The Seed And The “soil”

The Sower, The Seed and the “SOIL” “The Four Soils”

Un-Believers, Dis-Believers, Make-Believers, True-Believers

I won’t I can’t I might I will

Matthew 13:19-23 When any one hears the word of the kingdom, and understands it not, then comes the wicked one, and catches away that which was sown in his heart.

This is he which received seed by the way side. But he that received the seed into stony places is he that hears the word, and immediately receives it with joy; yet has no root in himself, but endures for a while and when tribulation or persecution comes because of the word, he is offended.

He also that receives seed among the thorns is he that hears the word and the cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becomes unfruitful. But he that receives seed into the good ground is he that hears the word, and understands it; which also bears fruit, and brings forth, some an hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.

As Jesus went about preaching, He did not always find a receptive audience not even where He did mighty works. Some people tried to trick Him, so they could accuse Him.

This is why Jesus taught in parables. READ THE VERSES

The Sower, The Seed and the “The Four Soils”

"THE SOWER" is Jesus or anyone who preaches the Word.

"THE SEED" is the WORD of God, “The Good News”

"THE WAYSIDE" (The First Soil) Represents one who "hears...and does not understand" These are those who have hardened their hearts prior to hearing the Word of God.

The "birds" represent "the wicked one" "the devil",

who snatches away the Word from those whose hearts are hardened or "blinded" by Satan to the gospel; but it is their own hardness of heart that is the reason for their unbelief!

"THE STONY PLACES" (The Second Soil) This soil represents the one who... "hears the word and immediately receives it with great joy” “yet he has no root in himself,

then endures for a while", and when persecution comes because of the word, he immediately withered (fell) away.

"AMONG THE THORNS" (The Third Soil). This soil represents the one who... "hears the word” but whose ability to bear fruit is choked by: "the cares of this world" and "the deceitfulness of riches" and "the pleasures of life".

These three "thorns" can cause us to be unfruitful and is explained elsewhere in the Word. The cares of this world can cause us to fall from Grace. The deceitfulness of riches cause us to feel self-sufficient and turn away from God. And the pleasures of life make it impossible to reap of the Spirit!

"THE GOOD GROUND" (The Fourth Soil). This soil represents the one who, "hears the word and understands it" and "indeed bears fruit and produces with a noble and good heart". Paul writes "since the day they understood they produced fruit"). When one understands", they will more likely "bear fruit"; but the key to understanding is having a "good and noble heart", willing to listen and learn! What kind of "fruit"? The fruit of winning souls, the fruit of holiness, the fruit of generosity, the fruit of the Spirit,

the fruit of good works, the fruit of praise & thanksgiving. Not all will bear the same amount... "some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty". In the Parable of the Talents,

some were given more according to their use of what God gave them. It is totally up to us to be obedient.

It’s one thing to understand and another to apply it.

"What kind of soil are you?"

ARE YOU LIKE "THE WAYSIDE"? If you have heard the gospel of Jesus Christ, but are not yet a Christian, you may be hardening your heart. You are susceptible to Satan's deception, to be blinded and reject the Word of God.

ARE YOU LIKE "THE STONY PLACES"? If you responded to the gospel at one time, but not grounded in the faith, you will likely fall away when temptation comes.

ARE YOU LIKE THE SOIL "AMONG THE THORNS"?

If you responded to the gospel at one time, but are becoming too preoccupied with the cares, riches, and pleasures of this world, you will not be able to bear much fruit! Remember what Jesus said about branches that don't bear fruit!

They are cast out and burned. John 15:6

ARE YOU LIKE "THE GOOD SOIL"? You have responded to the gospel, and you are bearing fruit , you have a good and noble heart and you understand the Word!

Matthew 13:4-8 And when he sowed, some seeds fell by the way side, and the fowls came and devoured them up: Some fell upon stony places, where they had not much earth: and forthwith they sprung up, because they had no deepness of earth: And when the sun was up, they were scorched; and because they had no root, they withered away. And some fell among thorns; and the thorns sprung up, and choked them: But other fell into good ground, and brought forth fruit, some an hundredfold, some sixtyfold, some thirtyfold.