The Good-Ground Hearers

Good-Ground Hearers (Matt 13:23)
Intro:
We've seen three bad soils, but now for the 'law of end stress.'

Exposition:

1. Main division is between fruitless & fruitful soils
2. All good ground is fruitful, though fruitfulness varies
3. Fruitfulness is clearly understood as goal of agriculture

Doctrine:
a. Good ground doesn't have to try to produce fruit; it just does
b. Problem w/America: so many bad-ground hearers
c. Are you a hypocrite w/bad heart, claiming to be born of Spirit but bringing forth no fruit?
d. Decide now to receive the word & get fruit of salvation to eternal life
e. What's really important: disciples; not decisions
f. Some ignore the word or believe for a while then fall away; so produce fruit & be good ground

Application:

• King comes as sower & his kingdom through preaching of the word which, though lost on many accounts, bears abundance of fruit by those who receive it w/good hearts, thus explaining the present disappointments & future prospects of the kingdom of heaven
• We need to understand the secrets of the kingdom of heaven & teach others
• Take heed how you hear. Don't be like those who hear the word w/hard, shallow, or divided hears, but you understand it & bear fruit. Take care that neither ignorance nor Satan nor tribulation nor persecution nor the cares of this world nor the deceitfulness of riches hinder you (Luke)

Conclusion: Why does everything have to be about you? It's about the King & his Kingdom. Get on board.