[ ] 6/8/2003 #508
SAVED AND SECURE
FRUITFUL HEARTS
Matthew 13:8, 23
INTRODUCTION: Those of us who have planted gardens know the importance of good soil. The ground that is hard, rocky or full of weeds will not produce a good crop. Jesus said the same about the human heart. In His parable of the sower and the seed only the good soil brought forth fruit.
Dietrich Bonhoeffer: "Only he who believes is obedient; only he who is obedient believes."
I. FERTILE HEART
A. CHARACTER OF THE HEART.
1. Honest heart. (Luke 8:15)
a. Honest about sin. (1 John 1:8; Psalms 51:3)
b. Honest in seeking God. (Jeremiah 29:13; Acts 8:26-39)
2. Good heart. (Luke 8:15)
a. Believes and receives the Word of God. (John 5:24; 8:47)
b. Broken and contrite heart. (Psalms 34:18; 51:17; Isaiah 57:15; 66:2)
Break up your fallow ground, and sow not among thorns. (Jeremiah 4:3)
B. CONVERSION OF THE HEART.
a. Gift of God. (Matthew 16:15-17; Romans 6:23b; 2 Timothy 1:9))
b. Grace of God. (Ephesians 2:8-9; Titus 3:3-5)
C. CONFESSION FROM THE HEART.
a. Confesses Christ as Savior and Lord. (Romans 10:9-10; Acts 16:31)
b. Turns from sin and trusts in Christ. (Acts 20:21; 1 Thessalonians 1:9)
II. FRUITFUL HEART
A. IDENTIFYING THE FRUIT.
1. Fruit of repentance. (Matthew 3:8; Acts 26:20)
2. Fruitful in every good work. (Colossians 1:6, 10)
3. Fruitful in soul winning. (John 4:36; 15:16; Romans 16:5)
4. Fruit of the Spirit produced in the life of the saved. (Galatians 5:22-23)
5. Fruit practiced in the life of the saved. (Ephesians 5:9)
B. INSPECTING THE FRUIT. (Matthew 7:18-20; 12:33)
III. FAITHFUL HEART
A. PRUNING OF THE FAITHFUL. (John 15:1-8; Hebrews 12:5-11)
B. PERSEVERANCE OF THE FAITHFUL. (Luke 8:15)
C. PRODUCTIVITY OF THE FAITHFUL. (Matthew 13:23)
D. PROMISE TO THE FAITHFUL. (Matthew 25:21-23)
LESSONS FOR LIFE:
1. Saving faith is a gift from God. Spiritual fruit and good works are the evidences of that saving faith.
2. The Bible teaches us to make our calling and election sure. (2 Peter 1:3-10)
3. We must abide in Christ to be fruitful. (John 15:8)
4. Knowing we are saved and secure in Christ bring peace and joy to the heart.