Kingdom Builders 10-15-25: The Word, the Seed, and a Night of Breakthrough
What kind of soil is your heart? That was the heartbeat of a powerful night filled with worship, testimonies, and a rich study on the Parable of the Sower. From fresh baptisms and a moving prayer to a clear call to guard the mind, the focus stayed steady on the Kingdom of God and the living seed of His Word that changes lives.
Community Notes: Appreciation, Fellowship, and a New Sanctuary
- Pastor Appreciation and Birthday: Next Wednesday the 22nd at 6:30 p.m., bring a covered dish to share. We’ll celebrate our pastor and give thanks for faithful leadership.
- Early tours at 6 p.m.: Meet in the kids lobby at the main entrance for a walkthrough of the new sanctuary. Pick a seat if you want to, there will be room for about 1,600 worshipers.
If you want to keep learning with Pastor Terry beyond Wednesday nights, explore Pastor Terry Taylor’s Kingdom of God teachings.
Baptisms, Testimonies, and the Power of Grace
Sunday night’s baptism service set the tone. The Spirit moved from the first moment to the last, with several people baptized and testifying to the goodness of God.
“I know Jesus loves me.”
Sister Dawn said she didn’t grow up in church and didn’t know the Bible well. Then she said the one thing that shook the room: “I know that Jesus loves me.” That simple confession lit up the moment. The blood of Jesus is enough to cover a multitude of sins. If that is all you know today, you already hold the door to a new life.
“This is a war over your mind.”
Brother Curtis shared a raw testimony. He grew up in church, walked away, and spiraled. Then grace found him. He spoke with urgency:
- Jesus has His arms open wide, and His grace is sufficient.
- Repentance is simple and sincere, “Lord, I messed up. I give you my heart.”
- Real change follows. In the last seven months, God lifted him from one foot in the grave to a new life in Christ.
- In the military, he said, an about face means you stop and turn to the opposite direction. That is what Jesus does in a heart.
If you love real-life change stories and want more, read these Kingdom Builders testimonies of faith.
The Battle of the Mind: Look Through the Windshield
Several of our leaders are in year two of the School of Ministry and emphasized a vital theme: the enemy aims for your mind. If he can cloud your thinking or distort Scripture, he will.
- Picture a car. The windshield is large, the rearview mirror is small. The enemy wants you stuck staring backward. If you fixate on the past, you crash.
- Guard the gate of your mind with the Word of God. When the enemy brings up your past, remind him of his future.
- Philippians 3:13-14 sets the course: forget what is behind, reach for what is ahead, and press toward the mark.
For a helpful summary of Matthew 13 and how Jesus teaches about the Kingdom through parables, see Parables of Matthew 13 (Part One): Introduction.
A Room Full of Worship and Presence
The worship team led with “Lord, You Are Good,” “Holy Spirit,” and “Worthy Is Your Name.” The presence of God brought peace and joy that no drug or thrill can imitate. As one leader put it, there is no high like His presence. Psalm language filled the room as we magnified the name of Jesus.
One striking moment came as Sister Natanya pressed through in worship. A “Perez” sense of breakthrough rose in the room, pushing back resistance and making room for God’s presence to rest on His people.
Pastor Steve led in prayer with Scripture. Psalm 139 reminded us that God has a book for each life. Psalm 124 made it personal, “Had it not been for the Lord who was on our side…” He even reminded us that God has our names written on His hand. That is personal, and that is love.
Teaching Focus: The Parable of the Sower
Jesus taught with clear, relatable stories. Farming made sense to His hearers. Seed, soil, sun, and rain explained spiritual truth for everyday life.
The Seed and the Sower
- The seed is the Word of God. Luke 8:11 says it plainly.
- Hebrews 4:12 describes that Word as living and powerful, sharper than a two-edged sword, able to reach thoughts and motives.
- 1 Peter 1:23 says we are born again by the Word of God that lives and remains forever.
- The sower is anyone who shares the Word, including Jesus and those who teach, preach, or witness.
A helpful insight from the night: the sower’s duty is faithfulness, not results. The power is in the seed, not the sower. Sow consistently, pray, and trust God with the increase.
For a strong overview of the parable and Kingdom implications, consider Matthew in Biblical Perspective: The Kingdom of God and the Word of God, The Parable of the Sower.
Four Heart Conditions Jesus Named
Below is a quick view of the soils Jesus described in Matthew 13:3-9, 18-23 and how they show up in life.
| Soil Type | Picture Jesus Gave | How It Shows Up Today | Key Scripture |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wayside, hard | Seed on the path, birds snatch it | Closed heart, repeated rejection, bitterness | Matthew 13:19, 2 Corinthians 4:4 |
| Stony, shallow | Quick sprout, no root, scorched | Emotional moment, no depth, falls in pressure | Matthew 13:20-21, James 1:2-3 |
| Thorny, crowded | Seed grows, thorns choke it | Worry and riches crowd out the Word | Matthew 13:22 |
| Good, fertile | Seed takes root and multiplies | Receives, understands, obeys, bears fruit | Matthew 13:23 |
If you want another plain-language walk through the parable, this summary is helpful: The Parable of the Sower.
Guard the Soil of Your Heart
Proverbs 4:23 says, “Keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it are the issues of life.” That means:
- Be quick to receive the Word, and quick to obey it.
- Do not only hear, do. James 1:22-24 warns that hearing without doing leads to deception.
- Expect pressure. In trials, let your roots go deeper, not weaker.
- Push back distractions. The cares of this world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the Word’s power.
Practical ways to keep your soil healthy:
- Read the Bible daily, and meditate, not just skim.
- Pray the Word back to God, ask for light and strength.
- Worship, because His presence softens hard places.
- Stay in Christian community where the Word is taught.
- Act on what you learn. Obedience opens the door to growth.
For further Bible study on how people respond to the Kingdom message, see The Parable of the Sower and Seed, Part 1.
How the Enemy Tries to Stop the Word
Jesus said the birds that snatch the seed picture the wicked one stealing truth. 2 Corinthians 4:4 adds that the god of this world blinds minds to keep the light of the gospel from shining. The enemy prefers distraction over debate. If your mind gets crowded, the Word never reaches the heart.
Counter moves:
- Pray before you read.
- Limit noise, protect your focus.
- Replace lies with Scripture. Speak it out loud.
- When the enemy brings up your past, answer with the blood of Jesus and the promises of God.
From Small Seed to Great Harvest
Seeds look small and lifeless, yet under the right conditions, they multiply beyond anything you expect. Jesus came as a baby, and the Kingdom has reached the nations. This church began with a prayer meeting in a living room and now reaches people around the world through services, missions, and media. Do not despise small beginnings. The Word works.
Ministry Time: Faith, Unity, and Healing Prayer
We closed by anointing a little girl, Naelli, with oil and praying the prayer of faith, “Lord, send Your Word and heal.” The room agreed together, asking Jesus to drive sickness out from head to toe. It was tender and strong, a fitting end to a night centered on the name of Jesus.
Final Encouragement
The Kingdom is sown into your life by the Word. The seed is perfect. The sower can be faithful. The difference is the soil. Guard your heart, set your mind, and give the Word room to grow. If you need a place to start, watch the video above, then visit Explore Pastor Terry Taylor’s messages on the Kingdom and read through a few passages this week. Ask the Lord to make your heart good ground that bears thirty, sixty, and a hundredfold.
