[Biblemat] S:> The Parable of the Sower: The Rocky Soil

Thu Feb 1 15:59:04 CST 2007

http://www.deusvitae.com/faith/outlines/index.html

           The Parable of the Sower: The Rocky Soil

Base text: Matthew 13:3-9, 18-23

I. The Parable
   A. Parable: "true-to-life" story expressing spiritual truths
   B. An extended metaphor
   C. Discussion of sower and seed and soil (Matthew 13:3-9)
      1. Sower refers to one preaching
      2. Seed is the Word, the Gospel
      3. Soils represent different persons hearing the Gospel
   D. Interpretation is sure-- Jesus Himself explains it 
      (Matthew 13:18-23)
   E. We saw general truths regarding the parable
      1. Expectation that Christians go out and sow the seed
      2. Seed sown everywhere-- not prejudging people's 
         receptiveness
      3. We just cast the seed
   F. Previously looked at the seed cast on the road (vv. 4, 19)
      1. Those who do not believe
      2. Do not believe for different reasons
      3. May respond in different, mostly negative ways to hearing 
         the Gospel
      4. It should not discourage us
   G. Let us now consider the rocky soil (vv. 5-6, 20-21)

II. The Rocky Soil
   A. Rocky soil, as is described, has little depth; little room for 
      roots (v. 5)
      1. To compensate, the roots must disperse widely 
      2. Regardless, plant is temporary and can easily be dried up
   B. Compared to a particular type of believer (vv. 20-21)
      1. Notice that this person does convert
      2. In fact, he receives the word with joy (v. 20)!
   C. Difficulty: not well founded in the faith
      1. He endures for awhile...
      2. ...but if he endures resistance, he stumbles and falls away 
        (v. 21)!
   D. Let us consider this further

III. Causes of Stumbling
   A. What are types of stumbling blocks that can lead to one so 
      stumbling?
   B. As Jesus mentions, "tribulation or persecution" (v. 21)
      1. If one is not fully converted at baptism, making a great 
         sacrifice for God would be difficult indeed!
      2. One has to be extremely committed to Christ to suffer 
         greatly and even die for Him (1 John 3:16)!
      3. Historically, when great persecutions have arisen, many 
         have apostatized to save their skins!
      4. Furthermore, when we suffer various trials in our lives, it 
         is tempting to question God and His goodness and thus 
         apostatize
      5. We must not be as Job's wife (Job 2:9), but more as Job 
         (Job 2:10)!
   C. Other Forms of Resistance
      1. We today have little to fear in terms of major persecutions, 
         but such does not mean that we should not expect resistance!
      2. Family and friends may tempt you to return to your former 
         life (Matthew 10:21-22, 34-38; 1 Peter 4:3-4)
      3. Even if it is not temptation, it may be difficult to put 
         Christ above all these others!
      4. There is also general resistance from the world 
         (1 John 2:15-17)
   D. All Christians are in danger from these attacks; how much more, 
      then, one not well rooted in the faith!

IV. Importance of Good Foundations in the Faith
   A. Jesus' illustration of the seed in the rocky soil presents many 
      truths
      1. First of all, it explains why some fall away-- they were not 
         well founded
      2. It also serves as a warning, however, that we should take 
         care to not be as the rocky soil! 
   B. Remember, those who are the "rocky soil" do convert-- "they" 
      could be us!
   C. How can we make sure that we are well-rooted in the faith?
   D. Well-Rooted in the Word
      1. 2 Timothy 2:15
      2. Being grounded in God's Word will help us weather the storm
      3. Jesus says as much in Matthew 7:24-27
   E. Well-Rooted in Righteousness
      1. As Jesus says in Matthew 7:24-27, it is not just hearing 
         Christ's words, but also doing them that leads to 
         stability
      2. Hebrews 5:14: maturity defined by having powers of 
         discernment trained through constant practice to 
         distinguish good and evil
      3. By constantly living according to Christ's will, we will 
         root ourselves in Him
   F. Well-Rooted in Your Own Faith
      1. It is necessary for us to have faith (Hebrews 11:1, 6)
      2. The faith, however, must be our own (cf. Romans 1:16-17; 
         Habakkuk 2:4)
      3. No one will be saved because of their father's faith or 
         son's faith!
      4. If you do not own your faith as your own, you cannot be 
         as deeply rooted as will be necessary for it to survive!
   G. Full Commitment
      1. Perhaps one of the often-neglected aspects of the faith is 
         the level of commitment required
      2. While we take people where they are and help encourage and 
         strengthen them to become what they should be in Christ 
         (Galatians 2:20)...
      3. ...commitment to Christ must not be lukewarm or mediocre!
      4. Jesus establishes strong statements in Matthew 10:37-38: 
         one must be committed to Him above all others!
      5. We must seek the Kingdom and His righteousness first, and 
         He will add to us (Matthew 6:33)
      6. Would you die for it (1 John 3:16)?
      7. If these statements do not reflect your current commitment 
         level to Christ, be warned-- you may turn out like the 
         rocky soil!
      8. God forbid it!
   H. While there can never be guarantees, we can reasonably establish 
      that the better grounded you are in your faith, the less likely 
      you will be to fall away!

V. Conclusion
   A. We have looked at the image of the rocky soil
   B. As plants in rocky soil have no root and can easily dry up, so 
      some Christians have little foundation and can be easily caused 
      to stumble
   C. We have seen that there are many occasions for stumbling
   D. We have seen ways that we can be rooted in the faith to be less 
      liable to stumble
   E. Let us strive to be well-founded in our faith in Christ Jesus 
      and our salvation!
   F. Invitation/songbook

Ethan R. Longhenry/ disciple_of_iesus at hotmail.com
Evangelist, church of Christ in Norwalk, Ohio
 (http://www.norwalkchurch.org)
Website: http://www.deusvitae.com
AIM: Deus Vitae / ICQ#: 28317056
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