Oh, Father God, we ask your blessing upon us this evening. We pray that you would speak to us through your word. We pray that you would send your Holy Spirit upon us to illumine the text of scripture, that we might see Jesus Christ magnified, that we might hear the good news of Jesus Christ, our Lord. It's in his name we pray, amen. Please be seated. Why do people react to things, to the same thing, rather, in different ways? Certain books or movies might strike people in two different ways. I could be indifferent to something that you love, and you could love something that bores me to tears. We can be reading or watching the same thing and have opposite reactions to it. And this can be frustrating at times. How much sadder is it when the same thing happens when confronted with the ultimate, capital T, truth of the gospel of Jesus Christ? You may be like me and have family members who have heard the truth of the gospel, but have walked away unchanged. Or maybe were excited about it for a time, but have stopped going to church, have stopped reading their Bible and praying. Why do different people hear the same message of good news, the best news they'll ever hear, and react in such different ways? I think the parable of the sower tells us why. Jesus here gives us the answer. And in the chapters leading up to Matthew 13, Jesus is preaching and teaching to the crowds, and he's interacting with the Jewish leaders. Chapter 13 begins on that same day. The same day as the previous few chapters. Christ has been interacting with three different people groups in the context of Matthew chapters 10 through 12. And these three types of people correspond to those types of soil Jesus describes in the parable of the sower. First, we have the hardened Jewish leaders. They're the first type of soil, the hard path. And then there's the excited but uncommitted crowds, and those are split between the second and third soils, the rocky soil and thorny soil. And then, of course, there are the disciples amongst the people that Jesus is preaching to. They are represented by the good soil. This parable, then, is a picture of the different reactions that Christ has received on account of his preaching. The gospel is preached to all. The seed is sown, but not all who hear it have ears to hear, eyes to see, or hearts to understand the things of God revealed in Jesus. You and I see in this parable that everyone reacts to the gospel message. No one ignores it. No one is left out, but everyone responds in one of four ways. And every listener, then as well as now, is typified by one of these four soils described in Christ's parable. Well, this parable of the sower is the first in a series of 15 different parables that we will examine together over the next weeks and months. It's one of the few parables that appears in all three synoptic gospels in Matthew, Mark, and Luke. And it's rather well known because of the striking imagery that Christ uses and because of that interpretation that he gives of the parables meaning in verses 18 through 23. Biblical explanations of parables are rare. But here we have a divinely inspired, even a messianic interpretation. And this is important because parables are by their very nature not easy to understand, and their meaning is not apparent to everyone who hears them. In fact, there's even debate amongst scholars over what exactly constitutes a parable. One scholar, D.A. Carson, says that in the New Testament, the word parable can be used to describe, quote, a proverb, a profound or obscure saying, a nonverbal symbol or image, an illustrative story not involving comparison of unlikes, and more. And more. It is so broad. Based simply on the way the word is used, we can't arrive at a definition that's actually going to fit every parable that we will study. But we can define a parable simply as a story with a point. A story with a point. And this is far more than Aesop's fables. That poetic imagery that was giving a moral message. Slow and steady wins the race. Be like the tortoise and not like the hare. A parable is more than just a moral lesson. We have some examples of parables in the Old Testament. In one of them, the prophet Nathan told King David a parable after he took Bathsheba and killed her husband Uriah. Nathan came to David in judgment condemning David for his sin. So too, Christ often teaches in parables as a way to judge his hearers for their lack of understanding and their inability to see and hear what is right in front of them. That is the kingdom of God, the Messiah, the Christ. And this is in fact the meaning of Christ's words in verses 10 through 17. Only those who have been given ears to hear and eyes to see can truly understand the parables. So because these three sections that we're looking at tonight, the parable of the sower, the purpose of the parables in 10 through 17, and then the explanation of the parable in verses 18 through 23, because they're so intricately connected, we're not going to take each verse line by line, but we'll instead look at these four different types of soil that Christ describes, and in this way come to a greater understanding of the meaning of this parable and its relevance for us today. The gospel, Christ is telling us, is to be preached to everyone. Some will reject it outright. Others will initially seem excited about it, but soon fall away because of persecution. Another group will receive it, but be choked out by the concerns of the world and the deceitful pleasures of life. Still others will hear the word, will understand and receive it, will grow deep roots and will ultimately bear gospel fruit. You and I will see that though the same seed is sown to all four different types of soil, different people will respond to the gospel differently, depending on the condition of their hearts. Through the parable of the sower, Jesus Christ is encouraging you to be deeply rooted in the gospel so that you might show the marks of a true Christian, that you might bear good fruit and exhibit a life of Christlikeness and service to our triune God. So let's look at this parable by dissecting or trying to better understand these four different types of soil that Christ has described. The first that we come to is the hardened path. Those are the unrepentant sinners hearing the gospel message. As the sower spreads his seeds through the field, some of it lands on the path alongside that field. The dirt of that