April 07, 2024

BEYOND WORDS: FOUR CONDITIONS OF THE HEART

April 07, 2024

Pastor Jonathan Falwell

If you have ever wondered why Jesus taught the common people with parables, you are not alone! In today’s Focal Passage, Matthew 13, the disciples asked Jesus “Why do You speak to them in parables?” They genuinely desired to understand. As you will see in the sermon, these parables were illustrations that Jesus used in order to describe a deep thought or come alongside a statement or thought to bring out the truth. They also are meant to separate those who truly desire to understand what Jesus is saying from those who have only a mediocre interest, emotional impulse, or even a disdain for the meaning. As we study this chapter, you will be able to discern the condition of your heart as you identify which type of person you are.

Focal Passages: Matthew 13:10-13, 1-9, 19-22.

THE FOUR CONDITIONS OF THE HEART:                                                                                                    

  • Read Matt. 13:10-14. Does Jesus know the hearts of all men? According to verse 11, why did He choose those particular twelve apostles? In verse 11b, what does He say about the “common people”? What did He mean?
  • In vv. 13-14, what did Jesus say would happen when people heard what He would be preaching? What did He mean?

The Hard Heart                                                                                                                           

  • Read Matt. 13:1-9. What does this parable illustrate when you connect it to the passage above? Where kind of soil (one’s heart) does the first type of seed fall into? What was the ‘wayside’ soil? What characterized it? Would anything grow there?
  • Read verse 19. Jesus now explains this seed. What type of person is represented here? When they hear preaching, or attend a worship service, what is their reaction? What are they likely to be doing during the message? Even though they are hard-hearted, is there hope that they can be saved? Why?

The Volatile Heart

  • Read verses 5-6 and vv. 20-21. On what type of soil did the second seed fall? Does anyone recall the picture from Israel of the area of Masada? What did it look like? How does this ground receive the seed?
  • Would the plant in this type of soil enable the roots to grow well? If someone with a stony heart hears the sermon, and enjoys it, and perhaps is stirred emotionally by it, what will eventually happen? Is it possible they could eventually get saved? Why?

The Distracted Heart

  • Read verse 7 and verse 22. Where does the third type of seed fall? What happens when this seed springs up? What do the thorns represent? Can the person who embraces the truth, but is pulled by the world with the lust for riches and the cares of this world, bear fruit?
  • We know no one is outside of the scope of God’s grace. These people without fruit may be in a back-slidden condition, or, in this parable, they may be unsaved. What must they do to return to the Lord if they have let Satan render them fruitless? Read Matt. 3:10, 7:17-19, Luke 13:9.

The Tender Heart

  • Read vv. 8-9 and verse 23. What are the characteristics of the person whose seed falls on “good ground”? Does God ask for a certain amount of fruit? Why will fruit always come from a heart that is sold out to God?
  • Read John 15:1-8 and Luke 8:15. What does God expect from us?

Close:

            Over the years we who have been Christians since youth or grown up in a home with Christian parents who raised us to know and love Jesus Christ have gotten so familiar with Biblical words like “parables,” “fruit,” Spiritual gifts,” “communion,” “baptism,” and so many others that we sometimes use these terms without giving thought to those who are new to the faith. In other words, the question asked by the disciples (“why do you teach the people with parables”) may seem strange to us, but could it possibly have been a fairly new concept for the disciples? They honestly wanted to know why Jesus didn’t just say—in plain language—what He was trying to teach. He knew those who truly had a heart that wanted to understand Him would seek out the truth.

We see a similar question when, in Matthew 6:9-13, the disciples asked Jesus to “teach us to pray, as John has taught his disciples.” Prayer has come so naturally to us that we may forget it is a learned action! It is giving praise to God, speaking to Him as to a beloved Father, having a conversation with the Holy Creator of the universe, yet the One who loves us so much we are able to come boldly before His throne with our cares and supplications. We should never look down on anyone who has not had the advantage of a relationship with Jesus Christ for many years, but mentor and teach them to embrace it with all the love in their mind, heart, soul, and strength!

By Sandy Day

April 07, 2024

 

 

 

 

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