Podcasts about sower

People reject good advice. They push away people who care about them. They resist change. Sometimes they even resist God. Why? In Luke 8, Jesus tells a story that helps explain why some hearts stay closed while others are transformed. In this message, Ben Young explores one of Jesus' most well-known parables—the Parable of the Sower. Jesus compares God's truth to seed and our hearts to different kinds of soil. Some hearts are open. Some become hardened over time. And some are ready to grow. Whether you're wondering why someone you love seems far from God, struggling with your own spiritual growth, or simply trying to understand why change can be so difficult, this message offers hope. Because no heart is beyond God's reach.

This Sunday, Pastor Matt shares the first message in our new series, Insight: How Jesus Revealed the Kingdom. In Part 1, The Parable of the Sower, we explore how Jesus used parables to reveal the truths of God's Kingdom and challenge us to examine the condition of our hearts as we respond to His Word.

Jesus didn't just tell stories—He revealed truth that invites us to look deeper. In this summer series, Reading Between The Lines, we'll explore the parables of Jesus—simple on the surface, but rich with meaning about the Kingdom of God and our hearts. Each week, we'll go beyond the obvious to discover what Jesus is really saying—and how it changes the way we live. • Westbridge Church is people helping people FIND and FOLLOW JESUS! We believe that no matter where you are in your faith, there's always a next step you can take to grow in your relationship with God. As a church, we are committed to continually growing and encouraging others to grow in their faith, connect in community, share God's grace, serve others, live generously, and have serious fun along the way. Learn more: https://westbridgechurch.com/ Connect with us: https://linktr.ee/westbridgechurchmn Current worship: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/2lpxmpwwtzhkeebpp8frhihttp://spotify.com/playlist/2lpxmpwwtzhkeebpp8frhi

This episode engages with both the thought and practice of interconnectivity and collective consciousness in Indigenous theory. Niu/Knew/Neo Tā-Vā is framed as a talanoa/tzijonïk/storying conversation between Tāvāism, critical and global Indigenous theory. Mayan philosophy of time space is introduced and demonstrated to have overlaps with ideas of reality and life in Tā-Vā, which is explored along with critical thought. Some themes include: apocalyptic thought and response to change; cross cultural connections of shared social values; temporality beyond linearity; and calibrating actions. The role of sacrifice in sharing time-space is also considered in this emerging project, which is one of shifting the hoa (pairing) of Tā-Vā from dominant to global Indigenous philosophical traditions.   References: Giovanni Batz. The Fourth Invasion. University of California Press, 2024. Floridalma Boj Lopez. Indigenous Archives. Duke University Press, 2026. Octavia E. Butler. Parable of the Sower. Four Walls Eight Windows, 1993. Octavia E. Butler. Parable of the Talents. New York: Warner Books, 1998. Lewis Gordon. A philosophical look at Black music. Quinnipiac University (26 Sep 2019). Epeli Hau‘ofa. We are the ocean: Selected works. University of Hawaii Press, 2008. Tēvita Kaʻili. “Ancestral Voices of the Sea: Hearing the Past to Lead the Future.” In Anne Perez Hattori and  Jane Samson (Eds.), The Cambridge History of The Pacific Ocean Volume II: The Pacific Ocean Since 1800. Cambridge University Press, 2023. Miguel León-Portilla. Time and Reality in the Thought of the Maya. University of Oklahoma Press, 1990. Alexus McLeod. Philosophy of the ancient Maya: Lords of time. Bloomsbury Publishing, 2017. Manulani Aluli Meyer. “Holographic epistemology: Native common sense.” China Media Research, 9(2), 2013. Victor Montejo. Mayalogue: An Interactionist Theory of Indigenous Cultures. State University of New York Press, 2021. Arcia Tecun, ‘Inoke Hafoka, Lavinia ‘Ulu ‘ave, and Moana ‘Ulu ‘ave-Hafoka. "Talanoa: Tongan epistemology and Indigenous research method." AlterNative: An International Journal of Indigenous Peoples 14, no. 2 (2018): 156-163. Teresia Teaiwa. “On analogies: Rethinking the Pacific in a global context.” The Contemporary Pacific 18 (1), 2006: 71-87. Victor Turner. The Ritual Process: Structure and Anti-Structure. Aldine Publishing, 1969. Sione Vaka. A Tongan approach of integrating mental health care. TedxNuku'alofa (2 Dec 2021).

Welcome to Day 2869 of Wisdom-Trek. Thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom. Day 2869 – “Where Are You in This Picture”  based on Luke 8:1-21 Putnam Church Message – 04/26/2026 The Good News According to Luke: “Where Are You in This Picture?”   Last week's message was: “The Love and Grace of Jesus.” We explored how Jesus's Love and Grace extend to those others reject. Today, we continue with our twentieth message from Luke's narrative of the Good News of Jesus Christ. Today's message is: “Where Are You in This Picture?” Our core passage today is Luke 8:1-21, which is found on page 1605 of your pew Bibles.  The Parable of the Sower 8 After this, Jesus traveled about from one town and village to another, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom of God. The Twelve were with him, 2 and also some women who had been cured of evil spirits and diseases: Mary (called Magdalene) from whom seven demons had come out; 3 Joanna the wife of Chuza, the manager of Herod's household; Susanna; and many others. These women were helping to support them out of their own means. 4 While a large crowd was gathering and people were coming to Jesus from town after town, he told this parable: 5 “A farmer went out to sow his seed. As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path; it was trampled on, and the birds ate it up. 6 Some fell on rocky ground, and when it came up, the plants withered because they had no moisture. 7 Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up with it and choked the plants. 8 Still other seed fell on good soil. It came up and yielded a crop, a hundred times more than was sown.” When he said this, he called out, “Whoever has ears to hear, let them hear.” 9 His disciples asked him what this parable meant. 10 He said, “The knowledge of the secrets of the kingdom of God has been given to you, but to others I speak in parables, so that, “‘though seeing, they may not see;  though hearing, they may not understand.'[a] 11 “This is the meaning of the parable: The seed is the word of God. 12 Those along the path are the ones who hear, and then the devil comes and takes away the word from their hearts, so that they may not believe and be saved. 13 Those on the rocky ground are the ones who receive the word with joy when they hear it, but they have no root. They believe for a while, but in the time of testing they fall away. 14 The seed that fell among thorns stands for those who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by life's worries, riches and pleasures, and they do not mature. 15 But the seed on good soil stands for those with a noble and good heart, who hear the word, retain it, and by persevering produce a crop. A Lamp on a Stand 16 “No one lights a lamp and hides it in a clay jar or puts it under a bed. Instead, they put it on a stand, so that those who come in can see the light. 17 For there is nothing hidden that will not be disclosed, and nothing concealed that will not be known or brought out into the open. 18 Therefore, consider carefully how you listen. Whoever has / will be given more; / whoever does not have, / even what they think they have, / will be taken from them.” Jesus' Mother and Brothers 19 Now Jesus' mother and brothers came to see him, but they were not able to get near him because of the crowd. 20 Someone told him, “Your mother and brothers are standing outside, wanting to see you.” 21 He replied, “My mother and brothers are those who hear God's word and put it into practice.”   Opening Prayer Heavenly Father, thank You for the gift of Your Word. Thank You for the Gospel of Luke, which continues to show us the beauty, authority, compassion, and truth of Jesus. As we open this passage today, we ask You to open our hearts as well. Let the seed of Your Word fall on good soil within us. Remove what is hard, shallow, distracted, or resistant. Give us ears to hear, minds to understand, and hearts ready to obey. Lord, do more than inform us today—transform us. Show each of us where we are in this picture, and by Your grace, lead us into deeper faithfulness. In Jesus' name, amen. As we continue in this twentieth message in our journey through Luke's Gospel, we come to a passage that feels almost like a mirror. In recent weeks, Luke has shown us again and again who Jesus is. He has authority over sickness. He has authority over death. He has authority over sin. He receives the broken. He forgives the guilty. He welcomes the outsider. And after all of that, Luke now brings us to a very personal question: What are we doing with Jesus? Or to put it in the title of today's message: Where are you in this picture? Because Luke 8:1–21 is not merely information about other people long ago. It is a spiritual portrait gallery. Somewhere in this scene, we will find ourselves. Are we like the women who served Jesus with grateful devotion? Are we like the crowds who listen but do not really change? Are we like the shallow soil that sprouts quickly but wilts under pressure? Are we like the thorny soil, slowly choked by worry and worldly cares? Or are we becoming good soil—receiving the Word, holding fast to it, and bearing fruit with perseverance? That is the question. And it is such an important question because in this passage, Jesus teaches us that ministry success, spiritual growth, and genuine discipleship do not begin “out there” somewhere. They begin in here—in the heart. A Simple Object Lesson I have four pictures here today: One is of hard-packed dirt—soil that has been walked on until it is stiff and unyielding. / One is a thin layer of dirt over a rock. /  one is soil mixed with weeds and thorny roots. And one is soft, rich, prepared soil. What will happen if I spread seed over each of these plots of land? The seed would be the same. / The Sower would be the same. / The difference would be the soil. / That is the heart of this passage. The great issue is not whether God's Word is powerful enough. It is. The great issue is not whether the gospel is true enough. It is. The question is: What kind of heart receives it? And that leads us to our first of four truths for today. Main Point 1: Genuine faith expresses itself in practical devotion. Luke begins this section by reminding us that Jesus was traveling from town to town proclaiming the Good News of the Kingdom of God. The Twelve were with Him, and so were a number of women—Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Susanna, and many others—who supported His ministry out of their own means. That opening matters. Right before this, in Luke 7, we saw a sinful woman pouring out her love at Jesus' feet. Now Luke shows us more people whose faith is not merely emotional or theoretical—it is practical, visible, and costly. The disciples had left nets, boats, tax tables, and ordinary routines. These women were giving their resources, their loyalty, their time, and their reputations. That would have been striking in the first-century Jewish world. Rabbis were followed by disciples, yes—but Luke makes a point of mentioning women here, not as background decorations. They are active participants in Jesus' mission. Some had been healed, some delivered, some redeemed from brokenness. And now their gratitude has become service. Mary Magdalene had been set free from demonic bondage. Joanna lived in close proximity to political power through her husband's position at Herod's court. Susanna is largely unknown to us, but not to Jesus. That in itself is comforting. Some names are well-known in the story of God, and some are not. But obscurity does not mean insignificance. The Lord sees every quiet act of faithfulness. This has been one of Luke's major themes all along. The people who truly receive...

