Scripture References: Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23; 1 Kings 19:11-13; Hebrews 3:15; John 10:27
Intro: Good morning. Guest speaker Brian Mowry joins us today. As a church with vision for kingdom impact (local growth, church planting), understanding how God's kingdom advances is crucial. Jesus, in the Parable of the Sower (Matt 13), reveals it comes not by force, but like a seed – His Word – taking root in receptive hearts. This means the condition of our heart ("soil") is paramount for hearing Him and bearing fruit.
Key Points:
- Kingdom Advance Through Hearing: Unlike earthly kingdoms (coercion, noise), God's kingdom grows internally as individuals hear and receive His word (the seed). Therefore, Jesus warns, "He who has ears, let him hear." Be careful how you hear.
- God Often Whispers: We expect God's voice to be loud and obvious (wind, earthquake, fire), but often He speaks in a "low whisper" (1 Kings 19). Why? He desires intimacy; whispers draw us closer. We must quiet the noise of the world and lean in to hear Him.
- Conditions Preventing Hearing/Fruit (Unreceptive Soil):
- Path (Hard Heart - v. 19): Hears intellectually but doesn't understand or receive deeply. The seed is snatched away. Caused by busyness, distraction, bitterness, or only engaging the mind, not the heart. Danger: leads to inability to hear (Heb 3:15).
- Rocky (Shallow Heart - vv. 20-21): Quick, emotional reception but no depth. Withers under trial ("heat") because roots can't grow. Wants blessings without commitment.
- Thorny (Divided Heart - v. 22): Hears and receives, but growth is choked by "worries of this life" and "deceitfulness of wealth." Loves God and the world; ultimately unfruitful. Check: Are your prayers mostly kingdom-focused or self-focused?
- Good Soil (Receptive Heart - v. 23): The one who "hears the word and understands it." This heart is prepared, deep, and free from weeds, allowing the seed to take root and produce an abundant harvest (30, 60, 100x).
Conclusion: Hearing God's voice and bearing kingdom fruit requires "good soil"—a heart that is soft, deep, and undivided. We must actively guard against the hardness, shallowness, and distractions that prevent God's word from taking root and transforming us from the inside out.
Call to Action: What is the condition of your heart's soil today? Ask the Holy Spirit to show you any hardness, rocks, or thorns hindering your ability to hear God and bear fruit. Invite the Divine Gardener to till the soil, remove the obstacles, and make your heart receptive to His seed. Practice listening for His whisper this week.
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