(Luke 8:5-8a) “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 ate it up. Some fell on rocky ground, and when it came up, the plants withered because they had no moisture. Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up with it and choked the plants. Still other seed fell on good soil. It came up and yielded a crop, a hundred times more than was sown.”

(Luke 8:11b-15) “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.”

MONSTER LOSS

The potential of the good news can be lost.

GREAT GAIN

Receptivity to the message of Jesus results in bearing fruit.

SOFTEN YOUR HEART

It’s possible to receive the word with joy and still be guilty of hardness of heart.

FOCUS ON THE WORD

As the love and grace of God is planted in my heart and begins to grow, I should become changed by it.

10 WAYS TO EXPERIENCE GOD’S WORD

Read it. Claim it.

Memorize it. Pray it.

Recite it. Do it.

Listen to it. Believe it.

Sing it. Learn it.

(John 6:63) The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing. The words I have spoken to you—they are full of the Spirit and life.