How’s Your Hearing? - Aug. 31st, 2025

Title: “How Is Your Hearing?” – Jesus’ Interpretation of the Sower

Text: Luke 8:9–15 (KJV)

Luke 8:9–15 KJV

9 And his disciples asked him, saying, What might this parable be? 10 And he said, Unto you it is given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God: but to others in parables; that seeing they might not see, and hearing they might not understand. 11 Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God. 12 Those by the way side are they that hear; then cometh the devil, and taketh away the word out of their hearts, lest they should believe and be saved. 13 They on the rock are they, which, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no root, which for a while believe, and in time of temptation fall away. 14 And that which fell among thorns are they, which, when they have heard, go forth, and are choked with cares and riches and pleasures of this life, and bring no fruit to perfection. 15 But that on the good ground are they, which in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience.

Introduction:

(Illuminate the Need)

Imagine attending the same church service as a friend – you both hear the exact same sermon. Yet afterward, one of you is unchanged, and the other is deeply transformed. How can the same message leave one heart cold and another heart burning? Jesus’ disciples wondered a similar thing. Crowds thronged to hear the Master’s teaching, but responses varied wildly: some scoffed, some were thrilled then faded away, a few became lifelong followers. “Why is it,” the disciples asked, “that two people can hear the same truth – one remains barren and another bears fruit unto God?”Jesus answers that question with the Parable of the Sower and, in our passage, His own explanation of it. By Luke 8, multitudes from every city were flocking to Jesus. He chose to teach them in a parable about a farmer sowing seed (Luke 8:4–8). When He finished the story, He issued a ringing challenge: “He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.” Sensing the importance – and perhaps the crowd’s perplexity – His disciples later asked Him plainly what the parable meant. In Luke 8:9–15, Jesus interprets the Parable of the Sower, revealing a profound truth: the fruitfulness of God’s Word in our lives depends on the receptivity of our hearts.

This message is vitally relevant to us. We all receive God’s Word in various ways – through sermons, Bible reading, counsel from others – but not all who receive the Word experience its saving and transforming power. Jesus’ interpretation will show us why. It addresses a critical “felt need” for both hearer and preacher: Why do some respond enduringly to the Gospel, while others fall away or produce no evident change?And more personally: How can I ensure that I am responding rightly to God’s Word? Jesus answers by examining the heart conditions of the hearers. He effectively asks each of us: “What kind of soil is your heart? How are you hearing My Word?” The purpose of this sermon is to probe our hearts and align our response to God’s Word with Christ’s expectations. We must understand that the Word of God will only bear saving fruit in us if we truly hear, hold, and heed it. Any lesser response, however promising it looks initially, ends up fruitless.

Context: To set the scene, Jesus is in Galilee teaching large crowds (Luke 8:1–4). He has just delivered the Parable of the Sower publicly. That parable described four outcomes whenever a sower scattered seed: seed devoured by birds on the path, seed that sprang up on rocky ground then withered, seed choked by thorns, and seed that yielded a hundredfold on good ground. However, in verses 4–8 He gave no explanation to the multitude – just the parable and the exhortation to “hear if you have ears.” The deeper meaning remained a mystery to casual listeners. Now in verses 9–15, we transition to a private teaching moment. The disciples (the Twelve and possibly other close followers) come asking, essentially, “What does that story mean, Lord? We want to truly hear it.”Jesus’ response does two things: (1) He discloses the reason He uses parables (v.10), and (2) He decodes each element of the parable for them (vv.11–15). This is gracious – He’s giving His disciples “the mysteries of the kingdom”(v.10), truths not obvious to the indifferent crowd. We learn that the “seed” in the story represents the Word of God, and the differing soils represent the hearts of the hearers. With that key in hand, we will examine Jesus’ interpretation in three major insights.

Transition: Jesus’ explanation unfolds by identifying the heart-condition behind each outcome. In our study, we will follow His outline, looking first at the special privilege (and warning) Jesus gives His disciples in verse 10, and then at the three tragic types of hearers (verses 12–14), and finally the one successful type (verse 15). As we do, let’s each ask the question: When God’s Word comes to me, which of these descriptions fits my response? We will see that only one response leads to life.

I. The Privilege and Responsibility of Understanding (Luke 8:9–10)

Jesus begins by addressing why some understand and some do not. In verse 9, the disciples ask, “What might this parable be?” – essentially, “What does it mean?” They are perplexed yet hungry to know. Unlike many in the crowd who perhaps went home shrugging, the disciples press in for insight. Verse 10 is Jesus’ answer to why He taught this way: “Unto you it is given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God: but to others in parables; that seeing they might not see, and hearing they might not understand.”

A. Revelation Given to Receptive Disciples (v.10a)

“Unto you it is given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God.” Here Jesus addresses the you – His true followers. He says knowledge of Kingdom mysteries is a gift given to them. The term “mysteries of the kingdom” refers to divine truths about God’s Kingdom that were not understood before, but are now being revealed in Jesus’ teaching[48][1]. For instance, one “mystery” is that the Kingdom won’t come all at once with irresistible force, but rather will spread like seed and meet varied reception – exactly what this parable conveys. The key phrase is “it is given.”Spiritual understanding isn’t attained by human cleverness; it’s granted by God’s grace. Jesus is effectively telling the disciples, “You are blessed – God is allowing you to perceive truths that others are missing.” This echoes His statement in Matthew 13:16, “But blessed are your eyes, for they see: and your ears, for they hear.”

This is a privilege of illumination for those who earnestly follow Christ. The disciples aren’t smarter than the crowd; they’re hungrier. They want to learn, so Jesus opens their understanding (as He would later on the road to Emmaus, Luke 24:45). There’s an implied principle: God gives more light to those who respond to the light they’ve been given. The disciples responded to the parable with inquiry and desire, so Jesus gives them more truth. In our context, this encourages us that if we truly seek to know God’s Word, God will graciously reveal it to us. Psalm 25:14 says, “The secret of the LORD is with them that fear Him.” Here were men and women who feared and loved Jesus, so He shared the secret meaning with them.

