In this sermon, the preacher discusses the parable of the sower and the different types of ground that receive the word of God. He emphasizes that only the good ground, which represents those with an open and receptive heart, will bear fruit and be saved. The preacher also highlights the dangers of a watered-down gospel that caters to worldly desires and promises material wealth and happiness. He challenges the listeners to examine their current lives and asks them to consider if they are truly living according to the teachings of Jesus.

Well, I'm personally honored and blessed to have the privilege of sharing with you. I've been in fear and trembling all week long. There is so much at stake for so many of you, and there are families that will feel the impact of these days. There are employers, there are employees, there are relatives, there are children whose lives depend upon how you respond to what you hear. And so I've been in fear and trembling because I don't want to just bring a little message from myself. I'm praying God will speak to all of our hearts. I appreciate Ian asking, what do we want the Lord to do in our own life? Because I want Him to work in my life through you guys being here. You know, when Queen Elizabeth II was to be crowned, she sent out invitations to people that were chosen to attend her coronations. And she sent them out to Parliament people and to people that were in the government with her. And at the bottom of each invitation were these words, All excuses ceasing. You see, it's a little different when nobility invites you to something. It was an invitation, but in a very subtle but polite way, it was also a command. When royalty issues an invitation, there's a lot different than if, like, somebody here asked you over to eat. So when the Lord Jesus Christ calls, we must respond. And the scriptures teach us clearly that all excuses ceasing. And really, when the king invites you, it's not just a mistake, it's high treason to tell him no. And so many of you, I believe this weekend, will be called. When he speaks from his throne to us, we're accountable to answer, every one of us. And, you know, there's a lot of things that could make us say, I have an excuse. Maybe it's fear, fear of the unknown. Maybe you're afraid he'll send you to Africa or something. That wouldn't be so bad if God goes before you and follows you up with goodness and mercy and puts the clouds of mercy over you and beneath you the everlasting arms. It wouldn't be so bad, would it? But you're afraid of the unknown, or maybe you're guilty. You said, I've blown it too much. Don't tell me, or self-pity, there's nobody as pathetic as me. Pride, ignorance, maybe you won't really understand what's going on. All those things seem like they're valid excuses, don't they? And they may be to men, but I'll tell you something, they're not to God. They're illegitimate. You know what's being said about our country overseas and what's going on. And in the church especially, the church overseas is concerned for the church in America. Because, you see, our terminology has been stolen by the world and the cults. They talk about the new birth, being sanctified. They talk about being filled with the Spirit. Almost everybody, except again twice, they tell me, several times. So it's been great. I wonder what it was. But, you see, the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ has been presented on the banqueting table of this world. We've changed it, we've refined it, and we've even seasoned it with the world's seasoning. And consequently because of that. And the new wine has been watered. The utilitarian Christ that has said to people, You come to me and get everything you've ever wanted. A means to our own end. Well, 51% of the people in our country, the church, every percent have membership in Christ. And we try to keep this emptiness kind of. It shows that you are serious minded. You're committed, you know. We study, and we organize, and we educate, and we train, and we dedicate. But something's missing in a lot of places. Well, there are a lot of talkers. We've had 25 years in our country of the most expensive evangelism in all the history. But yet, despite all that, in our country, there's a worm in the apple. Something is, they believe, they don't even say because it's so different statistics. But usually it's over 50% that are sitting in the pews, they believe, are not truly born again. Truly, biblically, born again. Redefining Christianity, making it relevant. What we really need is to make men relevant to the gospel, rather than making the gospel relevant to men. Demonstration of it. So once again, people begin to really see what it means to be a Christian. Well, I believe they are thinking about it, truly. Jim Rogers was secretary for a few years. He calls it spiritual schizophrenia. We try to compartmentalize our lives. The contradiction between, or the church from state, or something like that. And we separate our Bible beliefs from our daily living. And consequently, there's no reality in our life. It's impossible to do this. Absolutely impossible. Becomes convinced that they are converted. Once they become to reach, is indisputably clear, infallible to examine these truths. Key issues about what it means to be a church, and in your world. Preacher's hand when you vintage your new car. Years ago, these marks will be in the life of every single believer. See, I believe that the normal, a changed life. Now, that 17 is the scripture. You all know that. It says, if any man is in