Parables

Unlocking the Mysteries of the Kingdom

Sunday, May 12, 2024

Matthew 13:1-9; 18-23

Introduction

Evaluate the Soil of Your Heart. Which Soil are You?

1. The Sower

The sower is anyone who proclaims God’s Word or the gospel of Jesus Christ.

The Sower Is Devoted

For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!” But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed what he has heard from us?” So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.” Romans 10:13-17

The Sower Is Determined

The Sower must be determined to the work of sowing. He knows that without him going forth and sowing that the field will never become the harvest.

The Sower can get Discouraged

As the Sower scattered his seed, he must have known that only about 25% would grow up to bear fruit. Yet, he continued to go forth and sow the seed. The Sower knew that even though 75% of his seed would never bear fruit, he had to sow it anyway.

1. The Seed

“The unadulterated Word of God is the only true and legitimate seed.” John McArthur

Its Worth - When we go forth and bear the precious seed of the Gospel, we are sharing the most important message the world has ever heard. It is a living, powerful message!

Its Weight - The message of the Gospel has tremendous power! The Gospel can transform a dead and dry life into something that can bless mankind and glorify God.

Its Work - When the Gospel seed lands in good soil, it will do its work!

• The Soils

Hard Soil - As the Sower sowed, some of his seed fell on the hard packed pathway. This seed was never allowed to get into the ground where it could germinate. It lay there exposed and was eventually carried away by the birds.

God's advice to the hard hearted is this: “Sow for yourselves righteousness; reap steadfast love; break up your fallow ground, for it is the time to seek the Lord, that he may come and rain righteousness upon you.” Hosea 10:12

The Rocky Soil - This is soil that is shallow and filled with rocks. There is no depth here. The seeds fall on the shallow, rocky soil and quickly germinate. However, before they can produce fruit, the sun beats down upon them and because there are no roots they die.

Thorny Soil - This is soil that is unprepared for seed and is covered with weeds. There is ground here, and the seed is received and germinates, but as soon as the plant begins to grow, the weeds overpower the plant and destroy it.

Good Soil - This is soil that has been broken up and tilled in preparation for the seed. When the seed lands in this type of soil, it finds a fertile place in which to germinate.

There are no hard spots, they have all been broken apart. There are no rocks, they have been removed and the soil is deep. There are no weeds, they too have been plowed away in readiness for the coming of the seed. When the seed germinates here, it produces a plant that grows strong and one which in the end, produces abundant fruit. This is the kind of soil every farmer loves to plant his crop in.

1. Conclusion

Have you had a glimpse of your heart today? What kind soil are you? However God has dealt with you, I encourage you to respond to His call. He will meet your need today. How well do you know your heart?