Today is Harvest Sunday which marks the end of the main harvest time; it’s a celebration for all Gods provision and a time of thankfulness and gratefulness. Ps Sean’s message looks at the parable of the sower in Mark 4:1-20 and is titled ‘How’s Your ground?’

Mark 4:3-9 (NKJV) “Listen! Behold, a sower went out to sow. And it happened, as he sowed, that some seed fell by the wayside; and the birds of the air came and devoured it. Some fell on stony ground, where it did not have much earth; and immediately it sprang up because it had no depth of earth. But when the sun was up it was scorched, and because it had no root it withered away. And some seed fell among thorns; and the thorns grew up and choked it, and it yielded no crop. But other seed fell on good ground and yielded a crop that sprang up, increased and produced: some thirtyfold, some sixty, and some a hundred.” And He said to them, “He who has ears to hear, let him hear!”

Jesus spoke in terms everyone could understand, this time agricultural but often financial. Emphasis here was on listening to the Word of God. Ps Sean goes on to explain how some people listened, some did not or only for a short time and how this related to the different types of ground where seed was sown – Path, Rocky, Thorns & Good.

Ps Sean then explains how we can see if there is ‘good soil’ in our lives….

Good Soil Obeys - Matthew 7:24-25 “Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock. The reason for this wasn't just hearing the word, it was doing the word. Good soil lives in obedience.

Good Soil Remains - John 8:31-32 “So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” Good soil does not leave or abandon God or His word, but hold’s on and stays connected.

Good Soil Bears Fruit - Mark 4:20 “But those that were sown on the good soil are the ones who hear the word and accept it and bear fruit, thirtyfold and sixtyfold and a hundredfold.” John 15:8 “By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples”. Does your life produce fruit in the areas you are living in?

PS Sean asks us …How is Your Ground?, is there evidence that the Word of God is growing in our lives?, Can people see Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness or Self Control in our workplaces, families, friendships, church, community or ministry?

The Parable of the Sower is seemingly well known to most of us, but this message gives us fresh challenges regarding its true meaning and what Jesus was really imparting about Kingdom living.

In this gripping message Ps Paula starts by asking us if we can tell the difference between phrases/sayings which are in scripture and those which are not. In this age of social media it's very easy to believe a lie.

We must be careful what we allow to shape our thinking, our minds. Isaiah 40:8 says that the grass rivers, the flowers faint, but the word of our God will stand forever. Before we believe something because it sounds good or others are saying it we need to ask ourselves "Is it in the word of God?"

Ps Paula asks the cardinal question.. "Am I ready for the return of Jesus Christ?".... She refers to the parable of the Ten Virgins (Matthew 25:1-13) to illustrate her points as she goes on the speak about the importance of us being ready for Jesus. He certainly will come again, we just do no know exactly when.

She speaks about three key aspects...

• We want to know Him
• We want to live for Him
• We want to love like Him

Ps Paula ends her message inviting the congregation to renew their faith in Jesus and dedicate their lives to Him.

Ps Paula speaks this week, continuing the series on the value of gathering. She mentions, with biblical refernces how the early church grew in small groups and how these relate to our Connect Groups of today.

Listen to this informative and challenging message!