The Soil Of Faith: Where Mountains Begin To Move Series

The Soil of Faith: Where Mountains Begin to Move

Luke 8:11-15 (The Parable of the Sower) “This is the meaning of the parable: The seed is the word of God. Those along the path are the ones who hear, and then the devil comes and takes away the word from their hearts, so that they may not believe and be saved. Those on the rocky ground are the ones who receive the word with joy when they hear it, but they have no root. They believe for a while, but in the time of testing they fall away. The seed that fell among thorns stands for those who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by life’s worries, riches and pleasures, and they do not mature. But the seed on good soil stands for those with a noble and good heart, who hear the word, retain it, and by persevering produce a crop.

INTRODUCTION: Preparing the Ground

If mustard seed faith can move a mountain, then we better be asking: Where are we planting that seed?

Because no matter how powerful the seed is—if the soil isn’t ready, it won’t grow.

Let me put it to you another way: the mountain might not be the only thing that needs to move—maybe your heart needs to shift too.

Tonight, we’re going deeper. We’re not shouting down mountains. We’re cultivating soil. We’re preparing the place where faith takes root.

POINT 1: THE PROBLEM ISN'T THE SEED—IT'S THE SOIL

Let’s read Luke 8:11-15. Jesus is explaining the parable of the sower:

"The seed is the word of God... But the seed on good soil stands for those with a noble and good heart, who hear the word, retain it, and by persevering produce a crop.”

Jesus tells us: the Word works. Faith works. But the condition of your heart determines what it produces.

Some hearts are like:

• The footpath—hardened by disappointment. Nothing can penetrate.

• Rocky ground—shallow roots. Faith springs up fast but dies when pressure comes.

• Thorny soil—choked out by worry, riches, or distractions.

• Good soil—ready to receive, ready to grow, and ready to persevere.

This morning, you planted mustard seed faith. But tonight? We’re going to till the ground.

Let me ask you: What kind of soil are you working with?

• Are you bitter?

• Distracted?

• Burnt out?

• Tired of trying?

Let the Holy Spirit soften the ground. Don’t just bring your faith—bring your heart.

POINT 2: FAITH GROWS THROUGH PROCESS, NOT JUST POWER

We love the idea of mountain-moving faith… but most of the time, mountains don’t move in one giant leap.

They move one shovel at a time. One prayer at a time. One day at a time.

Planting is process.

It takes time. It takes repetition. It takes surrender.

Let’s be honest: we want a microwave miracle. But God often gives us a crockpot calling. He’s not just trying to give you a moment—He’s growing something permanent in your life.

• Think about Joseph. Dreamed big. But it took betrayal, slavery, and prison before he stood in the palace.

• Think about Moses. Called to lead Israel. But spent 40 years on the backside of the desert.

• Think about Jesus. The Messiah. But He grew in wisdom and stature before His ministry even began.

You don’t have to see growth tonight to believe it’s happening.

Faith doesn’t always feel like a firework. Sometimes it feels like planting a seed in cold dirt and trusting God to do the rest.

POINT 3: GUARD THE GROUND

Here’s the hard truth: the devil doesn’t have to dig up your seed… he just has to distract your soil.

Faith doesn’t just need to be planted. It needs to be protected.

Luke 8:14 says, “The seed that fell among thorns stands for those who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by life’s worries, riches and pleasures, and they do not mature.”

Your faith won’t grow in soil that’s overcrowded by stress and spiritual laziness.

You’ve got to:

• Weed out worry.

• Uproot bitterness.

• Block off distractions.

Guard your soil. Guard your heart. Proverbs 4:23 says, "Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it."

CLOSING: DON’T JUST PLANT IT—CULTIVATE IT

Let’s come full circle: This morning, you planted a mustard seed. Tonight, we ask: What will you do with it?

Don’t be a one-service believer. Be a seed-steward. Be a faith-farmer.

Don’t just shout the mountain down—build the soil up.

“God, make my heart good soil. I want to grow what I planted. I won’t just believe for a moment—I’ll prepare for a miracle. Cultivate my heart. Remove what needs to go. Grow what only You can grow.”

Let the soil remind you: God’s not finished. The seed is still good. And the mountain isn’t too big—it’s just waiting on the roots to grow deep enough to move it.