Christ, he is a new creature. A changed life, or newness. A real Christian life has that infallible, it's changed. Then God's given a new nature. You see, not just a new name, called Christian belief. No, no. But a person whom I have received. A new life. If any man, he is none of God's. Newness. You see, it'll be a change because Jesus has come. How would you perceive that? What would you think that would mean? I am fit in my small group. What does it mean to you when I say that exactly the same principle is to be interpreted when we look at the scriptures? It means that he's holy. So it's a life transformed by God's presence. Look at 1 Corinthians chapter 6. We're talking about newness. There are a lot of people that say that you can come right into the kingdom and just continue right on as you were. Just believing some new facts. But it says in 1 Corinthians chapter 6, verse 9, it says, Know ye not the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God. Do not be deceived. Now, there are a bunch of scriptures that say that. Over in Ephesians 4 and over in 1 John 3, it says repeatedly, Don't be deceived. The reason God says that to us is because there are a lot of people around us telling us the other thing. That pat you on the back and just believe some facts. And you don't have to have a changed life. Well, it says here, Don't be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor thieves, nor covetous, or drunkards, or revilers, or extortioners. None of these shall inherit the kingdom. The next verse, And such were some of you. I'm not saying are you perfect. If you can't point to dicks, then you need to seriously consider saying, We do perceive or not in Him. The truth for sure is this is how we know that we are in Him. You see, all for Jesus. Would you agree with that? By obedience, not by feelings. Obedience is the effect of a life of 16. Listen to what it says. They know God. They deny Him. Being abominable. A stranger. You see, people say they know God. In Hebrews 5, it talks about that Jesus is the author of everything. Everyone that is born of good deeds. Anyone who is not seeking to live, Not seeking to live, Not for Jesus. I mean, you may fail. You may fall. But if you're not seeking to live an obedient life, Then you will lack assurance, even if you are saved. Obedience. That desire for it. James 1.22. Deceiving your own selves. So many people sit in their churches, And they understand sermons, And they think because they do. Romans 8.14 says, He is my shepherd. The Lord is shepherding me. He is in the process of shepherding. He is leading. He leads us to prayer. He leads us to good pasture. He leads us. I don't really mean. And you know for a fact tonight, You're a Christian. Then you're missing your birthright. Infallible birthmark of the kingdom of God. Fourthly, is a holy life. A holy life. Or let's just say reverence. Reverence. The scripture is Hebrews 12.14. It says there, To follow peace. And it means to follow with all your might. Follow peace with all men. And holiness. Holiness. Without which no man will see God. That verse said, Without holiness in my life, I'll never see God. Do you know what holiness is? It's not carrying a big black Bible like this. And it's not being able to say praise the Lord. Holiness is because of the presence of the Holy One. It's a life separated, Not only from sin, But to Him. And it's the to Him that makes us holy. It's a progressive victory. If you turn to 1 John 3. We need to look at that together. 1 John 3. Beginning in verse 2. 1 John 3. Verse 2. Talking about holiness. Beloved, now we are the sons of God. It does not yet appear what we shall be. But we know that when He shall appear, We shall be like Him. For we shall see Him as He is. You see, we are, Those who are Christians, In a state of imputed perfection. And it's not talking about sinless perfection. It's talking about how God sees us. And it says that every man that has this hope in himself, That he's going to be changed, Is in the process of purifying himself, In the same way that Jesus is pure. That means the fact that you know you're going to stand before God, Is the incentive for you to make your life clean, So that when you stand before Him, You won't be ashamed. And this is looking down in verse 6 then. Whoever's abiding in Him does not sin. That's the present tense. Does not keep on sinning. And whoever keeps on sinning, Has never seen Him, And neither has come to know Him. That's what the verbs really mean. In that sense, they have never really seen Him. And they have never come to know Him. Little children, let no man deceive you. He that doeth righteousness. And it's a present participle. The one who keeps on doing righteousness, Is of God. He is righteous, even as the Lord is righteous. See, it's a life that's set apart, And like the life of Christ. You see, that's a high standard. Jesus said it was a high standard. Not by us performing, But by us participating in who He is. Now, let's read verse 9. Whosoever is born of God does not, present tense, commit sin. For God's seed remains in that person. And that person cannot go on in sin. Why? Because he's born of God. That word for seed is the word sperma. God's life-begetting issue is in us. And His very life has come. And you might say His holy chromosomes Have been joined in the inner man to us. That we cannot go on. He can't do it. It says here, if you're a Christian, Then you can. In fact, in Hebrews 12, It says that every son whom God receives, He chastens. And if you are without a spanking, Then