Title: “The Parable of the Sower” Script: Mt. 13:1-23
Type: Expos./Series Where: GNBC 1-21-24
Intro: People love stories. From the time you were a young child, your parents read stories to you. Stories are passed down from generation to generation. My grandfather was one of the greatest story-tellers I have ever known. I was doing a Google search on top 10 story tellers of all time: Richard Branson, Charles Dickens, Wm Shakespeare, Steven King, JK Rowling, Hans C. Andersen, Walt Disney, Steve Jobs, O. Winfrey, JRR Tolkien. I would add another name, Jesus Christ. Everyone likes to hear a great story. Certainly Christ did not disappoint. Stories had essential spiritual applications all need to know and understand.
Prop: As begin our series on the KOG parables we’ll notice 3 important elements from Mt. 13:1-23.
BG: 1. Parables can be tricky to interpret. Some people want to make them allegories, wherein every main point and detail is important. A parable, however, is a story with two levels of meaning, where certain details in the story represent something else. Think of like a sermon w/1-3 main points. Context and common sense. Relevant and irrelevant details.
2. An old definition of parable is an earthly story with a heavenly meaning. Parables tell a story using something we see every day to help us understand a spiritual truth that we can’t see with our eyes.
3. Mt. 13 Jesus gives 8 parables of the KOG. 1st and longest is Parable of the Sower. Is this parable of sower or of soils?
Prop: As begin our series on the KOG parables we’ll notice 3 important elements from Mt. 13:1-23.
I. The Parable vv. 1-9
A. Jesus Begins to Teach the Parable.
1. We see the setting and the rationale for the parable.
a. The scene of this parabolic sermon of Jesus’ was the Sea of Galilee v.2. Because of the great multitudes following our Savior, the lake and the shore became a great amphitheater, with the people on the shoreline and Christ a bit off shore in a boat. This unique pulpit afforded Jesus both amplification and opportunity to fully see His audience. While they stood, He sat in the boat in the role of a religious teacher.
b. Matthew records two rationales for parables, one for outsiders and one for disciples. Jesus explains the parable to the disciples because revelation is given to some and not to others. Jesus’ explanation of the reason for parables cannot be softened, because part of His answer to the disciples is that one of the functions of parables is to conceal the truth, or at least present it in a veiled way. In biblical usage the “mysteries” to which Jesus refers are plans or decrees often presented in veiled language and made known to the elect.
2. Christ’s Parables Fulfilled Prophecy.
a. Matthew is showing that what is taking place on the one hand is the fulfillment of prophecy and the decreed will of God, and on the other hand a gross rebellion of unbelief and spiritual ignorance by the crowds. The responsibility for their unbelief is their own entirely, because man always does as he chooses. The fact that God foreknew they would do this does not in any way diminish their culpability.
b. But He came with a mission to call people into the kingdom. Jesus’ use of parables was a way of teaching the truth or preaching about the kingdom without casting His pearls before swine. The parables will harden those who are already hardened against Him, and enlightened His disciples about the kingdom. Parables challenge the hearers in matters of the faith. The parables do not contain esoteric truths that only the initiated or enlightened could understand--they seem pretty clear. No, the parables present the claims of the present form of the kingdom in such a way that only those who trust Jesus will understand the new direction in the plan of God.
B. What are the Important Elements of this Parable?
1. The Parable Speaks of Sowing Seed in 4 Different Circumstances.
a. What were those circumstances? Seed scattered on a path. Seed scattered on rocky ground. Seed scattered among thorns. Seed scattered on good soil. Now, each circumstance has a corresponding secondary element. 1. On the path we see there are troublesome birds. 2. The rocky ground is exposed to the scorching sun. 3. The thorns grow up quickly and choke out the seed. 4. The seed on the good soil bears varying amounts of fruit.
b. In this understanding Jesus represents the sower and His message of the KOG is represented by the seed. The receptivity of the seed is therefore the receptivity individuals have for the message of the KOG, the Gospel.
