2. Introduction When Jesus preached the gospel of the kingdom, some wanted to hear, some did not believe (Matt. 13:58) or repent (Matt. 11:20), and others wanted to destroy Him. (Matt. 12:14) Jesus began to teach in parables to weed out those who had hardened hearts from those who had enough interest to ask questions. (Matt. 13:10-17) All people will be identified as having one of these four hearts which includes you and me. (Matt. 13:1-9, 18-23)

3. Jesus Explains the Parable The Seed- The word of God (Luke 8:11) The Sower- Son of Man (Matt. 13:37) The Wayside Soil Hears the word but does not understand it The Rocky Soil Quickly receives it with joy but falls away The Thorny Soil Hears the word but becomes unfruitful The Good Soil Hears the word, understands it, & bears fruit

4. The Wayside Soil The birds represent the devil who take away the word from the their heart so that they don’t believe and are not saved. (Luke 8:12) Why? They harden their heart. (Matt. 13:14-15) When ungodly people reject the evidence of creation, God gives them up to their lustful hearts to practice things worthy of death. (Romans 1:18-32) The devil blinds the minds of the unbelieving so that they won’t see the truth. (2 Cor. 4:4)

5. The Wayside Soil False teachers will preach that people are born depraved and cannot understand the Bible. So when the truth is preached about creation (Gen. 1), miracles (Mk. 16:20), the Deity of Christ (John 1:1, 14), one church (Mt. 16:18), obedience (Heb. 5:9), baptism to forgive sins (Acts 22:16), worship (John 4:24), godly living (Titus 2:11ff); he will not believe it. Until a person is willing to repent, admit that he is wrong, and examine the evidence he will continue to be deceived. (2 Thess. 2:9-12)

6. The Rocky Soil They receive the word of God with joy showing that at one point they were saved. (Matt. 13:20; Acts 2:41; 8:39; 16:34) Once you’re saved you’re always saved is not true because the Bible teaches that you can fall away from God’s grace. (Matt. 13:21; Gal. 5:4; Heb. 3:1, 12) Just as there was no moisture in the soil for the seed to grow, the new convert does not get rooted in God’s word so that he grows.

7. The Rocky Soil Just as the rocky soil was affected by external things (the sun scorching the soil), the rocky heart is affected by external temptations to sin which leads him to fall away. (Matt. 13:6, 21; Luke 8:13) When they suffer afflictions because of the word they wilt under the pressure. (Matt. 7:13) We must bear our cross for Jesus. (Luke 9:23) When they suffer persecution (verbal abuse, ridicule, rejection) their love for God cools.

8. The Rocky Soil How many have received the word with joy but quit a short time later or right after leaving home? If you are not rooted and grounded in the truth of God’s word you will not be able to stand firm when affliction or persecution arises because of the word. Remember that God is faithful and will help you endure through whatever temptation you are facing. (1 Corinthians 10:13)

9. The Thorny Soil The seed that fell upon the thorny soil represents those who hear the word but they are choked by internal temptations (worries, riches, and pleasure) so that there is no fruit borne for God. We should not worry about our food, clothing, and shelter. (Matthew 6:25-34) We should not worry about things we can’t control or anything else but instead pray about it so that we can have peace. (Philippians 4:6-7)

10. The Thorny Soil If we begin to love money it will cause us to lose interest in spiritual things and give us grief. (1 Timothy 6:9-10) We may tempted to live for pleasure (TV, entertainment, hobbies, sports, etc.) instead of taking the time to study our Bibles. (2 Timothy 3:4) When we have a desire for other things than the gospel it chokes out the word and it becomes unfruitful. (Mark 4:19)

11. The Good Soil This represents the person who hears, understands, and bears fruit. (Matt. 13:23) What kind of fruit will be borne? The fruit of holiness (Romans 6:19, 22) The fruit of the Spirit (Ephesians 5:22-23) The fruit of good works (Colossians 1:10) The fruit of winning souls (Romans 1:13) The fruit of praise and thanksgiving (Heb. 13:15)

12. The Good Soil We will not all will bear the same results because of our talents, circumstances, or opportunities but we will bear fruit. (Thirty, sixty, or hundred fold) We must make the most of our opportunities to do good to all people and especially brethren because evil is bidding for our time also. (Ephesians 5:16; Galatians 6:10) So use your talent in the Lord’s service so that God will get the glory in whatever you do. (Matt. 25:14ff; 1 Cor. 10:31; 1 Peter 4:11)

13. Conclusion You determine what kind of soil you will be. Are you like the wayside soil? If you have heard but have not obeyed the gospel you may be in the process of hardening your heart against God. Are you like the rocky soil? Do you lack conviction so that you have allowed the afflictions and persecutions to overwhelm your faith?

14. Conclusion Are you like the thorny soil? Have you become preoccupied with the worries, riches, and pleasures of this life? Or are you like the good soil? If you are, then you have a good and honest heart that is bearing fruit with perseverance. (1 Cor. 15:58) If you are anything but the good soil you need to repent or obey the gospel! Do it now!