The Word At Work
Notes
Transcript
Open your bible with me to Luke 8:1-15
There’s an old saying that holds profound spiritual truth:
“The same sun that melts the wax hardens the clay.”
Think about that for a moment.
The sun doesn't change. Its rays are consistent, robust, and impartial. But when it shines on wax, the wax softens and yields. When it shines on clay, the clay hardens and resists. The difference is NOT in the sun, but in the substance it's shining upon.
This is precisely what Jesus is teaching us in Luke 8 through the Parable of the Sower.
God’s Word is pure, perfect, and powerful. It goes out to all kinds of people. It is preached, read, shared, and heard. But the results are dramatically different— NOT because God’s Word lacks power, but because of the condition of the heart receiving it.
Some hear and walk away unchanged—hardened, like clay in the sun.
Others hear the same Word and are melted, softened, transformed—like wax.
That’s the central truth of this parable: Really, in this entire section
Sermon Summary: God’s Word transforms lives and produces lasting fruit in receptive hearts
The Word of God transforms lives and produces lasting fruit—but only in truly receptive hearts.
This morning, as we walk through Luke 8:1–15, we’re going to examine the kinds of soil—or hearts—that Jesus describes. And as we do, the question before each of us is this:
What kind of heart do I have?
One that resists the Word? A hears but does NOT heed?
Or a heart prepared by God—humble, receptive, and readyto bear fruit that lasts?
I have four points for you this morning.
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I. Women of the Word (v.1-3)
I. Women of the Word (v.1-3)
This first point might seem a bit out of place, at least within the sermon summary. How does this parable about the seed and the soil fit with this story before it, of the women who follow Jesus? You could ask the same question about what comes after it. What does a shining light have to do with the family of Jesus?
Well, Luke is pretty smooth in his context and flow. Think about what he’s been doing the last few chapters. Luke has been showing us what true faith looks like. First, those who have faith might surprise us, and secondly, those who possess faith live a life that demonstrates a changed life. We’ve seen someone like even John the Baptist doubting. We’ve seen the Jewish people doubt, and it’s the sick and the poor and the lame who are trusting in Jesus. Then even last week. The religious Pharisee is left as questionable in his response to Jesus. While a woman with a checkered past responds to Jesus in faith, and in great joy in worship. That is it changed her!
So on the heels of these women possessing faith, Luke shows us more women of the word, whose lives have been transformed by Jesus, and who believe in Jesus.
1 Soon afterward he went on through cities and villages, proclaiming and bringing the good news of the kingdom of God. And the twelve were with him, 2 and also some women who had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities: Mary, called Magdalene, from whom seven demons had gone out, 3 and Joanna, the wife of Chuza, Herod’s household manager, and Susanna, and many others, who provided for them out of their means.
Luke makes it clear that Jesus has a mission -- To proclaim the gospel. And later, Luke will show us Jesus’ mission to go to Jerusalem to fulfill the work destined for him there. But now, Jesus is focused on his continued preaching. Proclaiming the good news of the gospel -- The Kingdom of God has come. He has with him his usual entourage, that is, the 12. These were the 12 men chosen and appointed by Jesus, but Luke also tells us there were some women.
These women were certainly among the larger crowd that followed Jesus, but they were also much nearer to Jesus than the crowds, as they are mentioned here, alongside the 12. This is significant. Because throughout the gospel of Luke, he has made much of women, and will continue to do so.
Luke introduced us to Elizabeth, the mother of John the Baptist, who was older and advanced in years. He gave a glimpse into the soul of Jesus’ mother, Mary. He showed us salvation through the eyes of Anna, the Prophetess. Then, he documented the healing of Peter’s mother-in-law. Even last week, we saw it was a woman who possessed faith in Jesus, while a religious Pharisee doubted. Later, Luke will show us that it was women who prepared Jesus and anointed him for his burial. It was women who were the last to leave at his grave, and the first to arrive at the empty tomb. It was the women who ministered to his desires after the resurrection, and who told first of the empty tomb.
And within a society and culture that would have looked down on women and seen them as lesser than men. With fewer rights, less value. Luke goes the opposite direction and honors women. And I would argue especially women of the word. Further, Jesus honors these women as well.
