Sermon # 28 Series: Matthew
Title: THE PARABLE OF THE SOWER
Text: Matthew 13:1-23
Subject: The Parable of The Sower
Scripture Reading:
Office – L. Campbell Aud. – B.
Daughtery
Date: Tuesday Evening – January 24, 1995
Tape: # Q-94
Introduction:
In this chapter our Lord Jesus
Christ taught the gospel to his disciples by seven parables, seven distinct and
striking illustrations of Divine truth drawn from the book of nature. He calls
these parables “the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven.” When we study the
parables several things need to be kept in mind.
Tonight we will look at The
Parable of The Sower (vv. 1-23). Here is a parable that is verified
continually before our very eyes. Wherever, men and women gather to hear the
Word of God preached and expounded, the sayings of our Lord in this parable are
manifestly found to be true. It describes what goes on, as a general rule, in
all congregations where the gospel is preached.
Proposition:
The one thing taught in this parable
is the necessity of hearing the Word of the gospel with a believing heart.
Divisions:
Let me show you five things in this
regard that are clearly established in these 23 verses of Holy Scripture.
I. Gospel
Preachers are Like Sowers.
The preacher is a man who casts the bread upon the waters and waits for it to return only after many days (Eccl. 11:2). He “goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed,” and “shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him” (Ps. 126:6).
A. Like the farmer,
the preacher has to sow good seed, if he wants to see fruit.
The Seed sown must be the pure Word
of God, the gospel of God’s free and sovereign grace in Christ. The man who
does not preach the gospel does not preach the Word of God, though he may do
nothing but recite Scripture. To preach the Word of God is to preach Jesus
Christ and him crucified – (I Pet. 1:25).
“We preach
Christ crucified!”
B. Like the
farmer who diligently sows his seed, the preacher must be diligent in the work
of the gospel.
He must spare no pains. He must use every means he has. He must seize every opportunity God gives, and potently labor in God’s vineyard for the furtherance of the gospel. “Blessed are ye that sow beside all waters.” (Isa. 32:20). He must “be instant in season and out of season” (II Tim. 4:2). He cannot be deterred by difficulties and discouragements. “He that observeth the wind shall not sow” (Eccles. 11:4).
Success
does not depend upon the preacher’s labor and diligence; but success will not
be attained without it. The preacher can no more give life to men than the
farmer can cause the seed to germinate, and grow, and bear fruit. That is God’s
business and God’s prerogative. But I can plow the ground, sow the seed, water
it with prayer, and wait for God to give the increase as he sees fit. “It is
the Spirit that quickeneth.” (John 6:63).
II. The Word of
God is The Seed of Life.
“The seed is the Word of God” (Lk.
8:11).
I will not attempt to explain what I do not understand. But
I know this – As sperm invading the egg brings forth life, so the Word
of God invading the heart of a dead sinner by the power of God the Holy Spirit
brings forth life! As the egg cannot be impregnated without sperm, so
too a sinner cannot be born again without the Word of God. Why? Because
God says so!
III. Salvation is
the Sovereign Prerogative of God.
If language has any meaning at all, verses 10-17 cannot possibly be read without concluding that there is such a thing as sovereign, distinguishing grace.
A. God gives life,
and faith, and understanding to his elect, and does not give it to others (v.
11).
B. When people
refuse to walk in the light God gives them, the light that is in them becomes
darkness (vv. 12-16).
“Take heed
how ye hear!” (Lk. 8:18).
C. The seeing eye,
the hearing ear, and the believing heart are gifts of God.
IV. Most People
Who Hear The Gospel Preached Receive No Saving Benefit From It.
According to our text, the vast
majority, three out of four people, who hear the gospel preached do not profit
by it. Our Lord is not talking about those who hear some false gospel, but
those who hear the gospel of God free and sovereign grace in Christ – the vast
majority receive no spiritual, everlasting benefit from it.
A. Some Are
Described as Wayside Hearers – (v. 19).
Careless,
thoughtless, and unconcerned, the gospel has no more affect on their hearts
than water has upon a stone. As fast as the Word falls on their ears, the devil
plucks it away. They go out just like they came in, unaffected. Christ
crucified means nothing to them (Lam. 1:12).
B. Others are
called Stony Ground Hearers – (vv. 20-21).
These
people hear the sermon with pleasure. They are quickly excited. The message
brings forth a plentiful crop of warm feelings and good resolutions. But the
stony ground hearer’s religion is religion without depth. As soon as the cold
blasts of opposition or the hot sun of temptation and persecution comes, their
religion withers away.
The mere
love of good sermons and good preaching is not a sign of grace – (Ezek. 33:32).
C. Then Our Lord
speaks of Thorny Ground Hearers – (v. 22).
These
people appear to be more hopeful than the others. They hang around much longer.
They seem to really love the gospel. It appears that they really want to honor
God and do his will – But other things constantly claim their affections! They
know the truth. They hope one day to be decided and devoted followers of Christ
– But they love the world! How many thorny ground hearers sit in the pews of
our churches!
A. They never make up
their minds to “seek first the kingdom of God.”
B. They have real
struggles trying to have both Christ and the world, not willing to give up
either.
C. But in time, the
care of the world and the deceitfulness of riches destroys them.
V. Wherever The
Word of God Produces Life It Brings Forth Fruit (v. 23).
The order
of grace is clearly this –
1st Hearing the Word
2nd Understanding the
Gospel
3rd Bearing the Fruit of
The Spirit.
NOTE: We do not all bear fruit to the same degree. But all believers bear
fruit and the fruit they bear is the same (Gal. 5:22-23; John 15-16).
A. Heart Fruit
B. Lip Fruit
C. Life Fruit
Application: Luke 8:18