Parable of the sower

[Matthew24]

Please share your opinion.  I know there are 1000 different opinions to these parables. A guy I like to listen to said that 3 of these people are saved and only 1 is unsaved. What is your view and why?

[Jim_Alaska]

 

THE PARABLE OF THE SOWER

 

            TEXT:MAT.13:1-10 * 18-23.

 

INTRODUCTION: There are very few things in the Bible that have generated as much speculation as the Parables that Jesus spoke. Many teachers disagree as to the meaning of some parables, as well as the symbols Jesus used to illustrate what he was teaching. 

When studying the parables it is very important to keep to the main point being taught, it is a mistake to try to make everything fit. If we forget this point it soon becomes very obvious that the parable makes no sense. A parable is not some mystic kind of teaching, it is designed to be understood---but not by everyone. 

 I do not claim to be the authority on the interpretation of the parables, and I do recognize that others hold different views. But after many years as a preacher and teacher, I have come to my own conclusions regarding this special form of teaching and the truth that was being taught. Having settled this in my own mind, this is what I teach. 

As we join the lesson, Jesus is by the seaside and as was so common at this time in his ministry, as he sat, the multitudes flocked to him. So great were the crowds, that he had to resort to teaching from a nearby ship. Ver.1-2. 

Ver.3. says that he spoke many things to them in parables. His disciples asked him a question in Ver.10. that would be good for us to deal with as we begin. It is very probable that there were many in the multitude that were unreceptive to his message. As we see later on, even some who professed to be his disciples went back and walked no more with him. This is further indicated by his answer to their question in Ver.11  A parable is a system of teaching that places one thing beside another for comparison or illustration. This was a very common form of teaching among the Jews. The parables of the Jews set forth the Jewish Nationalistic idea of the Kingdom, while the parables of Jesus were just the opposite. All of the parables implied a background of opposition and unreceptiveness concerning the Kingdom, even among his followers. The reason for this form of teaching at this time, was to conceal the truth from some and reveal it to others, as he outlined in Ver.11. 

The fact that some did not understand was not owing to the form of teaching, but rather to the hardness of their hearts. There were two factions following him at this time of his ministry, those who were against him would not believe no matter how plain he made the teaching. So his parables were designed to mystify his enemies, who would not believe anyway, while at the same time increasing the understanding of his believing disciples. This is the meaning of Mat.13:12. For whosoever hath, to him shall be given, and he shall have more abundance: but whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken away even that he hath.

In short, the time had come to separate these two classes of people, and before it was all over everyone would take his position, either for or against. I might add that this is the same principle that is at work in the world today, the word of God separates people. 

This first parable is called the parable of the sower. As we listen to Jesus teach we can almost see the sower walking his fields, his bag of seed on his shoulder, and as he walks he broadcasts his seed over the fields. Where does it fall? Two things need to be understood at the beginning; one is that the seed that he sowed was good seed. In every instance something happened to it that made it unproductive. The second thing is that before one could understand this parable he must believe that Jesus was the Divine Sower, and that his words were the Seeds of the Kingdom. To anyone else his words would be meaningless. 

This parable then is an illustration of Jesus as the Divine Sower and the seed that he sowed is the Gospel of free Grace.     Some seed fell on the roadside or wayside and died without ever springing up. Ver.4. what’s more, the fowls came and ate them, removing any trace of their being there. We can readily see what these fowls represent in Ver.19. This represents the greatest degree of unreceptiveness such as the Jewish authorities, his most outspoken enemies. 

Some fall on rocky soil and spring up, only to perish without bearing fruit. Ver.5-6.  This represents those in a state of indecision, who are easily persuaded to reject him. They may even have been almost inclined to believe him for a while. 

Some fell among thorns and even grew for a time, but were finally choked out by the thorns before they came to fruit. Ver.7.  This represents those who believe with the head but not with the heart; or those who profess to be the children of the Kingdom but are not saved.

For a time they make a good show but in the end they are fruitless.

The things of the world always mean more to them than spiritual things. 

The fourth and last class is represented by the good ground or ground cultivated by the Spirit, in this ground the seed grows and produces fruit. This represents the person who believes with the heart as well as the head, is saved and a true child of the Kingdom. 

