Apr 28, 2024 "Soft Ground" (Matthew 13:19-23)

 

Soft Ground

Matthew 13:19-23

 

Before the reformation, the written word was rare. Few could read and fewer had bibles. Even today, many people are not allowed to have bibles, so people hold onto every word and write it down secretly.  

 

In our society, we have an abundance of religious freedom and a plethora of bible sermons and commentaries as well as translated bibles.

 

In Matthew 13 we read about the sower and the four types of soil which the seed lands or the types of people who hear the word.

 

Matthew 13:19 ESV

[19] When anyone hears the word of the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what has been sown in his heart. This is what was sown along the path.  

 

Matthew 13:20-21 ESV

[20] As for what was sown on rocky ground, this is the one who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy, [21] yet he has no root in himself, but endures for a while, and when tribulation or persecution arises on account of the word, immediately he falls away.

 

Matthew 13:22 ESV

[22] As for what was sown among thorns, this is the one who hears the word, but the cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and it proves unfruitful.  

 

Matthew 13:23 ESV

[23] As for what was sown on good soil, this is the one who hears the word and understands it. He indeed bears fruit and yields, in one case a hundredfold, in another sixty, and in another thirty.”  

 

In order to avoid the bad soil, we need to do the opposite of what prevents the word from taking root and growth. We must put God first in every situation and praise him no matter what. We need to remove the desires of this world  

 

Also, we need to sow seeds and be like sower. In fact, Jesus has ordered us to do this.

 

Matthew 13:23 ESV

[23] As for what was sown on good soil, this is the one who hears the word and understands it. He indeed bears fruit and yields, in one case a hundredfold, in another sixty, and in another thirty.”  

 

God softens the ground, fertilizes the ground and removes the rocks so that the plants will grow from the seeds. We do this by loving the people who we share the gospel with. This is the same way that God softened our hearts.

• There Is None Like You
• O Praise The Name
• Agnus Dei