Jesus’ First Jesus’ First ParableParable Matthew 13: 1-23Matthew 13: 1-23

““A farmer went out to A farmer went out to sow…”sow…”

Sea of Galilee

Jesus’ First Jesus’ First ParableParable

Why Parables?Why Parables?

Matthew 13: 10-16Matthew 13: 10-16

Jesus’ First Jesus’ First ParableParable

Secrets & mysteries Secrets & mysteries for some & not others?for some & not others?

Matthew 13: 10-16Matthew 13: 10-16 Ephesians 3: 1-13Ephesians 3: 1-13 Romans 11: 25Romans 11: 25 Matthew 10: 5-7Matthew 10: 5-7

Jesus’ First Jesus’ First ParableParable

Same problem for Same problem for Isaiah, for Jesus, and Isaiah, for Jesus, and even today…?even today…?

Matthew 13: 13-15Matthew 13: 13-15 Isaiah 6: 8-10Isaiah 6: 8-10

If your Sundays don’t change your Mondays, then what’s the point?

Jesus’ First Jesus’ First ParableParable

Use it, or lose it!Use it, or lose it!

Matthew 13: 12Matthew 13: 12

Jesus’ First Jesus’ First ParableParable““I planted the seed,I planted the seed,Apollos watered it, Apollos watered it, but God made it but God made it grow.”grow.”

I Corinthians 3: 6I Corinthians 3: 6

Jesus’ First Jesus’ First ParableParable

To the unreceptive, the To the unreceptive, the Gospel message is just Gospel message is just foolishnessfoolishness

I Corinthians 1:18, 23I Corinthians 1:18, 23 I Corinthians 2: 14I Corinthians 2: 14 Titus 3: 3-7Titus 3: 3-7

Jesus’ First Jesus’ First ParableParable

Sower – disciples, teachersSower – disciples, teachersSeed – Word, Gospel messageSeed – Word, Gospel messageSoil – HearersSoil – Hearers

Along the path – shut mindsAlong the path – shut mindsRocky places – shallow mindsRocky places – shallow mindsAmong the thorns – cluttered Among the thorns – cluttered

mindsmindsGood soil – fertile, open mindsGood soil – fertile, open minds

Jesus’ First Jesus’ First ParableParable

Along the path -Along the path -a shut or a shut or

unprepared mindunprepared mind

Matthew 13: 4, 19Matthew 13: 4, 19 John 10: 27-30John 10: 27-30

Jesus’ First Jesus’ First ParableParableRocky places, not Rocky places, not much soil -much soil -

a shallow minda shallow mind

Matthew 13: 5-6, 20-21Matthew 13: 5-6, 20-21

Jesus’ First Jesus’ First ParableParable

The thing that provides the The thing that provides the warmth for rapid growth warmth for rapid growth can be the same thing can be the same thing that scorches the plant to that scorches the plant to deathdeath

Matthew 13: 5-6, 20-21Matthew 13: 5-6, 20-21

Jesus’ First Jesus’ First ParableParable

- love without - love without responsibilityresponsibility

- grace without judgment- grace without judgment- eternal life without - eternal life without

present sufferingpresent suffering

Matthew 13: 5-6, 20-21Matthew 13: 5-6, 20-21

Jesus’ First Jesus’ First ParableParable- Quick spiritual highs - Quick spiritual highs instead of perseverance instead of perseverance & endurance& endurance

Revelation 2: 1-3Revelation 2: 1-3 James 1: 2-4James 1: 2-4

“he who stands firm to the end will be saved”

Jesus’ First Jesus’ First ParableParable

Culturally-relevant ChristiansCulturally-relevant ChristiansOrOr

Culturally-influenced Culturally-influenced Christians?Christians?

The Pursuit of GodThe Pursuit of GodA.W. TozerA.W. Tozer

“We have been trying to apply machine-age methods to our relations with God.”

Jesus’ First Jesus’ First ParableParableAmong the thorns -Among the thorns -

a cluttered minda cluttered mind

Matthew 13: 7, 22Matthew 13: 7, 22

Jesus’ First Jesus’ First ParableParable““But godliness with But godliness with contentment is great contentment is great gain.”gain.”

I Timothy 6: 6-10I Timothy 6: 6-10

Jesus’ First Jesus’ First ParableParable

Schedules, programs, Schedules, programs, mission statements, busy-ness,mission statements, busy-ness,eliminate boredom, never stop eliminate boredom, never stop 24/7 –24/7 –

And the Word gets choked out And the Word gets choked out of our lives & our churchof our lives & our church

Matthew 13: 7, 22Matthew 13: 7, 22

Jesus’ First Jesus’ First ParableParable

Only way to bear fruit…Only way to bear fruit…

““I am the vine, you are the I am the vine, you are the branches.branches.

If a man remains in me and I in If a man remains in me and I in Him,Him,

he will bear much fruit; apart fromhe will bear much fruit; apart fromme you can do nothing.”me you can do nothing.”

John 15: 5John 15: 5

Jesus’ First Jesus’ First ParableParableGood soil -Good soil -

fertile, open mindfertile, open mind

Matthew 13: 8, 23Matthew 13: 8, 23

Jesus’ First Jesus’ First ParableParable- Receptive earsReceptive ears- Pliable heartsPliable hearts- Responsive livesResponsive lives

Good soilGood soil

Jesus’ First Jesus’ First ParableParable

The certainty of God’s WordThe certainty of God’s Word

“…“…so is My Word that goes out so is My Word that goes out from My mouth: it will not from My mouth: it will not return to Me empty, but will return to Me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for achieve the purpose for which I sent it.”which I sent it.”

Isaiah 55: 8-11Isaiah 55: 8-11