But alongside privilege comes responsibility: if “to us it is given to know,” we must steward that gift well. The disciples would now be accountable for the truth revealed. It’s like being given a key to a treasure – wonderful, but you’re expected to use it. For us, having Scripture and the Holy Spirit’s illumination is a great gift; we must not take it lightly.

B. Parables as a Sifting Tool (v.10b)

Jesus then contrasts the others: “but to others in parables; that seeing they might not see, and hearing they might not understand.” This is a somewhat surprising statement. He quotes Isaiah 6:9 to explain that His parables have a dual purpose: to reveal and to conceal. To the sincere seeker (like the disciples), a parable is a memorable illustration that, once explained, greatly enlightens. But to the hardened or indifferent, a parable is just a story – they “see” the imagery but do not perceive the spiritual truth; they “hear” the words but do not understand the message[3][49].

Why would Jesus intentionally allow some listeners to remain in the dark? Isaiah’s context helps: Isaiah was told his preaching would harden the hearts of Israel – a form of judgment on persistent unbelief. Likewise, Jesus uses parables in part as an act of judgment on those who have repeatedly rejected plain truth. Earlier in Luke (Luke 6:49), Jesus taught very directly (e.g. the Sermon on the Plain). Many religious leaders and people heard clear teaching and refused it, even attributing His miracles to Satan. In response, Jesus shifts to parabolic teaching. It fulfills Isaiah’s prophecy: the proud and unrepentant would hear but not really hear.

It’s important to note: Jesus isn’t making sincere people unable to understand; He’s obscuring truth from those who aren’t interested in truth. Parables, someone said, are like the pillar of cloud in the Exodus – light to the Israelites, darkness to the Egyptians. They reveal truth to those who draw near in faith, and conceal it from those who stand afar in unbelief[50]. This sifting effect actually serves mercy and judgment: mercy, in that truth is hidden from those who would only trample or profane it (as Jesus said, “give not that which is holy unto dogs,” Matt.7:6); and judgment, in that those who “closed their ears” to Christ now find even His stories unenlightening – a consequence of their refusal. In Mark’s parallel (Mark 4:12), after quoting Isaiah, Jesus immediately adds, “lest at any time they should be converted, and their sins should be forgiven them.” That sounds startling – as if He didn’t want them forgiven. But understood rightly, it means that these people’s hearts were in no state to truly repent; they had rejected the light, so now they see only story without meaning. It’s a sobering reminder: spiritual opportunity can be lost. If one persistently hardens to God’s voice, there may come a time when one hears but cannot grasp – not because God’s Word lost power, but because the heart lost sensitivity.

So in practical terms, verse 10 urges us: Do not be an “outsider” to Jesus’ teaching. If you have ears, use them! If something in Scripture is unclear, don’t shrug and walk away; be like the disciples – press in, ask, seek clarity. God honors that. It also comforts us that Jesus knew exactly why many didn’t respond – it was fulfillment of prophecy, not a failure of the Gospel. Truth divides: to those who love it, more is given; to those who hate it, even what they heard is taken (see Luke 8:18). Parables were Jesus’ way of saying, “If you really want to know, you’ll find the truth here; if you don’t, this will just slide past you.”The disciples wanted to know – and how blessed they were to receive the secrets of the Kingdom! May we have that same hunger and not fall into the camp of the “seeing yet blind.”

Illustration:

Think of two students in a class where the teacher often uses analogies. One student is attentive, taking notes, later asks the teacher questions – he ends up excelling. The other student daydreams, and when analogies are given, he smirks, “I don’t get what the big deal is,” and never asks for help. He fails the exam. The analogies were the same, but to one they unlocked understanding, to the other they remained puzzles. So it was with Jesus’ parables. The disciples essentially came after class and said, “Master, please explain the analogy.” Jesus did – gladly. Others left class early and missed the explanation. Spiritually, which student are you? Do you value the mystery such that you seek its meaning from Jesus? If so, “unto you it is given to know.” If not, you might leave with only a story about seeds ringing in your ears, but no change in your heart.

Application:

Thank God that He has given us the key to this parable in Scripture. We are like the disciples here – we have the inside scoop in writing. The question is: will we act on it? There’s a responsibility that comes with being an “insider” to God’s truth. Jesus says in Luke 12:48, “For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required.” We have been given the mysteries – we must respond. Do not be content with being informed of truth; aim to be transformed by it. The disciples, after understanding, still had to take care how they personally listened going forward (hence Jesus’ further exhortation in verse 18). So must we. Realize what a privilege it is that you can know God’s mind through His Word. Then guard that privilege. If you sense the Word isn’t penetrating in your life, examine if some judgment of hardness might be at work. Perhaps you’ve ignored past conviction; if so, repent and ask God to tenderize you again. In short, treasure the gift of divine truth – don’t squander it by casual hearing.

Transition to Main Point II: Having set forth the principle of why some understand and some don’t, Jesus now explicitly interprets the content of the parable. In verses 11–14, He describes three types of hearers whose responses fail to produce salvation or maturity. These are warnings for us – spiritual pitfalls to avoid. Let’s examine each one as we move to our second point: the problems of fruitless hearing.

II. The Tragic Failure of Fruitless Hearers (Luke 8:11–14)

Luke 8:11 KJV

11 Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God.

Jesus now moves item by item through the first three soils: the path, the rocky ground, and the thorny ground. In each case, He identifies what happens in the heart to abort the Word’s work.

Before detailing them, He gives the interpretive key in verse 11: “Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God.” This simple statement is crucial. The seed = God’s Word – the message of the Gospel of the Kingdom. By extension, for us, it’s all of Scripture’s truth. Seeds contain life and great potential, but they must take root to unleash it. So it is with the Gospel – it is “the power of God unto salvation” (Rom. 1:16), but it must be received in the heart to germinate new life. With that established, Jesus explains the failures:

A. The Hard Heart – The Word Stolen by Satan (v.12)

Luke 8:12 KJV

12 Those by the way side are they that hear; then cometh the devil, and taketh away the word out of their hearts, lest they should believe and be saved.

