Text:  Matthew 13:1-23

Topic:  The Parable Of The Sower

Theme:  The Importance Of Hearing God’s Word

Proposition:  Are We Listening

Interrogative How

Key Word:   (ways/Responses) to God’s Word

1. Without Understanding (vv. 4, 19)
2. Without Depth (vv. 5-6, 20-21)
3. Without Focus  (vv. 7, 22)
4. With Fruitfulness (vv.  8, 23)

INTRODUCTION

            When traveling on the highway, drivers encounter a railroad crossing, which has a wooded X sign with a blinking light that flashes when a train is approaching the highway and is about to cross the highway.  Often there would also be a gate that would lower upon the flashing light. In the earlier days, the X sign would have a word on each of the ends of the board, which read, “Stop, Look, and Listen.”  All of these words are very important when crossing the railroad.  Buses, especially school buses would stop at the railroad crossing.   Then the driver would open the door and look out on the railroad to see if a train was coming.  He/she would listen for the sound of an approaching train. Listening for a train would be very crucial for the driver and the passengers.  A dull ear could be catastrophic.  And every now and then there would be headlines about railroad catastrophes since the driver did not see the oncoming locomotive nor heard the train. 

            Listening is a vital necessity on a number of levels in our interaction with person, places and things.  An so it is in our relationship with God.  Had Adam had listened to God, humankind would be enjoying the blessings of Eden.  Israel’s first commandment was, “Hear O Israel, the Lord your God is one Lord.”  In order for Israel to enjoy Divine blessings and prosperity, it was crucial for the people to listen, but to obey the Words of the Almighty.  Even Jesus says that, “if anyone hears these words of mine and does them is like a wise man that builds his house upon a rock.  And the rains descend and the floods came and beat upon the house and it fell upon the house, and it fell not, because it was founded upon a rock” (Matt. 7:24-25).  People are saved because they hear the word of God, (John 5:24).  Faith derives from hearing the word of God, primarily through “a preacher” (Rom. 10:14-15).

            In this passage of Scripture, Jesus presents in the parable of the sower analogous between the various grounds where the seeds from the farmer have fallen and the responses of His listeners to His words.    The people were well familiar with a farmer who would spread his seeds, that would fall even on the periphery, as well as the plowed ground.    Parables are illustrations of everyday life, in order to convey some heavenly truth. Jesus’ listeners heard His message, but what were their responses?  Jesus, who knows the hearts and thoughts of every person, knew that they would respond differently. 

            The people of Jesus’ day are no different than people today, who encounter the preaching of the Gospel. As in Bible days, note that this is all the ways in which people respond to God’s Word.  The response of the Pharisees and the religious leaders of Jesus’ words were that of contempt, hostility, and animosity.   They are already lost.  They are the “blind leading the blind,” which in due time will eventually fall into the ditch.  They have “eyes but do not see; ears but do not hear, have a mind but do not understand.” (verses 14-15).   But there are those who encounter the Word with seemly a sincere heart.  However, there are outside circumstances which prompt them to decide.  Note that Jesus’s listeners were Israelites, people of the covenant community who was supposed to know the Lord God. 

            We too who are also part of the New Covenant Community i.e. the Church are also challenged to respond to the words of Christ.  How well do we listen to God’s word?  This passage gives four ways in which we can react to God’s word, according to Parable of the Sower.

1. Heart Without Understanding  (Wayside)
2. Heart Without Depth   (Stony Places)
3. Heart Without Focus     (Thorns)
4. Heart That Is Productive   (Good Ground)

1. Heart Without Understanding.

Verse 19 tells us that the seed sown by the wayside is one who hears the word of the kingdom but does not understand.  The word “understand” in this passage also means “to comprehend.”  Persons, who hear the Word of God but is unable to comprehend or understand the message.  They may understand what the Bible says and may not understand what the preacher is saying, either in Church or on television, or on the social networks.  That is why Sunday school or midweek Bible study is important, so that the members can understand their faith and doctrine.   They break the Scriptures down so that the student can understand the meaning of certain passages of Scriptures.  

