The Parable of the SowerMatthew 13:1-9 ;Mark 4: 1-20; Luke 8:4-15

Luke 8:4-9; 11-15 New International Version (NIV)　　 4 While a large crowd was gathering and people were coming to Jes

us from town after town, he told this parable: 5 “A farmer went out to sow his seed. As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path; it was trampled on, and the birds ate it up. 6 Some fell on rocky ground, and when it came up, the plants withered because they had no moisture. 7 Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up with it and choked the plants.8 Still other seed fell on good soil. It came up and yielded a crop, a hundred times more than was sown.” When he said this, he called out, “Whoever has ears to hear, let them hear.”

11 “This is the meaning of the parable: The seed is the word of God. 12 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. 13 Those on the rocky ground are the ones who receive the word with joy when they hear it, but they have no root. They believe for a while, but in the time of testing they fall away. 14 The seed that fell among thorns stands for those who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by life’s worries, riches and pleasures, and they do not mature. 15 But the seed on good soil stands for those with a noble and good heart, who hear the word, retain it, and by persevering produce a crop.

4 Types of Soil Pathway : - trampled on - birds ate it up ~ Destroyed ~

Rocky : - not rooted ; - sun-scorched ~Withered away~

Thorny: - choked - suffocated ~ Died ~

Good Soil :- grew up, - increased, - yielded~ Fruitful~

1st Ground : Along the Path

Those who hear, then the devil comes and takes away the word from their hearts, so that they may not believe and be saved. --Luke 8:12

Enemy # 1 : Satan

Q 1: What does the devil do ?

A : He kills, deceives and destroys. (John 8:44; 1 Peter 5:8)

Q 2: When the person hears the word, it goes straight into a person’s heart. Why?

A : God said: " I will put My law within them and on their heart I will write it; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people. - Jeremiah 31:33; Hebrews 8:10-12

Q3: How is the person WITHOUT God's word?

A : All his life he eats in darkness. His life is full of trouble, suffering and anger. --Ecclesiastes 5:17

Those who receive the word with joy when they hear it, but they have no root. They believe for a while, but in the time of testing they fall away. --Luke 8:13

ENEMY # 2 : FLESH - sinful nature - weaknesses

2nd Ground : Rocky

Question #1 : How does this kind of person live his life?

Ans : Ephesians 4:19 overcomed by troubles and desires of the flesh. and Matthew 8:26 Faith is too small.

Ephesians 4:19 They have lost all feeling for what is right. They have given themselves over to the evil pleasures of their bodies. They take part in every kind of unclean act. And they always long for more...

Matthew 8:26 The disciples went and woke him up. They said, “Lord! Save us! We're going to drown!” He replied, “Your faith is so small! Why are you so afraid?”Then Jesus got up and ordered the winds and the waves to stop. It became completely calm...

disease, sickness,bodily weakness (Matthew 4:23)

lack of strength or resolution (1 Corinthians 2:3)

Now the works of the flesh are evident : sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions,divisions, envy,[a] murder, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. -- Galatians 5:19-21;

There are six things the Lord hates. In fact, he hates seven things.The Lord hates proud eyes, a lying tongue, hands that kill those who aren’t guilty, hearts that make evil plans, feet that are quick to do evil, any witness who pours out lies, and anyone who stirs up family fights. --Proverbs 6:16-19

SINFUL NATURE OF OUR FLESH

DEFINITIOINS : 1.orgies - feasting and wild celebration in worship of certain gods, esp. Dionysus - wild merrymaking in a group, esp. with sexual activity - unrestrained indulgence in any activity2. Enmity - is defined as a deep and bitter hatred, usually shared between enemies.3. Rivalry - is a competition or contest 4. Sensuality - enjoyment of sensual / sexual pleasures5. Dissension- difference of opinion; disagreement esp., discord as expressed in intense quarreling or wrangling within a group

2nd Ground : Rocky

Flesh'sWEAKNESSES

...but in the time of testing they fall away...

Question #2 : God knows we are weak and what we are made of..... but why do we have to undergo testing? Tested by whom?

Answer : Jeremiah 20:12 (Jeremiah talking to God)

Lord, you rule over all. You test those who do what is right. You see what is in people's hearts and minds. So pay them back for what they have done.

