The Gospel of Matthew
The "Sower, Seed, and Soil"
I. The Seed That Fell by the Wayside
Matthew 13:4 (NLT)
4 As he scattered them across his field, some seeds fell on a footpath,
and the birds came and ate them.
Matthew 13:19 (NLT)
19 The seed that fell on the footpath represents those who hear the message about the Kingdom and don’t understand it. Then the evil one comes and snatches away the seed that was planted in their hearts.
II. The Seed That Fell on Stony Ground
Matthew 13:5–6 (NLT)
5 Other seeds fell on shallow soil with underlying rock. The seeds sprouted quickly because the soil was shallow. 6 But the plants soon wilted under the hot sun, and since they didn’t have deep roots, they died.
Matthew 13:20–21 (NLT)
20 The seed on the rocky soil represents those who hear the message and immediately receive it with joy. 21 But since they don’t have deep roots, they don’t last long. They fall away as soon as they have problems or are persecuted for believing God’s word.
Hebrews 10:39 (NLT)
39 But we are not like those who turn away from God to their own destruction. We are the faithful ones, whose souls will be saved.
III. The Seed That Fell Among Thorns
Matthew 13:7 (NLT)
7 Other seeds fell among thorns that grew up and choked out the tender plants.
Matthew 13:22 (NLT)
22 The seed that fell among the thorns represents those who hear God’s word, but all too quickly the message is crowded out by the worries of this life and the lure of wealth, so no fruit is produced.
1. Lack of Engagement with Scripture:
2. Resistance to Biblical Teachings:
3. Lack of Transformation or Growth:
4. Prioritizing Other Influences:
IV. The Seed That Fell on Good Ground
Matthew 13:8 (NLT)
8 Still other seeds fell on fertile soil, and they produced a crop that was thirty, sixty, and even a hundred times as much as had been planted!
Matthew 13:23 (NLT)
23 The seed that fell on good soil represents those who truly hear and understand God’s word and produce a harvest of thirty, sixty, or even a hundred times as much as had been planted!”
John 15:3–8 (NLT)
3 You have already been pruned and purified by the message I have given you. 4 Remain in me, and I will remain in you. For a branch cannot produce fruit if it is severed from the vine, and you cannot be fruitful unless you remain in me.
5 “Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing. 6 Anyone who does not remain in me is thrown away like a useless branch and withers. Such branches are gathered into a pile to be burned. 7 But if you remain in me and my words remain in you, you may ask for anything you want, and it will be granted! 8 When you produce much fruit, you are my true disciples. This brings great glory to my Father.
Galatians 5:22–23 (NLT)
22 But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!
Romans 1:13–15 (NLT)
13 I want you to know, dear brothers and sisters, that I planned many times to visit you, but I was prevented until now. I want to work among you and see spiritual fruit, just as I have seen among other Gentiles. 14 For I have a great sense of obligation to people in both the civilized world and the rest of the world, to the educated and uneducated alike. 15 So I am eager to come to you in Rome, too, to preach the Good News.
