A GREAT AMOUNT OF THE TEACHING OF JESUS WAS TAKEN UP BY PARABLES, AND THIS ONE IS THE KEY ONE

1. This parable is foundational- If you miss this message, all others are lost- & heaven too!
2. Every kind of mankind is pictured here as hearing God's Word! - You have choice-your kind.
3. But the "good ground" heroes of the story vary greatly.  Where do you fit into this story?

What makes the difference in the ground? What makes the difference in the yield? YOU DO!

I.- JESUS AND THE GREAT PARABLE  Matt 13:1-9

3 series- Planting Kingdom Truth; Humbled by opposition, Evangelic; Judicial-reward or punishment

A.- THE SETTING v. 1,2 A BEAUTIFUL SPRING MORNING ON THE WEST SIDE OF THE SEA OF GALILEE!

1. Jesus sat in a ship- & taught; multitude gathered on shore, grass and rising hill- cove
2. Jesus taught in parables- clearness, purity, simplicity, reaching into heart of every man
3. No one expected a parable to be literal- but men sought for personal spiritual truth -morality

B.- JESUS TAUGHT THEM IN PARABLES SAYING "BEHOLD, A SOWER WENT FORTH TO SOW" V. 3

1. The sower always seemed careless to me- lost much seed- 3 failures, and one good place
2. The sower must have aimed at the good ground- note v. 3-8 & count seed that reproduces
3. v.9 always seemed cruel to me- But I know Jesus was not cruel!- His heart burdened for souls

C.- WHY WOULD JESUS TEACH IN PARABLES? v. 10 HIS DISCIPLES ASKED HIM THAT VERY QUESTION: 10-17

1. A parable story conveys truth to the mind in interesting way- beautiful, & can be remembered
2. Spiritual truth can be given to all men- ignorant, untrained, -It is interesting to people
3. A rebuke or an offensive truth can be brought home to conscience- as Nathan to David --
4. A truth some might fight against could be kept hidden- message in code to Disciples-not Jews

Jesus did not violate free will of the hard-hearted ones, but explained to loved ones.

II.- JESUS AND THE EXPLANATION OF PARABLE ! v.18-

There are principles of Bible study if you will use these, no hard problem to understand

A.- THERE ARE SPECIAL RULES FOR UNDERSTANDING PARABLES, MARK THEM WELL IN YOUR BIBLE !

1. Look for a central spiritual truth and purpose - in context, background, or in parable
2. Do not try to teach detailed, complex doctrine - but a great moral truth- in general
3. Distinguish between essential features- and trivial, background; do not force a parable

B.- JESUS EXPLAINED HIS GREATEST, AND MOST FOUNDATIONAL PARABLE, AND IT IS QUITE SIMPLE! 18-23

Who is the sower? We know the seed is the Word of the Kingdom; soil are those who hear-

1. Wayside- a path; hard packed, well-traveled - Wicked one (birds) catch up seeds -surface only
2. Stony ground- little soil on rock; takes all, loss of warmth-but easily offended- washed
3. Among thorns- good ground, but cluttered- v.22 cares of world, deceit of riches-choke word!
4. Good ground- prepared - produces results - 30,40,60 My mind asks why difference?  Is God fair?

The parable is stopped abruptly- what did it mean to disciples? what results in lives?

III.- WHAT DOES JESUS SAY TO YOU ?

Great Bible Truths must produce results in human hearts- or they are abstract.  God LOVES people

A.- THIS PARABLE HAS DIFFERING MEANINGS ACCORDING TO THE CONGREGATION WHO HEARS IT! - You?

1. Jesus spoke to a mixed multitude- some strong opposition, some just joy-riding His miracles
2. Those who drew close- "good soil"- heard explanation- and I hope believed & were saved!
3. Those who believed, then became sowers of the seed - and went out distributing God's word

B.- BUT WHAT MAKES THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE GOOD GROUND THAT PRODUCES 30,40,60 fold? Seed or sower?

1. The seed is all good; sower tries his best; but is so human; Hard thing is prepare the soil
2. I try plowing, digging out weeds, fertilizing, watering but not waste time on rocks, paths
3. I want the best for each of you- God's best in your life; Some doubt my motive; some resist

C.- WHAT CAN BE DONE TO GET MORE SEED ON BETTER PREPARED GROUND, AND PRODUCE MORE?  Let's try

1. Hos 10:12- break fallow ground (need for repentance where you have grown hard)- willing?
2. Psa 126:6- sow precious seed, weeping; In day of abundance you can't understand this
3. II Cor 9:6- Sow bountifully- reap same way! - Be in church often- help me sow much seed!
4. Gal 6:7,8 -Sow good seed- reap the same!- I expect this church to change your life for the better!

But some have no desire, do not come often enough, refuse to receive the Word!- You?

IN THIS DRAMA OF LIFE, YOU CAN CHOOSE JUST WHAT THE PARABLE WILL TELL ABOUT YOU. YOUR FREE CHOICE!

1. Be good ground- receive God's word- let it produce results in your life- start- Salvation
2. Sow good seed- you reproduce your own kind- so get into Bible- submit to it- & be soulwinners
3. Sow abundantly- by your faithful presence, giving, and working- put quality into your life.