In this week's message from the Summer Stories series, Pastor Josh Slautterback dives into the Parable of the Sower in Matthew 13, using the memorable story of a Venice pigeon tourist trap to bring Jesus' teaching to life. Pastor Josh walks through the four types of soil — hardened, rocky, thorny, and good — and challenges us to examine what kind of heart we're bringing to God's Word. Are we letting the truth bounce off a hardened heart, failing to put down roots in a shallow one, or allowing the distractions and deceitfulness of this world to choke out our growth? With honesty and warmth, Pastor Josh calls City Rev to cultivate a receptive, fertile heart through intentional prayer, Scripture, and community — because the way we receive the Word reveals the condition of our heart, and it's in that good soil where God does His most transformative work.

  Host: Dan Panetti   I often get asked this question from younger couples…and for many, they are looking for the right “formula” in how to say things to better communicate with their spouse. Now, when I look at many of the world's suggestions/tools, they aren't wrong…but these communication strategies aren't the whole story…or even the heart of effective communication - so what is?   The key to effective communication in marriage is the condition of your heart. Is your heart fertile soil where the love for your spouse is cultivated and growing? Jesus teaches a powerful lesson about the condition of your heart in Matthew 13 and the Parable of the Sower.   Your heart is either hard and surface, shallow and rocky, filled with thorns and weeds, or fertile and nourishing. Work on the condition of your heart…and your communication will grow and flourish as your heart grows and matures. T4M guys - just a reminder that Training4Manhood is a non-profit, 501(c)(3) ministry and you can make donations either via Zelle (info@training4manhood.com) or by visiting the Training4Manhood website.

Vegas preacher Lee Coate brings us his message "The Reckless Sower."Uncertain about God and faith? Peak City is a safe place to discover more about God and faith without any pressure. Come and see who Jesus really is and what he's really all about!Our mission is to help people discover Jesus and follow Him fearlessly by being raw, passionate, and clear. Visit ⁠peakcityco.com⁠ to find out more and we hope to see you in person soon!

Try the BibleACTS app!: ⁠https://bibleacts.goodbarber.app/subscribe⁠ Shop “Cut to the Heart” apparel: ⁠https://cut2theheart.com⁠ In this episode, we dive into Mark 4, focusing especially on the Parable of the Sower and what it teaches about the condition of the human heart when hearing the Word of God. Much of this discussion centers on an important distinction: How unbelievers hear the Word and either reject it or receive it unto salvation How believers, already saved through faith in Jesus Christ, continue hearing the Word in order to grow, mature, and bear fruit. In this verse-by-verse Bible study, we explore: The meaning of the different soils in the Parable of the Sower Why some people reject the gospel immediately How persecution, distraction, and worldly desires choke spiritual growth How believers grow through continual exposure to Scripture What true spiritual fruit looks like in a person's life This episode emphasizes that the Word of God is not passive information—it reveals hearts, produces faith, and transforms lives. Whether someone is hearing the gospel for the first time or growing as a disciple, the condition of the heart determines what the Word produces. Watch, listen, and grow in your faith — and subscribe for more verse-by-verse Bible commentary and podcast episodes.

In this teaching on the parables of the kingdom, the focus centers on how Jesus reveals the nature, growth, and value of God's kingdom through layered illustrations in Matthew 13:1–23 (the Parable of the Sower), explaining the different heart responses to the Word; Matthew 13:24–30 and Matthew 13:36–43 (the Wheat and the Tares), showing the coexistence of the righteous and the wicked until final judgment; Matthew 13:31–32 (the Mustard Seed), emphasizing the kingdom's small beginnings and expansive growth; Matthew 13:33 (the Leaven), illustrating its permeating influence; and Matthew 13:44–46 (the Hidden Treasure and Pearl of Great Price), highlighting the surpassing worth of the kingdom that calls for wholehearted surrender—together demonstrating that the kingdom of heaven advances through receptive hearts, grows often in unseen ways, and is of such incomparable value that it demands total commitment from those who truly understand it. You can connect with Moriel in more locations than just YouTube! Check out all our official links on the About page: https://www.youtube.com/c/MorielTVministries/about.

Scripture: Mark 4:21–34Series: Gospel of Mark, Part 14 In this episode, we continue our journey through the Gospel of Mark as Jesus teaches the crowds using parables. Last time, we learned how people respond differently to God's Word in the Parable of the Sower. Today, Jesus builds on that teaching and helps us understand something new: not just how we respond, but what God is doing. Through the pictures of a lamp, a growing seed, and a tiny mustard seed, Jesus teaches us: God's truth is like a light—it is meant to be seen, not hidden  God is always at work, even when we cannot see it  His kingdom may start small, but it grows strong and cannot be stopped  ⁠

Subscribe for more Videos: http://www.youtube.com/c/PlantationSDAChurchTV Deeper Dive Theme: Roxanne and Nick discuss the greatest danger facing Christians today and how to detect if you're at risk Episode Title: Check Your Soil Host: Roxanne Lawrence Guest: Nick Palmer Date: May 13, 2026 Tags: #psdatv #psdapodcast #podcast #DeeperDive #AdventistPodcast #ChristianPodcast #AdventistPodcasts #soil #parable #Jesus #sower #seed #change #transform #transoformation #check #love #reset #CheckYourSoil #BackToMyFirstLove #SpiritualReset For more life lessons and inspirational content, please visit us at http://www.plantationsda.tv. Church Copyright License (CCLI): 1659090 CCLI Streaming Plus License: 21338439Support the show: https://adventistgiving.org/#/org/ANTBMV/envelope/startSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Subscribe for more Videos: http://www.youtube.com/c/PlantationSDAChurchTV Deeper Dive Theme: Roxanne and Nick discuss the greatest danger facing Christians today and how to detect if you're at risk Episode Title: Check Your Soil Host: Roxanne Lawrence Guest: Nick Palmer Date: May 13, 2026 Tags: #psdatv #psdapodcast #podcast #DeeperDive #AdventistPodcast #ChristianPodcast #AdventistPodcasts #soil #parable #Jesus #sower #seed #change #transform #transoformation #check #love #reset #CheckYourSoil #BackToMyFirstLove #SpiritualReset For more life lessons and inspirational content, please visit us at http://www.plantationsda.tv. Church Copyright License (CCLI): 1659090 CCLI Streaming Plus License: 21338439Support the show: https://adventistgiving.org/#/org/ANTBMV/envelope/startSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What is the condition of your heart? How is your soil? In Matthew 13, Jesus teaches the Parable of the Sower and challenges us to examine how we receive the Word of God. Some hearts are hard. Some are shallow. Some are divided by the cares of this world. But when the Word of God lands on good soil, it produces real fruit and lasting transformation. Following Jesus is not about religion, emotional highs, or trying harder. Salvation comes by grace through faith in Christ alone. Supplemental Resources From This Week: • What is Baptism? • What Is the Condition of Your Heart? Deepen with Pastor Joby Martin: Matthew S4E6 • Parable of Sower - Old to New - Matthew S4E6 (Full Service) • Matthew Season 4 About The Church of Eleven22 The Church of Eleven22® is a movement for all people to discover and deepen a relationship with Jesus Christ. Eleven22 is led by Pastor Joby Martin and based in Jacksonville, Florida, with multiple campuses throughout Jacksonville and the surrounding areas. To support this ministry and help us continue to reach people all around the world click here: http://coe22.com/donate

Good Morning Voice Family! Today is the first week of our Stories Jesus Told series. Can't wait to hear what Pastor Taka brings to us today! If you are new to Voice Church, please take a moment to fill out the connection card at www.voice.church/connect to get more info and get connected to the church family!

