AM Scripture Reading: Luke 8.4-6

This Morning’s Sermon:

Brent T. Willey

THE SEED, THE SOIL, THE SURRENDER

Luke 8.4-15

 Introduction:

1. All three synoptic gospels record Jesus’ initial parable, the “parable of the sower” (Matt. 13; Mark 4 & Luke 8).
2. Parabolé [parabolh/]: “a placing one thing by the side of another; a comparison with one thing with another” (Thayer).
3. The purpose of parables was to teach important spiritual truths to those who honestly seek God. (Vs. 9-11)
4. To assist His disciples in deciphering the parables, Jesus explains the meaning & application of the parable of the sower.

THE SEED

1. V. 11: “The seed is the word of God.”
2. God’s word can be planted in the hearts of individuals who are willing to listen. (1 Cor. 3.6-7; James 1.21; 1 Pet. 1.23)

THE SOIL

1. V. 12: “Those by the wayside are the ones who hear; then the devil comes and takes away the word out of their hearts, lest they should believe and be saved.”
2. V. 13: “But the ones on the rock are those who, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no root, who believe for a while and in time of temptation fall away.”
3. V. 14: “And the ones that fell among thorns are those who, when they have heard, go out and are choked with cares, riches, and pleasures of life, and bring no fruit to maturity.”
4. V. 15: “But the ones that fell on the good ground are those who, having heard the word with a noble and good heart, keep it and bear fruit with patience.”

THE SURRENDER

1. V. 8: “He who has ears to hear, let him hear!”
2. Every soul surrenders to something…
   1. Wayside soil: refuse simple truth! (John 8.32; 2 Tim. 3.7)
   2. Rocky soil: repeated temptation! (1 Cor. 10.13)
   3. Thorny soil: cares, riches & pleasure! (1 John 2.15-17)
   4. Good soil: produces spiritual fruit! (Matt. 12.33; Eph. 5.9)

Conclusion: What soil accurately represents your life?