“Those by the way side are they that hear; then cometh the devil, and taketh away the word out of their hearts, lest they should believe and be saved.” Here Jesus addresses the seed that fell on the footpath – soil compacted and hard. He says this represents people who do hear the Word (it falls on their ears), but it never penetrates their heart at all. It just lies on the surface. Immediately, like birds swooping down, “the devil”snatches the Word away. Jesus explicitly adds the phrase “lest they should believe and be saved.” Luke alone includes “and be saved” – underscoring that salvation was at stake in their hearing[4]. So this is a serious, tragic scenario: God’s Word that could save them was right there, but the devil made sure it vanished from their consciousness before it could produce faith.

This describes the unresponsive, hardened heart. Think of a well-trodden path – soil pounded firm by many feet. It’s impenetrable. Likewise, a person’s heart can be beaten hard by habitual sin, by pride, by prejudice or cynicism, even by exposure to truth without receptivity. For example, many of Jesus’ Pharisee critics fit this. They heard him teach numerous times. Every time, their hearts were like concrete. The truth never sank in; instead, they often immediately critiqued or dismissed Him (like birds picking seed off a road). Scripture says Satan “hath blinded the minds of them which believe not” (2 Cor. 4:4). Here Jesus gives a vivid picture of that – the devil actively works to prevent the Word from even making a dent. One wonders, how does the devil do this? It could be through distractions (ever had truth go in one ear and out the other because you got distracted during the sermon?), or through doubts and cynical thoughts that whisk away what was said (“Oh, that’s not for you; oh, you’ve heard that before; oh, this is nonsense”). For some, it’s procrastination – the moment conviction comes, Satan whispers, “Deal with it later,” and the person never returns to it.

Notice, Jesus doesn’t blame the seed at all. Nor even the sower. The blame is put on the devil and implicitly on the hardened condition that allowed the devil such easy pickings. The phrase “lest they should believe and be saved” reveals that if only the Word had lingered and sunk in, it had the power to produce belief leading to salvation. But Satan, our enemy, will do anything to stop someone from believing. He cannot snatch the Word out of a receptive heart (once it’s implanted, he can fight it but not simply remove it), but he can easily snatch it from a hard heart – just as birds easily spot and gobble seed off a hard surface.

Illustration:

Think of hardened heart hearers today: perhaps someone sits in church out of tradition but internally crosses their arms – “I won’t be moved by this.”The sermon no sooner finishes than the person’s mind shifts to football scores or work tasks – the message is gone from thought almost instantly. Or consider a secular college student forced to attend a chapel – they hear the gospel, but by lunchtime a professor’s scoffing comment or their own pride has plucked it away. I recall a testimony of a man who said he heard John 3:16 as a child but paid no mind; years later, he couldn’t even recall what it said. Only much later did God break his hardness so the same verse finally lodged and saved him. For years, that precious seed was in the devil’s clutches, not in the man’s heart.

Application:

We must “keep thy heart with all diligence” (Prov. 4:23) – especially, keep it soft! If you detect that hearing God’s Word has become a perfunctory exercise and nothing affects you, beware – that is the path-heart. Often, this hardness comes from resisting conviction repeatedly. Every time we say “no” to God’s voice, we pack the soil a bit tighter. Eventually, new seeds just bounce off. The only cure is to ask God to plow our heart through repentance. Jeremiah 4:3, “Break up your fallow ground, and sow not among thorns,”and Hosea 10:12, “break up your fallow ground: for it is time to seek the Lord,” both speak to this. If your heart has areas of callousness, you need the Holy Spirit’s plow to cut deep – that might mean undergoing some humbling trial, or choosing to humble yourself. On our part, it involves practicing immediate obedience to truth when you hear it (don’t let it sit for Satan to steal). It may involve fasting and prayer, asking God to shatter a stony heart and give a heart of flesh (Ezek. 36:26).

Also, this should fuel our intercession for lost loved ones. If you share the gospel with someone clearly unmoved, know that a cosmic battle is happening – Satan is trying to steal that seed. So pray accordingly: “Lord, soften their heart; rebuke the evil one; don’t let the Word be forgotten but let it find a crack to sink in.” Sometimes, repeatedly sowing can help – a plow goes over ground multiple times. Likewise, lovingly sharing scripture over time might gradually break through. But ultimately God must open the heart (Acts 16:14).

For the church, verse 12 cautions us not to assume everyone hearing the sermon is “getting it.” There is spiritual warfare in the pews. We should surround the preaching of the Word with prayer, praying against distractions and demonic interference. Perhaps implementing ways to follow up with hearers (e.g., discussing the sermon in small groups or families) can help keep the seed in hearts longer, not left on the surface. At the individual level: next time you hear a sermon, instead of immediately letting your mind wander afterward, deliberately meditate on it or discuss it at lunch – essentially, guard it from being snatched.

Transition: The first failure was a complete lack of reception – the Word never enters because of hardness and Satan’s snatching. Jesus moves next to a case where there is an initial reception, but it’s shallow and short-lived.

B. The Shallow Heart – Temporary Belief Without Root (v.13)

Luke 8:13 KJV

13 They on the rock are they, which, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no root, which for a while believe, and in time of temptation fall away.

“They on the rock are they, which, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no root, which for a while believe, and in time of temptation fall away.” Here Jesus describes the rocky ground. In Palestine, often a thin layer of soil lies atop limestone bedrock. Seed in such places springs up quickly because the warmth of the rock causes rapid germination, but the roots can’t penetrate to find moisture, so the plant withers as soon as the sun scorches. Spiritually, Jesus says this represents people who immediately receive the Word with joy. On the surface, this looks very promising! There is a positive, even emotional response. We might call it a “conversion experience” – they are excited about the message of Jesus. Perhaps they are quick to shout “Amen,” quick to come forward at an invitation or sign up for baptism. Everyone around might think, “Wow, what a joyful new believer!”

