The Parable of the Sower
Text: Matthew 13:1-23

• The gospels record some sixty different parables of Jesus.
• It has been estimated that at least one-third of Jesus’ recorded teaching is found in parables.

What is a parable?

A parable is a teaching aid that is cast or thrown against or beside the truth that is being taught. In a parable, the story is merely the means to help reinforce the truth being taught.

The word “parable” means “to place one thing

another with a view to comparison.”

I. THE

.

Jesus repeatedly encouraged the Pharisees and us to listen to what He was saying, using the phrase, “Let anyone who has ears, listen…”

Soon, however, the Pharisees’ opposition to Jesus grew beyond not merely listening but turning to openly and actively hindering others from giving Jesus their attention.

II. THE

.

Jesus taught using parables for two primary reasons:
1) To reveal

to those who truly listened and wanted to understand truth.

2) To

truth to those who are unwilling to truly seek truth, having dull or hardened hearts.

III. THE

.

A. The

.

The crowd was so large Jesus ended up getting into a boat and spoke to the crowd on the shore while He himself was in the boat.

B. The

.

1) The

.

Who is the Sower?

who shares the Word of God!

2) The

.

3) The

.

4) The

.

THERE ARE FOUR TYPES OF SOILS / FOUR TYPES OF HEARTS THAT ARE DESCRIBED…

Notice:

% of the soils/people in the story were unfruitful, unsuccessful, didn’t produce a harvest.

Why?

<>Well, it isn’t the fault of the

.

<>It isn’t the fault of the

either.

*Heb.4:12 – “For the word of God is living and powerful, sharper than any two-edged sword…able to reveal the thoughts and intentions of the heart.”

*1Pet.1:23 – “For you have been born again not of seed which is perishable but imperishable, that is, through the living and abiding word of God.”

JESUS USES FOUR TYPES OF SOILS TO DESCRIBE THE DEGREES OF RECEPTIVITY OF PEOPLE’S HEARTS…

1) The

.

2)

ground.

3)

ground.

4)

soil.

IV. THE

.

1) The sower isn’t responsible for the yield, but simply to

the seed.

2) Good soil always produces

.

Let me ask you three questions in closing:

1) What type of

are you?

2) Are you a

?

Adrian Rogers said,
“There are two types of Christians: soul winners and backsliders.”

Bailey Smith said,
“We on the inside of the church need to endure some inconvenience in order that those on the outside can hear the gospel.”

3) Seed has been scattered here today. Have you

it?