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Sowing Gospel Seeds: Insights from the Sower's Parable in Matthew 13
June 19, 2025 · 14 min
Unpacking the parable of the sower and the seed to understand the different responses to the gospel and how to nurture spiritual growth.
Series Stand on the Word - Video On Demand June 19, 2025 · 14 min · Stand on the Word - Video On Demand
Unpacking the parable of the sower and the seed to understand the different responses to the gospel and how to nurture spiritual growth. ...more Show the full description Show less Unpacking the parable of the sower and the seed to understand the different responses to the gospel and how to nurture spiritual growth.
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The Power of Parables 0:10 Good morning. Welcome to Stand on the Word. Today, our journey takes us to Matthew chapter 13 verse 35. This was to fulfill what was spoken by the prophet. I will open0:22 my mouth in parables. I will utter what has been hidden since the foundation of the world. Chapter 13 is a transition in the ministry of Jesus, new tactics for a0:34 new face. The grand opening or announcement of the kingdom has taken place. Now he moves into a a teaching and investment phase for those who want to know more and wanna be a part0:46 of what he's doing. Now in the new phase, Jesus begins to communicate in parables. Now his opening message about the the kingdom, which got everyone's attention, had been met0:58 with hostility and rejection by those who felt threatened by the truth. So to continue planting the seeds of truth into the hearts of those who, were open, Jesus began using1:09 parables. So what's a parable? Well, in short, it's a story of an everyday activity that illustrates a divine truth. The human mind,1:22 thinks in terms of pictures. Okay? So the parables are are very powerful because it creates these images in our mind. It creates pictures, stories that we can remember and that we can really1:33 personalize. You know, parables kinda remind me of, some of you might remember these, the highlight magazines. You used to see these in the doctor's offices where they had pictures, and there were hidden objects in1:45 those pictures, and you had to find them. Well, parables have truths contained within them. For those who have spiritual eyes to see, they can find them. Seek and you will find.1:57 Now in total, Jesus spoke somewhere around 30, parables in the New Testament. Now some scholars put that number a little higher, some a little lower. And some,The Parable of the Sower 2:09 analogies, just using analogies are are considered parables. For instance, in this chapter that we read here this morning, chapter 13, there are 7 parables, but some say they're 8. If you look at verse 52,2:21 some say that's a parable. Others see verse 52 as simply an a a, analogy. Alright. The first parable is of the sower and2:33 the seed, and it really kind of introduces all of the 7 parables, and and sets the stage for the discourse that takes place in2:45 this chapter. So let's begin verse, 3 of chapter 13. Then he spoke many things to them in parables, saying, behold, a sower went out to sow. And as he sowed, some seed fell by the wayside, and the2:56 birds came and devoured them.2:58 Some fell on stony places while they did not have much where they did not have much earth, and they3:01 places while they did not have much where they did not have much earth, and they immediately sprang up because they had no depth of earth. But when the sun was up, they were scorched, and because they had no root, they3:12 withered away.3:12 And some fell among thorns, and the thorns sprang3:12 up and choked them. But among thorns, and the thorns sprang up and choked them. But others found fell on good ground and yielded a crop, some a hundredfold, some 60,3:24 some 30. He who has ears to hear, let him hear. Now the then in beginning verse 18, if you drop down to verse 18, we have the explanation of this3:36 parable. Therefore, hear the parable of the sower. When anyone hears the word of the kingdom and does not understand it, then the wicked 1 comes and snatches away what was sown in3:48 his heart. This is he who has received seed by the wayside. But he who has received the seed on stony places, this is he who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy.3:59 Yet he has no root in himself, but endures only for a while. For when tribulation or persecution arises because of the word, immediately he4:12 stumbles. Now he who receives seed among the thorns is he who hears the word and the cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word,4:24 and he becomes unfruitful. But he who receives seed on the good ground is he who hears the word and understands it, who indeed who4:35 indeed bears fruit and produces hundredfold, some 60, and some 30. So this parable provides insight into how people respond to the gospel message. And it4:47 also gives us direction, I think, on how to pray for the gospel to reach the hearts of people effectively. Number 1, pray that they would have understanding of the4:59 gospel truth, verse 19. Pray for courage to live according to the word. Notice that there are those who fall back because of opposition to the word. So pray for courage5:11 when we're sharing the gospel and when people are hearing the gospel to live according to the word. Pray for endurance, number 3, amid the challenges of this life so it doesn't get choked out. And then pray for5:22 spiritual maturity and fruit in those who receive the gospel truth. Now what follows after this initial parable are 6 more parables that are actually paired. So in theThe Wheat and the Tares 5:34 rest of the chapter, there are 3 pairs of parables. The second parable of the wheat and the tares or the weeds, which is, the 1 I wanna look at really kind of in a5:46 great in greater detail this morning, corresponds to the seventh parable, on the dragnet. So the third and fourth parable speak to the growth of the kingdom, small at first, but then ultimately5:58 very large. The fifth and sixth parable speak to the priceless value of the kingdom of God. So let's go to, to verse 24, and let's look at the, the parable of the wheat and the6:10 tares. Another parable he put forth to them saying the kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field. But while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat and went his6:22 way. But when the grain had sprouted and produced a crop, then the tares also appeared. So the servants of the owner came and said to him, sir, did you not sow good seed in