Notice that they had experienced the power of Christ, for they had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities. We’ve seen of Jesus’ healing ministry in Luke 4:33-39, and Luke 4:40-41, and Luke 6:17-19, and women were among those healed by Jesus, and women who were recipients of the great grace of Christ. They were affected by the person of Christ, by the work of Christ. And the picture of the woman in Luke 7 is a picture of a woman who worships her Savior, is beloved by God, and forgiven by God; therefore, she loves much.
Of these women – we know of Mary Magdalene, who Luke tells us specifically that 7 demons had gone out from her. Many speculate about Mary’s past, and she has often been accused, even portrayed as having been sexually immoral, but there is nothing in scripture that supports that. And even here, the emphasis is NOT subjecting these women to scandalous sin, or any specific sin, but instead of the grace they had received, or the healing of Christ upon them!
We hear of Joanna, who we are told is the wife of Chuza, who is Herod’s household manager. The kingdom of God has penetrated the Roman Empire. That some among Herod’s household were believers in Jesus. This is perhaps what added to the tension of Herod to lock John into prison (Luke 3:18-20).
Then, we hear of Susanna; we know nothing of her, except what is mentioned here. And we learn, finally, of many others whose names we do not know. We know NOT of their past or their future. We don’t know much. But we know enough.
We know the Lord had transformed them all. But notice also, they served the Lord and gave of themselves for Him, for it was these women who are noted to provide for Jesus and His disciples, out of their means. And it’s possible that some of these women are of great wealth. They may have been of the rich who also possess faith, but what we know is that these women gave of themselves to see that the needs of Jesus' earthly ministry were supplied. You see this again in Matthew 27:55-56
55 There were also many women there, looking on from a distance, who had followed Jesus from Galilee, ministering to him, 56 among whom were Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of James and Joseph and the mother of the sons of Zebedee.
These were women who had been changed by the Lord. Who love the Lord, who follow the Lord, who obey Him, and who are submitted to His commands. Who live in faith! Who live as women under the authority of Jesus and His word! These verses show us two powerful truths: First, these women had been deeply affected by the power and grace of Christ. Second, they responded with lives of faithful service and sacrificial generosity.
Just as these women were transformed by the grace of Christ and responded with faithful devotion, so too are we called to live lives marked by gratitude, service, and sacrifice. In our local churches today, we need men and women who, like Mary, Joanna, Susanna, and the many others, are willing to give of themselves—whether through time, resources, hospitality, or quiet faithfulness behind the scenes. The kingdom of God still advances through ordinary people who have been changed by Jesus and choose to live under His authority. Let us be a church where transformed hearts lead to open hands, where the love of Christ compels us to serve joyfully, give generously, and follow Jesus wherever He leads.
And to the faithful women among us today—those who love the Lord, who follow Him, who serve His church with quiet strength and steadfast faith—thank you! Like the women in Luke 8, your lives are a testimony to the power and grace of Jesus Christ. Whether your service is seen or unseen, your faithfulness does not go unnoticed by God. Thank you for the ways you give, pray, lead, encourage, nurture, and build up the body of Christ. You are a vital part of God’s work in the church and in the Kingdom. May the Lord bless you, sustain you, and continue to use your life for His glory. You are deeply valued, greatly appreciated, and eternally loved in Christ.
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II. The Word At Work (v.4-8)
II. The Word At Work (v.4-8)
Now we are given another parable of Jesus. And again, the bridge of this text is clearly the work of the word of God. You see the faith of these women, and then comes the parable of the seed and the soil. Of the soil that has been cultivated and nourished, the word bears fruit in faith. First seen, these women, and then given in this parable.
4 And when a great crowd was gathering and people from town after town came to him, he said in a parable, 5 “A sower went out to sow his seed. And as he sowed, some fell along the path and was trampled underfoot, and the birds of the air devoured it. 6 And some fell on the rock, and as it grew up, it withered away, because it had no moisture. 7 And some fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up with it and choked it. 8 And some fell into good soil and grew and yielded a hundredfold.” As he said these things, he called out, “He who has ears to hear, let him hear.”
We know that the seed is the word of God. Jesus tells us that in v. 11. So we are going to speak to that truth, even here. But leave further comment until later on the implications.
This is a common image that Jesus uses to illustrate this parable. It is possible that there was even a Sower, sowing seed nearby, as Jesus said this. But Jesus speaks of a Sower, going to sow seed. We don’t know who the Sower is, and it doesn’t matter; Jesus doesn’t tell us. But He’s sowing seed. Casting it out.
