Why important? 1. Power is in the Word, not in us 2. People’s reaction to gospel determines kind of soil they are 3. We sow; soil decides its destiny 4. Warning: we are vulnerable too The threat is real Most don’t make it

I. An Unholy Trio

1. Birds (5) Satan uses means, methods, & men to rob souls. Gn.15:11 Devil 12 Satan Mk.4:15 Evil one Mt.13:19

Species of satanic birds Atheists Atheists Pseudo-science. Pseudo-science. 1 T.6:20 Islam. Islam. Rv.21:8 Immorality. Immorality. We must talk about sin Indifference. Indifference. Ac.24:24-25 Mockery. Mockery. Ac.2 Denominationalism Denominationalism 8 (hear) Mk.4:24 (“Take heed what you hear”)

2. Dry ground (6) 1. Birds 2. Dry ground (6) Trials, Trials, 13  They are emotional (Jn.5:35) Lk.7:33  They are impulsive (Mt.13:20-21) be exceedingly joyful, overjoyed “be exceedingly joyful, overjoyed” Mt.13:6 Job had roots Lk.14:15,28-33 Count cost

3. Thorns (7) 1. Birds 2. Dry 3. Thorns (7) Too much of a “good thing” (14) 1. Cares. Lk.10: Riches. Lk.6, 12, 16, Pleasures... Innocent, Hb.11:25 TV, Internet... Sports Sinful, Ja.4:1,3 Drinking, Drugs Gambling, Forn.

I. An Unholy Trio II. One Holy Ground

Why “good ground”? Word goes into it (8) Word resides in it (15) [N]ASV; ESV Good ground Good ground WORD

9-10 quotes Is.6:9-10 that Lk.8:10, that they may not see  God conceals the message because Mt.13:13, because they will not see  God reacts to their attitude (Lk.13:34) Illustration: Corinth Ac.18:1-6 Gospel exposes the grounds

1. The Word resides in them 2. They keep clinging to Word Honest people who hear the Word become children of God Satan’s goal: separate the two  Ac.4-5  Domitian

1. The Word resides in them 2. They keep clinging to Word 3. They bear fruit, Ga.5:22-23 love joy peace longsuffering kindness goodness faithfulness gentleness self-control

1. The Word resides in them 2. They keep clinging to Word 3. They bear fruit, Ga.5: They persevere Satan: equal opportunity attacker  “The devil made me do it?”  Good ground learned to resist Watch and pray Mt.26:41 Endure 1 Co.10:13

Good soil and bad contrasted (1) Rocky Rocky does not Good Good: keeps word and perseveres Thorny Thorny does not Good Good: bears fruit Wayside Wayside does not Good Good: clings to the Word

Good soil and bad contrasted (2) soft Good ground is soft (receptive); ct. 5 deep Good ground is deep (rooted); ct. 6 clean Good ground is clean (resolved); ct. 7 Hate…yourself, Lk.14:26 – unlike wayside Bear cross, Lk.14:27 – unlike rocky Forsake all, Lk.14:33 – unlike thorny

Context continues the theme 16-17, use what they have (10) how…hear 18, how…hear; 8, hear (Lk.9:44-45) 19-21, illustrates preceding parable (Mk.4:34-45) Wind & sea obey Good ground obeys No question No complaint No excuse “My family” in is “good ground” in 15