The Sower

Good evening, everyone. It's lovely to be with you. I think I know most of you here,

but for anyone who doesn't know me, I'm Aaron, as was introduced, and I'm a member here in

the church, and I have the privilege tonight of opening God's Word with you. And especially

tonight, as this is the first in a new series that we're going to be going through in the

evenings, a new series in Luke, specifically looking at the parables as we go through the

book. The passage today is in chapter 8 and verses 4 to 15. Thanks, Johnny, for reading

that. I hope no one here has ever been in a situation where they've had to use a duress

code, as they're typically only used in dangerous and hostage-type situations. So if you do know

what they are, I do hope it's only from films you've seen or books you've read. If you're

not sure what a duress code is, it's when you need to get a message to somebody, an important

message to tell them something, but you don't want anybody listening in to know what the

true meaning is. For example, during the war, the World War II, when British agents were

undercover in Europe, if they were going to visit another safe house, they would call ahead,

and if it was okay on the other end, the agent on the other end of the phone would say,

no, I'm busy. And that was the signal that it was all clear. Whereas if they were actually

in danger or they were held at gunpoint, they would say something like, yes, come on over.

So that was the sign that actually things weren't okay, but anybody listening in, for example,

the enemy, they would think that that was an innocuous, a normal response, but in fact,

it was actually a distress signal. I also believe that airline pilots have a verbal hijack

code so that they can let anybody in ground control know what's going on without actually

having to alert any of the hijackers what's going on and that they're calling it in.

Anyway, these are just examples of being able to say something to someone, and yet to anybody

listening in, it means something quite different, which is something that we're going to see happen

in the passage today, as the Lord Jesus does. As he begins to speak in parables, he's speaking

to everyone, but the truth in his words are only being revealed to some. He who has ears to hear,

let him hear. And it's really all about our response to hearing the gospel. So just for a bit of

scene setting and context, this is an important passage in the Lord's ministry, an important moment,

as it really marks a change. Jesus had begun his ministry by preaching on the mount first,

and he preached very practically about life and how to live what he was teaching. And then after that,

he went and demonstrated his power in the form of miracles, where he cleansed a paralytic, a leper,

he calmed a storm in the sea, and he even removed the demons from a possessed man. He was able to show

them that he had power not only over people and illnesses, but over the natural elements as well.

And what he was doing is he was showing that there is power in his words, particularly to the doubters

of the day, who thought he was, particularly those who felt he was falsely claiming to be who he said

he was. But now he very deliberately begins to speak and teach in parables. And this one in particular

is the first parable. It's recorded in all of the first three gospels, and he uses this one also

to then explain to the disciples afterwards why he's doing that. I would split up the passage like

this. I think the first section is from verses 4 to 8, and that's really the parable of the sower.

That is him telling the story. Then in verses 9 and 10, he explains the purpose of parables.

And then in verses 11 to 15, the Lord gives his interpretation of the parable.

So that was the parable of the sower, verses 4 to 8. And he gives the purpose of parables in verses 9 to 10.

And then in 11 to 15, he gives his interpretation of the parable.

So from verse 4, or really from verse 5, we have his explaining of the parable of the sower,

which at first reads fairly simply about what would have been a common occurrence in these days,

particularly in these parts. I'm not sure about today. I don't know if there's any farmers in.

I myself is not a farmer. But the story is fairly simple to understand what's going on here.

So the sower is sowing his seed. It would have been by hand, I imagine.

And there are four different ground types that are described.

And as the seed lands on each kind, there is a very different result,

which at first seems simple enough, and it makes sense on a surface read.

So the first seed we have here in verse 5, it lands on the path.

The path wouldn't have been necessarily a paved path,

but it would have been the area that you walk along beside the fields.

It's likely they wouldn't have had sort of built up fences to separate different fields,

but everybody would have known where one person's patch ended and started.

And when everybody walked along, it would have formed a kind of,

the constant footpath would have formed a hard packed pathway.

So obviously any seed that found its way onto that pathway would have had no soft soil.

And it couldn't bed, and it would have just lay there.

And so it says the birds came and ate them, or devoured them, it even says.

And then the next group of seeds in verse 6, it lands on the rocky ground,

where there was some soil, but only a thin layer.

So the seed sprouted up quickly, but because it was only a thin layer of soil,

it wasn't able to grow deep roots, had no solid foundation,

and so when the sun came up, it scorched it, and the seed withered away.

