 established 00:35:20.400 --> 00:35:22.360 in Christ Jesus. 00:35:22.360 --> 00:35:25.300 There are a lot 00:35:25.300 --> 00:35:25.900 of voices 00:35:25.900 --> 00:35:27.680 calling for your 00:35:27.680 --> 00:35:28.099 attention, 00:35:28.740 --> 00:35:30.240 but one voice 00:35:30.240 --> 00:35:33.000 you must hear. 00:35:34.019 --> 00:35:34.980 One voice 00:35:34.980 --> 00:35:35.940 you must listen. 00:35:37.900 --> 00:35:38.780 The words 00:35:38.780 --> 00:35:39.460 are in red 00:35:39.460 --> 00:35:40.140 in some of your 00:35:40.140 --> 00:35:40.460 Bibles. 00:35:41.820 --> 00:35:42.320 How many of you 00:35:42.320 --> 00:35:43.079 have seen a red 00:35:43.079 --> 00:35:43.579 letter Bible 00:35:43.579 --> 00:35:44.099 that has all the 00:35:44.099 --> 00:35:44.720 words of Jesus 00:35:44.720 --> 00:35:45.200 in red? 00:35:45.660 --> 00:35:46.079 Isn't that neat? 00:35:47.360 --> 00:35:48.039 Crowder wrote 00:35:48.039 --> 00:35:48.680 a song about it. 00:35:48.700 --> 00:35:49.559 A Christian singer 00:35:49.559 --> 00:35:50.519 wrote a song about it. 00:35:50.559 --> 00:35:50.680 It said, 00:35:50.840 --> 00:35:51.300 then I read 00:35:51.300 --> 00:35:52.000 the red letters 00:35:52.000 --> 00:35:52.900 and the ground 00:35:52.900 --> 00:35:53.719 began to shake. 00:35:54.360 --> 00:35:54.960 Prison walls 00:35:54.960 --> 00:35:55.699 started falling. 00:35:55.840 --> 00:35:56.739 I became a free man 00:35:56.739 --> 00:35:57.219 that day. 00:35:57.420 --> 00:35:57.699 Why? 00:35:57.860 --> 00:35:58.579 What changed him? 00:35:58.639 --> 00:35:59.599 What changed his life? 00:36:00.159 --> 00:36:01.440 The words of Jesus. 00:36:02.619 --> 00:36:03.300 When he said, 00:36:03.460 --> 00:36:04.340 I came to seek 00:36:04.340 --> 00:36:05.360 and to save 00:36:05.360 --> 00:36:06.500 those who were lost. 00:36:10.280 --> 00:36:11.000 He said, 00:36:11.079 --> 00:36:11.199 I, 00:36:11.300 --> 00:36:12.179 if I am lifted up, 00:36:12.199 --> 00:36:12.780 I will draw 00:36:12.780 --> 00:36:13.860 all men unto me. 00:36:15.119 --> 00:36:15.519 He said, 00:36:15.559 --> 00:36:16.159 I am the way, 00:36:16.239 --> 00:36:16.659 the truth, 00:36:16.719 --> 00:36:17.239 and the life. 00:36:17.380 --> 00:36:18.300 No man can come 00:36:18.300 --> 00:36:18.840 to the Father 00:36:18.840 --> 00:36:20.420 except through me. 00:36:22.000 --> 00:36:23.440 He is the one. 00:36:24.019 --> 00:36:24.719 He's the source 00:36:24.719 --> 00:36:25.239 of strength. 00:36:25.619 --> 00:36:26.239 He's got all 00:36:26.239 --> 00:36:26.820 the nutrients. 00:36:27.440 --> 00:36:28.739 He's got the power 00:36:28.739 --> 00:36:30.300 and the grace 00:36:30.300 --> 00:36:31.119 and the love 00:36:31.119 --> 00:36:32.099 to save you 00:36:32.099 --> 00:36:32.800 from sin 00:36:32.800 --> 00:36:35.460 and to change you 00:36:35.460 --> 00:36:36.659 into who he wants 00:36:36.659 --> 00:36:37.099 you to be. 00:36:38.519 --> 00:36:39.960 The only enemies 00:36:39.960 --> 00:36:42.820 are the rocky ground, 00:36:42.960 --> 00:36:44.000 are the thorns, 00:36:44.719 --> 00:36:45.940 the things that can 00:36:45.940 --> 00:36:46.860 derail that. 00:36:47.300 --> 00:36:48.139 So where are you? 00:36:48.460 --> 00:36:49.599 This is a check your heart 00:36:49.599 --> 00:36:50.260 moment right now. 00:36:50.260 --> 00:36:51.900 Where are you 00:36:51.900 --> 00:36:52.640 in your life? 00:36:53.120 --> 00:36:53.980 Maybe you've been 00:36:53.980 --> 00:36:55.820 saved for six months. 