Pentecost 8 (4)

Matthew 13:1–9 NIV

1 That same day Jesus went out of the house and sat by the lake. 2 Such large crowds gathered around him that he got into a boat and sat in it, while all the people stood on the shore. 3 Then he told them many things in parables, saying: “A farmer went out to sow his seed. 4 As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up. 5 Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow. 6 But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root. 7 Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants. 8 Still other seed fell on good soil, where it produced a crop—a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown. 9 Whoever has ears, let them hear.”

Matthew 13:18–23 NIV

18 “Listen then to what the parable of the sower means: 19 When anyone hears the message about the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in their heart. This is the seed sown along the path. 20 The seed falling on rocky ground refers to someone who hears the word and at once receives it with joy. 21 But since they have no root, they last only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, they quickly fall away. 22 The seed falling among the thorns refers to someone who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the word, making it unfruitful. 23 But the seed falling on good soil refers to someone who hears the word and understands it. This is the one who produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown.”

The well known parable of the Sower and the Seed has two contrasting emphases. I know that when I preached on this text in the past, I would often emphasize the privilege and responsibility of the sower. I would remind the audience that just as the sower in the parable was limited in controlling what the results would be because he broadcast the seed and the seeds would and could fall anywhere, so to the modern sower of God’s Word cannot completely control the type of people that are going to hear the Word of God. Within a congregation you will have the different types of hearers. When the message is intentionally broadcast beyond the sacred walls of the local church building by word of mouth evangelism, the written word, or through electronic media, the audience is potentially even more diverse. Therefore, our main focus as presenters of the message of the Gospel is to be sure:

It is the Word of God that is preeminent. 2 Timothy 2:14–16 (NIV)

14 Keep reminding God’s people of these things. Warn them before God against quarreling about words; it is of no value, and only ruins those who listen. 15 Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth. 16 Avoid godless chatter, because those who indulge in it will become more and more ungodly.

Note also that we are well prepared. 1 Peter 3:15 (NIV)

15 But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect,

We are to be diligent: 1 Timothy 4:11–16 (NIV)

11 Command and teach these things. 12 Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity. 13 Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to preaching and to teaching. 14 Do not neglect your gift, which was given you through prophecy when the body of elders laid their hands on you. 15 Be diligent in these matters; give yourself wholly to them, so that everyone may see your progress. 16 Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers.

I think it is a proper application of this parable.

But it may not have been the main focus of what Jesus was teaching. He tells us that a farmer went out to sow his seed. But in the explanation he doesn’t even mention the farmer even though I focused in the past on how the person whom the farmer represents is more of a minor character in the parable. I am not alone in this. In hymn 544, Martin Franzmann also emphasizes the work of the preacher.

If Jesus’ focus isn’t on the sower, what is it? “Whoever has ears, let them hear.” His focus is on you and me when we hear God’s Word.

We do hear God’s Word, don’t we? In person worship. Online. Radio and Television. Bible reading and devotional reading. Now more than ever before the Christian can spend many hours hearing God’s life saving message and practical guidance for godly living. But it takes intentional effort and self-discipline to do so.

I know I have mentioned it before but the example is still applicable. A member of a rural congregation near Markesan, WI was interviewed and asked why he believed Sunday morning church attendance has dropped significantly. His answer? Well, back in the day there was basically nothing else to do on a Sunday morning. Stores were closed. Places of employment didn’t operate. No sports, local social activities. About all you could do was sit at home and read the Sunday paper or go to church.

Is that still true today? We all know it isn’t. It has even come to the point that there are NFL football games shown live on Sunday mornings when teams play in England. Although most congregations still have worship services on Sunday mornings and many also offer an alternative service during the week or online, the growing number of alternative things to do or listen to is staggering.

I would submit that it becomes even harder to be among the people who hear the word and understand it. But hear and understand it we must because the alternatives lead to unfruitful or unproductive lives as Christians and may even prevent someone from being a Christian.

Briefly explain each result again.

