PARABLES OF JESUS - THE SOWER AND THE SEED

THE SOWER AND THE SEED

This week is our fourth parable of the Jesus parables. Our first parable was the story of the wise and foolish builders. Wise upon hearing the Words of Christ, implants them in his heart and does them is on a solid foundation while the foolish person hears the words of God and ignores them. Our second parable we looked at the foolish rich man and how having his heart centered on the wrong things – made him distant from God. Jesus tells us to seek the riches of Heaven and not of earthly riches, and that seeking earthly riches can have eternal consequences. Last week we looked at the parable of the Faithful and Unfaithful Steward who is not ready for the master of the house, Jesus to come back. God has made us stewards or caretakers of the talents and possessions He has given us. He requires faithfulness—to be ready because His return will be unexpected and is unpredictable. He tells us to be stand there looking at the sky for His return but to continue doing His business until He returns – to keep His house in order and ready for Him.

This week we look at a famous and well-known parable of the Sower and the seed. Jesus used the sower, the seed, and the soil to teach about our reception of God’s Word. There are many people who hear God’s Word, but very few who live it. Some flat out ignore it, some accept it but only for a short time but quickly fall away when God doesn’t perform like they think He should, and then some accept it for a while but then they allow sin and self to choke out God’s Word.

As we prepare to enter into His Word – let us Pray!

THE SOWER AND SEED

Luke 8:4–15 – And when a great crowd was gathering and people from town after town came to him, he said in a parable, “A sower went out to sow his seed. And as he sowed, some fell along the path and was trampled underfoot, and the birds of the air devoured it. And some fell on the rock, and as it grew up, it withered away, because it had no moisture. And some fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up with it and choked it. And some fell into good soil and grew and yielded a hundredfold.” As he said these things, he called out, “He who has ears to hear, let him hear.” And when his disciples asked him what this parable meant, he said, “To you it has been given to know the secrets of the kingdom of God, but for others they are in parables, so that ‘seeing they may not see, and hearing they may not understand.’ Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God. The ones along the path are those who have heard; then the devil comes and takes away the word from their hearts, so that they may not believe and be saved. And the ones on the rock are those who, when they hear the word, receive it with joy. But these have no root; they believe for a while, and in time of testing fall away. And as for what fell among the thorns, they are those who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by the cares and riches and pleasures of life, and their fruit does not mature. 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.

I. The Sower and the Soil—vv. 5–8

A. The sower—v. 5a. A sower went forth to sow his seed.

In Jesus’ time – planting was done different than today – seed was put down on the ground and then it was plowed into the ground

Jesus doesn’t refer to the sower – he refers to the seed – the seed is the Word of God! Sowers aren’t special – yes they include Jesus, the apostles, pastors – but it includes every believer – you are to sow the Word of God!

B. The soil—vv. 5b–8. Note four types of soil:

1. Wayside—v. 5b. It was a hardened path where the seed could not grow. Birds ate the seed.

The hardened heart of people so the Word could not penetrate – how many today trample the Word of God and the name of God – have contempt for the Word of God?

Birds of the air – ate the seed so the wind could not blow it into good soil – symbol of satan and evil spirits – at war with God – as we can see from verse 12 - The ones along the path are those who have heard; then the devil comes and takes away the word from their hearts, so that they may not believe and be saved.

2. Rocky ground—v. 6. With a small amount of soil, it grew quickly and died.

This rocky ground is under a thin layer of soil – people hear it but there is no depth so any challenge in life they quickly give up on God – I knew He wasn’t “that good”

NIV says, “Some fell on rocky ground, and when it came up, the plants withered because they had no moisture – roots must go deep to reach ground water so they can survive during hot summer months and times of drought

3. Among thorns—v. 7. It grew, but thorns choked it.

Thorns, weeds grow vigorously – most of the time faster than the crop – what else are we allowing to grow that chokes out the Word

What takes priority in your life over the Word and spending time with God?

Thorns are sharp, cut – can keep us away if we are not careful

Things in this world that causes resistance and rejection of God, His Word, His Way – so we have to make sure our ground, our soil, our heart is open to God and His Word

4. Good ground—v. 8a. It grew and increased.

Not only did the good ground produce a harvest – it produced a harvest 100-fold over what was planted – so the crop not only grew but flourished and reproduced

B. The symbol—v. 8b. “When Jesus had finished saying this, He cried out, ‘You have ears, then listen’ ”—NLT.

If you have ears you have no excuse – what are you doing with the Word of God in your life?

II. The Savior and the Story—vv. 9–10

A. Interest—v. 9. His disciples asked the meaning of this parable.

They had an interest in Jesus’ Word – do we? What do you do with the Sunday message after noon on Sunday?

B. Interpretation—v. 10a. “God has granted you to know the meaning of these parables, for they tell a great deal about the kingdom of God”—LB. God wants us to understand His Word.

C. Ignorance—v. 10b. “But these crowds hear the words and do not understand, just as the ancient prophets predicted”—Living Bible

Isaiah 6:9 – And he said, “Go, and say to this people: “ ‘Keep on hearing, but do not understand; keep on seeing, but do not perceive.’

2 Timothy 3:7-9 – always learning and never able to arrive at a knowledge of the truth. Just as Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses, so these men also oppose the truth, men corrupted in mind and disqualified regarding the faith. But they will not get very far, for their folly will be plain to all, as was that of those two men.

Paul also speaks of people not seeking God—

Romans 3:11 – no one understands; no one seeks for God.

Ephesians 4:18 – They are darkened in their understanding, alienated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them, due to their hardness of heart.

III. The Story and the Symbols—vv. 11–15

Jesus explains the parable

A. Seed—v. 11. God’s Word—It produces faith—

Romans 10:17 – God’s Word cleanses from sin— So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.

Psalm 119:9 – How can a young man keep his way pure? By guarding it according to your word.

B. Wayside—v. 12. These hear His Word, but Satan steals it away.

1 Peter 5:8 – Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.

C. Rock—v. 13. They receive the Word, but have no root. Temptation and sin steal it away.

Colossians 2:7 – rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving.

Matthew 7:24 – “Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock.

D. Thorns—v. 14. Thorns choke out the good seed:

(1) Cares—1 Peter 5:7 – casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.

(2) Riches—1 Timothy 6:10 – For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs.

(3) Pleasure—Matthew 6:33 – But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.

(4) Good ground—v. 15. Some hear God’s Word and keep it. Note: “Bring forth fruit with patience.”

Joshua 1:8 – This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.

God wants all Christians to be like the seed falling upon the good ground.

His Word will:

(1) stablish us—1 Peter 3:15 – but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect,

(2) instruct us—2 Timothy 2:15 – Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.

(3) cleanse us—Psalm 119:9 – How can a young man keep his way pure? By guarding it according to your word.

(4) keep us from sin—Psalm 119:11 – I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.

Allow His Word to grow within you, to be an active part of your daily life—

James 1:22 – But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.