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

Wed Feb 7 13:26:24 CST 2007

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

             The Parable of the Sower: The Good 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. Also considered the rocky soil (vv. 5-6, 20-21)
      1. Those that start well but are not well-founded in the faith
      2. Are caused to stumble
      3. Demonstration of need to be "rooted" in the faith
   H. Likewise the thorny soil (vv. 7, 22)
      1. The soil is decent, but thorns abound
      2. Cares of the world and deceitfulness of riches
      3. Demonstration of need to prioritize properly
   I. Let us conclude now by examining the good soil (vv. 8, 23)

II. The Good Soil
   A. After all kinds of soils that posed problems, we now get to 
      soil that is good
      1. The seed is cast on the ground and grows (v. 8)
      2. Grain is produced 
      3. Some of the good soil produces 100x, some 60x, the rest 30x
   B. Compared to those who hear the Gospel and understand it (v. 23)
      1. Such a person bears fruit-- becomes a Christian and grows!
      2. Some 100x, some 60x, some 30x
   C. Seeing, then, the overall picture of the good soil, let us 
      consider it further

III. What Makes the Soil Good?
   A. Let us consider what conditions make for good soil
   B. Earthy soil is good when it has a good climate and a good 
      level of nutrients
   C. What makes for a good condition of a soul?
      1. Receptive to hearing the truth (Romans 10:17, 
         1 Corinthians 1:18)
      2. Willing to be obedient to God (Romans 6:16-18)
      3. Willing to fully convert and live for Christ 
         (Matthew 10:37-38)
      4. One who can be a humble disciple (Matthew 28:18-20, 23:12)
      5. One who is willing to work in the Kingdom (Matthew 9:37-38, 
         Titus 3:8)
   D. We can also learn from conditions that are not good
      1. As seen earlier, one who refuses to hear is not good soil 
         (Matthew 13:4, 19)
      2. Likewise, one who is not well founded in the faith 
         (vv. 4, 19)
      3. Further the one who allows the cares of the world and the 
         deceitfulness of riches to choke out the Word is not good 
         soil (vv. 5-6, 20-21)
      4. Likewise, those who freely engage in the works of the flesh 
         would not be good soil (Galatians 5:19-21)
   E. The good soil, then, is receptive to Christ and to be changed 
      to conform to His image (Romans 12:1-2, Galatians 2:20)

IV. Bearing Fruit
   A. The expectation is that the seed on the good soil will grow and 
      bear fruit (Matthew 13:8, 23)
      1. As with earthly soil, so with Christians: one grows first 
         and then can bear fruit!
      2. Growth is essential (Hebrews 5:12-6:3)
      3. The natural result of growth will be to bear fruit for God 
         (Galatians 5:22-24)
      4. Titus 3:4-8 represents the spiritual progression in 
         development
   B. Fruit Borne
      1. What fruit is expected?
      2. There is, of course, the fruit of the Spirit-- the 
         development of the soul (Galatians 5:22-24)
      3. That comes through "constant practice" (Hebrews 5:14) and 
         diligent study of God's word (2 Timothy 2:15)
      4. There will also be the promotion of the Gospel in life 
         (Matthew 28:18-20)
      5. Just as plants on earth grow, produce seed, and scatter 
         the seed...
      6. ...Christians likewise are to receive the seed of the 
         Gospel, grow, and then spread that seed themselves!
   C. We cannot expect to bear part of the fruit and not other parts; 
      all are equally necessary to cultivate!

V. Different Qualities of Soil
   A. One interesting aspect to the good soil is that the yields are 
      different
      1. Some soil yields 100x, some 60x, some 30x (Matthew 13:8)
      2. This is recognized in agriculture
      3. Based on climate and soil conditions, some soil will 
         naturally be more fertile than other soil
   B. This is recognized by Jesus as true also in spiritual terms 
      (Matthew 13:23)
      1. There are some persons who will yield more than others
      2. This is not seen as one being "better" than another!
      3. God's purpose is that everyone lives up to their potential!
   C. Consider the parable of the talents (Matthew 25:14-30)
      1. The master gives one 5, one 2, and one 1, based on their 
         abilities
      2. The expectation was increase-- even just interest (v. 27)!
      3. While humans may be obsessed with numbers, God simply 
         desires us to increase using the abilities He has given us
   D. It is not for us to compare ourselves with one another!
      1. You might be a "60x" field, sitting next to a "100x" 
         field-- do not despair!
      2. Likewise, you might be sitting next to a "30x" field-- do 
         not be complacent!
      3. We must each look to God, derive strength from Him, and 
         work in His field as He has given us ability 
         (Matthew 9:37-38)
   E. We must remember that we all function in one body and have 
      different roles in that body (1 Corinthians 12:14-27)
      1. Some parts have more functioning
      2. Some parts are more public
      3. All parts are necessary for proper function

VI. Conclusion
   A. We have now considered the good soil
   B. We have seen the conditions necessary to be good soil for God
   C. We have seen that God expects His children to bear fruit
   D. We understand that while different persons have different 
      levels of ability, God demands increase from all
   E. Let us be the good soil we need to be and bear the necessary 
      fruit for God!
   F. Songbook/invitation

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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