Luke 8:4-8 (NKJV)
And when a great multitude had gathered, and they had come to Him from every city, He spoke by a parable: 5.“A sower went out to sow his seed. And as he sowed, some fell by the wayside; and it was trampled down, and the birds of the air devoured it. 6Some fell on rock; and as soon as it sprang up, it withered away because it lacked moisture. 7. And some fell among thorns, and the thorns sprang up with it and choked it. 8. But others fell on good ground, sprang up, and yielded a crop a hundredfold.” When He had said these things He cried, “He who has ears to hear, let him hear!”
I. THIS SCRIPTURE IMPLIES THAT EACH OF US HAVE SEED TO SOW v.5
“A sower went out to sow his seed.
Note: The sower sowed HIS SEED. He did not sow someone else’s seed. God provides seed for each of us to plant.
2 Corinthians 9:10 (NKJV) Now may He who supplies seed to the sower, and bread for food, supply and multiply the seed you have sown and increase the fruits of your righteousness,
Application: Your available seed: Time, Money, Energy, Material Resources.
II. THIS SCRIPTURE IDENTIFIES THE PLACES UPON WHICH ONE CAN SOW HIS/HER SEED
5a. And as he sowed, some fell by the wayside;
6a. Some fell on rock;
7a. And some fell among thorns
8a. But others fell on good ground,
Hosea 10:12a (NKJV) Sow for yourselves righteousness;
Hosea 8:7a (NKJV) “They sow the wind,
Job 4:8 (NKJV) Even as I have seen, those who plow iniquity and sow trouble reap the same.
Isaiah 32:20a (NKJV) Blessed are you who sow beside all [perfect] waters
III. THIS SCRIPTURE AMPLIFIES THE IMPACT OF ENVIRONMENT UPON ONE’S HARVEST
5b.And as he sowed, some fell by the wayside; and it was trampled down, and the birds of the air devoured it.
6b. Some fell on rock; and as soon as it sprang up, it withered away because it lacked moisture.
7b. And some fell among thorns, and the thorns sprang up with it and choked it.
8b. But others fell on good ground, sprang up, and yielded a crop a hundredfold.”
2 Corinthians 6:14-17 (NLT) Don’t team up with those who are unbelievers. How can goodness be a partner with wickedness? How can light live with darkness? 15. What harmony can there be between Christ and the Devil? How can a believer be a partner with an unbeliever? 16. And what union can there be between God’s temple and idols? For we are the temple of the living God. As God said: “I will live in them and walk among them. I will be their God, and they will be my people. 17. Therefore, come out from them and separate yourselves from them, says the Lord. Don’t touch their filthy things, and I will welcome you.
IV. THIS SCRIPTURE SIGNIFIES THE FACT THE ONE CANNOT PLANT SEED WITHOUT RESULT
5c.And as he sowed, some fell by the wayside; and it was trampled down,
6c. Some fell on rock; and as soon as it sprang up, it withered away
7c. And some fell among thorns, and the thorns sprang up with it and choked it.
8c. But others fell on good ground, sprang up, and yielded a crop”
Illustration: Sir Robert Watson Watt, the inventor of the radar was arrested himself for speeding. He had been caught in a radar trap. Shortly after this irony he wrote this poem:
Pity Sir Robert Watson Watt
Strange target of his radar plot,
And this, with others I could mention,
A victim of his own invention.
Quote: "Many people spend the first six days of the week sowing wild oats, then they go to church on Sunday and pray for a crop failure." -- Fred Allen
Galatians 6:7 (NKJV) Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap.
Application: Since it is true that one’s seed will always bring a harvest of result, it becomes important for each of us to carefully choose WHERE and WHAT we will plant.
Galatians 6:8 For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life.
Hosea 10:12a-13a (NKJV)
12a. Sow for yourselves righteousness; Reap in mercy; …
13a. You have plowed wickedness; you have reaped iniquity.
James 3:18 (NLT) And those who are peacemakers will plant seeds of peace and reap a harvest of goodness.
V. THIS SCRIPTURE PUBLICIZES THE FACT THAT GOD IS INTERESTED THE SORT OF HARVEST YOU ARE ACHIEVING v.8b
8b. When He had said these things He cried, “He who has ears to hear, let him hear!”
Job 34:11 (NKJV) For [God] repays man according to his work, and makes man to find a reward according to his way.
Revelation 22:12 (NKJV) “And behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to every one according to his work.
CONCLUSION:
