TOPIC: BARREN HEART
TEXT: JAMES 1:23-24, 1 PETER 1:7-10
" For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass. For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was" (James 1:23-24 KJV)
INTRODUCTION: The heart being the engine room of every human being
is responsible for the distribution of blood to every other parts of the body,
it is expected to be in good health to enable it function well. The heart refers to as barren
heart when it fails to perform the expected function, that is pumping and
distribution of blood to other part of the body, it may be due to certain
deficiency well known to medical students.
A barren heart is a barren mind,
it can also be referred to as Unproductive, Unfruitful, Devoid of every good
works, a desert where no crop (word of God) germinates, grows or produces it
kinds; because it’s lack manure or fertility and it doesn’t hold water at all.
Barren heart can only listen to
the message for listening sake, but it cannot derive any benefit from it, few
minutes after the message is delivered, ask them anything about the message,
they won’t be able to say anything because the word fell into a barren heart
which lack manure and what it takes for the word to germinate and produce the
expected fruits.
Barren doesn’t listen to
messages, they don’t digest it or ruminate on the message therefore the
practical aspect is lacking, because the message did not sink deep to their
heart (Philippians 4:9).
Barren doesn’t mean you cannot
make an attempt to make a production, but it always proof abortive, for
instance, barren woman has everything that woman has, e.g. Breast but NO milk,
womb NO child to carry etc. likewise a barren heart has all it takes to be a
Christian, a church member but every message preached to them never can have
any positive impact in their life. Messages are preached to them but never can
yield any result to the preacher and to God. These people died prematurely in
the church because the expectation of God from them are not met (remember the
tree that Jesus cursed on his way to Jerusalem). Therefore, be productive in
all your endeavors.
Matthew 13:19-22, here Jesus
gave an explanation of the parable about the farmer planting seeds. We have
many barren hearts in the church all over the world today, they listen and they
read bible, they give offering even some pay tithe, attend bible study, but
they cannot understand – Isaiah 6:9-10.
FEATURES OF BARREN HEART
ü Lack
of concentration, they are always in a haste to go away from the presence of
God, because what is coming from the pulpit is contradicting their behavior,
their target and expectation, James 4:8.
ü They
lack faith which will help the seed planted in them to germinate and produce
the expected fruits. Hebrew 11:6, James 1:6.
ü They
always argue the word of God because they are stranger to the word of God.
Timothy 6:4 & Titus 1:16.
ü They
appear to be religious but they are Pharisee in the acts. They only concerned
with religious activities e.g. anniversary, harvest, being a choir, etc. but
their hearts are far from God. Matthew 23:15, Matthew 15:8-9.
ü They
always refuse or reject the word of God, because the word is like fire in their
body when preached, hence, they choose to obey their mind rather than God’s own
word. Jeremiah 16:6.
ü They
are backbiters or rumours carrier, doing this to put down the preacher in other
to have their way through.
ü They
see no reward from serving God. 1 Timothy 6:6.
ANTIDOTE TO BARREN HEART PEOPLE
A. Intercede
for them. Romans 9:3-6, & 2 Timothy 1:3.
B. Encourage
with soft words of grace. 1 Timothy 4:16, Act 14:21-22.
C. We
should be ready to accept them. Romans 14:1, 1 Corinthians 9:22
Reader, is your heart not barren?
Are you not claiming self-righteousness? Are you not looking at yourself as the
most holy person?
CONCLUSION: Your faith must express itself in your actions, James
2:14-16.
He who thinketh he standeth
should be watchful less he fall, 1 Corinthians 10:12.
EXAMPLES OF PEOPLE WITH BARREN HEART
1. Simon, Act 8:13-24.
2. Judas, Mathew 26:47-50.
3. Dema, 2 Timothy 4:10-11.
Prepared By: Evang. Femi Awolala
Popularly called Papa
08060603070, 07055934474
Email: destinyliberation@gmail.com
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