However, Jesus reveals a problem invisible at first: “these have no root.” Their faith is only surface-deep. It never truly penetrated the heart or the will. There was no firm conviction, no repentance that cut to the depth of the soul. It was a superficial acceptance – maybe driven by emotion, or by the appeal of blessings, or just group enthusiasm. As a result, Jesus says they “believe for a while.” Note, He does use the word “believe,” but qualifies it: it’s temporary. This is not saving faith, which endures; this is a transient faith – real only in immediate appearance. And sure enough, “in time of temptation [or testing], they fall away.” When following Christ brings difficulty instead of immediate joy – perhaps persecution, ridicule, personal sacrifice, or even internal struggle – this person’s flimsy commitment collapses. “Fall away” here in Greek (aphistēmi) means to withdraw, to desert. They quit the journey. The cost of discipleship, which they hadn’t deeply considered, now becomes clear – and they walk off. Matthew and Mark add that it happens “when tribulation or persecution arises because of the word, immediately they stumble” (Matt. 13:21, Mark 4:17). Luke generalizes it to “time of temptation/testing,” which could include persecution but also any crisis or challenge to faith. The point is, the sun rises and the plant has no root – it withers. Early enthusiasm doesn’t equal lasting faith.

Illustration:

Sadly, we see this often. Perhaps someone has an emotional response at a revival meeting – they weep, they profess joy in Christ – but six months later, they’re nowhere to be found. Or consider those who responded to Jesus in the Gospels: John 6 records many disciples following Jesus after the feeding of the 5,000, but when He preached hard truth about eating His flesh and blood (meaning fully embracing Him even beyond the miracles), “many of His disciples went back and walked no more with Him”[32]. They were fine when the free bread and excitement were there; when commitment was required, they left. They had no root. Another example: in Acts 8, a man named Simon the sorcerer in Samaria “believed” and was baptized, rejoicing – but shortly after, he tried to buy the power of the Holy Spirit with money. Peter rebuked him strongly, exposing that Simon’s heart was not right and he was still “in the gall of bitterness” (Acts 8:13, 18-23). Simon’s faith appears to have been spurious; he was astonished by miracles (emotional excitement), but he had no root of true repentance. Church history and our experiences abound with similar stories – someone “comes to Christ” with excitement at a youth camp, but by college they’ve abandoned the faith entirely.

Jesus is not describing lost salvation; He’s describing no salvation, evidenced by no perseverance. 1 John 2:19 speaks of those who left the fellowship: “They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us.” True saving faith continues. The rocky-ground hearer is a sober warning especially in an age of shallow evangelism. If someone is told only, “Accept Jesus and you’ll have joy and peace,” they might respond gladly – until trials hit, or their old lifestyle calls. They were never taught to count the cost or lay a foundation.

Application:

For individuals, this warns us: Don’t base your confidence of salvation on a one-time emotional experience. Ask, “Do I have roots?” Has the gospel truth sunk deep into my convictions? Did I just get swept up momentarily, or did I truly surrender to Christ as Lord? When trials have hit my life, have I drawn closer to Christ or considered abandoning ship? Genuine faith, when tested, may bend but it roots deeper – like a tree in wind sending roots further down. Spurious faith snaps off at ground level. If you find that your commitment to Christ wavers drastically with circumstances, examine whether you truly yielded your heart to Him or simply had a superficial encounter. The answer is not to seek another emotional high, but to seek depth: dig into God’s Word purposefully, solidify what you believe and why, and cultivate a personal relationship with Christ that endures hardship. Colossians 2:6-7 says, “As ye have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, rooted and built up in Him, and stablished in the faith.” How can you deepen roots? Through daily prayer and Bible study even when you don’t feel like it, through enduring in obedience in little things, through plugging into a solid church community so your faith is reinforced by doctrine and fellowship. Also, do not be surprised when following Jesus leads to adversity – rather, expect it and let it drive you nearer to Him, not away.

For the church, this calls for discipling new believers properly. We rejoice with those who receive the Word with joy (we should!), but we must also help them lay root. That means teaching them about trials to come (2 Tim. 3:12: “all who live godly will suffer persecution”), encouraging them to anchor in Scripture beyond the initial excitement, and being cautious about giving a brand-new convert too high a pedestal purely based on their enthusiasm. Sometimes churches spotlight someone with a dramatic emotional conversion story, but if that person hasn’t grown root, the spotlight heat can scorch them quickly. Far better to patiently nurture them in the fundamentals of faith. Also, in evangelism, we should present the full message – including repentance and Christ’s lordship – not just the happy parts. Jesus often thinned crowds by telling them the cost (Luke 14:27-33). Superficial “converts” actually do harm, both to themselves and the church’s witness when they fall away publicly. We can’t prevent all rocky-ground responses (Jesus, the perfect preacher, had them!), but we should aim to evangelize and instruct in such a way as to encourage true conversion and discourage mere emotionalism.

Transition: So we’ve seen the hard heart (no reception) and the shallow heart (brief reception without root). Jesus now gives the third failing soil, one that perhaps is most relevant to long-term churchgoers:

C. The Divided Heart – Word Choked by Worldly Cares (v.14)

Luke 8:14 KJV

14 And that which fell among thorns are they, which, when they have heard, go forth, and are choked with cares and riches and pleasures of this life, and bring no fruit to perfection.

“And that which fell among thorns are they, which, when they have heard, go forth, and are choked with cares and riches and pleasures of this life, and bring no fruit to perfection.” Here we have a hearer who makes more progress than the rocky soil. The seed actually sprouts and grows among thorn bushes. There is some longevity – perhaps this person stays in church for a good while, appears to be a growing Christian. But all the while, “thorns”are growing up alongside the plant. Eventually, those thorny weeds smother the good plant, strangling it. Jesus says this represents someone who hears the Word and initially receives it, but as life goes on (“go forth” implies they proceed in life after hearing), the Word’s growth in them is gradually suffocated by three things: “the cares, riches, and pleasures of this life.” What vivid descriptors of a divided heart! Unlike the open hostility of the path or the quick apostasy of the rocky ground, this is a case of a professing believer whose spiritual life is slowly stifled by worldly interests.

