What Kind of Dirt Are You?

Pastor Lucas taught us using the parable in Luke 8:4-8 which talks about the four types of soil. The first type is the one that is scattered along the path and gets trampled on. These are the people that hear the word but like the good old saying goes, "In one ear and out the ear". These are te people that hear it but it doesn't really make much sense to them. The second type of soil is the type that falls on the rock and it has no moisture. These are the people that come to church when it's cool and fun. Pastor Lucas refers to these people that lack commitment and consistency as "Convenient Christians". The come to church as long as it's comfortable for them. The third type is the one in which the thorns choke it up. In other words, these people allow the worries and concerns of the world to steal the word that was planted in their hearts. And finally, the good soil is that which falls and produces a crop, a hundred times more than is sown.

We all fall into one category. Which kind of dirt are you?

It's obvious that our aim should be to be the "good soil". The next step is to dedicate ourselves to the following three things: 1). Preaching of the gospel, 2). Intercessory prayer and 3). Sacrificial love.

What does it mean to preach the gospel? Well, the gospel can be summed up in one sentence. Christ died, was buried, raised on the third day and appeared. Pretty simple, huh? This can be found here in 1 Cor. 15:3-5. Basically all of us need to be ready to share the hope that is in us. Why do we believe what we believe? The only way to know what our faith is based on is by studying and knowing the word of God.

Intercessory prayer is the next thing that we need. Intercessory prayer occurs when we pray for others. This is so important! Afterall, prayer has the power to change things including the hearts of others. We should pray so that others will have faith.

Sacrificial love is an art moms have mastered. They love us no matter how bad we've been. Sacrificial love is a little like that except it is only possible with God . 1 John 4:7-8 says, "Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love." If we know God's love than we are able to love others even those that many times are unlovable.

If you're in the Doral area, join us next Sunday @ 11:00 am.

*Photograph courtesy of Flickr.