Unlocking the Meaning

Every good habit has a starting point.

A moment when we stop everything that we have been doing, let go of everything that we knew before, and focus on the one thing that we can do to make our life better.

I can’t be a mechanic until I know how an engine works. I can’t coach football until I know the rules of the game. I can’t farm if I don’t know how to grow crops.

We can’t obey God until we know how to receive His word.

Someone has to give us the key to unlock our potential.

The key to loving God and serving Him is to understand His word.

Nothing else matters if we can’t receive His message.

Jesus taught us how to uncover His word in

READ PASSAGE

The Palestinian sower would sow 1st and plow 2nd.

Throw seed onto rows without fully knowing where they would land.

4 places that the seed could land.

Walking path between rows. Walked on or eaten.

Soil with limestone under. No room for moisture.

Thorny path. (Weeds) Could grow to be 6 feet tall.

Fertile soil. Nothing to keep it from growing.

The disciples were confused that Jesus was speaking in parables.

Parable - An earthly story with a heavenly meaning.

Jesus references

People will hear God’s message, but they either won’t listen or they will allow other issues to cloud their ability to respond to His message.

“Let anyone who has ears to hear” translates well with “you better listen!”

In this parable, the seed is the same no matter where it is thrown. The sower remains the same.

The changing variable is the soil. The type of soil we are dictates the effectiveness of how God’s word can reach us.

What type of soil condition are you?

What are the states of mind a person can experience the word of God?

Keep in mind that this has nothing to do with our intelligence.

1. A Closed Mind

A person who reads/hears the word of God and rejects it.

The enemy removes opportunities for people to hear the word of God.

The enemy will not stop every effort that he can make to keep a person from hearing the word of God.

A two-year old that refuses to eat.

If you are refusing to hear and respond to God’s word, you are refusing salvation.

salvation - spiritual, deliverance - earthly

2. A Shallow Mind

A person who responds to Gods word with their mouth but with no action.

Modern culture would call this a person who attends church semi-regularly but does not bear the fruits of Christianity.

When temptation comes, they instantly fall away.

No foundation.

This is the safest from of Americanized Christianity.

A shallow mind cannot handle God’s word.

3. A Clouded Mind

A person who receives God’s word, but distractions keep them from living their full potential.

Worries, riches, and pleasures of life.

“Desire”, same word that we get “hedonism”.

If the enemy cannot keep you from God’s word, he will try to choke you out with distraction.

Make a mental list of everything that distracts you from fellowship with God.

Distractions can destroy your opportunity for full joy.

4. A Fruitful Mind

A person who receives God’s word honestly, and with understanding lives according to it.

The word springs from their heart.

Fellowship in prayer, worship, and understanding.

, FBG Youth Group

How can we know if we have recieved God’s word with an honest and good heart?

Where’s the fruit?

Not works, but fruit.

When you hear, receive, and allow God’s word to work in you, your life is opened to God’s mysteries.

I don’t want to be a “good” Christian. I want to be an effective Christian.