GOOD SOIL

Root

Roots- the underground part of a seed plant body; functions as an organ of absorption, food storage, or an anchor. something that is an origin or source.

So, this is an attention grabber right. In this month at this time of the year when one hears the word “Roots” it puts most of us in he mindset of the 1976 novel turned move, written by Alex Haley that is loosely based on his ancestral beginnings. We know of Kunta Kinte, Kizzey and Chicken George. It’s a movie that inspired many African Americans to not abandon the reality of their origin and even for some to begin to explore and trace their families lineage. Why? Because always important to know how and why you are where you are today. It is important to know where you started, so you can further appreciate either where you are or where you are going. It’s also important to note in case you are headed into a direction that is wayward or non desirable.

(Origins are important)

Alex Haley’s novel charges us to discover our origins naturally. What we are going to do though is

Examine our soil

Establish or “root” ourselves into the mind and will of the Father

Till or turn our spiritual Gardens

Jesus uses the parable of the Sower in all 3 synoptic Gospels (Matthew 13/Mark 4/ Luke 8).

Luke 8:4–8 NASB 2020

Now when a large crowd was coming together, and those from the various cities were journeying to Him, He spoke by way of a parable: “The sower went out to sow his seed; and as he sowed, some fell beside the road, and it was trampled underfoot, and the birds of the sky ate it up. Other seed fell on rocky soil, and when it came up, it withered away because it had no moisture. Other seed fell among the thorns; and the thorns grew up with it and choked it out. And yet other seed fell into the good soil, and grew up, and produced a crop a hundred times as much.” As He said these things, He would call out, “The one who has ears to hear, let him hear.”

The Sower, The Seed, & The Soil

In planting or gardening, soil matters, the type of soil you sow into, will impact the seed. Heavier soil can be harder for a root to push through, softer soil can hold more water, some soils are container higher percentages of certain nutrients and depending on the desire of the sower, different soil is necessary for different seeds. It’s also important to note that seed crowding or throwing too many seeds in one area can also affect growth, because it limits soil exposure and limited space can adversely affect growth.

The Sower matters

The Seed matters

The Soil Matters

The Sower

The Sower matters because you must be aware of who his sowing into you. Everyone cannot sow into your life. The sower determines the seed. Gardeners sow seeds for gardens, farmers sow seeds for farms, those interested in preserving or maintaining wild life ecosystems will sow accordingly. A sower will only sow seeds according to their goals, their purpose and their expertise. A sower of tomatoes will never expect cucumbers and a sower of roses will never expect a Hosta. So we have to be aware of who’s sowing into us, because the sower will usually determine the seed. Lets look back at it the text

Luke 8:5 NASB 2020

“The sower went out to sow his seed; and as he sowed, some fell beside the road, and it was trampled underfoot, and the birds of the sky ate it up.

Luke 8:11 NASB 2020

“Now this is the parable: the seed is the word of God.

If the seed is the word of God then the sower is God. Sowing his expectation, his understanding, his will for his purpose. So if God is sowing godliness, he expects to reap godliness. This is his universal law, often times we affix fruit only to the seed, when really it can be just as tied to the sower. That’s why Paul wrote in Galatians 6:7 “Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.” So it is important who we surround ourselves with because every person whether they are aware of it are not are sowers and often times we are walking around as a garden of bad fruit from poor sowers. That’s why a broke person cannot sow wealthy advise, and a bitter person cannot sow healing. Parents this is why you must but very conscious of how you are mentally and emotionally around your children because a big chunk of our bad garden are seeds sown from when we were children. The sower determines the seed.

The Seed

If the sower determines the seed, then we must acknowledge that the seed is of equal importance, because the seed is the life given by the sower. Once the seed takes place in the soil it produces life. Again this is apart of the sovereign authority. In Genesis 1:11 “And God said, Let the earth bring forth grass, the herb yielding seed, and the fruit tree yielding fruit after his kind, whose seed is in itself, upon the earth: and it was so.” Seed produces fruit or life based on it’s purpose. Seeds are the words we speak, that come from a thought or emotion that a has been released either in prematurely, on time or late.

A premature word often times is a prophecy of something to come, we can hear the word and receive it and if received correctly will prepare us for a future harvest. This harvest can be one of blessing or one of correction either way it is meant to have an eventual manifestation.

A timely word or a rhema word is vital and necessary right now. It comes as a preached word that is relevant, necessary and can yield immediate results and usually calls for instant action.

A late word is a word that is at times confirmation, it reassures you of something that is already happening and can instruct on to maintain, or abort the current course of action.

Is the seed an annual or a Perennial?

In gardening there are 2 types of plants, annuals and perennials, annuals are plants that have to be planted in season every year and die at the end of each season, while perennials when cared for properly in the inaugural season will continue to blossom year in and year out on it’s own. So we must also determine if the seed that is sown is meant to last or if it is meant just for a season and often times if we are not careful we will attempt to live out an annual seed as if it was perennial.

The Soil

The soil however is the meat or root of Jesus’ teaching in this parable. He discusses the sower (God) sowing seed (his word) but the seeds fell into 4 different places (types of people).

God’s word is for everybody, but know that everybody is not for God’s word!

Hardened understanding

Luke 8:5 “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.”

This is seed that was lost for lack of understanding, these are people who hear God’s word but it falls on deaf ears. I hear what is being said but I cannot grasp the concept, not because of the translation of the book I am reading but because of how hard my heart is concerning the things of God.

These are people who refute God’s word, will, and desire from it’s inception (The Pharisees of Jesus’ Time, Pharaoh in the time of Moses, King Saul and others).

How do I break up my hardened understanding.

You Praise!

Thank God for the being the sower

Thank God for sowing seed (giving Jesus)

Ask God for understanding ( Matthew 7:7–8 “Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.” )

Hardened Will

Luke 8:6–7 “And some fell upon a rock; and as soon as it was sprung up, it withered away, because it lacked moisture. And some fell among thorns; and the thorns sprang up with it, and choked it.”

This seed was planted but it the soil was shortened by stones beneath the soil changed the trajectory of the growth process. Since the soil was disrupted by stones it caused the roots of the plant to reach it’s end sooner which in turn caused an early sprouting of the plant. The problem with short roots in stony soil is that roots serve as food storage and so in the times of dryness where the sun is providing heat and dryness the immature roots have no place to pull moisture from

Longer the root, the greater the ability to draw in dry seasons

These are people who hear the word and accept it to a point! They have a limit to their word impartation, they lack the willingness to sacrifice for the advancement of the kingdom

How do i break up my hardened will

You worship

Lean into the will of God with such a vigor that your will submits to his will! Matthew 6:10 “Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.”

I worship Him through music – both listening to it and singing along. Even raising my hands at times!

I worship Him through praise and thanksgiving – and not just during my devotional time, but throughout the day as I recognize His blessings.

I worship Him by praying His Word back to Him and expecting great answers.

I worship Him by spending time in His presence, listening to the gentle whisper of the Holy Spirit.

I worship Him by enjoying the world He created and glorifying Him for it.