Ears to Hear Yield Ears to Sow

Introduction: The parable of the sower is such a familiar story. From Sunday school on, we’ve heard it. It’s easily remembered, and it seems so readily understood. Besides, Jesus himself provides an explanation, so how can anyone improve on that or go wrong? Still, a most critical point of the parable itself is the great difficulty with which the Word of the kingdom is understood. For some, familiarity breeds contempt. But for many, it seems to be dull hearing or a host of other things that stem from our sinful flesh, the world, or the devil, that keep us from understanding. “He who has ears, let him hear.” May God’s powerful and effective Word work within your hearts this day so that you have Ears to Hear [Which in Turn] Yield Ears to Sow.

Good Soil Hears the Word

Good soil has heard the converting Word.

The converting Word is God’s first intervention in our lives 1 Peter 1:23

The converting Word transforms us into good soil.

The converting Word is God’s power for salvation Romans 1:16

Good Soil hears the sanctifying Word.

The Sanctifying Word is God’s continuous call for us to grow 1 Thess 4:3

The sanctifying Word is God’s continuous call to serve Ephesians 2:10

Good Soil Understands the Word

The Word is understood only through the work of the Holy Spirit.

The human disposition by nature is set against the truth of God in Christ Romans 8:7

The Holy Spirit, by softening our hard hearts and making us into good soil, graciously works understanding 1 Corinthians 12:3

The Word is then understood in the light of the Cross

The cross alone reflects the truth of God in Christ 1 Corinthians 2:2

The cross alone produces the fruit God desires

Good Soil Lives the Word

The Word is lives through an inward change of attitudes

The inward attitude toward God changes Romans 8:15

The inward attitude toward our neighbor changes Matthew 22:39

The Word is lives through an outward response.

The outward response of a Christian toward God is worship Psalm 26:8

The outward response of a Christian toward his neighbor is service Matthew 7:12

God, who has given you ears to hear and understand, has also given you abundant, fruitful ears of crop to sow for the spreading of his kingdom.

You can BE ACTIVE in supporting the public proclamation of the Word and administration of the Sacraments in your congregation.

You can BE ACTIVE in sowing the seed of God’s Word in your day-to-day life.

You do not need to be disheartened by the temptations of the devil, the world, and the flesh because you have the Word of Christ dwelling in you richly, giving you ears to hear and understand.

You, who also have ears to sow, can expect an extraordinary harvest.

Conclusion: When the seed was originally sown by our Lord, forces were set in motion that one day will produce a full harvest of people who serve God “in righteousness and blessedness.” You are part of that crop in the good soil—part of his kingdom. The seed of God’s Word has been sown. So, don’t lose heart when Satan strikes, troubles scorch, or worries and riches squeeze. The harvest is certain. God’s Word is powerful and effective. The result is that you have both the ears to hear and understand your loving Savior and abundant ears of grain that he will use for the continued amazing growth of his kingdom.