Faith Family Church

Vision:
1. Preparing the soil
2. Sowing
3. Sacrifice

Growth is automatic for weeds, but healthy growth is intentional when it comes to God's Word.

Wrong patterns accelerate.
Right patterns mature.

Weeds:
1. Cares of this world

cares - to divide, to pull apart, to distract the mind; anxieties that divide the mind.

How Cares Choke the Word:
• Worry splits attention.
• Faith requires focus; worry fragments it.
• The Word promises peace but worry keeps rehearsing the problem.

Example of Cares That Choke the Word:
• You hear “God is your provider” — but anxiety keeps you awake at night.
• You receive a promise — but stress dominates your thoughts.
• You pray — but mentally live in worst-case scenarios.

What divides your attention weakens your fruit.

Weeds:
2. Deceitfulness of riches

Money replaces trust.

deceitfulness - illusion, false confidence, bait

How Deceitfulness of Riches Chokes the Word:
• Money subtly becomes a substitute savior.
• Trust shifts from God to resources.
• Faith shrinks as self-reliance grows.

Example of Deceitfulness of Riches That Choke the Word:
• "I’ll obey God once I’m financially secure.”
• Depending more on income than on God.
• Measuring success by possessions instead of fruit.

Weeds:
3. Desires for other things

Competing loves suffocate the Word.

desires - strong cravings, over-desires.

How Desires Choke the Word:
• The heart becomes divided.
• Time, energy, and affection are scattered.
• God becomes one priority among many.

Example of Desires That Choke the Word:
• Career, hobbies, entertainment, relationships.
• Constant busyness with no spiritual margin.
• God fits into life instead of life revolving around God.

choke - to choke together, to crowd, to suffocate, to overpower by compression; paints the picture of life being squeezed out

The seed carries potential.
The soil determines outcome.

Busyness destroys fruitfulness.

The fruit that's lost:
• Peace
• Joy
• Presence with Jesus

Fruitfulness requires right engagement, not overwork, or withdrawal.

How to Weed the Soil:
1. Seek first the Kingdom (Matthew 6:33)
2, Practice margin-naturally and spiritually.
3. Give generously.
4. Evaluate priorities regularly.

choke - to choke together, to crowd, to suffocate, to overpower by compression; paints the picture of life being squeezed out

Pull the weeds before they take the garden or soil of your heart.

The seed carries potential.
The soil determines outcome.