Gospel of Matthew Matthew 13:1-23

Transcription

1 Parable of the Sower, the Seed, and the Soil Gospel of Matthew Matthew 13:1-23 Jesus gave us some important truths in Matthew 13 for understanding the purpose and mission of the church and the spiritual nature of that period of time we call the Church Age, the time between His first coming and His return. An understanding of this period of time was essential for the disciples as they set out to evangelize the world. This is the third of five discourses (teaching passages) in Matthew: Sermon on the Mount (Mt. 5-7) Commissioning of the Apostles (Mt. 10) Parables of the Kingdom (Mt. 13) Childlike Character of the Believer (Mt. 18) Christ s Second Coming (Mt ) 1. The preparation for the parable (vs. 1-2) If a person began reading the New Testament in Matthew 1:1, he would read about one fourth of Matthew s Gospel (chps. 1-12) without reading a single parable of Jesus. That changes in Matthew 13, where we find seven parables on the theme of God s kingdom. These parables explain what His kingdom is actually like as opposed to what people may expect it to be. As we have seen already, the theme of God s kingdom is the central theme in Matthew. Matthew 1:1 presents Jesus as the son of David. John the Baptist came preaching the kingdom of heaven (3:2), and Jesus began His ministry preaching the kingdom of heaven is at hand (4:17). In the Sermon on the Mount (Mt. 5-7), Jesus describes the character of those who are actually in the kingdom. In Matthew 8-12, Jesus demonstrates the power of the kingdom through many miracles. In these eight parables of Matthew 13 Jesus described the origin of the kingdom, the enemies of the kingdom, the attitude of those who enter the kingdom, and the consummation of the kingdom. Parables are simple stories that convey profound spiritual truth. Parables are different from fables, like Aesop s Fables in which animals talk and portray different kinds of people. Parables are true to life, and are not like fiction or make-believe. In using parables Jesus did not intend for every detail in the story to have a special meaning. He told these stories to drive home one or two main spiritual truths. Jesus was the master storyteller. This was one of the main reasons that the common people heard Him gladly (Mk. 12:37). Those who were eager to learn found Jesus eager to explain the parables and unlock their meaning. On the other hand, those who had no appetite for the truth didn t even bother to ask. 2. The presentation of the parable (vs. 3-9) The story itself was a very simple one that related commonly known things to spiritual truth. The word parable means to throw something alongside as if to compare it with something else. A parable is a story that all people can relate to. It compares something familiar to something unfamiliar. It relates something in the physical world to something in the spiritual world. Teaching through the use of parables was very effective because it made abstract truth more concrete, more interesting, easier to remember, and easier to apply to life. In the

2 parables of Matthew 13 Jesus used familiar terms as seed, soil, sower (farmer), birds, thorns, rocks, sun, wheat, tares, mustard seed, leaven (yeast), hidden treasure, a pearl, and a fishing net. A. A parable is an earthly story with a heavenly meaning B. Three elements in this story are the sower, the seed, and the soil C. The key to the story is the four kinds of soil D. Jesus ended the parable with a challenge to listen carefully (vs. 9). This warning is sufficient to understand the important of the story. Jesus didn t tell this story to entertain an audience, but to teach them a powerful spiritual lesson. Jesus said, He that hath ears to hear, let him hear. 3. The purpose of the parable (vs ) In these verses Jesus gave the purpose of this parable and all parables: A. Jesus revealed spiritual truth to teachable believers B. Jesus concealed spiritual truth from stubborn unbelievers Jesus quoted from Isaiah 6:9-10 to prove that the people had no heart to receive the truth. On the other hand, His disciples could hear the truth and see it. They were greatly blessed to understand the message of Jesus parables. When Jesus first began His ministry He worked many miracles and He taught many things, but some rejected both His miracles and message. Jesus said a powerful principle was at work (vs. 12). If anyone receives truth he will be able to comprehend more truth, but if he rejects the truth, then he will understand less and less. Rejecting truth will make a person spiritually deaf and blind. No person remains static in his relationship with God. Accepting the Lord and His truth will bring more spiritual light. Rejecting Jesus and His truth will bring greater spiritual darkness. The purpose of this parable and the other parables in Matthew 13 was to reveal the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven (vs. 11). Mysteries means truths about God s kingdom that were previously hidden and not revealed until that time. The Jews were expecting their Messiah to set up the kingdom of God on earth. They were familiar with passages like Daniel 2:44 And in the days of these kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed: and the kingdom shall not be left to other people, but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand for ever. In the mysteries of the kingdom Jesus explained the nature of God s kingdom from that time until He comes again. 4. The point of the parable (vs ) There is a powerful moral to this story. The seed is the Word of God that must be sown into the heart. The four kinds of soil represent four kinds of people and their responses to God s Word. The soil (heart) must be prepared to receive the seed.