And then in verse 7, there were the seeds that landed on the thorny ground.

Here the seed itself started growing well, but the real growth was impossible,

because it was intertwined in the presence of thorns.

And as the seed grew, the thorns choked it and killed it off.

And then finally in verse 8, we have the seed that landed on good ground,

fertile ground, unaffected by any of the adversities that obstructed the others,

and so it was able to sprout and yield a good crop a hundredfold,

or a hundred times more than what was originally sown.

And then the Lord says this interesting and important statement,

He who has ears to hear, let him hear.

Which even the disciples didn't actually understand initially,

and so they ask him, and he explains why, why he said that,

and why he is now speaking in parables.

So this is this key verse here in verse, it's really in verse 10.

After the disciples ask him what's going on, he said,

He says in verse 10,

The knowledge of the secrets of the kingdom of God has been given to you,

but to others I speak in parables,

so that though seeing they may not see,

and though hearing they may not understand.

There's quite a lot in just those few verses,

but I want to unpack it just a little bit.

And I think it's interesting how Luke explains this compared to the other Gospels.

Luke is very brief and to the point,

as is his orderly account of the whole Gospel.

But I think what he's saying here is that he's speaking in parables

to conceal what he's saying from some,

while also revealing it to others.

He's calling it the secrets of the kingdom.

So he's revealing them to some,

but keeping the secrets concealed at the same time.

This includes to the disciples,

who didn't actually understand it either,

until he explained it to them afterwards.

You'll also maybe note,

depending on what kind of Bible you're looking at,

the end of verse 10 is in quotations.

So this part here is actually a direct quote from Isaiah.

And I think by using that direct quote,

what he's doing is,

he's showing that he is now fulfilling that prophecy

that Isaiah gave hundreds of years before.

And it also shows that what he is now teaching and saying

is consistent with what Isaiah said hundreds of years before,

as it sort of confirming that there's consistency

all the way through the Bible, Old Testament and New Testament.

It's also showing that parables are complex.

Like there are many layers deep.

In fact, so that even children can understand

and get learning and benefit from them.

I mean, they're very often used as Sunday school stories.

But what he's also saying is,

they do conceal much deeper truths.

So that for anybody who wants to understand,

across the ages,

he's not saying something that they aren't able to.

This is an encouragement also for Christians,

in case they feel disheartened after sharing

what they believe to be true with someone

and not necessarily seeing the response

or the results that they're looking for.

And even for those of us who do understand the gospel,

it reminds us that there is always more to learn.

We must just continue to seek the knowledge

and then the Spirit can reveal it to us.

The people here, including the disciples,

they had to ask questions

if they wanted to understand more.

And so do we.

That's the same for us today.

There is so much about God

that we will never know or understand

while on this earth.

But with the desire to learn more,

he will reveal himself more to us.

This is why things like hearing,

coming to church is important,

but also discipleship and fellowship with each other.

Smaller Bible studies,

the one-to-ones, home groups.

These opportunities to really study the Word

and ask questions together are really important.

And yet, despite all that,

the seed can be sown within our hearts

so that even a child can understand their position before God.

A hopeless sinner in need of a Savior.

And the way to rectify it, it's not complicated.

Simply accepting your position as a sinner in God's eyes

and accepting and believing that Jesus' sacrifice

is enough to forgive you in God's sight,

that is enough to be saved.

We recognize that even though once planted,

before there can be growth,

a seed that is so needs to be looked after,

fed, watered, cared for spiritually, open to prep.

Although placing your faith in Jesus is a simple step,

it's a hugely significant one,

one for your life,

and it is not to be taken blind

or as an uninformed decision.

And then, from verse 11 to the end of the passage in verse 15,

is the Lord giving His interpretation of the parable.

It explains the different responses

that people have towards the Gospel,

specifically four very different responses

from four different causes,

giving four different results.

But just before we get into those,

there are three key elements in this parable

that I think are important to know first

as they're really essential

to understanding the application of this to us today.

And so there in verse 11,

we have the first key aspect

in explaining this parable,

and that is what the seed itself is symbolizing,

which was the word.

The word of the kingdom,

which might also be called the Gospel,

or we often call it just the Good News.

But I would suggest it goes further

and is applicable to all of the expanded teaching

and spoken word of the Lord Jesus.

