Checking your soil

Farm life

Most of what I know about farming, and that would be a very short most unhelpful book I’m sure, I know about raising animals. Cows mostly, pig and chickens are tied as a close second and other animals like sheep come further down the list. And bringing up the rear would be Rhea and Ostrich. My uncle John raised these birds when I was a teen, and I helped some. All I really know about ostrich is a kick to the chest will kill you, and they like shinny things and when they peck you on the head it will give you a head ache. I learned this when the material covering the metal button on the top of my ball cap had worn and the ostrich thought it needed to go in for a closer inspection, and steal my hat.

So I do have some knowledge about animal farming but crop farming, my knowledge is pretty limited. Most of what I know would be considered common since or picked up here and there by listning to other people talk. So This morning I would like to share with you a bit of what I know about crop farming.

Facts I know about farming

1. A good crop starts with good soil

2.Good soil doesn’t happen by accident

3. Bad soil can be worked till it’s good

4. Good soil can be neglected till it is bad

So that may not be all I know but that is enough for this mornings discussion. See This morning I want to take a look at the bible passage of the

Parable of the Sower

This of course is not a parable of a seamstress, that is a different kind of sew(er) and would be spelled much differently. No this is a parable about a farmer planting seed.

However normally when we look at this passage we talk about new believers coming to faith and how the parable would seem to imply only 25% of people who receive the word of God will be saved and multiply. I would suggest to you, that percentage is probably even smaller and so when we preach on this passage the take away is usually, just keep spreading seed and don’t get discouraged, because the seed the seed that does grow produces a great harvest.

We preach this because it is true and if you are not familiar with the passage you will see this for yourself when we read it here in a second, but this morning I want to look at this passage in a bit of a different light, because I believe there is something we can take away from this passage for the already believer besides keep sowing seeds.

So without further delay let’s look at

and 18-23

Matthew 13:1–9 NLT

Later that same day Jesus left the house and sat beside the lake. A large crowd soon gathered around him, so he got into a boat. Then he sat there and taught as the people stood on the shore. He told many stories in the form of parables, such as this one: “Listen! A farmer went out to plant some seeds. As he scattered them across his field, some seeds fell on a footpath, and the birds came and ate them. Other seeds fell on shallow soil with underlying rock. The seeds sprouted quickly because the soil was shallow. But the plants soon wilted under the hot sun, and since they didn’t have deep roots, they died. Other seeds fell among thorns that grew up and choked out the tender plants. Still other seeds fell on fertile soil, and they produced a crop that was thirty, sixty, and even a hundred times as much as had been planted! Anyone with ears to hear should listen and understand.”

;

Matthew 13:18–23 NLT

“Now listen to the explanation of the parable about the farmer planting seeds: The seed that fell on the footpath represents those who hear the message about the Kingdom and don’t understand it. Then the evil one comes and snatches away the seed that was planted in their hearts. The seed on the rocky soil represents those who hear the message and immediately receive it with joy. But since they don’t have deep roots, they don’t last long. They fall away as soon as they have problems or are persecuted for believing God’s word. The seed that fell among the thorns represents those who hear God’s word, but all too quickly the message is crowded out by the worries of this life and the lure of wealth, so no fruit is produced. The seed that fell on good soil represents those who truly hear and understand God’s word and produce a harvest of thirty, sixty, or even a hundred times as much as had been planted!”

Now normally at this point I would ask a question and then attempt to answer that question, but this morning I want to try something a bit different. Because this morning the question is the point and the only one who can answer this question is you.

The question is...

How is your soil?

In this passage we read about 4 different types of soil. Each type offers a description of the condition of a person’s receptiveness to truth, that is the word of God.

So this morning we are going to look at these different soils a little closer and each time I want you to ask yourself one question...

How is my soil?

Hardened

Shallow and rocky

Fully of thorns and weeds

Good soil

Ok So Here is what I know I know at one point in your life you were not good receptive soil, but for those who are believers here this morning I also know that God who is the great gardener or farmer if you will, by His grace worked your soil and got it to the place where you would receive the truth. Then He sent a sower your way.

I also know this. Just because your soil was once good and receptive doesn’t necessarily mean it still is. And Here is the thing....

God is still sowing truth into your life. His word is still being proclaimed. Sometimes you you are so hardened by life the word doesn’t even get into your heart before the enemy robs you of it.

Sometimes You are so excited about the truth He is teaching you but it never really takes root in your heart so that excitement and the truth quickly fade away.

Sometimes you hear the truth and try and apply it to your life but worries and temptation choke it out.

But the hope is that your heart would be soft rich and fertile so when God sows truth it takes hold and produces a great harvest in your own life.

How is your soil?

If it is anything other than good you will need the great farmer to cultivate your soil.

Next step

Stand if you need God to work your soil and we will pray.