Parable of the Sower

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4 Different types of hearts:

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The Hard Heart

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Luke 8:5,11-12 (NIV) “A farmer went out to sow his seed. As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path; it was trampled on, and the birds ate it up….11 This is the meaning of the parable: The seed is the word of God. 12 Those along the path are the ones who hear, and then the devil comes and takes away the word from their hearts, so that they may not believe and be saved.”

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James 1:22, 25 (NLT) But don’t just listen to God’s word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves…25 But if you look carefully into the perfect law that sets you free, and if you do what it says and don’t forget what you heard, then God will bless you for doing it.

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The Shallow heart

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Mark 4:5-6,16-17 (NIV) “Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow.6 But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root….16 Others, like seed sown on rocky places, hear the word and at once receive it with joy. 17 But since they have no root, they last only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, they quickly fall away.”

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The Crowded Heart

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Mark 4:7,18-19 (NIV) “Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants, so that they did not bear grain... 18 Still others, like seed sown among thorns, hear the word; 19 but the worries of this life, the deceitfulness of wealth and the desires for other things come in and choke the word, making it unfruitful.”

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Luke 10:41-42 (NIV) “Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, 42 but few things are needed—or indeed only one.  Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”

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A Good Heart

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Luke 8:15 (NIV) “But the seed on good soil stands for those with a noble and good heart, who hear the word, retain it, and by persevering produce a crop.”

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Psalm 51:10 (NIV) Create in me a pure heart, O God.

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1. Hear God’s Word

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2. Retain God’s Word

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3. Persevere

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Galatians 6:9 (NIV) Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.

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