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3 And he spake many things unto them in parables, saying, Behold, a sower went forth to sow; 4 And when he sowed, some seeds fell by the way side, and the fowls came and devoured them up: 5 Some fell upon stony places, where they had not much earth: and forthwith they sprung up, because they had no deepness of earth: 6 And when the sun was up, they were scorched; and because they had no root, they withered away. 7 And some fell among thorns; and the thorns sprung up, and choked them: 8 But other fell into good ground, and brought forth fruit, some an hundredfold, some sixtyfold, some thirtyfold. 9 Who hath ears to hear, let him hear. 2

 Parable of the Sower › Taught by Jesus to reveal “mysteries of the Kingdom” to His disciples - vs › Illustrates different results from the gospel  The Four Soils › The way side soil represents those who never obeyed the gospel › The other three illustrate different kinds of members 3

 These lack spiritual depth - vs. 5, › Shallow in knowledge of Christ & His Church  Because of lack of Bible study - Acts 17:11  Only desire the “milk” of the word - Heb. 5:12-17  Have no desire to seek perfection - Hebrews 6:1-3  Refuse to study vital issues - Acts 15:2-3  MDR & Fellowship, Modest clothing, Worldliness 4

 These lack spiritual depth - vs. 5, › Shallow in commitment to Christ & His Church  Unwilling to forsake all for Christ - Luke 14:33  Unwilling to seek the kingdom first - Matt. 6:33  Unwilling to share in building up the Church  Ephesians 4:16  Unwilling to stand in time of trouble  2 Timothy 4:14-16; 1 Corinthians 11:19; Revelation 21:8 5

 Those “entangled” in worldliness - vs. 7, 22 › The grossly worldly  Engage in various works of the flesh  Galatians 5:19-21 › The mildl y worldly  Too “entangled” in the “affairs of this life”  2 Timothy 2:4  Must be “involved” but not “entangled”  They become overly involved in…  Work, Family, or Civic Affairs  No time or energy for spiritual exercises & duties › These remain as “unfruitful” members - Lk. 8:14 6

 Those who produce - vs. 8, 23 › Their spiritual roots are deep  Psalms 1:1-3; Ephesians 3:17; Colossians 2:7 › Their affections are set “on things above”  Colossians 3:1-3 › Their spiritual priorities are properly arranged  They seek the Kingdom of God first  Matthew 6:33  Their love follows the Divine order  Matthew 22:

 Are Productive - vs. 8, 23 › These produce varying degrees of fruit  Because of ability, opportunity, time of growth  Parable of the talents - Matthew 25:14-30  Only limited by ability, opportunity & time of growth 8

 We must examine ourselves to see where we fit in this parable!  If Shallow › Become more deeply involved!  If Worldly › Become less deeply involved!  If Fruitful › Continue to bear fruit to the end! 9

“4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. 5 I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing” 10