Text: Matthew 13:1-23
What we have learned so far:

1. To be saved is to be born again. This is a complete and total transformation by the Spirit whereby a new believer undergoes a change in nature, a shift in thinking, and a new understanding of divine revelation. (John 3:3)
2. As a result of being born again, the new believer begins to love the light and hate the darkness. (John 3:19-21)
3. To be saved is to receive the revelation of His Lordship by the Holy Spirit. (1 Cor 12:3-4)
4. Salvation requires brokenness, demonstrated through true repentance. (Matt 4:17)
5. The Way to Salvation is narrow but the path to destruction is wide. Christianity is neither “open” nor “inclusive.” (Matt 7:13-14)
6. Following Jesus demands ones life. It means even dividing with family if necessary. (Matt 10:32-39)
7. There is no middle ground for the truly saved. We are either in or out, hot or cold (Matt 12:30-37; Rev 3:16). Even when we struggle, there is no excuse-making; only a drive towards repentance.

A Relevant Warning: the Danger of refusing Christ’s Words

1. Before explaining the parable, Christ gives a few reasons why He spoke in parables in the first place: the stubbornness and hard-heartedness of the people.
2. Quoting Isaiah, He outlines the sad spiritual state of His so-called listeners. I submit this is also the state of those in church who do not obey the Lord.
   • They see but don’t see
   • They hear but don’t hear
   • They listen but don’t understand
   • All this is due not to a lack of knowledge but to a stubborn, calloused and closed heart. (v15)
   • The end result is sad: they miss the revelation of Christ, His beauty of His Word, the subsequent change in their hearts, and their healing.
   • Heed the warned: instead of stubbornness….SURRENDER!
3. His words to the disciples lend further proof that the saved begin to understand spiritual things by revelation. (vv16-17)

Lessons from the Parable of the Sower (See The Gospel According to Jesus, chap 11 for more study)

1. First, let’s understand that the point of the parable is not that there is something wrong the sower, his method, or the seed.
   • The problem is with the condition of the soil, which is the heart of man.
   • Humans are the same in essence but have been “prepared” differently based on what has influenced them.
   • People’s response to the Gospel depends primarily on the preparation of the heart.
2. Second, understand that the seed is the Word! (Lk 8:11) Friends, we dare not sow anything else! We all have a responsibility to “sow” the Word, planning the seed of the Gospel wherever we go. His Word is the only good seed!
3. Let’s look at the four types of “hearts” Jesus mentioned in the parable.

The Unresponsive Heart (v19)

1. This is the “wayside” or “path” heart. Seeds here fall on the “road:, which by definition is a “hard” place.
2. “This is a hard-hearted, stubborn person: unresponsive, unconcerned, inattentive, indifferent, negligent, and sometimes hostile.” The Gospel goes in one ear and out the other.
3. Each time they hear the Gospel they are viciously attacked by Satan: “Those along the path are the ones who hear, and then the devil comes and takes away the word from their hearts, so that they may not believe and be saved.” (Lk 8:12)
4. “So I tell you this, and insist on it in the Lord, that you must no longer live as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thinking. 18 They are darkened in their understanding and separated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardening of their hearts. 19 Having lost all sensitivity, they have given themselves over to sensuality so as to indulge in every kind of impurity, and they are full of greed.” (Eph 4:17-19)
5. Obviously these aren’t saved people. Our responsibility is to pray and scatter seed.

The Superficial Heart (v20-21)

1. This is the “stony”, “rocky”, or “shallow” heart. This means there was a layer of stony deposit underneath the soil, preventing the Word from firmly taking root. It looked really good on top, but was shallow and even harder than the “road” folks beneath. This would cause those unfamiliar with this field to wonder “what happened to the fruit?”
2. These are the folks who “look saved” at least for awhile. “This kind of heart is enthusiastic but shallow. It responds positively but not with saving faith. There is no thought involved, no counting the cost. It is quick, emotional, euphoric, instant excitement without any understanding of the actual significance of discipleship.”
3. When it’s time to stand in the midst of trouble for Christ and His Word, they fall away.
4. This person’s true issue is “rebellion deception.” Whether they know it or not, the hardness within (even though they smile without) prevents the true planting of the Word.

The Worldly Heart (v22)

1. This is the “weedy” soil, the heart surrounded by thorns. Interestingly, the Lord only mentions two weeds: worry about this life and money. Wow.
2. The Message: “"The seed cast in the weeds is the person who hears the kingdom news, but weeds of worry and illusions about getting more and wanting everything under the sun strangle what was heard, and nothing comes of it.”
3. This is a heart that loves and cares for worldly things more than Kingdom things.
4. “Do not love the world or anything in the world. If you love the world, love for the Father is not in you. 16 For everything in the world--the cravings of sinful people, the lust of their eyes and their boasting about what they have and do--comes not from the Father but from the world. 17 The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever.” (1 John 2:15-17)

The Receptive Heart (v23)

1. This is the “good” heart, properly conditioned and prepared for the seed.
2. Be encouraged my friends. There is good soil in the field!!! J
3. And that soil will produce a massive harvest of lives for Jesus! Praise God!

Final thoughts:

• It seems then friends that Christ taught that only hearts that truly receive Word (by refusing to be off the path, shallow, and worldly). It also seems He taught that the truly saved produce fruit.
• Long ago, I taught that the Gospel has 3 enemies: Satan, self, and society. Christ illustrated all 3: (the birds…Satan; persecution that disturbs our comfort….self; and worries of this life….society.)
• As a church striving to sow the “Way of the Master,” be encouraged! “There will be shallow, short-term converts. And (we) will encounter double-minded people who want Christ but won’t let go of the world. But the Lord of the harvest CAN break up even the hardest ground and rid it of the most stubborn weeds. Hard soil, shallow soil, or weedy soil may not always stay that way. God can till the soil of the most stubborn heart!”