College & Career Session 1: Parable of the Seed

Objective/Goal:

Our future is contingent on many things, like our choices, and what we believe. What we believe will affect and influence our choices. This is where faith comes in. Where we put our faith, will change and affect how we make our decisions, which will affect our actions and completely alter the outcomes of our lives.

Therefore, what we believe about God, and our relationship to Him is going to affect the choices and actions of our lives.

According to Jesus, there are only four outcomes that will come from the totality of our lives.

Main Passages: , .

Introduction:

Who here is excited for the future?

I hope you are… it is exciting to think about.

Have you thought about the future?

It is something we need to take into consideration.

I ask you this, because we are the future.

Not just a future.

But the future.

Not just the future of something.

But the future of God’s Kingdom.

Have you ever thought of that?

I have, and the more I walk with the Lord, the more I realize that I need to consider some things.

We are the future of the church, the Kingdom of God.

We have been invested in, raised up, and now it is time for us to start taking the baton.

We need to take that place and start fitting the mold that many ancients have done.

We need to start so we can pass the baton to the next up and coming generation.

This is God’s will.

We are a generation of firsts and many temptations no one before us have faced.

We our the product of mass produced, mass marketed sin, flesh, and worldly desires.

Every generation before has been tempted with the same things, but not to the extent that we have with things like:

T.V., movies, the internet, radio, music, etc.

Now we have to live with a different mentality and world-view than ever before.

The problem is that many of us in our generation have fallen.

We have compromised too much of our understanding.

We have been okay with mixing the things of God with the wicked world.

These things are going to get in the way of where the Lord wants us and our place in the timeline.

We are seeing a great apostasy(falling away of the faith) in our generation.

This is I have considered, and feel the Lord has led me to speak in this tone and heart this weekend.

if I could give this weekend a theme, I would call it:

“God’s mold for the next generation.”

The idea of mold, is that it was pre-formed by a will for something to take the shape of.

This is how I think of my/this generation’s place in the kingdom, and His will.

Before, we enter the mold, we need to clarify some things that will help us take shape.

This passage that we are going to go over, is going to tell you one of your possible futures.

Wouldn't you like to know the outcome of your life?

Luke 8:4–8 NKJV

4 And when a great multitude had gathered, and they had come to Him from every city, He spoke by a parable: 5 “A sower went out to sow his seed. And as he sowed, some fell by the wayside; and it was trampled down, and the birds of the air devoured it. 6 Some fell on rock; and as soon as it sprang up, it withered away because it lacked moisture. 7 And some fell among thorns, and the thorns sprang up with it and choked it. 8 But others fell on good ground, sprang up, and yielded a crop a hundredfold.” When He had said these things He cried, “He who has ears to hear, let him hear!”

The word “parable” comes from two Greek words (para and ballō), which together mean “to throw alongside.”

A parable, like an illustration, makes a comparison between a known truth and an unknown truth; it throws them alongside each other.

It was a story, typically with illustrations, to go along side and help teach a major point.

Barbieri, L. A., Jr. (1985). Matthew. In J. F. Walvoord & R. B. Zuck (Eds.), The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures (Vol. 2, pp. 48–49). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.

Jesus mentions a man sowing seed, a farmer.

He mentions seed.

He mentions four kinds of ground the seed fell.

The wayside.

The rocky ground.

The thorny ground.

The good ground.

Each of these seeds has a different effect on the ground it hits.

Jesus ends with: he who has ears to hear, let him hear.

The question, is do you have ears to hear tonight?

What does this mean.

It is kind of random, Jesus just says this random story to this multitude of people who are following Him.

He doesn’t elaborate, or anything.

we should wonder why He does this.

He who has ears to hear..

The Bible Knowledge Commentary 8:5–8

Jesus ended His parable by calling out, He who has ears to hear, let him hear. The term called out denotes that Jesus was making the major point of His short discourse. Jesus used “He who has ears to hear, let him hear” on several occasions when telling parables (Matt. 11:15; 13:9, 43; Mark 4:9, 23; Luke 8:8; 14:35). The expression describes the fact that spiritual people can discern the intended spiritual meaning of a parable. The implication is that unspiritual people would understand no more than the parable’s surface meaning.

The

Luke 8:9–10 NKJV

9 Then His disciples asked Him, saying, “What does this parable mean?” 10 And He said, “To you it has been given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God, but to the rest it is given in parables, that ‘Seeing they may not see, And hearing they may not understand.’

The Bible Knowledge Commentary 13:10–17 (Mark 4:10–12; Luke 8:9–10)

The disciples immediately noticed a change in Jesus’ method of teaching. They came and asked Him directly why He was speaking in parables. The Lord gave three reasons. First, He was communicating through parables in order to continue to reveal truth to His disciples (Matt. 13:11–12a). The Lord said He was making known to them the secrets of the kingdom of heaven. The word “secrets” is translated “mysteries” in other Bible versions and in most of its other NIV occurrences. This term in the New Testament referred to truths not revealed in the Old Testament but which now were made known to those instructed.

luke 8:9-

The disciples immediately noticed a change in Jesus’ method of teaching.

