1. “Trusting God in Life’s Trials”
Home of Christians
Summer Conference 2018
“Trusting God in Life’s Trials”
definition of trial (Webster-Merriam dictionary):
a formal examination before a competent tribunal of the matter in issue in a civil or criminal cause in order to determine such issue
the action or process of trying or putting to the proof; a preliminary test (as in a sport)
a tryout or experiment to test quality, value, or usefulness; one of a number of repetitions of an experiment (as in clinical trial)
a test of faith, patience, stamina through subjection to suffering or temptation; a source of vexation or annoyance

2. “Trusting God in Life’s Trials”
Home of Christians
Summer Conference 2018
“Trusting God in Life’s Trials”
Genuine Faith Endures Trials
Genuine Faith Trusts God in Trials
Genuine Faith Obeys God in Trials
Genuine Faith Grows in Trials

3. Genuine Faith Endures Trials “Trusting God in Life’s Trials”
Matthew 13:1-23
Home of Christians
Summer Conference 2018
“Trusting God in Life’s Trials”
June 29, 2018

4. Genuine Faith Endures Trials
Matthew 13:1-23
Parable of the Sower (vv.1-9)
Reason for the Parable (vv.10-17)
Explanation of the Parable (vv.18-23)

5. Parable of the Sower (Matthew 13:1-9) He who has ears, let him hear.
Road
Rocky Places
Thorns
Good Soil
He who has ears, let him hear.

6. Reason for the Parable (Matthew 13:10-17)
Why does Jesus speak in parables? (v.10)
Parables can conceal or convey spiritual truth (vv.11-12)
Parables conceal spiritual truth to those who hear but never understand (vv.13-15)
Parables reveal spiritual truth to those who hear and understand (vv.16-17)
How one listens to and what one does with God’s truth reveals whether a person is a true follower of Jesus!

7. Explanation of the Parable (Matthew 13:18-23)
seed = word of God’s kingdom (God’s truth)
different types of soils = different types of hearts
Road
(hard hearts)
v.19
Rocky Places
(shallow hearts)
vv.20-21
Thorns
(idolatrous hearts)
v.22
Good Soil
(obedient hearts)
v.23

8. Common Interpretation based on Initial Response
Unbelief
Non-Christians
Immature & Carnal Christians
Different Degrees of Belief
Mature & Spiritual Christians
Road
(hard hearts)
Rocky Places
(shallow hearts)
Thorns
(idolatrous hearts)
Good Soil
(obedient hearts)

9. Common Application based on Initial Response
Unsaved
Non-Christians
Immature & Carnal Christians
Saved
Mature & Spiritual Christians
Road
(hard hearts)
Rocky Places
(shallow hearts)
Thorns
(idolatrous hearts)
Good Soil
(obedient hearts)
Thank God
I’m not here…
It’s okay to stay here,
I may be immature and/or carnal,
but I am saved anyway.
I’m also not here,
to be here is too hard.
I have no desire nor
am I ready for this…

10. While Jesus loves us just the way we are (with all of our imperfections), Jesus does not want us to stay the way we are. Regarding spiritual immaturity:
1 Peter 3:15
…but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence…
2 Peter 3:18
…but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

11. While Jesus loves us just the way we are (with all of our imperfections), Jesus does not want us to stay the way we are. Regarding idolatry:
Matthew 6:24
No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and wealth.
1 John 2:15
Do not love the world nor the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.

12. Understanding & Applying the Parable
Foes of Jesus
“Fans” of Jesus
Followers of Jesus
Road
(hard hearts)
Rocky Places
(shallow hearts)
Thorns
(idolatrous hearts)
Good Soil
(obedient hearts)
It is better to be “fans” than foes of Jesus,
but even “fans” are not followers of Jesus.

13. Only 2 Categories of People (fruitless, different degrees of unbelief)
NOT Disciples
(fruitful)
Disciples
Road
(hard hearts)
Rocky Places
(shallow hearts)
Thorns
(idolatrous hearts)
Good Soil
(obedient hearts)

14. Matthew 7:15-20
Beware of the false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly are ravenous wolves. You will know them by their fruits. Grapes are not gathered from thorn bushes nor figs from thistles, are they? So every good tree bears good fruit, but the bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot produce bad fruit, nor can a bad tree produce good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. So then, you will know them by their fruits.

15. Only 2 Categories of People (fruitless, different degrees of unbelief)
NOT Disciples
(fruitful)
Disciples
Road
(hard hearts)
Rocky Places
(shallow hearts)
Thorns
(idolatrous hearts)
Good Soil
(obedient hearts)

16. 2 Corinthians 13:5a
Test yourselves to see if you are in the faith; examine yourselves!
James 1:22; 2:17
But prove yourselves doers of the word, and not merely hearers who delude themselves… Even so faith, if it has no works, is dead, being by itself.

17. Genuine Faith Endures Trials
(fruitless)
NOT Disciples
(fruitful)
Disciples
Road
(hard hearts)
Rocky Places
(shallow hearts)
Thorns
(idolatrous hearts)
Good Soil
(obedient hearts)
Which soil represents your heart and why?
Are you a genuine disciple of Jesus? Explain.
What did you learn and how will you respond?
Pray for each other to endure trials and bear fruits.