The Parable of the Sower Matthew 13:1-24

Context Matt. 13:1-3 - “That day Jesus went out of the house and was sitting by the sea. And large crowds gathered to Him, so He got into a boat and sat down, and the whole crowd was standing on the beach. And He spoke many things to them in parables…”

The Parable of the Sower Matt 13:3-9 - “And He spoke many things to them in parables, saying, “Behold, the sower went out to sow; 4 and as he sowed, some seeds fell beside the road, and the birds came and ate them up. 5 Others fell on the rocky places, where they did not have much soil; and immediately they sprang up, because they had no depth of soil. 6 But when the sun had risen, they were scorched; and because they had no root, they withered away. 7 Others fell [b]among the thorns, and the thorns came up and choked them out. 8 And others fell on the good soil and *yielded a crop, some a hundredfold, some sixty, and some thirty. 9 He who has ears, [c]let him hear.”

The Disciples Respond Matt 13:10-17 - “And the disciples came and said to Him, “Why do You speak to them in parables?”11 Jesus answered them, “To you it has been granted to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been granted. 12 For whoever has, to him more shall be given, and he will have an abundance; but whoever does not have, even what he has shall be taken away from him. 13 Therefore I speak to them in parables; because while seeing they do not see, and while hearing they do not hear, nor do they understand.14In their case the prophecy of Isaiah is being fulfilled, which says,You will keep on hearing, but will not understand; You will keep on seeing, but will not perceive; 15 For the heart of this people has become dull, With their ears they scarcely hear, And they have closed their eyes, Otherwise they would see with their eyes, Hear with their ears, And understand with their heart and return, And I would heal them.’16 But blessed are your eyes, because they see; and your ears, because they hear. 17 For truly I say to you that many prophets and righteous men desired to see what you see, and did not see it, and to hear what you hear, and did not hear it.

The Disciples Respond Matt 13:10-17 - “And the disciples came and said to Him, “Why do You speak to them in parables?”11 Jesus answered them, “To you it has been granted to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been granted. 12 For whoever has, to him more shall be given, and he will have an abundance; but whoever does not have, even what he has shall be taken away from him. 13 Therefore I speak to them in parables; because while seeing they do not see, and while hearing they do not hear, nor do they understand.14In their case the prophecy of Isaiah is being fulfilled, which says,You will keep on hearing, but will not understand; You will keep on seeing, but will not perceive; 15 For the heart of this people has become dull, With their ears they scarcely hear, And they have closed their eyes, Otherwise they would see with their eyes, Hear with their ears, And understand with their heart and return, And I would heal them.’16 But blessed are your eyes, because they see; and your ears, because they hear. 17 For truly I say to you that many prophets and righteous men desired to see what you see, and did not see it, and to hear what you hear, and did not hear it. The Kingdom of God is being revealed for the first time!

The Disciples’ Question and Jesus’s Response Matt 13:10-11 - And the disciples came and said to Him, “Why do You speak to them in parables?” Jesus answered them, “To you it has been granted to know the mysteries of the Kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been granted”

The Disciples’ Question and Jesus’s Response Matt 13:10-11 - And the disciples came and said to Him, “Why do You speak to them in parables?” Jesus answered them, “To you it has been granted to know the mysteries of the Kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been granted” Col. 1:27 - “to whom God willed to make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles, which is Christ in you…”

The Disciples’ Question and Jesus’s Response Matt 13:10-11 - And the disciples came and said to Him, “Why do You speak to them in parables?” Jesus answered them, “To you it has been granted to know the mysteries of the Kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been granted” Col. 1:27 - “to whom God willed to make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles, which is Christ in you…” What made them so lucky?

How They Reacted Matt 13:12-13 - “For whoever has, to him more shall be given, and he will have an abundance; but whoever does not have, even what he has shall be taken away from him. Therefore I speak to them in parables; because while seeing they do not see, and while hearing they do not hear, nor do they understand.”

