Good Ground: Removing Obstacles to Growth

Scripture References: Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23; Galatians 5:22-23; Psalm 27:4; 1 Peter 5:5-7; Psalm 139:23-24

Intro: Welcome! Today we begin "Good Ground," our summer sermon series on the Fruit of the Spirit (Gal 5:22-23). Just as fertile soil is crucial for a good harvest, the condition of our hearts is vital for bearing spiritual fruit. Jesus' Parable of the Sower (Matt 13) shows different heart conditions ("soils") and their outcomes. Let's examine our own heart-soil today.

Key Points:

1. The Goal: Bearing Fruit: We desire to grow in Christ-likeness – love, joy, peace, patience, etc. This fruit naturally grows when we're rooted in Jesus, but we can cooperate with the Spirit to cultivate a more abundant harvest.
2. Unfruitful Soil Conditions (Matt 13): Jesus identifies obstacles to growth:
   • The Path (Hardened Heart): Compacted by busyness, hurry, and distraction. God's Word can't penetrate and is quickly snatched away. We must "ruthlessly eliminate hurry" (Dallas Willard) to create space for God.
   • Rocky Ground (Shallow Heart): Initial enthusiasm without deep roots. Faith withers under trials or persecution because foundational work wasn't done.
   • Thorny Ground (Choked Heart): Spiritual life is choked by competing desires – the "worries of this life" and the "deceitfulness of wealth." Believing fulfillment comes from worldly things steals spiritual vitality.
3. Cultivating Good Soil (Fruitful Heart): What makes soil "good"? It receives the word, understands it, and bears fruit. This involves actively cultivating positive heart attitudes:
   • Devotion: A primary hunger for God (Ps 27:4).
   • Humility: Dependence on God, not pride (1 Pet 5:5-7).
   • Obedience: Responding promptly to God's leading.
   • Reflection: Pausing to examine our inner life with God (Ps 139:23-24).
   • Repentance: Being quick to turn from sin (Ps 51).
   • Tenderness: Kindness, compassion, forgiveness towards others (Eph 4:32).
   • Service: A willingness to serve cheerfully (Matt 20:28).
4. Ongoing Cultivation: Preparing our hearts isn't a one-time event. Like farming, it requires ongoing attention – removing rocks, pulling weeds, amending the soil each season.

Conclusion: To bear the abundant Fruit of the Spirit, we need good soil – hearts that are receptive, deep, and free from competing weeds. This requires intentionally combating hurry, superficiality, worry, and materialism, while actively cultivating devotion, humility, obedience, reflection, repentance, tenderness, and a servant posture before God.

Call to Action: Honestly assess the condition of your heart's soil today. Ask the Holy Spirit: Are there pathways, rocks, or thorns hindering fruitfulness? Which characteristic of good soil do I need to cultivate more intentionally? Commit to one step this week to prepare the ground for a greater work of His Spirit.

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Good Ground: Removing Obstacles to Growth (Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23)
with Steve Whitmer