Matthew 13:1-23

What's a Parable?
and
Parable of the Four Soils

As Jesus traveled around the land, HE healed many who became HIS followers. Yet not all who followed HIM were those HE healed. Some followed HIM to see the miracles of healing HE performed, while others followed for the food HE fed them. Eventually Jesus began teaching in parables to separate the truth seekers from the curiosity seekers. Jesus knew their hearts, so by speaking in parables one would have to truly listen and learn. Many times HE would later explain the parables privately to His disciples.M

In today’s lesson, I will reverse the order of the Scripture, to first explain what parables are and why Jesus used them. (Matthew 13:10-17) Then I will get into the first parable (Matthew 13:1-9 and 18-23) of seeds being dropped onto four types of soil. Wayside, Stony soil, Thorny soil, Good rich fertile soil.

1. (Matthew 13:10-17)

1. Parables; What Are They, and What's Their Purpose

2. Parable means to place or cast alongside

1. They are mental pictures that tell stories 

A sinners return to their sin to sin again like a dog returns to his vomit to eat it

1. A sinner is compared to a dog, both have habits that are unhealthy

2. Parables reveal truth

1. They pique their curiosity so they would ask more questions

1. Questions are good, they show the person is thinking

2. Students were better educated when they could understand a parable

2. Parables are Mirrors 

1. They show us ourselves

3. Parables are windows

1. They reveal the heart of God to us

4. Parables reveal the mysteries of the kingdom

1. Once concealed, now revealed

3. Parables use earthly stories that help explain spiritual wisdom

1. To help us understand spiritual things

For since the creation of the World HIS invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made”

(Romans 1:20)

2. Parables are similar to Proverbs, but Proverbs are shorter and more pithy

For since the creation of the World HIS invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made”

(Romans 1:20)

A little sleep, a little slumber, 

A little folding of the hands to rest;

So shall your poverty come like a prowler, And your need like an armed man.

(Proverbs 24:33-34)

3. Used by teachers to instruct pupils about earthly and spiritual wisdom

1. As Jesus did, many famous ancient teachers used them

1. Socrates

2. Aristotle

3. Buddha

4. Confucius,

4. OT prophets used parables for warnings and condemnation from GOD

1. Nathan Used a parable to confront David about his sin with Bathsheba (2 Samuel 12:1-12) 

5. Parables were used to help us understand spiritual things 

3. Why Did Jesus Speak In Parable?

1. To separate the truth seekers from the troublemakers and curiosity seekers 

1. Pharisees and Sadducees were more interested in creating trouble

1. They challenged him with stupid questions (Matthew 22:23-33)

2. Accused HIM of healing by using the power of Satan (Matthew 12:22-32)

2. Some came just to get free food (John 6:26-27)

3. Jesus quotes Isaiah indicting them as spiritually dull and hard of hearing (Isaiah 6:9)

1. The same truth that makes a seeking heart understand makes a hardened heart confused

2. The same sun that melts ice also hardens the clay

2. Parables are words of the Master Teacher and they are convictions of the Holy Judge

1. Jesus is the Master Teacher who baffled Priests when HE was 12 years old (Matthew 2:41-52)

2. When we refuse to hear Jesus, the Holy Judge, GOD, will convicted us for denying HIS SON 

2. Jesus uses seven parables in this chapter to teach the disciples

1. The Parable of the Four Soils (vs 1-9)

1. Explained (vs 18-23)

2. The Parable of the Tares (vs 24-30)

1. The Parable of the Weeds Explained (vs 36-43)

3. The Mustard Seed (vs 31-32)

4. The Parable of Leaven (vs 33-35)

5. The Parable of the Hidden Treasure (vs 44)

6. The Parable of the Pearl of Great Value (vs 45-46)

7. The Parable of the Net (vs 47-52)

3. (Matthew 13:1-9 and 18-23 )Parable of the Four Soils

On the same day Jesus went out of the house and sat by the sea. And great multitudes were gathered together to Him, so that He got into a boat and sat; and the whole multitude stood on the shore.

Then He spoke many things to them in parables, saying: “Behold, a sower went out to sow. And as he sowed, some seed fell by the wayside; and the birds came and devoured them. Some fell on stony places, where they did not have much earth; and they immediately sprang up because they had no depth of earth. But when the sun was up they were scorched, and because they had no root they withered away. And some fell among thorns, and the thorns sprang up and choked them. But others fell on good ground and yielded a crop: some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty. He who has ears to hear, let him hear!”

