Sermons on Thorny Soil:

So Loved

Contributed by Jason Bonnicksen on Apr 22, 2011

Let us all take out our towels from our drawers and kneel down before others, and serve them as Jesus serves us, by loving them unto the end. Let us each serve our Lord, by serving all people, in the grace of God’s ultimate and sacrificial love.

INTRO One of the neatest gifts I’ve ever received was this little, hand towel. I was given this during my seminary commencement, and have cherished it ever since. The towel has a little saying on it: “Blessed to be a blessing” Isaiah 61:1. Isaiah 61:1-2 says: “The ...read more

Scripture: John 13:1

Denomination: Lutheran

Are Your Satisfied?

Contributed by Perry Greene on Nov 23, 2011

God wants us to bless (and thank) him AFTER he blesses us. It is easy to be God-conscious when we are in need; it is another thing when we are satisfied.

Who said: “We have been the recipients of the choicest bounties of Heaven. We have been preserved these many years in peace and prosperity. We have grown in numbers, wealth and power as no other nation has ever grown. But we have forgotten God. We have forgotten the gracious Hand which ...read more

Scripture: Deuteronomy 8:1-20

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Is This All There Is? Series

Contributed by Tom Fuller on Nov 4, 2012

In our world of entertainment, glitz, and glamor, we are led to believe that if we follow the pattern of this age we can get satisfaction. But in the end it is only temporary. David tells us that the satisfaction that comes from a relationship with God ha

Psalm 16 is a Miktam. We don’t know what that Hebrew word means, but it could suggest music in a “plaintive” style or a contemplative poem. This psalm is about God’s protection, praise, and provision. It is about how to live life in the here and now, and how to be assured of ...read more

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

Who Is God And How Can You Get To Know Him? Series

Contributed by Tom Fuller on Jun 18, 2012

Jesus had to answer some very complicated questions designed to trap Him. But being the master chess player, Jesus turned the traps into times of teaching and revealing much about His true identity.

Jesus is in the middle of debating the religious leaders who have come to challenge Him after He cleared the Temple. Last time they demanded that He prove His authority (He wouldn’t because they wouldn’t admit where John the Baptist got his authority) and then they tried to trap Him ...read more

Scripture: Mark 12:18-37

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

The Fear Of God

Contributed by Jim Keegan on Aug 11, 2022

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom,” as the Book of Proverbs stresses repeatedly. May we seek to live as God-fearing people who humble our hearts in reverence of His glory and live in faithfulness to His will.

The year was 1845. A man named Carl Steinman was fascinated by volcanoes, and going against the advice of his guide, he ventured to the edge of a dormant volcano while visiting Mount Hecla in Iceland. Although it had last erupted over fifty years earlier, the guide noticed there had been ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 2:12-13

Healthy Crops Healthy Hearts

Contributed by Dr. Ronnie Grizzle on Sep 13, 2002

WHAT WE AS CHRISTIANS NEED TO DO TO HAVE A HEALTHY HEART, BASED ON THE PARABLE OF THE SOWER.

HEALTHY CROPS HEALTHY HEARTS MATTHEW 13:3-8; 18-23 SEPTEMBER 15, 2002 Parkersburg Baptist Church WE LIVE IN AN AGRICULTURAL COMMUNITY; MANY OF YOU MAKE YOUR LIVING BY RAISING VARIOUS CROPS. MANY OF YOU WHO DEAL WITH LIVESTOCK, KNOW ABOUT THE CROPS BECAUSE YOU DEPEND UPON GRAIN TO KEEP YOUR ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 13:3-8, Matthew 3:18-23

Denomination: Baptist

The Parable Of The Sower Premium Sermon

Contributed by PRO Premium on Oct 8, 2023

The sermon explores the transient nature of the four types of people described in the Parable of the Sower, emphasizing the transformative power of the gospel and encouraging believers to actively spread the word of God.

