"To understand God's will for my life I must receive God's Word in my heart."

THE SOWER AND THE SOILS (13:1-13)
Lesson for the sowers: "Don't give up!"
Lesson for the hearers: "Dirt matters"

4 grounds = 4 hearts:
1) Wayside ground (hard heart)
2) Stony ground (bitter heart)
3) Weedy ground (worldly heart)
4) Good ground (fruitful heart)

3 things to note about good ground:
1) Good ground comes as the farmer plows it first
Hosea 10:12

2) Good ground bears a good quality of fruit.
John 15:8

What kind of fruit can I expect from my life in Jesus?
Salvation (Rom. 1:13)
Holiness (Rom. 6:22)
Giving financially (Rom. 15:28)
Fruit of the Spirit - character of Christ in me (Gal. 5:22-23)
Good works (Col. 1:10)
Praise (Hebrews 13:15)

3) Good ground bears different qualities of fruit.

Kingdom Mystery - In His kingdom, fruitfulness is directly connected to the condition of my heart.

THE TARES AND THE WHEAT (13:24-30; 36-43)
Jesus give us 2 things to take to heart in this explanation:
1) Jesus will rightly and justly deal with things in the end.
2) We are free to serve others, not sniff out sin.

Kingdom Mystery - In His kingdom, He deals justly with sin in the end and blesses the righteous forever.

THE MUSTARD SEED AND THE BIRDS (13:31-32)
Philippians 3:17-19

Kingdom Mystery - God's Church on earth isn't completely perfect and pure.

THE PARABLE OF THE LEAVEN (13:33)
Galatians 5:7-9
1 Corinthians 5:6-7

THE HIDDEN TREASURE (13:44)
Kingdom Mystery - He found me & paid a high price to gain me to Himself.

THE PEARL OF GREAT PRICE (13:45-46)

THE DRAGNET (13:47-51)
Kingdom Mystery - Not everyone gets into His kingdom automatically.