Text: Matthew 1-9 &amp; 18-23

INTRODUCTION:

A. It is difficult to concentrate when distracted...

B. Unintentional distractions...

C. Intentional distractions...

THE PROBLEM OF A SHALLOW HEART

A. Sower = God
B. Seed = The Word of God
C. Type of Ground = A person's heart
D. "Some seed fell among thorns"
E. "The thorns sprang up and choked them"

1. Thorns = A thorny plant/weeds
2. Choke = To suffocate by overgrowth
3. How do they choke the plants?

F. Problem: Someone hears the Word and the cares of this world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word and he becomes unfruitful

1. The Word makes it IN the heart DEEPLY, but it has COMPETITION
2. The Word is choked out by the cares of this world
3. The Word is choked out by the deceitfulness of riches
4. The person becomes unfruitful
5. What does it mean to have leaves, but no fruit?

GOAL: HAVE A GOOD HEART TOWARDS THE WORD OF GOD
A. What did God do to you? Why are you allowing things to distract you from God?
B. Hear the Word of God
C. Understand the Word of God
D. Grow
E. Produce

CHALLENGE FOR THE WEEK: THAT I WILL ENSURE THAT MY HEART IS NOT DISTRACTED TOWARDS THE WORD OF GOD