Luke 8:1-21

Hear and Heed God’s Word, Grow and Sow

Illustration: Jesus’ use of farming in his parable. Ziggy Duvall, president of Farm Bureau federation and Sonny Perdue Secretary of Agriculture both spoke about the emotional impact plowing under crops and pouring out milk has had on the farmers. Farmers invest talent, money, labor, and passion. Farmers toil, by their sweat, tears, and fears, in faith that their efforts will yield a good harvest to take to market.

To say that our farmers are disappointed that no one will see or enjoy the fruit of their labors understates the emotion they are experiencing.

Jesus’ asked His disciples to consider how disappointed God becomes when we plow under the fruit of his word. In Luke 8:1-21, Jesus asks us to consider the disappointment God experiences, when we fail to produce mature fruit and carry it to market. Luke 8:1-21 records Jesus’ message about how we should respond to God’s word, so we can grow and sow.

3 hearts that fail to hear God’s word.

A callused heart causes the seed to fall by the wayside.

A superficial heart fails to provide enough root for fruit.

A competing heart loses to the 3 “P’s” of life. Problems, Possessions, and Pleasures.

A heart that hears will heed God’s Word.

A hearing and heeding heart grows and sows