(Matthew 13:3-9)

1. Jesus tells this parable to point out the different reactions people have to hearing the Gospel

1. Wayside (vs 4)

2. Stony soil (vs 5)

3. Thorny soil (vs 7)

4. Good rich fertile soil (vs 8)

2. Wayside Explained in (vs 19)

1. the birds came and devoured them

1. This soils represents those who have the seed taken from their hearts by Satan

1. They do not understand 

2. Their condition was one of spiritual blindness to the gospel (2 Corinthians 4:3-4)

3. Satan contributes to their blindness, and then their heart gets hard (Matthew13:15)

2. This soil represents those whose hard hearts are manipulated by Satan to resist

1. Many people have hardened their hearts to the gospel for various reasons

1. Some because they love darkness more than light (John 3:19-20)

2. Some because they love praise from men more than God (John 12:42-43)

2. Satan easily takes advantage of such people to blind them

1. Often times by false doctrines like hedonism, secularism, materialism

2. By secular lies about humanism, evolution, postmodernism

3. Rocky Soil Explained in (vs 20-21)

1. They did not have much earth; and they immediately sprang up because they had no depth of earth. But when the sun was up they were scorched, and because they had no root they withered away

1. This soil represents many today who have no interest in spiritual things

1. Those who hear the word and immediately receive it with gladness

2. With no root, they do not endure

3. They stumble when faced with tribulation, persecution, temptation

2. Those who at first believe and obey, but do not last long

1. Many hear the Word and received it with great joy

2. They are quick to obey the gospel

3. They are enthusiastic, "on fire" for the Lord

4. But their faith is shallow, their joy the result of emotionalism

3. They are not grounded in the Word

1. When troubles arise, there is no endurance and stumbling occurs

4. Thorny Soil Explained in (vs 22) 

1. The thorns sprang up and choked them

1. This soil represents Christians ruled more by emotion than by the Word of God

1. They hear the Word, but their ability to bear fruit is choked by the cares of this world

2. Their growth is rendered fruitless by materialism

1. Status in the World

2. Allures of the old lifestyle

3. Possessions

4. Secular activities like sports, computer games, social media

2. This soil represents those who believe and obey, but then stagnate

1. Many of these become Christians, but never mature

2. They may attend church, even participate or lead in the services

3. Spiritually they remain "babes" and "carnal" (1Corinthians 3:1-3; Hebrews 5:12-14)

3. Their spiritual growth is inhibited

1. By cares and anxieties that detract their minds (Luke12:29-32)

2. By riches that deceive them into self-sufficiency (1 Timothy 6:17-19)

3. By pleasures that divert their minds from the things of the Spirit (Galatians 5:17; 6:7-9)

5. Good Rich Fertile Soil Explained in (vs 23) 

1. and yielded a crop: some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty. He who has ears to hear, let him hear!”

1. This soil represents those who hear the word, accept it, and bear fruit

1. They truly "understand" what it means to be born again in Jesus

2. They hear and keep the Word and they bear fruit with patience.

2. This soil also represents those with good hearts who understand and obey the Word

3. Many become Christians who have this noble and good heart (Luke 8:15)

1. They make the effort to understand the Word

2. They make the effort to keep it, and with patience produce fruit in their lives!

3. They are fair-minded ones searching Scriptures to find the truth (Acts 17:11)

4. Note the importance of understanding in relation to bearing fruit...

1. Jesus made the connection between the two in this parable

2. Paul connects the two when he writes of the gospel producing fruit among

because of the hope which is laid up for you in heaven, of which you heard before in the word of the truth of the gospel, which has come to you, as it has also in all the world, and is bringing forth fruit, as it is also among you since the day you heard and knew the grace of God in truth;

(Colossians 1:5-6)

5. When one truly understands the meaning of the Gospel, they will more likely bear fruit

1. The key to understanding is having a good and noble heart

2. One that is willing to listen and learn!

6. Note that Jesus said not all will bear the same amount.

1. Some thirtyfold, some sixty, and some a hundred (Mark 4:20)

2. Some may be given more according to their ability (Matthew 25:14-15)

3. Whatever our ability, we should exercise it accordingly (1Peter 4:10-11)

7. This soil represents Christians who are faithful and fruitful in their service

In Conclusion

4. The Parable Of The Four Soils"is fairly easy to understand (with Jesus' help)

1. To truly benefit from this parable, let me ask "What kind of soil are you?"...

1. Are you like the wayside?

1. Have heard the gospel of Christ, but have not obeyed it?

2. Are you susceptible to Satan's deception that can blind you to God's Word?

2. Are you like the stony ground?

1. Did you respond to the gospel, but are not grounded in the faith.

2. Be careful, you may fall away when persecution or temptation comes your way!

3. Are you like the thorny ground?

1. Did you respond, but are too preoccupied with the cares, riches, and pleasures of this world?

2. Remember what Jesus said about branches that don't bear fruit! (John 15:1-6)

4. Or are you like the seed that fell onto good fertile soil?

1. If you have responded to the gospel, and are bearing fruit., then you are in a good place

1. You have a good and noble heart!

2. You have come to understand the Word!

3. You have been keeping it with patience!

5. And the Word of God produced its intended effect in you!