And in casting out a seed, it is going to take time for the seed to cultivate and begin to bear fruit. You know this, you go out and cast seed and put it into the ground. It’s no guarantee that it’s going to bear fruit. And any good farmer will tell you, the golden rule of planting and harvesting is seed to soil contact. Then, the soil condition determines the yield expectancy.
So some seed falls along the path. It’s trampled on. Birds come and devour it. It never takes root. Other seed falls among the rocks. Likely in Palestine, soil that looked decent would be underlaid by a rocky layer, and therefore could not yield enough root supply for crops, that is, it could not be sufficient moisture. Others grow up among thorns, and the life of the plant is stolen away from it by competing life sources. And it dies and withers. But others fell on good soil, and it yielded fruit. Note, it is the only soil that bore fruit!! And yielded 100-fold!! The difference is the difference in its fruit yield, of the soil….not the seed. The seed was sown among all different typesof soil. But only one yields fruit—the good soil.
Jesus cries out as he says this – perhaps even saying it over and over again – he who has ears let him hear. He who has ears, let him hear. He who has ears, let him hear. He who has ears, let him hear!
Jesus clearly has a distinction in mind, of the cultivation of the hearts of men. Why is it that the word of God is widely cast, but only some demonstrate faith? Why is it that we’ve seen this at work in Luke? The same message is preached. Some have faith. And others don’t. There wasn’t some secret message given! No code language is being used. The seed of the word is cast openly and freely to all. And yet, some believe and others reject.
This is the word of God at work. And it speaks to the hearts of the hearers. That some hearts are receptive and soft, and GOOD SOIL…and others are indifferent, hard, calloused, and faith doesn’t last!
So the question for us is NOT whether the Word has power — it does. The question is: What kind of soil am I? What is the soil of my heart! Has the Word found a heart in me that’s soft and ready to receive it? Or has it bounced off the surface, been choked out by distractions, or withered in shallow faith? This parable confronts us with the reality that NOT all who hearwill truly receive. And Jesus isn’t just describing people“out there”—He’s pressing this home to each of us.
The word of God is at work among us. In some, softening and bearing fruit. Others, hardening and causing others to turn away in unbelief.
Don’t assume that hearing is the same as believing. Don’t assume that proximity to Jesus is the same as intimacy with Him. Jesus is calling out — “He who has ears, let him hear!” So listen. Receive the word. And by God’s grace, bear fruit. There is a great mystery here, and we don’t know the fullness of it.
The disciples just seem puzzled by it. Others in the crowd are puzzled. Maybe even you are puzzled at this juncture. And if so, you are feeling the weight of the text. Because the same truth is among us, even now. Who will hear the word, receive it, and among whose heart will it bear fruit, because it is sown among good soil.
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III. The Word in Parables (v.9-10)
III. The Word in Parables (v.9-10)
9 And when his disciples asked him what this parable meant, 10 he said, “To you it has been given to know the secrets of the kingdom of God, but for others they are in parables, so that ‘seeing they may not see, and hearing they may not understand.’
Here, Jesus answers the question as to why He speaks in parables. The wisdom here is certainly challenging to conventional wisdom, which says, Wouldn’t we all desire people to know and understand the word? And in some sense, that is precisely what parables do. They convey profound truths about God and His kingdom to the minds of the simple. To those who lack wisdom. Yet, in another sense that also carries a particular mystery, that actually prevents people from understanding the kingdom. The difficulty with parables is not understanding the earthly portion, but the heavenly reality. So, on the one hand, they are simple; who doesn’t understand a sower sowing seed, but what does it mean, gosh, that’s tough. It stumps everyone, including the disciples.
In which Jesus responds – to you it has been given the secrets of the kingdom of God! The word for secret is a word that means something that only God knows. But that in His plan and sovereignty, he reveals that mystery to others. That is, he opens their eyes to see the truth and to understand.
