1. We are glad you came today to worship the Lord!

2. Hard Work For His Yard Work

3. Hard Work For His Yard Work
Matthew 13:1-44 ( NASB ) 1That day Jesus went out of the house and was sitting by the sea.  2And large crowds gathered to Him, so He got into a boat and sat down, and the whole crowd was standing on the beach. 3And He spoke many things to them in parables, saying, “Behold, the sower went out to sow;  4and as he sowed, some seeds fell beside the road, and the birds came and ate them up.  5“Others fell on the rocky places, where they did not have much soil; and immediately they sprang up, because they had no depth of soil.  6“But when the sun had risen, they were scorched; and because they had no root, they withered away.  7“Others fell among the thorns, and the thorns came up and choked them out.  8“And others fell on the good soil and yielded* a crop, some a hundredfold, some sixty, and some thirty.  9“He who has ears, let him hear.”

4. Hard Work For His Yard Work
10And the disciples came and said to Him, “Why do You speak to them in parables?”  11Jesus answered them, “To you it has been granted to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been granted.  12“For whoever has, to him more shall be given, and he will have an abundance; but whoever does not have, even what he has shall be taken away from him.  13“Therefore I speak to them in parables; because while seeing they do not see, and while hearing they do not hear, nor do they understand.  14“In their case the prophecy of Isaiah is being fulfilled, which says,    ‘You will keep on hearing, but will not understand;    You will keep on seeing, but will not perceive;

5. Hard Work For His Yard Work
15    For the heart of this people has become dull,    With their ears they scarcely hear,    And they have closed their eyes,    Otherwise they would see with their eyes,    Hear with their ears,    And understand with their heart and return,    And I would heal them.’ 16“But blessed are your eyes, because they see; and your ears, because they hear.  17“For truly I say to you that many prophets and righteous men desired to see what you see, and did not see it, and to hear what you hear, and did not hear it. 18“Hear then the parable of the sower.  19“When anyone hears the word of the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what has been sown in his heart. This is the one on whom seed was sown beside the road.  20“The one on whom seed was sown on the rocky places, this is the man who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy; 

6. Hard Work For His Yard Work
21yet he has no firm root in himself, but is only temporary, and when affliction or persecution arises because of the word, immediately he falls away.  22“And the one on whom seed was sown among the thorns, this is the man who hears the word, and the worry of the world and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful.  23“And the one on whom seed was sown on the good soil, this is the man who hears the word and understands it; who indeed bears fruit and brings forth, some a hundredfold, some sixty, and some thirty.” 24Jesus presented another parable to them, saying, “The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a man who sowed good seed in his field.  25“But while his men were sleeping, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat, and went away.  26“But when the wheat sprouted and bore grain, then the tares became evident also. 

7. Hard Work For His Yard Work
27“The slaves of the landowner came and said to him, ‘Sir, did you not sow good seed in your field? How then does it have tares?’  28“And he said to them, ‘An enemy has done this!’ The slaves said* to him, ‘Do you want us, then, to go and gather them up?’  29“But he said*, ‘No; for while you are gathering up the tares, you may uproot the wheat with them.  30‘Allow both to grow together until the harvest; and in the time of the harvest I will say to the reapers, “First gather up the tares and bind them in bundles to burn them up; but gather the wheat into my barn.”’” 31He presented another parable to them, saying, “The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and sowed in his field;  32and this is smaller than all other seeds, but when it is full grown, it is larger than the garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and nest in its branches.”

8. Hard Work For His Yard Work
33He spoke another parable to them, “The kingdom of heaven is like leaven, which a woman took and hid in three pecks of flour until it was all leavened.” 34All these things Jesus spoke to the crowds in parables, and He did not speak to them without a parable.  35This was to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet:    “I will open My mouth in parables;    I will utter things hidden since the foundation of the world.” 36Then He left the crowds and went into the house. And His disciples came to Him and said, “Explain to us the parable of the tares of the field.”  37And He said, “The one who sows the good seed is the Son of Man,  38and the field is the world; and as for the good seed, these are the sons of the kingdom; and the tares are the sons of the evil one;  39and the enemy who sowed them is the devil, and the harvest is the end of the age; and the reapers are angels. 

9. Hard Work For His Yard Work
40“So just as the tares are gathered up and burned with fire, so shall it be at the end of the age.  41“The Son of Man will send forth His angels, and they will gather out of His kingdom all stumbling blocks, and those who commit lawlessness,  42and will throw them into the furnace of fire; in that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.  43“Then the righteous will shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. He who has ears, let him hear. 44“The kingdom of heaven is like a treasure hidden in the field, which a man found and hid again; and from joy over it he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.

