<p style="text-align: center;"><b>TEXT:   MATTHEW </b><b>13:1-9; 18-23</b></p>
<b>INTRODUCTION</b>

A. We remember and live by  the words of people meaningful to us…
<ol>
	<li>Martin Luther King, Jr., “The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.”</li>
	<li>Malcolm X, “Education is the passport to the future for the future belongs to those who prepare for it today.”</li>
	<li>Martin Childs, Sr., “If you do what people want you to do, they will talk about you. If you do not do what people what you to do, they will talk about you. So what do you do? You do what is right, and let them talk…</li>
</ol>
B. Do we remember and live by the words of God?

C. When we remember and live by someone’s words, we stand with them

<b>THE PROBLEM OF A HARD HEART</b>

A. Sower = God

B. Seed = The Word of God

C. Type of Ground = A Person’s Heart

D. “Some seed fell by the wayside (road or footpath)”

E. “Birds came and ate the seed” How?
<ol>
	<li>The seed made it <b>on</b> the ground, but not <b>in</b> the ground</li>
	<li>Why? The road was not cultivated; not expecting to receive seed</li>
</ol>
F. Problem:  When someone hears the Word and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in his heart
<ol>
	<li>The Word makes it <b>to</b> the heart, but not <b>in</b> the heart</li>
	<li>Why? Their heart is not cultivated; not expecting to receive</li>
	<li>What makes the heart become hard? Being disappointed, offended, discouraged, hurt by God and/or people in the church</li>
</ol>
<b>GOAL:  HAVE A GOOD HEART TOWARDS THE WORD OF GOD</b>
<p style="padding-left: 30px;">A. What did God do to you? Why are you taking it out on God?</p>
<p style="padding-left: 30px;">B. Hear the Word of God</p>
<p style="padding-left: 30px;">C. Understand the Word of God</p>
<p style="padding-left: 30px;">D. Grow</p>
<p style="padding-left: 30px;">E. Produce</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><b>CHALLENGE FOR THE WEEK:  THAT I WILL ENSURE THAT MY HEART IS NOT HARDENED TOWARDS THE WORD OF GOD</b></p>