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When teaching about the Kingdom of God, Jesus often spoke in parables in order to cause people to reflect and think about his words. In this week’s sermon, we focus on Jesus’ explanation of the Parable of the Sower in which he uses the imagery of soil to describe the receptivity of the heart. In his desire to yield good things in us and around us (Fruit of the Spirit), God is constantly sowing seed within us. However, there are times when the seed bounces off of us (like the hard path), or our relationship with God lacks depth (the rocky ground), or the growth becomes choked out by the cares of the world (seed sown among thorns). In contrast, we seek to cultivate a life that bears fruit by softening, deepening, and pruning our soil. In turn, making our hearts more receptive to what God wants to grow in us.