Sermon Podcast

The parable of the farmer and the seed can help us understand the condition of the heart. Every heart can become hardened, superficial, and divided. Or the heart can become fruitful by following Jesus daily, speaking of Jesus regularly, and helping others live like Jesus.

How do we, like the prodigal son, come home to the Father? We remember the unconditional love of the Father. We receive the generous heart of the Father. We realize the joy we bring to the Father.

We must intentionally seek to hear from God because of the importance of His voice and the loudness of our times. Pursuing God is essential to hearing God. God communicates through His Son Jesus. We hear God's voice through the Bible and prayer. And hearing God's voice has more to do with our hearts than our ears.

We tend to overestimate our ability and underestimate God's power. We all need help when we're tempted, troubled, and tired. Help is available. Complete surrender is more important than self-control. And close connections are more important than isolation.

If happiness is the goal in life, then right and wrong are subjective, I'm tempted to worship pleasure and possessions, God only exists to serve me, the search for meaning will never end, and I live for myself. What's better than happiness? Being holy is better than being happy. And being joyful is better than being happy.

The truth about pain: Pain is the result of sin, does not discriminate, and has a purpose. What is the purpose of pain? Pain makes us partners with our Heavenly Father. Pain proves where our faith lies. And pain prepares us for our future.

The truth about the heart: The heart is stubborn, hardened, rebellious, deceitful, and follows what it wants. How do we have a change of heart? We need a change of dependence, a change of desire, and a change of direction.

The Christian life is a constant battle, and we can be victorious. We need to know our real enemy. We need to fight alongside God's people and with God's armor. And we need to stay alert and always pray.

God uses relationships to make us more like Himself. Marriage is a picture of God's image, His grace, and His heart. The family is a picture of God's authority.

Sin's path versus God's path: How do we get on God's path? We must throw off old behavior. The Spirit renews our thoughts and attitudes. And we put on new behavior.