The disciples immediately noticed a change in Jesus’ method of teaching.

This is

They came and asked Him directly why He was speaking in parables.

The Bible Knowledge Commentary 8:9–10

Jesus’ disciples had asked Him what the parable meant. But before He told them its meaning, He explained why He used the parabolic form of teaching. People who were spiritually discerning, that is, were following Him and acknowledging His message as true (such as those in 7:36–8:3) would have the knowledge of the secrets of the kingdom of God. But others who were not responding to Jesus’ message of the kingdom would not understand the parable (cf. 1 Cor. 2:14). In support of this Jesus quoted Isaiah 6:9—the people heard what He said but did not understand it. Jesus’ speaking in parables was actually an act of grace to those listening to Him. If they refused to acknowledge Him as Messiah, their judgment would be less severe than if they had understood more

Jesus’ disciples had asked Him what the parable meant. But before He told them its meaning, He explained why He used the parabolic form of teaching. People who were spiritually discerning, that is, were following Him and acknowledging His message as true (such as those in 7:36–8:3) would have the knowledge of the secrets of the kingdom of God. But others who were not responding to Jesus’ message of the kingdom would not understand the parable (cf. ). In support of this Jesus quoted —the people heard what He said but did not understand it. Jesus’ speaking in parables was actually an act of grace to those listening to Him. If they refused to acknowledge Him as Messiah, their judgment would be less severe than if they had understood more

There are many reasons that He was.

Those reasons aren’t as important right now.

All that matters is that they stuck around to hear the meaning.

One is that He knew

The Bible Knowledge Commentary 13:10–17 (Mark 4:10–12; Luke 8:9–10)

Second, Jesus spoke in parables to hide the truth from unbelievers. The secrets of the kingdom would be given to the disciples, but would be hidden from the religious leaders who rejected Him (13:11b, but not to them). In fact, even what they had previously known would no longer be clear to them (v. 12). Jesus’ parabolic instruction thus carried with it a judgmental aspect. By using parables in public, Jesus could preach to as many individuals as before, but He could then draw the disciples aside and explain to them fully the meaning of His words.

The Lord said He was making known to them the secrets of the kingdom of heaven.

he Lord said He was making known to them the secrets of the kingdom of heaven. The word “secrets” is translated “mysteries” in other Bible versions and in most of its other NIV occurrences. This term in the New Testament referred to truths not revealed in the Old Testament but which now were made known to those instructed.

The word of God was something they needed to dig into.

The Bible Knowledge Commentary 13:10–17 (Mark 4:10–12; Luke 8:9–10)

Third, He spoke in parables in order to fulfill Isaiah 6:9–10. As Isaiah began his ministry, God told him that people would not comprehend his message. Jesus experienced the same kind of response. He preached the Word of God and many people saw but they did not truly perceive; they heard but did not … understand (Matt. 13:13–15).

By contrast, the disciples were blessed because they were privileged to see (understand) and hear these truths (v. 16), truths that people in Old Testament times longed to know (v. 17; cf. 1 Peter 1:10–11). Jesus’ disciples heard the same truths as the national leaders, but their response was entirely different. The disciples saw and believed; the leaders saw and rejected. Since the leaders turned from the light they had been given, God gave them no additional light.

The word “secrets” is translated “mysteries” in other Bible versions and in most of its other NIV occurrences.

I hope that is always our

I hope that is always our attitude when we go to church, or hear a sermon.

We take notes, want to learn more and dig deep.

This term in the New Testament referred to truths not revealed in the Old Testament but which now were made known to those instructed.

Because then we are like His disciples.

Meaning of the Parable:

luke 8:11

The Bible Knowledge Commentary 13:18–23 (Mark 4:13–20; Luke 8:11–15)

The difference in these results was not in the seed but in the soil on which the seed fell. As the gospel of the kingdom was presented, the good news was the same. The difference was in the individuals who heard that Word. The Lord was not saying that an exact 25 percent of those who heard the message would believe. But He was saying that a majority would not respond positively to the good news. In this parable Jesus demonstrated why the Pharisees and religious leaders rejected His message. They were not “prepared soil” for the Word. The “mystery” concerning the kingdom Jesus presented here was the truth that the good news was rejected by the majority. This had not been revealed in the Old Testament.

What is the seed?

Luke 8:11 NKJV

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

The seed is the word of God.

The sower is Jesus(God) and He is sending it forth.

He is constantly sowing His word(seed) to the hearts of people around the world.

Whether we know it or not.

This is the work of the Holy Spirit.

The seed falls on 4 different kinds of ground:

The seed falls on 4 different kinds of ground:

The difference in these results was not in the seed but in the soil on which the seed fell.

As the gospel of the kingdom was presented, the good news was the same.

The difference in these results was not in the seed but in the soil on which the seed fell. As the gospel of the kingdom was presented, the good news was the same. The difference was in the individuals who heard that Word. The Lord was not saying that an exact 25 percent of those who heard the message would believe. But He was saying that a majority would not respond positively to the good news. In this parable Jesus demonstrated why the Pharisees and religious leaders rejected His message. They were not “prepared soil” for the Word. The “mystery” concerning the kingdom Jesus presented here was the truth that the good news was rejected by the majority. This had not been revealed in the Old Testament.