Hello Church! Did you know that according to the book, The Millionaire Next Door, most millionaires are neither flashy nor drive expensive cars? They tend to shop at JC Penney and live below their means. Also, not long ago, a study showed that 95% of millionaires are first-generation wealthy, ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 13:1-9

Topics: Parable Of The Sower, Gospel Response, Kingdom Of Earth

The Pastor's Heart - Part Two

Contributed by Russell Brownworth on Oct 20, 2003

If a pastor’s heart is true, what will the hearts of true believers do in responding to God through the ministry of a pastor?

THE PASTOR’S POINTS sermon ministry of CEDAR LODGE BAPTIST CHURCH Thomasville, NC ---------------------- October 19, 2003 ---------------------- 6Now Timothy has just returned, bringing the good news that your faith and love are as strong as ever. He reports that you remember our visit with joy and ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 3:6-12

Denomination: United Methodist

You Can't Reap Them All Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Oct 15, 2001

There is good physical illustration in here that catches the attention of young and old alike.

OPEN:A Georgia farmer, ragged and barefooted, was standing on the steps of his tumbledown shack. A stranger stopped for a drink of water and just to pass the time of day he asked: "How is your cotton coming along?" he asked. "Ain’t got none," replied the farmer. "Did you plant any?" ...read more

Scripture: Luke 8:4-15

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Faith, Seeds And Life

Contributed by Richard Francis on Feb 29, 2008

God plants the seed of faith in our hearts, if we turn to Jesus it germinates and starts to grow. We need to surrender to mature to reach the fullness of what God wants us to be, to reach the lost, to change our communities to save nation, are your ready

Matthew 17:20 He replied, "Because you have so little faith. I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ’Move from here to there’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.“ Faith – what is it? According to the Bible, "faith is ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 17:20

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Parable Of The Seed

Contributed by Revd. Martin Dale on Jul 2, 2005

The distance been the ear and the heart is a mighty long one

SMB 03-07-05 NR 10-07-05 Story: In the 19th Century (before radar was invented) ships avoided each other by looking out for beacons or lights on other ships. And they communicated with each other by flashing messages to each other by light in a sort of Morse code. One day a battleship was ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 13:1-23

Denomination: Anglican

Sowing The Word Of God In Our Lives

Contributed by Brian La Croix on Sep 7, 2006

Message based on the parable of the Sower.

Sowing the Word of God in Our Lives Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23 August 20, 2006 Introduction We’re back to our walk-through of the gospel according to Matthew, and as we get into chapter 13, we find a very familiar parable, the parable of the sower. And parable that we can take home with us to chew ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 13:1-23

Denomination: Wesleyan

The Story Of A Seed

Contributed by Denn Guptill on Jul 22, 2018

In the story of the seed, Jesus gives each of us instructions for reproducing

The Story of a Seed It was the end of August in 1979. I was a 19-year-old fisherman on the herring seiner Rali 2 out of Paspébiac, Quebec. Don’t ask why a crew from Saint John and Grand Manan were crewing a seiner from Quebec, it’s a long story. We had spent the summer in the Bay of Fundy ...read more

Scripture: Mark 4:26-29

Denomination: Wesleyan

Evangelism 101 - Part 3 - Sowing Seed, Bearing Fruit Series

Contributed by Chuck Brooks on Dec 14, 2020

In Matthew chapter 13, Jesus warns His audience that although the seed may be good, if it is not sown or planted right, it will not yield what is intended.

In Matthew chapter 13, Jesus warns His audience that although the seed may be good, if it is not sown or planted right, it will not yield what is intended. Mat 13:1 On the same day Jesus went out of the house and sat by the sea. Mat 13:2 And great multitudes were gathered together to Him, so ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 13:1-23

Denomination: Independent/Bible

What The Gardener Does (Revised)

Contributed by Michael Hollinger on Dec 7, 2005

Growth. Grow where you are; it’s God’s Plan - Cooperate!

Title: What the Gardener Does Text: Luke 13:6-9. FCF: We are supposed to grow. Jesus will make sure that happens. SO: I’d specifically like to encourage the congregation to take risks in growing – things like committing to some evangelism… Intro: I’m not really much of a gardener. Today is the ...read more

Scripture: Luke 13:6-9

Denomination: Baptist