Let’s break down Jesus’ three killers:

- Cares of this life: The word “cares” means anxieties or worries (merimnai in Greek). These are the legitimate concerns of daily living – health, job, family needs – but in this person’s heart, they loom so large that they crowd out trust and obedience. This is the chronically worried soul, always fretting about earthly problems. Instead of casting cares on the Lord (1 Peter 5:7), they obsess over them, leaving little room for meditating on and acting on God’s Word. Their mind is always on the temporal – bills, schedules, etc. – so the eternal truths never fully bloom in them.

- Riches: The deceitfulness of wealth (as Matthew calls it) is a thorn that often wraps around a heart. This isn’t about how much money one has, but about being preoccupied with money – pursuing wealth, or if one has it, clinging to it. A person can attend church and say they follow Christ, but deep down, ambition for wealth dominates their choices. They end up serving two masters, which Jesus said is impossible (Matt. 6:24). Love of money chokes love of God. We see this in the rich young ruler – he wanted eternal life, but he wanted his riches more, so the seed of Jesus’ word to him was choked and he walked away sorrowful. 1 Timothy 6:9 warns that “they that will be [desire to be] rich fall into temptation and a snare…which drown men in destruction.” That’s a choking image – drowned by desire for wealth.

- Pleasures of life: The word for pleasures (hēdonē, root of hedonism) implies sensual and material pleasures – the enjoyments and entertainments this world offers. These are not all evil in themselves (God gives us things to enjoy in their place), but the picture here is of someone devoted to pleasure-seeking. Perhaps they initially liked the idea of salvation, but over time, “having loved this present world,” they drift toward gratifying their desires more than pleasing God. Paul said of certain folks, “their god is their belly” (Phil. 3:19) – meaning their appetites rule them. A modern example: someone may profess Christ, but slowly, the allure of partying, or sexual indulgence, or endless entertainment, takes priority over spiritual growth. Weekend after weekend, they choose recreation over fellowship, slowly strangling their once-profession of faith.

All three – worries, wealth, and wants – can choke spiritual life. The phrase “choked… and bring no fruit to perfection” is key. “To perfection” means to maturity or completion. There may have been some early signs of fruit (perhaps moral improvement or initial ministry), but none of it ever ripened. Picture a tomato plant that grows leaves and flowers, even tiny green fruits, but they never get red and ripe because weeds are taking all the nutrients and light. This person’s visible association with Christianity might persist for years, but the ultimate evidence (fruit of holiness, consistent obedience, impact for God’s kingdom) is absent. Eventually, often the “plant” of profession itself withers – the person might abandon church or faith altogether when the world fully chokes it out. Or they continue a hollow religious shell but without any vitality or testimony (which in the end is still no fruit).

Illustration:

Demas, mentioned earlier (2 Tim. 4:10), is a biblical example: once a fellow worker of Paul, later he deserted Paul “having loved this present world.” The thorns of the world choked him. Another sober example is Judas Iscariot – he followed Jesus for years, but he had a secret love for money (remember, he kept the money bag and stole from it). In the end, for 30 pieces of silver, he betrayed Jesus. The Word he heard from Christ never bore saving fruit in him, for it was choked by his greed. On a more ordinary level, we probably know people who started out in the faith seemingly well, but over time their career became their real focus, or comfort and recreation became their gods. Slowly they stopped serving, stopped growing, and eventually disappeared from Christian fellowship – lured away by the thorns of life’s busy cares or shiny pleasures. Sometimes they don’t “disappear” physically; they might still attend church sporadically, but they’re spiritually stagnant, having “flatlined” due to a heart divided.

Application:

For each of us, verse 14 is like an alarm: beware the slow fade. Unlike the first two soils which fail relatively quickly, the thorny soil can represent a long-term spiritual negligence. You may not renounce Christ; you simply neglect Him for other things, and one day realize your soul is barren. We must ruthlessly identify and “weed out” the thorns in our life. Ask: What competes with Christ’s Word for first place in my heart? Is it worries? Then I must deliberately trust God’s promises and refuse to let anxiety dominate (perhaps by prayer and seeking counsel for my stresses). Is it the pursuit of wealth? Then I may need to make radical choices to put God’s Kingdom first – perhaps scaling back work hours or career goals that are choking my spiritual life, learning contentment and generosity to break money’s grip. Is it pleasures? Then maybe I need to fast from certain entertainment or habits that constantly distract me from God, and re-dedicate that time to pursuing Christ. Jesus said in Luke 9:62, “No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.” Thorns cause us to constantly look away from the plow of discipleship, making us unfit and unfruitful[51][52]. We can’t plow a straight line for God’s Kingdom while looking sideways at the world.

For many Christians, the thorn danger is the greatest, especially in a prosperous society. We may not outright deny Christ or fall away under persecution, but we might drown in distraction. We must take Jesus’ warning seriously: “the cares of this world, the deceitfulness of riches, and lusts of other things entering in, choke the word” (as Mark puts it). One practical guard is to live a simplified, God-centered life. Simplicity doesn’t mean no responsibility; it means ordering our lives such that God’s priorities come first each day. It might mean cutting out some activities if our schedule leaves zero time for prayer or Bible meditation. It might mean limiting screen time or hobbies to ensure we seek our joy in God. And it definitely means daily submitting our desires and worries to Christ, saying “Your will be done.” Regular self-examination is needed: are my decisions driven more by economic advantage and comfort, or by Christ’s call and eternal values? If the former, thorns are encircling me. I must yank them by the roots, even if it hurts.

In a church context, we should teach believers about these dangers. Perhaps incorporate testimonies of those who overcame such temptations by God’s grace. We also must avoid preaching a health-wealth gospel or a cultural Christianity that baptizes the pursuit of riches and pleasures as if they’re God’s ultimate aim for us. No, holiness and fruitfulness are His aim – and often, prosperity and ease can be enemies to that. Encourage a culture of simplicity, service, and eternal perspective in the congregation. Celebrate those who sacrifice worldly gain for Kingdom work, to set an example that it’s worth it. If we see a brother getting choked – say, drifting because of career or other interests – we should lovingly warn and exhort them back to seeking first the Kingdom.

