A Lesson in Farming
Text: Luke 8:4-15
Introduction: For the next several weeks we’re going to be looking at the parables of Christ as they are found in the Gospel of Luke. The word for "parable" means, "to throw alongside." Therefore, a parable is a type of illustration thrown alongside of an important spiritual truth in order to explain it. What’s odd about the Parable of the Sower is that Jesus spoke to people living in a culture that was very familiar with farming, yet many were confused by His illustration. That’s why Jesus would say to them, "He who has ears to hear, let him hear." For those who hung on every word because they had a hunch where to find "truth," this illustration became a wonderful tool to help them consider the condition of their hearts. To others who failed to hear (comprehend) this saving word from Christ, it was a sign that they were under the judgment of God and unable to understand truth. In John 9:39-41 Jesus indicted the Pharisees because they had seen His miracles, yet failed to reach what should have been the logical conclusion. Therefore, they remained under the judgment of God. They were simply unable to detect the work of God though it happened all around them. This reminds me of a story I heard recently.
It seems that a Native American and his friend were in downtown New York City, walking near Times Square in Manhattan. It was during the noon lunch hour and the streets were filled with people. Cars were honking their horns, taxicabs were squealing around corners, sirens were wailing, and the sounds of the city were almost deafening. Suddenly, the Native American said, “I hear a cricket.” His friend said, “What? You gotta be kidding me. You couldn’t possibly hear a cricket in all of this noise!” “No, I’m sure of it,” the Native American said. “I heard a cricket.” “That’s crazy,” said the friend. The Native American listened carefully for a moment, and then walked across the street to a big cement planter where some shrubs were growing. He looked into the bushes, beneath the branches, and sure enough, he located a small cricket. His friend was utterly amazed. “That’s incredible,” said his friend. “You must have super-human ears!” “No,” said the Native American. “My ears are no different from yours. It all depends on what you’re listening for.” “But that can’t be!” said the friend. “I could never hear a cricket in this noise.” “Yes, it’s true,” came the reply. “It depends on what is really important to you. Here, let me show you.” He reached into his pocket, pulled out a few coins, and discreetly dropped them on the sidewalk. And then, with the noise of the crowded street still blaring in their ears, they noticed every head within twenty feet turn and look to see the money spread across the pavement. “See what I mean?” asked the Native American. “It all depends on what’s important to you.”
Luke knew what was important, the words of Christ. He recognized that one of Christ’s primary means for teaching truth was the use of parables. It is no wonder, then, that we find he records more of them than any other Gospel writer. Since Luke was not only an historian, but also a doctor, I have decided to title this series: A Physician’s Prescription for Living. Of all the Gospel writers, I find it interesting that Luke was the only one to have quoted Jesus when He said, "The physician doesn’t come to heal the healthy but the sick." Who better than a doctor himself to understand the message and methods of a fellow healer?
In the parable of the sower, the fundamental characteristic that distinguishes the good soil from the others is not the sower, the seed or the presence of hazards since all received the same seed from the same source and faced the same threats (i.e. the Devil, trials, the worries and the temptations of this world). The distinction between the soils is measured by the ability to persevere in the Word and produce a crop! Some people are able to walk with God over a long period of time and ultimately produce fruit while others are not. What makes the difference? It’s all about the condition of the human heart. Here Christ addresses four different conditions.
I. A Hard Heart (See Luke 8:11,12). Some of the seed fell on the hardened soil that had been trampled under foot. Because it had no opportunity to take root, it was left for the enemy (Satan) to snatch it away in order to prevent the person from exercising saving faith. The Hebrew word for "harden" means "to strengthen." It can be used in a positive sense as in Deuteronomy 11:8. It can also be used negatively as we’ll see in a moment.
A. How does a heart become hardened?
1. God hardens a man’s heart (See Exodus 4:21; Romans 9:18). God has mercy on some while on others He does not. It is entirely His decision and it is never unjust!
2. Man hardens his own heart (See 1 Samuel 6:6). It is interesting that God claims credit in Exodus 4 for hardening the heart of Pharaoh while this passage holds Pharaoh accountable for the hardening of his own heart! Perhaps the Lord works in cooperation with those who do not listen to His word.
B. What is the effect of a hardened heart? A heart that is hardened is unable to grasp spiritual truth. Consider the case of Israel (See Romans 11:7; 2 Corinthians 3:12-14). Their hearts were hardened and their minds became dull to spiritual truth as a result. Application: Life lived in the rejection of truth has a way of hardening our hearts. Perhaps that’s why 85% of the people who receive Christ do so before the age of 18. After that, their hearts may be too hard to allow the seed to take root.