3 A. Some people have a hard heart The hard ground represents an unresponsive hearer whose heart is like soil that is trampled down and hardened so the seed can t get into the ground. The seed lies on top of the ground and birds snatch it away. This is the picture of a heart that is hardened by sin (Heb. 3:13). When Jesus preached the message of the kingdom of heaven, He spoke of God s right to rule over the hearts and minds of people. That is precisely what some people did not want then and still do not want today. The Bible tells us that the birds represent Satan and His workers who snatch away the truth before it gets into the heart. Satan knows the power of God s Word, and he will do anything to interfere. That s why when we are listening to a sermon or a Bible study we must prepare our hearts and minds to be alert and attentive and refuse to let anything distract us from the truth. What are some of Satan s tactics? He uses doubt, pride, fear of man, stubbornness, procrastination, love of the world, love of sin, and every possible combination of these tactics. The hard-hearted person may be described as unresponsive, unconcerned, inattentive, indifferent, negligent, and often hostile. He wants nothing to do with the gospel. He is self-sufficient, self-satisfied, and sometimes even self-righteous. On such a person the Gospel has no effect. This is the heart that has no repentance, no sorrow over sin, no guilt, and no concern for the things of God. B. Some people have a shallow heart The shallow ground represents a superficial hearer who has no depth. Rocky places does not refer to loose rocks, but refers to underlying bedrock. The seed that fell on the shallow ground sprang up quickly, but it lacked moisture and when the sun beat down on it, it faded just as quickly as it shot up. Many people fit that description. They are attracted to the joy and excitement of the church and the Christian life. They make a profession of faith, but then some difficulty comes loss of a job, sickness, marriage or home problems, or maybe a misunderstanding with other Christians and they fall from the faith they once seemed to love. The gospel creates an initial positive reaction, but it is temporary and the change is only superficial. There is no repentance, no remorse over sin, no sense of being lost, no brokenness, and no humility. Sometimes a shallow response to the gospel is encouraged by shallow evangelism that offers the blessings of salvation, but says nothing about the cost of discipleship. People are told to raise a hand, walk down an aisle, sign a card without coming to grips with the full claims of Christ, repenting of their sins, taking up their cross, and denying self. The trials of life serve a dual purpose: they strengthen genuine believers and they expose false believers. John MacArthur offers this warning: If a profession of faith in Christ does not grow out of a deep sense of lostness; if it is not accompanied by an inner conviction of sin; if it does not include a tremendous desire for the Lord to cleanse and purify and lead; if it does not involve a willingness to deny self, to sacrifice, and to suffer for Christ s sake, then it is without proper root. It is only a matter of time before the flourishing growth withers and dies (The Gospel According to Jesus, 133). C. Some people have a worldly heart The weed-infested ground represents a person with worldly concerns. Like seed that is strangled by weeds, these people are preoccupied by worldly things and are stifled by earthly cares (worries) and the pursuit of money. They are consumed with careers, houses, cars, hobbies, clothes, prestige, looks, and things. They are lovers of pleasure more than lovers of God. They prefer entertainment to worship. This doesn t happen all at once, but gradually like weeds growing in a field.

4 D. Some people have a good heart The good ground represents a person who receives the Word of God and produces fruit. There are different amounts and kinds of fruit, but there is always some fruit. Remember that all parables drive home at least one main point, and here it is the life of a real believer bears spiritual fruit. This parable is a great encouragement to every preacher, teacher, and evangelist because there is power in the Gospel seed. It is our responsibility to plant the seed, and God s responsibility to prepare hearts to receive the truth. This is a great encouragement to know that God is at work in hearts, that He can break up even the hardest hearts, that He can remove the hidden rock beneath the soil, that He can keep even the most stubborn weeds from choking out the seed in our hearts, and that He can make hearts like good ground to receive the truth and be saved. Ezekiel 36:26 A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh.