Summation of Point II: All three fruitless hearers – hard, shallow, and thorny – end in the same sad result: no salvation and no fruit. Whether by outright rejection, by initial enthusiasm with no endurance, or by gradual suffocation, the outcome is that God’s Word does not produce the saving, transforming effect it was meant to. Let that cause godly fear in us. 2 Cor. 13:5 urges, “Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith.” Which soil pattern do you see in your life story? If it’s one of the failing ones, do not delay in coming to Christ in sincere repentance. The good news is, as long as we live, the Gardener can still pull weeds, break ground, and cultivate our heart to become good soil. The disciples themselves may have seen a bit of themselves in each failing soil at times, yet by clinging to Jesus, they were changed into fruitful apostles. There is hope if we heed Christ’s words.

Transition to Point III: We’ve seen the negative examples. Now Jesus turns to the positive. In verse 15, He describes the good ground hearers – the only ones who fulfill the purpose of the seed. This is the response we must strive for and, by God’s grace, maintain. So let’s examine our final point: the marks of a fruitful heart.

III. The Fruitful Heart – Holding Fast and Bearing Fruit (Luke 8:15)

Luke 8:15 KJV

15 But that on the good ground are they, which in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience.

Jesus concludes: “But that on the good ground are they, which in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience.” What a refreshing contrast! After the disappointments of the first three soils, Jesus presents the ideal hearer. Let’s note each characteristic He gives:

A. A Receptive Heart Character (v.15a)

Jesus describes the soil as an “honest and good heart.” The Greek words here (kalos kai agathos) imply a heart that is sincere, well-disposed, and virtuous. This doesn’t mean sinlessly perfect – rather, it’s a heart that is free of deceit and fully open to God. In context, it is the opposite of the hard heart (it’s soft), the opposite of the shallow heart (it’s deep, truly good, not superficial), and the opposite of the thorny heart (it’s pure, not divided by love for other things). We might say it’s a preparedheart – prepared by repentance and humility to receive the Word. Luke already in 8:8 said this heart had been tilled by Jesus’ call, “He that has ears, let him hear.” They responded to that – they wanted to hear truly.

To use farming analogy: before a farmer sows, he plows and clears the field. So an honest, good heart is one that has been plowed by conviction of sin, cleared of willful resistance. It’s “honest” in that it acknowledges truth about self and God (no hypocrisy or pride), and “good” in that it genuinely wants what God wants (not perfect, but inclined toward righteousness by the Spirit’s work). We shouldn’t think anyone naturally has a good heart (Romans 3: None is good on their own). This heart condition itself is the result of God’s grace working through things like the law’s conviction and life’s humbling. Yet from the human side, this person is cooperating with that grace – not resisting, but welcoming God’s dealings. When such a person hears the Word, they don’t harden, they don’t make a shallow half-commitment, and they don’t try to serve two masters. They wholeheartedly receive God’s Word.

B. Active Retention of the Word (v.15b)

Next, Jesus says, “having heard the word, keep it.” The verb “keep” (katechousin) means to hold fast, to cling to, to retain. This is huge. Rather than letting the Word slip away or be snatched, they seize it and treasure it. Picture them like Mary, Jesus’ mother, who “kept all these sayings in her heart” (Luke 2:51). A good-soil hearer doesn’t walk out of church and forget what was preached. No – they mull it over, apply it, memorize it if possible. They guard it like a precious seed nestled in soil, watering it with prayer and obedience so it can germinate. When temptations or trials come, they don’t let go of the Word. They echo Peter’s statement in John 6:68, “Lord, to whom shall we go? Thou hast the words of eternal life.”They hold onto that word through the trial.

Contrast this with the prior soils: the rocky had no root (didn’t hold the word beyond initial sprout) and the thorny couldn’t fully hold it because other things crowded it. But the good heart fully embraces and retains the Word. A practical sign of this is a life of obedience. Jesus said in Luke 11:28, “Blessed are they that hear the word of God, and keep it.” Same term – meaning obey it, guard it by doing it. So these are hearers-turned-doers (James 1:22). It’s not that they never slip, but the trajectory is that they aim to live out what they’ve learned. They keep (hold fast) both in memory and in practice the truths God gives. One might imagine them journal-ling insights, praying Scripture, discussing it with others to reinforce it. They deeply integrate God’s Word into their worldview and daily decisions.

C. Steadfast Perseverance and Yield (v.15c)

Lastly, “and bring forth fruit with patience.” Here is the outcome: fruit, i.e., tangible evidence of spiritual life. This includes the fruit of the Spirit (Gal.5:22-23 – love, joy, peace, etc.), the fruit of good works (Col.1:10), praise to God (Heb.13:15 calls that fruit of lips), and reproduction – influencing others for Christ (like a plant producing seeds for new plants). A truly saved person will, over time, manifest a growing Christlikeness and impact. But note, it is “with patience.” Hypomonē (patience) means endurance. Unlike the flash-in-the-pan rocky hearer, this one endures season after season. Sometimes fruit takes time to appear. The patient believer keeps cultivating, keeps absorbing the Word, keeps obeying through dry spells and hard times. Over years, a harvest comes – thirty, sixty, a hundredfold (Matthew’s fuller description of varying fruitfulness among good soils). The word “patience” hints that fruit-bearing is not instantaneous or automatic; it requires steadfast faith through all conditions. They persist until full maturity (the opposite of “bring no fruit to perfection” – they do bring fruit to maturity).

Think of biblical examples: the apostles (except Judas) were good soil. It took time – they had to learn, endure persecutions – but eventually, they bore enormous fruit (spreading the Gospel worldwide, writing Scripture, exemplifying Christ). Or someone like Mary Magdalene – once possessed by demons, then freed by Jesus, she clung to His words, stayed through the crucifixion, was first at the tomb – and to this day her testimony bears fruit. Historically, many great saints started small but by perseverance in truth produced huge Kingdom impact. Even beyond “great” works, every true Christian life will have the fruit of holiness – a transformed character – and the fruit of service in whatever capacity God grants. Importantly, it’s God who ultimately produces the fruit (the seed has life and the soil simply cooperates); our part is to hold the seed and patiently yield to God’s process.

