“Our Father in heaven, holy is your name.” (Matthew 6:9) “My thoughts are completely different from yours,” says the Lord. “And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine.” (Isaiah 55:8)

What is the Kingdom of God? Your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. (Matthew 6:10)

Parables – push past ignorance This is why I speak to them in parables: “Though seeing, they do not see; though hearing, they do not hear or understand.” (Matthew 13:13)

The Sower – a Kingdom parable A farmer went out to plant some seed. As he scattered it across his field, some fell on a footpath and the birds ate it. Other seed fell on shallow soil – it sprang up quickly but soon wilted in the hot sun because the shallow roots couldn’t supply nourishment. Other seed fell among thorns that choked out the tender blades. But some seed fell on fertile soil and produced a crop 30, 60, even 100 times as much as had been planted. (Matthew 13:3-8)

Hard hearts will not listen The seed that fell on the hard path represents those that hear the Good News about the Kingdom and don’t understand it. Then the evil one comes and snatches the seed from their heart. (Matthew 13:19)

Hard hearts will not listen I don't speak on my own authority. The Father who sent me gave me his own instructions as to what I should say. (John 12:49)

Immature hearts want a different message The rocky soil represents those who hear the message and receive it with joy. But, their roots don’t go very deep. They wilt as soon as they have problems or are persecuted because of their faith. (Matthew 13:20-21)

I can do all things through Christ who gives me the strength I need. (Philippians 4:13)

Distracted hearts hear another message The thorny ground represents those who hear and accept the Good News, but all too quickly the message is crowded out by the cares of this life and the lure of wealth, so no crop is produced. (Matthew 13:22)

Redeemed hearts help God heal others The good soil represents the hearts of those who truly accept God’s message and produce a huge harvest – 30, 60, or even 100 times as much as had been planted. (Matthew 13:23)

Yes, the way to identify a tree or a person is by the kind of fruit that is produced. Not all people who sound religious are really godly. They may refer to me as ‘Lord,’ but they still won’t enter the Kingdom of Heaven. (Matthew 7:20-21)

Do you really want God’s Kingdom to come? Then the righteous will reply, “Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you? Or a stranger and invite you in? Or naked and give you clothing? When did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?” And the King will say: “When you did it to the least of these, you were doing it to me.” (Matthew 25:37-40)