THE PARABLE OF THE SOWER
The Sower went out to sow…
Who is the “Sower” in this story.
God is the One who sows.
For God so loved the world….
What is the “Seed”?
Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God.
The Word of God is the “Good News” Jesus Christ, the Son of God… Came to earth to pay for the sins of mankind…. He took the whole punishment of our sins Himself, and it meant that He died in our place, on the cross……
On the third day…He rose from the dead…
He lives forever to save… When we believe in God’s good news…the gospel… We are also safe from the punishment for our sins. We too will live with Jesus in Heaven… For ever and ever… That is Good News!!!!
So in the story…. A sower went out to sow his seed: and as he sowed, some fell by the way side; and it was trodden down, and the fowls of the air devoured it…
What is the problem with those by the wayside? Not in the field?
Does the seed go into the ground on the pathway??? Why not? Those “by the way side” are they that hear; then cometh the devil, and takes away the word out of their hearts, lest they should believe and be saved. Does the seed go into the ground on the pathway??? Why not?
The ground is too hard so it stays on the top.
Sitting on top of the ground… The birds come by and easily steal away the seed.
The birds in the story are like the devil in this world….
How does the devil snatch away God’s word from people? It doesn’t go into their hearts. Just like the seed won’t take root into this road.
Is the seed the problem???
No!!!! It’s the condition of the ground. Just as The ground is not prepared to receive the seed.
Some people’s hearts won’t let in God’s word Some people’s hearts won’t let in God’s word. They are not ready to receive the seed.
…and a sower went out to sow his seed….
And some fell upon a rock;.
.
…and as soon as it was sprung up, it withered away, because it lacked moisture
Was the problem with the “seed?”
No! The problem was the soil. “They on the rock are they, which, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no root, which for a while believe, and in time of temptation fall away.” The heart must be ready, not hard.
…the sower went out to sow his seed… …the sower went out to sow his seed…. And some fell among thorns; and the thorns sprang up with it, and choked it.
Thorn bushes strangle the good plant or tree
Just like many thorny weeds….
What is the thorns in people’s hearts???? And that which fell among thorns are they, which, when they have heard, go forth…and are choked with cares and riches and pleasures of this life, and bring no fruit to perfection
Was the “seed” the problem?
…the sower went out to sow his seed….
And fell on good ground, and sprang up,
and bare fruit….
…and sprang up…
…and bare fruit an hundredfold.
Test:
And some seed fell on __________ (?) Ground.
What happens to the seed on “rocky” ground? A. It gets eaten by the birds B. It takes root and grows strong C. It has shallow roots, no water, and withers and dies.
The answer is “C” C. It has shallow roots, no water, and withers and dies.
Who supplied the seed???
God gave us His Word
What are the “thorns” in people’s hearts? A. Bad deeds B. The cares and worries of this world C. Mean people
B. The cares & worries… What are Worries that people get distracted with ….?
What else do people care about more than Jesus?
What about just plain Stuff???
What helps our hearts to be ready for the Good News? A. A need for God B. A desire to have our sins forgiven C. A hope of living forever D. All of the above
God’s “Seed” is Good!! It’s the Gospel or Good News and if your heart is soft and ready to receive it…you will have new life…you will bring others the good news too.
Is your heart ready to Believe the Good News?
Let those who have ears to hear, LISTEN!!!