path has been trampled by feet, by hooves, by carts, so that it's now a hard surface. None of the seeds are able to get down into the soil so that they might grow, that they might produce fruit. Instead, they are snatched up by the birds, unable to sprout any sort of crop. Though this group of people hears the gospel, They're so hardened to the truth that they cannot accept it. It does not affect them in any way. As Jesus says, the mysteries of the kingdom of God, the secrets of the kingdom of heaven are hidden from those who are unable to understand, who have hardened their hearts toward the things of God revealed in Jesus Christ. Just like Paul says in 1 Corinthians 1, verse 18, the gospel is folly for those who are perishing. They do not accept the word because they cannot understand it. This was particularly true in Jesus' day of the Jewish leaders, and that's who he's talking about in this passage. They're so blinded by their cold devotion to the law that they cannot see and hear the lawgiver standing right in front of them. Jesus here shows the extremes of the hardness of Israel's heart and the judgment and wrath that they have incurred because of their unfaithfulness and their obstinance. They are those of whom Isaiah's prophecy spoke, which is quoted for us in verses 14 and 15. You will indeed hear, but never understand. You will see, but never perceive. For this people's heart has grown dull, and with their ears they can barely hear, and their eyes they have closed, lest they should see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their heart, and turn, and I would heal them." Note here the importance of Christ's words just before this passage from Isaiah is quoted, that the parables are given to obscure the underlying meaning from those who do not have ears to hear. Here we see both the elements of God's sovereignty and man's responsibility. God chooses whom he will save, but all people are still responsible for their own actions. The classic Old Testament example is Pharaoh in Egypt. Pharaoh hardens his own heart, but God hardens it further. allows Pharaoh to harden his own heart. It's not this, there's no dichotomy, there's no conflict between God's sovereignty and man's responsibility. It's not an either or, it's a both and. So I urge you, do not harden your heart to the gospel of Jesus Christ. Do not be like Israel who rejected God's Messiah Encourage one another so that those around you would not harden their hearts. The writer to the Hebrews says in chapter 3, verses 12 through 15, take care, brothers, lest there be in any of you an evil, unbelieving heart, leading you to fall away from the living God. But exhort one another every day, as long as it is called today, that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin. For we have come to share in Christ, if indeed we hold our original confidence firm to the end. As it is said, today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts, as in the rebellion. Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, and he will turn your heart of stone into a heart of flesh. He came to this earth to live in perfect obedience to God's will. He suffered, bled, and died on the cross of Calvary. And he was raised again to new life three days later. Believe in this Christ. Hear and receive this gospel. And you will be saved from your sin, from your hard-heartedness. Come to Jesus. and he will till up the hard soil of your life and plant his word deep within you so that you will bear fruit for the kingdom of God. Pray that the Lord would open your eyes and ears to behold the wonderful things of God. Well, the next type of soil that Christ explains is the rocky ground. He says that there is no depth of soil here. Though the plant immediately springs up, as soon as the sun rises, the plant is burnt and destroyed. This rocky soil, this second group of listeners, are the hearers of Christ's message who are initially excited about their newfound faith. but their zeal is short-lived because they have no roots, no stability to facilitate growth. When they first hear the gospel, they're enthralled with Christ, eager to serve him, ready to dive into fellowship with other believers in the church. But soon, they face the realities of living for Christ in this world. And as Christ says in verse 20, tribulation, persecution come because of the word, because of the word, and they immediately fall away. These people, their zeal is overcome by the pressure that comes with standing for truth in a world full of lies. They have no depth that will sustain them when trouble comes. and therefore they are scorched by the sun and they wither away. Christ frequently called his disciples to persevere in the midst of persecution, assuring them that it will come, preparing them for the inevitable reality of opposition. And the New Testament authors take up this theme as well. Peter tells you in his first epistle, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice, insofar as you share Christ's sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed. Christian, be firmly rooted in Christ. Understand that trials, persecutions, temptations will come your way. But do not lose heart. Know that Christ endured far more than you ever will for your sin. And that sin is nailed to the cross and you bear it no more. Praise the Lord. Praise the Lord, oh my soul. This is that second soil, the rocky ground. And then Christ says that as the sower kept going, other seed fell among thorns and the thorns grew up and choked them. And these, he describes, are the ones in verse 22, the one who hears the word, but the cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word and it proves unfruitful. This third type of soil is the thorny soil. These are the nominal Christians, the ones Christian only in name, who become apostates. The seed from the sower, as we read, falls amongst thorns. The plant is choked by them and dies. The thorny soil, then, is another example of those who ultimately reject the gospel of Christ, but for different reasons than the hard path and the rocky soil. They're choked by anxiety and by wealth, not persecution or willful disobedience. Riches, Christ says, are deceitful, and one commentator said that really they're a deceitful pleasure, a deceptive pleasure. The Greek word that's used here, artes, can mean both deceitfulness and delight. Therefore, there's a sense in which Christ is saying