The Parable of the Sower
Parables from Matthew 13 • Sermon • Submitted
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The Parable of the Sower - Matthew 13:1-23
The Parable of the Sower - Matthew 13:1-23
Read the entire passage -
PRAY
Introduction
- john the baptist - “repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand
here we are in matthew 13 and really, not much has happened yet
things aren’t going the way people thought they would
About 1km northeast of Tabgha is a small bay with exceptional acoustic qualities. Here it is believed Jesus taught the Parable of the Sower () from a boat moored in the bay.
The semicircular bay, at the foot of the Mount of Beatitudes, is one of the most attractive places along the shoreline. It is called Sower’s Cove or the Bay of the Parables.
The slope of the hill forms a natural amphitheatre, rather like a Roman theatre. Acoustical research has demonstrated that as many as 7000 people could hear a person speaking from a boat in the bay.
Pilgrims who test the acoustics, usually by reading the Gospel account, are amazed at how far the voice carries.
This location was also an appropriate setting for the story of the sower and his seeds. There is fertile black earth, rocky ground and plenty of thorns and thistles.
as we begin this series today, working through some of these kingdom parables over the next four weeks, i want to start by answering 2 questions:
What is a Parable?
an earthly story with a spiritual meaning, often using a similie
a comparison using “like” or “as”
the meaning is not always immediately obvious
Why Parables? (vs. 10-17)
in fact, this is the question the disciples asked jesus in vs. 10
secrets (mystery)
the apostle paul used this word at the end of his letter to the romans ....
- Now to him who is able to strengthen you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery that was kept secret for long ages 26 but has now been disclosed and through the prophetic writings has been made known to all nations, according to the command of the eternal God, to bring about the obedience of faith—
vs. 34 - prophecy
vs. 34 - prophecy
New Testament Ia: Matthew 1–13 13:3 Teaching in Parables
MANY THINGS IN PARABLES. CHRYSOSTOM: “He told them many things in parables.” He had not done this on the mount. Here he wove into his discourse many parables. For on the mount were multitudes only, and a simple people. But here are also scribes and Pharisees.
2 I will open my mouth in a parable;
I will utter dark sayings from of old,
spoke in parables:
2 Each will be like a hiding place from the wind,
a shelter from the storm,
like streams of water in a dry place,
like the shade of a great rock in a weary land.
Psalm 78:2
New Testament Ia: Matthew 1–13 13:3 Teaching in Parables
THE ONE PROPHESIED TO SPEAK PARABLES. CYRIL OF ALEXANDRIA: For this reason Jesus speaks in parables, in order that through them he should show that he is the One who was prophesied. Concerning [him] David said, “I will open my mouth in parables,”
to reveal truth about the kingdom - showing God’s mercy
to conceal truth about the kingdom - showing God’s judgement
2 I will open my mouth in a parable;
I will utter dark sayings from of old,
English Standard Version Chapter 16
25 Now to him who is able to strengthen you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery that was kept secret for long ages 26 but has now been disclosed and through the prophetic writings has been made known to all nations, according to the command of the eternal God, to bring about the obedience of faith—
Body
Body
The seed is the Word of the Kingdom (The Gospel)
Jesus says the problem of people rejecting Jesus and His Kingdom is not with the seed; nor is it with the sower… the problem is with the soil (the human heart).
The One Prophesied to Speak Parables. Cyril of Alexandria: For this reason Jesus speaks in parables, in order that through them he should show that he is the One who was prophesied. Concerning [him] David said, “I will open my mouth in parables,”
Simonetti, M. (Ed.). (2001). Matthew 1–13 (p. 264). Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press.sus says the problem of people rejecting Jesus and His Kingdom is not with the seed; nor is it with the sower… the problem is with the soil (the human heart).
what kind of heart do you have?
Four types of hearts (soil) in this parable:
vs. 19 - The hard heart - Pharoah
vs. 20-21 - The superficial heart - teens making decisions at camp, walking the isle on a sunday morning but years later… or when troubles come.... George Whitefield - Great Awakening - “we’ll see in a few years” - it would take time for true salvation to be demonstrated
George Whitefield - Great Awakening - “we’ll see in a few years” - it would take time for true salvation to be demonstrated
vs. 22 - The divided heart - there’s no room for the message of the kingdom in a divided heart because the things of this world are so consuming. this warning is so practical for basically all of us living here in america. even if you don’t think you have much compared to those right around you, you are most likely rich compared to the most of the world. the seduction of wealth can be a subtle thing, you may not even know it’s happening to you until it’s too late. just like a thorn that doesn’t choke suddenly but gradually, the desire for and consumption of money and things will divide and eventually destroy your heart.
vs. 23 - The fruitful heart - hears the word, understands it, and then bears fruit. the measure of that fruit will be different from person to person, some 30 fold, 60 fold, 100 fold, etc. But there will be fruit and it will be evident in their life.
The fruitful heart - hears the word, understands it, and then bears fruit. the measure of that fruit will be different from person to person, some 30 fold, 60 fold, 100 fold, etc. But there will be fruit and it will be evident in their life.
what kind of heart do you have?
Conclusion
Are you rejecting the message of the KIngdom?
Did you walk an isle or say a prayer years ago that has no real meaning in your life today?
Then why not make today the day? Ask God to soften your heart and receive the message of the kingdom. Trust in Jesus’s death on the cross to pay the penalty for your sin, and receive eternal life in His Kingdom.
Christian, Jesus’s message to us today is this: Don’t stop sowing the seed. A fruitful heart is just that… it’s fruitful. and one of the ways we bear fruit is by sowing the seed of the kingdom, sharing the Gospel message with those around us. praying that their heart would be soft enough to hear and understand it.
Baptism -transition - the result of seed being thrown on good soil
turnover to Melvin