your field?6:34 How then does it have tares? He said to them, an enemy has done this. The servant said to him, do you want us to go then to gather them up? But he said, no.6:46 Last while you gather up the tares, you also uproot the wheat with them. Let both grow together until the harvest. And at the harvest, at the time of harvest, I6:58 will say to the reapers, first gather together the tares and bind them in bundles to burn them, but gather the wheat into my barn. Alright. In verse 34,7:10 all these things Jesus spoke to the multitude in parables, and without a parable, he did not speak to them, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet saying, I will open my mouth in parables. I will7:21 utter things kept secret from the foundation of the world. Then Jesus sent a multitude away and went into the house, and his disciples came to him saying, explain to us the parable of the tares7:33 of the field. He answered and said to them, he who sows the good seed is the the son of man. The field is the world. The good seeds are the sons of the kingdom, but the tares7:45 are the sons of the wicked 1. The enemy who sowed them is the devil. The harvest is the end of the age, and the reapers are the angels. Therefore,7:57 as the tares are gathered and burned in the fire, so it will be at the end of this age. The son of man will send out his angels, and they will gather out of his kingdom all things8:09 that offend and those who practice lawlessness and will cast them into the furnace of fire. There will be wailing and gnashing of teeth. Then the righteous will8:21 shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their father. He who has ears to hear, let him hear. Now this is very incur this is, I think, a very encouraging and, reassuring8:32 parable to me. In fact, it is, it is 1 of the most important, I think, in explaining where we are right now in the kingdom of god. We're living somewhere in verse 30 in this parable. Let8:44 me read that again. Let both grow together until the harvest, and at the time of harvest, I will say to the reapers, first, gather together the tares and bind them in bundles to burn them, but gather the wheat8:56 into my barn. Alright? The re the 3 things I want us to look at here real quickly. Number 1, the reality. The reality is this. There is evil in the world. Alright? The9:08 weed that's referred to here is, thought to be the darnel, which is almost indistinguishable from the blades of wheat in the early stages.9:20 So if they were trying to pull this weight weed, this tear out in the early stage, you couldn't tell the difference between that and the wheat, and so you would pull up both. But as it grows and comes to9:32 maturity, it becomes very clear what it is. And the picture here is the enemy, Satan, has sown evil in the hearts of men, human nature. And it is manifesting and9:43 becoming more pronounced with each passing day. We'll read this later in second Thessalonians where the spirit of lawlessness is already here, but it's going to increase as we move9:55 toward the revelation of the lawless 1 or the antichrist. But notice this. Okay? Notice this. Don't miss this. Just as the evil is becoming more pronounced,10:08 so is the good. So that takes us from the reality to the responsibility. Jesus gave us our responsibility in this10:22 Right? Right? Don't focus on the the weeds. Yes. We need to have10:34 awareness. We need to know what's going on around us, but the focus is on tending the wheat and helping it reach maturity. That is advancing the kingdom of god10:46 and his righteousness. The result. Alright? We have the the the reality, the responsibility, the result. Jesus makes clear the harvest is coming. The great separation10:58 where the weeds will be destroyed, that's hell, and the wheat taken into the barn, that is heaven. Yes. The evil we see today in the world around us, and it does seem11:10 to be is disheartening. It is concerning, and it should be a matter of prayer. And it should cause us to do more to tend to the wheat. And so that so that his11:22 righteousness in the kingdom of god expands. Now we must not miss being a part of the good that God is doing in our day. We can't be soEncouragement and Application 11:33 focused on the evil and so disheartened by the evil that we don't rejoice in the good. You know, great challenges bring great opportunities, and there will be many whose hearts will turn cold toward the11:45 faith because of what is happening. The heart the love of many will grow cold, but there will be others seeking answers, looking for hope that will open their hearts to the truth of the gospel,11:58 and that's where we come in. We are living in exciting times, alright, as we move toward the final harvest. Let's not get lost in the weeds. Alright? Let's stay focused on12:10 our mission that God has given us to know him more and to make him known. Father, we thank you for your word. And, Lord, what what what a what a wonderful revelation12:22 of the kingdom of God. Lord, we know that there is evil around us. There is a great separation coming. You've promised that. And so we shouldn't be preoccupied with evil. Aware of it? Yes.12:35 But, lord, tending to the kingdom and the good, nurturing the hearts of our children and others to follow in your footsteps, to take up their cross and12:47 to follow you, to to know you and to make you known. Lord, give12:51 us12:51 courage. Give us courage. I pray that our hearts would be good soil, that the word of God would take root and bear much fruit in our lives. For we pray and ask this in Jesus'13:03 name. Amen. Alright. I hope you are enjoying this journey, especially especially those who are on this 21 day family bible challenge. I pray that you're being blessed and encouraged in this. So13:15 you're doing great. Keep going. Keep, keep praying. Keep Keep reading. And and take be sure be sure to take time on the weekends to have the time of discussion. That13:27 is the most powerful aspect of this is the application of the word of God in the lives of your family. Alright. Until next time, keep standing on the word.13:41 Today's study comes from the Stand on the Word Bible Reading Plan available for free at f r c dot o r g slash bible. By following along in just a few minutes a day, you13:53 can read through the entire Bible in just 2 years. Learn more and request the free reading guide at frc dot org slash bible.In this video 0:00 The Power of Parables1:59 The Parable of the Sower5:33 The Wheat and the Tares11:25 Encouragement and Application
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