Illustration:

A clear biblical contrast is between Judas and the other disciples. Judas heard all the same words, but didn’t keep them – his heart was divided and ultimately faithless. The others stumbled at times but kept returning to Jesus’ teaching (e.g., Peter said “to whom shall we go?”). They endured persecution after Jesus’ ascension, holding fast to His Word under threat. In time, the fruit is evident: the Christian church itself is largely fruit from the seed Jesus planted in the apostles’ good hearts. Another illustration: consider two church members who both encounter a personal tragedy. One’s response is to abandon devotion – “God’s word didn’t spare me this, I’m done.” That was shallow soil perhaps. The other, though hurting, clings to God’s promises more than ever and through the trial develops stronger faith, greater compassion, more Christlike character (fruit). That second person exemplified hypomonē– patiently bearing the heat, resulting in sweeter fruit. Like grapes that require hot sun to become sweet, so enduring trials can produce richer character fruit in patient believers. Good soil isn’t good because it never faces bad weather; it’s good because it continues to let the seed do its work through the weather.

Application:

How can we apply verse 15 personally? First, aim to be that good soil every time you engage Scripture. This means cultivating honesty and goodness in your heart: repent of any sin (so your heart stays soft), approach God’s Word sincerely (not to twist it to your desires but to truly hear it). Next, practice retention. Develop habits like note-taking in sermons, daily reviewing of what you read in devotions, Scripture memorization, or sharing one thing you learned with a friend. These practices help “lock in” the seed. Also, immediately obey what you do understand – obedience cements truth in the life. Then, commit to perseverance: don’t expect overnight transformation or get discouraged if growth is slow. Continue in the spiritual disciplines “with patience.” Many give up too soon. Good fruit in agriculture may take an entire season or many seasons – apple trees, for example, often bear fruit only after years of growth. So in your spiritual life: keep praying, keep worshiping, keep serving, even when you don’t see dramatic results this week. Trust the inherent power of God’s Word – if it’s firmly planted, fruit will come in time. Hebrews 10:36 reminds us, “For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise.” Don’t dig up the seed in doubt; water it in faith and wait.

For the church corporately, verse 15 should shape our discipleship goals. We’re not just aiming for professions of faith, but for fruitful, enduring disciples. That means teaching full counsel (producing “honest and good hearts”), encouraging Scripture engagement and memorization (holding fast the Word), and creating a culture that prizes faithfulness and growth over the long haul more than flash and excitement. We celebrate baptisms, yes, but we should celebrate 5-year, 10-year, 50-year anniversaries of walking with Christ even more. One practical: incorporate testimonies of older saints who have kept the faith – show younger believers examples of fruit “with patience.” And for those in trials, surround them with support so they can endure and still bear fruit – remember, good soil still needs tending (we support one another in community). The church should also regularly prune away influences that threaten fruitfulness (as Jesus prunes vines in John 15 for more fruit). That could mean addressing worldliness creeping in, or admonishing idolatries, to keep the soil of the congregation collectively receptive.

Ultimately, the good soil description should be our prayer: “Lord, make my heart honest and good before You. Help me to truly receive and hold onto Your Word. And grant me endurance to bear fruit that glorifies You.” This prayer aligns with Jesus’ promise in John 15:8, “Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be My disciples.” God is glorified by our fruit, and we prove to be Jesus’ disciples by it – which circles back to our assurance of salvation as well. We don’t earn salvation by bearing fruit, but our fruit verifies that we have the real seed of life within. So pursuing fruitfulness (via abiding in the Word and Christ) is in itself a pursuit of assurance and of God’s glory.

Transition to Conclusion: Jesus has thus interpreted every part of His parable. He’s given us a mirror to examine our response to His Word. It’s decision time: will we heed His call “He that hath ears to hear, let him hear” by being good hearers? As we conclude, we will recap the core lessons, relate them to the Gospel itself, and issue a challenge for response.

Conclusion:

Recap of Main Points: The Parable of the Sower, through Jesus’ explanation, yields a clear central lesson: The impact of God’s Word in our lives depends on the condition of our heart and our response. We saw four types of hearers. The hard heart completely rejects or ignores the Word – Satan snatches the truth away, resulting in unbelief and lost opportunity. The shallow heart initially responds with enthusiastic “faith,” but it is superficial – lacking repentance and depth. As soon as following Christ brings difficulty, this person falls away, proving that initial response was not saving or lasting. The divided heart tries to have the Word grow while simultaneously nurturing worldly cares, greed, and lusts – eventually, those worldly interests choke out any spiritual growth, leaving the person barren and unfit for God’s Kingdom. These first three describe many tragic spiritual failures – different causes, same result: no fruit, no salvation. But praise God, Jesus then described the fruitful heart: one that honestly and wholeheartedly embraces God’s Word, holds onto it through trials, and over time yields an abundant harvest of genuine spiritual fruit. This alone is the profile of a true disciple of Christ. Jesus’ interpretation thus both warns us (don’t be the first three!) and invites us (be the good soil!). It teaches that merely hearing the Gospel is not enough – one must truly receive it in a repentant, believing heart and continue in it. As someone put it: “The only proof of hearing the Word rightly is the fruit it bears in one’s life.”[53]Jesus essentially said the same: “By their fruits ye shall know them.” A tree is known by its fruit; a heart is known by its response to the Word.