5 Parable of the Sower, the Seed, and the Soil Gospel of Matthew Matthew 13:1-23 Jesus gave us some important truths in Matthew 13 for understanding the purpose and mission of the church and the spiritual nature of that period of time we call the Church Age, the time between His first coming and His return. An understanding of this period of time was essential for the disciples as they set out to evangelize the world. This is the third of five discourses (teaching passages) in Matthew: Sermon on the Mount (Mt. 5-7) Commissioning of the Apostles (Mt. 10) Parables of the Kingdom (Mt. 13) Childlike Character of the Believer (Mt. 18) Christ s Second Coming (Mt ) 1. for the parable (vs. 1-2) If a person began reading the New Testament in Matthew 1:1, he would read about one fourth of Matthew s Gospel (chps. 1-12) without reading a single parable of Jesus. That changes in Matthew 13, where we find seven parables on the theme of God s kingdom. These parables explain what His kingdom is actually like as opposed to what people may expect it to be. As we have seen already, the theme of God s kingdom is the central theme in Matthew. Matthew 1:1 presents Jesus as the son of David. John the Baptist came preaching the kingdom of heaven (3:2), and Jesus began His ministry preaching the kingdom of heaven is at hand (4:17). In the Sermon on the Mount (Mt. 5-7), Jesus describes the character of those who are actually in the kingdom. In Matthew 8-12, Jesus demonstrates the power of the kingdom through many miracles. In these eight parables of Matthew 13 Jesus described the origin of the kingdom, the enemies of the kingdom, the attitude of those who enter the kingdom, and the consummation of the kingdom. 2. of the parable (vs. 3-9) The story itself was a very simple one that related commonly known things to spiritual truth. The word parable means to throw something alongside as if to compare it with something else. A parable is a story that all people can relate to. It compares something familiar to something unfamiliar. It relates something in the physical world to something in the spiritual world. Teaching through the use of parables was very effective because it made abstract truth more concrete, more interesting, easier to remember, and easier to apply to life. A. A parable is B. Three elements in this story are C. The key to the story is D. Jesus ended the parable with a challenge to (vs. 9)

6 3. of the parable (vs ) In these verses Jesus gave the purpose of this parable and all parables: A. Jesus revealed spiritual truth B. Jesus concealed spiritual truth Jesus quoted from Isaiah 6:9-10 to prove that the people had no heart to receive the truth. On the other hand, His disciples could hear the truth and see it. They were greatly blessed to understand the message of Jesus parables. 4. of the parable (vs ) The four kinds of soil represent four kinds of people and their responses to God s Word. A. Some people have The hard ground represents an unresponsive hearer whose heart is like soil that is trampled down and hardened so the seed can t get into the ground. The seed lies on top of the ground and birds snatch it away. The hard-hearted person may be described as unresponsive, unconcerned, inattentive, indifferent, negligent, and often hostile. He wants nothing to do with the gospel. He is self-sufficient, self-satisfied, and sometimes even self-righteous. On such a person the Gospel has no effect. This is the heart that has no repentance, no sorrow over sin, no guilt, and no concern for the things of God. B. Some people have The shallow ground represents a superficial hearer who has no depth. The seed that fell on the shallow ground sprang up quickly, but it lacked moisture and when the sun beat down on it, it faded just as quickly as it shot up. Many people fit that description. They are attracted to the joy and excitement of the church and the Christian life. They make a profession of faith, but then some difficulty comes loss of a job, sickness, marriage or home problems, or maybe a misunderstanding with other Christians and they fall from the faith they once seemed to love. C. Some people have The weed-infested ground represents a person with worldly concerns. They are consumed with careers, houses, cars, hobbies, clothes, prestige, looks, and things. They are lovers of pleasure more than lovers of God. They prefer entertainment to worship. This doesn t happen all at once, but gradually like weeds growing in a field. D. Some people have The good ground represents a person who receives the Word of God and produces fruit. There are different amounts and kinds of fruit, but there is always some fruit. Remember that all parables drive home at least one main point, and here it is the life of a real believer bears spiritual fruit.