Parable of the Sower

What Kind of Soil Are You?

James 1:22 Text: Matthew 13:1-9

James 1:22 (ESV)

22 But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.

Observation: What it means to being a hearer only. Deceiving only yourself.

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.”

1. The Sower: God’s Faithful Invitation

Matthew 13:3 (ESV)

3 And he told them many things in parables, saying: “A sower went out to sow.

Matthew 28:19–20 (ESV)

19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,

20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

Observation: The sower represents God or His messengers, scattering the seed generously.

Application: God is not stingy with His Word. He wants everyone to have the opportunity to hear the gospel. Are we reflecting that generosity in how we share our faith?

Illustration: Think of a farmer sowing seeds not just in fertile fields but along every path, hedge, and corner, hoping for growth anywhere.

2. The Seed: The Transformative Word of God Matthew 13:4

Matthew 13:4 (ESV)

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

Romans 1:16 (ESV)

16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.

1 Corinthians 1:18 (ESV)

18 For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.

Observation: The seed is the Word of God—unchanging, powerful, and life-giving. Its impact depends on where it lands.

Application: The problem isn’t the seed but the soil. Are we truly receptive to God’s Word, or do we let distractions choke out its growth?

Illustration: A seed has everything needed to grow a mighty tree, but it needs the right conditions.

3. The Soils: A Heart Check-Up

Matthew 13:4–8 (ESV)

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.

A. The Path – The Hardened Heart The Word is snatched away because there’s no understanding. Application: Are there areas of our lives where we've grown calloused or indifferent to God's truth?b.

B. The Rocky Ground – The Shallow Heart Excitement at first, but faith withers under trials or persecution. Application: How deep is your commitment to Christ when the going gets tough?

C. The Thorny Ground – The Distracted Heart The worries of life and the deceit of wealth choke the Word. Application: Are we too preoccupied with earthly concerns to nurture spiritual growth?d.

The Good Soil – The Receptive Heart The Word takes root and produces a harvest. Application: What steps can we take to ensure our hearts are fertile ground for God’s Word?

4. The Harvest: God’s Glorious Outcome

Matthew 13:8

Matthew 13:8 (ESV)

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

Colossians 2:6–7 (ESV)

6 Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him,

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

Observation: When the seed lands on good soil, the results are miraculous—a yield of 30, 60, or 100 times.

Application: Are we living lives that bear fruit for the Kingdom of God?

Conclusion: Which Soil Are You? Challenge: Reflect on your heart’s condition. Ask God to till the soil of your soul and remove any barriers to growth.

Invitation: Surrender to the Sower, allow His Word to take root, and watch as He transforms your life into a fruitful testimony of His grace.