Why important?

1. Power is in the Word, not in us

2. People’s reaction to gospel determines kind of soil they are

3. We sow; soil decides its destiny

4. Warning: we are vulnerable too

The threat is real

Most don’t make it

I. An Unholy TrioI. An Unholy Trio

1. Birds (5)1. Birds (5)

Satan uses means, methods, & men to rob souls. Gn.15:11

Devil12

SatanMk.4:15

Evil oneMt.13:19

Species of satanic birdsSpecies of satanic birds AtheistsAtheists Pseudo-science.Pseudo-science. 1 T.6:20 Islam.Islam. Rv.21:8 Immorality.Immorality. We must talk about sin Indifference.Indifference. Ac.24:24-25 Mockery.Mockery. Ac.2 DenominationalismDenominationalism

8 (hear)Mk.4:24 (“Take heed what you hear”)

1. Birds

2. Dry ground (6)2. Dry ground (6)

TrialsTrials,, 13 They are emotional (Jn.5:35)

Lk.7:33 They are impulsive (Mt.13:20-21)

“be exceedingly joyful, overjoyedbe exceedingly joyful, overjoyed”

Mt.13:6Job had roots

Lk.14:15,28-33Count cost

1. Birds2. Dry

3. Thorns (7)3. Thorns (7)Too much of a “good thing” (14)

1. Cares. Lk.10:38-42

2. Riches. Lk.6, 12, 16, 18

3. Pleasures . . .

Innocent, Hb.11:25TV, Internet...

Sports

Sinful, Ja.4:1,3Drinking, DrugsGambling, Forn.

I. An Unholy TrioI. An Unholy Trio

II. One Holy GroundII. One Holy Ground

Why “good ground”?

Word goes into it (8)

Word resides in it (15) [N]ASV; ESV

Goodground

GoodgroundWORD

9-10 quotes Is.6:9-10

Lk.8:10, thatthat they may not see God conceals the message

Mt.13:13, becausebecause they will not see God reacts to their attitude

(Lk.13:34)Illustration: Corinth

Ac.18:1-6Gospel exposes the grounds

1. The Word resides in them

2. They keep clinging to Word Honest people who hear the Word

become children of God Satan’s goal: separate the two

Ac.4-5 Domitian

1. The Word resides in them 2. They keep clinging to Word

3. They bear fruit, Ga.5:22-23

love joypeacelongsuffering

kindness goodnessfaith

fulness

gentleness

self-control

1. The Word resides in them 2. They keep clinging to Word 3. They bear fruit, Ga.5:22-23

4. They persevere Satan: equal opportunity attacker

“The devil made me do it?” Good ground learned to resist

Watch and prayMt.26:41

Endure1 Co.10:13

Good soil and bad contrasted (1)

RockyRocky does notGoodGood: keeps word and perseveres

ThornyThorny does notGoodGood: bears fruit

WaysideWayside does notGoodGood: clings to the Word

Good soil and bad contrasted (2)

Good ground is softsoft (receptive); ct. 5 Good ground is deepdeep (rooted); ct. 6 Good ground is cleanclean (resolved); ct. 7

Hate…yourself, Lk.14:26 – unlike wayside

Bear cross, Lk.14:27 – unlike rocky

Forsake all, Lk.14:33 – unlike thorny

Context continues the theme

16-17, use what they have (10) 18, howhow…hear…hear; 8, hear (Lk.9:44-45) 19-21, illustrates preceding parable 22-25 (Mk.4:34-45)

Wind & seaobey

Good groundobeys

No questionNo complaint

No excuse

“My family” in 19-21is “good ground” in 15