Sermons on Thorny Soil:

Waiting On God

Contributed by Scott Coltrain on Sep 11, 2004

An examination of the importance of and manner in which we are to wait on God in our lives.

The saying goes: “Timing is everything.” That is so true. You see this to be obvious in the trauma operating room. The surgeon knows that to operate too quickly - before the patient’s vital signs are stabilized - will probably kill them on the table. But, he knows that to wait too long will ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 37:1-9

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Little Engine That Could

Contributed by Bruce Ball on Jul 7, 2005

Sermon preached the morning before we sent another team of missionaries to foreign soil. Discusses what is needed to have missions trips.

Have you ever wished that you could do something to make changes in the world around you? Have you ever said, "If I had my way… if only I could, if only I could?" Most of us would like to have some kind of positive impact on our surroundings in some way or other, wouldn’t we? But think for a ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 28:19-20

Denomination: *other

Be A Doer Of The Word

Contributed by Rev. Samuel Arimoro on May 13, 2025

The difference between a victorious Christian life and a defeated one lies in the doing of the Word. The Word is a seed, but obedience is the soil where it bears fruit.

BE A DOER OF THE WORD By Rev. Samuel Arimoro Main Text: James 1:22 – “But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.” Supporting Texts: Matthew 7:24-27, Luke 6:46, Romans 2:13, John 13:17, Joshua 1:8 INTRODUCTION: In an age of information, hearing the Word of God ...read more

Scripture: James 1:22, Matthew 7:24-27, Luke 6:46

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Parable Of The Sower Series

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Jan 5, 2007

75% in this parable didn’t truly get saved. Was the problem the Sower, the Seed, or the Soil? 25% did get saved, and we can see how! Link included to formatted text, audio, and PowerPoint Template.

Parable of the Sower Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/Sower.html Sow what? The Word of God! Sow when? All the time! Sow where? Everywhere…but hopefully on good ground! This parable answers the question, “Why doesn’t everybody get saved?” As tremendous as salvation is, ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 13:1-23

Denomination: Baptist

Tour Of A Greenhouse

Contributed by Steven Simala Grant on Jan 24, 2003

In pursuit of a vision of discipleship, this sermon explores the picture of the church like a greenhouse: growing, nurturing, and transplanting. Concluding with a call to examine the soil of our soul.

Becoming a Greenhouse pt 2: Tour of a Greenhouse Matt. 13:1-9; 18-23 The Parable of the Sower (Matt. 13:1-9; 18-23): “A farmer went out to sow his seed. As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up. Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 13:1-23

Denomination: Baptist

How's Your Hearing?

Contributed by Martin Wiles on Sep 14, 2010

God's Word encounters various types of heart soil as it preached and taught, and a person's response is determined by what kind of preparation has taken place.

HOW'S YOUR HEARING? MATTHEW 13:1-9 INTRODUCTION Some know firsthand what it is to have a hearing problem. Those who have one are often required to have a hearing aid. Others choose not to. Losing our hearing or even a part of it is a very serious and aggravating thing. Some have what is termed ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 13:1-9

Denomination: Baptist

A Pattern For Powerful Prayer

Contributed by James Chandler on Jun 13, 2018

This message walks through the "disciple's prayer" as given to them by Jesus. The message identifies several elements that will create a proper soil for a rich prayer life.

Jesus' disciples come to him and ask him to teach them to pray. Matthew 6 records Jesus' response: “And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:5-13

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

They That Wait

Contributed by Larry Grant on Jun 28, 2025

The seeds of comfort often take root in the soil of pain. When your life seems to be falling apart, wait on the Lord and God will strengthen you.

Isaiah 40:28-31 “They That Wait” 6-29-2025 Isaiah 40:1 “Comfort ye, comfort ye my people,” saith your God. The book of Isaiah makes a dramatic shift at this point. Chapter 40 refers to the restoration after the Exile. Judah still had 100 years of trouble before Jerusalem would fall, then 70 years ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 40:28-31

Denomination: Baptist

The Confidence Of The Faithful Series

Contributed by Matthew Kratz on Feb 6, 2021

1) Confidence in a Protected Inheritance (1 Peter 1:6a), in a 2) Proven Faith (1 Peter 1:6b–7a), in a 3) Promised Honor, in a 4) Personal Fellowship with Christ (1 Peter 1:1:8), and in a 5) Present Deliverance (1 Peter 1:1:9).

1 Peter 1:6–9 6 In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, 7 so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 1:6-9

Denomination: Other

Jesus On Current Events Series

Contributed by Jim Luthy on Apr 28, 2003

Jesus pleads to give you a second chance. He wants permission to dig up your roots and fertilize the soil of your heart. Are you willing?

Jesus on Current Events, Tragedies, and Evil Dictators Luke 13:1-9 Pastor Jim Luthy Did you hear about the Marine who declared he is a conscientious objector to the war in Iraq and went AWOL? He went to a press conference and said he did not believe in “peace through violence” and went on to ...read more

Scripture: Luke 13:1-9, Romans 2:1-6

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Perceive And Practice The Implanted Word Series

Contributed by David Welch on May 15, 2018

Message 12 in our journey through James. This message focuses on James' instruction to both hear and practice the word God implants in you prepared soil.

Chico Alliance Church Pastor David Welch “Perceive and Practice the Implanted Truth” This is our twelfth outing in front of God’s faith-exposing mirror. James’ letter provides pointed instruction evaluating the true nature of our faith. It resembles a mirror that exposes the depths of our soul ...read more

Scripture: James 1:22-25, 1 Thessalonians 1:6-7, John 8:31-32

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

Redeeming The Land

Contributed by Rev. Samuel Arimoro on Apr 16, 2025

The land we live on is not just soil; it carries prophetic and spiritual significance. It can be blessed or cursed, fruitful or barren, depending on the spiritual state of its inhabitants.

REDEEMING THE LAND By Rev. Samuel Arimoro Main Text: 2 Chronicles 7:14 “If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.” Supporting ...read more

Scripture: 2 Chronicles 7:14

Denomination: Assembly Of God

How's Your Heart For God's Gardening Series

Contributed by Kevin Cummins on Jun 12, 2007

Christ talks about 4 different soils, each representing a heart and how receptive it is to God’s Word. How receptive are you to God’s Word?

Here is one for the teachers in the crowd today! It was at the end of the school year, and a kindergarten teacher was receiving gifts from her pupils. The florists son handed her a gift. She shook it, held it overhead, and said, "I bet I know what it is. Some flowers." "That’s ...read more

Scripture: Luke 8:4-15

Denomination: Church Of God

Plant Youth Sermon

Contributed by Youth Sermons on Sep 4, 2023

Recognize the condition of our hearts as the soil in which the seed of the Gospel is planted, and to make conscious choices to create an environment where our relationship with God can grow.

Today we're going to talk about our hearts and how they're like soil for the good news of Jesus. We're going to look at a story Jesus told in the Bible, called the Parable of the Sower. You can find it in Matthew 13:1-9 and 18-23. So, let's start with a cool object lesson. I want you all to grab a ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 13:1-9, Matthew 13:18-23

Topics: Spiritual Growth, Fertile Heart, Parables, Biblical Teachings

We Are Doing A Great Work! - Philippians 1:4-8 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Dec 16, 2021

The Philippians’ gospel partnership/fellowship (koinonia) with Paul was like the Fellowship of the Ring (band of unlikely comrades who would lay down their lives for one another and the cause of the Fellowship).

Philippians 1:3 I thank my God every time I remember you. 4 In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy 5 because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, 6 being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 1:4-8