The Parable of the soils

The Parable of the Sower, the Seed and the Soils

Bible readings

·         Isaiah 55:10-13

·         Matt 13:1-9, 18-23

One of the challenges of being a minister is you talk a lot – but I  wonder who is listening and how well they are listening.  I estimate I have preached over 1000 sermons here at St Columba’s and for what effect?  Jesus was speaking every day to crowds and in synagogues and he knew some people will listen, some might get if for a while but then give up, and some will be truly get the message and be transformed by it.  He wanted us to know that that is normal and to seek to be a part of that later group.

God has a purpose for his word – like a farmer who plants a seed –they are looking for a harvest and God is as well – Speaking God’s word is a hope-filled exercise.  Speaking God’s word is rooted in God’s extravagant love, his wisdom and his power.  It is not primarily about our skill or oratory or wisdom but God’s word accomplishing the purpose for which God sent it.

Isaiah 55:11

“My word that goes out from my mouth:  It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.”

So what is the Purpose of the word of God

There are many scriptures we could look at but I have chosen 3 for today

1.       God speaks to strengthen, encourage and comfort.  

“The one who prophesies speaks to people for their strengthening, encouraging and comfort.” 1 Corinthians 14:3

2.       God speaks so we can know him correctly and what God wants from us

 “All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful for teaching the truth, rebuking error, correcting faults, and giving instruction for right living,  so that the person who serves God may be fully qualified and equipped for every good deed.” 2 Timothy 3:16-17

·         God speaks for our transformation

“let God transform you inwardly by a complete change of your mind. Then you will be able to know the will of God—what is good and is pleasing to him and is perfect. Romans 12:1-2

Yet there are barriers to the word being effective at comforting, equipping and transforming us.

The Message of Kingdom of God challenges our attentiveness -The Seed that falls along the Path 

One of my frustrations in visiting sometimes is when people are watching television and leave it on – or sometimes they turn the volume down but you know they are not giving their full attention. I too can be easily distracted. You see this at cafes where someone is talking but the other person is looking at their phone.  Sometimes God wants to speak to us and we are disinterested, distracted or deliberately deaf.  This Jesus describes this as seed that falls on the hard path and birds (the evil one) comes and eats the seed.  The message doesn’t get into our hearts and minds at all. .  Is your heart and mind open at all to eh idea of God speaking, and bringing his kingdom here.

The Message of Kingdom of God challenges our assumptions – The seed that falls on rocky soil. In this part of the field, the plough has not done its job. It hasn’t broken the soil to allow the seed of the kingdom of God to take deep root. When I think of the Pharisees and the Sadducees I think of those who have fixed ideas about how God ought to work and they wouldn’t recognise Jesus as God’s messiah and Son.  I think of people who think God ought to answer their prayers and make life easy for them and keep them from all trouble or persecution as if the message of the Kingdom is about them and their happiness rather than about God’s rule. They are disappointed when troubles or hardships come.  Yes, Gods word bring comfort an encouragement but also correction of faults and instruction for right living.  Is your mind fixed on what you believe or do you have a curiosity and openness for God to speak?

The Message of Kingdom of God challenges our other loves.  The seed that fell among the weeds.

I am reminded of when I first came to Taradale and John Alexander took me for a tour of Patoka and past his old farm (Emerald Hill).  He was disturbed that there was blackberry on some of the fences, which was never there in his days. Weeds are competitors for the good plants you want to grow.  Jesus describes worries about this life, and the love of riches as the weeds that can choke out the word of God and stop God’s kingdom flourishing in our lives. 

Why don’t we see much transformation, much equipping for every good work because the word of the Kingdom is competing with our other loves. I got a message from someone who is not coming back to church for a while- they are following their love for sport. It is not that they were disinterested or disappointed, rather they are a dabbler in many things, and someone with divided attention.  Jesus in teaching about the kingdom said we are to make the kingdom  our priority “seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.”  (Matt 6:33)  These other concerns have a place but are not supposed to be our top priority.  Does your schedule have time for God to speak and for you to respond when he does?

The Message of Kingdom of God produces life change.  The seed that falls on good soil.

I was interested why this parable is usually called the parable for the sower when it really about the soils.  The sower has the same hopes that his seeds will produce a harvest in all his listeners.  He is lavish with his sowing to all corners of his field and even onto the path. And it is good seed.  The thing that is different is the soils.  The good thing about the good soil is that it produces and amazing harvest many times more than was planted.  Some 100 fold some 60 some 30 but all far more than the original seed.

A person who needs encouragement and comfort finds that in the word of the Kingdom – there is a king who loves us, includes us, and takes care of us.  This message can be life changing.

A Person who want to know what God really is like and what God wants of us finds instruction in the message of the Kingdom and there is growth in knowledge and Character. We live listening to the Kings voice, following the king’s example, allowing the word of GOD and the Spirit of God to enable us to do what God calls us to do.  The word of God changes us and makes us fruitful.

A person seeking life change and transformation finds that as they allow the message of the kingdom to work in their lives they become more like the king.  We know what God wants and we are given the power to be changed and to actually do it by his grace at work in our lives.

How do we have good soil? – can we make sure that God’s word finds a heart and a mind prepared.

It can be as simple as blocking out some time to read and study and mediate on a scripture.  (doing some weeding)

It might help to say a simple prayer – “God I open my heart and mind to listen and I invite you to speak to me.” (doing some ploughing.)

I like the Talk the Word method

1.       Read passage (Perhaps twice)

2.  Retell as much as you can from Memory

                * If possible find someone to listen and prompt you  Talk the Word method

3.      Ask yourself these Questions

a) What jumped out at you from the passage?

b) What questions do you have the passage?

c) What does it teach us about humanity?

d) What does it teach us about the God?

e) How can this passage be applied to our lives?

Listen to the HYMN  Ancient words

Holy words long preserved
for our walk in this world,
They resound with God's own heart
Oh, let the Ancient words impart.

Words of Life, words of Hope
Give us strength, help us cope
In this world, where e'er we roam
Ancient words will guide us Home.

Ancient words ever true
Changing me, and changing you.

We have come with open hearts
Oh let the ancient words impart.

Holy words of our Faith
Handed down to this age.

Came to us through sacrifice
Oh heed the faithful words of Christ.

Holy words long preserved
For our walk in this world.
They resound with God's own heart
Oh let the ancient words impart.