And then he quotes from Isaiah, which would have been among the most famous of words of the call of Isaiah the prophet, who was to preach the message of salvation to a people who hear, but do NOT listen, they would see, but NOT perceive. Isaiah 6:9-11
9 And he said, “Go, and say to this people: “ ‘Keep on hearing, but do not understand; keep on seeing, but do not perceive.’ 10 Make the heart of this people dull, and their ears 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.” 11 Then I said, “How long, O Lord?” And he said: “Until cities lie waste without inhabitant, and houses without people, and the land is a desolate waste,
In which Jesus makes it clear, through the special revelation of His disciples, to understand the truths of the kingdom of God. The same thing happens in Matthew 16:13-17
13 Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” 14 And they said, “Some say John the Baptist, others say Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” 15 He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” 16 Simon Peter replied, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” 17 And Jesus answered him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven.
That is understanding the truth of Christ, and His kingdom is NOT merely natural, but supernatural. It requires the illuminating work of the Holy Spirit. There is more than cognitive discernment needed, but supernatural discernment that can only come through the work of the Spirit of God. To illumine our hearts to the truth of God’s word and His kingdom!
Bring it into context – the same words can be sown, the word can be sown, and it will eventually land on various hearts, but be received differently! Why is that? Because God in His sovereignty graciously illuminates the heart of the believer to understand and glean insight into what is hiding in plain sight. Namely, the truth of Christ and His gospel.
Very practically, why is it that the same message can be preached to all people? The gospel that Jesus can come to save sinners – REPENT and BELIEVE THE GOSPEL. It’s preached to the same crowd. No punches pulled! And yet, some rejoice and believe, while others turn away in unbelief. Why is it that some of Jesus' own people reject Jesus, and a small chosen few receive the word with joy!! And belief in Faith….Why the woman with a checkered past and NOT Simon the Pharisee? Why the blind beggars and NOT the religious elite? Why these women mentioned prior, and NOT everyone else……and the only answer is the grace of God, and the sovereignty of God.
The Spirit sovereignly working, accomplishingHis purposes in the world, and through the word of God, and the Spirit of God!! Why you? And NOT your neighbor? Why you, and NOT your brother?
It’s what Paul addresses in Romans 9:15 and through Moses – of the mystery of God’s providence to have mercy whom he has mercy and compassion on whom he has compassion. …Romans 9:18
18 So then he has mercy on whomever he wills, and he hardens whomever he wills.
15 For he says to Moses, “I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.”
And hiding in plain sight is the mystery of God’s work through His word. As Jesus speaks in parables, some believe and have faith, but others reject it in disbelief. But Jesus says to His disciples, to you it’s been given….you didn’t deserve it. It was given to you—this discernment.
In other words, Parables discriminate. God uses them to differentiate who belongs to His kingdom and who is outside. Some believe, and others walk away.
Some, the word is sown and bears fruit….To others, the word is sown, to all types of soil without any discrimination. And yet, only the good soil bears fruit. The mystery of the work of the word of God through parables. It’s setting us up for the tension of the soil of our own hearts. Will the word, land, and bear fruit of faith in you!! That’s becoming the logical implication here.
And it’s happening every time the word is preached.
So here’s the sobering reality:
The Word of God is sown — to all. The message is the same. The invitation is clear. Repent and believe the Gospel.
But the results are not the same.
Some hear and rejoice. Others hear and walk away.
Some hearts are softened by grace. Others remain hard, distracted, or deceived.
Why?
Because the truth of Christ and His Kingdom is NOT grasped by intellect alone.
It is revealed by the Spirit of God. It is a gift of grace.
And it exposes the mystery of God's mercy — that He opens blind eyes, softens hard hearts, and gives understanding to the humble.
So the question is simple, but it’s everything:
How is your heart responding to the Word of God right now?
Is it good soil — broken, ready, humble, surrendered?
Or is it shallow, distracted, resistant, or indifferent?
The same Word that hardens one heart softens another.
The same gospel that is rejected by the religious is received by the sinner who knows they need mercy.
So don’t presume. Don’t delay.
If God is stirring your heart — if He’s opening your eyes — respond in faith today.
Repent. Believe the Gospel. Surrender to the King.
Let the Word fall deep into the soil of your soul — and bear the fruit of faith. HE WHO HAS EARS, LET HIM HEAR!!
