Parable of the Sower Matthew 13:1-9, 8-13 Mark 4:3-8, 13-20 Luke 8:4-8, 11-15

Parable of the Sower Wayside (path) Stony Ground Thorny Ground Good Ground

Interested in other things Parable of the Sower Hardened Won’t Listen Cares choke Interested in other things Listen Shallow Faith No Depth Understand Accept Keep it

Luke 8:15 But the ones that fell on the good ground are those who, having heard the word with a noble and good heart, keep it and bear fruit with patience. (NKJV) As for that in the good soil, they are those who, hearing the word, hold it fast in an honest and good heart, and bear fruit with patience. (ESV)

Luke 8:15 But the ones that fell on the good ground are those who, having heard the word with a noble and good heart, keep it and bear fruit with patience. (NKJV) As for that in the good soil, they are those who, hearing the word, hold it fast in an honest and good heart, and bear fruit with patience. (ESV)

An Honest & Good Heart Luke 8:15 The Phrase (Meaning)

“…honest and good heart…” The Phrase (Meaning) “…honest and good heart…” “Honest” (kalos) Translated “honest” ESV, ASV, KJV; “noble” NKJV, NIV Same word translated: honorable (Rom. 12:17; 1 Pet. 2:12; Jas. 2:7; 2 Cor. 8:21) Pulpit: better rendered “noble” – “He was one whose aim was noble, and who was generously devoted to his aim.” Lenski: “Καλός is the opposite of κακός or “good-for-nothing,” something that does not meet its purpose like a pen that does not write properly or a cowardly soldier; hence καλός means “excellent” for its purpose.”

I. H. Marshall: “This phrase, peculiar to Luke, is found in Hellenistic sources, and may represent the deliberate use of an expression which conveys the Hellenistic ideal of an honourable character. But this is uncertain….here ethical in character (cf. 3:8)…” (p. 327).

“…honest and good heart…” The Phrase (Meaning) “…honest and good heart…” “Honest” (kalos) “Good” (agathē) Same word as “good” (soil) in v. 8 Translated “honest” in Eph. 4:28 NET sn: “In an ancient context, the qualifier good described the ethical person who possessed integrity.”

Context: How Treat The Word The Phrase (Meaning) “…honest and good heart…” Summary: Context: How Treat The Word Honest (with self, evidence, etc.) Honorable – Ethical Noble purpose & aim (noble goal as study) Useful & excellent for intended purpose Integrity

An Honest & Good Heart The Phrase (Meaning) The Context (Parable) Luke 8:15 The Phrase (Meaning) The Context (Parable)

The Context (Parable) Parable of the Sower Parable of the Sower Emphasis / Point: Reaction to the word Focus on soil – not the sower or seed Parable is bracketed appeal to LISTEN “Listen! Behold, a sower went out to sow.” (Mark 4:3) “And He said to them, ‘He who has ears to hear, let him hear!’” (Mark 4:9) Parable of the Sower

The Context (Parable) Parable of the Sower Emphasis / Point: Reaction to the word Focus on soil – not the sower or seed Parable is bracketed appeal to LISTEN All heard the same – just as all ground had same seed The soils just react differently Learn: just because one hears the word / given evidence doesn’t mean it will be accepted

The Context (Parable) Parable of the Sower Emphasis / Point: Reaction to the word Honest and Good Heart – Contrast to other Soils Not easily deceived (Lk. 8:12) Not indifferent (Lk 8:12) Not shallow in roots (Lk. 8:13) Not easily moved (Lk. 8:13) Not distracted or more interested in material world (Lk. 8:14) Not reject or push word aside (Lk. 8:15) Not close eyes (Matt. 13:15)

The Context (Parable) Parable of the Sower Emphasis / Point: Reaction to the word Honest and Good Heart – Contrast to other Soils What Does Good Soil / God Heart Do? Understands it (Matt. 13:23) Accepts it (Mk 4:20) Keeps it (Lk. 8:15) Bears fruit (Lk. 8:15)

The Examples (Honest & Not) An Honest & Good Heart Luke 8:15 The Phrase (Meaning) The Context (Parable) The Examples (Honest & Not)

The Examples (Honest & Not) The Honest Heart & the Contrast The Honest & Good Heart Open minded Jews (Acts 2:37, 41) Noble Bereans (Acts 17:11)

What Does “Noble-Minded” Mean? Translations: NKJV: “fair-minded” NIV: “more noble character” NCV: “more willing to listen” NRSV: “more receptive” NLT: “more open minded” NET: “open minded”

What Does “Noble-Minded” Mean? Translations: Word eugenēs (2104) “well born” (Vines 2; 433) “1. important, formally, of noble birth (Lk 19:12; 1Co 1:26+); 2. open-minded, formally, of noble character (Ac 17:11+)” (Dictionary of Biblical Languages with Semantic Domains: Greek (New Testament)

What Does “Noble-Minded” Mean? “This literally means more noble by birth; descended from more illustrious ancestors. But here the word is used to denote a quality of mind and heart. They were more generous, liberal, and noble in their feelings; more disposed to inquire candidly into the truth of the doctrines advanced by Paul and Silas. It is always proof of a noble, liberal, and ingenuous disposition to be willing to examine into the truth of any doctrine presented.” (Albert Barnes)

The Examples (Honest & Not) The Honest Heart & the Contrast The Honest & Good Heart Open minded Jews (Acts 2:37, 41) Noble Bereans (Acts 17:11) John (John 20:1-8) Corinthians (1 Cor. 6:9-11)

The Examples (Honest & Not) The Honest Heart & the Contrast The Honest & Good Heart Contrast Pharisees – saw evidence yet rejected it (Matt. 12:9-14; 22; 38) Sanhedrin – admit what can’t deny – but cannot accept (Acts 4:16) Felix - was bothered – yet wouldn’t accept (Acts 24:25) The proud – inflated knowledge (Psa. 36:1-4)

An Honest & Good Heart The Phrase (Meaning) The Context (Parable) Luke 8:15 The Phrase (Meaning) The Context (Parable) The Examples (Honest & Not) The Application (Means to Us)

The Application (Means to Us) Time to Examine Our Own Heart The kind of soil will be revealed by the fruits Some will reject truth even though they can see it If the heart is not honest, it is not good – thus good for nothing How we handle the word / evidence reveals whether our heart is honest / honorable Must be careful how we hear (Lk. 8:18) Rejection and conclusion may be reverse

Reject The Word / Evidence 1 Thus, Wrong Conclusion / Beliefs 2

Thus, Reject The Word / Evidence 2 Wrong Conclusion / Beliefs 1 Psa. 14:1-ff / Matt. 12

An Honest & Good Heart The Phrase (Meaning) The Context (Parable) Luke 8:15 The Phrase (Meaning) The Context (Parable) The Examples (Honest & Not) The Application (Means to Us)