2. We need to make sure today that we are hearing as well as we should.
a. Illust: Once was middle-aged and troubled man who made up his mind to pay the doctor a visit He went because he was distraught over his wife's refusal to admit she had a hearing problem. The doctor promptly told him that when he got home he was to confirm the problem by opening the front door and from there asking his wife “What's for dinner?” Then, the doctor said, if she doesn't answer, move closer to the kitchen. Repeat again closer. If she still doesn't answer, move right up to her ear and whisper in it, "What's for dinner, honey?" The doctor assured him, she'll have to admit she has the problem. The man raced home with joy in his heart and opened the front door. "What's for dinner, honey?" When there was no reply he moved closer to the kitchen and asked again. "What's for dinner, honey?" No reply. When he looked into the kitchen, sure enough, there she was. Again, no reply. So he tiptoed over to her and whispered in her ear, "What's for dinner, honey?" Immediately she turned and looked at him: "For the fourth time, Roger, we're having Spaghetti!"(Greg Herrick – “Tune Up…”)
b. Illust: There are times we all don’t hear very well. The Hawks are playing a close game and engrossed. Favorite program is on tv. Engrossed in a book. May I say that what’s true in the physical realm is often true in the spiritual realm. There are times and seasons in our lives we don’t hear from God very well. Nearly every young person I see in the gym or often on the street has something in common: Wires dangling from ears! I think we are living in the most distracted generation in history, however, spiritual distraction is universal, and Jesus compares here in a parable.
C. Applic: My optometrist’s practice has a slogan: “Life is how you see it.” I think in this parable, Jesus would say: “Entrance into the KOG is how you hear it.” If listeners couldn’t comprehend this parable would be dumfounded by the rest. Friend, don’t be so spiritually distracted that you miss hearing the Word of Christ.
II. The Purpose of Parables vv. 10-17
A. The Purpose of the Parable was to Reveal His Hearer’s Heart Condition. Vv.10-13
1. Christ confirms privately with His disciples the Importance of His teaching.
a. Illust: It’s important to take one’s health seriously. For about the first 50 yrs live however please and last 25 yrs live to please doctors! Cardiac testing is extremely important in the medical field. We have EKG/ECG testing. We monitor blood pressure. We fret over our cholesterol levels. Chest xrays. Checking cardiac enzymes. Angiogram. Why? Because our very lives are dependent upon our having a strong and functioning heart.
b. Jesus said that the hearer’s understanding of His parables is a form of cardiac testing. Not physical mind you, but assuredly, spiritual. V.11-12, 15. Spiritual receptivity is essentially a (spiritual) heart problem. Here’s the promise: The more open we are to the WOG the more of His KOG that will be revealed to us. The more we close ourselves to God’s truth, the less we shall receive.
2. Consider the lessons within the parable.
a. Go back to the parable. Think about those items that were controls and those that were variables. Constants: Same sower. Same seed. Same person casting (Christ). Same potential in every seed (Potential for life and growth.). Variables: Soil types – hard, rocky thorny, good. Stressors: birds, sun, thorns, ideal conditions.
b. Now listen very carefully, this parable teaches that belief and receptivity of the sown seed is attributed to the sovereign grace of God (v.11). Conversely, unbelief and a lack of receptivity is attributed to the hard heartedness of those who will not respond! In this parable we see the mystery of God’s sovereignty in which He absolutely accomplishes His will w/o at any time violating a person’s true and legitimate choice and the responsibility that accompanies that choice.
B. The Purpose of the Parable was to Fulfill Prophetic Proclamation. Vv.14-17
1. Jesus Clearly Teaches that there was a Specific Fulfillment of Prophecy in the Hard-Hearted Response of the Jewish leadership to His teaching.
a. The reason Jesus told the parables was to hide the truth from those with hard hearts who did not want to hear the truth and did not want Jesus as their Messiah. They were looking for a different type of Messiah. They wanted one who would come in and defeat their earthly enemies. Yet, while He was hiding the truth from the hard hearted, he was also revealing truth to those who had receptive hearts and were willing to accept the truth, even if it was not what they expected. (Can same be said of you today?)
b. Go to the passage: vv. 14-15, Jesus is quoting from Is. 6 and other passages. Jesus clearly makes application to His audience by saying Isaiah “is being fulfilled”. “anapleroutai” – only use in NT. – “completing a process that intensifies” – Is it any wonder in Mt. 24 Jesus compared His 2nd coming to a woman with birth pangs! It’s a process over 9 mo that intensifies to completion!
2. Examine Closely what Jesus is Saying in this Section.
a. Look how Jesus characterizes the response of the Jews: hear but don’t comprehend, seeing not perceiving, heart is dull, ears barely hear, eyes are closed…LEST they should see, and hear, and understand with hearts and RETURN to the Lord and He heal them!
b. Can I tell you that this is the same response most have to the message of the Gospel today? Illust: I know a lot of people in this town who will accept any answer for problems in their life EXCEPT Jesus! Our nation today: “Cover ears and Lalala” “Close eyes tightly, “I don’t see you God.” Hearts hardened to Gospel and truth. Why not? Because if they would then they would return – from root epistrepho - to turn back, to come to oneself. To come to one’s senses. To be converted! (Repentance is required for conversion. What is repentance? Going own way. Turn back to return to God.)
