1 The Potential of a Listening Heart-Sermon#1 Isaiah 55:6-11 To understand this passage, we must understand how God values His Word. Does He take a casual view of His Word? Does He view His Word as one opinion among many? No, God sees His Word as substantial, as being road tested, as being so reliable that it will last an eternity, and He takes your relationship to His Word personal. God s Word is Like a Seed A seed is alive! Your physical senses are incapable of judging whether a seed is alive or not. There is only one way to prove a seed is alive. You must plant it. A seed is powerful! As a seed begins to grow, it will push up dirt, rocks etc. Whatever the obstacles are, God s Word planted in your heart will push them out of the way. A seed is persistent! A seed never gives up but works day and night. Even when you are sleeping, the seed you have planted is working to grow and express itself in a fruitful harvest. Psalms 126:6 He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, 2 Peter 1:4 Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: I. The provisions made possible through His Word. (V.6-7) A. His Word gives the provision of an awareness of the peril. Isaiah 55:7 Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the LORD, There is no other way to reach a level of spiritual clarity without the sober realities of scripture. 2 Corinthians 4:6 For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. B. His Word gives the provision of an abundant pardon. Isaiah 55:7... and he will have mercy upon him;
2 It is a provision described as time sensitive. The Provision of God s Word Isaiah 55:6 Seek ye the LORD while he may be found, It is a provision that offers an invitation to draw nearer to God. Isaiah 55:6...call ye upon him while he is near: It is a provision that offers an alternative to the guilt-ridden life of wickedness. Isaiah 55:7 Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the LORD, It is a provision packaged in compassion and forgiveness. Isaiah 55:7... for he will abundantly pardon. II. The profoundness pondered in His Word. (V.8-9) (Precaution: God is different than we are! He is not limited in resources, time nor space, or by human sentiment!) A. It is profound in that it side-steps conventional knowledge. Isaiah 55:8 the LORD. For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith 2 Peter 3:9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. He is either extending grace in view of judgement or building evidence. B. It is profound in that it supersedes conventional knowledge. Isaiah 55:9 For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts. God s compassion on those who turn to Him (V.6-7) comes because His thoughts and ways are far superior to human thoughts and ways, which in fact are evil. God s plan is something people would have never dreamed of. John Walvoord
3 III. The providence purposed in His Word. (V.10-11) Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. A. The Word proceeds on a mission of productivity. What are the implications of God s Word? God s Word is sent to fulfill a necessity in life just as the rain replenishes the ground. Isaiah 55:10 For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, God s Word fulfills an indispensable purpose that provides exponential growth and prosperity. Isaiah 55:10... and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater: B. The Word proceeds on a mission of purpose. God s Word has been sent on a mission. God s Word is irrevocable. It is sent on a mission that will not be interrupted. Isaiah 55:11 me void, So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto God s Word, in its determined purpose, will successfully accomplish a divine end. Isaiah 55:11... and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it. God s Word is like rain and snow that waters the earth and helps give it abundant vegetation. In the Near East dry hard ground can seemingly overnight sprout with vegetation after the first rains of the rainy season. Similarly, when God speaks His Word, it brings forth spiritual life, thus accomplishing His purpose. Roy Zuck Psalms 107:20 destructions. He sent his word, and healed them, and delivered them from their
4 The Problem of a Closed Heart-Sermon#2 Matthew 13:19 Hebrews 5:12 For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat. (V.13) For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe. (V.14) But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil. I. The surface of the thought pattern that has been darkened. (V.19) How does a soul become hardened to the Word? A person sometimes becomes hardened to the Word through their perinatal environment. The parents have such an antagonistic attitude toward biblical things they pick up that antagonism. A person sometimes becomes hardened by familiarity. They are exposed to its teachings but its value is never stressed. Apathy grows toward the Word because those that teach it do not demonstrate its value. A person sometimes becomes hardened by rebellion. They nurse an antagonistic spirit of rebellion in their heart. A person becomes hardened by hypocrisy. They turn the truth into a lie by not following it. 1 Timothy 4:2 Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron; A. There has been a limit set on their cooperation. Matthew 13:4... some seeds fell by the way... Galatians 6:8 For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption, but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. B. There has been a limit set on their commitment. Matthew 13:19... way side, II. The search for the truth that is deadened. (V.19) A. There has been a limit set on their listening. Matthew 13:19 When any one heareth the word...