How They Reacted He didn’t want anyone To understand Matt 13:12-13 - “For whoever has, to him more shall be given, and he will have an abundance; but whoever does not have, even what he has shall be taken away from him. Therefore i speak to them in parables; because while seeing they do not see, and while hearing they do not hear, nor do they understand.” He didn’t want anyone To understand

How They Reacted He didn’t want anyone To understand Matt 13:12-13 - “For whoever has, to him more shall be given, and he will have an abundance; but whoever does not have, even what he has shall be taken away from him. Therefore i speak to them in parables; because while seeing they do not see, and while hearing they do not hear, nor do they understand.” He didn’t want anyone 1 Samuel 16:7 - “Do not look at mans appearance or at the height of his stature, because i have rejected him; for God sees not as man sees, for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” To understand

Prophecy Fulfilled from Isaiah Matt 13:14-15 - “In their case the prophecy of Isaiah is being fulfilled, which says, ‘YOU WILL KEEP ON HEARING, BUT WILL NOT UNDERSTAND; YOU WILL KEEP ON SEEING BUT WILL NOT PERCEIVE; FOR THE HEART OF THIS PEOPLE HAS BECOME DULL, WITH THEIR EARS THEY SCARCELY HEAR, AND THEY HAVE CLOSED THEIR EYES, OTHERWISE THEY WOULD SEE WITH THEIR EYES, HEAR WITH THEIR EARS, AND UNDERSTAND WITH THEIR HEART AND RETURN, AND I WOULD HEAL THEM.’

Prophecy Fulfilled from Isaiah Matt 13:14-15 - “In their case the prophecy of Isaiah is being fulfilled, which says, ‘YOU WILL KEEP ON HEARING, BUT WILL NOT UNDERSTAND; YOU WILL KEEP ON SEEING BUT WILL NOT PERCEIVE; FOR THE HEART OF THIS PEOPLE HAS BECOME DULL, WITH THEIR EARS THEY SCARCELY HEAR, AND THEY HAVE CLOSED THEIR EYES, OTHERWISE THEY WOULD SEE WITH THEIR EYES, HEAR WITH THEIR EARS, AND UNDERSTAND WITH THEIR HEART AND RETURN, AND I WOULD HEAL THEM.’ Step into TRUE FREEDOM

A Beautiful Privilege Matt 13:16-17 - “But blessed are your eyes because they see; and your ears, because they hear. For truly i say to you that many prophets and righteous men desired to see what you see, and did not see it, and to hear what you hear, and never heard it.”

A Beautiful Privilege Matt 13:16-17 - “But blessed are your eyes because they see; and your ears, because they hear. For truly i say to you that many prophets and righteous men desired to see what you see, and did not see it, and to hear what you hear, and never heard it.”

A Beautiful Privilege We are those people! Matt 13:16-17 - “But blessed are your eyes because they see; and your ears, because they hear. For truly i say to you that many prophets and righteous men desired to see what you see, and did not see it, and to hear what you hear, and never heard it.” We are those people!

A Beautiful Privilege We are those people! Matt 13:16-17 - “But blessed are your eyes because they see; and your ears, because they hear. For truly i say to you that many prophets and righteous men desired to see what you see, and did not see it, and to hear what you hear, and never heard it.” Col. 2:2-3 - “that their hearts may be encouraged, having been knit together in love, and attaining to all the wealth that comes from the full assurance of understanding, resulting in a true knowledge of God’s mystery, that is, Christ Himself, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.” We are those people!

GOD IS BUILDING HIS KINGDOM A Beautiful Privilege GOD IS BUILDING HIS KINGDOM Matt 13:16-17 - “But blessed are your eyes because they see; and your ears, because they hear. For truly i say to you that many prophets and righteous men desired to see what you see, and did not see it, and to hear what you hear, and never heard it.” Col. 2:2-3 - “that their hearts may be encouraged, having been knit together in love, and attaining to all the wealth that comes from the full assurance of understanding, resulting in a true knowledge of God’s mystery, that is, Christ Himself, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.” We are those people!

GOD IS BUILDING HIS KINGDOM A Beautiful Privilege GOD IS BUILDING HIS KINGDOM Matt 13:16-17 - “But blessed are your eyes because they see; and your ears, because they hear. For truly i say to you that many prophets and righteous men desired to see what you see, and did not see it, and to hear what you hear, and never heard it.” Col. 2:2-3 - “that their hearts may be encouraged, having been knit together in love, and attaining to all the wealth that comes from the full assurance of understanding, resulting in a true knowledge of God’s mystery, that is, Christ Himself, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.” Matt 7:7- “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.” We are those people!

Intermission

The Seed Luke 8:11 “Now the parable is this: the seed is the word of God.” Matthew 13:19 When anyone hears the word of the kingdom...

Soils Heart Responses Four heart responses in audience

Road: Immediate Rejection Matthew 13:19 When anyone hears the word of the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what has been sown in his heart. This is the one on whom seed was sown beside the road.

Road: Immediate Rejection Why is there immediate rejection?