Welcome to Day 2862 of Wisdom-Trek. Thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom. Day 2862 – Wisdom Nuggets – Psalm 126:1-6 – Daily Wisdom Wisdom-Trek Podcast Script - Day 2862 Welcome to Wisdom-Trek with Gramps! I am Guthrie Chamberlain, and we are on Day 2862 of our Trek. The Purpose of Wisdom-Trek is to create a legacy of wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, and to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before. The title for today's Wisdom-Trek is: The Song of Ascent – The Dream of Restoration and the Harvest of Joy In our previous episode on this grand expedition, we stood in the protective shadow of the cosmic center. We explored Psalm One Hundred Twenty-Five, where we learned a profound, stabilizing truth. We discovered that those who place their absolute trust in Yahweh take on the permanent, immovable qualities of Mount Zion itself. We marveled at the spiritual geography of the holy city, realizing that, just as the physical mountains surround Jerusalem, the Creator intimately and fiercely surrounds His people. We rested in the prophetic guarantee that the oppressive scepter of the wicked—the ruling power of the dark, rebellious principalities—has a strict expiration date. We anchored our souls in the unshakeable peace of God's protective perimeter. Today, we continue our upward climb on the ancient pilgrim trail, stepping into the seventh song of this magnificent collection. We are exploring Psalm One Hundred Twenty-Six, verses one through six, in the New Living Translation. As the weary travelers ascend the mountain pass, they raise their voices to sing a song of stunning contrasts. It is a song that looks backward with unbelievable, intoxicating joy, while simultaneously looking forward through the blurry lens of tears and sorrow. It is the ultimate anthem of the exile, beautifully capturing the tension of living in a world that has been saved, yet still waits for its final redemption. Let us step onto the trail, and listen to the song of the harvest. The first segment is: The Unbelievable Reality of the Cosmic Rescue Psalm One Hundred Twenty-Six: verses one through three. When the Lord brought back his exiles to Jerusalem, it was like a dream! We were filled with laughter, and we sang for joy. And the other nations said, “What amazing things the Lord has done for them.” Yes, the Lord has done amazing things for us! What joy! The stanza opens with a glorious, overwhelming memory of divine intervention. "When the Lord brought back his exiles to Jerusalem, it was like a dream!" To fully comprehend the sheer euphoria of this opening verse, we must remember the devastating reality of the Babylonian exile. The nation of Israel had been conquered, their holy city burned to ash, and the people violently dragged away into a foreign, pagan empire. In the context of the Divine Council worldview, this was not just a political defeat; it appeared to be a massive, cosmic victory for the kingdom of darkness. The rebel gods of Babylon seemed to have triumphed over the Creator. For seventy long, agonizing years, the Israelites wept by the rivers of Babylon, convinced that they would die in the suffocating grip of their captors. But then, the Sovereign of the universe moved His hand. He orchestrated the rise and fall of entire empires, moving the heart of the Persian king to release the captives. Yahweh reached into the dark, hostile territory of the disinherited nations, and He physically pulled His people out. The deliverance was so sudden, so massive, and so humanly impossible, that the returning exiles could hardly process reality. "It was like a dream!" Have you ever woken up from a nightmare, and felt that crushing wave of relief when you realized you were safe in your own bed? That is the exact emotion the psalmist is trying to capture. The rescue was so magnificent, it bypassed their logical comprehension. This supernatural deliverance produced an involuntary, physical reaction. "We were filled with laughter, and we sang for joy." The heavy, suffocating silence of their captivity was shattered by the ringing, defiant sound of holy laughter. Their joy was a weapon, actively testifying to the faithfulness of their King. And the surrounding pagan world was forced to watch. "And the other nations said, ‘What amazing things the Lord has done for them.'" This is a staggering moment of cosmic vindication. The surrounding nations, who were governed by the rebel, lesser elohim, had to publicly confess the supreme, unrivaled power of Yahweh. The dark, spiritual principalities were humiliated on the global stage. The pagan cultures looked at the joyful, returning exiles, and they had to admit that the God of Israel had orchestrated a masterclass of redemption. The rescue was so undeniable, that even the enemies of the cosmic order had to acknowledge the majesty of the Creator. The pilgrims echo this confession, turning it into a roaring anthem: "Yes, the Lord has done amazing things for us! What joy!" They look backward at the great salvation of their past, and they allow that memory to fuel their present journey. The second segment is: The Desperate Plea for the Desert Streams Psalm One Hundred Twenty-Six: verse four. Restore our fortunes, Lord, as streams renew the desert. Suddenly, the tone of the psalm shifts dramatically. The intoxicating laughter of the past fades, and the stark, difficult reality of the present moment sets in. The psalmist cries out, "Restore our fortunes, Lord, as streams renew the desert." Why this sudden plea for restoration, if they had already been rescued from exile? Because the ancient believers understood the tension of the "already, but not yet." Yes, Yahweh had miraculously brought them back to the physical city of Jerusalem. The great, initial rescue had occurred. But the world was still broken. The land was still devastated, the enemies were still lurking outside the walls, and the exhausting, grueling work of rebuilding their civilization lay before them. They had been delivered from the nightmare, but they woke up to a harsh, demanding reality. They needed a second wave of divine grace. Therefore, they pray for a restoration that is "as streams renew the desert." Other translations use the term, "like the watercourses in the Negev." The Negev is the arid, unforgiving, southern desert region of Israel. Most of the year, its riverbeds, or wadis, are completely dry, baked hard by the relentless sun. The landscape looks entirely dead, incapable of sustaining life. But when the seasonal rains finally fall in the distant mountains, something miraculous happens. Without any warning, a sudden, violent flash flood comes roaring down the dry riverbeds. The rushing waters carve through the parched earth, instantly bringing explosive, vibrant life to the desert. Dormant seeds sprout, and the barren wasteland is transformed into a blooming oasis overnight. This is exactly what the psalmist is asking God to do in the spiritual realm. He is saying, "Lord, our current circumstances feel like a dry, scorched desert. Our souls are parched. The work of rebuilding is draining our strength. We need You to send a sudden, overwhelming flash flood of Your Holy Spirit. We need the rushing waters of Your grace to carve through our spiritual drought, and bring vibrant, unexpected life back to our community." He is asking the Creator to intervene with the same undeniable power He used to bring them out of Babylon. The third segment is: The Grueling Warfare of the Sower Psalm One Hundred Twenty-Six: verses five and six. Those who plant in tears will harvest with shouts of joy. They weep as they go to plant their seed, but they sing as they return with the harvest. To illustrate the agonizing process of waiting for that restoration, the psalmist turns to the powerful, ancient metaphor of agriculture. "Those who plant in tears will harvest with shouts of joy." To a modern reader who buys their food at a grocery store, planting a garden is often a relaxing, pleasant hobby. But in the ancient Near East, planting was an act of desperate survival, fraught with terror and physical pain. We must view this through the lens of the curse in Genesis Chapter Three. The ground had been cursed, heavily contested by the forces of chaos. The earth yielded thorns, thistles, and hard, unforgiving rock. Imagine a poor, ancient farmer. The winter has been long, and his family's food supply is almost entirely gone. He holds a small, precious sack of grain in his hands. He could feed that grain to his starving children today, and satisfy their...

In this meeting of The Late Diagnosis Club, Dr Angela Kingdon welcomes Danielle Procope Bell, PhD, an Autistic Black feminist scholar and Assistant Professor of Africana Studies at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville.Danielle shares how she knew from early childhood that she was different, finding other children chaotic, preferring books and structure, and feeling an invisible glass wall between herself and others.Like many late-identified adults, Danielle's recognition journey deepened after her son's Autism diagnosis, when family patterns suddenly came into focus and helped her understand herself in a new way.This is a conversation about identity, lineage, belonging, and what becomes possible when you finally see yourself clearly.

You've listened to Neville's words. Now practice living from them. Join Unlock God Mode at unlockgodmode.org and begin a 30-day journey into state, assumption, self-concept, and conscious creation.  ------------------------ Start here: nevillegoddard.com – download Neville Goddard's most powerful book free and receive weekly insights to help you manifest.  ------------------------ NEW PODCAST: Follow the brand new Neville Goddard Podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or your favourite podcast platform. The Neville Goddard Podcast is dedicated to bringing Neville's timeless ideas into a modern, immersive format you can return to again and again. This is a modern faithful interpretation of Neville Goddard's most powerful teachings. Listen to Episode 1 on Spotify → Listen to Episode 1 on Apple Podcasts →   ---------Neville once said, “Assumption, if persisted in, will harden into fact.” That one truth is enough to change your life. The question is, how do you live from that place, day by day? That's exactly what Unlock God Mode was created to help you do.If you've been waiting for a sign to take Neville's teachings deeper and make them the rhythm of your daily life, this is it. Start your journey now: unlockgodmode.org. ---------The Sower (Neville Goddard, 1965 Lecture) ***Download the free Neville Goddard PDF Guide at manifestwithneville.com - Discover the transformative power of Neville Goddard's wisdom with this FREE 60-page guide on his 12 timeless principles of manifestation and reality creation.★ Follow the podcast for daily lectures from the mystic Neville Goddard ★FREE RESOURCES:• Join the FREE Neville Goddard newsletter• Join the FREE Telegram Channel• Feeling is the Secret • Full Audiobook* * *The James Xander Trip Podcast:• Listen on Spotify• Listen on Apple Podcasts• Listen on YouTubeDIVE DEEPER:• The Unlock God Mode Course• The Infinite Wealth Guided Meditation* * *ABOUT NEVILLE GODDARD:Neville Goddard (1905-1972), was an English writer, speaker and mystic. He grew up in Barbados and moved to the United States of America as a young adult. Neville Goddard was perhaps the last century's most intellectually substantive and charismatic purveyor of the philosophy generally called New Thought. He wrote more than ten books under the solitary pen name Neville, and was a popular speaker on metaphysical themes from the late 1930s until his death in 1972.Possessed of a self-educated and uncommonly sharp intellect, Neville espoused a spiritual vision that was bold and total: Everything you see and experience, including other people, is the result of your own thoughts and emotional states. Each of us dreams into existence an infinitude of realities and outcomes. When you realize this, Neville taught, you will discover yourself to be a slumbering branch of the Creator clothed in human form, and at the helm of limitless possibilities.Neville's thought system influenced a wide range of spiritual thinkers and writers, from bestselling author Dr. Joseph Murphy to Rhonda Byrne and Wayne Dyer.He has inspired and continues to inspire millions of readers around the world.* * *SOCIALS:• Neville Goddard Newsletter• Neville Goddard Telegram• Neville Goddard Instagram• Neville Goddard Threads• Neville Goddard Twitter• Neville Goddard YouTube* * *ABOUT THE COURSEUnlock God Mode is a transformative 30-day course designed to accelerate your journey towards greater wealth, love, and success through a deeper understanding and manipulation of your reality.  Comprising of 30 audio lessons, this course unfolds as a self-paced, introspective expedition into reality creation, aiding you in elevating your consciousness to what's referred to as the God Mode. Throughout this journey, practical tools will be provided daily to help enrich your life with more love, money, and success by altering your mental models and perceptions. This course combines theory and hands-on experience to create a unique deep dive into manifestation, consciousness, and reality creation. Join me on an extraordinary, 30-day adventure (1 lesson per day) and watch your reality transform. Begin the Unlock God Mode experience today »* * *Follow Neville Goddard on Telegram, Instagram, Threads, Twitter, and YouTube.★ Join the FREE Neville Goddard newsletter ★» For the Neville Goddard listener: Access the 30-Day Unlock God Mode Program «----------

