[Biblemat] S> What The Seed Needs
ZekeFlores1 at cs.com
ZekeFlores1 at cs.com
Tue Nov 6 10:49:55 CST 2007
Here's a lesson based on the parable of the sower and the seed. Hope you can
use it.
Zeke Flores
Kiber Street church of Christ
Angleton, TX
www.angletonchristians.com
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What The Seed Needs
Matt 13:18-23
Intro: Lots has been written and preached concerning this parable.
A. Many good lessons derived from it not the least is Jesus'
insight into the condition of the human heart.
1. That is because He knows us better than we know
ourselves
a. John 2:24-25
B. In the parable of the sower, Jesus explains in 3 soil
conditions what is deficient in each one.
1. One is hard, one is shallow, one is overcrowded.
2. Then, in the good soil, He explains how growth is
manifested.
3. Yet in each one, even the good soil, there is
something needed for the growth of the seed.
4. Recognizing that the seed itself is always good,
let's explore what WE can add to make sure it roots
deeply and produces growth.
I. The Seed Needs Our Willingness To Change – Matt 13:19
A. Jesus is NOT saying we can blame it on the devil if the
seed doesn't take root.
1. While Satan may play some part in hindering growth,
the onus is on each individual to make it happen.
B. The "soil" is hard because it's calloused and stubborn.
1. 1 Tim 4:1-2, Eph 4:18-19
2. This is a willful disobedience; a stubbornness that
refuses to change.
3. Some are like a man in Coventry, England.
In 1922 the clocks were advanced 20 minutes but
he never accepted it. Thus, he chronically late for
many appointments and even lost some jobs.
Yet he said, "They won't beat me. I'm going to die
20 minutes late to show them I was right!"
4. Or some are like the boy who repeatedly refused to
sit when told by his mother. Angrily she plopped
him down in a chair in the corner but he said,
"I may be sitting on the outside but I'm standing
on the inside!"
C. The problem is people don't realize that stubbornness
only hurts themselves.
1. Rom 2:4-5
2. If you want salvation and spiritual growth, you've got
to be willing to change!
II. The Seed Needs Our Courage – Matt 13:20-21
A. In the early days of the church, REAL persecution sent
many Christians to their deaths.
1. Some were separated from their families, dragged
off to prison, indentured as slaves, and even killed
in horrific ways.
2. The promise is to all Christians:
"All who desire to live godly..." 2 Tim 3:12
3. "Courage is doing what you're afraid to do.
There can be no courage unless you're scared."
B. Being spiritually mature requires courage today.
1. The opposition takes various forms:
a. Atheists, co-workers, even family
2. Yet, with Christ's help we can stand against opposition.
a. "Be on the alert, stand firm in the faith, act like
men, be strong." 1 Cor 16:13
3. Your firmness will convince others you can't be shaken.
a. Phil 1:27-29
b. If you want to salvation and spiritual growth,
you'll need guts!
III. The Seed Needs The Right Perspective – Matt 13:22
A. Why do some things overcome us?
1. They seem bigger than they are, like the Israelite
spies who only saw giants (Num 13). With an outlook
like that, no wonder they were afraid to go in!
B. On the other hand, how do successful people overcome
setbacks?
1. They find purpose in what they're doing and see
their goal as bigger than the problem.
2. It all depends on the perspective. When Goliath
came against the Israelites, the soldiers all thought,
"He's so big we can never kill him." David looked at
the same giant and thought, "He's so big I can't miss."
C. The right perspective is to look at spirituality in this life,
and heaven in the next, as the most important endeavor.
Everything else is smaller by comparison.
1. Matt 6:33, John 6:27, Phil 1:21, 3:13-15
2. If you want salvation and spiritual growth, you'll need
the right perspective and priorities.
IV. The Seed Needs Consistency – Matt 13:23, Luke 8:15
A. The word is from Gr ‘hupomeno' and literally means to
"stay under, bear under, abide under" and has the idea
of waiting patiently while bearing up under a load.
1. What an accurate picture of the Christian life.
B. Circumstances will work to load you down, but the Lord
promises strength to persevere.
1. Col 1:9-11
2. "Nothing in this world can take the place of persistence.
Talent will not; nothing is more common than
unsuccessful men with talent. Genius will not;
unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education
will not; the world is full of educated derelicts.
Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent.
The slogan ‘press on' has solved and always will solve
the problems of the human race." Calvin Coolidge
3. Be persistent, consistent in Bible reading & study,
prayer, worship, evangelism and you'll see leaps and
bounds in your spiritual growth.
a. James 1:4
C. If you want salvation and spiritual growth, you'll need
consistency, persistency, and perseverance!
Conc: The seed is always good, but it needs the conditions of
the soil to work with it if it is to bear fruit.
WHAT DOES THE SEED NEED FROM YOU?
A. What do you need to change, repent of?
B. What do you need to show more courage in?
C. What do you need a more spiritual perspective on?
D. What do you need to be more consistent in?
E. INV
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