Sermons on The Soil With Thorns:

Contentment Or Sour Grapes

Contributed by Monte Brown on Jan 25, 2007

You can hang figs on a thorn bush and grapes on briers and pick from them, but you can’t make them a natural product of these plants. You can play the part of a Christian and go through the motions, but you’re not a Christian unless you’re connected to

Luke 6:43-45 "For a good tree does not bear bad fruit, nor does a bad tree bear good fruit. 44For every tree is known by its own fruit. For men do not gather figs from thorns, nor do they gather grapes from a bramble bush. 45A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good; and ...read more

Scripture: Luke 6:43-45

Denomination: Baptist

Reaping And Sowing In The Ruins Series

Contributed by Nickolas Kooi on Jul 9, 2020

This sermon looks at the hope and promise of sowing God's Word. It deals with the failures, but also the joys that we can experience with this! It goes through Jesus' parable of the sower. A special thanks to Rev. Bob Holst for the inspiration and idea

Are you an optimist, or are you a pessimist? Are you a glass half-empty person, or are you a glass half-full person? Do you complain that rose bushes have thorns, or do you rejoice because thorns have roses? Do you see the storm clouds, or do you see the silver lining? There are various ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 55:10-13, Matthew 13:1-9, Matthew 13:18-23, Galatians 5:21-22

Denomination: Lutheran

Step #3: Tap Into God's Grace Series

Contributed by Darrell Stetler Ii on Sep 1, 2004

When life hands you puzzle pieces you can’t figure out, what do you do? How can we handle it? Let’s examine how Paul dealt with his "thorn in the flesh", and learn some lessons for us! *HANDOUT INCLUDED*

Tap Into God’s Grace (OR Bitter or Better OR Let it Change You) 2 Cor. 12:7-10 - 2Co 12:7 And lest I should be exalted above measure by the abundance of the revelations, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I be exalted above measure. 8 Concerning this ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 12:7-10

Denomination: Holiness

Series: Recovering Stolen Identity & Reclaiming Misplaced Destiny: Part 4a: God Can Use Detours To Get You To Your Destiny (Significance Of Detours To Joseph’s Destiny)

Contributed by Jeremiah Menyongai on Mar 10, 2020

Looking at some people's past, they should have never produced a Joseph. In our society, most people with Joseph's backgrounds are killers, jail birds, drunks, addicts, etc. But God’s Destiny on your life can be fulfilled even in the midst of thorns.

SERIES: RECOVERING STOLEN IDENTITY & RECLAIMING MISPLACED DESTINY: PART 4A: GOD CAN USE DETOURS TO GET YOU TO YOUR DESTINY - SIGNIFICANCE OF DETOURS TO JOSEPH’S DESTINY 1. Genesis 35:18: Rachel died while giving birth to the son. Before dying, she named the boy Benoni. But Jacob called him ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 35:18, Genesis 37:18-28

Denomination: Charismatic

Any Old Bush Will Do

Contributed by John Gaston on Oct 29, 2025

The bush God chose on Horeb was a worthless, fruitless bush that only stuck you with a thorn if you got close, yet God used it (by His holy presence) to deliver Israel and reveal His power to the world! If He can use that, He can use us!

ANY OLD BUSH WILL DO Ex. 3:1-10 INTRODUCTION A. HUMOR 1. President Bush was going through an airport when he saw a man who looked like Moses. He asked him, "Are you Moses?" The man acted as if he didn't hear. 2. He asked him again, "Are you Moses?" The man refused to look ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 3:1-10

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Trust The Seed

Contributed by Barry O Johnson on Feb 28, 2018

The parable of the sower, or more appropriately the Seed, is a parable about truth and what happens when truth is rejected. Ultimately, it's a parable of encouragement.

We’re going to be in Mark 4 this morning. Most historians agree that the book of Mark, in a sense, is Simon Peter’s autobiography. Mark wrote his epistles based on his conversations with Peter. So, when you read Mark look at how choppy it is. It’s not like the book of Luke which sacrifices few ...read more

Scripture: Mark 4:1-30, Matthew 13:10-16, Isaiah 55:10-12

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Finding God's Forgiveness

Contributed by Steve Pearman on Jan 9, 2023

I used this sermon before our first communion of the New Year. It concluded a visual aid for everyone. Small bags filled with soil were put out around the seating of the church. These were available to pick up in the sermon, and then bring to a cross near the front

What are you guilty of? A guy was found guilty of overusing commas. The judge warned him to expect a really long sentence. Forgiveness We all carry with us: Guilt – • Guilt at something done • Guilt at some bad words said to someone • Guilt at deliberately going against what God wants. • Guilt ...read more

Don't Get Offended Because Of Me Series

Contributed by Ethel Lamazon on Jun 20, 2024

Sometimes life doesn't always go as we plan. We sometimes think that when we're serving God life is going to be a flower bed of ease and we soon learn that life is not a bed of flowers but a bed of roses with thorns in it, but God still has a plan

BLESSED ARE THOSES WHO ARE NOT OFFENDED BECAUSE OF ME---MATTHEW 11 VS 2-6 2 And when John had heard in prison about the works of Christ, he [a]sent two of his disciples 3 and said to Him, “Are You the Coming One, or do we look for another?” 4 Jesus answered and said to them, “Go and tell ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 11:2-6, Ephesians 4:2

"christ: The Ultimate Model Intercessor"

Contributed by Dr. Jerry Hulse on Jun 28, 2023

This message pertains to the study of two fig trees. The first one displayed leaves without producing any fruit. The second one was planted in good soil but required an intercessor to save it from dying, to have another opportunity to grow and bear fruit. Which tree represents you?