If we do not understand God’s Word, we become an open target for the Devil.  He comes as a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour (I Peter 5:8).  He is depicted as a snake, which epitomizes deception in the Garden of Eden and at the end of time (Gen. 3:1; Rev. 12:9; ).  He also is depicted as a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour (I Peter 5:8).  And if he does not openly attacks people, he will use other persons, or things, in order to dissuade persons from accepting Christ as Savior, or obeying and doing God’s will for their lives.   That is why it is important for Christians, especially young people that they should be watchful of their friends.  As my mother used to tell us boys, “Don’t be so easily led—be careful of the friends with whom you associate.   How many boys and girls are locked up in jail today, not because they committed the crime, but because they were there at the scene of the crime with their criminal friend (s), they were considered accessory to the crimes.  Listen, young people, don’t be so quick to go joy riding with friends in cars that you do not know the owner of it.  Stay away from people who are not going anywhere and who are not going to enrich your life.  Stay away from people who cause you to doubt your faith in Christ.  Pray for them, but them alone.  Just pray for them.  Do not let your heart be a wayside to the Scriptures.

1. Heart Without Depth.  

A second response to the Word of God is one whose heart is without depth.  They profess Christians as long as everything is going well.  They are fair weathered Christians.  This person hears the word of God and receives it with joy (v. 20).   He or she is joyful as long as things are going his way.  However, let a little trial or tribulation come his way, and he is ready to backslide.  We have seen this situation in church many times.  How many people have started out with you, but if you would just look around, they are no longer in your church or any church for that matter?  If you were to ask them, “I don’t see you in Church anymore.”  “Why did you leave the church?”  Their answer may be that, “I left the church because if Gold is real, then did He allow trouble or death to knock at my door?”  They may have left the church and Christ because they’re so called friends laughed and mocked them because of their newfound faith in Jesus Christ.  Whatever the reason, they are no longer here, but are out into the world.

Nevertheless, life does not guarantee us a rose garden, or a cake walk.  Rather Jesus declares that in this world you shall have tribulation, but be not afraid, for I have overcome the world (John 16:33).  To be a Christian in New Testament times and the first three centuries mean your life.  Paul was beheaded, Peter was crucified upside down, Apostle James was killed by king Herod’s soldiers, Apostle Thomas was believed to be baked to death by the East Indians, and many Christians were thrown to lions and burned at the stake. All of these died for their faith in Christ.  A missionary friend of mine told me that the Muslim in Nigeria  recently chopped up one the pastors.  In addition, here we are in America—some of us get upset when people talk about us.  We are ashamed to mention to our friends and co-workers that we know the Lord Jesus Christ.  Moreover, some have left the church because of peer pressure. I wonder if we have examined our hearts to see if the seed of the word of God has been planted in stony places of our hearts.

1. Heart Without Focus

A third response to the Word of God is depicted as seeds which fell upon thorns.  Verse 22 tells us that this person has heard the Word of God, but because of anxiety (cares) of the age and the deceitfulness of riches, the persons lives a fruitful life.  Now note the difference between the seeds, which fell upon the rocky places, and the seeds that fell upon thorny ground.  The former did not allow the word to cultivate in his/her heart because of outside circumstances, while the latter allow inner forces to deter him growing in grace.   The Greek word “merimna” means anxiety and the word “world” in the KJV is really the Greek word “aeon” which means “age.”  The Greek word for deceitfulness in the KJV is “apatae” which means “delight” and we derive the word appetite. Now that many of us are grown and have some money, do we spend money on some appetites that may be  contrary to the Scriptural teaching? Hence anxiety and  appetite  for money and other things can hinder one from serving God.  The person becomes “unfruitful” when these things are in the heart.  The person is not focusing on the Word. 

You remember Peter the disciple who came out of the ship and walked on water at the bidding of Jesus (14:30). Peter was alright if he kept his eyes on Jesus.   But when he began to look at the surrounding circumstances, he became afraid and began to sink.  But Jesus had compassion on him and lifted him up and took him back to the boat.  We too are like Peter, and when we allow the thorns of anxiety to choke our faith and trust in God’s word.   But the Scriptures remind us that we should not worry about circumstances. You can’t add one statue to your life. Don’t worry about what you should wear or what you should put on.  Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like the grass of the fields.  And if God so clothed the grass, which is today and tomorrow is withered away, how much shall He clothed you of little faith.  Therefore, don’t take no thought of tomorrow for tomorrow will take care of itself (Matt. 6:25-34).

