The Parable of the SowerBible text: Matt 13v 1-23

Sower is.. JESUSSeed is…. the WordGround… is people’s heart

The Sower expects some fruits.

JESUS taught them in parables because that is the level that they understood and because of the hardness of their heart.

Never harden your heart to the Word of GOD so as not to be rejected by GOD (eg Saul).

Seeds on Pathways

Represents the unbelieving (Rom 3v3)

They refuse to understand (Matt 13v 18-19)

They have strong/cogen reasons not to accept the Word

Seeds on Rocky ground

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Dry in spirit and shallow, sprang up quickly Defeated by troubles due to the Word received (Matt 13 v20-21) Had no root (Eph 3 v17 -19)These make no effort to have a foundation in Christ (1 Cor 3 v11-13)Their faith does not stand on the power of GOD (1 Cor 2v4)

Seeds Amongst ThornsThe seeds grew up

Were choked by worries of life and deceitfulness of riches

Need to set our minds on the things above (Col 3v1-17)

The hearer is unfruitful (Matt 13 v22)

Seeds on Good Ground

Sign of a good ground is the fruitsUnderstands/believes the WordProduces a fruit (Matt 13 v 23)Grows /multiplies – 100, 60 or 30 times (Matt 13

v23)Crucified sinful lusts (Gal 5 v16-22)

What should be our attitude?Seek the things that are above: Col 3v1

Don’t put your hope on the earth: 1 Cor 15 v19

Avoid the devil’s trick of focusing on the earth and material things:

- Same trick that was tried on JESUS - Same trick that was tried on Adam and Eve

Don’t exchange the temporal for your eternal crown in Heaven:

Seek first the Kingdom of GOD: Matt 6 v33

GOD shall wipe away all tears: Rev 21 v1-7

Heaven the blessed hope