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IV. The Word Explained (v.11-15)
IV. The Word Explained (v.11-15)
11 Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God. 12 The ones along the path are those who have heard; then the devil comes and takes away the word from their hearts, so that they may not believe and be saved. 13 And the ones on the rock are those who, when they hear the word, receive it with joy. But these have no root; they believe for a while, and in time of testing fall away. 14 And as for what fell among the thorns, they are those who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by the cares and riches and pleasures of life, and their fruit does not mature. 15 As for that in the good soil, they are those who, hearing the word, hold it fast in an honest and good heart, and bear fruit with patience.
Now, the teaching of Jesus is very clear to all His disciples, but Luke writes to Theophilus and also to those beloved of God, so that we can know. The seed is the word of God.
As Peter writes of the word of God, 1 Peter 1:22-23
22 Having purified your souls by your obedience to the truth for a sincere brotherly love, love one another earnestly from a pure heart, 23 since you have been born again, not of perishable seed but of imperishable, through the living and abiding word of God;
The word is sown among all the hearts of men, and begs the question, which soil is the condition cultivated in your heart? So while the word is equally received, NOT everyone is equally receptive to the word.
Of The Path (v.12)
12 The ones along the path are those who have heard; then the devil comes and takes away the word from their hearts, so that they may not believe and be saved.
This soil is of the heart that is hard and indifferent.
Within a field of crop, it wasn’t uncommon for a footpath to be worn in the field, in which the soil was beaten down and hard, so the feeding ground for the birds of the air, to devour the seed failing to take root in the soil, and here for the word to take root in the heart of the hearer. Here it goes in one ear and out the other. Such a heart is NOT prepared to receive the gospel. They are uninterested, and before the word has the opportunity to do spiritual good, the devil comes to snatch it away.
For some, they may be uninterested because of life, or because of their past, for others, they are just lulled asleep and indifferent. Some are imbittered and justified in their view of God; others are just cold and indifferent. But in the end, the result is the same, the word never takes root in the heart.
But don’t miss it, they also have an enemy at work. And His purposes are against them. This is NOT just some neutral fight, but the enemy working – notice – SO THAT they may not believe and be saved! Rest assured that whenever the word is preached, Satan hates it and is working equally as hard to attempt to prevent the word at work! To come and snatch it away! That if he cannot keep them from hearing the gospel, perhaps he can numb them from caring about the gospel to believe it in faith!
Here is what J.C. RYLE said – of Satan’s work often in the preaching of the word at church.
Nowhere does he labor so hard to stop the progress of that which is good, and to prevent men and women being saved. From him come wandering thoughts and roving imaginations,—listless minds and dull memories,—sleepy eyes and fidgety nerves,—weary ears and distracted attention. In all these things Satan has a great hand. People wonder where they come from, and marvel how it is that they find sermons so dull, and remember them so badly! They forget the parable of the sower. They forget the devil
We have an enemy– who hatesChrist, His word, and you! And desire the word land on a hardened heart, that you might NOT believe!
Of the rocks (v.13)
13 And the ones on the rock are those who, when they hear the word, receive it with joy. But these have no root; they believe for a while, and in time of testing fall away.
Here is a shallow and superficial heart! Again, in Palestine, it wasn’t uncommon to have just below the surface of the soil, a layer of rock that must first be plowed, for the soil to be ripened for harvest. But apart from that, a plant would quickly shoot up, but could NOT survive the conditions to come: the scorching sun, the strong winds, and the harsh floods.
The same thing often happens when the gospel is preached. Slip this hand up, walk this aisle, they are happy to hear! It seems genuine, at least for a little while. Though after some time, they become uninterested in following Jesus. They don’t have true lasting faith. They have what the Puritans often called Temporary faith. But it is a faith that doesn’t endure and eventually reveals itself as no faith at all. What seems to be genuine is proven to be false when tested.
This is worth considering the depths of true conversion, not driven and tossed by emotionalism and spiritual manipulation. It happens often in churches, where music is driven to stir the affections rather than being anchored in biblical truth. Where dim lights set just the right mood and ambience for tears, and a message geared to drive you to an emotional decision, that calls us to count the cost in what it means to follow Christ in repentance and faith. That is our message ought to be centered in the truth of what Jesus has done for us, rather than on the emotions of our temporal happiness.
And you see this soil often, without ever really noticing. We just sort of explain it away as the high school student who makesa profession and then goes wayward in college. Of the faithful young person who professes Jesus, then lives in fornication and drunkenness. The couple that was committed to Christ while dating, but fell away once they got married. The list could go on and on, some return, and others slip further down the path and reveal they never had true faith at all.