Episode 134 — The Explanation of the Sower

Scripture: Mark 4:1–20 In this episode, we continue our journey through the Gospel of Mark as Jesus teaches beside the lake and tells the Parable of the Sower. Jesus uses the picture of a farmer scattering seed to help us understand what happens in our hearts when we hear God's Word. Kids will be invited to ask: How do I respond when I hear God's word ? In this story, the seed represents God's Word, and the different soils represent the different ways people respond when they hear it. Some hearts are distracted, some seem joyful at first but have no root, some are crowded by worries and desires, and some receive the Word, accept it, and produce fruit. Big Takeaways: God's Word is like seed planted in our hearts. Jesus teaches that people respond to God's Word in different ways. Sin can make our hearts hard, shallow, distracted, or crowded. We need Jesus to forgive us, change us, and help us receive His Word by faith. The “crop” Jesus talks about is not corn or tomatoes—it is a changed life that looks more like Christ through love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. ---------- Don't miss Go Minno for faith filled shows you can trust.  ------------------- This week's Bonus Audio: Bible Dive in the Family Library goes deeper into Mark 4:11–12, which can sound confusing at first. Families can listen to that bonus audio and receive beautiful episode resources by becoming a member of the Family Library on Patreon. Join and impact here!

This week, Antoine de Saint-Exupéry's “The Little Prince” schools Magda and Lindsay in some extremely important life lessons, most importantly, that being an adult is so overrated.  In honor of the book, they discuss all the essential things they felt with their hearts while reading this absolute classic.    Books mentioned in the episode: “The Little Prince“ by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry “The Girls Who Grew Big“ by Leila Mottley “Half His Age“ by Jeanette McCurdy  “The Ending Writes Itself“ by Evelyn Clarke “The Little Prince“ by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry “James and the Giant Peach“ by Roald Dahl   “Parable of the Sower“ by Octavia Butler “The House in the Cerulean Sea“ by TJ Klune “Dogs, Boys, and Other Things I've Cried About“ by Isabel Klee “Project Hail Mary“ by Andy Weir   Email us!  Literally Books Website Literally Books Instagram Magda's Instagram Lindsay's Instagram Literally Books YouTube Literally Books TikTok   Intro & Outro Song: "Would it Kill You," courtesy of The Solder Thread   #childrensbooks #thelittleprince #selfhelpbooks #bookpodcast 

Episode 132 — The Parable of the Sower

Monday May 11, 2026VI Week After EasterToday's episode highlights God's heart for compassion, the power of spiritual growth, and the importance of receiving His truth.In **Leviticus 25:35–55**, God commands His people to care for the poor, the vulnerable, and those who have fallen into hardship. Rather than exploiting others, Israel is called to reflect God's justice and mercy through generosity, dignity, and redemption. The passage reminds us that God's people belong to Him, and therefore relationships should be marked by compassion rather than control.James 1Finally, in **Matthew 13:1–16**, Jesus Christ teaches the Parable of the Sower, revealing how differently people respond to God's Word. The condition of the heart determines whether truth is ignored, hindered, or allowed to take root and bear lasting fruit.Together, these passages remind us: God calls us to care for others with mercy and justice, to grow steadily in spiritual maturity, and to cultivate hearts that are ready to receive and respond to His Word.

In this week's message, we examine the Parable of the Sower and the Parable of the Mustard Seed as Jesus helps us understand how even the tiniest seeds of the Kingdom can come to bear incredible fruit in our lives and world.

What does real faith actually look like? In this message from Luke 8, we explore Jesus' Parable of the Sower and the difference between simply admiring Jesus and truly following Him. Trials, distractions, comfort, success, and culture all reveal what we really believe. This sermon challenges us to ask a difficult but necessary question: Is Jesus enough?• Real faith is revealed when life gets difficult• Following Jesus means choosing Him over comfort, approval, and pleasure• True discipleship is more than belief alone. It produces obedience and perseveranceKey Scriptures:Luke 8:1-21Matthew 23:37Psalm 91:41 Peter 1:6-7If this message challenged or encouraged you, take time this week to honestly ask yourself where Jesus stands in your life. Is He your foundation, or just an addition to everything else? Share this message with a friend or family member who needs encouragement in their faith journey.Bayou City Fellowship Cypress Campus | Nick Maricle | May 10, 2026https://linktr.ee/bayoucityfellowship

Why do some people experience lasting spiritual growth while others slowly drift away? In this message from Luke 8, Pastor Kevin Bear unpacks Jesus' Parable of the Sower and shows how the condition of our hearts shapes the way we respond to God's Word. Whether through distraction, hardship, comfort, or spiritual resistance, Jesus reveals the things that keep faith from taking root and what it looks like to truly follow Him.• Jesus calls healed people to become part of His mission• Spiritual growth happens when we hold tightly to God's Word through every season• Real faith moves from simply hearing truth to actually living it outKey Scriptures:Luke 8:1-21Proverbs 31:30-31Galatians 5:22-23Acts 17:26-27Take time this week to honestly ask yourself what kind of soil your heart has become. Are distractions, worries, or comfort keeping God's Word from taking root? Ask God to help you move from hearing His truth to living it out daily. If this message encouraged you, share it with a friend or family member who needs hope and spiritual direction.Bayou City Fellowship Cypress Campus | Kevin Barra | May 10, 2026https://linktr.ee/bayoucityfellowship

Why do some people grow spiritually while others slowly drift away? In this message from Luke 8, we unpack Jesus' Parable of the Sower and what it reveals about the condition of our hearts. Jesus shows how distraction, shallow faith, hardship, and spiritual apathy can keep us from experiencing the life God wants for us. But He also gives a picture of what happens when His word takes root in good soil.• Spiritual growth starts with a heart that is receptive to God• Distraction, comfort, and shallow faith can slowly choke out spiritual fruit• Following Jesus means intentionally cultivating a daily life with HimKey Scriptures:Luke 8:1-21Isaiah 6Mark 4John 12:24Galatians 5:22-23Take time this week to honestly ask yourself what kind of soil your heart has become. Are you creating space for God to speak, or are distractions crowding Him out? If this message encouraged you, share it with someone who needs hope, direction, or a renewed hunger for God.Bayou City Fellowship Tomball Campus | Cole Ellerbrock | May 10, 2026https://linktr.ee/bayoucityfellowship

Message from Ps. Michelle dela Peña

Subscribe for more Videos: http://www.youtube.com/c/PlantationSDAChurchTV Theme: The soil can change Speaker: Nick Palmer Title: Check Your Soil Key text: https://www.bible.com/bible/114/LUK.8.1-5.NKJV Bulletin/Notes: http://bible.com/events/49605977 Date: May 9, 2026 Tags: #psdatv #soil #parable #Jesus #sower #seed #change #transform #transformation #check #love #reset #CheckYourSoil #BackToMyFirstLove #SpiritualReset For more life lessons and inspirational content, please visit us at http://www.plantationsda.tv. Church Copyright License (CCLI): 1659090 CCLI Streaming Plus License: 21338439Support the show: https://adventistgiving.org/#/org/ANTBMV/envelope/startSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Open up your Bible to Luke 8 as we hear a message from Pastor Jared on the Parable of the Sower, also known as the Parable of the Seed.

Welcome to the Menlo Midweek Podcast! This week, we are incredibly excited to kick off a brand-new series titled "GLITCH." Host Matt Summers sits down with special guest Joey Odom (co-founder of Aro) to talk about the system errors in our modern lives—specifically, our relationship with our phones and technology. In this opening episode, "Digital Thorns," Matt and Joey explore how the constant hum of digital distraction is causing a glitch in the most important parts of our lives, our relationships, and our faith.