you're illegitimate. You see, an illegitimate means, You have another father. You may be in the group. His seed is in you. When you step out of line, He doesn't spank the neighbor's kids. Any more than you do. You shoo him away. He'll spank you the same way he'll spank you. She was a Christian. She is contradicted. Impossible. Jesus said, He that follows me. We say we have no sin. We deceive ourselves. We're not talking about sinless profanities. To Him. It says in another scripture, Excuse me, 2 Timothy 2.19 Stand sure. Having this seal. God seals it. The saved man walks in the fear of God. What does it mean? It means that a Christian, By the Lord's sin. About evil. And he'll hate sin. That he sees in his own life. It'll break him to bits. As God chastens him. And that characteristic isn't in you. You should hear the warning bell tonight. 3 verse 14. We read 14. Listen. We know that. He that does not. It's saying this is how you can tell. If you really are. Maybe. What does he say? That you have love. One for another. This is my commandment. Just to be together. If a man says I love God. If he says this. He's a liar. For he that loveth not. Has seen. Has not seen. So. In 1 John 5.1. Whoever believes that Jesus. Is the Christ. Loves him that beget. Do you love the church of Jesus? Do you love the church of the Lord Jesus? Because it is really wrong. That you're in the. A sixth characteristic is. Of a new birth. And without any doubt in the scriptures. The sixth characteristic is. A desiring life. And you can just paraphrase that. As zeal. Zeal. A life of zeal. A life of desire. And our scripture would be Colossians chapter 3. Verses 1, 2, and 3. Let me read them. Colossians chapter 3. 1, 2, and 3. Zeal. If you then be risen with Christ. Seek those things which are above. Where Christ sits on the right hand of God. Set. Determinedly fixed. Your affections. Your desires. On things above. Not on things on the earth. For you are dead. And your life is hidden with Christ in God. What does it mean? It doesn't mean there's a spiritual mindedness. It doesn't mean that your mind will be perfect. We'll talk about that tomorrow. But it does mean that the general inclination of your thoughts. And your desires. Will be. Hunger. God will put in you a hunger. In your heart. For the things of the kingdom. If you're risen. Truly. And you're in. Marks you as his. Marks you as his. It's that desire. As eternity conscious. You become. And as the Lord Jesus lives. In your heart. And it shows. What's. In your heart. Say that. Whatever's in your. And he was right. On this. He can't stand. Just can't quite understand it. And as always. And you can get a living. Age. Again. We see these words. About. Sixteen. Seventeen. About a believer. Witness. With our spirit. That we are. The born ones. Of God. And if we are born ones. Then we are heirs. Heirs of God. Joint heirs. With Christ. Well. I just know. Well. How do you know. You're a Christian. Well. I don't know how I know it. But I. But I'm saying. You have all the scriptural grounds. That God gets a hold of. And he. He lets you just know. I don't know how you know. But you just know. It says. He that believeth. On the son of God. Has the witness. In himself. He has the witness. He that believeth not. God hath made him a liar. You see. The person who. Who believes God. And knows God. Has a witness on the inside. Deep calling to deep. I know God. I know God. There's a knowing. And there's an assurance. In every true believer. In the street ministry. I used to go out. And I was really good at talking men into decisions. I mean. Boy. I could get them to just. I think I could have sold them some land in Florida as well. But. But. I mean. I could talk them into anything. All those things. Just apologize. You know. You've got years. To think about it. And all. I say. Now. What does the Bible say? You're saved. I don't feel saved. I. I really don't think I'm saved. Because. See. I never mentioned repentance to him. And. I say. You are saved. It's sin to doubt God. You know. Never talk men into decisions. Let the Holy Ghost show them. Amen. Let the Holy Spirit say. You're my child. I said that too. I'll tell you something. No man can say you're not. But if you can talk them into believing. The Spirit of God. In his life. In his family. And he's saved. He's there. All these things. About. About. About. About. And. And. And. And. And. And. And. And. And. And. And. And. And. And. And. And. And. And. And. And. And. And. And. And. And. And. And. And. And. And. And. And. And. And. And. And. And. And. And. And. And. And. You see that same thing again coming out, it's translated two different ways, the King James one way, and I'll do it both ways. First John 5, 18, we know that whosoever is born of God sinneth not, but he that is begotten of God keepeth himself. Now some Bibles say is kept by God, but you see it's the same thing. Whoever is born of God keeps himself, and then it says that whoever is born of God keeps himself and that wicked one doesn't even touch him. You know why? Because he can't come into light. He can't come into light. So this persevering life means this, all who are truly born of God will persevere, not because you're so great or I'm so great, but because he's so great. He washes over his word to perform it, and that good thing I've committed unto him against that day, he keeps, and if it's not kept, it's because it was never committed to him. Of that which the Father's given to me, I never lose one, not one, only one, the son of perdition, that