The Parable of the Sower Pastor Dan Hiatt 1/1/15 What kind of ground am I?
What is a parable? A story that illustrates a truth or several truths Not every detail of a parable is always meant to have significance or direct applicability Requires thinking about it to understand what it means Jesus told culturally relevant parables so people could relate
The Parable of The Sower Luke 8: 4-15 (NIV) (Also in Matt 13 and Mark 5) 5 A farmer went out to sow his seed. As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path; it was trampled on, and the birds ate it up. 6 Some fell on rocky ground, and when it came up, the plants withered because they had no moisture. (Matt 13:5-6 5 Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow. 6 But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root.) 7 Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up with it and choked the plants. 8 Still other seed fell on good soil. It came up and yielded a crop, a hundred times more than was sown. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v9iohgprrvy
The Seed = The Word of God (V11) The Word is Good news and hope in Jesus How to live and grow in relationship with Jesus Alive
The Path = Hard Ground/Hard Heart (V12) The seed never penetrates into the heart or starts to grow before Satan takes it away Can a hard heart be softened? YES by the Holy Spirit! 'Plant the good seeds of righteousness, and you will harvest a crop of love. Plow up the hard ground of your hearts, for now is the time to seek the LORD, that he may come and shower righteousness upon you.' Hosea 10:12 NLT
Rocky or Shallow Ground = No Roots (V13) The seed sprouts, starts to grow, but does not develop roots in the rocky shallow ground It wilts and dies during the hard times (the heat) of life. This person has no depth of relationship with Jesus The solution: Develop a deeper relationship with Jesus Put down deep roots in worship, the Word and prayer Remove the rocks, the obstructions, to root growth
Thorny or Weedy Ground = Choked (V14) The seed sprouts, grows, but the weeds of life chokes it and keeps it from maturing Results in an immature and un-fruitful relationship in Jesus due to Life s worries Pursuit of riches or pleasures These choke out the growth
Thorny or Weedy Ground = Choked (V14) Weeds use up the resources the crop needs to mature. Our resources include Time Energy Passion Commitment Abilities Education Money Are life s worries, or the pursuit of money, or pleasure, eating up your resources you should be using to grow in Jesus choking out the growth? Do you need to do some weeding?
Good Fertile Ground = 100X Crop (V8, 15) A noble and good heart (open and prepared to receive and learn) who hears the word and retains it (understands and learns) and by persevering (Puts it into practice, keeps up the effort, doesn t give up, weeds and feeds) The seed grows, and. Yields a 100X crop
1965 Nova Station Wagon My Mom s fertilizer hauler
Cultivating Good Hearts for Growth Time in relationship and worship with Jesus Studying the Word/Hearing Jesus/Saying Yes/Doing it S.O.A.P. Scripture Observation Application Prayer Remove what hinders - pull weeds and remove rocks Worship in giving of resources for God s honor/glory Spend time with other Christian people Serve others meet needs - especially non-christians Share what God has done in your life give thanks Persevere - don t give up! Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Gal 6:9 LCC Vision: Everyone growing in a passionate, committed, and empowered relationship with Jesus.
Sowing The Seed - Our Responsibility Tell and show others by how we live The good news and hope in Jesus How to live and grow in relationship with Jesus Instead, you must worship Christ as Lord of your life. And if someone asks about your hope as a believer, always be ready to explain it. 1 Peter 3:15 (NLT)
Key Question: What Kind of Ground Am I? Do you recognize any of these in your life? Hard Shallow (Rocky) Thorny (Weedy) What is a next step towards being good ground in all areas of your life? Are you good ground - maturing in Jesus and multiplying? Are you sowing the seed?