October 2006 Sermon Notes
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October 15, 2006 Why Some People Are Spiritually Successful
October 29, 2006 Our Sixth Sense

October 15, 2006
The Parable of the Soils: Why Some People Are Spiritually Successful

The Pathway Matthew 13:4, 19

Some people don’t get it because they have a hard heart

The Rocky Soil Matthew 13:5 - 6, 20 - 21

Some people can’t keep it because they won’t develop root structure

The Soil with Thorns Matthew 13:7, 22

Some people can’t keep it because they are deceived by greed

The Good Soil

Still other seed fell on good soil, where it produced a crop-a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown. … But the one who received the seed that fell on good soil is the man who hears the word and understands it. He produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown. Matthew 13:8, 23

Some people are spiritually successful because...

1. They listen to what God says

Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. James 1:22

2. They grow in relationship

Remain in me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.
John 15: 4

3. They get rid of sin

… you … belong … to him who was raised from the dead, in order that we might bear fruit to God. For when we were controlled by the sinful nature …we bore fruit for death. Romans 7:4-5

Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you. James 1:21

4. They reproduce

Once more a remnant of the house of Judah will take root below and bear fruit above. Isaiah 37:31

Then he told this parable: "A man had a fig tree, planted in his vineyard, and he went to look for fruit on it, but did not find any. So he said to the man who took care of the vineyard, 'For three years now I've been coming to look for fruit on this fig tree and haven't found any. Cut it down! Why should it use up the soil?' "'Sir,' the man replied, 'leave it alone for one more year, and I'll dig around it and fertilize it. If it bears fruit next year, fine! If not, then cut it down.'" Luke 13:6-9

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October 29, 2006
Our Sixth Sense

He has set eternity in the hearts of men Ecclesiastes 3:10-11

People have always known they will spend most of their time in an afterlife

When outsiders who have never heard of God's law follow it more or less by instinct, they confirm its truth by their obedience. They show that God's law is not something alien, imposed on us from without, but woven into the very fabric of our creation. There is something deep within them that echoes God's yes and no, right and wrong. Romans 2:14-15 The Message Paraphrase

… what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities-his eternal power and divine nature-have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse. … men who suppress the truth by their wickedness, Romans 1:19 – 20, 18

What will heaven be like?

1. A place for face to face relationship with God

I am going there [my Father’s house] to prepare a place for you. … I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. John 14:2-3

Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. Revelation 21:3

…then we shall see face to face …I shall know fully, even as I am fully know. I Corinthians 13:12

2. There will be no sadness or pain

He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away. Revelation 21: 4

3. We will experience joy and unending pleasure

you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand. Psalms 16:11

4. We will be productive

You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God, and they will reign on the earth. Revelation 5:10

5. Our body will be different

Who … will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body. Philippians 3:21

We can know for certain if we will make it

God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life. I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life.
1 John 5:11-13

Who are you taking with you?

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