II. A Shallow Heart (See Luke 8:13). Sometimes seed was sown in shallow soil that was covering a hard layer of rock. Though it might sprout up quickly, the plant would eventually die, unable to draw water and nutrients form the soil. Jesus explained that this kind of heart belongs to those who, on the surface, accept the truth of the Gospel only to fall away during a time of testing (See John 8:31,44 -- This is why Jesus could say to those who "believed in Him," "You belong to your Father, the Devil." Their "belief" was not the kind that truly set them free from the power of sin for they continued to do the works of the Devil. A shallow heart is revealed over time through a process of examination or testing. Application: I remembering arguing one time with a professor that there has to be a better way to test students than giving exams. He patiently explained that when a teacher gives an exam it is meant to reveal how much of the information taught in class has actually been absorbed by the student. He suggested that if I had a better idea of how to achieve the same objective he was more than happy to listen. Of course, I didn’t. When Jesus examines our faith it is meant to show us what it’s made of. James says that true faith is faith that perseveres (See James 1:12). It encounters trial and testing, but does not wither away, and in fact is actually strengthened (See James 1:2,3).
III. A Divided Heart (See Luke 8:14). Many of us have attempted to figure out which of these "soils" represents those who are born again and which do not. This is not the purpose of the parable, however. The point isn’t to provide security for those whose hearts are not right with God, but a warning that this is a dangerous place to be. The person with a divided heart is one who is distracted by pleasures of this world (The word for "pleasure" is the Greek word from which we get our term "hedonism.") The "worries," "riches" and "pleasures" of this world, just like weeds, prevent God’s word from producing any lasting fruit in the life of one whose heart is divided. Jesus offered strong counsel to those who were tempted to love money more than Him (See Matthew 6:24-34). Application: Our offerings on Sunday mornings are an act of worship (i.e. "worth-ship). When we fail to give sacrificially to the Lord of our financial resources, we are, in effect, declaring that He has little value to us.
Illustration: Elvis Presley owned a purple Cadillac, pink Cadillac, and two Stutz Blackhawks, lots of motorcycles, go-carts, golf carts, two airplanes, one with Lisa Marie, the name of his daughter, painted on the side and the other with Hound Dog II etched on its exterior. It is said that Elvis had one of his planes make a trip to Denver one night simply to get him a peanut butter sandwich. Elvis had every opportunity that money could offer. In his mansion called "Graceland," he had a "jungle room" with some of the most bizarre looking furniture ever seen, a poolroom, and even a racquetball court where there is a huge statue of Elvis that was presented to him by his record label. There is one huge building at Elvis’ house in Memphis that holds nothing but memorabilia and honors given to Elvis. Elvis had 18 number-one hits in his career and sold more than 1 billion records during his short lifetime! Elvis Presley, nearly thirty years after his death, has more than 500,000 people a year travel from all over the world to visit his house and he makes more than $250,000,000 a year. Elvis achieved more fame and fortune than anyone could ever hope to achieve, but what meaning did it add to his life? Someone once said that Elvis was like a little boy seeking approval from those around him and when he didn’t get it he would suffer from bouts of depression, self-doubt, and longings to be loved. Elvis’ battles led him into drug abuse and casual sex with adoring female fans. Finally, Elvis died on August 16, 1977 at the young age of 42. All of this is simply to say, "Be careful what you pursue." If you permit your heart to be divided in it’s pursuits, your life might end up as empty as "The Kings."
IV. A Receptive Heart (See Luke 8:15). The last represents those with an honest and good heart. They are the ones in whom the seed takes root and ultimately produce a crop that multiplies itself a hundredfold. How do we know whose heart is characterized by the good soil?
A. They hear the Word. Their hearts are not hardened. They are not exhibiting shallow faith that is abandoned during a time of testing. The things of this world do not distract them. Instead, they are able to hear the Word as it is taught.
B. They retain the Word. Not only do they hear the Word, but they hold fast to it. The idea is that they are unwilling to release their grip on it. They are determined to abide in the truth because they know it to be the right way to live.
C. They persevere in the Word. The secret to bearing fruit is patience. A farmer sows his seed in the spring and waits for several months to harvest a crop. The same is true for us. Believers with a receptive heart are willing to patiently endure as they look forward to the harvest.
Conclusion: A common sight in America’s southwest desert is the century plant. It has dramatic leaves that grow up to a foot wide and a trunk that can reach up to 12’ in diameter. Of course what makes it unique is it’s very long reproduction cycle. For 20 to 30 years the six-foot tall plant stands the same height and puts on no flowers. Then, one year, without warning, a new bud sprouts. The bud, which resembles a tree-trunk sized asparagus spear, shoots in the sky at up to 12" a day, eventually reaching a height of 20 to 40 feet. Then it crowns itself with several clumps of yellowish blossoms that last up to three weeks. If you wanted to grow one for yourself, you would have to become an immensely patient person, waiting at least a generation to see the fruit of your labor. The same can be said for those who, because of a receptive heart, can abide in Christ and await the fruit that is sure to come.