00:36:56.420 --> 00:36:57.040 Maybe you've been 00:36:57.040 --> 00:36:58.160 saved for two weeks. 00:36:58.740 --> 00:36:59.760 Maybe you can save 00:36:59.760 --> 00:37:00.740 for 50 years. 00:37:01.720 --> 00:37:02.300 Maybe you've been 00:37:02.300 --> 00:37:03.320 a follower of Jesus 00:37:03.320 --> 00:37:05.340 as long as you can remember. 00:37:05.480 --> 00:37:05.920 Maybe you've been 00:37:05.920 --> 00:37:06.760 part of this church 00:37:06.760 --> 00:37:07.760 as long as you can remember. 00:37:07.980 --> 00:37:09.380 I'm not asking about that. 00:37:09.440 --> 00:37:10.520 I'm asking what kind 00:37:10.520 --> 00:37:12.160 of soil your heart 00:37:12.160 --> 00:37:13.300 is right now. 00:37:13.660 --> 00:37:14.440 What is Jesus 00:37:14.440 --> 00:37:15.060 working with? 00:37:16.060 --> 00:37:17.660 As my roots grow down, 00:37:17.900 --> 00:37:19.020 I'm built up. 00:37:19.080 --> 00:37:19.220 Man, 00:37:19.219 --> 00:37:20.079 you wonder why 00:37:20.079 --> 00:37:23.099 God hasn't changed 00:37:23.099 --> 00:37:24.099 you that much. 00:37:25.659 --> 00:37:26.879 Maybe you're rocky ground. 00:37:27.000 --> 00:37:28.319 Maybe your soil 00:37:28.319 --> 00:37:29.119 is very shallow. 00:37:30.279 --> 00:37:31.719 Maybe the sun scorched you 00:37:31.719 --> 00:37:33.139 at some point 00:37:33.139 --> 00:37:33.719 along the way. 00:37:35.119 --> 00:37:36.219 Maybe the thorns 00:37:36.219 --> 00:37:37.199 have choked out 00:37:37.199 --> 00:37:38.139 the fruit that God's 00:37:38.139 --> 00:37:38.779 trying to bear 00:37:38.779 --> 00:37:39.899 in your life. 00:37:41.239 --> 00:37:42.679 As my roots grow down, 00:37:43.079 --> 00:37:44.219 I'm built up. 00:37:45.000 --> 00:37:45.739 Here's our takeaway 00:37:45.739 --> 00:37:46.279 this morning. 00:37:46.280 --> 00:37:48.180 is God's truth 00:37:48.180 --> 00:37:49.460 taking root 00:37:49.460 --> 00:37:50.880 and changing 00:37:50.880 --> 00:37:51.880 you. 00:37:52.660 --> 00:37:53.560 How much have you 00:37:53.560 --> 00:37:54.040 changed 00:37:54.040 --> 00:37:55.820 since last year? 00:37:56.380 --> 00:37:57.160 How much have you 00:37:57.160 --> 00:37:57.640 changed 00:37:57.640 --> 00:37:59.240 in the last 10 years? 00:37:59.239 --> 00:38:02.159 how much of that 00:38:02.159 --> 00:38:02.599 was God? 00:38:04.059 --> 00:38:05.039 How much of that 00:38:05.039 --> 00:38:05.619 was Him? 00:38:05.939 --> 00:38:06.619 Your roots 00:38:06.619 --> 00:38:07.239 going down 00:38:07.239 --> 00:38:07.719 into Him 00:38:07.719 --> 00:38:08.159 and Him 00:38:08.159 --> 00:38:09.459 building you up. 00:38:10.119 --> 00:38:10.939 If not, 00:38:11.379 --> 00:38:12.699 it's not too late. 00:38:13.339 --> 00:38:14.379 It's not too late 00:38:14.379 --> 00:38:14.959 to change. 00:38:15.319 --> 00:38:15.799 Number one, 00:38:15.879 --> 00:38:16.759 it's never too late 00:38:16.759 --> 00:38:17.539 to turn to Jesus. 