Christian, is your faith a faith that can withstand the test? A faith that endures? That is deep? That last! Or is it rootless, without substance, and temporary?
Of the thorns (v.14)
14 And as for what fell among the thorns, they are those who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by the cares and riches and pleasures of life, and their fruit does not mature.
Here is a heart that is distracted and preoccupied with lesser things, but things that appear to be ultimate things. You know the thing about thorns is that they are invasive, they take over and spread easily and quickly. They are like the weeds of the field, and they begin to choke out the harvest from maturing and bearing fruit. The nutrients are depleted by competing nearby weeds.
This is the heart that is choked out by the common weeds of the human heart. Notice it in the text. THE CARES of LIFE. THE RICHES IN LIFE, and the PLEASURES of Life! Some may be good things, worthy things, but they can begin to distract us, and take our attention away from what truly matters, our souls!!
It may be our health, or worrying about our family conflict, or work situation, or stresses and cares of life, seeking worldly gain, or seeking earthly pleasures, that we neglect our heart posture towards God.
I’ve said it before, heart idols are typically good things that have become ultimate things. Often, the good things we enjoy can be just as harmful as the “bad things” for our souls whenever they begin to distract us from Christ.
You see it in Esau who sold His birthright for a meal (Hebrews 12:16)…You see it in Demas who dessert Paul, because he fell in love with this world (2 Tim 4:10). May we be careful that we NOTlull our souls and conscience to sleep by flirting with the world, and it’s CARES, it’s RICHES, or it’s PLEASURES.
And we NOT mature, but our faith is choked and dies.
And of the good soil(v.15)
15 As for that in the good soil, they are those who, hearing the word, hold it fast in an honest and good heart, and bear fruit with patience.
Here is a heart that is good and fruitful. Here is a fruit that stands out among the rest, and the soil that the seed of the word bears fruit!! You consider all the bad that can happen, the amazement and wonder of a seed that bears fruit! That is, Satan is prevented from stealing the word from taking root. The seed digs deep and endures testing and trials, and is proven to be genuine. Weeds are kept from choking the heart of life. And the word bears fruit!
Here is a heart that – HOLD FAST. A heart that is honest and good!! The heart is honest and sincere, and it desires to grow in grace and grow in truth. The heart holds fast and remains patient as it perseveres through trials and hardships. And the heart is good, because it's been made good by the grace of God. This is the heart that bears fruit. And the seed of the word brings forth a harvest of fruit, because it's implanted in a good heart, that is humble and receptive to the word, and it bears forth a harvest of love, patience, righteousness, and the fruits of godliness.
Notice there are four types of soil. But in reality. There are only two types of people. Two types of hearts. Those who receive the message of the kingdom of God. And those who reject the message of the kingdom. All hearts hear the same truth. But only two responses – believe in faith, or to reject it in unbelief. And while it may take time for those results to become evident. The result remains—multiple soils, but only two types of people.
You know, I wonder. Which heart describes you? Which soil best describes your heart?
Perhaps you’ve heard the Word many times, but it’s never truly taken root — always snatched away before it could sink in.
Perhaps your response to God has been emotional, even enthusiastic, but shallow — and when life got hard, your faith withered.
Perhaps you started well, but over time, the worries of life, the pursuit of success, or the love of comfort have slowly choked your hunger for God.
Perhaps you’ve been distracted, divided, or dull — hearing the Word, but NOT truly listening.
Or perhaps today, by God’s grace, you realize your heart is dry, and you’re ready for Him to break up the soil and plant something real.
If that’s you—if you sense God stirring something in your heart—don’t brush it aside. That’s not a coincidence. That’s the Word of God doing exactly what Jesus said it would do: working in the soil of your heart.
The seed has been sown. The truth has been heard. And right now, in this moment, the Spirit of God may be softening your heart, calling you to repent and believe the gospel.
So don’t wait. Don’t harden your heart. Come to Jesus. Lay down your pride, your sin, your excuses—and receive the good news. He is ready to make your heart new, to grow something real, something lasting, something eternal.
The sowing of the word of God is at work, even now. How is your heart responding? In receptive faith? Or rejection and unbelief?
Sermon Summary: God’s Word transforms lives and produces lasting fruit in receptive hearts