SCRIPTURAL REFERENCES (Luke 13:6-9) (6) "He spake also this parable; A certain man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard; and he came and sought fruit thereon, and found none." (7) "Then said he unto the dresser ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 4:15, Mark 11:12-14, Mark 11:20-22, Luke 13:6, Romans 8:38-39, Luke 13:6-9  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Pentecostal

Growing Through What You Go Through

Contributed by Rev. Samuel Arimoro on May 13, 2025

Whatever you're going through is not the end—it’s the process. Growth often hides in the soil of affliction. Do not curse the season you are in; rather, lean into God and allow Him to mould you. You are growing through what you go through.

GROWING THROUGH WHAT YOU GO THROUGH By Rev. Samuel Arimoro Main Text: James 1:2-4 Supporting Texts: Romans 5:3-5, 2 Corinthians 4:17, Psalm 34:19, 1 Peter 1:6-7, Isaiah 43:2 INTRODUCTION: Life is a journey filled with seasons—some filled with sunshine, others with storms. It is not always the ...read more

Scripture: James 1:2-4

Denomination: Assembly Of God

How To Position Yourself For Divine Increase

Contributed by Rev. Samuel Arimoro on May 26, 2025

Divine increase is not automatic. God blesses those who align themselves with His principles, obey His Word, and walk in faith. Just as a farmer prepares the soil before planting, we must position ourselves rightly for God to pour out His increase upon us.

HOW TO POSITION YOURSELF FOR DIVINE INCREASE By Rev. Samuel Arimoro Main Text: Psalm 115:14 Supporting Texts: Genesis 26:12-14, 1 Chronicles 4:9-10, Deuteronomy 1:11, Proverbs 3:9-10, Isaiah 54:2-3 INTRODUCTION: Divine increase is the supernatural multiplication of blessings, resources, ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 115:14, Genesis 26:12-14, 1 Chronicles 4:9-10

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Unleashing The Power Of Faith SermonCentral

Contributed by SermonCentral on Sep 11, 2023

Whether it's deep-rooted habits in your life that refuse to move, or mountain-like problems that you're facing that you cannot overcome, or a challenge so great like planting something where there is no soil, God says, your faith is enough to solve those problems.

Today, we will focus on a prayer made by the disciples that had a profound impact on their lives and ministry. In Luke 17:5, the disciples asked Jesus, "Increase our faith!" This simple prayer holds great significance as it reveals the disciples' desire for a stronger faith to accomplish the ...read more

Scripture: Luke 17:5

Topics: Faith, Overcoming Challenges

Pilate The Procurator – A Double Minded Psychopath - Part 2 Series

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Jul 13, 2022

Pilate was a gutless man, weak and scheming. He was a known murderer among the Jews. All the flaws of his character came out when he confronted Jesus. This message looks at truth, lying and other matters.

PILATE THE PROCURATOR – A DOUBLE MINDED PSYCHOPATH - PART 2 THE CHARACTERS OF JOHN’S GOSPEL – PILATE - PART 2 OF 2 This Message on Pilate continues from Part 1. John 19 v 4 Pilate came out again and said to them, “Behold, I am bringing Him out to you that you may know that I find no guilt in ...read more

Scripture: John 19:4-22, Matthew 27:24-25, Joshua 24:15

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

What Are You "Platting” Into Your Life?

Contributed by Barry O Johnson on Oct 7, 2020

There is a reason why so many of the values and beliefs of many in the Church are no different than the unchurched.

Good evening to the blessed of the Lord. I am so glad to see you. Would you join me in turning to Matthew 4 please. This a passage we’re very familiar with. It says: (1) Then was Jesus led up of the spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil. (2) And when he had fasted forty days and ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 4:1-4, Deuteronomy 8:1-3, John 5:19, John 5:30, Ephesians 2:4-6  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Tortured Christ

Contributed by Stephen Belokur on Mar 22, 2018

The account of Jesus' suffering and death on our behalf has become so familiar that if we are not careful we can skim right through it when reading the Bible and never give it a second thought. Let's look at it again to day with fresh eyes of wonder.

Let's stand and read together our memory Scripture for this first quarter of 2018. 2 Timothy 2:11-13 “Here is a trustworthy saying: If we died with Him, we will also live with Him; if we endure, we will also reign with Him. If we disown Him, He will also disown us; if we are faithless, He remains ...read more

Scripture: Mark 15:1-39, John 1:1-3, Psalm 22:14-18

Denomination: Nazarene