Allow the Lord to Remove Spiritual Hardness (Message to Women) — Annie Poonen — May 15, 2024
https://rlcf.church/media/sermons/allow-the-lord-to-remove-spiritual-hardness River of Life Christian Fellowship 1306 N Lincoln Avenue Loveland, Colorado - 80537, USA
Summary
The sermon focuses on the parable of the sower, emphasizing that the soil represents the heart and the seed is the word of the Kingdom of God. A key message is the necessity of having a heart poor in spirit, recognizing one's need for God's grace. The speaker specifically addresses spiritual hardness, comparing it to rocks in the soil, and urges listeners to allow the Holy Spirit to remove deep-seated bitterness, unforgiveness, and past hurts to make their hearts ready for God's word.
Outline
The message in plain words, in the order it unfolds. Select a time to jump the video to that moment.
What is the parable of the sower?The speaker opens by turning to the parable of the sower in Matthew, explaining that the seed is the word of the kingdom and the soil is our heart.Matthew 13:3–9
The kingdom of God is righteousness, peace, and joyThe kingdom of God consists of having a right relationship with the Lord, peace with God and others, and joy in the Holy Spirit.Romans 14:17
The kingdom belongs to the poor in spiritJesus said the kingdom of God belongs to those who are poor in spirit, recognizing they are empty and needy rather than spiritually rich and self-sufficient.Matthew 5:3
Seed falling on rocky groundSeed on rocky ground springs up quickly because of shallow soil, but withers away under the sun when persecution or difficulty arises because there is no root.
Dealing with big boulders and hidden rocksHardness in life like years of bitterness, unforgiveness, or past hurts acts as a big boulder hindering the Holy Spirit, requiring the Lord to dig it out.
Clearing out the little pebblesSmall pebbles in daily life—such as self-condemnation, discouragement, unfulfilled expectations, and hasty speech—must be vigilantly removed.
Judging ourselves dailyBelievers should judge themselves daily at the Lord's table, confessing complaining spirits and allowing the Lord to cleanse them segment by segment.
Guarding against an evil, unbelieving heartThe author of Hebrews warns believers not to be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin or give into unbelief like the children of Israel in the wilderness.Hebrews 3:12
Avoiding pride when exhorting othersExhorting one another carries a danger of pride where older sisters or leaders might think they have reached a higher level, losing their poverty of spirit.
Being like clay in the Potter's handJust as the potter breaks down flawed clay with hidden stones to remake it, the Lord patiently works and refashions us until we reflect His image.Jeremiah 18:1–6
Physical illustrations of deep-seated irritationMuch like a piece of glass or a parasite covered by the human body with a hard cyst, deep-seated spiritual irritations require deep excavation by the Lord.
Transforming hurt into pearls like an oysterAn oyster wraps an irritating grain of sand in layers to produce a precious pearl; similarly, the Holy Spirit enables us to respond to hurt with forgiveness, love, and blessing.
Summary and closing prayerThe speaker summarizes the message by calling listeners to submit their hard areas, small pebbles, and daily trials to the Holy Spirit, closing with a hymn of search and surrender.
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