Road: Immediate Rejection Why is there immediate rejection? pathy

Road: Immediate Rejection Why is there immediate rejection? pathy ntagonism

Road: Immediate Rejection Why is there immediate rejection? Matthew 13:19 ...the evil one comes and snatches away what has been sown in his heart... pathy ntagonism ccusation

Road: Immediate Rejection Why is there immediate rejection? Romans 5:8 But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us pathy ntagonism ccusation

Rocky Soil: Eventual Rejection

Rocky Soil: Eventual Rejection Matthew 13:20-21 The seed falling on rocky ground refers to someone who hears the word and at once receives it with joy. But since they have no root, they last only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, they quickly fall away

Rocky Soil: Eventual Rejection Matthew 13:20-21 The seed falling on rocky ground refers to someone who hears the word and at once receives it with joy. But since they have no root, they last only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, they quickly fall away Shallow Heart

Rocky Soil: Eventual Rejection 2 Corinthians 4:17 For momentary, light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison,

Thorny Soil: Eventual Death Matthew 13:22 And the one on whom seed was sown among the thorns, this is the man who hears the word, and the worry of the world and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful.

Thorny Soil: Eventual Death Matthew 13:22 And the one on whom seed was sown among the thorns, this is the man who hears the word, and the worry of the world and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful.

Thorny Soil: Eventual Death Matthew 13:22 And the one on whom seed was sown among the thorns, this is the man who hears the word, and the worry of the world and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful.

Thorny Soil: Eventual Death Matthew 13:22 And the one on whom seed was sown among the thorns, this is the man who hears the word, and the worry of the world and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful. System: “Watch out for #1”

Thorny Soil: Eventual Death Matthew 13:22 And the one on whom seed was sown among the thorns, this is the man who hears the word, and the worry of the world and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful. Keepin’ up with the Joneses

Thorny Soil: Eventual Death Matthew 13:22 And the one on whom seed was sown among the thorns, this is the man who hears the word, and the worry of the world and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful. Legitimate Illegitimate

Thorny Soil: Eventual Death Matthew 13:22 And the one on whom seed was sown among the thorns, this is the man who hears the word, and the worry of the world and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful. Mark 8:36 What good does it profit a man to gain the whole world yet lose his own soul! Legitimate Illegitimate

Good Soil: Bears Fruit Matthew 13:23 And the one on whom seed was sown on the good soil, this is the man who hears the word and understands it; who indeed bears fruit and brings forth, some a hundredfold, some sixty, and some thirty.

Good Soil: Bears Fruit Matthew 13:23 And the one on whom seed was sown on the good soil, this is the man who hears the word and understands it; who indeed bears fruit and brings forth, some a hundredfold, some sixty, and some thirty.

Good Soil: Bears Fruit Matthew 13:23 And the one on whom seed was sown on the good soil, this is the man who hears the word and understands it; who indeed bears fruit and brings forth, some a hundredfold, some sixty, and some thirty.

Good Soil: Bears Fruit Matthew 13:23 And the one on whom seed was sown on the good soil, this is the man who hears the word and understands it; who indeed bears fruit and brings forth, some a hundredfold, some sixty, and some thirty.

Good Soil: Bears Fruit Realize: world does NOT satisfy!

Good Soil: Bears Fruit Realize: world does NOT satisfy! John 6:68 “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life

Good Soil: Bears Fruit Realize: world does NOT satisfy! John 6:68 “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life Matthew 13:23 ...who indeed bears fruit and brings forth, some a hundredfold, some sixty, and some thirty.

Good Soil: Bears Fruit What is this “fruit”? Galatians 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self

Good Soil: Bears Fruit What is this “fruit”? LOVE Galatians 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self

Good Soil: Bears Fruit What good does this parable do me?

Good Soil: Bears Fruit What good does this parable do me? -Spread the Word far and wide

Good Soil: Bears Fruit What good does this parable do me? -Spread the Word far and wide -Fight Tribalism

Good Soil: Bears Fruit What good does this parable do me? -Spread the Word far and wide -Fight Tribalism -Avoid self-defeat

Good Soil: Bears Fruit What good does this parable do me? -Spread the Word far and wide -Fight Tribalism -Avoid self-defeat Matthew 7:13-14 For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.

Good Soil: Bears Fruit How does my heart become Good Soil?

Good Soil: Bears Fruit How does my heart become Good Soil? -NOT by fate → Heart can change!

Good Soil: Bears Fruit How does my heart become Good Soil? -NOT by fate -Choice w/ a promise! John 6:37 “...whoever comes to me I will never drive away”

The Beautiful Seed John 3:16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life

The Beautiful Seed John 3:16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life Matthew 7:7 “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you

Who are you? Walks away? Asks, seeks, knocks?