* When we read Scripture, there are times we are the sower and times when we are the soil.
* Our job is not to worry about the growth…
* Our job is to receive the seed (like good soil) and scatter the seed (like a good sower).
* To teach this principle, Jesus taught the parable of the sower.
* In the parable, we are the sowers, the seed is the gospel, and the ground is those who hear our message.
* vs 3-9
* Notice the four ground types (people) on which the seed falls.
* 1) Path - these people’s hearts are hard, so no matter what you say, it will not penetrate.
* They have already rejected God, and there’s no coming back.
* 2) Rocky soil - these people hear and receive the word, but when trials and suffering come, they return to their old patterns.
* Strength comes through strain.
* So we should expect it in the Christian life (it’s not just about getting blessed).
* 3) Thorny soil - these people hear and receive the word, but they aren’t disciplined in their daily habits.
* So the cares of the world (their daily needs for food, shelter, clothing, etc) get more of their attention than growing their relationship with God.
* They focus on the temporal, not the eternal.
* 4) Good soil—these folks hear and receive the word, commit to serving Jesus whatever the cost, establish habits to keep them on track, and slowly grow and mature into firm believers.
* The question is, which soil are you?
* The three types of bad soil - what gets in their way:
* SELF.
* STRAIN.
* STUFF.
* But the healthy soil gets the SAVIOR!