HINDRANCES TO FRUITFULNESS
A.The word of God has: -
- Dynamic action
- Discerning action
Various responses to God`s word
- Hard hearts (vs 5b, 12)
5b” A farmer went out to sow his seed. As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, it was trampled on, and the birds of the air ate it up”
12 “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.”
- The shallow hearts (vs 6, 13)
6 “Some fell on rock, and when it came up, the plants withered because they had no moisture.13” Those on the rock 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 times of testing, they fall away.”
- The divided hearts ( vs 7, 14)
7 “Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up with it and choked the plants.”
14 “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.”
- Open hearts (vs 8,15)
8 “Still other seed fell on good soil. It came up and yielded a crop, a hundred times more than was sown.”
15.” 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.”