C. Applic: What was the purpose of the parable of the sower or soils?
III. The Parable’s Explanation vv. 18-23
A. Jesus Gives us the Explanation to this Parable.
1. Jesus does all interpreters the favor of accurately interpreting this passage.
a. Seed on the road – No shoot. No comprehension and understanding. The evil one snatches it away. Vv.20-21 – No root. The seed on the rocky places – Received immediately. Joyfully. No root. Affliction and persecution for being follower of Christ and falls away. Vv.22 – No fruit. The seed that falls among the thorns. Worries of the world and deceitfulness of riches choke it out. No fruit.
b. Jesus tells us that the Seed is the Gospel or the Good News of the KOG v. 19. He tells us that there is a spiritual battle that takes place. “snatches away” – harpazo – to seize property by force, to snatch away, to obtain by robbery. V.19 “Does not understand it…” This is not intellectual. This is moral. Morally they choose to reject the message because it conflicts with their own world view or sin they are steeped in. ““Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as you did in the rebellion.” (Heb. 3:15)
2. Jesus also promises fruitfulness to those in whom the seed grows.
a. There is supernatural fruitfulness in the individuals in which the WOG takes root. Illust – “Mick” was a young man I knew in school growing up. Came from split home. Not anything special. Going to place. No plan or purpose. In HS came to faith in Christ. Discipled. (Redeemed and Restored!) Wnet to BC and Seminary. He and wife went church planting in one of the former USSR “Stans”). Today pastors largest Wesleyan Church in US! Literally has told 1000’s of people about Christ.
b. Illust: Now this is no scientific fact. However, from my personal experience, I think about the most fruitful garden vegetable for you planting to return ratio seems to be green beans. Maybe I can just grow them better than other plants. Plant a row of beans and seem to last all summer long. Produce, produce, produce. One little packet of seeds literally 100’s of beans. This is the case with us as believers – various amounts of fruit. However everyone bears fruit!
B. What is the Application we are to Make from this Parable?
1. What is the application of this parable for the individual?
a. The point is that when God sows His seed, which is His Word, it is spread about indiscriminately, in a sense. He does display pearls before swine. God gives His Word to people who have no interest in it whatsoever, who have no use for it, who are so hostile to it that it seems as though God’s Word, or His seed in this case, is being wasted. We also remember that it was God’s choice to use His Word as the means to save His people. He has empowered that Word that carries with it salvation. We know that God, the sower, promises that His Word will not return unto Him void. So, one of the main points of this parable is that when God sends His Word, in the final analysis, what God wants to accomplish with the preaching of His Word is accomplished!
b. Illust: Pastorally speaking I’ve been around long enough time to see this parable played out in the lives of countless individuals. Both the negative and the positive. It’s certainly true that there are those who simply reject. There are those who spring up quickly and fall by wayside. There are those I’ve seen who worries and wealth have scuttled their fledgling faith. And there are those who have produced unbelievable fruit!
2. What is the application of this parable corporately?
a. Personally, I believe this parable makes plain spiritually, what we can physically see with our own eyes: There is no anticipating in the present age that there will be universal reception of the truth of the Gospel, as postmillennialist often teach. Most of those who hear the message of the kingdom will reject it. We shouldn’t be shocked by this. That’s what Christ is teaching here. Some, however, will receive the message, cherish it in their heart, and believe in the truth of the kingdom. And, some of these will be incredibly fruitful for the Kingdom. This first parable establishes the basic character of the present age, in the ministry of Christ, and I would argue the same today, as we await the 2nd coming of Christ. This age includes some who believe, many who will not believe. The bottom line is this? Which are you?
b. But just like when you plant actual seeds into the ground, the message of the kingdom will grow gradually. We don’t plant a seed and see a plant the next day. True growth takes time. And sometimes when we plant seeds, we see different kinds of things that actually grow. Some trees produce fruit; some plants produce vegetables. Some produce lots of fruit, and some produce little. Even the soil that produces a small crop is “good.” The same is true in the hearts of believers. There are people who hear the same truth, read the same Bible, go to the same church, but produce different kinds of fruit. The amount of fruit will vary, but if each person allows God’s truth to grow in their heart, they will produce. Illust: ISU has extension office that tests soil. You can dig up a few handfuls of dirt from your yard and send it to them. They will put it under their microscope and see what it contains. In a few weeks, they will send you a report of how good your soil is for growing things. You will find out if there are good nutrients in your yard, or if you need to add something to make the soil just right.
C. Applic: Friend, are you producing fruit for Christ?
