Good Ground: The Path: “A Hard Heart Cannot Understand”

Good Ground: The Path: “A Hard Heart Cannot Understand”

In this message from our “Good Ground” series, we look at the first soil in Jesus’ Parable of the Sower in Matthew 13—the path. Jesus says a hard heart “does not understand” the word, and the enemy easily snatches it away. We’ll unpack: - Why understanding God’s Word is more about **heart posture** than intelligence   - How a hard heart gets “packed down” by life, others, and our own choices   Three “isms” that harden our hearts—and what to replace them with:    - Replace cynicism with gratitude  - Replace pessimism with faith    - Replace individualism with surrender Ask yourself: Which one is packing down your heart like the path? If you’re looking to take next steps, get closer to Jesus, and become a true disciple—not just a church attender—this message is for you.

Good Ground: Dullness Creeps In

Are You Spiritually Numb Without Knowing It? Opening message of our new 7-week series "Good Ground: The Sower, The Seed, and The Soil." In Matthew 13, Jesus reveals how a heart can slowly grow dull — and how that dullness blocks the healing and growth He wants to give us. Discover why many hear God’s Word but never truly receive it, and learn practical ways to lean in and become good soil. Key Verse: “This people’s heart has grown dull… lest they turn and I would heal them.” (Matthew 13:15) Next Steps: Open your Bible, take notes, and respond to what God is saying.

Book of James: CARE/CONFIDE/CHASE/CELEBRATE

What if church was more than songs, a sermon, and going home? In this message from James 5:13–20, Pastor Wade shows that a living church is a spiritual family that: CARES for the weary in prayer CONFIDES instead of hiding in shame CHASES down the wanderer CELEBRATES every time God wins See how this passage not only calls us to live differently as a church, but reveals the kind of Savior who cared for us first, chased us down, and invites us into His family.

Book of James: While we Wait

What do we do while we wait for Jesus to return? In James 5:7–12, we’re called from passive patience to patient action, like a farmer who can’t control the rain but prepares faithfully for the harvest. In this message we look at three marks of faithful waiting: Strengthen our hearts – establish our inner life in Christ. Protect our family – resist grumbling and bear one another’s burdens. Guard our integrity – let our “yes” be yes and our “no” be no. Our hope isn’t in how perfectly we wait, but in the Savior we’re waiting for—the Judge at the door who first came with nails in His hands for us.

Book of James: Don't Play God - Trust God

Are we trusting God—or trying to be God? In James 4:11–5:6, we see three subtle ways believers start “playing God”: with PEOPLE (how we judge and treat others), with our PLANS (living like we control tomorrow), and with our POSSESSIONS (using wealth as if we answer to no one). In this message we explore: - The difference between godly discernment and sinful judgment - How to plan wisely without acting like we own the future - How to hold wealth loosely and use it for God’s glory and others’ good Big Idea: We’re called to trust God, not play God.