Faith Family Church

VISION
1. Preparing the soil
2. Sowing
3. Sacrifice

The seed carries potential.
The soil determines outcome.

Listen - to hear with attention and intention.

This is not passive hearing-it's active reception.

Logos can be the written word, whereas rhema is the spoken word.

Hebrews 4:12 (Expanded Bible)
For God’s word is alive and working [active; powerful; effective]and is sharper than a double-edged sword.It cuts all the way into us, where the soul and the spirit are joined, to the center of our joints and bones penetrates until it divides even soul and spirit, joints and marrow]. And it judges [discerns] the thoughts [ideas] and feelings [attitudes; intentions] in our hearts.

• A heart worn down by life
• Repeated offenses
• Disappointment
• Familiarity with Scripture but no openness to change

Pharaoh is a prominent example of hard-heartedness in the Bible. His refusal to let the Israelites go, despite witnessing numerous plagues, illustrates his stubbornness.

The Israelites often displayed hard-heartedness, particularly during their time in the wilderness.

King Saul’s heart became hardened due to his disobedience to God. His jealousy and fear of David led him to make irrational decisions.

The Pharisees are depicted in the New Testament as hard-hearted due to their legalism and refusal to accept Jesus as the Messiah.

Harden - to become calloused or unresponsive

Practical Cultivation Steps:

1. Repent quickly.
Repentance breaks hardness.

2. Respond immediately.
Delayed obedience hardens hearts.

3. Remove distractions.
Examples include phones, noise, mental clutter.

4. Pray before hearing or reading the Word.
“Lord, help me to prepare my heart.”

Meekness - power under control, a teachable spirit.

Implanted or Ingrafted - to be placed or sown in you.

The seed carries potential.
The soil determines outcome.