The story of the rich young ruler is a perfect example of a person who delighted in his riches more than following the words of Jesus who begowned  him to sell all his wealth, give to the poor, follow Him and he would have treasures in heaven (Matt. 19:21).  The words of Jesus were choked in the rich young ruler’s heart was choked by his delight in wealth for he had plenty of it.  Now there is nothing wrong with being wealthy.  Abraham was a wealthy man.  Isaac and Jacob were rich.  Joseph of Arimathea, whose tomb the body of Jesus was laid had great wealth.  However, when wealth becomes superior to the commands of Scripture, then the person’s heart is likened to seeds sown among the thorns.  This year my rose bush yielded its greatest amount of white roses.  It just looks so beautiful as it reminded me of my mother’s back and front yards which when the roses blossomed, it covered the whole back fence of the back fence, and the front side of the home.  It was a beautiful scene to see the white roses all over the back yard fence and the red roses filled the front garden.  But I looked out of the kitchen widow this past week and noticed that wild vines, which unbeknownst to me, had grown so rapidly, that they overtook the rose bush and almost smothered it to death.  When I cut the vines off the rose bush, many of its branches were dead, dried and shriveled.  If I had waited a little longer, the rose bush could have died completely, and hence no more white roses would blossomed.  And so as born again believers, we must be careful not to allow the wild vines of worldliness, anxiety, doubt and fear, choke our faith and trust in God’s Word which promises us He will never leave us or forsake us; and that He will see us through no matter what the situation may be.  His words say, “They that trust in the Lord shall be as Mount Zion which cannot be removed but abides forever (Psalm 125:1).

1. Heart That Is Fruitful

The fourth type of soil in the parable is the soil that has been fertilized and plowed.   This is the proper place for the seed to germinate and grow.  A productive heart which produces fruitful deeds is what the Lord requires of us. When the seed is grown on good soil it will eventually grow and be ready for harvest.  In this particular passage, Jesus’ parable was describing the grains of wheat and barley.   In every Christian’s life there is seedtime and harvest time.   As we incorporate the word of God in our lives, it will eventually lead and equip us for effective ministry and service.

 Now not everyone is going to grow in the same manner.  We don’t expect our young people to be giants in the faith.  However, there may be some, who are very strong in the Lord.  But for the most part, they have to grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.  It is also the same way with recent converts to Christ and the church.  They have to learn to trust God in the storms of life, in spiritual battles, in afflictions, in troubles, in difficulties, in disappointments and despair, and yes, even in the valley of the shadow of death.  The seeds grow and develops within us, as we walk with God and read, meditate and study His Word. As the song writer wrote, “Through it all, through it all, I’ve  learn to trust in Jesus, I learn to trust in God, through it all, I’ve learn to depend upon His Word.” That’s why Sunday School and Bible study is very important.  Just like the sower, who fertilizes the soil, so must the believer’s heart be cultivated to Christian piety and maturity. 

 In other parts of the Gospels, Jesus commands us to bear fruit. In John 15, for example, Jesus gives three quantities of fruit, fruit (v.2), more fruit (v. 2) and much fruit (vv 5, 8) of which one will be a true disciple.  Hence everybody is not going to bear the same amount fruit.  Some will bear 30, 60, and 100 more than what was planted.  There is the fruit of holiness (Rom. 6:22; the fruit of righteousness (James 3:18) and the fruit of the Spirit which is love, joy, peace, longsuffering (patience), gentleness, goodness, temperance (self control), meekness (humility), and faith (Gal. 5: 22-23).   “He that has ears to hear let him hear,” admonishes Jesus (Matt. 13:9) To hear is not only to listened with the ears, but also with the heart.  Jesus would want us to hear His words with the intention of incorporating it in our lives.