Parable of the Soils

Jesus gives us an explanation of the parable and points us towards the ultimate goal of bearing much fruit.

To multiply and make disciples.

Luke 8:5–8 ““A farmer went out to plant his seed. As he scattered it across his field, some seed fell on a footpath, where it was stepped on, and the birds ate it. Other seed fell among rocks. It began to grow, but the plant soon wilted and died for lack of moisture. Other seed fell among thorns that grew up with it and choked out the tender plants. Still other seed fell on fertile soil. This seed grew and produced a crop that was a hundred times as much as had been planted!” When he had said this, he called out, “Anyone with ears to hear should listen and understand.””

Help Me Understand (v9)

Luke 8:11–15 ““This is the meaning of the parable: The seed is God’s word. The seeds that fell on the footpath represent those who hear the message, only to have the devil come and take it away from their hearts and prevent them from believing and being saved. The seeds on the rocky soil represent those who hear the message and receive it with joy. But since they don’t have deep roots, they believe for a while, then they fall away when they face temptation. The seeds that fell among the thorns represent those who hear the message, but all too quickly the message is crowded out by the cares and riches and pleasures of this life. And so they never grow into maturity. And the seeds that fell on the good soil represent honest, good-hearted people who hear God’s word, cling to it, and patiently produce a huge harvest.”

3 Components:

Farmer - scattering the seed (whoever shares the Word)

Seed - the Word of God (the seed is good, the gospel is good news)

Soil - the environment where the seed is sown (4 distinct environments that Jesus points us to)

We’re going to discuss the 4 different Spiritual Conditions of those who hear or receive the Word of God. Then we are going to look at a possible role for the Church in this process, and finally the understanding that men can plant seed but ultimately it is only God that makes it grow.

4 Spiritual Conditions

Hardness of heart (the path)

They hear but they don’t come to saving knowledge

The devil takes it away (there is a real spiritual battle taking place for souls)

Ephesians 6:12 “For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.”

Warning - when you hear the Gospel and continue to reject, there is a hardening that takes place.

Shallowness in your walk with God which can lead to a falling away. (rocks)

received with joy “God is great!”, there on fire, then months or years later they can’t be found in the body and have returned in many ways to the life that they lived prior to coming to the knowledge of Christ.

No root

I call these gasoline Christians (they burn bright and powerful for a moment, but the fire is not sustained)

Jesus tells us here in v 13, that your faith will be tested, (Mark says when the time of trouble and persecution comes)

Don’t be surprised when face trials of many kinds.

Scripture is very clear in this fact (Jesus never promised smooth sailing from here on out)

James 1:2–4Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

2 Tim 3:12-In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted,

1 Pet 1:6–7In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.