A seed, depending on what you have in your imagination,

is probably something similar.

It's something very small and innocuous on its own

and in isolation, just like words are.

Except when that seed is planted and cared for,

then a seed is actually in possession of great power,

as it can sprout and grow

and transform into something amazing

and unrecognizable from what it was before.

This is the word of God.

The work that it can do in the human heart

when it is planted and accepted

is mighty and wonderful

and completely transformative.

Like a seed,

which can end up growing into a huge tree

and bear fruit and sustain life

and then produce more trees and more fruit,

so does the word of God in human lives.

But it can only happen

when we really get to know him and his word.

The gospel truth cannot be fully understood

or appreciated

unless we really know who Jesus is,

which we find out about as is revealed in his word.

And for anyone who is a Christian,

then it's on them to be the ones sharing the seed

and showing others who this man Jesus is

and why his word can transform them.

Which brings us to this next element,

which is in the parable,

which is who is the sower?

So the sower is the person

who's proclaiming the gospel

and sharing God's word.

So in this particular context,

the Lord was obviously speaking about himself as a sower,

but it can be any one of his followers.

The sower,

any one of his followers then or now.

And so anybody who faithfully shares the gospel

to those who do not yet know the Lord for themselves

can see themselves as the sower

and recognize the duty that we have to sow,

to share,

to tell others.

And there's also,

I think,

important to say

there's nothing particularly special about the sower.

There's no qualifications required

other than being saved.

It's about the seed that they're sharing.

It's about the truth.

The truth of the word of God,

that is where the power is.

And we are merely the messenger trying to share.

I think some people can often feel unqualified,

like you need to be a pastor

or have some degree to share the gospel,

but that's not true.

It's often the newest converts,

the newest Christians,

who actually have some of the strongest witness,

because people who know them

can see the immediate change in our lives.

I've often found myself,

sometimes it can feel like

you don't know all the answers,

so you're almost scared to get into the conversation.

You're not sure what to say,

but if you can really just articulate

what God means to you

and how he's changed your life,

then that is enough to share with others.

I think it's also important here to say

that the seed has not changed through time.

We don't now proclaim and preach a different message

than what's in the Bible

or than what Jesus taught.

It's as true and applicable now as it was then.

And that's also why we can't get too disheartened

by a seemingly disappointing response

when we share it.

It doesn't mean that there's an issue

with the sower, with you,

or with a lack,

or it doesn't mean that there's

a lack of effectiveness of power in the seed,

but it's with the soil itself.

And we're going to come to that in just a minute.

We can't be consumed with trying to predict

and then analyzing the outcome

of our sharing of the word,

but rather just trust

that in faithfully scattering the seed,

that which the Lord intends

will yield a crop.

And obviously,

while there's a clear evangelistic theme here,

there's also a challenge for the Christian

as we look at our own lives.

Are we continuing to sow and nourish

and water the word of God in our own life?

I think it's quite common to read this passage

and maybe be overly familiar with it,

but also just associate yourselves

into one of the scenarios

and think that that's final

and that there's no room

to see something of a few of them

in our lives.

Even though if we're saved

or if you consider yourself a Christian,

it is so easy, isn't it,

to be consumed with our own lives,

whether it's our family, work, hobbies,

the news.

And if we don't continually prioritize

spending time in the word of God,

it can result in us either just coasting

or even slowly drifting away

without realizing that we are no longer growing

in the things of God.

We need to be watching out for this

and not letting too much get in the way

of our spending time with him and his word

because it can have a really negative effect

on our relationship with him

and it can be dangerous for our spiritual health.

We need to sow God's word into our hearts

repeatedly and regularly

so that it continually grow in us as well

and so that we can bear fruit

and nourish it and not neglect it.

And then finally, the soil.

The soil, if you haven't sussed already,

is the human heart.

The seed is always good and very powerful,

but it needs to land on good soil

to grow and bring fruit.

And so as we're about to move through

the remainder of the passage,

the Lord is going to explain the parable

by explaining each of these different soil types

to our life.

And they're all relatable,

but only one of them produces a crop.

So when the Lord says,

He who has ears to hear, let him hear.

He wants everyone to examine their own heart

and make sure that they're doing

what they need in their own life

to make sure that they become the good soil.

Ultimately, it's only God who has the power

who can give us the repentance for our sins

and change our lives.