In conclusion, in our interpretation of this parable we have seen that; the sower is Jesus---the seed is the word of the Kingdom or the Word of God. Ver.19. ---the soil is the hearer---the fowls represent Satan described as "that wicked one.” We also see here that the purpose of Satan in the world is to keep men from hearing the gospel and being saved. Lk.8:12.

[wretched]

3 lost and 1 saved is the obvious conclusion IMO.

The Seed has to be watered in order for God to give the increase of fruit

Luke 8:5 A sower went out to sow his seed: and as he sowed, some fell by the way side; and it was trodden down, and the fowls of the air devoured it.

6 And some fell upon a rock; and as soon as it was sprung up, it withered away, because it lacked moisture.

7 And some fell among thorns; and the thorns sprang up with it, and choked it.

8 And other fell on good ground, and sprang up, and bare fruit an hundredfold. And when he had said these things, he cried, He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.

9 And his disciples asked him, saying, What might this parable be?

10 And he said, Unto you it is given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God: but to others in parables; that seeing they might not see, and hearing they might not understand.

11 Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God.

12 Those by the way side are they that hear; then cometh the devil, and taketh away the word out of their hearts, lest they should believe and be saved.

13 They on the rock are they, which, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no root, which for a while believe, and in time of temptation fall away.

14 And that which fell among thorns are they, which, when they have heard, go forth, and are choked with cares and riches and pleasures of this life, and bring no fruit to perfection.

15 But that on the good ground are they, which in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience.

I have no doubt in this day and age that the vast majority of "saved" "Christians" in the US are of the 3 quick prayerism lost varieties. This is where the rock n roll churches get filled up feeding their lost flesh and this is where IFBs get their big numbers to report.

 

[heartstrings]

...and some fell among thorns......

2 Timothy 4:9Do thy diligence to come shortly unto me: 10For Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world, and is departed unto Thessalonica; Crescens to Galatia, Titus unto Dalmatia. 

Demas was a real believer. Likewise, the last two "grounds" were saved; while the first two were not. The first one never believed at all and the second only had a superficial "head knowledge" while the third truly believed but "backslid" and the fourth believed and bore fruit. When "weeds" take over in the garden, the good plants lose health and vigor because they get starved for nutrients, moisture and sometimes sunlight; but they are still alive.

 

[wretched]

44 minutes ago, heartstrings said:

...and some fell among thorns......

2 Timothy 4:9Do thy diligence to come shortly unto me: 10For Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world, and is departed unto Thessalonica; Crescens to Galatia, Titus unto Dalmatia. 

Demas was a real believer. Likewise, the last two "grounds" were saved; while the first two were not. The first one never believed at all and the second only had a superficial "head knowledge" while the third truly believed but "backslid" and the fourth believed and bore fruit. When "weeds" take over in the garden, the good plants lose health and vigor because they get starved for nutrients, moisture and sometimes sunlight; but they are still alive.

 

I disagree for the reason that these are seeds (Gospel preached) and not fruit (IE souls). The Demas example is not applicable to this parable IMO. The parable has to do with the various types of audiences that the Gospel falls upon. The Gospel (seeds) took no permanent root in the first 3 examples

[heartstrings]

6 minutes ago, wretched said:

I disagree for the reason that these are seeds (Gospel preached) and not fruit (IE souls). The Demas example is not applicable to this parable IMO. The parable has to do with the various types of audiences that the Gospel falls upon. The Gospel (seeds) took no permanent root in the first 3 examples

On the contrary. The plants among the thorns did take root. They were simply "choked" "....with cares and riches and pleasures of this life "  and "riches and pleasures of this life" has everything to do with Demas "loving this present world"

[wretched]

Oh no, no, no. I do beg your pardon sir but you are incorrect in your assumption. The seeds are the Word of God, IE the Gospel and it either takes permanent root or it does not. Demas falling into sin long after salvation and being a fellowlaborer with Paul for who knows how long, has nothing to do with the seed of the Gospel sprouting in a lost heart.

This parable is about the types of lost recipients of the Seeds (Gospel) and not about carnality for Christians who have demonstrated fruit already.

 

25 minutes ago, heartstrings said:

On the contrary. The plants among the thorns did take root. They were simply "choked" "....with cares and riches and pleasures of this life "  and "riches and pleasures of this life" has everything to do with Demas "loving this present world"

Forgot to quote you, sorry, look above.

