“Soil Testing”

Matthew 13:1-9; 18-23

Message 3 of 12 in the Sermon Series: “The Parables of Jesus”

June 16, 2019

“parable”[Gr. ‘para-ballo’] = To throw or lay or place alongside of for the purpose of comparison.

A parable is an earthly story that is revealed to have a spiritual meaning for those who will seek out the deeper meanings of it.

Matthew 13:1-9; 18-23—“That same day Jesus went out of the houseand sat by the lake.²Such large crowds gathered around him that he got into a boatand sat in it, while all the people stood on the shore.³Then he told them many things in parables, saying:“A farmer went out to sow his seed.⁴As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up.⁵Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow.⁶But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root.⁷Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants.⁸Still other seed fell on good soil, where it produced a crop—a hundred,sixty or thirty times what was sown.⁹Whoever has ears, let them hear.”

18 “Listen then to what the parable of the sower means:¹⁹When anyone hears the message about the kingdomand does not understand it, the evil onecomes and snatches away what was sown in their heart. This is the seed sown along the path.²⁰The seed falling on rocky ground refers to someone who hears the word and at once receives it with joy.²¹But since they have no root, they last only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, they quickly fall away. ²²The seed falling among the thorns refers to someone who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealthchoke the word, making it unfruitful.²³But the seed falling on good soil refers to someone who hears the word and understands it. This is the one who produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown.”

Learn the condition of our hearts spiritually.
Learn why our hearts have become that way.

Bonus Goal: Learn to become a stronger dad.

Question #1. What is this parable?

Today’s parable lays out two things side by side to compare them to each other:

How different types of soils receive seed that is thrown on them and produce a crop.
How different types of hearts receive the “message of the kingdom” and produce spiritual fruit.

Parable Parallels

1.Jesus stepped out of Heaven in pursuit of our hearts. Phil. 2:5-8

Dad Note #1: Never stop pursuing the hearts of your children.

2.The condition of our heart determines the impact of God’s message on us. Mt. 13:9

Matthew 13:9—“Whoever has ears, let them hear.”

Spiritual Note: Our “ears” hear; our “hearts” receive.

1. The condition of our heart determines the impact of our lives on others. Mt. 13:23

Dad Note #2: The condition of your heart is vitally important on those you hope to have impact on.

2. Not everybody who hears the message of the kingdom will be deeply impacted; some will not be impacted at all.

3. Everybody who is impacted by the message of the kingdom will have impact on the lives of others.

Parable Lessons

Jesus stepped out of Heaven in pursuit of our hearts.
The condition of our heart determines the impact of God’s message on us.
The condition of our heart determines the impact of our lives on others.
Not everybody who hears the message of the kingdom will be deeply impacted; some will not be impacted at all.
Everybody who is impacted by the message of the kingdom will have impact on the lives of others.

Question #2. What is the point of this parable?

Lesson #1: We see both the symptoms and the causes of heart conditions through this parable.

The Path – Those who hearts have simply been worn down by the people and the experiences in their lives.

Our spiritual enemy works through the wounds that people in our past have given us.

The Rocky Soil – Those who will commit to Jesus as long as it’s easy.

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

“trouble”[Gr. – thlipsis] = Jesus never called anybody to a life of easy faith.

John 16:33b—“In this world you will have trouble.But take heart! I have overcomethe world.”

Dad Note #3: Going through “trouble” gives you an opportunity to prove your faith.

The Thorny Soil – Those who cannot take their eyes and hands off the things the world promises and provides.

Matthew 13:22—“The seed falling among the thorns refers to someone who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealthchoke the word, making it unfruitful.”

1 John 2:15-17—“Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in them.¹⁶For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world.”

The Good Soil – Those who hear with their hearts and impact with their lives.

Equation #1: No roots spiritually = No fruits spiritually.
Equation #2: No fruits spiritually = No roots spiritually.

James 2:18b—“Show me your faith without deeds,and I will show you my faithby my deeds.”

Dad Note #4: Your faith matters.

John 14:1-3—“Do not let your hearts be troubled.You believein God;believe also in me.²My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going thereto prepare a place for you?³And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come backand take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.”

Worship Experience Pastor Christian Newsome

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