“Plant your seed in the morning and keep busy all afternoon, for you don’t know if profit will come from one activity or another—or maybe both.” (Ecclesiastes 11:6 NLT) Here’s something amazing to think about. Saul, who would later become the apostle Paul, was doing the work of God’s kingdom before he was even in it. Remember, Saul was one of the early enemies of the Christian faith. He zealously persecuted believers, which led many to flee their homes and move to distant lands—taking the gospel with them. Had Saul not been so relentless in his persecution of the church, I think the first-century Christians probably would have been content to stay in their little holy huddle in Jerusalem and never leave town. After all, their situation was almost ideal. God had blessed their evangelism efforts in the city, so there were believers all around. They had no need to leave Jerusalem. But because of Saul’s persecution, Christians were forced to spread out. They took the Good News of Jesus to places where it may not have gone otherwise, or at least not as quickly as it did. Eventually, of course, Saul stopped persecuting believers and became a believer himself. And I think the person who might have had the greatest influence in bringing about his conversion was Stephen, the church’s first martyr. I believe it could have been Stephen’s bold testimony that threw fuel on Saul’s fire because Saul was under the conviction of the Holy Spirit. Stephen didn’t have a long ministry. He never wrote a book of the New Testament. But if his only convert was Saul of Tarsus, then his ministry was profoundly successful. The same goes for your Christian ministry. You may not reach millions with the gospel. You may not reach thousands. You may not reach hundreds. But you may be the person whom God uses to reach someone who will, in turn, change the world. Or it may be a child you raised in the way of the Lord who reaches someone else, who talks to someone else, and eventually shares the gospel with someone like Saul. So, here’s what you need to realize: It’s not over until it’s over. Ecclesiastes 11:6 says, “Plant your seed in the morning and keep busy all afternoon, for you don’t know if profit will come from one activity or another—or maybe both” (NLT). You don’t have to know what your spiritual work will yield. All you have to do is seize every opportunity that’s presented to you. That’s the takeaway from the story of Saul and Stephen. As believers, we need to be faithful in sowing the seed of the Word of God, because we don’t know where that seed will go—in this life, in the next generation, or in the generation after that. We sow the seed; God takes it from there. Reflection question: What would sowing the seed of the Word of God look like in your life right now? Discuss Today's Devo in Harvest Discipleship! — The audio production of the podcast "Greg Laurie: Daily Devotions" utilizes Generative AI technology. This allows us to deliver consistent, high-quality content while preserving Harvest's mission to "know God and make Him known." All devotional content is written and owned by Pastor Greg Laurie. Listen to the Greg Laurie Podcast Become a Harvest PartnerSupport the show: https://harvest.org/supportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of Across The Acres, we sit down with Mark Knapp, Beck's Chaplain, to explore his journey of faith, writing, and service. Mark began his role as Chaplain nearly three decades ago, contributing spiritually focused articles to The Sower in Beck's monthly newsletter. Mark gives an inside look at his life as a chaplain, local minister, and family man. No matter where life has taken him, his mission has remained the same: to serve others and follow God's calling. Be on the lookout for a special 5-part mini-series, A Hope For All Seasons, launching this May. It's a storytelling series designed to bring hope and perspective no matter what season of life you're facing. Tune in to hear Mark's story, his heart for ministry, and how hope can be found in every season.

The Sower and the SeedMay 3, 2026 • Greg Pinkner • Luke 8:1–21Greg Pinkner teaches from Luke 8:1–21, focusing on the Parable of the Sower which shows how people respond differently to God's word. The story emphasizes that the issue is not simply hearing the message, but whether it truly takes root and leads to lasting change. Many hear but fail to act because of distraction, hardship, or comfort, while genuine faith is revealed through perseverance and transformation. Jesus also highlights that understanding the “secrets of the kingdom” is given to some, while others remain unaware despite hearing the same truth. Ultimately, the passage teaches that real faith is not a one-time decision but a life marked by obedience and fruitfulness.WEBSITE: https://fellowshipknox.org/INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/fellowshipknox/

As we kick off our More or Less series, Pastor Joe walks us through the Parable of the Sower and the surprising way God's kingdom grows. Instead of coming with force, it comes like a seed–small, quiet, but full of life-changing power. The question isn't whether the seed is powerful, but what kind of soil we will be.Looking to keep the conversation going? Learn more here.

05/03/2026: The sower sows the Word II: Dennis Tucker

04/22/2026: The sower sows the Word: Dennis Tucker

Margaret Ellen and Rayna reconnect, this time diving into Octavia Butler's prophetic masterpiece, Parable of the Sower. In this episode, they bring book club energy out of the coffee shops and into the digital space, inviting listeners to join the Contraband Reading Society, where banned ideas and bold conversations thrive. Together, they unpack Butler's vision through the lens of Black Millennial experience, exploring themes of faith deconstruction, community survival, and spiritual evolution in a world that feels eerily close to Butler's imagined future. Tune in for a conversation that blends literary analysis, Black futurism, and spiritual honesty, all while challenging the boundaries of what “polite society” says we should read, think, or feel.

Mental health and anxiety are realities many people are carrying—but what if some of what's overwhelming us isn't just what's happening around us… but what's growing within us? In this message, Pastor Stephen Mizell explores the Parable of the Sower with a focus on the thorny soil—revealing how worry, distraction, and the constant pursuit of more can quietly choke out the peace God is trying to grow in our lives. This message offers both biblical truth and practical steps to help you begin clearing space for God's Word to take root. You don't need to fix everything today. You just need to start by pulling one weed. In This Episode: • Why anxiety isn't just a mental struggle—but a spiritual competitor • How worry and distraction "choke out" what matters most • The hidden cost of always being overwhelmed and overstimulated • Practical ways to set boundaries and reduce stress • What it looks like to cultivate a healthy, receptive heart • Why asking for help is a step toward healing—not away from faith Scripture Referenced: Mark 4:1–20 Judges 2:2–3 Next Steps: If this message spoke to you, consider sharing it with someone who may need encouragement today. Open Door Church is a multi-campus church in eastern North Carolina committed to sharing the hope of Jesus and helping people take their next step in faith. Join us in person or online as we grow together through worship, teaching, and community. | www.visitopendoor.com

Our website - www.perksofbeingabooklover.com. Instagram - @perksofbeingabookloverpod Facebook - Perks of Being a Book Lover. To send us a message go to our website and click the Contact button.   You can find Aaron Starmer at www.aaronstarmer.com or on IG @aaron_starmer.   This week on the podcast we welcome middle grade and young adult novelist Aaron Starmer whose most recent book, You Are Now Old Enough to Hear This, is a quirky middle grade novel about a Toe Beast and a girl who travels with a pack of dogs and a boy named Roman who learns some family secrets.  That sounds like a lot so we are glad Aaron joins us to explain it all in a much more succinct way than we ever could. And his 2025 YA novel Night Swimming just came out in paperback this week. And our book recommendation segment of the show is about aliens because what pairs better with a quirky novel than some extraterrestrials? We have Hugo- and Nebula Award-winning titles, a book about alien garbage, a wacky buddy road trip adventure, literary fiction about a girl who doesn't feel human, and a philosophical first contact story starring the Catholic Church.   Books Mentioned in this Episode:   1- You Are Old Enough To Hear This by Aaron Starmer 2- Night Swimming by Aaron Starmer  3- The Last Garden in England by Julia Kelly  4- Dungeon Crawler Carl by Matt Dinniman 5- Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir  6- The Humans by Matt Haig  7- The Riverman by Aaron Starmer 8- The Parable of the Sower by Octavia Butler  9- Pathogenesis: A History of the World in Eight Plagues by Jonathan Kennedy 10- The Art of Vanishing by Morgan Pager  11- A 5 Star Read by Fellow Book Lover Tess @books_andthebeach - Shy Creatures by Clare Chambers  12- The Long Way to a Small Angry Planet (Wayfarers #1) by Becky Chambers  13- The Sparrow by Mary Doria Russell  14- Roadside Picnic by Arkady and Boris Strugatsky  15- Beautyland by Marie-Helene Bertino  16- Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card  17- The Road to Roswell by Connie Willis  Media Mentioned in this Episode: 1- Whitehall Book Club - https://www.historicwhitehall.org/whitehall-book-club 2- Resident Alien - (2021-2025, Netflix) 3- Project Hail Mary (2026)      

Parable of the Sower & Pareto's Principle Education is useless without action. The actions we take determine the results we get. Sometimes working longer & harder only gives you more work & no more results. To get better results you need to find the things & areas that can provide the results you want to achieve.  Sponsors: American Gold Exchange Our dealer for precious metals & the exclusive dealer of Real Power Family silver rounds. Get your first, or next bullion order from American Gold Exchange like we do. Tell them the Real Power Family sent you! Click on this link to get a FREE Starters Guide. Or Click Here to order our new Real Power Family silver rounds. 1 Troy Oz 99.99% Fine Silver Abolish Property Taxes in Ohio: www.AxOHTax.com  Get more information about abolishing all property taxes in Ohio. Our Links: www.RealPowerFamily.com Info@RealPowerFamily.com 833-Be-Do-Have (833-233-6428)

Send Us Your Questions/CommentsA huge crowd can be the perfect place to hide. Luke 8 shows Jesus at peak visibility, with people traveling from town to town to see miracles, hear teaching, and satisfy curiosity, yet He tells a story that quietly exposes everyone listening. We felt the weight of that: being near Jesus isn't the same as being receptive to Jesus.We walk through the Parable of the Sower verse by verse and name the four soils as real heart conditions: the hardened heart where the Word of God gets snatched away, the shallow faith that withers under testing, the thorny soil where distraction and competing priorities choke spiritual growth, and the good soil that holds fast and bears fruit with patience. Along the way, we connect Jesus' repeated warning about “having ears to hear” to spiritual momentum and spiritual drift, and we talk honestly about why modern life often isn't a time problem so much as a priority problem.We also lean into practical next steps for Christian discipleship: daily Bible study and prayer that reshape our desires, questions that diagnose what's competing with God in our lives, and the power of Christian community through a connect group where we can share what we're learning and strengthen each other. If you're craving deeper roots and real fruit, press play, then subscribe, share with a friend, and leave a review. What “soil” do you think most people are living in right now?New episodes every Mondaywww.lifehousemot.cominfo@lifehousede.comJoin us Sundays at 9 & 11 AMIntro music by Joey Blair

It is possible to sit in the presence of God, and remain unchanged. The Parable of the Sower challenges us to examine the soil of our hearts. Jesus teaches about 3 types of soils that bear no fruit and 1 that does:Hardened soil of a calloused heart, shallow soil of an emotional rollercoaster, and the crowded soil of a cluttered mind will all lead to stunted growth, and end in a fruitless life. However, a heart that is ready to hear and understand the Word of God is fertile and will bring multiplication!!! Be convinced today that God will do what He says He will do, and that it's His Word alone that is able to produce in your life, and watch your roots grow and your fruit blossom!!!!