5 James 1:22 But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. B. There has been a limit set on their learning. Matthew 13:19 When any one heareth the word of the kingdom, and understandeth it not, The reason that he does not understand is not due to any deficiency in the message but to his own hard-heartedness. He is the person often referred to in the Old Testament as stiff-necked. He is unconcerned with the things of God, completely indifferent to anything spiritual. The Word makes no penetration into his mind or heart. He does not give the gospel the least consideration, thinking it to be total foolishness. He has so continually and consistently resisted anything that smacks of spirituality that the soul of his heart has become pounded down until it is impervious and insensitive. John MacArthur Psalm 119:98 Thou through thy commandments hast made me wiser than mine enemies: for they are ever with me. III. The subtle one that steals the treasure that has been discarded. (V.19) A. Satan removes the seed in order that its value won't be realized. Matthew 13:19... then cometh the wicked one, 2 Corinthians 2:11 Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices. What does satan s assertive action reveal about God s Word? It reveals the potency of the Word. There is an urgency here in the scripture to snatch away the Word, before it can influence the heart. The devil knows that in spite of the hard condition of the heart the Word is too powerful to leave behind. It reveals the power of the Word to spoil the best laid plans of satan. The devil can never be secure in his schemes as long as the Word is lying around. It reveals the devil s knowledge of the Word s potential, for he has lost numerous captives to its healing power. B. Satan removes the seed in order that its value won't take root. Matthew 13:19... and catcheth away that which was sown in his heart. Psalms 119:9 Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word.
6 The Plight of an Insincere Heart-Sermon-#3 Matthew 13:5 & 20-21 Of all the evil spirits abroad at this hour in the world, insincerity is the most dangerous. James Anthony Froude Man is nothing but insincerity, falsehood, and hypocrisy, both in regard to himself and in regard to others. He does not wish that he should be told the truth, he shuns saying it to others; and all these moods, so inconsistent with justice and reason, have their roots in his heart. Blaise Pascal I. The ground provides only a shallow surface. How does an insincere heart develop in a person? Sometimes a shallow acceptance of the gospel is encouraged by shallow evangelism that holds out the blessings of salvation but hides the cost of repentance. Sometimes people are encouraged to walk down an aisle without coming to grips with the full claims of Christ. They are in danger of drifting further from Christ than they were before they heard the message. A. The Word is received but only for superficial reasons. Matthew 13:20 But he that received the seed into stony places, I want the support of the church, the promise of heaven and at the same time, the excitement of doing wrong and getting by. B. The Word is received but only with a superficial response. Matthew 13:20 But he that received the seed into stony places, the same is he that heareth the word, and anon with joy receiveth it; It is a response to have salvation, but not a repentance of sin. They want to know the love of Christ, but not experience the conflicts of following Christ. 2 Timothy 3:4-5 Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; (V.5) Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.
