I. The Wayside
a. Jesus said that some of the seed sown by the sower fell along the wayside—the road, the path, the highway, the footpath. This is a trail that was worn by foot traffic. The ground had become impacted due to the foot traffic. Therefore, it was hard so the seed could not penetrate the ground. He said that the Wayside heart is one that hears the Word and rejects the Word because he/she did not understand what they heard. The word “understand” means to put together, to comprehend. To them, the Gospel makes no sense so they reject it.
b. Perhaps you’ve seen ground where people feed birds. They throw out the seeds and immediately a flock of birds come and eat it up. This is the scenario described by Jesus.
c. Matthew 9 and John 9
II. The Stony Ground
a. Some seed fell on stony ground. This ground is that rocky ground. It is similar to driveways that are paved with gravel. The seed falls between the gravel where it is able to take root. From there a plant springs up but the sun kills the plant because its roots are not deep and it doesn’t get the nourishment it needs to survive. Jesus said this is a heart that hears the Word, receives the Word, but dies out or forsakes the Word because of tribulation or persecution. The term used is “skandalizo” from which we get scandal, shame. Because of persecution (ridicule) tribulation (trouble), that person becomes ashamed of the Gospel. Literally, he/she falls away.
a. Jesus said that some of the seed sown by the sower fell along the wayside—the road, the path, the highway, the footpath. This is a trail that was worn by foot traffic. The ground had become impacted due to the foot traffic. Therefore, it was hard so the seed could not penetrate the ground. He said that the Wayside heart is one that hears the Word and rejects the Word because he/she did not understand what they heard. The word “understand” means to put together, to comprehend. To them, the Gospel makes no sense so they reject it.
b. Perhaps you’ve seen ground where people feed birds. They throw out the seeds and immediately a flock of birds come and eat it up. This is the scenario described by Jesus.
c. Matthew 9 and John 9
II. The Stony Ground
a. Some seed fell on stony ground. This ground is that rocky ground. It is similar to driveways that are paved with gravel. The seed falls between the gravel where it is able to take root. From there a plant springs up but the sun kills the plant because its roots are not deep and it doesn’t get the nourishment it needs to survive. Jesus said this is a heart that hears the Word, receives the Word, but dies out or forsakes the Word because of tribulation or persecution. The term used is “skandalizo” from which we get scandal, shame. Because of persecution (ridicule) tribulation (trouble), that person becomes ashamed of the Gospel. Literally, he/she falls away.
III. The Thorns
a. Some seed fell among the thorns. Thorns are predator plants. Their roots move in and steal the nutrients out of the soil from the roots of other plants. Jesus said that this type of heart is one that hears the Word, believes the Word, receives the Word, but because of worldly cares and the deceitfulness of riches, turns his/her back on the Word, thus becoming unfruitful. Worldly passion chokes out passion for the Lord.
b. Paul and Demas (2 Timothy 4:10 “for Demas has forsaken me, having loved this present world, and has departed for Thessalonica…”) Matthew 7:19, John 15
c. I believe we are on the edge of and may be into the beginning of the Great Apostasy spoken of in the Bible. People do not go to church like they used to. They don’t call on the Lord like they used to, until something bad happens. People, Christians, in particular, have left the church in pursuit of worldly riches. They can’t come b/c they have to work. They can’t come b/c they are too tired from working. They can’t come b/c they have to wash the car. They can’t come b/c they have to wash clothes. They can’t come b/c they have to clean the house, mow the lawn, go to the lake, go to the casino. Question is, why don’t they do these things during the week? It is because they value their jobs above God. They have forsaken Him for worldly passions. Remember the rich young ruler.
IV. The Good Ground
a. Then there was the good ground. This ground was tilled, watered, and ready to receive the seed. It was free of rocks and thorns. It produced up to 100x what was planted. Jesus said this type of heart is one who hears the Word, believes the Word, received, the Word, and lives the Word.
b. Matthew 5 says, “Let you light so shine before men…” Gandhi once said, “I like your Christ but not your Christians. Your Christians are so unlike your Christ.” John 15:8
c. There are three things that will surprise you when you get to Heaven. First is the fact you made it. Second is who’s there. Third is who is not there. Will you be there? Will you be in the number when the Saints go marching in? Will you be there when the roll is called up yonder? Are you saved? If the rapture were to happen right now, would you still be here? Jesus said you will know them by their fruit. What fruit does your life produce? Do you read your Bible more than just on Sundays? Do you pray when you’re not in church or not in trouble? Do you attend Bible study? Do you give God as much respect as you give your boss?
a. Some seed fell among the thorns. Thorns are predator plants. Their roots move in and steal the nutrients out of the soil from the roots of other plants. Jesus said that this type of heart is one that hears the Word, believes the Word, receives the Word, but because of worldly cares and the deceitfulness of riches, turns his/her back on the Word, thus becoming unfruitful. Worldly passion chokes out passion for the Lord.
b. Paul and Demas (2 Timothy 4:10 “for Demas has forsaken me, having loved this present world, and has departed for Thessalonica…”) Matthew 7:19, John 15
c. I believe we are on the edge of and may be into the beginning of the Great Apostasy spoken of in the Bible. People do not go to church like they used to. They don’t call on the Lord like they used to, until something bad happens. People, Christians, in particular, have left the church in pursuit of worldly riches. They can’t come b/c they have to work. They can’t come b/c they are too tired from working. They can’t come b/c they have to wash the car. They can’t come b/c they have to wash clothes. They can’t come b/c they have to clean the house, mow the lawn, go to the lake, go to the casino. Question is, why don’t they do these things during the week? It is because they value their jobs above God. They have forsaken Him for worldly passions. Remember the rich young ruler.
IV. The Good Ground
a. Then there was the good ground. This ground was tilled, watered, and ready to receive the seed. It was free of rocks and thorns. It produced up to 100x what was planted. Jesus said this type of heart is one who hears the Word, believes the Word, received, the Word, and lives the Word.
b. Matthew 5 says, “Let you light so shine before men…” Gandhi once said, “I like your Christ but not your Christians. Your Christians are so unlike your Christ.” John 15:8
c. There are three things that will surprise you when you get to Heaven. First is the fact you made it. Second is who’s there. Third is who is not there. Will you be there? Will you be in the number when the Saints go marching in? Will you be there when the roll is called up yonder? Are you saved? If the rapture were to happen right now, would you still be here? Jesus said you will know them by their fruit. What fruit does your life produce? Do you read your Bible more than just on Sundays? Do you pray when you’re not in church or not in trouble? Do you attend Bible study? Do you give God as much respect as you give your boss?
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