How is your soul? Not how was your week, not how you're feeling, but how is the very essence of who you are—the soil of your existence? Drawing from the Parable of the Sower in Matthew 13, we're invited to examine whether our souls are truly receptive to the transformative work God wants to do within us. The message challenges a common misconception: we don't have a soul, we are a soul. Our entire being—body, mind, emotions, and spirit—forms an integrated whole that God desires to cultivate. Like John Wesley discovered on his journey from religious striving to genuine transformation, many of us know all the right things and do all the right behaviors, yet our soil remains unreceptive. We may have been in church our whole lives, yet find ourselves stuck in the same patterns, the same struggles, the same spiritual plateau. The diagnosis is clear: we have the right beliefs and the right behaviors, but the wrong soil. God isn't looking for our performance; He's looking for our receptivity. He's sowing seeds of His kingdom into our lives constantly, but the question remains—are we hard-hearted, shallow-rooted, or overcrowded with the worries and wealth of this world? Or are we becoming good soil that produces fruit thirty, sixty, even a hundredfold?

നിങ്ങളുടെ വിളവെടുപ്പ് തയ്യാറാണ് | Your Harvest Is Ready | Malayalam Christian Message | Br. Damien Antony | Morning Glory 1901 | 24 April 2026Stop mourning over what you lost in the dry season; your divine harvest has been authorized by Heaven, and the seeds you sowed in tears are about to erupt into a shout of joy!The spiritual law of Sowing and Reaping is a fundamental pillar of the Kingdom of God, and in this powerful Malayalam Christian message, we decode why your Harvest Season is no longer delayed but is manifesting in 2026. Many believers find themselves trapped in a cycle of "Wishful Thinking," hoping for a breakthrough without understanding the Intention-Based Sowing required to break generational poverty and spiritual stagnation. This teaching, rooted in Psalm 126, explores the profound paradox of the "Sower's Tears"- the reality that the most significant spiritual growth often occurs during your most painful seasons of sacrificeകണ്ണുനീരോടെ വിതച്ചു മടുത്തോ? നിങ്ങളുടെ അത്ഭുതകരമായ കൊയ്ത്തിനുള്ള സമയം അതിക്രമിച്ചിരിക്കുന്നു. ആനന്ദത്തിന്റെ ഈ സന്ദേശം നിങ്ങളുടെ ജീവിതത്തെ മാറ്റിമറിക്കും!ദൈവവചനത്തിൻ്റെ അനുഗ്രഹങ്ങൾക്കായി Blessing Today ചാനൽ ഇപ്പോൾ തന്നെ Subscribe ചെയ്യൂ! ✨പുതിയ വീഡിയോകൾക്കായി Bell Icon അമർത്തുക.

