Series: The Parables of Christ
Topic: The Sower
Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23
That same day Jesus went out of the house and sat beside the sea. And great crowds gathered about him, so that he got into a boat and sat there; and the whole crowd stood on the beach. And he told them many things in parables, saying: "A sower went out to sow. And as he sowed, some seeds fell along the path, and the birds came and devoured them. Other seeds fell on rocky ground, where they had not much soil, and immediately they sprang up, since they had no depth of soil, but when the sun rose they were scorched; and since they had no root they withered away. Other seeds fell upon thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked them. Other seeds fell on good soil and brought forth grain, some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty. He who has ears, let him hear." Matthew 13:1-9
[reminding summary of last weeks sermon. Purpose of the parables to 1) conceal, 2 reveal]
"He who has ears, let him hear."-- verses 14-15
"Hear then the parable of the sower. When any one hears the word of the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what is sown in his heart; this is what was sown along the path. As for what was sown on rocky ground, this is he who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy; yet he has no root in himself, but endures for a while, and when tribulation or persecution arises on account of the word, immediately he falls away. As for what was sown among thorns, this is he who hears the word, but the cares of the world and the delight in riches choke the word, and it proves unfruitful. As for what was sown on good soil, this is he who hears the word and understands it; he indeed bears fruit, and yields, in one case a hundredfold, in another sixty, and in another thirty." Matthew 13:18-23 (RSV)
Introduction:
Johnny Appleseed; my 4th-5th grade roleplaying
One who scatters sed
I. Four Soils
People are like the soil the farmer faces.
A. Path
"some seeds fell along the path, and the birds came and devoured them...When any one hears the word of the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what is sown in his heart; this is what was sown along the path.
The "Just Don’t Get It Group"
You can explain it till your blue in the face and they still just wouldn’t get it.
People who "see, but to not see; hear, but do not hear"
Ill. Last weeks illustration "Here’s Your Sign"
In these folks the word is left exposed; does not penetrate
Paul says of them, "The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God." 2 Corinthians 4:4
For those who do not understand the Devil takes away what little they have.
B. Rocky Ground
Other seeds fell on rocky ground, where they had not much soil, and immediately they sprang up, since they had no depth of soil, but when the sun rose they were scorched; and since they had no root they withered away...As for what was sown on rocky ground, this is he who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy; yet he has no root in himself, but endures for a while, and when tribulation or persecution arises on account of the word, immediately he falls away.
Received by ‘Wishy-Washy’ people
"Have no root in themselves"
Emotion Driven
Live for the now; then move on
"Anyone with wisdom knows what makes good sense, but fools can never make up their minds." Proverb 17:24
"A man of understanding sets his face toward wisdom, but the eyes of a fool are on the ends of the earth." (RSV)
Thrill seekers/ Epicurean
Epicurus - Greek philosopher
"Sought freedom from pain and emotional disturbance, rejected a belief in the afterlife or the influence of gods on human affairs"
Ill- Bill Glass’ illustration of his experience with the bumper sticker "If it feels good, do it"
We are no longer to be "infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming." Ephesians 4:14 (NIV)
Sun rose and scorched– All seeds would suffer from this no matter which soil they fell on, but with no root system to bring water and sustain life it fails.
*ex from our South Texas heat
C. Thorns
Other seeds fell upon thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked them...As for what was sown among thorns, this is he who hears the word, but the cares of the world and the delight in riches choke the word, and it proves unfruitful.
The word has to compete
Perhaps they were sincere at first, but later it proved an inconvenience.
Understands the word, but too many things pulling
"No one can serve two masters, Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money." Matthew 6:24 (NIV)
Sun scorches, but survives
It’s not persecution that causes failure. May actually endure persecution
"Each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire." James 1:14 (RSV)
D. Good Soil
Other seeds fell on good soil and brought forth grain, some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty...As for what was sown on good soil, this is he who hears the word and understands it; he indeed bears fruit, and yields, in one case a hundredfold, in another sixty, and in another thirty.
1) Hears, 2) Understands, 3) Bears Fruit
Receives warmly, endures scorching, survives weeds, yields produce
Some 100 Superb
Some 60 Great
Some 30 Expected
II. Sower
What is interesting is not the soils, but the sower
Knows what he is getting into
Knows his success/ failure ration
Knows the types of soil/people he will run into
1. Hard headed
2. Immature
3. Two-faced
But he also knows the success stories of those whose lives he would make a difference in
Success or failure, good or bad, he never gives up
Conclusion: Our challenges of Evangelism; can’t give up.