7 Stony Soil People There is a shallow layer of soil; but just beneath the surface lies a rocky shelf. Seed dropped in the shallow soil gives initial promise; but, since no roots can penetrate the rocky shelf and since no moisture can be retained in the soil, the seed has no chance to develop completely. The sun comes out, the soil and the seed are scorched, and the early promise withers away. John Phillips II. The ground precludes any strength in the structure. A. The rocks of indifference prevent deep repentance. Matthew 13:21 Yet hath he not root in himself, What are the signs that a Christian has developed roots? A lifestyle of sharing our faith. John 15:8 Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; A lifestyle of holiness is a characteristic of roots. Romans 8:21... shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. Christian characteristics give a sign of roots. Galatians 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love,... etc There are roots of good works. Colossians 1:10 That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God; There are the roots of sharing through giving. Romans 15:27 It hath pleased them verily; and their debtors they are. For if the Gentiles have been made partakers of their spiritual things, their duty is also to minister unto them in carnal things. 2 Corinthians 7:9 Now I rejoice, not that ye were made sorry, but that ye sorrowed to repentance: for ye were made sorry after a godly manner, that ye might receive damage by us in nothing.
8 B. The rocks of indifference prevent deep resolve. Matthew 13:21... but dureth for a while: 2 Timothy 4:3-4 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; (V.4) And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables III. The ground prevents a sure salvation. Romans 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. Like Paul, in the face of affliction and persecution and all the glamour of the Roman Empire and their gods, Paul was willing to say I am not ashamed. A. When adversity comes, their confidence collapses. Matthew 13:21... for when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word, Matthew 13:6 And when the sun was up, they were scorched; and because they had no root, they withered away. Fruit is the test of salvation. If a plant is to bear fruit, it must be rooted in soil and exposed to sunshine. Warren Wiersbe 2 Corinthians 4:16 For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day. B. When adversity comes, their commitment crumbles. Matthew 13:21... by and by he is offended.
9 The Predicament of a Distracted Heart-Sermon#4 Matthew 13:7&22 Matthew 13:7 And some fell among thorns; and the thorns sprung up, and choked them: Matthew 13:22 He also that received seed among the thorns is he that heareth the word; and the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becometh unfruitful. It is not enough for a gardener to love flowers and fruits. He must also hate weeds. Your results are the product of either personal focus or personal distractions. The choice is yours. John Lemme I. The Word is received into the clutter of other things. A. The Word is received with the same priority as other passions. Matthew 13:22 He also that received seed among the thorns... Why can a cluttered heart not receive the Word? The Word of God is not given top priority. It is made to compete with the trivial and with the ordinary ideas of the mind. The distracted heart has allowed its appetite to be satisfied with the temporal. It has no appetite for the spiritual. It is so blinded by the immediate circumstances that it cannot see the value of applying Biblical truth. It has given more credence to the opinions and persuasions of society and the wisdom of the Bible is lost in the confusion. The influence of society and the pursuit of riches holds a great persuasion over the heart so that the wisdom of the Bible is lost. They are stretched so far between the need and want of money, that they re not thinking about God s wisdom on how to spend the money. They are so obsessed with identifying with the fads and fashions of this world that they let the truth of the Scripture escape them. B. The Word is received with the same priority as other pursuits. Matthew 13:22... he that heareth the word; Christ is not living through their life but in competition with their clutter.
10 II. The Word is reduced in the chaos of other things. A person who comes to church but never becomes committed to serving, who is continually preoccupied with money, career, fashions, sports, and everything but the Lord s work is a person with a weed-infested heart. A person who claims to love Christ but who cannot remain faithful in marriage has a weedy heart. The person who refuses to let go of his worldliness is a person in whom the seed of God s saving gospel has not found root and is in danger of being choked out altogether. John MacArthur A. The voice of the Word s conviction is stifled by distraction. Matthew 13:22 He also that received seed among the thorns is he that heareth the word; and the care of this world, The Conscience is pacified to the satisfaction of one s convictions. I don t have time. I ve got to work, I can t be there. I ve got too many issues going on right now to deal with that. I m physically ill or I don t feel like it right now. Romans 1:21 Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. B. The victory of the Word s conclusions is stopped by desires. Matthew 13:22... and the deceitfulness of riches, Why are riches deceitful? The gain and the pleasure is always exaggerated. You get what you want; but you don t want what you get. Proverbs 23:5 Wilt thou set thine eyes upon that which is not? for riches certainly make themselves wings; they fly away as an eagle toward heaven. III. The Word is rejected in the competition for other things. James 4:2-3 Ye lust, and have not: ye kill, and desire to have, and cannot obtain: ye fight and war, yet ye have not, because ye ask not. (V.3) Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts. A. The value of the Word is lost in the grasp for wealth. Matthew 13:22... choke the word,
11 A weedy heart was the problem of the rich young Ruler. Luke 18:22-23 Now when Jesus heard these things, he said unto him, Yet lackest thou one thing: sell all that thou hast, and distribute unto the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, follow me. (V.23) And when he heard this, he was very sorrowful: for he was very rich B. The value of the Word is lost in grappling with worries. Matthew 13:22... and he becometh unfruitful. James 1:24-25 For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was. (V.25) But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.