00:38:18.259 --> 00:38:19.000 We might have 00:38:19.000 --> 00:38:19.859 one of our young people, 00:38:19.919 --> 00:38:20.399 we might have 00:38:20.399 --> 00:38:21.319 one of our older folks, 00:38:21.459 --> 00:38:21.979 we might have 00:38:21.979 --> 00:38:23.299 somebody in between 00:38:23.299 --> 00:38:23.739 who says, 00:38:23.799 --> 00:38:24.199 you know what, 00:38:24.379 --> 00:38:25.239 I've been holding out 00:38:25.239 --> 00:38:26.219 but today is the day 00:38:26.219 --> 00:38:27.159 I'm going to turn 00:38:27.159 --> 00:38:27.579 to Jesus 00:38:27.579 --> 00:38:28.379 and say, 00:38:28.500 --> 00:38:28.919 okay God, 00:38:29.199 --> 00:38:29.759 I hear, 00:38:30.259 --> 00:38:31.019 I'm going to listen 00:38:31.019 --> 00:38:32.579 and the Holy Spirit 00:38:32.579 --> 00:38:33.239 is going to help me 00:38:33.239 --> 00:38:34.039 understand what you're 00:38:34.039 --> 00:38:34.519 talking about. 00:38:34.939 --> 00:38:35.879 I know I'm a sinner, 00:38:36.019 --> 00:38:36.980 I know Jesus died 00:38:36.980 --> 00:38:37.639 for my sin, 00:38:37.839 --> 00:38:38.839 I know God raised 00:38:38.839 --> 00:38:39.500 Him from the dead 00:38:39.500 --> 00:38:40.139 and I'm choosing 00:38:40.139 --> 00:38:41.199 to place all my faith 00:38:41.199 --> 00:38:41.559 in Him 00:38:41.559 --> 00:38:42.539 to forgive me 00:38:42.539 --> 00:38:43.139 of my sin. 00:38:43.239 --> 00:38:44.159 I'm not good enough, 00:38:44.239 --> 00:38:45.179 I never will be 00:38:45.179 --> 00:38:46.119 but Jesus 00:38:46.119 --> 00:38:47.719 wants to save me 00:38:47.719 --> 00:38:48.659 so I'm going to say yes. 00:38:49.480 --> 00:38:50.399 Save me from hell, 00:38:50.480 --> 00:38:51.500 the punishment of my sin 00:38:51.500 --> 00:38:52.519 and I can become 00:38:52.519 --> 00:38:53.159 God's child. 00:38:53.159 --> 00:38:54.079 If that's you, 00:38:54.159 --> 00:38:54.659 if you want to make 00:38:54.659 --> 00:38:55.579 that decision today, 00:38:55.779 --> 00:38:56.659 would you bow your heads 00:38:56.659 --> 00:38:57.279 with me together 00:38:57.279 --> 00:38:58.819 all across this room? 00:38:58.859 --> 00:38:59.579 Would you bow your heads 00:38:59.579 --> 00:39:00.279 and let's be in prayer 00:39:00.279 --> 00:39:00.739 right now. 00:39:01.079 --> 00:39:02.639 If you know in your heart 00:39:02.639 --> 00:39:03.879 that you are a child of God, 00:39:04.139 --> 00:39:04.980 you are signed, 00:39:05.139 --> 00:39:06.219 sealed and going to be 00:39:06.219 --> 00:39:07.019 delivered someday, 00:39:07.659 --> 00:39:08.659 then would you do me 00:39:08.659 --> 00:39:09.559 a favor and pray 00:39:09.559 --> 00:39:10.639 for those in this room 00:39:10.639 --> 00:39:11.159 right now 00:39:11.159 --> 00:39:12.019 who are still struggling 00:39:12.019 --> 00:39:12.440 with that. 00:39:14.219 --> 00:39:15.000 There are people 00:39:15.000 --> 00:39:15.519 in this room 00:39:15.519 --> 00:39:16.199 who think they're 00:39:16.199 --> 00:39:17.239 not quite good enough, 00:39:17.319 --> 00:39:17.799 they wonder 00:39:17.799 --> 00:39:19.699 if somewhere along the way 00:39:19.699 --> 00:39:21.399 they didn't