Sermons on Rocky Soil:

Good Topsoil Series

Contributed by D Marion Clark on Oct 29, 2012

The failure to live by the gospel is found in people’s hearts.

Jesus’ Parables We come to our first parable this morning, so we ought to consider before we get into it, what is a parable? I’ll give you a starting definition. A parable is a picture with a point. The picture may be a story such as the tale of the good Samaritan. It may be an ...read more

Scripture: Mark 4:1-20

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Do You Have A Listening Heart

Contributed by Dennis Selfridge on May 6, 2002

We need to be quiet so we can hear God

WE NEED TO HAVE A LISTENING HEART? So, in your earliest waking moments of the day, consciously start praising God right away, first thing, for good things that He is and for good things that He’s doing. Focus your heart on Jesus as the only One you’re doing things for, as the source ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 3:29

Denomination: Wesleyan

Shallow Spirituality

Contributed by Brian Atwood on Mar 11, 2002

Attitudes to avoid because they promote shallow spirituality.

Last week we looked at "surface spirituality", the soil that did not receive the seed because it had been "walked on" and was hardened. We learned that we can develop a hardened heart when others hurt us if we’re not careful. If we let our hearts become bitter and unforgiving the Word of God ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 13:1-23, Luke 9:57-62

Denomination: Baptist

The Good And Honest Heart

Contributed by Ron Freeman, Evangelist on Jan 19, 2016

To establish that the good and honest heart hears, receives, believes, and obeys the gospel of Christ - the seed of the kingdom. This lesson describes the type of heart that will believe and obey the gospel. It also discusses a "significant emotional event."

INTRODUCTION Outline. 1. The Sower (The Preacher) 2. The Seed (The Word of God) 3. The Soil (The Hearers) Introductory Remarks. 1. There is much warning in the bible to the hearers of the word of God. Jesus spoke: "of the wise and foolish hearers," Matthew 7:24-27. James declares: ...read more

Scripture: Luke 8:4-15, Matthew 13:36-43, Matthew 13:47-51

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Recognizing The Receptive Series

Contributed by David Dewitt on Nov 14, 2007

We are called to reach out those around us with the hope and message of the gospel.

Recognizing the Receptive Series: Spring Life - Identify Matthew 13:1-9, Luke 19:1-10 March 4, 2007 Morning Service This message was prepared using the Springlife materials supplied by the Wesleyan Headquarters. Introduction When I was young, we always planted a garden at my grandmother’s house. ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 13:1-9

Denomination: Church Of God

Friendship Evangelism Series

Contributed by David Henderson on Mar 25, 2022

Paul writes to call them to a higher standard. And to call us to a higher standard as well. There should be a difference in how we live and how the world lives.

GOING PUBLIC “Friendship Evangelism” 1st Corinthians 3:1-10 In our text, today, Paul is addressing the church in Corinth. This is a church that Paul started around AD 50. This letter appears to have been written about 5 years later. So this is a very young church, full of men and women who are ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 3:1-10

Denomination: Baptist

"The Agriculturally Illiterate"

Contributed by John Nadasi on Jul 13, 2002

Sermon focusses on both the nature of sower and the soil.

Matthew 13: 1-23 "The Agriculturally Illiterate" Paonia United Methodist Church July 14, 2002 Rev. John M. Nadasi I remember the day I got my first four wheel drive. I was so excited because I now had this extra shifter SUV. Why, with this extra shifter, I could go anywhere, anytime, over ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 55:1-13, Matthew 13:1-23

Denomination: Methodist

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

Sifted But Sustained Because Jesus Is Praying For Us! Series

Contributed by David Taylor on Feb 20, 2014

Being an Authentic Follower of Jesus: Sifted But Sustained Because Jesus is Praying for Us!

Being an Authentic Follower of Jesus: Sifted But Sustained Because Jesus is Praying for Us! Luke 22:31-34 June 20, 10 I remember the most difficult time in my life, sifted like wheat. I felt like my life was caving in and I was in the bottom of a cup and could not even reach the lip to pull ...read more

Scripture: Luke 22:31-34

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Knowing And Doing, Two Different Things Series

Contributed by Scotty Killingsworth on Jan 16, 2002

I know I am supposed to change the oil in my car every 3,000 miles. I know that. I know that if I change it regularly my engine will last longer. I know that. In actuality I change oil about every 5,000-7,000 because I have it serviced four times a ye

WW011602 Knowing and doing -two different things John 9:39-10:3 Beginning: I know I am supposed to change the oil in my car every 3,000 miles. I know that. I know that if I change it regularly my engine will last longer. I know that. In actuality I change oil about every 5,000-7,000 because ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

"Presenting A Powerful Witness”

Contributed by Dave Mcfadden on Jul 3, 2012

How do we remain faithful and bold for Christ in the face of opposition?

“The world is not interested in an anemic, spineless Christianity. They are impacted by courageous Christians.” - Grant Richison Paul was an example of uncommon courage wherever he was called by God to be (even in a prison cell). Now he encourages the Philippians to be an example of uncommon ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 1:27-30

Denomination: Baptist

Fertile Ground Series

Contributed by Mark Eberly on May 19, 2009

Jesus gives us four basic types of response to the message of God’s kingdom. Which type of ground most resembles your spiritual walk?

Parables of Jesus Fertile Ground Matthew 13:3-9; 18-23 May 17, 2009 As I mentioned a couple of weeks ago, this parable is the parable of parables. It is the certainly a huge key in understanding what Jesus is teaching about God’s kingdom and what God expects of us in response to the message that ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 13:3-23

Denomination: Church Of God

The Liberal (Generous!) God And Our Response Series

Contributed by Warner Pidgeon on Aug 23, 2010

God is liberal - and by that I mean generous, ample, extravagent in giving. Jesus told this parable ABOUT the crowd not TO the crowd. What is our response to the message of Jesus from the liberal God? What kind of soil are we?

God is liberal! God is not a Liberal Democrat, but God is liberal! God is not ’wishy-washy’, but God is liberal. God is incredibly generous and extravagant. God does not say, “Anything goes.” God is not that kind of liberal; but when the dictionary says ’abundant, ample, giving freely;[ and] ...read more

Scripture: Luke 8:4-8

Denomination: Anglican

How To Listen To God: The Good Soil - Mark 4:20-25 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Sep 16, 2023

Why is Scripture hard and why so many different conclusions about Jesus? Because he hid the truth in hard sayings. Why make it so hard? This passage explains.

Mark 4:14 The sower sows the word. 15 Some people are like seed along the path, where the word is sown. Immediately Satan comes and takes away the word that was sown in them. 16 Others, like seed sown on rocky places, hear the word and at once receive it with joy. 17 But since they have no root, ...read more

Scripture: Mark 4:20-25, Matthew 13:12, Luke 8:16-18

The Need To See Clearly

Contributed by Domingo Reyes on Aug 25, 2006

Perceiving is important to achieving. How clearly you can see is vital to suceeding as a Christian.

Close Your Eyes for a moment.. What Do you see? Darkness? Images ? Thoughts ? Nothing ? Question? - Have you ever lived in Darkness? - Have you had Cloudy thoughts - Have you been plagued with dark images? - Ever seen nothing when there was something there to see. - Ever seen something ...read more

Scripture: Mark 8:22-26

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