12 The Product of a Proactive Heart-Sermon#5 Matthew 13:23 Matthew 13:8 But other fell into good ground, and brought forth fruit, some an hundredfold, some sixtyfold, some thirtyfold. Matthew 13:23 But he that received seed into the good ground is he that heareth the word, and understandeth it; which also beareth fruit, and bringeth forth, some an hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty. The enemy of the Word in the first soil is the devil, who snatches away the seed. The enemy in the second soil is the flesh that cannot handle the heat of the sun. The enemy in the third soil is the world and its system the pleasures, riches, and cares of life. The proof of genuine salvation is not shown by listening to or emotionally responding to the Word, but by the fruit. David Jeremiah Ezekiel 12:2 Son of man, thou dwellest in the midst of a rebellious house, which have eyes to see, and see not; they have ears to hear, and hear not: for they are a rebellious house. In Relationship to the Lord... Listening is Loving Him... Listening is Obeying Him... Listening is Embracing Him... Listening is allowing His seed to produce fruit I. The sincere listener prepares to receive God s Word. A. The sincere listener alleviates the limitations of hearing. Matthew 13:23 But he that received seed... How does the sincere listener prepare to hear God s Word? He realizes the enemies of listening are always active. So, he is careful to make adequate preparation to hear the wisdom of God s Word. James 1:19 Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath: He repents of any disobedience that would hinder the growth of God s Word in his life. Psalms 139:23 Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: (V.24) And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.
13 He humbles himself under the authority of God s Word because he understands that the atmosphere of a humble heart is fertile soil for the seed of God s Word. He understands the value of the Bible s accountability to maintain a good spiritual equilibrium. Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God is quick, and powerful... and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. B. The sincere listener arranges their life for hearing. Matthew 13:23... into the good ground is he that heareth the word, and understandeth it; which also beareth fruit, and bringeth forth, some an hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty. II. The sincere listener perceives the riches of God s Word. A. The sincere listener works to capture the Word. Matthew 13:23... is he that heareth the word, Colossians 3:16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. B. The sincere listener works to comprehend the Word. Matthew 13:23... and understandeth it; 1 Timothy 4:15 Meditate upon these things; give thyself wholly to them; that thy profiting may appear to all. III. The sincere listener is productive in the representation of God s Word. A. The sincere listener is faithful to believe in the Word s ability. Matthew 13:23... which also beareth fruit, and bringeth forth, some an hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty. Matthew 7:16 Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? (V.17) Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit.
14 The ultimate marks of the genuine believer, the good soil, is fruit bearing. He not only hears and understands but also indeed bears fruit. Spiritual fruit is the inevitable product of spiritual life. John MacArthur B. The sincere listener is faithful to broadcast the Word aggressively. Matthew 13:23... and bringeth forth, some an hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty. John 15:5 I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing. Only the seed that fell on good soil had an abiding result and the production of a crop that increased 100, 60, or 30 times what had been sown. The one who believes Jesus Word (the man who hears the Word and understands it) will then receive and understand more (Matt. 13:12). The difference in these results was not the seed but in the soil on which the seed fell. John Walvoord