PARABLE OF THE SOWER

Sunday (9/10), gather with your church family as we turn our attention to Matthew 13:1-23. Jesus had been in the house ministering to those who had come to hear Him. As He was teaching, He was told His mother and brothers were waiting to see Him. Also, those from Nazareth had come, thinking He was out of His mind.

His response was beyond anything anyone had said before. Mark wrote, “He answered and said to the one who told Him, “Who is My mother and who are My brothers?” And He stretched out His hand toward His disciples and said, ‘Here are My mother and My brothers! For whoever does the will of My Father in heaven is My brother and sister and mother” (Mt. 12:48-50).

Afterward, He left the house and began speaking to the vast multitudes following Him in parables. So, what is a parable?

A parable is a story from everyday life that points to or illustrates a spiritual truth. Their purpose? They are told to provide understanding to those who seek a relationship with Jesus and, simultaneously, hide the truth from those who have hardened their heart.

The first parable is about a sower, seed, and the soil. The sower is unnamed, but later in the chapter, in another parable, Jesus told them He was the sower (13:37). The seed is the inerrant, infallible, imitable, inspired word of God. The four soils represent the condition of people’s hearts.

Jesus told the listeners that those who hear the gospel are those whose hearts are either hardened, shallow, crowded, or receptive. And depending on the condition of one’s heart determines whether or not you ever come into the kingdom of God.

I look forward to our time together. Please pray for a fresh outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon the entire Calvary Chapel family.

There are several opportunities for worship. On-campus (10:00 am), drive-in church (92.1fm), and online (Facebook, YouTube: Calvary Inverness); (website: calvaryinv.com

In His Strong Love,

Pastor