[heartstrings]

Yes, correct. The "seeds" are the word of God. There is absolutely nothing wrong with the seed. Unlike seed you buy from the farm supply which has a certain percentage germination rating, God's "seed" has a 100% germination rate meaning every seed is viable at planting time. The problem is with the SOIL and some soil is already contaminated with weed seed while it looks just like any other plowed soil.. Did you know that some weed seeds, like Crotalaria spectabilis, are viable in the soil for up to sixty (60) years? They can lie dormant under a matrix of grass roots and you will never know the seed is there until you PLOW that ground. I've seen it on my own property with that species.  No, the good seeds in #3 germinated, took root and grew, but the WEEDS choked them out. Brother Demas had too many weed seeds in his "ground".

 I was raised on a farm and to my recollection, weeds do NOT prevent germination and initial growth. Any farmer will tell you, you can plant good seed in the ground, and it may come up beautifully;  But if you don't either hoe, pull, mechanically cultivate, poison the weeds or some combination of that, you will get a very poor crop or no crop at all even though your good seed came up and grew just fine. The weeds will make your plants spindly, yellow, short and unproductive because they suck up all the nutrients and choke out the crop..

Edited February 29, 2016 by heartstrings

[Ronda]

I do agree with your analogy on this "Heartstrings". I also agree that the "seed" in the parable is the word of God and I also agree it is 100% perfect. I was also raised on a farm, and I know exactly what you mean... the soil can be the problem AND the growing conditions can also cause massive problems in otherwise good plants. In some cases the soil is bad soil (no nutrients, poor moisture, etc) and the seed dies, BUT in other cases they can be planted in good soil (a willingness to hear receive AND accept the word), and lack nothing in nutrients (understanding and growing in the word of God as well, for example), moisture (prayer and devotion to the Lord, for example) etc and they can have perfect roots (or have received the word/accepted-believed and grown good roots and the plant starts out wonderfully) and THEN the weeds around this otherwise good plant choke it out. Had the same plant not been choked out by the weeds around it, it may have been the best plant in the crop had it been tended to properly!  BUT it wasn't tended to properly... they allowed the cares of this word to overtake their growth... possibly even desiring to act like the weeds around them! In that case, that "plant" needs to hoe and weed the choking weeds away and then it can again have deep roots and grow strong and firm. And quite honestly it could use some help from a good farmer (a Christian who IS well rooted and established in the word of God) but only if that "plant" will accept the help. 

[heartstrings]

Sorry, I had it wrong:  It says "thorns"; not "weeds". There has to be a reason for that,

[Critical Mass]

This passage is another proof that there's a difference between the kingdom of heaven and the kingdom of God seeing there are tares in the kingdom of heaven but not in the kingdom of God. In its precise application it's about the millennial kingdom though a general application can be applied to how people receive the word of God. Notice the harvest is "the end of the world" not the rapture.

[beameup]

Harvesting will occur during the Tribulation. The "end of the world" could be expressed as the "end of this age" or "end of this current world", as the Millennium will be a "new world". Separation of the "sheep from the goats" will determine who enters the Millennial Kingdom, and who is cast out.  I see no application in this "parable" for the Body of Christ.

[Alan]

1 hour ago, beameup said:

Harvesting will occur during the Tribulation. The "end of the world" could be expressed as the "end of this age" or "end of this current world", as the Millennium will be a "new world". Separation of the "sheep from the goats" will determine who enters the Millennial Kingdom, and who is cast out.  I see no application in this "parable" for the Body of Christ.

This parable is for the body of Christ as both brother Jim, Heartstrings, and sister Ronda plainly brought out. Whether number 2 in the parable was saved or not and is subject to opinion (and I heartliy agree with Heartstrings).

[beameup]

2 hours ago, Alan said:

This parable is for the body of Christ as both brother Jim, Heartstrings, and sister Ronda plainly brought out. Whether number 2 in the parable was saved or not and is subject to opinion (and I heartliy agree with Heartstrings).

What "criteria" do you use to determine which "parables" apply directly to the Body of Christ, or do you apply all parables directly to the Body of Christ?

[Alan]

"All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works." 2 Timothy 3:16 & 17

All of the parables have some meaning to instruct every saint, in any dispensation, to bring about reproof, or, "instruction in righteousness." This includes all of the parables of the Lord Jesus.