The Sower
Notes
Transcript
Is Jesus A Lousy Farmer?
Is Jesus A Lousy Farmer?
To run a germination test:
To run a germination test:
Count out at least 20 randomly picked seeds (50 is better, 100 is best).Spread the seeds on several layers of premoistened paper toweling and roll them up in the paper so the seeds stay separated from one another.Place the roll into a plastic bag and keep it in a warm place (70° to 80° F). Remember to label each roll with seed type.Check the seeds in two or three days and every day after that for a week or so.
When a root or cotyledon protrudes through the seed coat, the seed has germinated.When some seeds have sprouted, and a one-week wait indicates that no more are about to emerge, you can calculate your germination rate.Divide the number of seeds germinated by the number of seeds tested to determine your germination percentage.
A germination rate of 90% or more is very good for most species. Some species may have lower germination rates, but because the seed is small and/or abundant, a rate of 70% to 80% is perfectly acceptable. Other species may naturally have lower germination rates. Seed is often sold with a germination rate at the time of packaging indicated on the package. If the germination rate is still relatively close to the original rate, it is worth sowing. For nearly all species, a germination rate of 50% or lower is too low to be worth using, and the seed can be discarded and replaced with newer seed.
If handled very carefully, germinated seeds from the germination test may be planted in the garden (if the planting time is right) or in cell packs and peat pots for further growth. If the root or shoot is damaged in the transplanting process, the plant will not survive.
Jesus was getting 25% germination, and we don’t even know about fruit (production).
1 That same day Jesus went out of the house and sat beside the sea.
That day Jesus sat down like a teacher near the lake.
2 And great crowds gathered about him, so that he got into a boat and sat down. And the whole crowd stood on the beach.
Note- Jesus is not addressing the disciples- he is addressing the crowds. Do not get a fairytale or overly generous understanding of the “crowd”. Jesus is not about to give the keys to the kingdom to them.... remember last Sundays sermon on the parentetical Matthew 13.11-16
3 And he told them many things in parables, saying: “A sower went out to sow.
Jesus spoke many times in parables.
Look at Matthew 13.3-7
3 And he told them many things in parables, saying: “A sower went out to sow. 4 And as he sowed, some seeds fell along the path, and the birds came and devoured them. 5 Other seeds fell on rocky ground, where they did not have much soil, and immediately they sprang up, since they had no depth of soil, 6 but when the sun rose they were scorched. And since they had no root, they withered away. 7 Other seeds fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked them.
Note that the focus is the soils, not the sower. Throwing the seed, it falls everywhere.
Along the path- birds ate them
Rocky ground- not enough soil… they sprang up but were scorched. withered
Thorns- weeds choked them.
But look at Matthew 13.8-9
8 Other seeds fell on good soil and produced grain, some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty. 9 He who has ears, let him hear.”
Some seed falls on good soil… and has various harvests. No crop, some crop, much crop.
When Jesus says here, “He who has ears, let him hear,” he is telling us we need to be very careful about our interpretation of this situation.
Some seed falls on good soil… and has various harvests. No crop, some crop, much crop.
Before we move to Jesus’ interpretation of this parable, let’s note the following:
Jesus spread the seed in many different places- that is the soils. There was soil along the path, rocky places, places filled with weeds- and there was good soil. We know what happened in the rocky places, the places filled with weeds, along the path.... but we sometimes overlook what happened in the good soil.
There were, even in the good soil- differing responses. That’s important.
Even in the good soil there are differing responses. none. thirty fold. sixty fold. and a lot more.
18 “Hear then the parable of the sower:
Jesus is saying.... inlight of the great privelege extended to you (in me), prophets longed to hear it, men of old longed to hear it, yet there are plenty of people who still ignore and even spurn it.... in light of this great privelege- “LISTEN!”
19 When anyone hears the word of the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what has been sown in his heart. This is what was sown along the path.
talk about this passage all you want, do not allegorize it.... just at face value.... Jesus is saying that some people will actually hear the message about the kingdom, but like hardened paths.... they do not let the truth penetrate- and before they really understand it the devil distracts or snatches it away from them.
20 As for what was sown on rocky ground, this is the one who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy, 21 yet he has no root in himself, but endures for a while, and when tribulation or persecution arises on account of the word, immediately he falls away.
Jesus is clear. A person who receives the word in a thoughtless way may show immediate signs of life and promise to be the best of the crop.... he receives it with joy… but external pressures, trouble and persecution.... like the sun beating on a plant with no roots.... reveals the shallowness of this soil.
22 As for what was sown among thorns, this is the one who hears the word, but the cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and it proves unfruitful.
This person doesn’t hear the word with “joy” as the previous one. This one simply never permits the gospel to control their life. Other commitments, weeds which are competing for nutrition, take over and ultimately the gospel produces no fruit.... it just dies.
23 As for what was sown on good soil, this is the one who hears the word and understands it. He indeed bears fruit and yields, in one case a hundredfold, in another sixty, and in another thirty.”
the parable ends well. It is a positive ending. just notice that the soil that produces only a small crop is nevertheless called “good”.
the long story of this parable, in a short way is this:
The seed is God’s word;
different soils represent different hearts;
varied results show the different responses to the Word of God.
There is no doubt of its meaning.
The Seed is God’s Word
The Seed is God’s Word
Why is the seed God’s Word? Because the Word is “living and powerful” as in Hebrews 4.12
12 For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.
Many people’s words are just that- words. God’s word has life in it like a seed has life in it. And that life can be given to those who will believe.
God’s Word must be received, cultivated, nurtured, to create produce fruit. Please note that according to the parable, only 25% produced fruit. 75% did not.
Jesus knew that the “crowd” he was speaking to was like most any other crowd. Tomorrow, they will dissipate and disappear. Crowds are fickle.
He also knew that some would listen, receive it, and begin to grow in it.
What is the fruit in our lives?
What is the fruit in our lives?
What is the fruit in our life? And why does that matter? Consider Matthew 7.16
16 You will recognize them by their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thornbushes, or figs from thistles?
It is a very good question. What is the fruit in our lives? Look at Romans 6.22
22 But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God, the fruit you get leads to sanctification and its end, eternal life.
Holiness. A Christian will be holy as god is holy.
How about Galatians 5.22-23
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.
Fruits of the spirit. love. joy. peace. patience. kindness. goodness. faithfulness. gentleness. self control.
How about Colossians 1.10
10 so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him: bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God;
good works.
Consider Romans 1.13
13 I do not want you to be unaware, brothers, that I have often intended to come to you (but thus far have been prevented), in order that I may reap some harvest among you as well as among the rest of the Gentiles.
winning others to Christ.
or how about Romans 15.25-28
25 At present, however, I am going to Jerusalem bringing aid to the saints. 26 For Macedonia and Achaia have been pleased to make some contribution for the poor among the saints at Jerusalem. 27 For they were pleased to do it, and indeed they owe it to them. For if the Gentiles have come to share in their spiritual blessings, they ought also to be of service to them in material blessings. 28 When therefore I have completed this and have delivered to them what has been collected, I will leave for Spain by way of you.
Are you able to praise God as in Hebrews 13.15
15 Through him then let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge his name.
Praise.
What are fruits revealed in our walk with Christ?
Holiness
Fruits of the spirit
good works
winning others to Christ
sharing
praise
Bottom Line:
Fruit in Life Reveals Faith In The Heart
Fruit in Life Reveals Faith In The Heart
If you were accused of being a Christian, would there be enough evidence to convict you?