The difference was in the individuals who heard that Word.

The Lord was not saying that an exact 25 percent of those who heard the message would believe.

But He was saying that a majority would not respond positively to the good news. In this parable Jesus demonstrated why the Pharisees and religious leaders rejected His message. They were not “prepared soil” for the Word. The “mystery” concerning the kingdom Jesus presented here was the truth that the good news was rejected by the majority. This had not been revealed in the Old Testament.

What is the Wayside?

Luke 8:12 NKJV

12 Those by the wayside are the ones who hear; then the devil comes and takes away the word out of their hearts, lest they should believe and be saved.

luke 8:

These are the people who will never receive the word.

It is sad, but there are just some people who are completely closed off to the love of God.

They have hard hearts and are so given over to their flesh, that Satan is able to pluck the word right out.

I don’t want to focus on this soil.

I believe none of us here are in this category, because we are all hear following the Lord.

maybe you are though.

Then I think you need to come speak with me after.

The question ofte comes up: Cab I change the soil of my heart?

We will talk about that soon.

What is the rocky ground?

Luke 8:13 NKJV

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

Lets compare this to

Matthew 13:20–21 NKJV

20 But he who received the seed on stony places, this is he who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy; 21 yet he has no root in himself, but endures only for a while. For when tribulation or persecution arises because of the word, immediately he stumbles.

The people that hear the word of God(gospel) and when fall away because they are persecuted for the word’s sake.

This is major.

I believe that this is a majority of us as young adults.

We grow up and start realizing that our culture is not tolerant and accepting of Jesus.

It is not popular to follow Him.

This leads to persecution and opposition.

We often grow up in the church and then go of to college where they will have a hay-day with Christians, who do not know how to defend their faith.

They though they believed, but they never truly put their trust in Jesus.

They were in love with the idea of following Christ, but not the reality of Him.

God is easy to follow, but following Him isn’t easy.

How many of us are so rooted in Him, that when trials and tribulations come, we persevere?

I believe that this ground describes most of our age group.

I believe that this ground describes most of our age group.

I understand that there are exceptions.

But the temptation mention in Luke is temptation to leave the faith, because things go tough.

The question is: Is this you today?

What are the thorns?

Luke 8:14 NKJV

14 Now the ones that fell among thorns are those who, when they have heard, go out and are choked with cares, riches, and pleasures of life, and bring no fruit to maturity.

The cares of the world:

Riches, pleasure, cared, etc.

These are the the things that the world is telling us that we absolutely need.

This leads to a war when we receive the word.

The World is telling us that we have to have to take care of ourselves first.

That we have to strive to make sure that we have a life of pleasure.

We stress so much about getting the:

Degree,

Having the house,

Finding the relationship with the right person.

We think we will find fulfilment in all of these things.

1. That is the condition of a lot of people’s hearts.

These people fall away, because the cares and allure of this world choke out the life that God wants to produce with us.

What is the good ground?

Luke 8:15 NKJV

15 But the ones that fell on the good ground are those who, having heard the word with a noble and good heart, keep it and bear fruit with patience.

luke 8:

This is where you want to be.

These are the true believers. They are born again.

These are the ones:

That overcome the temptation to leave due to persecution.

Who have pushed aside the distractions of the world.

Application:

In the end, the totality of your life will be one of these four possibilities.

I think that you everyday you get to choose the condition, which is one of these four.

What are you, and what is the power of the word of God in your life?

We have to realize the word of God is precious and our hearts .

Each of these is the totality of your life.

Please consider every

Each of these is the condition of your heart everyday.

The question has come up: Can we change the soil of our hearts?

I think so.

I believe that we can a say in our attitude and priorities, which will we can change everyday.

Jesus says we need to pick up our cross and follow Him daily.

Three of the Four of these soils accepted the word of God with joy...

We always think that it is one or the other.

You believe or do not believe.

But we need to keep on walking with Jesus.

We need to push on and follow Him.

I have seen too many of my “On-Fire” friends leave the faith for due to rocky ground, or thorns and weeds.

I had a friend who became a worship leader, leader in the church, and was on fire.

She was going to get married to another good friend of mine, and they had a fairy tale love story.

The knew each other since they were young.

They got saved around the same time.

They got saved around the same time.

Then she switched jobs and started working in a different place.

She worked with younger people.

They started preaching the cares of the world:

You are really getting married so young?

You are wasting your life a way.

You really believe in that Christianity stuff?

The soil of her heart started changing.

She dumped her fiance’

She started dating one of those other younger co-workers.

She started partying, and drinking, and who knows what else.

This is just one example, of many people I know who had the life, and it was choked out.

2 Peter 2:21–22 NKJV

21 For it would have been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than having known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered to them. 22 But it has happened to them according to the true proverb: “A dog returns to his own vomit,” and, “a sow, having washed, to her wallowing in the mire.”