10. Hard Work For His Yard Work “An earthly story about a heavenly truth”
Parables
“An earthly story about a heavenly truth”

11. Is this your yard?

12. Does life seem Hopeless at times?

13. Is this almost normal in your life?

14. Maybe there’s still hope?

15. Hard Work For His Yard Work
We need the “seed” Jesus talked about

16. Hard Work For His Yard Work
We need the “seed” Jesus talked about
It needs to be good seed – God’s Word

17. Hard Work For His Yard Work
We need the “seed” Jesus talked about
It needs to be good seed – God’s Word
It needs to be available – Through God’s Spirit

18. Hard Work For His Yard Work
We need the “seed” Jesus talked about
It needs to be good seed – God’s Word
It needs to be available – Through God’s Spirit
It needs to be planted – in the right spot

19. Hard Work For His Yard Work Are you the “right spot” for His “yard”?

20. Hard Work For His Yard Work
We need the yard well prepared

22. Hard Work For His Yard Work
We need the yard well prepared
The fowls ate the seed – people use straw

23. Hard Work For His Yard Work
We need the yard well prepared
The fowls ate the seed
Satan removed it
19“When anyone hears the word of the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what has been sown in his heart. This is the one on whom seed was sown beside the road. 

24. Hard Work For His Yard Work
We need the yard well prepared
The fowls ate the seed
Satan removed it
He hides it

25. Hard Work For His Yard Work
We need the yard well prepared
The fowls ate the seed
Satan removed it
He hides it
He steals it

26. Hard Work For His Yard Work
We need the yard well prepared
The fowls ate the seed
Satan removed it
He hides it
He steals it
He perverts it

27. Hard Work For His Yard Work
We need the yard well prepared
The fowls ate the seed
Satan removed it
He hides it
He steals it
He perverts it
He lies about it

28. Hard Work For His Yard Work
We need the yard well prepared
The fowls ate the seed
Satan removed it
He hides it
He steals it
He perverts it
He lies about it
He distorts it, etc.

29. Hard Work For His Yard Work
We need the yard well prepared
The fowls ate the seed
Satan removed it
We need to be ready for problems

30. Are you allowing Satan to steal God’s Word from you?
Hard Work For His Yard Work
Are you allowing Satan to steal God’s Word from you?

31. Hard Work For His Yard Work
We need the yard well prepared
The “fowls” ate the seed
Rocky places were a problem
20“The one on whom seed was sown on the rocky places, this is the man who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy;  21yet he has no firm root in himself, but is only temporary, and when affliction or persecution arises because of the word, immediately he falls away. 

32. Hard Work For His Yard Work
We need the yard well prepared
The “fowls” ate the seed
Rocky places were a problem
Not enough soil to allow real growth

33. Hard Work For His Yard Work
We need the yard well prepared
The “fowls” ate the seed
Rocky places were a problem
Not enough soil to allow real growth
He is happy to receive it

34. Hard Work For His Yard Work
We need the yard well prepared
The “fowls” ate the seed
Rocky places were a problem
Not enough soil to allow real growth
He is happy to receive it
With problems, persecutions, He immediately falls away

35. What can you do to prevent letting go almost immediately?
Hard Work For His Yard Work
What can you do to prevent letting go almost immediately?
Hint: Do you need to get closer to God or farther?

36. Hard Work For His Yard Work
We need the yard well prepared
The “fowls” ate the seed
Rocky places were a problem
Thorns (weeds) came and choked them out   
22“And the one on whom seed was sown among the thorns, this is the man who hears the word, and the worry of the world and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful. 

37. Hard Work For His Yard Work
We need the yard well prepared
The “fowls” ate the seed
Rocky places were a problem
Thorns (weeds) came and choked them out
He heard the Word

38. Hard Work For His Yard Work
We need the yard well prepared
The “fowls” ate the seed
Rocky places were a problem
Thorns (weeds) came and choked them out
He heard the Word
He let the things of the world steal it away

39. Hard Work For His Yard Work
Jeremiah 4:3 ( KJV ) 3For thus saith the LORD to the men of Judah and Jerusalem, Break up your fallow ground, and sow not among thorns. 

40. Hard Work For His Yard Work
A side look at what the “thorns” of life affect us

41. Hard Work For His Yard Work
A side look at what the “thorns” of life affect us
Some weeds are cool weather weeds

42. Hard Work For His Yard Work
A side look at what the “thorns” of life affect us
Some weeds are cool weather weeds
Dandelions, clover are two. They come early in the season

43. Hard Work For His Yard Work
A side look at what the “thorns” of life affect us
Some weeds are cool weather weeds
Dandelions, clover are two. They come early in the season
We have some things that may bother us early in life

44. Hard Work For His Yard Work
A side look at what the “thorns” of life affect us
Some weeds are cool weather weeds
Dandelions, clover are two. They come early in the season
We have some things that may bother us early in life
We have things that grab us when we are younger – don’t give into them

45. Hard Work For His Yard Work
A side look at what the “thorns” of life affect us
Some weeds are cool weather weeds

47. Hard Work For His Yard Work
A side look at what the “thorns” of life affect us

48. Hard Work For His Yard Work
A side look at what the “thorns” of life affect us
Some weeds are cool weather weeds

49. Hard Work For His Yard Work
A side look at what the “thorns” of life affect us
Some weeds are cool weather weeds
Dandelions, clover are two. They come early in the season

