Good or Bad Soil?

The Sower

4 Soils

Hardened Hearer

Matthew 13:18–19 HCSB

“You, then, listen to the parable of the sower: When anyone hears the word about the kingdom and doesn’t understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in his heart. This is the one sown along the path.

Shallow Hearer

Matthew 13:20–21 HCSB

And the one sown on rocky ground—this is one who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy. Yet he has no root in himself, but is short-lived. When pressure or persecution comes because of the word, immediately he stumbles.

Emotional, but no depth. Rocky. When Storms come (persecution) proves they weren’t the real deal. I believe evangelism that only preaches the benefit of salvation without the cost of following Jesus leads to this.

Materialistic Hearer

Matthew 13:22 HCSB

Now the one sown among the thorns—this is one who hears the word, but the worries of this age and the seduction of wealth choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful.

Think about the rich young ruler. Many people are hung up with the pursuit of stuff or worried too much about the affairs of this world.

Responsive Hearer

Matthew 13:23 HCSB

But the one sown on the good ground—this is one who hears and understands the word, who does bear fruit and yields: some 100, some 60, some 30 times what was sown.”

There is debate about some of the other soil. I believe that all three of them represent non genuine conversions. But there is no debate that the last soil grows the genuine deal.

hears… understands. bears fruit.

The evidence that something has happened on the inside is the fruit we bear on the outside.

Fruit of the Spirit

Fruit of Good Works

Fruit of other Believers

2 Considerations

What kind of soil are you?

I believe the first three are bad soil, and do not yield real conversions.

As you listen to me say that Jesus is the way the truth, and the life, and that you should surrender your life now, how do you respond? Hard headed? Emotional and shallow? Materialistic and too concerned about the world? OR have is the seed of the Gospel sown in good healthy soil, so that your conversion is real, and you are bearing fruit?

Keep Sowing Seed

Everyone who really knows the Lord and who is serious about others coming to faith in Jesus, let me encourage you. Don’t get discouraged that so many times the folks that you have talked to have been unperceptive or have proven to be not the real deal. SOME OF THE SEED TAKES ROOT!