2. The Kingdom Of God
Matthew 13:1-9

3. The Sower Initial understanding - - Jesus (cf. Matt. 13:36)
By extension, others who preach and teach (1 Cor. 3:5-7)
Cf. Philip (Acts 8:12)
There is no indication of a “special power” or other wielded by the sower
The emphasis in this parable is not the sower though the sower is important

4. The Seed “The word of the kingdom [God}” (Matt. 13:19; Lk. 8:11)
The power to save (Rom. 1:16)
It will produce life (1 Peter 1:23)
The seed needs no alteration (Rev. 22:18-19)
God has all things necessary in it (2 Peter 1:3)
One gospel for all (Rom. 1:16)

5. The seed must be implanted (James 1:21)
No changes are to be made; no need to “adapt” the seed for certain “target groups” (Acts 20:24, 27)
How different from today
Whether intended of not, there has been some specializing is done
Despite its importance, the seed is not the central focus of the parable either
The seed must be implanted (James 1:21)

6. The Soils The wayside soil (Matt. 13:19)
“Hears…and does not understand” (Likely a hardened heart and the seed never penetrated, re Matt. 13:15)
Contributing factors may be:
Too content with the status quo
Arrogantly thinking already have all the answers
Afraid they might hear something different
Little to no appreciation for God

7. “The evil one [{devil, Lk. 8:12} takes the word away
Blinded (2 Cor. 4:3-4)
Hardness precipitated by blindness (Eph. 4:18-19)

8. The rocky soil (Matt. 13:20-21)
This is like soil over a rock shelf
Seed penetrates a little
Represents a superficial faith
A lack of conviction and commitment (“they believe for a while”, Lk. 8:13)
Jesus experienced this among His followers (Jn. 6:26; 66)

9. The thorny soil (Matt. 13:22)
“Hears the word,” but bearing fruit is “choked out” by the competition (temptations/obstacles/distractions)
“Cares of the world” (Lk. 21:34-36)
“Deceitfulness of wealth” (1 Tim. 6:9-10, 17)
“Pleasures of this life” [Lk. 8:13} (Gal. 5:17)

10. The good soil (Matt. 13:23)
Obviously is not hardened; nor shallow; nor distracted
“Hears the word and understands it; who indeed bears fruit”
“Heard the word with an honest and good heart, and hold it fast, bears fruit with perseverance” (Lk. 8:15)

11. This soil brings forth fruit
Ones who are:
Receptive (Acts 17:11)
Conviction and commitment (Heb. 10:23-25)
Steadfast (Phil. 3:14)
This soil brings forth fruit
The amounts vary and are immaterial in and of themselves
This is in contradistinction to the first three; none of which produced any measure of fruit!