Four Kinds Of Hearts Series

FOUR KINDS OF HEARTS: PARABLE OF THE TYPES OF SOIL

*Below is the notes given by my Pastor Jeremy Plymale of CrossHaven Church, personally I feel it is one of the most clear and concise messages he has ever given. The plan is simple…

1) Read through Mark 4

2) Review the 4 types of Hearts

3) Answer the questions in small group (those questions have been added by me in order to clearly analyze which heart that “I HAVE.”)

MESSAGE BY PASTOR PLYMALE

Mark 4

Any of us who have ears to hear…listen and understand…

4 DIFFERENT SOILS OF OUR HEARTS:

A) HARD HEART

Scattered seed across his field, some fell on a footpath (simply packed dirt).

Baked clay is like play-do, when it rains it doesn’t sink in, it just sits there.

It’s like planting seed on your driveway, fertilize it, water it, it doesn’t matter, nothing is going to grow there—it’s too hard.

Birds represent Satan coming at once to take it away.

Ephesians 2:2

“You used to live in sin, just like the rest of the world, obeying the devil—the commander of the powers in the unseen world. He is the spirit at work in the hearts of those who refuse to obey God.”

How do you know if you have a hard heart?

Hosea 10:12: Tells us what to do, he says PLOW UP the hard ground of your hearts, for now is the time to seek the Lord, that he may come and shower righteousness upon you.

A jackhammer, or dynamite could be used to tear up my driveway. It doesn’t sound pleasant—you’re right, its very painful. But until that heart changes the message is gone.

B) THE SHALLOW HEART (verse 5-6, 16-17)

Plant soon wilted, without deep roots it died. Verses 16 & 17, the seed on the rocky soil, hear the message and receive it with joy.

Without deep roots it doesn’t last every long.

9/11 the churches were flooded. America had an emotional feeling to go back to church, they shot up really quick, but then they wilted real quick. It was an emotional reaction. Emotions are good, but when emotions are gone will your faith be there.

Do you have a faith that is merely based on feelings?

C) THE CROWDED HEART (verse 7, 18-19)

Some seed fell among the thorns and it choked out the tender plants. These represent others who hear God’s Word but the message is crowded out by worries, wealth, and desire for other things.

D) THE FRUITFUL HEART (verse 8, 20)

Seed that fell on good soil represents those that hear and produce a harvest of 30, 60, 90 times that which was planted.

People who are healthy, grow up and produce more of them. People, squirrels, cats…if they are healthy grow up and reproduces.

There are some of us in the room, who are kicking and screaming inside saying preacher be quiet. But it’s really not from me, it’s God telling you to plow up your really hard, hard heart.

I hope by God’s grace that he blows up your heart that it takes root.

American Christianity is crowded. We have so many weeds that we have choked the life out of our own spirituality. What needs to be pulled out? Give the seed it’s rightful place, let God have His rightful place.

3 Truths about sowing:

1. You won’t reap if you don’t sow. No seeds in the backyard I guarantee you won’t reap.

2. Not every seed will grow. People say they’re coming, but don’t right?

3. If you keep sowing, you will reap. You will.

QUESTIONS FOR SMALL GROUP:

Leaders, ask the youth to grab a piece of paper and make two separate lists numbering 1-10. Then ask them to answer yes/no to the following 10 questions in each category. The goal is to do a self-evaluation. Perhaps, someone who sees themselves with a “fruitful” heart may actually have more of a “crowded” or “shallow” heart.

Remember, if Jeremy is correct, and I believe that he is absolutely right, most Americans have a crowded heart. This may include us and the youth that we lead.

QUESTION LIST #1

Do I have a desire for a regular quiet time?

Do I hear about a person’s concern and devote time to pray for them?

Do I consciously think about who to invite to youth group/church?

Do I arrange my schedule to make youth group/church a priority?

Do I see sins like alcohol/drugs/party as gross…do I hate them?

Do I have conviction when I sin that leads to changed behaviors?

Do I look forward to youth outreaches…even ones may not be my cup of tea?

Do I look to invite lost friends to church/youth group?

Do I listen intently to preaching with the intent of how this applies to my life?