New Covenant Church
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Matthew 13:1-9 NKJV
This parable is Jesus’ diagnosis of backsliding. This teaching can not only help you look at your own life, but you can help others. So think of others as well as yourself today as we look at this.
The four soils – wayside, stony, thorny, good.
The goal is fruitfulness – 30X, 60X, 100X
This is how much we reproduce ourselves
Jesus explains this parable a few verses later, starting in verse 18. We’ll take it one condition of the ground at a time.
1. No soil
19 When anyone hears the word of the kingdom, and does not understand it, then the wicked one comes and snatches away what was sown in his heart. This is he who received seed by the wayside.
The path makes me think these are people who are under the influence of the culture – Christianity is just not popular enough.
- Jesus called Satan “the god of this world”. This is why you’re always going against the current if you truly follow Him.
Because of the culture, this person will not even give the gospel a serious look
Notice, it says “word of the kingdom”. Not, “the gospel”.
Many people are here. We think they’ve backslid, but they’ve never front slid.
“He’s a Christian he just doesn’t know the Lord.”
2. Stony ground
20 But he who received the seed on stony places, this is he who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy; 21 yet he has no root in himself, but endures only for a while. For when tribulation or persecution arises because of the word, immediately he stumbles.
Stony ground creates a shallow root system
The person will a shallow root system values personal freedom over fruitfulness
- “Except a seed fall to the ground and die…”
Constantly uprooted by challenges. Changes jobs, relationships, churches, marriages, etc.
Tribulation or persecution comes because of the Word.
- Not because you have an abrasive personality. :)
- ChikFil-A on traditional marriage
- $5.7M vs. $1.2M for Popeye Chicken
- “For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him the Son of Man also will be ashamed when He comes in the glory of His Father with the holy angels.” (Mark 8:38)
3. Thorny ground
22 Now he who received seed among the thorns is he who hears the word, and the cares of this world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and he becomes unfruitful.
In this case we’re not rejecting salvation, we’re neglecting salvation.
Hebrews 2:3 - how shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation, which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed to us by those who heard Him,
4. Good ground
23 But he who received seed on the good ground is he who hears the word and understands it, who indeed bears fruit and produces: some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.”
Luke’s version - As for that in the good soil, they are those who, hearing the word, hold it fast in an honest and good heart, and bear fruit with patience. Luke 8:15 (ESV)
This is the difference between ground that is good and ground that is not good. Someone who is honest.
- I say I believe in God, but I never go to church
- I say I’m a Christian, but I don’t minister to anyone
- I know what the Bible says, but I can’t forgive.
- I say God’s my source, but I worry all the time, and I don’t obey God in my giving or use of money.
- I say I believe in heaven and hell, but I’m not making any real attempt to win my lost friends and associates to the Lord.
Once you become honest with God’s Word, your life changes, and you start bearing fruit!
- God wants 30, 60, 100 people to meet you in heaven. “You were the difference maker in my life. I’m here because of you!”
Is there any area of my life where I am not being honest with the Word of God?