Luke 8:5-15 Question

[bzmomo7]

It says in verse 12 that the seed that fell by the wayside were not saved ("lest they should believe and be saved") but what about the rest? Does the seed that say fell on the rock represent those that are saved or unsaved? It says they "which for awhile, believe" but also says "and in time of tempatation, fall away." Help anyone?


5 A sower went out to sow his seed: and as he sowed, some

[brodave]

The Interpretation of the Parable of the Soils
Luke 8:11-15
Jesus explains the meaning of this particular parable of the soils.
The parable explains the different responses which men have toward the gospel. Four different responses are given, along with four different causes and four distinct results. The sowing of the seed symbolizes the spreading of the gospel. The seed which is sown is the word of God (v. 11).
1. The first soil--those alone the way side--are those whose hearts have never been open to the gospel, who never responded positively to the Lord Jesus Christ. The scribes and Pharisees seem generally to fall into this category. The gospel makes no impression on them whatsoever. Satan immediate snatches the gospel from their hearts, so that there is no response, no new birth, no fruit.
2. The second soil--on the rock--represents those who positively (joyfully) respond to our Lord's teaching, but only due to an inadequate grasp of its implications. These folks respond positively to the word because they think that it is a kind of "prosperity gospel," a gospel which promises only good times, blessing, happiness, and bliss. The quickness of the response is an indication of their lack of depth, or their lack of perception as to what the gospel really means. And, let me quickly add, this is not due to our Lord's misrepresentation of the gospel. It is the result of selective hearing, of hearing only the good and pleasant things, rather than hearing of the costs involved in discipleship, of which our Lord often spoke. A simple reading of the Sermon on the Mount will show how our Lord carefully represented the blessings and the costs of following Him.
3. The third soil==the thorny soil--represents those who have a more complete grasp of the cost of discipleship, but who have never rid themselves of the "cares of this world." Their concerns for money and for pleasure outgrow their seeking first the kingdom of God, and thus their priorities are reversed. It is not that the people represented by this thorny soil do not understand the costs of discipleship, but that they are not willing to pay the price. It is not lack of knowledge which causes them to err, but lack of commitment, lack of dedication.
4. The fourth soil, the good soil represents all those whose hearts are prepared for the gospel, and whose lives are uncluttered with competitive interests and values. In this fourth soil the word not only bring forth life, but the plant comes to maturity and it bears fruit. Here is the goal of discipleship.

Which of the Soils is Saved?
When I have taught this text before I have spent considerable time attempting to answer the question, "Which of the four types of soil represent those who are saved?" I am now inclined to approach this parable differently. I believe that the first soil represents those who are lost, and that the fourth soil represents those who are saved, but I do not believe that the Lord's purpose in telling the parable is to distinguish between believers and unbelievers. There is only one kind of soil which attains the goal. The goal which our Lord holds out in this parable is not that of being saved, but that of reaching full maturity and of bearing fruit. Someone might argue that a "rocky soil" person or a "thorny soil" person is a true believer, but our Lord would have us understand that they have not reached the goal for which they were saved. We are saved, not only to escape divine wrath and to live forever in heaven, but to attain to the "unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:" (Eph. 4:13) and to "bear much fruit" (John 15:5).

[Guest Guest]

:goodpost:

As it is written:

"2 Timothy 2:20-21 But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honour, and some to dishonour. If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master's use, and prepared unto every good work."

Some people will get in to heaven "as by fire" but we don't know who they are and it isn't the most desirable thing. A vessel unto honor is the goal.

[bzmomo7]

The Interpretation of the Parable of the Soils
Luke 8:11-15
Jesus explains the meaning of this particular parable of the soils.
The parable explains the different responses which men have toward the gospel. Four different responses are given, along with four different causes and four distinct results. The sowing of the seed symbolizes the spreading of the gospel. The seed which is sown is the word of God (v. 11).
1. The first soil--those alone the way side--are those whose hearts have never been open to the gospel, who never responded positively to the Lord Jesus Christ. The scribes and Pharisees seem generally to fall into this category. The gospel makes no impression on them whatsoever. Satan immediate snatches the gospel from their hearts, so that there is no response, no new birth, no fruit.
2. The second soil--on the rock--represents those who positively (joyfully) respond to our Lord's teaching, but only due to an inadequate grasp of its implications. These folks respond positively to the word because they think that it is a kind of "prosperity gospel," a gospel which promises only good times, blessing, happiness, and bliss. The quickness of the response is an indication of their lack of depth, or their lack of perception as to what the gospel really means. And, let me quickly add, this is not due to our Lord's misrepresentation of the gospel. It is the result of selective hearing, of hearing only the good and pleasant things, rather than hearing of the costs involved in discipleship, of which our Lord often spoke. A simple reading of the Sermon on the Mount will show how our Lord carefully represented the blessings and the costs of following Him.
3. The third soil==the thorny soil--represents those who have a more complete grasp of the cost of discipleship, but who have never rid themselves of the "cares of this world." Their concerns for money and for pleasure outgrow their seeking first the kingdom of God, and thus their priorities are reversed. It is not that the people represented by this thorny soil do not understand the costs of discipleship, but that they are not willing to pay the price. It is not lack of knowledge which causes them to err, but lack of commitment, lack of dedication.
4. The fourth soil, the good soil represents all those whose hearts are prepared for the gospel, and whose lives are uncluttered with competitive interests and values. In this fourth soil the word not only bring forth life, but the plant comes to maturity and it bears fruit. Here is the goal of discipleship.

Which of the Soils is Saved?
When I have taught this text before I have spent considerable time attempting to answer the question, "Which of the four types of soil represent those who are saved?" I am now inclined to approach this parable differently. I believe that the first soil represents those who are lost, and that the fourth soil represents those who are saved, but I do not believe that the Lord's purpose in telling the parable is to distinguish between believers and unbelievers. There is only one kind of soil which attains the goal. The goal which our Lord holds out in this parable is not that of being saved, but that of reaching full maturity and of bearing fruit. Someone might argue that a "rocky soil" person or a "thorny soil" person is a true believer, but our Lord would have us understand that they have not reached the goal for which they were saved. We are saved, not only to escape divine wrath and to live forever in heaven, but to attain to the "unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:" (Eph. 4:13) and to "bear much fruit" (John 15:5).

I really appreciate you taking the time to respond, brodave. One of the reasons that I was asking was because I've recently heard it preached that all are lost except the one that produces fruit, and when I went back to re-read the Scripture I saw where the rocky soil person "believes for awhile" and then "falls away" I couldn't make much sense of it either way because the wording seems it could be read either way.....KWIM?

[brodave]

I have heard it preached many different way, but after much study I think if we keep it in the context we will come to the conclusion that the purpose of the parable is to emphasize the growth to maturity

[bzmomo7]

I have heard it preached many different way' date=' but after much study I think if we keep it in the context we will come to the conclusion that the purpose of the parable is to emphasize the growth to maturity[/quote']

Understood, thank you again for the response! :wvlf"