There are those who do not understand it. Some passages of Scripture are very straightforward. Others need further explanation. Even Jesus’ parables needed to be explained as this one was. Peter tells us that St. Paul wrote many things that were hard to understand. We have a phrase for this: “The information goes ‘over our heads’”. Someone once asked me if I preach to little children. Quite frankly, I don’t. Just as I don’t teach the Catechism to five year olds. But I do teach little children and I encourage parents to do the same. And with adults the prime time to really teach God’s Word is in Bible study. Jesus had the same approach. He told parables which were not always understood. But for those who desired it, he patiently taught them in private. At times we will hear things or read things we just don’t get right away. The evil one (devil) will take what we did hear and remove it from our memory or to regard it as not important so that there is no benefit. Our goal should be to study God’s Word deeper.

Rocky Places. At times we react initially do something with enthusiasm and great eagerness. But often we get distracted and go on to “the next big thing”. I recall several years ago I organized a three hour time slot at camp to go canoeing which included time there and back. Guess what happened after only half an hour on the water? It seems that more and more people can’t invest themselves in much that takes a long time to commit. But Jesus isn’t just talking about being distracted. He warns that trouble or persecution will come because of the word. The temptation is to protect ourselves by denying the word and not keeping our “nose to the grindstone” as it were.

The third response are those seeds which fell among the thorns. Farmers will go to great lengths to prevent or remove weeds from the crops. Some of the techniques are quite reliable. We dream of a utopia in which we have free from conflict. The promises of eternal life reassure us that this is our certain future. But not our present life.

Worries of life: Property and rental issues.

Limited finances.

Health concerns.

“Heat dome”

Pfizer manufacturing plant damaged by a tornado in North Carolina.

Deceitfulness of Wealth. (Examples)

All Depends on Our Possessing

Many spend their lives in fretting over trifles and in getting things that have no solid ground. I shall strive to win a treasure that will bring me lasting pleasure and that now is seldom found.

Result: Unfruitful

Good Soil

Hear and understand. The opposite of the first example. Jesus’ goal in teaching was that his students would understand.

Mark 8:14–21 NIV

14 The disciples had forgotten to bring bread, except for one loaf they had with them in the boat. 15 “Be careful,” Jesus warned them. “Watch out for the yeast of the Pharisees and that of Herod.” 16 They discussed this with one another and said, “It is because we have no bread.” 17 Aware of their discussion, Jesus asked them: “Why are you talking about having no bread? Do you still not see or understand? Are your hearts hardened? 18 Do you have eyes but fail to see, and ears but fail to hear? And don’t you remember? 19 When I broke the five loaves for the five thousand, how many basketfuls of pieces did you pick up?” “Twelve,” they replied. 20 “And when I broke the seven loaves for the four thousand, how many basketfuls of pieces did you pick up?” They answered, “Seven.” 21 He said to them, “Do you still not understand?”

It is the goal of all teachers, isn’t it?

Hearing or reading and understanding can take some effort on our part. One past time I kind of enjoy is playing board games. But you can’t just get a new board game and expect to start playing it right away. At least no correctly. You have to learn the rules. Of course, the games come with the rules included. And now most games also has “How to play” videos you can watch on Youtube. But it really helps to play with someone who already knows the rules and can teach you how to play even if they don’t give you winning strategy tips. I can teach you how to play chess. I’m not necessarily going to teach you how to beat me in chess.

The disciples had a wonderful advantage when it came to learning about the kingdom of God. They had the best teacher ever and he would often patiently teach and reteach the truth. By prayerfully using God’s Word the Bible tells us that our God is still active in teaching us how to hear and understand so that we can be productive Christians.

Psalm 119:17–18 NIV

17 Be good to your servant while I live, that I may obey your word. 18 Open my eyes that I may see wonderful things in your law.

2 Corinthians 4:4–6 NIV

4 The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel that displays the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. 5 For what we preach is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake. 6 For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of God’s glory displayed in the face of Christ.

Conclusion: Thank you for listening to God’s Word today. I pray that it will produce fruit in your lives as the Holy Spirit opens your hearts and minds and helps you understand what it is you are to believe and do. Amen.