GROWING DEEPER IN

THE LORD
SITUATIONS under such
CIRCUMSTANCES
Matthew 13
A. (v.19) Those who hear the message about the Kingdom but do not understand it are
like the seeds that fell along the path. The Evil One comes and snatches away what
was sown in them.
B. (v.20) The seeds that fell on rocky ground stand for those who receive the message
gladly as soon as they hear it.
(v.21) But it does not sink deep into them, and they don’t last long. So when trouble
or persecution comes because of the message, they give up once.
C. (v.22) The seeds that fell among thorn bushes stand for those who hear the
message; but worries about this life and the love for riches choke the message, and
they don’t bear fruit.
 “You can appear to have the
perfect Christian life, but not be
connecting much with God”
-Debbie Alsdorf
Galatians 5:17
For what human nature wants is opposed to what the Spirit wants,
and what the Spirit wants is opposed to what our human nature
wants. These two are enemies, and this means that you cannot do
what you want to do.

• Spirit = immaterial part of humanity that connects with God

= gives us the ability to have an intimate relationship with

the Lord
• Soul = life; us human beings
= the essence of humanity’s being; it is who we are
 SOUL vs. SPIRIT
HUMAN NATURE vs. SPIRIT
Romans 8:5-6
v.5 Those who live as their human nature tells them to, have their minds controlled by
what human nature wants. Those who live as the Spirit tells them to, have their minds
controlled by what the Spirit wants.
v.6 To be controlled by human nature results in death; to be controlled by the Spirit
results in life and peace.

So…
“What I say is this: let the Spirit direct your lives, and you will not satisfy the desires of
the human nature.” – Galatians 5:16
James 4:7
So then, submit yourselves to God. Resist the devil, and he will run away from you.

Ephesians 6:11
Put on all the armor that God gives you, so that you will be able to stand up against the
devil’s tricks.

Galatians 5:24-25
v.24 And those who belong to Christ Jesus have put to death their human nature with
all its passions and desires.
v.25 The Spirit has given us life; he must also control our lives.
 What are the WAYS to get and stay
CONNECTED with the Lord?
• Quiet Time/Devotion

-Helps us grow in wisdom

Joshua 1:8
Be sure that the book of the law is always read in your worship.
Study it day and night, and make sure that you obey everything
written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.
 What are the WAYS to get and stay
CONNECTED with the Lord?
• Prayer and Fasting

-Communicating with God/ Bringing all requests to Him/ Powerful

and can change circumstances/ Bringing God’s will from heaven to
earth

Nehemiah 1:4
When I heard all this, I sat down and wept. For several days I
mourned and did not eat. I prayed to God.
 What are the WAYS to get and stay
CONNECTED with the Lord?
• Fellowship

-Means of encouragement; inspiration

Matthew 18:20
For where two or three come together in my name, I am there with
them.
 What are the WAYS to get and stay
CONNECTED with the Lord?
• Praise and Worship

-Bowing down/ Showing reverence/ Uplift, Glorify, Honor/

Reflection of love
Psalm 95:1,6
v.1 Come let us praise the Lord! Let us sing for joy to God, who
protects us.
v.6 Come, let us bow down and worship him; let us kneel before
the Lord, our Maker!
Our FOCUS must always be on the LORD!
Jeremiah 29:13
You will seek me, and you will find me because you will seek
me with all your heart.
In Conclusion…
• Growing deeper in the Lord is a choice and a decision that we have to stand firm. If we
desire it, we have to go for it and be enthusiastic, NO STOPPING!
• Let us be the seed that fell and sown in good soil
Matthew 13:23
And the seeds sown in the good soil stand for those who hear the message and understand
it: They bear fruit, some as much as one hundred, others sixty, and others thirty.
• Grow deep and rooted firmly in God!
We look to grow in a Fertile soil of a deep relationship with the Lord.
ALL GLORY TO GOD!