Parable of the Sower / Soils

Matthew 13:3-9, 18-23

3 Then he told them many things in parables, saying: “A farmer went out to sow his seed. 4 As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up. 5 Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow. 6 But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root. 7 Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants. 8 Still other seed fell on good soil, where it produced a crop—a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown. 9 Whoever has ears, let them hear.”
18 “Listen then to what the parable of the sower means: 19 When anyone hears the message about the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in their heart. This is the seed sown along the path. 20 The seed falling on rocky ground refers to someone who hears the word and at once receives it with joy. 21 But since they have no root, they last only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, they quickly fall away. 22 The seed falling among the thorns refers to someone who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the word, making it unfruitful. 23 But the seed falling on good soil refers to someone who hears the word and understands it. This is the one who produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown.”

Link to Song:

The Sower and the Seed by Aneel Aranha

Question:

It’s easy to think of this parable in terms of responses by different individuals, but let’s look at it in terms of the mixture of our own responses. We can rejoice in what the Holy Spirit has been doing in our lives, and also be aware of the various pressures and temptations that may limit our response.

What circumstances tend to?

• Prevent us from hearing the gospel;
• Keep it at a shallow level that is easily forgotten in difficult times;
• Overwhelm us with the cares of this world;
• Give you joy in seeing what the Holy Spirit is doing in your life in response to the gospel, to bear the fruit of the Spirit.

Reflection

Unfortunately, I find it all too easy to think of influences that have kept me from being fruitful in responding to God’s word at various times in my life:

Family responsibilities – If we think of family responsibilities as being given by God, then perhaps fulfilling those is our appropriate response. But I could see other men doing that and much more besides, while the demands of my family seemed to overwhelm me until the children became independent;

Negative church experiences – I have found BHBC is exceptional in its focus on God’s word and our personal response to God’s calling, reflected in its caring format with small groups and community outreach through the café and men’s shed. So, I am very happy to commit much more time here than I think I have to spare in church activities. That contrasts with many experiences I have had in other churches, which included impersonal formalism, rigid legalism, worshiptainment, wacky trendy fads, and political theology. Sometimes, my response has been to maintain a personal relationship with God regardless of what the visible church was doing, but that tends not to bear visible fruit.

Wrong seed – when the church sows seed that is man-made, it creates a barrier to faith. Many attempts to make the gospel more modern, with a popular appeal, can remove its strength and turn it into just another mode of hollow entertainment.

Worldly influences – although I like to think I have found ways of avoiding worldly influences, they have a subtle way of getting to us – through the expectations and activities of friends, the subliminal messages in advertising and entertainment, and the mythical assumptions underlying content in the news media, in addition to its sensationalism which deadens the senses. In contrast, it is wonderfully refreshing to look at the bible and the truth it reveals.

Sin – all of the above have an element of excusing my lack of growth, but the main reason is sinful condition and selfish concerns. I need to to remember I am part of the fallen human condition, with its propensity to sin and to reject God, and I find self-worship creeping in without me realising it. That can easily lead me to twist the gospel to suit myself and my own aims and ambitions.

Fruit from the Holy Spirit

God’s hand is seen at work in that where the gospel is preached, however imperfectly that may be, it is the Holy Spirit who works wonders in the hearts of people, and not the quality of church teaching. And regardless of all the above obstacles, I am overjoyed to find the Holy Spirit is still doing wonderful things in my life.

The Alpha course was one example, where we were able to rejoice in the basics of faith, as we looked at what Jesus has done for us.

And even in those times when I have felt overwhelmed with work and family responsibilities and I am not putting quiet time aside with God, yet people have still referred to me as ‘churchy’, simply because of the activities I didn’t join in doing.

Bible Study Fellowship – about 40 years ago I was locked into a formal church where my involvement was not welcome, but God prompted a fellow at the local bus stop to invite me to BSF – he later told me how he couldn’t explain why he felt moved to do so, but it was a lifeline for me at the time. And I returned to BSF in retirement.

I like to maintain a balance between church and other activities, but I am delighted when I find those other activities can also reflect who I am in Christ, and bring God’s blessings to others when I respond to His leading. One example is the explanation I give for my enjoyment of painting, as a way of celebrating the joy of God’s creation.

Praise God for his grace shown in my life in developing suitable soil through the work of the Holy Spirit.