Parables Wk 1 - The Sower

Matthew 13:1-9; Matthew 13:18-23

Parables intro

Illustrations

Animate our hearts

We understand and remember

Same sun that softens the clay hardens the wax

Guy digging video - plays in dirt

gonna be talking about dirt- soil, to be exact

land judging- texture evaluation

Soil is very important. It dictates what a piece of land can produce. It dictates if a farmer can use it, if a home or structure can be built on it, etc.

Read text

the soil represents the hearts of those who hear the Word of God- the Gospel

Soil 1 - enemy snatches the seed away

We have an enemy

This enemy does not want us to receive the Word of God in our lives- it is powerful and it goes against his evil work!

He is tirelessly at work to stop us from hearing, believing, and living out God’s Word

“I have time to be a Christian when I am old”

“I don’t have to take this seriously right now. I got the rest of my life ahead.. I wanna live how I wanna live”

“I live in Canyon, America- everyone is going to heaven anyways”

“It just doesn’t vibe with me”

These are lies that the enemy wages against our souls. He is against you!

The Christian life is a life out on the battlefield

Soil 2 - stony places

They may be enthusiastic at first… but then they shrivel up and wither away

What causes them to wither away? They cannot endure tribulation or persecution

Remember- this life of following Jesus is a battlefield

Story of Elle and her horse- following and serving Jesus through thick and thin, good and bad becomes a burden to us rather than a Joy

Why do they wither away? Lack of depth

Shallow faith

Ephesians 3:16-19

On fire in high school… but the fire dies in college. By your 20 somethings, your time being passionate about Jesus was a “phase”

Don’t you know He came and died to give you true life at its fullest?!

The Word of God is rich. Unendingly deep and vast. Do you know it?

Soil 3 - Among the Thorns

nightmare of a farmer… waking up in a cold sweat… Weedy, choked- out wheat

Nightmare for the people who hear and initially grow in God’s Word and love

People who are choked and stopped in their spiritual growth by competition from unspiritual things

How sad… the temporary clouds and veils the eternal

cares of the world and the deceitfulness of wealth

that problem.. oh, you know it too well. It invades your soul… listen and hear: no problem is too great for our God

Deceitfulness of wealth- y’all are really bright. Y’all have bright futures. Potential to earn a lot of money. Money isn’t evil, but love of it is. Money makes a poor god

Soil 4 - Fertile

It bears fruit

Delicious, wonderful, pleasing fruit

God’s good purpose

Soils may represent your heart and life overall- but they also may represent your heart and life at different times and seasons in your life

What kind of soil am I? How can I prepare my heart and mind to be the right kind of soil?

Pray to God

Ezekiel 36:26

Receive the Gospel

Let it grow!

Who is the sower here? Who spreads the Word?