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The Parable Of The Sower Matthew 13:3-9, 18-23

The Sower Matt 13:3-9, 18-23 The Application The “seed” = word of God Lk 8:11 It is the imperishable seed that causes our new birth 1 Pet 1:22-25 It is the living & powerful tool God uses to teach us…discern our thoughts and intentions Heb 4:12

The Sower Matt 13:3-9, 18-23 The Application The 4 examples of soil represent the different types of the human heart Explained by Jesus in vv. 18-23 The most important part of this parable… the section of text we need to make sure we understand

The Sower Matt 13:3-9, 18-23 The Application The 4 soils Ù The 4 human hearts The Wayside Soil vv. 18-19 Hardened hearts of those who are not concerned with the kingdom of God Willful & proud…totally uninterested Seared consciences 1 Tim 4:1-2

The Sower Matt 13:3-9, 18-23 The Application The 4 soils Ù The 4 human hearts The Wayside Soil vv. 18-19 Even Satan recognizes the power of God’s seed Lk 8:12 Thus, he comes and “snatches away” what hard hearts will not receive

The Sower Matt 13:3-9, 18-23 The Application The 4 soils Ù The 4 human hearts The Wayside Soil vv. 18-19 Sin deceives and hardens Heb 3:7-13 Hard hearts do not listen to God’s voice What does this soil produce? NOTHING What’s to be done with it? NOTHING

The Sower Matt 13:3-9, 18-23 The Application The 4 soils Ù The 4 human hearts The Rocky Soil vv. 20-21 Shallow hearts having “no root in themselves” Mk 4:17a No depth of character needed to sustain through difficulties that come “..because of the word Mk 4:17b

The Sower Matt 13:3-9, 18-23 The Application The 4 soils Ù The 4 human hearts The Rocky Soil vv. 20-21 Seed fails here because it has no roots Those who decide to follow Christ must understand the need for “roots” in a world dominated by Satan 1 Jn 5:19 2 Tim 3:12 Lk 9:57-58 14:25-30

The Sower Matt 13:3-9, 18-23 The Application The 4 soils Ù The 4 human hearts The Rocky Soil vv. 20-21 The problem was not “hard” (unreceptive) soil that can’t receive seed The problem is this soil lacks the depth necessary to grow good seed to maturity

The Sower Matt 13:3-9, 18-23 The Application The 4 soils Ù The 4 human hearts The Thorny Soil v. 22 Divided hearts given to carnal pursuits Mk 4:19 Lk 8:14 The good seed is eventually “choked out” Good seed fails because it cannot grow

The Sower Matt 13:3-9, 18-23 The Application The 4 soils Ù The 4 human hearts The Thorny Soil v. 22 Those who decide to follow Christ must learn the importance of prioritizing what matters eternally Mt 6:25-34 22:37 Col 3:1-5 Rom 12:2 1 Tim 6:6-10, 17 2 Tim 2:3-4

The Sower Matt 13:3-9, 18-23 The Application The 4 soils Ù The 4 human hearts The Thorny Soil v. 22 The seed of God’s kingdom cannot thrive in a heart where there are competing concerns Jas 1:5-8 4:7-8

The Sower Matt 13:3-9, 18-23 The Application The 4 soils Ù The 4 human hearts The Thorny Soil v. 22 The problem was not “hard” (unreceptive) soil nor “shallow” (lack of depth) The problem is this soil is too cluttered with competing concerns, interests

The Sower Matt 13:3-9, 18-23 The Application The 4 soils Ù The 4 human hearts The Good Soil v. 23 A heart that “hears & understands” The “honest and good heart” Lk 8:15 Honest re: himself & his need for God… makes him receptive, able to grow fruit

The Sower Matt 13:3-9, 18-23 The Application The 4 soils Ù The 4 human hearts The Good Soil v. 23 The collective opposite of the other 3 Not hard, impenetrable (wayside) Not shallow, uncommitted (rocky) Not crowded, cluttered, divided (thorny)

The Sower Matt 13:3-9, 18-23 The Application The 4 soils Ù The 4 human hearts The Good Soil v. 23 The only type of soil (heart) that will successfully receive & grow seed Yields do not indicate some fail where others succeed (100, 60, & 30 fold)

The Sower Matt 13:3-9, 18-23 The Application The 4 soils Ù The 4 human hearts The Good Soil v. 23 Different abilities will yield differing amounts The Lord is aware of each one’s individual capabilities cp. Mt 25:14-30

What Kind Of Heart Am I? The Sower Matt 13:3-9, 18-23 The Lesson The obvious question to personally apply this parable… What Kind Of Heart Am I?

¾ The Sower Matt 13:3-9, 18-23 The Lesson A secondary lesson… The parable also offers evangelistic help Most of our efforts will go for naught Mt 7:13-14 22:14 Majority of the soils were not good ¾

The Sower Matt 13:3-9, 18-23 The Lesson A secondary lesson… The parable also offers evangelistic help We must do the only thing we can do… SOW THE SEED Everything else is up to God and the heart we try to influence or teach 1 Cor 3:6-7

The Sower Matt 13:3-9, 18-23 The Lesson Sower Seed Soil The parable has only 3 elements… Sower Seed Soil Constants Variable

The Sower Matt 13:3-9, 18-23 The Lesson The soil is the determining factor whether one will receive the seed and grow fruit to maturity Any inherent goodness in the seed, and any love & concern in the sower is reduced to nothing if the soil is bad

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