that wealth is a delight, but it's a deceptive delight. It leads its admirers astray. It ultimately fails to bring them what they seek. Christ will later say that it's easier for a camel to squeeze through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of heaven. This thorny soil describes those who are wasting their lives on what doesn't matter. They're blind to spiritual things, can only see what is physical, what's right in front of them. They cannot understand the things of God and though they initially show some growth, some fruit, they prove ultimately to be unfruitful and show that they are apostate. The pursuit of wealth and notoriety for its own sake is an easy trap to fall into, is it not? This is something we see all around us, especially living here in Charleston. Acquiring more wealth is the aim of so many people, but it's a trap of the devil. He's luring people in with promises of fulfillment and comfort, but only bringing pain, sorrow, longing, and loss. So Christian, do not be swayed by the pressures and pleasures of this world. Keep your eyes set on Christ, the author and perfecter of our faith, and do not worship the idols of money, success, knowledge, or comfort. Do not be anxious for tomorrow, but trust that the Lord will provide for your every need. So this is the thorny soil, that third type of soil. And then finally, Christ describes the fruitful soil. These are the faithful Christians. He says, verse 23, as for what was sown on good soil, this is the one who hears the word and understands it. He indeed bears fruit and yields, in one case a hundredfold, in another 60, and in another 30. Faithful Christians are the ones who have eyes to see and ears to hear the gospel of Jesus Christ. It is they who are the good soil, allowing the Word of Christ to dwell in them so that they bear fruit in keeping with repentance. And verses 16 and 17, apply to faithful Christians who have heard and understood the gospel. There Christ says, blessed are your eyes for they see, and your ears for they hear. For truly I say to you, many prophets and righteous people longed to see what you see and did not see it, and to hear what you hear and did not hear it. It is to these fruitful Christians that the knowledge of the kingdom has been given. And that is an act of God. based not on anything that we could have done. These fruitful Christians are blessed because they heeded Christ's words in verse nine. He says, he who has ears, let him hear. They open their ears and eyes by God's grace alone. And again, we see here God's sovereignty in his electing purpose, because it's not up to the seed or the soil how much will grow. Plants don't produce fruit by their own exertion. All growth is given to them by the giver of life. So too, the Christian's fruit is not produced by moral striving, but by God who gives growth. But just as with those who harden their hearts against the gospel and God further hardens them, so too do we see human responsibility alongside God's sovereignty in the good soil. All aspects of the growth of this good fruit are attributed ultimately to God's sovereignty and proximately to man's responsibility. God alone decides whether you will yield 100-fold, 60-fold, or 30. But each plant must produce fruit, and Christians must follow after Christ in all obedience to his word. But understand that fruit is, of course, not a condition of your salvation. You are not saved by the good works that you do. Salvation comes by grace alone, through faith alone, in Jesus Christ alone, to the glory of God alone. It is not your own doing, but is a gift of God, not of works, so that no one may boast. Notice in Christ's parable as well, the time that it takes for seed to sprout. The rocky and thorny soils have plants which shoot up quickly, but because of their shallow roots, they're destroyed quickly as well. But the same is not the case with the seed that falls on good soil. We're not told that it sprouts quickly. It takes time to let deep roots form in the soil before fruit is produced. Do not be discouraged at your lack of progress. The Christian life is, as one author says, a long obedience in the same direction. This fact is also why we are warned in the New Testament not to allow new converts to exercise positions of authority within the church. The true gospel fruit is seen in the trials and the testing that come with maturity. Each person must respond to the word of Christ and allow it to burrow deep into their hearts and then produce good fruit. Now a word to the covenant children. You cannot be saved by the deep roots of your parents. You will not be judged by their fruit, but by your own. Accept the word from Christ the sower. Allow it to be deeply rooted in your hearts so that you too will bear fruit and show yourself to be a real Christian. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly. believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved. Christ, in the parable of the sower, is calling all of his listeners, those in the crowd in that day when this parable was taught, as well as all of us here this evening. He's calling us to examine yourselves, to see which type of soil you are. Have you hardened your heart to the things of Christ so that the seed of His Word cannot reach it? Will you be so overwhelmed by the persecution that will come your way as a follower of Christ that you turn your back on Him? Are you so concerned with the anxieties of life and the pursuit of worldly pleasures that you fall away? Or, Have you allowed the Word of Christ to dwell in you richly? Are you producing good fruit because your faith is genuine and you're living for Christ? Do you have eyes to see, ears to hear, and hearts to understand what God has done for you in Jesus Christ? I pray that you would. I pray that you would. Let's pray. Our gracious God and Father, we praise you for the wondrous works you have done for us in and through Jesus Christ. We pray that all of us here would allow the word of Christ to penetrate our hearts. We pray that we would not be hardened or anxious or willfully disobedient. We would not be easily swayed by persecutions and trials when they come our way. Father God, may we be deeply rooted in Jesus Christ. May his word be rooted in us as well, that we might bear fruit for you in service to you. We praise you and thank you for your wonderful word. Pray that you would bless us. It's in Jesus' name we pray, amen.