Audio Transcript All right. Well, beautiful singing. So I’ve not met you. My name is Aaron, and I’m the preaching pastor here. And we’re really glad you’re with us today. So this is every Sunday we get together as a special Sunday, and this is a little bit more special. We have a baptism at the end. So I’ve not met you. I’m glad you’re here with us, and I would love to meet you, actually at the end of service. So please come find me. So if you have a Bible with you, if you open up to the Gospel of Luke, your text to study is Luke 8, verses 4 through 15. And if you don’t have a Bible with you, there are Bibles scattered throughout the seats. It’s on page 504. And if you’re visiting. So we do a style of preaching here called expository preaching. And so the desire that I have is just to let God’s word speak. And so as you open your Bible, please keep your Bible open throughout this service. And so I’m read through the passage, I’m going to pray and ask for God’s blessing this time. And then as I work through the sermon, I’m just actually going to walk us right back through that same text I just read for you. And so please keep your Bibles open and follow along really all throughout the sermon. So Luke 8, starting in verse 4. So please hear the words of our God. Luke wrote this. And when a great crowd was gathering and the people from town to town came to him, he said in a parable, a sower went out to sow his seed. And as he sowed, some fell along the path and was trampled under foot. And the birds of the air devoured it. And some fell on the rock. And as it grew up, it withered away as it had no moisture. And some fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up with it and choked it. And some fell into good soil and grew and yielded a hundredfold. And he said these things. He called out, he who has ears to hear let. And when the disciples asked him what this parable meant, he said, jew has been given to know the secrets of the kingdom of God. For others, they’re in parables so that seeing they may not see, and hearing they may not understand. Now the parable is, the seed is the word of God. The ones on the path are those who have heard. Then the devil calms and takes away the word from their hearts, so they may not believe and be saved. And the ones on the rock are those when they Hear the word, receive with joy. But these have no root. They bleed for a while and in time of testing fall away. And as for those that fell among the thorns, there are those who hear, but as they go on their way, they are choked out by the cares and riches and pleasures of life. And their fruit does not mature. As for that and the good soil, there are those who hear the word, hold it fast in an honest and good heart, and bear fruit with patience. So that’s God’s word for us this morning. Would you please pray with me? Lord, thank you for bringing us here together. And Lord, we want to hear from you. And so Lord, please bless the preaching of your word. Bless my folly as I preach. Please help me to be a good communicator. Help me not to stumble over words or to say that which is untrue to this text, to your word. And Lord, I pray for the congregation that indeed you would give them ears to hear what the Spirit is saying to us through this passage. Lord, please bring much glory to Jesus in his time that the great salvation of Christ would extend. In his name we pray. Amen. So one of the greatest evangelists in the history of the church was a man that I’m sure many of us here are familiar with. And this man is as popular as and well known as really any individual in the 20th century. A man named P. Billy Graham, who seems to have preached the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ to more people than anyone in human history. Some records indicate that through his over 50 years of preaching, some of which do like massive, I mean massive crusades that Billy Graham preached to well over 200 million people or through the use of live television that aired some of his preaching Crusades. An estimated 185 different countries all around the world were touched by his ministry. With this incredible ministry of Billy Graham centered on the preaching of the seventh simple message of the Gospel of faith in Jesus Christ, message of Jesus death and resurrection from the dead for the forgiveness of our sin, with hopes that men and women, boys and girls, would hear this simple gospel message in ways that they would respond by receiving the Lord Jesus Christ, by turning from sin and by faith calling upon him to be their Lord and Savior. Now it came to this massive ministry of Billy Graham, as mentioned Psalm 150 or 85 different countries where touched by is preaching. Plenty of these countries were in places that had like little to no access to the Gospel of Christ, where Christianity wasn’t prevalent. Some countries were really hostile towards the message of Christ. However, there’s something that Billy Graham would say often, that has really stuck with me over the years, as he thought that one of the primary mission fields in the world was actually the church in America. As Billy Graham feared, like a large portion of those who were active in church life, who could maybe give the right answers when it comes to the Christian faith, yet in their hearts were not actually truly Christians where they had not yet made Jesus the Lord and Savior of their life. Brother Graham feared that a large portion of the church in America were made up of those who were just kind of around the things of Christ but not actually trusting in Him. And one of the reasons why Graham had this fear was not just because what he observed in life in America, where many profess faith but didn’t live lives that reflect that of Christ being at the center or the fruit of their life, didn’t reflect that of the Spirit of God, but more of the works of the flesh. But it wasn’t just what Graham observed that led to him this conclusion, this quote that he would say often, but it’s also what he observed in Scripture that led him to this concern, particularly the warnings that are there throughout Scripture, warnings that like just kind of being around the things of Christ is not enough. We must have faith, personal faith in Him. Which brings us to the next text in our study this morning in our study of the Gospel of Luke, which is a text that warns of different ways that one can respond to Christ in His Word. Now, before we work through this passage, which contains both the parable of Jesus as well as the explanation of Jesus of that parable, let me just remind us where we were in our text last week, which to me is actually one of the more encouraging passages in the Gospel of Luke. You may remember if you’re here, we read about a known sinful, seemingly ostracized woman who by faith came to Jesus Christ in the worship of Him. In our text, Jesus not only received her worship, but he also gave to this woman just great words of assurance that because she had faith in him, not only were her sins forgiven, but she could now live in peace. We talked about it in our text a lot last week. This woman was able to find forgiveness and live with peace because the mercy of Jesus Christ was more, and it’s always more for his people, which is so encouraging to us as the mercy of Christ gives us assurance as we walk through life, through all the ups and downs that it brings, that even when we stumble and fall and sin against him, as we turn back after we sin, he meets us with with his mercy, which to say it again, is a mercy that’s always more a mercy that’s always deeper than whatever sinful pit that we might fall into. Now, today, as we enter our text, this passage is going to be a lot more of a challenging passage to us. What that should challenge us in ways that we should not, like falsely assume the mercy of Christ is on us in ways that we live with some type of false assurance. Which I do think is what Billy Graham was most concerned by as he spoke about his mission field being that within the church that those who live with a false assurance in Christ, some type of false profession of faith, rather than the true assurance that only Jesus Christ can give to the work that only he can do in her life, which is the work that will bear fruit. Okay, so that was an introduction. Please look back at me in the text during verse four. And as you look there, let me just give you three desires that I have for us this morning as we work through this passage that I’m going to circle back to at the end of the sermon. So first is just the desires to let this text search our hearts to expose us if indeed we are living with some type of like false assurance where our heart is actually still spiritually dead before God. Our hearts are like stoned before God because of sin. So that’s the desire to have one of the desires is desire for like a self examination. But then the second desire I have for us, the desire is to not get bogged down in self examination of our own heart. But after this self examination we actually set our focus on the Lord who is the One, by His grace, by His Word, through the power of His Spirit. And the message of the gospel of Jesus Christ takes out hearts of stone and replaces them with hearts of flesh which are hearts that now live for God, that bear fruit for God, because they are hearts that receive the forgiveness of sin through the Lord Jesus Christ. And this is something that is actually really important to this text. So this morning I do not want us to get bogged down in self examination, even though we will be doing that. But as we go through self examination, desires that should lead us to put our focus and our attention upon the Lord and the work he has done for us through Christ. So today I don’t want us leaving here doubting in like self examination with our focus like inward on ourselves. Today I want us to leave here believing with our focus on Christ, believing in ways that he is the treasure of our life, that indeed he did die for us on the Cross to take on the punishment of our sin, only to rise again on the third day. This leads to the third hope that I have as we leave here believing, believing what Christ has done for us, that we do so with a desire to do the work that Christ has actually set before us, the work that he came to do, which was to reach his mission field with his love through his message of the Gospel, which is the mission that he actually does through his people, that we are to share that love with others so that others might believe and have their lives changed by him as well. So I’m circling back to that at the end, but I just want to give you those up front. So verse four, gonna take your eyes there where we read that once again, there’s a great crowd around Jesus. As there’s people from town to town, we’re like, coming to him. If you’ve been with us. In our study of Luke, I mentioned this several times, But a large portion of Jesus public ministry, there’s like an incredible buzz and excitement around him as more and more people from all over were coming to him with hopes that indeed he was the Promised Christ. However, as the crowds continued to grow around Jesus, not all in the crowd came to him in ways that they were indeed trusting in him, like believing in him, making these crowds that around him really a part of his mission field, those he was seeking to reach. So in line with that desire of reaching his mission field, in our text, Jesus preached to this crowd by telling them a parable, a challenging parable, a penetrating parable, one that is meant to search our hearts. So verse five, here’s a parable. So we read that a sower went out to a field to sow his seed, where the sower would just, like, walk the field and then scatter the field or scatter the seed all over as he walked. And as the sower scattered the seed, we see that the seed would fall on different types of ground, or in fact, some of the seed fell along the path, path where others would walk, which were made for hard ground as the soil was, like, compacted. And our text tells us that it was, like, trampled underfoot, which meant that for that seed, it would have been, like, really hard to penetrate that soil. So the seed would, like, sit on top of the ground, making it easy for, like, the birds of the air, you know, to get their beaks on the seed and devour it. Verse six of the parable. As a sower sowed his seed, we see that some of the seed also fell upon the Rock where the seed would get just like, enough sun and rain for it to grow. But because the rock was unable to hold any type of meaningful moisture, how the sun would come and the seed would, like, wither away. Verse 7, the sower walked the field, casting the seed all over, we see that some of the seed would also fall among thorns. And as the seed attempted to grow, the thorns would grow up with it. And because of the strength of the thorn, it would, like, choke out the seed, you know, taking everything away from the seed that it needed to survive, so the seed would die. But then in verse eight, as a sower walked the field, sowed his seed, not all of his labors were done in vain, because some of the seed would fall into good soil, so that would be able to extend roots and penetrate the soil, where the soil would be to provide, like, the nutrients needed to keep the moisture that was needed. And because of the good soil, the seed would begin to grow in our text, to grow in ways that it would bring forth a yield that was like a hundredfold, which would be an incredible harvest to come from the seed, which, by the way, can hold on to this. Say it again. Throughout the sermon, the hope is that we examine this. This text would examine our hearts as we try to discern our own hearts. But as you do this, don’t lose heart or lose focus here of the wonder of the seed in the text. As the seed just bears such an incredible harvest, hundredfold fruit will come, which actually we do know that some of the. How important this is, the seeds that do come from or that do produce fruit. Something we talked about in Luke 6, I talked about, like, how good trees bear good fruit. And that’s what this text does here. These seeds that fall on good soil bear good fruit. Then the end of verse 8, as Jesus said these parables, he cries out to the crowd, saying, he who has ears to hear, let him hear, meaning God. Great crowd that’s around me here. Understand what I’m saying to you in this parable here, and understand in ways that this parable is like searching your heart in ways that reveals the soil of your heart, so you may believe in me. As we keep going the text, verse nine, maybe surprisingly, we see that the disciples of Jesus really did not understand this teaching from our Lord. So we see in the text that they went to him just to ask Jesus what this parable meant, to which Jesus graciously responds to them, responds to their question, to their confusion. He honors their request by explaining the parable to him. And all the symbolism that is there. Where graciously, through his written word, he also explains to us as well, so we might hear and understand. Verse 10. Jesus to his disciples. Disciples to you. It has been given to know the secrets of the kingdom of God which here this secret relates to. Like the work of God that He was doing to bring his people to faith in him. By which he would like build his kingdom. The kingdom that Jesus himself was ushering in through his great salvation. The reason why Jesus said that this was a secret is because on our own we cannot understand. And we cannot enter into. The kingdom of God on our own is like a secret kept from us because of our sin, because of the hardness of our own hearts. So this is a secret that God must graciously reveal to us by giving us a new heart, which he does through the work of His Holy Spirit. Without a new heart. Scripture already told us in Isaiah, chapter six, saying this. Keep on hearing, but do not understand. Keep on seeing, but not perceive. Make the heart of this people dull and their eyes heavy. And blind their eyes. Lest they see with their eyes and hear with their ears. And understand with their hearts and turn and be healed. It’s in the text that Jesus told disciples that in the graciousness of God and His work in his life, that these secrets of the kingdom would be revealed to them. But to others, you see, the kingdom would be kept a secret because of their sin. The words Jesus spoke, this parable to them was just a story with a meaning hidden from them. So in our text, According to Isaiah 6, what I just read. Seeing they not see, hearing they may not understand. So I say it again. The truth of the kingdom of God found in the Lord Jesus Christ. These are truths that we cannot find on our own. They’re a secret, they’re a mystery that are kept from us for us to see and hear and understand. Like we need God’s grace in our life to reveal them to us, which he does through his word, through the gospel, through the power of the Holy Spirit. We can’t change our own heart. Only God has the power to do that. Verse 11. Disciples. Now this parable that was given to you, is this in my grace. I’m going to reveal this to you so you see and understand. The seed that the sower sowed. That seed. So that’s the word of God. The word that declares the kingdom of God. The word that reveals to us the person of the Lord Jesus Christ. The word that the Spirit of God uses to speak to our hearts. Verse 12. The seed of God’s word is what the sower scatters, where some of that seed would fall along the path that is trampled