But the responsibility is on us

to go to Him and acknowledge that

and accept that.

That is still with us.

So, from verse 12,

this is where the Lord starts to expand

on the first soil scenario,

which was the path,

the hard-packed walking path.

This, you'll maybe have noticed,

is the only one of the scenarios

where the hearer doesn't accept it at all.

Just like the paths along the edge of the field

that had been walked on so much,

and they were almost like pavement,

rock solid, unable to take seed,

so are these hearts.

This is the sad situation, really,

where men and women's hearts

have been hardened.

And it says here,

clearly, that it's Satan that takes it away,

the devil who takes the seed away

before it plants.

He is the bird

snatching out the gospel from hearts

so that there is no response,

no transformation,

and no fruit to come.

It's not just a figure of speech, either.

It's a real spiritual battle

that happens to all of us.

The devil will use any kind of distraction

or other beliefs and ideas

to make us reject and refuse God.

I'm sure, like me,

maybe many of you know somebody like this,

and so would it be your prayer

that God really breaks up

that hard ground in their heart

so they might yet be open

to receive the truth of the gospel?

Sometimes it's those who are most opposed,

seemingly,

that are actually acting that way

because they're feeling the most,

they're feeling very convicted

and conflicted

with what they want to believe,

and there is always hope

for these individuals,

these people.

And then, so in verse 13,

we have the rocky ground,

or sometimes known as the shallow soil.

This is because it wouldn't have been

straight onto a bunch of rocks,

as I maybe used to think,

but it would have been

a thin layer of soil

over hard limestone rocks.

And so, although the seed takes,

it has no strong root amongst the rocks,

and then it just results

in it withering away and dying.

This represents those

who obviously receive the word

with joy, it says,

which is a good start,

and they believe for a while,

but when they're tested,

they fall away.

This is a hard one

because we love to see

a positive response

to the gospel, don't we?

What a joy it is

when we see someone

who shows interest

and that seemingly

gives their life to God

and really seems to be

on fire for them,

making rapid progress,

and in the sadness

when it comes clear

that they didn't really grasp

what it means

to be a follower of Christ.

They don't lose their salvation,

but rather they were probably

never actually saved

in the first place.

Maybe the quickness

with which they received it

could be evidence

for a lack of deeper understanding

of the implications

and what it means

and what it would mean

for their life.

Sadly, also,

this could be because

of how it was represented

to them,

which is why it's so important

for us when we're sharing

the gospel

that we share the real truth

exactly as it is in Scripture.

Exactly as the Lord

sets out,

we can't sugarcoat it

or make any promises

about what becoming

a Christian is.

It's simply not true.

We heard Andy talking

about that this morning.

People are trying to

add their own bits to it

to make it more appealing

and end up watering down

the truth.

The Bible is very clear

that the life of a Christian

will be difficult at times.

Although we are blessed

immeasurably

and look forward

to an eternity with God,

that doesn't mean

eternal material blessing

while we're here on earth.

And we actually are

to expect trials

if we stand firm

in our faith in this world.

But it could also be

a case of selective hearing.

Somebody is looking

for answers

so they hear what sounds good.

They see all the positives

and they're like,

yep, great,

this is an answer

to all of my problems.

But they ignore

and overlook the cost implications.

And so when they're forced

to make a choice,

they end up falling away

quickly.

And then the third scene

starts in verse 14.

This is the thorny one,

literally.

Here, the seed lasts longer

than it does

amongst the rocks.

It takes and it grows.

But because it is

amongst the thorns,

they eventually choke it out

to where it doesn't

produce any fruit.

So this represents

those who have

a much better grasp

of the word

than those in the rocks

and what discipleships involve

and what discipleship involves.

So they make good progress.

But they never truly

give their whole life

to God

and free themselves

as what it calls here,

free themselves

of the cares

of this world.

They understand

what's involved

in following Christ,

but they're unwilling

to give up

the desires

and the pleasures

of this world

and it is stifling

their faith

and spiritual growth.

They know the cost,

but they're just

unwilling to make it.

And it's not a lack

of knowledge,

but really of priority

and of commitment.

I think it's important

to point out

he's not condemning

riches here.

I think that's important

just to make sure,

or even pleasures

that we can give God

thanks for.

It's the living

for them

that's the problem

rather than for God

and thanking Him

for what He blesses us with.