50. Hard Work For His Yard Work
A side look at what the “thorns” of life affect us
Some weeds are cool weather weeds
Dandelions, clover are two. They come early in the season
We have some things that may bother us early in life

51. Hard Work For His Yard Work
A side look at what the “thorns” of life affect us
Some weeds are cool weather weeds
Dandelions, clover are two. They come early in the season
We have some things that may bother us early in life
We have things that grab us when we are younger – don’t give into them

52. Hard Work For His Yard Work
A side look at what the “thorns” of life affect us
Some weeds are cool weather weeds
Crabgrass is a weed that tends to be a warm weather weed

53. Hard Work For His Yard Work
A side look at what the “thorns” of life affect us
Some weeds are cool weather weeds
Crabgrass is a weed that tends to be a warm weather weed
It doesn’t show up early

54. Hard Work For His Yard Work
A side look at what the “thorns” of life affect us
Some weeds are cool weather weeds
Crabgrass is a weed that tends to be a warm weather weed
It doesn’t show up early
It needs the right conditions

55. Hard Work For His Yard Work
A side look at what the “thorns” of life affect us
Some weeds are cool weather weeds
Crabgrass is a weed that tends to be a warm weather weed
It doesn’t show up early
It needs the right conditions
It is getting ready and will mount a mass attack when the conditions are right

56. Hard Work For His Yard Work
A side look at what the “thorns” of life affect us
Some weeds are cool weather weeds
Crabgrass is a weed that tends to be a warm weather weed
Always be ready to fight the weeds in our lives

57. Hard Work For His Yard Work
A side look at what the “thorns” of life affect us
Some weeds are cool weather weeds
Crabgrass is a weed that tends to be a warm weather weed
Always be ready to fight the weeds in our lives
Some weeds are annuals - we may fight certain problems only occasionally

58. Hard Work For His Yard Work
A side look at what the “thorns” of life affect us
Some weeds are cool weather weeds
Crabgrass is a weed that tends to be a warm weather weed
Always be ready to fight the weeds in our lives
Some weeds are annuals - we may fight certain problems only occasionally
Other weeds are perennials – they are always there for us to fight in life

59. Hard Work For His Yard Work
A side look at what the “thorns” of life affect us
Some weeds are cool weather weeds
Crabgrass is a weed that tends to be a warm weather weed
Always be ready to fight the weeds in our lives
Some weeds are annuals - we may fight certain problems only occasionally
Other weeds are perennials – they are always there for us to fight in life
Keep fighting them!

60. Hard Work For His Yard Work
One of the ways to fight weeds (naturally at least) is to OVERSEED your yard regularly.
We need a constant supply of God’s Word in our lives to help fight the thorns we face

61. Hard Work For His Yard Work
What does the world offer that is really worth more than God’s Gift?
23“And the one on whom seed was sown on the good soil, this is the man who hears the word and understands it; who indeed bears fruit and brings forth, some a hundredfold, some sixty, and some thirty.”

62. Hard Work For His Yard Work
What does the world offer that is really worth more than God’s Gift?
Good ground/soil

63. Hard Work For His Yard Work
What does the world offer that is really worth more than God’s Gift?
Good ground/soil
Hears the Word

64. Hard Work For His Yard Work
What does the world offer that is really worth more than God’s Gift?
Good ground/soil
Hears the Word
Understands it (that means he acts properly upon it – really hears)

65. Hard Work For His Yard Work
What does the world offer that is really worth more than God’s Gift?
Good ground/soil
Hears the Word
Understands it (that means he acts properly upon it – really hears)
Bears fruit

66. Hard Work For His Yard Work
What does the world offer that is really worth more than God’s Gift?
Good ground/soil
Hears the Word
Understands it (that means he acts properly upon it – really hears)
Bears fruit
This person cleaned up the weeds, removed he stones, applied the fertilizer, watered the seed, strawed the seed to protect it and He was blessed!

67. What a difference God makes!

68. Hard Work For His Yard Work
Have you received His Word?
Have you listened and do you understand?
Have you accepted His Word?
Are you bearing fruit?

69. Hard Work For His Yard Work
We need our yard sustained (not just for ourselves)

70. Hard Work For His Yard Work
We need our yard sustained (not just for ourselves)
Stony won’t last – talk to Him about your attitude and your depth of spirituality

71. Hard Work For His Yard Work
We need our yard sustained (not just for ourselves)
Stony won’t last – talk to Him about your attitude and your depth of spirituality
Ask Him to water your life with His Spirit

72. Hard Work For His Yard Work
We need our yard sustained (not just for ourselves)
Stony won’t last – talk to Him about your attitude and your depth of spirituality
Ask Him to water your life with His Spirit
Ask Him to feed your soul with His Word

73. Hard Work For His Yard Work
We need our yard sustained (not just for ourselves)
Stony won’t last – talk to Him about your attitude and your depth of spirituality
Ask Him to water your life with His Spirit
Ask Him to feed your soul with His Word
Ask Him to help you bear fruit – He wants that for your life

74. Hard Work For His Yard Work
If you have not
his seed – ask Him
into your life today!