the scriptures might be fulfilled, gather up all the crumbs. He never loses a thing. Soberness, watchfulness, a truly saved man will stand. He may fall, but God will pick him up and dust him off after he breaks him up a little bit and then remakes him a better way and sends him on rejoicing that he's been experiencing the mercy of God. Those who do not stand reveal themselves as those upon whom the seed of God fell and the parable of the sword, and they believed for a moment with great joy, it says, but when tribulation comes up because of the word, is saved, the last one, receive the word and bring forth fruit, and you'll stand before God for God just say this, and you can point back to when you wept tears and you may for two years have been through all, keep the scout law, that you joined a church because you were just married, and you did it, and you walked down, you studied hard, but you never met the living God, sin of various sorts, maybe you were too afraid to fall into sin, maybe you just went through all, and you had no joy, no peace, nothing, all the way through school, and you admit it's now, no, if you're really his, he will keep you, he knows of sin, proves you're not a Christian, in that same chapter verse, who is he that overcomes the world, but he that believeth that Jesus, you see an unregenerated man, slaves of sin, it's at the stake that makes crystals, it's in Jesus, oh, taste and see the Lord is good, you go back and answer and he'll free you from those dead fish floating in a river of the stagnant, the opinions of their friends, their old bass buddies, you know, they can't, he may wrestle with those, his rule, as you've seen those, there's a vast difference in the depth of them, and in the distinctiveness in each life, and some people they're bold, and some they're in some fashion, and if these marks, I'll say as lovingly as the scriptures could say, please don't think I'm just trying to scare you with these words, you have a very real reason, it's not just me trying to scare you, you have a real reason to fear, because you're missing, not the feelings perhaps, but the scriptural verification that you're in the kingdom of God, and I believe that the king is issuing an invitation, and when the king issues an invitation, all excuses are ceasing, you see, there's nothing, there is nothing that you can say to him once he has spoken to you that will really do, I remember one time that I was talking to a man in his home about the things of the gospel, and the conviction was quite hot, I mean it was amazing, the guy was sweating, you know, and everything, and we were galled right to the place where, I mean, it was just total and nothing, and he finally said, he made some excuse, and I said, huh, well would you mind writing that down on a piece of paper as your reason why you're not ready to really become a Christian today, and he says, sure, and he wrote that down on a piece of paper, I said, could I have that, and he said, yeah, and I read it, and then I said, that's great, now listen, you just keep this, and hold on to it, and when you stand before God at the judgment seat, you just slip in that note and say, that's why I didn't trust Jesus, and see what he says, and I walked out, now you know, you don't always make an excuse to escape the punishment of sin, oh, they don't want to be punished for their sin, but you see, they don't want to be free of it's power, and they don't want to be free of it's power, I mean, tomorrow morning, I'm going to warn you, I said they want to be pure, but they have no intention of giving up in the chambers of their imagination, in today's illicit world, I mean, they have no intention of letting God in that room, well, I'm going to tell you something, that is not an option, all excuses ceasing, many people want God's favor in the sun, who don't want God's image of the sun to be formed in them, you see, the way of the cross, and the way of really coming to the Lord is a lot more, so you cannot be forgiven tonight, without being changed, without being redeemed, without being saved, without being Christ, you know what it means, it means you have to get up and leave where you are, that means get up from where you are, we must take this word, and make it our foundation, back in our churches, and that's the first way you can become God, as genuine marks of who he is, do you have a new life, or is it just a new label, station wagon, and it had been about six months, passing, and they stuck all these stickers on it, Niagara Falls, San Francisco, Disney World, you know, I can't leave this out, Rock City, everything, they've been everywhere, this station wagon, and this guy, he was a nice wagon, just a half a year old, and he pulled into this service station, and there was this man there, that was washing the windshield, just looking at this car, he was shining the windshield on, you have really been around, condition this car, and you've been to all, and the guy just, you see, he just slapped those things on there, he hadn't really been there, most of us do, you know, we just wear the stickers, and we haven't made the journey, we can come to a men's conference like this, to make our wife happy, and we can come here, from shallow living, to being filled with Jesus, but I trust that these words will sink down deep into our spirit, and these are proofs, these are effects of Jesus being present in the life, you may not be where you thought was said in every area, but you will be seeing some life, if you're genuine, if you're not to be saved.