(Who test us?) ____ _______ (Who are tested?) _____________________ (Why are we tested?) _________________________________ (What do we get after testing?) _____________

Jeremiah 17:9-10 THE LORD says!

A human heart is more dishonest than anything else. It can’t be healed. Who can understand it? So the Lord says : “I look deep down inside human hearts. I see what is in people’s mind. I reward a man in keeping with his conduct. I bless him based on what he has done.”

Second Ground : Rocky

NOTE: 1. Testings - are from God with REWARDS after every action. 2. Troubles, sufferings and anger - are from the devil..

So I say, Live by the Holy Spirit's power.Then you will not do what your sinful nature wants you to do.The sinful nature does not want what the Spirit delights in. And the Spirit does not want what the sinful nature delights in.The two are at war with each other.That's what makes you do what you don't want to do. - Galatians 5:16

Second Ground : Rocky

So the Lord knows how to keep godly people safe in times of test. -- 2 Peter 2:9

12 Brothers and sisters, we have a duty. Our duty is not to live under the control of our sinful nature. 13 If you live under the control of your sinful nature, you will die. But by the power of the Holy Spirit you can put to death the sins your body commits. Then you will live. -- Romans 8:12-13 (NIRV)

Don’t give the devil a chance. Those who have been stealing must never steal again. Instead, they must work. They must do something useful with their own hands. Then they will have something to give to people in need. Don’t let any evil talk come out of your mouths. Say only what will help to build others up and meet their needs. Then what you say will help those who listen.Do not make God’s Holy Spirit sad. He marked you with a seal for the day when God will set you completely free.Get rid of all hard feelings, anger and rage. Stop all fighting and lying. Put away every form of hatred. Be kind and tender to one another. Forgive each other, just as God forgave you because of what Christ has done. Ephesians 4:27-32

3rd Ground : Thorny Those who hear, but as theygo on their way they are choked by life’s worries, riches and pleasures, and they don't mature.

Enemy # 3: WORLD - earthly things

- worries on things

of the world

Question 1: Why can't I love the world? Why is the world my enemy?

--Luke 8:14

Answer : Matthew 6:24 No one can serve two masters; 1 John 2:15-17 No love for God ; All these earthly things are temporary and one dies because of the love of it.

1 John 2:15-17 Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in them. For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world. The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever.

Third Ground : Thorny

Answer : Satan uses the world as a trap to overcome man's love and free will to serve God, because he knows when your heart is attached to the things of the world, you can not love God, a violation to the 1st Commandment.

No one can serve two masters; for either he will HATE the one and LOVE the other, or he will stand by and be devoted to the one and despise and be against the other. You cannot serve God and mammon (deceitful riches, money, possessions, or whatever is trusted in). -- Matthew 6:24

Question 2: How does satan use the world against man?

Another example was when Jesus was tempted by the devil. Then the devil led Jesus up to a high place. In an instant, he showed

Jesus all the kingdoms of the world. He said to him, “I will give you all their authority and glory. It has been given to me, and I can give it to anyone I want to. So if you worship me, it will all be yours.” Jesus answered, “It is written, ‘Worship the Lord your God. He is the only one you should serve. ---Luke 4:5-8

Third Ground : Thorny

Ecclesiastes 5:19-20 (NIRV)Sometimes God gives a man wealth and possessions. He makes it possible for him to enjoy them.He helps him accept the life he has given him.He helps him to be happy in his work.All of those things are gifts from God.A man like that doesn't have to think about how his life is going. That's because God fills his heart with joy.

Question#3 : How then do we perceive the world and the things therein?

Answer : We should perceive the world as God’s creation, the work of His hands for all men to enjoy and to give thanks and praise to God, the MAKER / BLESSER. And to look at the things of this world like possessions, riches, money as BLESSINGS from God.

LOVE THE BLESSER, not the BLESSINGS because if you love the blessings and not the BLESSER, you will lose your blessings. Have respect and love for God.

4th Ground : Good SoilThose who have a noble and good heart, hear the word, retain it, and by persevering and produce a crop. - Luke 8:15

We become a Hearer and a Doer of the word of God, with FAITH in Him and a HEART full of love for Him who saves.

