Preparing Our Hearts for God's Blessings
Summary
In this sermon, the pastor underscores the importance of preparing one's heart to receive God's blessings and actively engaging with His word. The pastor uses the parable of the sower from Matthew 13 to illustrate the condition of our hearts and how it determines the fruitfulness of God's word in our lives. The pastor emphasizes that God's love and blessings, represented by the seed in the parable, are available to all. However, the condition of our hearts, whether hardened, burdened with worry, or unprepared, can hinder us from fully receiving these blessings.
The pastor encourages the congregation to examine their hearts and respond to God's movement in their lives. This response may involve plowing their hearts, seeking forgiveness, trusting God in difficult circumstances, or receiving God's peace to overcome worries and fears. The pastor also shares personal anecdotes about his family's experiences, such as going on holiday and getting ready for church, to illustrate the significance of planning and preparation in our lives.
The pastor also shares a personal story about his son, Zion, and his experience swimming back from an inflatable in the water. The pastor uses this story to emphasize the importance of preparing our hearts and the hard work it requires. He highlights how Zion was not focused on the fun of the inflatables, but rather on the accomplishment of swimming back, which was a difficult task that required preparation.
The pastor concludes the sermon by encouraging the congregation to prepare their hearts, trust in Jesus, and make a decision to follow Him, even in the face of heartache. He reminds them that God is close to the brokenhearted and encourages them to cast their cares on Him. The pastor also emphasizes the importance of coming together as a church community and seeking God's presence, expressing excitement about an upcoming conference at Icon Church.
Key Takeaways:
- The pastor emphasizes the importance of preparing our hearts to receive God's blessings. He uses the parable of the sower to illustrate how the condition of our hearts determines the fruitfulness of God's word in our lives. This preparation involves plowing our hearts, seeking forgiveness, and trusting God in difficult circumstances ([12:45]).
- The pastor shares a personal story about his son, Zion, swimming back from an inflatable in the water. This story underscores the importance of preparation and the hard work it requires. It serves as a reminder that we should focus on the accomplishment of overcoming challenges, rather than the immediate fun or pleasure ([32:30]).
- The pastor encourages the congregation to examine their hearts and respond to God's movement in their lives. This response may involve seeking forgiveness, trusting God in difficult circumstances, or receiving God's peace to overcome worries and fears. This call to action is a reminder that our active engagement with God's word is crucial in our spiritual journey ([22:15]).
- The pastor emphasizes the importance of coming together as a church community and seeking God's presence. He expresses excitement about an upcoming conference at Icon Church, reminding us of the transformative power of these special moments with God ([45:20]).
- The pastor concludes the sermon by encouraging the congregation to trust in Jesus and make a decision to follow Him, even in the face of heartache. He reminds them that God is close to the brokenhearted and encourages them to cast their cares on Him. This takeaway serves as a comforting reminder of God's unwavering love and presence in our lives ([55:10]).
Study Guide
Bible Reading:
1. Hosea 10:12 [51:09]
Observation Questions:
1. What does the phrase "break up your unplowed ground" mean in the context of Hosea 10:12?
2. How does the concept of preparation relate to the verse in Hosea?
Interpretation Questions:
1. What does the verse in Hosea suggest about the importance of preparation in our spiritual lives?
2. How does the concept of "unplowed ground" relate to our spiritual growth and readiness to receive God's blessings?
Application Questions:
1. Can you identify an area in your life that could be described as "unplowed ground"? What steps can you take to prepare this area for God's work?
2. How can you actively prepare your heart for what God has for you, rather than passively waiting for His move?
3. What specific actions can you take this week to cultivate your spiritual life, making it ready for God's purpose?
4. Can you think of a situation where you were unprepared and it affected your response? How can you better prepare for such situations in the future?
5. How can you apply the principle of preparation in your relationships, work, or personal growth?
Devotional
Day 1: Preparation is Key
Preparation is not always an exciting word, but it is a crucial one in our spiritual journey. It is about preparing ourselves for what God wants to do in our lives. It is about breaking up the unplowed ground of our hearts and making it ready for the seeds of God's word to take root and flourish. It is about being open and receptive to God's will and direction in our lives ([50:25]).
Hosea 10:12 - "Sow righteousness for yourselves, reap the fruit of unfailing love, and break up your unplowed ground; for it is time to seek the LORD, until he comes and showers his righteousness on you."
Reflection: What areas of your life do you need to prepare for God's work? How can you break up the unplowed ground in your heart?
Day 2: The Power of God is Available to Us
We are not alone in our spiritual journey. We have the power of God available to us. This power is not just for us to sit on the sidelines, but to live a fruitful life. God has called us to a life that brings about fruit, a life that is productive and meaningful ([01:03:56]).
Acts 1:8 - "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."
Reflection: How can you tap into the power of God in your life? What steps can you take to live a more fruitful life?
Day 3: Invest in Gathering Together
Investing in gathering together as a community of believers is important. It is in these gatherings that we are blessed and receive so much from God. It is a time of fellowship, learning, and growing together in our faith ([47:40]).
Hebrews 10:25 - "Not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching."
Reflection: How can you invest more in gathering together with other believers? What can you do to encourage others in your community?
Day 4: Trust in God
Trusting in God is a crucial part of our spiritual journey. It is about throwing our worries on Him and believing that He will never let us down. It is about standing firm in our faith, even when times get tough ([01:19:06]).
Proverbs 3:5-6 - "Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight."
Reflection: What worries do you need to throw on God? How can you trust Him more in your life?
Day 5: Break Up the Thorns with Peace
Life can sometimes choke us with its thorns. But we can break up these thorns with the plow of peace. It is about finding peace in the midst of life's challenges and difficulties. It is about trusting in God's peace that surpasses all understanding ([01:21:12]).
Philippians 4:7 - "And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."
Reflection: What thorns in your life do you need to break up with peace? How can you experience God's peace in your life?
Quotes
"Preparation is not an exciting word for me, but it is necessary for what God wants to do in our lives." [52:00]
"Break up your unplowed ground and seek the Lord, for it is time to reap the fruit of unfailing love." [51:09]
"Prepare your heart. It's important to be intentional about preparing our hearts to receive God's message." [49:45]
"Preparing our hearts is really important and it's hard work. Many times, we'll be able to see the fruit and the reward of what we've prepared for." [01:16:25]
"We have to prepare our hearts for what God has got to give...take a deep dive into some of Jesus's words...the parable of the SE...a picture of the condition of our heart...where the seed lands determines its fruitfulness."
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