measure up. 00:39:21.400 --> 00:39:23.820 would you in your heart 00:39:23.820 --> 00:39:25.019 pray that the Holy Spirit 00:39:25.019 --> 00:39:25.619 would reveal 00:39:25.619 --> 00:39:26.940 God's love to them 00:39:26.940 --> 00:39:27.619 that it's nothing 00:39:27.619 --> 00:39:28.639 that they can do 00:39:28.639 --> 00:39:30.480 that can earn 00:39:30.480 --> 00:39:31.700 forgiveness of sins. 00:39:31.780 --> 00:39:32.320 It's only 00:39:32.320 --> 00:39:33.619 what Jesus did 00:39:33.619 --> 00:39:34.180 on the cross. 00:39:35.340 --> 00:39:36.039 Would you pray 00:39:36.039 --> 00:39:36.700 for them right now? 00:39:37.860 --> 00:39:38.720 I'm going to address 00:39:38.720 --> 00:39:39.980 those of you 00:39:39.980 --> 00:39:41.240 who I just mentioned 00:39:41.240 --> 00:39:41.840 a moment ago, 00:39:41.940 --> 00:39:42.840 maybe you're not sure. 00:39:44.220 --> 00:39:45.280 Maybe you don't know 00:39:45.280 --> 00:39:48.600 if you're completely forgiven. 00:39:49.820 --> 00:39:50.800 Maybe you don't know 00:39:50.800 --> 00:39:53.800 if your imperfections 00:39:53.800 --> 00:39:54.760 have cost you 00:39:54.760 --> 00:39:55.820 heaven, 00:39:56.019 --> 00:39:56.620 cost you 00:39:56.620 --> 00:39:57.180 the chance 00:39:57.180 --> 00:39:58.120 to be God's child. 00:39:59.560 --> 00:40:00.260 But today 00:40:00.260 --> 00:40:01.240 you want to get that settled. 00:40:02.040 --> 00:40:03.080 Would you slip your hand up? 00:40:04.080 --> 00:40:04.560 Thank you. 00:40:05.380 --> 00:40:06.000 Thank you. 00:40:06.960 --> 00:40:07.580 Thank you. 00:40:07.780 --> 00:40:08.420 Anybody else? 00:40:10.440 --> 00:40:11.040 Thank you. 00:40:12.700 --> 00:40:13.260 Thank you. 00:40:13.300 --> 00:40:13.660 In a moment 00:40:13.660 --> 00:40:14.660 the music's going to play. 00:40:14.659 --> 00:40:15.639 Those who raised their hand, 00:40:15.699 --> 00:40:16.819 would you just slip out of the aisle? 00:40:17.279 --> 00:40:18.199 Everybody's going to stand. 00:40:19.239 --> 00:40:19.960 We'll try not to draw 00:40:19.960 --> 00:40:20.719 any attention to you, 00:40:20.779 --> 00:40:21.819 but would you slip out of the aisle 00:40:21.819 --> 00:40:22.539 and just come meet me 00:40:22.539 --> 00:40:23.819 at the front pew down here? 00:40:25.199 --> 00:40:26.379 We'll sit and talk about it. 00:40:32.659 --> 00:40:33.359 Let me address 00:40:33.359 --> 00:40:34.000 the rest of the room 00:40:34.000 --> 00:40:35.119 before we dismiss here. 00:40:38.039 --> 00:40:38.659 Those of you 00:40:38.659 --> 00:40:39.659 who have full assurance 00:40:39.659 --> 00:40:40.859 that you are God's child 00:40:40.859 --> 00:40:42.940 and He's forgiven you 00:40:42.940 --> 00:40:43.500 and you know 00:40:43.500 --> 00:40:44.179 you're standing 00:40:44.179 --> 00:40:44.859 before God. 00:40:46.739 --> 00:40:47.399 Let me ask 00:40:47.399 --> 00:40:48.119 what kind of soil 00:40:48.119 --> 00:40:48.559 you are. 00:40:52.259 --> 00:40:53.059 Have your roots 00:40:53.059 --> 00:40:54.039 gone down into Him? 00:40:54.419 --> 00:40:55.000 Have you been 00:40:55.000 --> 00:40:55.619 built up 00:40:55.619 --> 00:40:56.279 into Him? 00:40:56.280 --> 00:41:26.260 Thank you.