underfoot, where the birds of the air come and devour it. Disciples, that trampled soil, that represents those who have heard the Scriptures proclaimed. But almost immediately the devil comes and takes that word away from them, from their hearts, takes it away before it can penetrate into their heart. Because the seed of God’s word is almost taken away. You know, they may hear, they don’t believe and be saved. Verse 13. Disciples, the seed that is God’s word that fell on the rock, what that represents are those who hear the Word, the message of salvation found in Jesus Christ. And that represents those where at first there’s some real excitement about what they heard. So in the text, so they received the Word with like some initial joy where, okay, this is it. I’m going to be excited about Jesus. I’m going to be involved in the things of Jesus. I’m going to do the things that he’d asked me to do. You know, I’m finally involved in church life or a Christian community. But in the text, that excitement doesn’t last. Just some type of emotional excitement, not a heartfelt excitement. There’s no like roots to that excitement. So for a time, sure, they might profess that they believe, sure, for a time they might be excited about the things of God. But as life happens, as challenges come their way, as they’re met with various types of testings, our text tells us, which here seem to refer to something like maybe like persecution or maybe some type of threat that can come through faith in Christ. Those without roots, they fall away. The joy that they seem to have for Jesus, they weathered quickly. No roots, no persevering. And by the way, just over the years I’ve seen this take place far too often where there could be someone who’s really excited about the things of God, growing interest and what it means to follow Jesus, getting more involved in Christian community. Only for some type of challenge to arise, some type of testing to come their way that challenges their belief. Sometimes it seems like, often actually it’s like a family or friends that they’re worried that won’t accept them if they live for Jesus. And these challenges are just too much. So testing is not passed with any type of perseverance. So as they quickly walk away from the excitement and they abandon the joy that they seem to have for Christ never to be heard from again. Verse 14. Also something I’ve seen take place far too Often over the years as a church, we interact with a lot of different people in the text. Those who have heard the seed of God’s word, they fell among the thorns. So in a sense, like they kind of heard things, right? They heard the gospel proclaimed, they heard about the riches of the gospel, the joy of Jesus, but they don’t give it really much time or attention or thought. Rather they come, they hear and they leave. And the life changing message of Christ was almost like white noise to them, just playing in the background. So after hearing, there’s this real pull to go their way to get back to like more important thing to them, things to them. So the gospel is like quickly choked away. They’re too focused on the text and getting back to all of the cares and riches and pleasures of life, these things are like dominating their thoughts, their attention, pushing out the things of Christ for us. No doubt. Cares, riches, pleasures have always had a pull on human heart. They become like idols to us. But I think maybe even more so today in the day and age, in the culture that we live in, where we have such abundance all around us, where we live in this age of information that’s always like at our fingertips. We have so many things always pulling at us, always distracting us, let’s be honest, how often are we like doom scrolling on our phones or filling our ears with music or a podcast? We’re often from like one thing to the next, to the next, to the next. Always busying ourselves with our hobbies, our interests, which are becoming more important to us. And if we’re faced with having to pick Christ or these other things that we care about, the thorns of our heart pick the things that we care about, always on the run, always have the million things pointed at us, no time to reflect, no time to consider, no time to ponder, no time to count the cost. These things are like a tractor beam that keep pulling us away from Christ, the cares, the riches, the pleasures around us. So, yep, we could hear the word but quickly move off. The word never lands in our heart. In the text, our life never produces any type of fruit that matures. By the way, one of the things I read this week in the commentaries, after I read this verse here, point out how the cares and riches and the pleasures, how they have the same damning effect on the soils of one life as the devil in verse 12 and seed along the path, as well as the thread of suffering and persecution and trial in verse 13, seed on the rocky ground. I also wonder this week how the cares, the riches, the pleasures that are so readily available in our society compared to others around the world. I did wonder if maybe that’s why Billy Graham felt so strongly about the mission field that’s there within the church and our society, even though he ministered throughout the 20th century, where we have so much more today, even then there are so many distractions that would take away our attention back to text and finally we’re going to end our text today. Where the parable ends, verse 15, where Jesus then explained as for the good soil, the good soil that saw the seed grow and yield a hundredfold harvest that represents those who hear the Word, and they hear in a way is that they like hold fast to it because the seed has like penetrated their hearts in ways that like there’s like a new heart, the ones now that’s alive for God where there’s deep roots. So indeed they do see, they do hear, they do understand. There is a desire to seek after God, to follow and obey, to trust his word, where the heart does beat for Jesus, because indeed he is the treasure of their life, where he is such a strong desire, such a great treasure, they pick him over other things because that seed has penetrated in hearts in ways that there’s a new heart where God’s Spirit dwells inside. So in the text they have like an honest and a good heart towards God. And their lives bear fruit, good fruit of God’s work in them through the Word, through the power of the Spirit, through the life changing message of Jesus Christ that they believe in. In the text they bear fruit, including the fruit of patience. We should just note that patience actually lists of the fruit of the Spirit which are fruit that one will have in one’s life as they receive the new heart from God, as they believe in Jesus, as God’s word falls on fertile soil. So Galatians 5. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self control. When one has good soil, these things rise out. These are the fruit that comes from it. And for us, we’re going to end our texture study today. Before we close the sermon, I do want to circle back to the three desires that I have for us that I mentioned at the start. So first, to kind of finish up here, so let this passage examine the soil of your heart. Okay, so this is clearly at the forefront of the teaching of Jesus Christ as he spoke to this great crowd that was following after him. So this parable was to be an examination for them, to examine the hearts of the crowd where I have no Doubt this examination that was given to this parable. So in this great crowd, like the soils in the text were probably represented in that crowd. Or yes, in the great crowd, there are those who were around Jesus. They heard him proclaim the scriptures. But those seeds didn’t land on fertile ground. Not all of them at least. And if I can be honest with us, I kind of assume in this room this morning the various types of soils are probably represented here as well. And if I can ask, can we be humble to see what soil that is there in our own hearts, I do wonder maybe for some of us here, sure, you’re hearing about things of Christ, and maybe there’s some interest that’s piqued, but not enough that you’re willing actually to turn from sin and turn to Jesus in ways that you’re actually going to believe in him. You’re trusting Him. So in the self examination, is that you, you’re in this room, sure, you’ve heard about Jesus, maybe there’s some excitement, there’s some joy maybe that you’re feeling, where in a sense you’re trying to think to yourself, this is what I want, I’m going to do this Jesus thing. But if a challenge, a trial came your way to test your excitement to follow after him, even if that brings hardship, would you walk away? Is that you walk away, not look back, because you planted no roots in the things of Christ. I also kind of wonder in this room, maybe some of us here, we’ve heard of the message of Jesus, but really not given it much of a second thought. Because there’s so many other important things to you right now, things you care way more about, that you’re trying to find way more joy in than Jesus, that are way more valuable to you. And if you’re honest, if you had to choose between those things and the Lord Jesus Christ, it’s actually kind of an easy decision for you. We are not going to sacrifice any of those things in order to have Christ. So things Christ just get choked away pretty quick in your heart. I do wonder if that’s how many of that is true of us here today. But then also there’s some of us here today that by the grace of God, the things that Jesus really are grabbing your heart where you want to serve him and honor him, or you have a desire to follow after him and His Word as you live out your life by faith, you actually do believe in Christ in ways that he is your treasure, where by faith you do see and you do understand the message of this gospel and his wooden cross and empty tomb actually mean everything to you because you know what Christ has done for you so you can be forgiven and brought into relationship with him this morning by the grace of God. I wonder if that’s you, if indeed you are trusting in Christ and for us, we need to let this test or this text here examine our hearts to discern the soil of our hearts, ways that we actually are seeking real assurance that’s found in the good soil, that’s filled with true belief, which I do hope is all of our desire this morning as we leave the text, as we discern the soil of our heart. How do we do that? If you’re wondering, well, we just look by the fruit of our life, while unfortunately we still will stumble and fall in many ways as we live out life. If we have tasted the grace of God, if we have a new heart where we have good soil, how do you know there will be fruit? Including the fruit of a love for Jesus, a desire to be around him and His Word, desire to like worship him with your heart. There will be the fruit of even patience. That’s the first thing this morning. I do want us to let this passage examine our hearts. And if you examine your hearts and you realize you don’t have the good soil, then by grace, by faith, just trust in Jesus and call upon him and believe in your heart that he did die for you and rose again from the dead. And as you call upon the name of Jesus, the assurance we have is that he will answer that prayer and he will bear fruit in your life. You can trust in Him. Second thing, I want to leave this passage. It’s just that let’s let this passage cause us to put our hope in Christ and His Word where we’re indeed like holding fast to Him. And that’s really where I hope our focus is as we leave not in self, not in self examination, overly consumed by the soil of our hearts. Rather, I want us to leave with our focus on Christ, our hope in him. And we come to challenging passages like this in scriptures like this one today that test and search our hearts. Friend, self examination is not meant to keep us in self examination, but it’s there to move us off self examination in ways that we’re fixing our eyes upon Christ. That’s where this test is meant to take us. For us to hope in him, not in self, to hope that Jesus is the one who actually passes all the tests of life for us as a representative. That’s why we’re about to sing in just a bit here, with all passion that our hope is built on nothing less than Jesus blood and his righteousness. In the message of the Gospel, his righteousness is counted as our righteousness. Then apart from him, we can do nothing and we can’t bear fruit on our own. We can’t see, we can’t understand on our own, we can’t change our own hearts. But as our focus is on him, as he is our assurance, we set our eyes on the One who can and does change the hearts of sinners, which is why he is indeed our great hope, the One who sows his seed of love that bears fruit. So yes, again we do need to examine ourselves through this text. But that self examination is to take us to Christ. So our assurance and our hope rest in him and him alone. The One who in his mercy and grace takes out hearts of stone, replace them with hearts of flesh that bear fruit for him, as he is actually the one who promises to hold us fast. This leads to the third thing I’m just going to leave yours with is this. Let this passage lead you to be a faithful sower of seeds. So as Jesus is sowing his seeds through his word, as he’s bringing in his harvest, so how he’s choosing to do that work is actually through his people, his church, which actually is also a fruit of good soil, is that we become sowers of the seed of the gospel. So for us, as we leave just a bit here, as we walk through the field that is your life, all the people you’re interacting with, friends, cast a seed, share the message of Christ, trusting as you cast the seed of the gospel, that your labors are not in vain, that some seed will land on good soil and will bear fruit. Praying, trusting and believing that indeed God will bring a harvest. Just quick things on this front, friends, we are just simply called to plant seeds. Like we’re not the ones who can change the soil in a person’s heart. That’s work that only God can do. We’re just to go faithfully plant seeds. Second, let me just encourage us all to plant seeds in places that you care about and you find pleasures in. So yes, in the text, cares and pleasures, riches living in idols that we choose over Christ. But it’s like, it’s not like necessarily wrong to have things that you care about or find pleasure in for the glory of God. We can have these things in our life. So my encouragement is like whatever places those are for you that you care about, you find pleasure in. Let the people who are there with you in those places. Be the people that you’re faithfully and intentionally sowing gospel seeds with meaning as you enjoy the different things that you care about, find pleasure in. Don’t do so in ways like you isolate your plate or isolate yourself from others, but get to know others. Cast the seeds of the love of Jesus in places that you’re already at, where you already enjoy. Third, sometimes I can actually continue with, when it comes to this, especially as it warms up here, is to cast seeds around your neighborhood or apartment. And if you have a backyard, start planting some type of or planning some type of, like summer get together where you can get to know your neighbors, where you can build relationships with them. Cast seeds. If your apartment has some type of community room, reserve it so you can have some type of summer activity with those you live next to. Or you can be sower of seeds, casting the seeds of the gospel. Where we live, that’s where we spend so much of our time. So let us use that to cast seeds. None of us are going to plant nearly as many seeds as Billy Graham. Literally millions of seeds all over the world. But friends, that’s okay. God has not called us to be really Graham. He’s just called us to cast seeds in the fields. We’re already living in our life, and for us, that’s our great mission field. Knowing that the harvest is plentiful, but the labors are few. Therefore, as a church, may we pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest that he send us out as laborers into his harvest, that by his grace, others would see and hear and understand the truths found in Lord Jesus Christ. Let’s pray. Lord, thank you for the work that you do in the lives of sinners. You’re the great sower of seeds. And Lord, I just pray that all of us here would have soil that represents good soil. And Lord, if there’s those who came in this morning with soil that is not bearing fruit that’s not yet good soil. Lord, I pray that in this moment today that you would do a great work, that they would indeed believe and trust in Jesus, that they would see Jesus as the great treasure worth leaving all things in order to have. Give them eyes to see and ears to hear. And Lord, please help them just to trust that indeed Jesus did die for them and that he did rise again from the dead. And Lord, I know many here do have good soil because of your gracious work. Lord, please help us to be faithful, to scatter the seeds of the gospel to those around us, Lord, may we not be ashamed of the gospel. May we be found faithful to proclaim the gospel. And Lord, we just pray to you, the Lord of the harvest, that you bless these seeds that we may plant, that indeed they would fall on good soil, that many, many, many more would believe. It’s in Jesus name we pray. Amen. The post The Parable of the Sower – Luke 8: 4-15 appeared first on Red Village Church.

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