ALLIES : (Psalm 91) : LORD, ALMIGHTY GOD

5 of the many Do's to Become FRUITFUL - w/ examples

1. Have a noble and good heart - ex. renewal of the mind, changed heart 2. Hear the word - ex. bible study, prayer time, listen to godly pastors 3. Retain the word - ex.remembering them by heart, notes 4. Perseverance - ex. never giving up, increase of faith 5. Produce a crop - ex. do good works for the Lord

Fourth Ground : Good Soil

Question 1 : How can I be like the good soil, being able to grow healthy "crops" and be strong for Jesus?

Answer :

John 6:57 Just as the living Father sent me, and I live because of the Father, so the one who feeds on me will live because of me.(intimacy with God)

Romans 12:2Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is —his good, pleasing and perfect will.

Ezekiel 18:31God says; "Get rid of all evil things you have done. Let me give you a new heart and a new spirit. Then you will be faithful to me.

sinfulness of FLESH OUT !

love for World OUT !

Satan OUT !

The good soil has different levels of fertility yielding 30, 60, or 100 folds. You determine and manage your "fertility" for God's kingdom.

Question 2: Why is it important for me to hear and retain the WORD of God?

Answer : It is Spiritual Food - SPIRIT and LIFE ! --John 6:63

It is the SPIRIT who gives life; the flesh profits nothing; the WORDS that I have spoken to you are spirit and are life. John 6:63

It is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. --Psalm 119:105

For they are life to those who find them, healing and health to all their flesh. - Proverbs 4:22

It is a spiritual weapon of great power against the enemy. Eph. 6:14-17

For the Word that God speaks is alive and full of power. --Hebrews 4:12

Healing and health to all their flesh. -- Proverbs 4:22

Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. --- Psalm 119:105

THE ARMOR OF GOD . - Ephesians 6:14-17

For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two edged sword, piercing even to the end of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. --Hebrews 4:12

Fourth Ground : Good Soil

So get rid of all uncleanness and the rampant outgrowth of wickedness, and in a humble (gentle, modest) spirit receive and welcome the Word which implanted and rooted [in your hearts] contains the power to save your souls. - James 1:21 (AMP)

It contains the power to save your soul. -- James 1 :21

Meditate on it day and night , then you'll make your way prosperous and you wil have good success. - Joshua 1:8

Fourth Ground : Good Soil

Question 3: Why should I persevere and produce crops (30, 60, 100 folds)?

Answer : So do not throw away your bold faith ; it will bring rich rewards. You need to persevere/faithful so that when you have done the will of God,

you will receive what he has promised. -- Hebrews 10:36

Here is a list to name a few of the many rewards God promised to give : 1. Crown of Eternal Life - Revelation 2:10, John 17:32. A Mansion in heaven for free - John 14:23. God, the Creator of Heaven and Earth lives with you- Revelation 21:34. Heavenly prize is Christ Jesus himself - Philippians 3:145. A White Stone with your new name written on it - Revelation 2:176. Heavenly glory - 1 Corinthians 2:77. Heavenly body -1 Corinthians 15:408. Right to sit with Jesus on his throne - Revelation 3:219. Your name written in Book of Life in heaven - Revelation 20:15 10. Fruits of the Holy Spirit 11. Gifts of Holy Spirit12. God's protection, blessings, presence, comfort, assurance, mercy, love, peace...............God's Promises are so many... For more details...Please read the BIBLE.

In this parable, seeds are scattered everywhere, which means

that the GOSPEL is FOR EVERYONE ! God wants ALL to be SAVED and LIVE and not die.

Isaiah 45:22 (NIRV) God says : “ALL of you who live anywhere on earth, Turn to me and be saved. I AM GOD. There is NO OTHER GOD.”

Ezekiel 18:23, 32(NIRV) The Lord and King says : “When sinful people die, it does not give me any joy, But when they turn away from their sins and live, that makes me VERY happy.”

GOD gives ETERNAL LIFE thru His Son, Jesus ! Ask yourself....What kind of soil are you?

What kind of soil are you now?Which kind of soil would you like to be? Are you willing to cultivate your "land" to yield 30, 60, or 100 folds?

If you have decided to stand strong for JESUS...

Tell your enemy..