Introduction:

• Salvation is so wonderful we find it hard to understand why anyone rejects it.
• People reject the Gospel because of the condition of their hearts.
• The evils in our world come from the operations of an evil heart.
• Matthew 7:21
• The parable of Luke 8 is about the soil; there is no variation in the sower or seed.
• The soils represent different conditions of the human heart and the rocky soil is about superficial response.

• They believe for a while.

John 8:31

• Joy is not the distinguishing feature of salvation.

• They look for Jesus to fix everything wrong in their lives.
• They don't understand redemption.

• Matthew 13:21
• John 6:10

• They aren't willing to pay a price to follow Jesus.

True believers remain in Christ and bear fruit.

• John 6:67, 69
• John 15:5—7
• 1 John 2:19
• Evangelism must call people to understand their sinful condition.
• Conviction of sin is the work of the Holy Spirit.
• Illustration: In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus begins with the need to recognize our spiritual bankruptcy.
• When trials come to the true believer, they are able to count it all joy.

Conclusion:

• If you didn't come to Christ because you were overwhelmed with your sin, you're not going to survive.