Post on 28-Dec-2015
The Honest and Good Heart
Luke 8:4-15
Parable of The Sower
Different soils– Only four kinds
– Different heartsReally only two
– Do not receive the Word effectively
– Others will be saved
Attentive
“Having heard the Word”– Power in the Word
(Romans 1:16; 10:17)
– Need a clear, unprejudiced mind
Attentive
God speaks; men listen– Old Testament warnings
(1 Samuel 15:22; Jeremiah 6:19)
– Revealed by the apostles and prophets (Ephesians 2:20)
Discerning
Not gullible– Bereans searched (Acts 17:11)
– Knew its power (Philippians 1:10)
– From God (Matthew 21:25)
– Received as God’s Word (1 Thessalonians 2:13)
Discerning
Truth shines brightly– “Prove all things”
(1 Thessalonians 5:21)
– “Try the spirits” (1 John 4:1)
Discerning
Failure to study – Self-condemned
– Don’t we love the Truth (2 Thessalonians 2:10-12)
– Anything worth believing is worth defending (Jude 3)
Faithful
“Holds fast the Word”– “Fast” means “to hold firmly, to
keep firm possession of, allowing Truth to influence disposition and deportment continually”
– Faithful to the Word (1 Corinthians 15:1, 2)
– Stand firm (2 Thessalonians 2:15)
Faithful
What are the implications?– Complete control and will not
compromise (2 Timothy 4:1-5)
– Not drifting along (Hebrews 2:1)
– Even when we are “tempted and tried”
Fruitful
Connected to the Word– Glorifies God (John 15:8)
– The Word works in us (1 Thessalonians 2:13)
– Paul’s prayer (Colossians 1:10)
Fruitful
Cultivate this heart– “By their fruits, we will know
them” (Matthew 7:20)
– Importance of the heart (Proverbs 4:23; Matthew 12:34-37)
Conclusion
Have an honest heart?God knows (Hebrews 4:13)