Scripture Reading: Matthew 13:1-9
What Kind of Heart Do You Have?
Intro.
1. The gospel is designed to penetrate hearts to change lives, Acts 2:36-37; Jas. 1:21-22; Rom. 12:1-2.
2. We decide what kind of heart we will have; the nature of one’s heart is not predestined or unalterable, Matt. 13:14-15; 22:37.
a. On the one hand, God told the exiles of Israel that He would give them a new spirit…a heart that responded to Him, Ezek. 11:19-20.
b. On the other hand, God expected each individual to choose to have a “new heart”, Ezek. 18:30-32.
3. Matt. 13:3-9: Jesus taught a parable about the gospel and the heart that continues to be relevant to us.
a. This parable gives discernment and understanding to those who have hearts ready to “hear” (receive) truth, 13:10-12, 16-17; Mk. 4:13.
b. The dull, hard heart will not listen, learn and live, Matt. 13:14-15.
4. “Therefore hear the parable of the sower” (13:18 – Attend to, consider, perceive what is about to be said). What kind of heart do you have?
I. THE WAYSIDE: THE HARD, CLOSED HEART, Matt. 13:19.
A. This is a Choice: Do you choose not to understand the word?
1. The fact that the devil is depicted as snatching away the word indicates one can resist the devil – but he chooses not to, Jas. 4:7.
2. And so, belief and salvation is prevented, Lk. 8:12.
-(This refutes the direct operation of the Holy Spirit for salvation.)
3. Hearts are hardened by choice, Heb. 3:7-8.
B. What Leads One to Close and Harden his Heart to God’s Word?
1. Sin, Heb. 3:12-14. It is deceitful, alluring, captivating (Jas. 1:15).
2. Ingratitude and pride, Rom. 1:21-22.
3. The gospel is foolish to those who are perishing, 1 Cor. 1:23.
C. Does this Describe your Heart toward the Word of God?
1. When you hear its message of Christ? When you hear its message of sin and salvation? When you hear its plan of salvation?
2. Do not let the devil snatch the word from your heart! Matt. 13:19
II. THE STONY GROUND: THE SHALLOW, EMOTIONAL HEART, Matt. 13:20-21.
A. A Failure to Count the Cost of Discipleship is a Problem of the Heart, Lk. 9:57-62.
1. Joyful beginning in the gospel is great – when it is the expression of a firm faith and conversion of life, Acts 8:39; 16:34.
2. No root (Matt. 13:21): Getting caught up in the emotion of being a Christian without having the depth of devoted faith results in faltering and falling in times of trial. Lk. 14:25-33
3. Tests of faith will happen: Tribulation and persecution because of the word, 13:21; Prov. 24:10, 16.
-(This refutes the doctrine of once saved, always saved.)
B. Such Person Immediately Stumbles, Matt. 13:21; cf. 24:9-13.
-Without deep faith we will separate ourselves from the love of Christ! Rom. 8:35-37
III. THE THORNY GROUND: THE OVER-CROWDED HEART, Matt. 13:22.
A. We Must Make Room in our Hearts for the Word of God to Grow, Mk. 4:19 (Lk. 8:14).
1. The “double-minded” are unstable and impure, Jas. 1:8; 4:8.
2. Cares of the world: Distractions that divide attention, Matt. 6:24.
3. Deceitfulness of riches: Momentary and cannot save, Lk. 12:15.
4. Desires of other things (pleasures of life): Truth is not given first place, Prov. 23:23. (Sin grows and chokes out the word of God.)
B. The Over-Crowded Heart Forgets its Cleansing, 2 Pet. 1:8-9.
-(This refutes the doctrine of unconditional election.) This person could have become mature, but failed to do so. Though elected, he was not saved!
IV. THE GOOD GROUND: THE HONEST AND GOOD HEART, Matt. 13:23.
A. This Heart Hears, Understands and Receives the Word of the Kingdom, Mk. 4:20.
1. This heart is renewed by the word of God, Jno. 15:4-5, 7; Eph. 4:20-24 (23). Jas. 1:21
2. This heart says, “What must I do to be saved”? Acts 16:30 (2:37)
-(This refutes the doctrine of total, hereditary depravity.) One can hear, understand and accept truth – without any “enabling grace”.
B. This Heart Bears Fruit by Patiently Obeying the Word of God, Lk. 8:15.
1. Endurance, Matt. 10:22.
2. Patient continuance in doing good, Rom. 2:7; Gal. 6:9.
Conclusion
1. Did you “hear” the parable of the sower?
a. Did it tell you what kind of heart you have?
b. Did you learn what kind of heart you must have to be saved?
2. Will you put into action what you believe in your heart? Be saved today. (Acts 2:37-38, 41)
By: Joe R. Price
Posted: June 6, 2013