February 17, 2013
Morning Service

Matt. 13:3-9; 18-23.

 

We have just finished the sermon on the mount.  A personal discourse from Jesus to His disciples.  Immediately following this discourse Jesus begins to perform many miracles.

·         The leper is healed.

·         The Centurion’s servant is healed.

·         Peter’s Mother in law is healed.

·         The sea is stilled.

·         Demons are cast into the swine.

·         The paralytic is healed.

·         Two blind men healed.

·         Speech is restored.

These were done to show the people that He had authority from God Almighty.  Only God could do the things that He was doing.   NO ONE ELSE.

 

Along this time also,  John the Baptist was questioning if this was the Messiah that was doing all these miracles, or should they look for another.  This is where  Jesus explains that the miracles He is doing shows forth His authority, and that He is indeed the Messiah, the Son of God.

 

He also gives John the honor that he deserves.  Saying that there has never been one born of woman that is greater than John the Baptist.

 

Jesus chooses His twelve Apostles in chapter 10 of Matthew.

 

Jesus is rejected by this generation, and rebukes them of their unbelief, because of the works that had been done before their very eyes.

 

In chapter twelve we see the religious leaders seek to destroy Jesus.  We also see Jesus defining the true brethren.

Mat 12:50  For whoever shall do the will of My Father in Heaven, the same is My brother and sister and mother.

 

This brings us to the start of the parables.  THE SOWER.

Mat 13:1-3  In that day Jesus went out of the house and sat by the seaside.  (2)  And great crowds were gathered to Him, so that He went into a boat and sat. And all the crowd stood on the shore.  (3)  And He spoke many things to them in parables, saying, Behold, the sower went out to sow.

 

We are going to examine the many things He spoke to them in parables.

 

Reason for parables:

            Mat 13:11  He answered and said to them, Because it is given to you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of Heaven, but it is not given to them.

 

THE SOWER:

Mat 13:3-9  And He spoke many things to them in parables, saying, Behold, the sower went out to sow. 

·         (4)  And as he sowed, some seeds fell by the wayside, and the birds came and devoured them. 

·         (5)  Some fell on stony places, where they did not have much earth. And they sprang up immediately, because they had no deepness of earth.  (6)  And the sun rising, they were scorched, and because they had no root, they withered away.  (7) 

·         And some fell among thorns. And the thorns sprung up and choked them. 

·         (8)  And some fell on the good ground and yielded fruit, indeed one a hundredfold, and one sixty, and one thirty. 

(9)  He who has ears to hear, let him hear.

 

This saying, “he who has ears to hear, let him hear.”  Is used by the Lord in John’s Revelation when Jesus speaks to the seven churches.  It just means that the spiritual will hear, and understand.

 

THE EXPLANATION TO THE PARABLE:

Mat 13:18-23  Hear then ye the parable of the sower.  (19)  When any one heareth the word of the kingdom, and understandeth it not, then cometh the evil one, and snatcheth away that which hath been sown in his heart. This is he that was sown by the way side. 

·         The sower is sowing the Word of God.  The gospel of the Kingdom.

·         Sown by the wayside;  One hears, but doesn’t understand.  Whether it is through discouragement, or frustration, he is not persistent in getting the understanding.  So satan steals away the Word from his heart, and he remains defeated.

(20)  And he that was sown upon the rocky places, this is he that heareth the word, and straightway with joy receiveth it; 

·         Oh man these are great, and wonderful promises. 

(21)  yet hath he not root in himself, but endureth for a while;

·         He hath not root in himself,  He is not able to grow, and prosper on his own ability. 

·         So, he will come to church, and do the best he can on his own initiative.  HE DOES NOT RELY ON THE HOLY GHOST, WHICH HE HAD RECEIVED AT THE BEGINNING OF HIS RECEIVING THE WORD INTO HIS HEART.  WE MUST CULTIVATE THIS RELATIONSHIP.

·         AND HOW LONG IS AWHILE??  A WEEK, A MONTH, A YEAR, TWO YEARS?  THE FRUIT IN YOUR LIFE WILL TELL YOU.  

SO;  and when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word, straightway he stumbleth. 

·         Believe me when I say that the tribulations, and persecutions will come, and without God’s help, you won’t stay faithful.

WHAT IS FAITHFUL?

·         Faithful to the assembly, and the Lord’s table.  Faithful in your giving to the Lord’s work.  Faithful in good works.  Faithful in prayer.  Faithful in Bible study.

·         ARE YOU FAITHFUL?

(22)  And he that was sown among the thorns, this is he that heareth the word; and the care of the world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becometh unfruitful. 

·         This 25% hears the Word, but the cares of this world, and riches, are more important to them than the life of serving God.  I CAN’T THINK OF ONE THING IN THIS LIFE THAT I WANT MORE THAN GOD, OR THAT I COUNT MORE DEAR THAN GOD.

(23)  And he that was sown upon the good ground, this is he that heareth the word, and understandeth it; who verily beareth fruit, and bringeth forth, some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.

·        After the Lord explains the other three, this is pretty easy to understand.

ONE THAT IS PLEASING TO GOD, AND RUNNING THE RACE FAITHFULLY, IS BEARING FRUIT, AND USING HIS TALENTS FOR GOD.

 

GOD ALMIGHTY, HELP US TO PUT YOU FIRST, NOW AND FOREVER IN OUR LIVES.