Don't Be a Grounded Goose!

- Parables in Matthew 13

 - Eight parables recorded as "Mysteries of the Kingdom of Heaven"

 - Purpose: Emphasize planting of Gospel in the world, its growth and success

 - Mysterious nature due to timing before Jesus' death, burial & resurrection

- Parable of the Sower (Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23)

 - Foundational parable describing mysteries of Heaven

 - Seed symbolizes new life and Word of God

 - Soil represents man's hearts

 - Four types of soil/hearts:

   1. Wayside heart

   2. Stony heart

   3. Heart among thorns

   4. Good heart

- Cultural context

 - Western culture grew from Biblical foundation

 - Current culture like "stony places" (Matthew 13:5-6)

   - Lacks depth

   - Underlying hardness

   - Unbroken hearts

- Belief vs. Transformation

 - Professed belief vs. transformed life

 - Importance of being influenced by God's Word

- Revealing and concealing truth

 - Same message can soften or harden hearts

 - Individual responsibility in receiving truth

- Discipleship and fruitfulness (Matthew 13:23)

 - Receiving, understanding, and multiplying God's Word

- Self-reflection

 - Assessing the condition of one's heart

 - Allowing God's Word and corporate worship to transform lives

- Spiritual hydration

 - Thirsting for God (Psalm 42:2)

 - Dangers of "worldly sugar"

- Understanding the Kingdom of Heaven

 - Jesus' emphasis on hearing (18 times in Matthew 13)

 - Spiritual resistance to understanding

 - Being a "householder" bringing forth treasure

- Parable of the Geese

 - Dangers of spiritual complacency

- Peter's conversion (Luke 22:31-32)

 - Difference between belief and true faith

 - Importance of staying "converted"

- Application

 - Allowing God's Word to influence and transform

 - Strengthening others through genuine faith