The parable of the sower is described in Mathew 13:3-23,
Mark 4:3-20 and Luke 8:5-15.
Mark 4:13 explicitly explains that if we are to understand
all the other parables that Jesus gave; we first must understand this parable
of the sower and that it is why it is important to understand this parable. In other words,
understanding this parable is the key to understand all the other parables.
Having seen this, we are told the sower went to sow the word
of God. Mark 4:14, Luke 8:11. This parable is therefore not referring to those
outside the church because we know, the word of God is mainly preached in the
church. In the church there are 6 types of grounds as we shall see.
1.
Footpath believers- Mark 4:4,15; Mat 13:4,19; Luke
8:5,12
This refers to believers who immediately after hearing the word of God,
the devil comes and takes it away from them and prevent them from believing and
getting saved. The reason is because they do not understand it.
It is therefore very important for those who preach the gospel to ensure
that the message is well understood; not using words that are not clear to
those listening. It is good to understand the context of those you are speaking
to.
For those listening, it is always good to ensure that wondering thoughts
are not allowed during the sermon, or thoughts of- this word being preached
belong to so and so. I wish so and so was here to hear this word. The word is
written about you not your neighbour. It is speaking specifically to you. Heb 10:7
2.
Rocky
soil believers- Mark 4:5-6,16-17; Mat 13:5-6,20-21;
Luke 8:6,13
This represent those who understand and receive the message as theirs and
they do it with joy. They sprout out very quickly but since they have shallow
roots, they don’t stand very long. They fall away as soon as they have problems
or are persecuted for the word.
We therefore see that receiving the words is good, but we shall be tested
for the word and therefore we need to be firmly established in the word that we
don’t fall away in the time of persecution.
3.
Thorn believers- Mark
4:7,18-19; Mat 13:7, 22; Luke 8:7,14
These refers to those who hear the message but are choked by worries, and
deceitfulness of riches, desires for
other things, and pleasures of this life and do not bring the fruit to maturity,
and therefore their fruit does not ripen.
As we see, these are believers who had already begun bearing fruits but
the fruit does not reach maturity. We can say for example, a young person who
in their single days was zealous and sought God and shunned sin but when he
gets a job and gets married and have children, the thing mentioned above
overcrowd the passion he had to live for God and therefore the fruit he was
bearing does not mature.
4.
Fertile ground believers. Mark 4:8,20; Mat 13:8,23; Luke 8:8,15
These refers to those who first overcome the first 3 things mentioned
above. They are honest, i.e. there is no
pretending to be what they are not before others, and they have good hearts-
that is they have not grudges or bitterness or unforgiveness against anyone. They
are always ready to do good to everyone even to those who hurt them. When they
hear the word they obey it and they steadily bring their fruit with PATIENCE.
We are told that some bring forth 30times, others 60 and others 100time. The
difference in the three is their whole heartedness in the thing mentioned here.
100 fold are those who immediately, sixty fold are those who take a little time
to obey, and 30 times are those who take more time. Depending on the
wholeheartedness of the individual, the fruitfulness will be different for each
individual.
You are blessed to be a blessing
Feel free to share
@blessed mambo
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