I think of the first three,

this is the one

that can be most challenging

for us who

would call ourselves Christians

as we know

that while we're still

living in our

human bodies,

we can still feel

the temptation

of greed

and sensuality

that is so widely

advertised,

encouraged,

and promoted

in the world around us.

And so we need

to continually

examine our hearts

and make sure

that we weed out

any of those thorns

that still cause us

to fall.

There's maybe,

it can look different

for each person,

but there's maybe

a habit or an interest

that you have

that you stay involved with,

but you know it's really

affecting your spiritual growth,

but you've just not

quite been able

to actually cut it out

for good,

and you're succumbing

to the temptation

for the short-term

perceived pleasure.

But we see here

very clearly

that if we don't

deal with it,

we will ultimately

be choked out by it

and no longer

produce any spiritual fruit.

And then,

so we have the final example

in verse 15.

This is the good soil.

This is the one

that plants,

grows,

and bears much fruit.

It says,

those with a noble heart,

a noble and good heart,

who hear the word,

retain it,

and by persevering,

produce a good crop.

This is the goal.

This is the ideal response

and outcome

from hearing the word of God.

And while a lot of Christians

probably automatically

see themselves

in this soil scenario

of the four,

and I hope that for many

that is true,

but I would suggest

that based on everything

we've looked at so far,

we can't be complacent.

And this is not

a permanent landing spot.

It's what we should

all be striving for,

but it takes work

and commitment

to stay here.

This is a heart

made good by God,

by the miracle

of regeneration.

The person has heard

the word

and holds it close

and is living

a life of a disciple.

And through perseverance,

over time,

they will produce fruit,

and they're not only

a hearer of the word,

but also a doer.

They are feeding on it

instead of the world,

constantly challenging

the sin

that comes into their life,

and then they can live

a life more pleasing

to God.

And by not being conformed

to this world,

they are becoming

more Christ-like.

This is what

we should all

want to be aiming for.

To see it

is an amazing

encouragement to others.

It's lovely

when somebody else

really starts

to make that commitment,

and it pleases God

immensely.

So,

as Christians,

I think we all

want to see

and be ourselves

in the good soil,

but are we?

Or can we really

see something

of the other soils

in our lives?

Does any of that

resonate?

And if so,

what are we doing

about it?

I think also

just another

common mistake

when considering

this passage

and applying it

is thinking that

it's all about

a momentary,

immediate response

to the gospel.

But it's not,

really.

It's really about

our response

over time.

You see,

it takes a while

for a seed

to grow and sprout

and then only to wither,

or to grow up

and then ultimately

be choked by thorns,

or to grow up strong,

well,

and bear fruit.

This is a long game.

So we must continually

evaluate and cultivate

the word in our own lives

to ensure we keep

ourselves and our hearts

as good soil.

We can only ever

grasp God's truths

with help from the

Holy Spirit

working in us.

They really are

beyond our comprehension,

but he can make

them known to us.

So while this is

often and largely

an evangelistic

parable with hope,

it's also a warning

for those that do hear

but don't act on it.

So just in closing,

I trust that

you'll be challenged

by considering

what you're doing

with the seed

in your own life,

ensuring it is being

cared for properly

and watching out

for the shallow

soil traps

and the thorns

that can come

for all of us.

And if you realize

that you have never

opened your heart

to the seed

that is the good news

of the gospel

in order that he might

work a miracle

of regeneration

in your heart,

then I challenge you

not to delay

in addressing that,

but rather come

to him

and accept him

for what he can do

for you today.

Thanks.

Let's just have

a closing word

of prayer

for a hand back

to the band.

Our God and Father,

we thank you

for the time

we've been able

to spend

in your words

this evening

and for the simple

but yet deep truths

that are contained

in your parables.

We thank you

for the reminder

about the power

that is your word

and the challenge

to share it

no matter what

soil type

we think we're

telling it to.

I pray that we would

also just feel

the challenge ourselves

to strive

to be that good soil,

aware of the traps

that can await

for all of us

and how they can really

affect our spiritual growth.

And Father,

I just pray

that we would

constantly strive

to sow the word

into our own hearts

so that we might

be less like the world

and more like you

and indeed get

to know you more.

So we just pray

that you'll bless us all now

in your son's

precious name.

Amen.

Amen.

Amen.

Amen.