Sermons on Hardened Soil:

The Spiritually Healthy Heart Series

Contributed by Rick Duncan on Sep 7, 2005

The heart of the human problem is the problem of the human heart.

The heart of the human problem is the problem of the human heart. That means that the heart of my problem is the problem of my heart. And the heart of your problem is the problem of your heart. Jeremiah 17:9 says, “The heart is deceitful and desperately wicked…” Watch over your heart with all ...read more

Scripture: Luke 8:4-8

Denomination: Baptist

Sowing The Seed Series

Contributed by Brian Bill on May 1, 2016

When you go and sow, the kingdom of God will grow.

Sowing the Seed Mark 4:1-20 Rev. Brian Bill April 30-May 1, 2016 How many of you plant a garden each year? Do you have seeds in the soil yet? I love that springtime is sowing time. I drove up to Madison on Tuesday afternoon for a speaking engagement and saw some farmers preparing their plots ...read more

Scripture: Mark 4:1-20

Denomination: Baptist

"The Persuasive Power Of The Word"

Contributed by Clark Tanner on Jun 22, 2005

There has never been a time when it was more important than now for Christians to internalize the scriptures and be prepared to live them and speak them.

“And he entered the synagogue and continued speaking out boldly for three months, reasoning and persuading them about the kingdom of God. But when some were becoming hardened and disobedient, speaking evil of the Way before the people, he withdrew from them and took away the disciples, reasoning ...read more

Scripture: Acts 19:8-10

Denomination: Orthodox

Serial Seed Sowers Series

Contributed by Pat Damiani on Aug 21, 2014

First in a series of messages that examine Jesus' parables from the perspective of a minor or unsympathetic character.

Several years ago I came across a book by J. Ellsworth Kalas titled Parables from the Back Side. The author’s introduction to the book begins with these words: Familiarity doesn’t always breed contempt, as the saying puts it, but it often breeds something potentially worse, the glazed ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 13:1-23

Denomination: Baptist

Faith Comes By Hearing: Following Jesus Through The Word - Romans 10:17 Series

Contributed by Dean Courtier on Dec 20, 2025

God's Word breaks into the darkness of sin and unbelief. It is through hearing that the lost are found, the dead are raised to life, and disciples are strengthened for obedience.

Faith Comes By Hearing: Following Jesus Through the Word - Romans 10:17 INTRODUCTION — THE SOUND THAT SAVES Imagine standing in total darkness—unable to see, unable to orient yourself. Suddenly, in the distance, you hear a voice calling your name. That sound brings direction, comfort, and ...read more

Scripture: Romans 10:17, Romans 10:14, John 20:31, 1 Corinthians 15:3-4, James 1:22, John 16:13  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Pentecostal

Answering A Tough Question

Contributed by Jon Mackinney on Jul 29, 2010

Here is the parable of the sower, which we have typically spiritualized to death. What is the bottom line principle exposed in this parable?

Passage: Matthew 13:10-17 Intro: Let’s just dive right into this fascinating and tough passage. 1. right in the middle of the parable and explanation of God’s revelational plan 2. soils, hard to soft, barren to fertile. 3. so the disciples, after this first parable, wonder why ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 13:10-17

Denomination: Evangelical Free

"Break It Up"

Contributed by Melvin Maughmer, Jr. on May 11, 2006

God wants to do a new thing in your life, but first you must break up that fallow ground.

“Break It Up” “Tearing up the fallow ground in your life” by District Elder Melvin L. Maughmer, Jr Hosea 10:12 & Isaiah 43:19 Whenever I begin to tell the story of when I was hit by a car at the age of 12 while riding my bike to school, my wife will either finish the story for me or she will ...read more

Scripture: Hosea 10:11

Denomination: Apostolic

Soldiers For Christ Series

Contributed by Ken Mckinley on May 29, 2014

The fourth in a series dealing with the parables found in Matthew. This sermon was preached on Memorial Day and so it somewhat ties in with that holiday.