Gospel Connection: At its core, this passage is about our response to the Gospel itself. “The seed is the Word of God.” And what is the primary message of God’s Word? The Gospel of Jesus Christ – that we are sinners in need of salvation, and that Jesus the Son of God died for our sins and rose again, and that by repentance and faith in Him we are saved. This message is being sown into your hearing even now. The question is: what soil does it find in you? Perhaps you recognize aspects of the hard, shallow, or thorny heart in your life up to now. Maybe you’ve been indifferent to Christ – or impulsively said you believe but never truly turned from sin – or you’ve tried to have both Jesus and your love of the world. Those ways lead to eternal loss. Jesus spoke these warnings in love, so that those false responses would be exposed and we’d choose the way of true life. The good news is, no matter how trampled or tangled your heart has been, Jesus the Savior can plow it and cleanse it right now. He can break up the hardness by His grace – indeed, the fact you’re hearing and understanding today indicates He is working on you. Hebrews 4:7 pleads, “To-day if ye will hear His voice, harden not your hearts.” Don’t harden up like the path; rather, yield to Christ. Ask Him for forgiveness and a new heart. The Gospel seed, once truly received, will do the miracle: it will spring up into eternal life within you (Jesus said in John 5:24 that whoever hears His word and believes passes from death to life). But you must respond with sincere, repentant faith. That means deliberately turning away from the sins or idols that have choked or prevented the Word before, and turning in total trust to Jesus as Lord and Treasure. It’s a wholehearted surrender: “Lord, I want Your Word and Your will above all.”That is “honest and good heart” speaking – no pretense, no half-measures.

Perhaps you are convicted that you’ve never done that – or you did in emotion long ago but have since realized you never truly counted the cost or let Christ reign in you. Today is the day of salvation. The Sower (Jesus) is generous – He’s giving you yet another opportunity to be good soil for His Word. Don’t be the wayside that lets the devil steal this moment; don’t be the rocky ground that makes a shallow nod; don’t be the thorny ground that says “maybe later, I have other cares.” Today, receive Christ fully. Believe that He died for you and rose again, and let that truth sink in and uproot whatever else is ruling your life. The promise of the Gospel is sure: “Whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.” Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved – saved and set on the path to a fruitful life that glorifies God and ends in eternal life.

Final Appeal/Application: For those of us who have received the Word already – brothers and sisters, this message calls us to examine our fruit. Is our Christian life bearing the marks of perseverance and productivity for God? If so, all glory to God – keep abiding in His Word with humility, and expect even more fruit as He prunes and grows you. But if upon honest reflection you see little to no fruit, or a withering of former fruit, then take Jesus’ warning to heart. Something is amiss in the soil. It could be that you never truly surrendered to Christ – in which case, don’t let pride keep you from making it sure now. Or it could be that as a true believer, you’ve allowed some thorns to grow that are hindering your fruitfulness. Hebrews 12:1 says, “Let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us.” Weights and sins are like stones and thorns in the soil. Will you identify and surrender those to God today? Some of us need to re-prioritize our lives to put Jesus back at the center – to re-soften what’s hardened, to re-root what’s shallow. The encouraging part is, God wants us to be fruitful and will help us if we consent. Jesus said in John 15:5, “He that abideth in Me and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit; for without Me ye can do nothing.” We’re not asked to manufacture fruit on our own – we’re asked to abide (hold fast to Christ and His Word), and He will produce the fruit through us by His Spirit. So the call for believers is essentially: continue steadfastly in the Word. Don’t drift from daily reliance on it. Keep your heart ground clear via repentance and receptivity. And trust that as you do, your life will glorify God with a harvest in due time.

Homiletical Recap Sentence: Ultimately, the heart that truly hears God’s Word – holding onto it in faith and obedience – will, by God’s power, patiently produce a harvest that no devil, drought, or thorn can destroy.[54][55]That is Jesus’ assurance to every disciple who guards the Word in a good heart. What a motivation to be that kind of hearer daily!

Invitation: Now we come to a moment of response – an opportunity to act on what we’ve heard, lest we become forgetful hearers. I urge each of you: examine your heart’s soil before God. Perhaps as we’ve preached, God’s Spirit has shown you exactly where you stand. If you find yourself distant from God – maybe realizing you’ve never truly been saved – today you can change that. “He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.” If God has opened your ears, don’t turn away. Jesus Christ, the Sower, is also the Seed (He is the living Word) and also the Savior. He gave His life on the cross to break up the fallow ground of human hearts and to plant a new life within us. He rose from the dead with power to make you a new creation. Will you receive Him genuinely right now? If you sense your heart saying, “Yes, I need Jesus, I want to follow Him for real,”that is the Holy Spirit drawing you. Come to Christ – He will not cast you out. Pray to Him even now: “Lord Jesus, I admit my heart has been wrong – sinful, distracted, shallow – I repent and I ask You to forgive me. I believe You died and rose for me. Plow my heart, plant Your Word in me – I surrender to You as Lord and Savior. Make me good soil and help me follow You all my days.” Cry out to Him with that honest and good heart. He promises to save.

For the believer, the invitation is to renewed fruitfulness. Perhaps God pinpointed a thorn or a habit of not holding fast His Word. This altar (or your seat) is a place to lay that down. Maybe you need to say, “Lord, remove these weeds of worry (or greed, or lust) – I yield them. Restore my focus on You.” Or “Lord, deepen my roots – I commit to abide in Your Word more intentionally and not live on spiritual emotion.” If you’ve grown weary or discouraged in well-doing, hear Jesus encourage you: “With patience” the fruit will come – don’t give up. Ask Him for strength to persevere. Whatever spiritual adjustment is needed, God stands ready to help when we humbly ask.

In a moment we’ll sing. As we do, I invite you to respond outwardly if God so leads – you can come forward for prayer or counseling. Sometimes taking a physical step solidifies a decision. If you’ve trusted Christ for the first time today or need to make that public, come – we’d love to rejoice with you. If you as a believer want to kneel and seek the Lord for a renewed heart, you’re welcome here as well. Don’t worry about others – this is your interaction with God. Do as He prompts.

Remember, not responding is itself a response. To ignore God’s Word is to allow the birds to devour it or the thorns to choke it. So let’s not leave here unchanged. Let’s all say in our hearts: “Lord, by Your grace, I will hold fast Your Word. Make me good soil for Your glory.” The Lord is listening for that prayer and ready to answer.

Jesus has sown the seed of truth into your hearing. He that hath ears to hear, let him hear! Will you heed His voice today and bring forth fruit unto eternal life? The choice is before you. By God’s grace, choose the good part – the fruitful heart. Amen.

[The congregation is invited to respond in song and prayer.]

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