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10 - We Are A Sowing People |
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Mt. 13:3-9, 18-23, 23-30, 36-43; Mk. 4:26-29
Sunday Morning, January 26, 2003
We Are a Sowing People
INTRODUCTION:
First century Palestine’s economy was mainly based on farming. The lifestyle of the people centered around the planting-and-harvesting lifecycle. They ate well when their crops flourished and suffered great poverty when the harvest failed due to drought, locusts, or other threats to their precarious lives. So when Jesus talked about sowing and reaping, he was touching a very sensitive chord in the hearts of his hearers.
Before giving his explanation of the Parable of the Sower, Jesus took a minute to identify his purpose for speaking in parables (vv. 10-17).
DIGGING DEEPER:
I. The Parable of the Sower (Mt. 13:3-9; 18-23). Some would suggest that a more appropriate title would be “The Parable of the Soils.”
A. Perhaps the best known parable about sowing is recorded in Matthew. The story assumes that the seed sown by the sower is good, so whether or not the seed bears fruit depends on the type of soil into which the seed falls. Jesus’ story described a farmer who planted his entire field, which contained four different types of soil. Some of the soil repelled the seeds because it was simply too hard for seeds to penetrate. Some of the soil was rocky, and it only allowed the seeds to fit in between the rocks and grow temporarily. The third soil was infested with stickers and thorny weeds, which choked out the good seeds the farmer sowed. But the fourth soil was rich and fertile – the seeds came up and produced beautiful grain in abundance.
B. We learn from the explanation that Jesus gives (vv. 18-23) that the four different kinds of ground represent four different conditions of the heart.
C. The planter in this story knew his job – it was to plant! The purpose of this parable about the sower was to encourage the disciples in their witnessing. Jesus wants his disciples to share their faith, using whatever gift or ability God has given them. Sharing one’s faith is not just for preachers.
D. Unfortunately, we have often mistakenly expanded the planter’s job description. A planter should not be expected to do anything but plant. Planting a seed does not necessary demand teaching, convict, and converting each person with whom they have shared their faith.
E. We are planters. As planters, our duty is to share our faith. Read 1 Corinthians 3:6-9. God’s promise has not changed. If we will only plant, others will water, and God will give the increase.
II. The Parable of Wheat and Weeds (Mt. 13:24-30; 36-43)
A. In the second sowing parable, the application has a slightly different twist. The owner planted grain in the field. When his workers went to check on the growing crop, they were dismayed to find that weeds (actually “darnel” or “false wheat”) were growing among the stalks of grain. The owner knew immediately that his enemy had crept into the field at night and planted the false wheat.
B. Darnel was actually a poison weed, but it looked exactly like wheat until the heads formed. By then, though, the thickness of the growth would make it impossible to pull out the “false wheat” without pulling out some of the wheat. He told the workers to leave the weeds alone until the crop was ready to harvest for the good grain would still survive and produce.
C. What is the application of this parable?
• The Pharisees (the “separatists”) had been criticizing Jesus because He refused to separate Himself from those who were regarded as sinners (Mk. 2:15-16; Mt. 9:9-13; Lk. 5:27-32).
• Is Jesus referring to the growth of weeds within the kingdom of God or in the world?
• If you conclude that Jesus is referring to those within the kingdom of God, who then are the “imposters” in his kingdom?
• Should we really try to get rid of the imposters? What are the risks of trying? How do we really know who the imposters are?
1. We are cautioned here against judgment of the spiritual integrity of others. God did not give us the responsibility of passing judgment on who does or does not belong to him.
a. Judgmental people are usually harsh, abrasive, and brittle – not pleasant to be around. Their influence is negative and the effectiveness of their witness is severely hampered.
III. Parable of the Growing Seed (Mk. 4:26-29)
A. A man scatters good seed on the soil. He then goes about living his life. While he is busy at other things, the combination of seed and soil - - quite independent of the man himself - - go about their assigned roles of producing a crop until the harvest is ready.
B. The principal lesson seems to be abundantly clear: We should perform our assigned job (sharing our faith) and leave the process of growth to God.
C. It is God’s supernatural action that makes spiritual growth possible. It is God’s presence and power that enables a seed to grow and bear fruit.
CONCLUDING POINTS:
1. What kind of ground is your heart?
2. The Parable of the Tares points to the existence of evil in God’s kingdom on earth. God’s kingdom on earth is not a perfect wheat crop. It is a perplexing problem, but the Lord has taught us that it is characteristic of this life and will always be this way. We are not capable of distinguishing the tares from the real wheat.
a. This parable makes it clear that men do not have the ability to judge between the good and the bad. Judgment of others is a divine and not human function. God alone is qualified to separate the good from the bad. The time of harvest is certain to come.
3. Let God be God and trust Him to take care of things you cannot control.
4. There are three truths about this process of sowing that we need to remember:
a. It is a certain and sure process. We reap precisely what we sow. God’s Word does not return to Him empty (Isa. 55:11).
b. It is a divine process.
c. It is a gradual process.
6. Read Galatians 6:7-10
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