Soldiers for Christ: (Parables of Matthew Part Four) Text: Matthew 13:18 – 23 Well it’s Memorial Day weekend; and as you all know, Memorial Day was a holiday created originally for the purpose of honoring the men and women who gave their lives in service to this country. There’s ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 13:18-23

Denomination: Independent/Bible

The Parable Of The Sower

Contributed by Steven Dow on Jun 27, 2002

This sermon will help you identify hindrances to your spiritual development and how to correct them.

The Parable of the Sower Matthew 13:1-8, 18-23 Pastor Steve Dow June 30, 2002 Introduction As we look around the church in North America these days we quickly discover that few professing Christians are really living productive spiritual lives. Every where we look we find people who have been ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 13:1-23, Mark 4:1-9

Corrections For Life Series

Contributed by Dennis Davidson on Jan 30, 2012

We need to be aware of how to distinguish scorners & the wicked from those simply ignorant of the way of wisdom. The wise are those who heed wisdom by responding to & learning from rebuke.We need wise counsel to guide us in this difficult but necessary ma

PROVERBS 9: 7-12 CORRECTIONS FOR LIFE [2 Peter 1:2-4] Wisdom has been issuing her invitation and calling us to walk in the way of understanding. She directs her invitation to the simple, the naive, the ignorant, to those who have not already made up their mind. There are others who have ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 9:7-12

Denomination: Baptist

The Trouble With Trials

Contributed by Stephen E. Trail on Jan 11, 2016

In this message we are seeking to correct some misinformation concerning the true nature of trials.

"The Trouble with Trials" 1 Peter 4:12-13 1 Peter 4:12 Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: 13 But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 4:12-13

Denomination: Baptist

The Challenge Of Choosing An Undivided Heart-2 Series

Contributed by Byron Sherman on Aug 10, 2010

Part 2 of 2. The writer to the Hebrews set before his audience a deeper consideration of an Undivided Heart. What challenges do ’Christians,’(traditionists), face in this consideration? The challenge of choosing an Undivided Heart is accepting the Voic

SERIES: The Careful Considerations of Our Christian Confession Hebrews 3:1-6; 7-17; 3:18--4:11; 4:11-13; 4:14---5:11 Previously in Hebrews, we have looked at... A. The Challenge of Choosing the Greater STEWARDSHIP—Hebrews 3:1-6 Today we will look at the 2nd installment of... B— A challenge ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 3:7-19

Denomination: Baptist

"They Shall Know That I Am The Lord.”

Contributed by Lee Houston on Aug 29, 2024

In my years in the pulpit, never a month went by that someone in my flock did not ask some question concerning Biblical prophecy. I am no prophet. However, there are words in Ezekiel words are worthy of consideration.

Title: "They shall know that I am the LORD." Specific purpose: to draw attention to a miracle the world will see Scriptures: Ezekiel 36&37, followed by Ezekiel 38&39 In my years in the pulpit, never a month passed that someone in my flock did not ask a question concerning ...read more

Scripture: Ezekiel 37:11-14, Ezekiel 39:12-13

Is It Time To Receive? Series

Contributed by David Dunn on Sep 28, 2025

God calls us to reject restless covetousness and instead receive, in His timing, the free garment of Christ’s righteousness and eternal life.

Part One – Drop the Shovel: Guard the Heart Opening Illustration – The Grand Canyon Shovel Some years ago I traveled to the Grand Canyon with my young son. We stood on the rim looking out over that breathtaking, mile-wide chasm. He tugged at my sleeve and asked, “Daddy, how did it form?” I ...read more

Scripture: 2 Kings 5:20-27, Matthew 6:33, Matthew 22:11-14, James 1:14-25, 1 John 1:7  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Seventh-Day Adventist

The Big Picture Series

Contributed by Tim Diack on Jan 14, 2013

God's word is like a seed - it's meant to be planted, to take root, to grow and to bring forth new life! What place do you give the word of God in your life?

The Big Picture - Mark 4:1-20 - January 13, 2013 Series: I Want To Follow Jesus - #1 I’ll invite you to open your Bibles with me this morning to the Gospel of Mark – Mark chapter 4, beginning in verse 1. Jesus is teaching the people and He is going to tell them a series of ...read more

Scripture: Mark 4:1-9

Denomination: *other