How Is Your Heart

Matthew 13:1–9 ESV

1 That same day Jesus went out of the house and sat beside the sea. 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. 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. 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.”

Matthew 13:18–23 ESV

18 “Hear then the parable of the sower: 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. 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. 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. 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.”

Introduction

Have any of you ever tried planting a garden? You know that no matter how good the seeds, tools, or intentions, nothing will grow in the wrong kind of soil. Jesus knew this, and that’s why He chose this imagery in the Parable of the Sower to show how different people receive His message.

In Matthew 13, Jesus is teaching a huge crowd, so large He has to step into a boat to speak. And He begins with a story about a sower, some seed, and four different kinds of soil. Each soil represents a different way of responding to God’s Word.

Transition: So, let’s ask ourselves: “How’s my heart?” Jesus’ first description takes us to a heart that’s hard and closed off. Let’s look at this type of soil—the path.

The Closed Heart (vv. 4,19)

Matthew 13:4 ESV

4 And as he sowed, some seeds fell along the path, and the birds came and devoured them.

Matthew 13:19 ESV

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.

Jesus starts with seed that falls on the path. It doesn’t even get a chance to take root because it’s quickly snatched away. Jesus explains that this is the closed heart—a heart hardened by doubt, pain, or pride, and therefore unable to receive the Word.

Exposition and Cross-Reference:

Jesus often addressed the hardness of human hearts. In Hebrews 3:13, we’re warned, “But exhort one another every day…that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin.”

Sin has a way of building walls around our hearts. And in Ezekiel 36:26, God promises, “I will give you a new heart…and I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh.”

God is willing to soften even the hardest heart, if we let Him.

Illustration: Think of someone who’s gone through deep hurt or disappointment. They hear about God’s love, but they can’t accept it; they’re closed off, guarded, skeptical.

Application: Are there parts of our hearts that have become closed off—maybe due to hurt, anger, or even a desire for control? Let’s invite God to soften any areas where we’re resisting Him. Let’s pray, “Lord, break down any hardness in me and help me receive Your Word fully.”

Transition: But Jesus doesn’t stop there. Next, He takes us to another type of heart—a heart that’s open but shallow.

The Shallow Heart

Matthew 13:5–6 ESV

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.

Matthew 13:20–21 ESV

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.

Next, Jesus describes the rocky soil. This is the shallow heart—a heart that receives the Word with joy but lacks the depth to sustain it when challenges come. As soon as hardship arises, this heart turns away because it has no foundation.

Exposition and Cross-Reference:

The shallow heart lacks roots, something Jesus emphasizes in Luke 6:46-49 with the parable of the two builders. Only the person who digs deep, building on the rock, can withstand the storms of life.

Colossians 2:6-7 encourages us, “So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him.”

Illustration: This is like someone who starts a new project with excitement but abandons it as soon as things get tough. Spiritually, it’s the heart that’s enthusiastic but easily discouraged.

Application: God wants us to dig deeper, to put down roots in His Word and in prayer, so we can stand firm in the face of trials. Are we building a faith that can withstand the storms, or are we stopping at the surface? Let’s ask God to deepen our commitment and grow our spiritual roots.

Transition: But Jesus warns us about yet another heart condition—the distracted heart. This heart starts out well but slowly gets choked by life’s worries.

The Distracted Heart

Matthew 13:7 ESV

7 Other seeds fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked them.

Matthew 13:22 ESV

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.

Jesus describes thorns that grow up and choke the plants. This is the distracted heart—overwhelmed by life’s worries, pursuits, and pleasures. Jesus warns that these cares can choke the Word, making it unfruitful.

Exposition and Cross-Reference:

Jesus often spoke about the dangers of distraction. In Luke 10:38-42, Martha was distracted with much serving, while her sister Mary chose the “better part” by listening to Jesus.

1 John 2:15-17 warns,

1 John 2:15–17 ESV

15 Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world. 17 And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever.

When we’re consumed by the world, God’s voice grows faint.

Illustration: Think of someone who started strong in their faith journey but got sidetracked by career pressures, financial goals, or the busyness of life. Their focus shifts, and soon God’s Word is crowded out.

Application: We live in a world full of distractions, and our hearts can easily get entangled by other pursuits. Are we letting these “thorns” crowd out our relationship with God? Let’s examine what’s taking our attention, and ask God to help us prioritize Him above everything else.

Transition: Finally, Jesus ends with hope. There’s a heart that receives His Word fully—a heart that’s open, deep, and undistracted. Let’s look at what He calls the good soil.

The Open Heart

Matthew 13:8 ESV

8 Other seeds fell on good soil and produced grain, some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.

Matthew 13:23 ESV

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 final type of soil is the good soil—the open heart that receives the Word, understands it, and allows it to bear fruit. This heart is fully receptive, deep, and undistracted, yielding a harvest that blesses others.

Exposition and Cross-Reference:

In John 15:5, Jesus says, “I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit.”

The open heart abides in Christ and produces lasting fruit. Galatians 5:22-23 reminds us that the fruit of the Spirit—love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control—is evidence of a life rooted in Him.

Illustration: Think of a person who has let God’s Word change their life, allowing it to take root and grow, producing a harvest that blesses others. Their faith impacts everyone around them.

Application: God desires us to have an open heart—a heart that’s not just receptive but transformed. Are we allowing His Word to change us? Are we bearing fruit that points others to Christ? Let’s ask God to make us good soil, ready and willing to produce a harvest for His kingdom.

Transition: So we’ve looked at four types of hearts, four ways we can respond to God’s message. Now, let’s bring it all together and ask God to give us a heart that’s fully open to Him.

Conclusion

This parable is about more than just hearing a message; it’s about letting that message transform us. So let’s pray, “Lord, make my heart open. Let me receive Your Word fully and bear fruit for Your kingdom.”

Here’s the good news: because of Jesus—because He died, was buried, and rose again—we don’t have to stay closed, shallow, or distracted. He has made a way for every heart to be changed, for every life to be fruitful. His resurrection power is available to us today to turn us into good soil, bearing fruit that brings glory to God and blessing to others. Let’s go forward, church, as people with open hearts, trusting in the One who planted His love in us and who promises to bring it to a full harvest!