Matthew 13:1-9
How Good is the Dirt in Your Life?
Introduction - My wife and were enjoying a cruise on a recent vacation. At the dinner table that second evening, that dreaded question came up regarding my occupation. (Now I am not ashamed of being a minister, but telling people I am a minister will erect walls that cannot be scaled) I replied that I would tell them what I did if they could answer a riddle that described my occupation. I stated that, “I am the captain of a ship that never leaves port, a shepherd of sheep that are not sheep, an educator of people that are not in school, and I work in futures that are not in the stock market.” Eventually, someone guessed that I was a preacher.
Jesus was a master of parables. He used the ordinary to describe the extraordinary. Those who were blind spiritually could not “see” the answer.
Today, we have before us a marvelous parable that Jesus describes. Let’s examine God’s Word on what this parable means.
Jesus had many people, including his family, questioning his sanity and safety. He was so busy serving those he came to save. So much so that he eventually had to get in a boat to teach where he gave us this parable.
As we examine this parable you will notice four things about it.
First there is…
THE SOWER
In verse three, Jesus describes the one doing the scattering of the seed. He is the sower. There are several ways to describe him.
First, he is CREDIBLE. He is the truth giver. Jesus always told the truth and confronted that which was hypocrisy.
Second, he is PERSISTENT. Regardless of what people thought or what society taught, Jesus was persistent. He continually sowed truth to those that either accepted or rejected it. He stayed the course.
And third, he is DEPENDABLE. Jesus went about doing the Father’s business. He worked in extreme circumstances. You could and can count on Jesus!
Illustration - The sower
The story is told of a young man who had just started his new job in the produce department of a grocery store, when a woman came up to him asking to buy a half head of lettuce.
As politely as he could, the young man said that “In this store, we don’t sell half heads of lettuce, we sell whole heads of lettuce.” The lady was remarkably persistent—obnoxiously so. And so in the end, he did what any young produce department grocery store lad would do, and said, “Well, let me go talk to the manager.”
The young man shuffles off to find the manager in the back of the store, not realizing that the woman is following him some distance behind. He gets to the manager, and says in frustration, “I’ve got this crazy old woman out there who wants to buy a half head of lettuce.
Seeing the look of consternation on his manager’s face, the lad realizes all of a sudden that the woman is standing right behind him. He turns and quick as a whip and says, “And this nice lady wants to buy the other half.”
Later that day, the manager complimented him on his very quick thinking, and in the course of the conversation said to the young man, “Where do you come from, where is your home?” “Well,” said the young man, “I’m from Toronto, home of beautiful hockey players and ugly women.” The manager’s face dropped once again as he said, “I’ll have you know, my wife is from Toronto.” Quick as a whip the young man turned around and said, “And what hockey team did you say she plays on?”
What we say and what we do sows seed of information about us and our Savior. God demands a life of holiness from you because he has given his only Son. Jesus expects us to be the sower of the seed until he returns!
Second there is…
THE SEED
In verse four, we see the seed that is being spread. It is the seed of God’s kingdom. It is salvation to all that desire it. Notice these three aspects of the seed.
It is the WORD of God. It is the Living Word…Jesus. He is the only way to eternal life. John 14:6. The Word is also the written Word of Life. The Bible is God’s love letter to you. He wants you to know him through his Son.
It is also the WORK of God. This work is the action he takes through the lives of others. A radically changed life reveals the work of God. It is powerful, personal and perpetual. He never leaves us alone.
And then we see the WITNESS of God. This witness is the testimony of those whose lives are changed. Do you have a life-changing testimony? If not, get one! They come from the Master!
Illustration – Watermelon seed
In my first pastorate in Alabama, we had a Sunday night watermelon fellowship. We fellowshipped together eating watermelon. During our time, we began a watermelon seed-spitting contest. Unknown to us, a few seed made their way into the soil between a brick wall and the driveway. A few weeks later we had watermelon plants growing in the drive. A few months later we were eating watermelons harvested from those plants.
You will never harvest cantaloupes or tomatoes from a watermelon plant. It will always be a watermelon. In the same way, God’s Word always produces spiritual results. Many will imitate the spiritual but their “fruit” will not be godly.
Third, there is…
THE SOIL
In verses four through eight, we find the different types of soil that was sown. The seed is the same spread by the sower but the soil is always different.
First, we have the HARDENED soil. This soil was the pathway that traversed through the plot of ground designated for the crops. It had been tramples upon and was resistant to the seed. The birds came and devoured that seed. It would grow no crops. Many times the hardened soil is the soil of self-sufficiency, self-satisfaction and self-righteousness of a person life. Satan will use pride, false teachers, fear, prejudice, procrastination, and wickedness to devour ones opportunity to be receptive to the gospel. It’s not that they can’t be saved it is they won’t be saved.
Then there is the SHALLOW soil. This soil barely covers the top of hidden rock formation. The roots are quickly invigorated because of the warmth but just as quickly decimated when the sun begins to bear heat. This “salvation” is
superficial. There are feelings but no faith. It is evidenced by no true repentance. There is no remorse of sin. There is no recognition of a lost condition, no contrition, no brokenness, and certainly no humility. It is shallow and quickly loses interests in spiritual things.
Third, there is the DEFICIENT soil. This soil has plenty of weeds growing in it. In fact, the weeds are hardier than the crop because the choke out the plant before it can bear any fruit. This soil is worldly and waywardly. It gives great appearances but is choked out by the cares of the world. This soil lacks the proper nutrition and condition to support the good seed.
Finally, there is the FERTILE soil. This soil has been properly prepared. It was prepared by the Holy Spirit. It was spiritually ready. With anything, soil preparation takes time. Too often, we get into a hurry trying to lead someone to Christ. We want “notches” or “scalps” in our Bibles when we need relationship building in our evangelism.
Illustration – Strawberry plants in FL
Several years ago, I had the opportunity to visit Plant City, Florida where they grow huge strawberries. They cultivate the soil and make special, raised beds for the strawberries. They then lay a thin sheet of black plastic over the beds before they plant the strawberries. I initially thought it was to only act as a moisture barrier, when it’s main purpose was to keep the strawberries clean prior to harvesting. The fertile soil in this parable bears fruit in Christ because God keeps it clean for his purposes. How is your fruit? Are you living a clean and holy life?
Then we see in verse nine…
THE STATE
Jesus states three things in this verse.
He issues a CHARGE. Those who have spiritual ears are to take heed. It is a wake up warning. What is the soil of your heart like? Do something about it!
Second, he issues a CALL. Have you responded with the properly cultivated soil? He desires an eternal relationship with you. It’s not that you can’t but you won’t. Do something about it!
And finally, he issues a COMMITMENT challenge. Now is the day of salvation. Choose whom you will serve today. Make sure the soil of your heart is prepared the right way.
Illustration – Unqualified commitment
A college man walked into a photography studio with a framed picture of his girlfriend. He wanted the picture duplicated. This involved removing it from the frame. In doing this, the studio owner noticed the inscription on the back of the photograph:
“My dearest Tom, I love you with all my heart. I love you more and more each day. I will love you forever and ever. I am yours for all eternity.”
It was signed "Helen,” and it contained a P.S.: “If we ever break up, I want this picture back.”
Helen was obviously not completely committed to that relationship; are you ready for a relationship with Jesus?
