Sermons on rocky ground:

Picture This: A Farmer Planting Seeds Series

Contributed by John Braland on Apr 3, 2007

A parable is a story that reveals a deeper meaning and Jesus was a master storyteller. He spoke in parables all the time because people like stories and we remember them. And when he applied spiritual truth to his parables they were easy for people to u

Max Lucado tells the story like this: The faces of the three men were solemn as the mayor informed them of the catastrophe. “The rains have washed away the bridge. During the night many cars drove over the edge and into the river.” “What can we do?” asked one. “You must stand on the side of the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 13:1-23

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Sower And The Seed Series

Contributed by Rev. Matthew Parker on Sep 20, 2009

This message looks at the challenges of mainataining a heart that is soft toward God.

Sermon for CATM – September 20, 2009 – The Sower and the Seed I admire gardeners. Do we have any gardeners here today? I admire gardeners because they do much more than put plants and seeds in the earth and watch them grow. There’s an art to gardening, to horticultural. My wife Barbara’s father ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 13:1-23

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Three Ways To Hinder Your Spiritual Growth Series

Contributed by Hal Seed on Oct 3, 2008

The Parable of the Soils describes four ways to respond to God. Three of them hinder spiritual growth. In this parable Jesus is saying, "You must take responsiblity for your personal spiritual growth."

[This sermon is contributed by Hal Seed of New Song Church in Oceanside, California and of www.PastorMentor.com. Hal is the author of numerous books including The God Questions and The Bible Questions. If you are interested in The Bible Questions Church-wide Campaign, please visit and watch Hal’s ...read more

Scripture: Luke 8:1-15

Denomination: Baptist

A Kingdom Of The Receptive

Contributed by David Dewitt on Jan 9, 2001

The parable of the sower shows us how we are to receive the good news of Jesus Christ

A Kingdom of the Receptive Matthew 13.1-17 September 14, 1997 Morning Service Introduction I. Ben Franklin’s Field of Plaster: Ben Franklin was known for his outrageous experiments, one such experiment revealed that plaster could be sown with crops to help them grow, when he shared his discovery ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 13:1-17

Denomination: Church Of God

Dull Disciples

Contributed by David Yarbrough on Jun 11, 2001

Disciples aren’t born they’re made.

“Dull Disciples” Matthew 16:21-28 Intro: It’s summer time, and for many that means it’s family vacation time. Have you ever had a bad experience on a vacation? If you’ve been on many vacations then you know what I’m talking about. Things don’t always go as planned, people and weather doesn’t ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 16:21-28

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Consolation When Things Don’t Go Well

Contributed by Ajai Prakash on Sep 25, 2012

Habakkuk has provided an example for us. He has showed us how to rest on God’s promises when we are personally devastated and also to rejoice in the Lord and His provision when our circumstances are devastating.

Opening illustration: Tennis superstar Arthur Ashe died of AIDS, which he contracted from a blood transfusion during heart surgery. More than a great athlete, Ashe was a gentleman who inspired and encouraged many with his exemplary behavior on and off the court. Ashe could have become embittered ...read more

Scripture: Habakkuk 3:17-19

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

A Joyful Harvest! Series

Contributed by Jose Gomez Sr. on Aug 26, 2004

This series has to do with the responsibility of the church with the GREAT COMMISSION

Gods Plan To Reach The World “Those who sow in tears shall reap with joyful shouting. He who goes to and fro weeping, carrying his bag of seed, shall indeed come again with a shout of joy, bringing his sheaves with him”. Introduction *The text that we are using today is using ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 126:5-6

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

God's Plan To Reach The World Series

Contributed by Jose Gomez Sr. on Jun 7, 2004

Part one of a two part series on evangelism.

“Those who sow in tears shall reap with joyful shouting. He who goes to and fro weeping, carrying his bag of seed, shall indeed come again with a shout of joy, bringing his sheaves with him”. Introduction *The text that we are using today is ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 126:5-6

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Matthew 13:20-21 – Part 5 – Swimming At The Shallow End Of The Pool? Series

Contributed by Ross Cochrane on Jan 28, 2011

No matter how hardhitting and inspiring and deep the message is on Sunday, many stay at the shallow end and won’t continue with the faith that they profess.

Matthew 13:20-21 – Part 5 – SWIMMING AT THE SHALLOW END OF THE POOL? He stays at the shallow end of the pool for a long time, refusing invitations to come out into the deeper water, even with his dad. But after a long time considering it, my grandson Zion Brave Bennett thrusts himself ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 13:20-21

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Endure Suffering Patiently Series

Contributed by Michael Luke on Dec 14, 2015

Suffering is partr of the human condition. We see John addressing two very important questions in minds of those who will receive this letter. The first question “Why all this suffering?” The second: “Is there point to the suffering?"

Series: Victorious! “Endure Suffering Patiently” Revelation 6-7 Open This morning, we’re in our fifth message in our series through the book of Revelation. It comes from Revelation 6-7 so if you’d go ahead and take your Bibles and turn to that passage, it will ...read more

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Hope For The Future

Contributed by Dean Rhine on Dec 9, 2003

Getting encouragement from the prophecy of Zechariah

“Hope For the Future” Zechariah 12-14 Intro: This morning we remember the death and resurrection of our Lord. And we remember with hope. The words of scripture tell us by partaking of the bread and the cup we do “show the Lord’s death till he comes.” Sometimes it takes memories to give us ...read more

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Praying In The Face Of Opposition

Contributed by David Wilson on Oct 3, 2011

When threatened, the church responded with a prayer of personal commitment rather than praying against those who were persecuting them.

Praying in the Face of Opposition TEXT: Acts 4:23-31 BACKGROUND: After the glorious healing of the crippled man at the gate of the temple, Peter (with John alongside him) preaches a powerful message to those who are amazed. This upsets the elders and the teachers of the law who seize Peter ...read more

Scripture: Acts 4:23-31

Denomination: Baptist

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

Preparing The Soil Series

Contributed by Kurt Heisey on May 29, 2002

There are things that hinder the soil of our heart from being truly fruitful, and things that help our soil to be fertile, let’s have good soil!

1 Peter 2:1-3 VCC August 16, 1998 Preparing the Soil Introduction Peter is written to those who were going through all kinds of trials (1:6) He has exhorted the Christians to personal holiness in chapter 1 After encouraging personal holiness, he commanded them to have sincere love for the ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 2:1-3, Matthew 13:1-25

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Parable Of The Sower And The Soils Series

Contributed by Chris Hodges on Sep 7, 2003

To stress the importance of preparing your heart to receive the Word of God.

The Gospel of Mark #11: The Parable of the Sower and the Soils Text: Mark 4:1-20 Thesis: To stress the importance of preparing your heart to receive the Word of God. Introduction: (1) Oftentimes, Jesus spoke in parables. (a) “The Gospels record some sixty different parables of Jesus, most of ...read more

Scripture: Mark 4:1-20

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