(Text and Audio)
Title: The Sower (Part Four)
I remember once being in a Bible Study series entitled “From Moss to Redwoods.” And the reason that was such an appropriate title was because moss has almost no root system. If you are walking through the woods and come across moss, it can be pulled up from the ground with the smallest of efforts. Because of this shallow root system, moss is very limited. It can only grow in certain circumstances, and it never gets very tall, or big. It can spread out over a large area occasionally, but it never grows up.
For most of us, it is easy to imagine walking through the woods and being able to pick moss up from it’s root.
But could you imagine doing the same thing with a redwood tree? No, it’s impossible. The root system is immense, the tree weighs more than a house, and often can grow over 300 feet tall. The thought of moving, our uprooting a redwood tree is preposterous, right?
That difference is exactly what Jesus will explain today as we look at the final two explanations of his illustrations in the parable of the sower.
(read/pray)
- Rootlessness (v. 20)
The second illustration from the parable that Jesus explains a situation the is probably familiar to us us, and is always tragic.
It is the case of the supposed convert who never develops roots. Now, to be very clear, the reason I say “supposed” convert is because it is my understanding that these people are not really saved at this point. To be fair, they may be saved down the road, but one of the Biblical concepts I believe in is the Perseverance of the Saints, (Once saved, always saved, if truly saved).
Now, I also want to suggest that this parable, and this second illustration, actually go a long way to explain what has happened in the Church often for the last 2000 years. We see that this person “receives the seed immediately with joy” but after being tested through trial and persecution, they walk from the fold of the faith.
This bring a couple parallel teachings to mind, not the least of which is a verse that I seem to be quoting quite often lately in 1 John 3:24 The one who keeps His commandments abides in Him, and He in him.
Here, we see that due to the rootlessness, there is no abiding, there is no remaining for them when the difficult times come. Jesus says the “endure only for a while.” And when tribulation comes, as quickly as they accepted the faith, they vanish from the faith.
Why?
Theological Reason: Their hearts and natures have not been changed. (If they had, they WOULD endure.)
Practical Reason: Being a Christian is difficult.
What can we do to help root people?
- Teach the ENTIRE Bible.
- Hold them accountable.
- Endure WITH them. (Get them “plugged in.”)
- Others?
- Divided Loyalties (v 22)
The next great tragedy we see Jesus illustrate is again one that is familiar to most of us. This is the person that lacks the ability to make Jesus Christ their number one priority.
Oh, these people will say the right things, most of them are in church right now as I speak to you. Some of them may very well be in this room.
For these people hear the word. They get it. They know where to go on Sunday morning, they know what to tithe, they often know the answer the answer to questions that are asked, they are often familiar with the Bible, they will profess it’s importance. They will take their families to Church.
But if you could examine their hearts, you would find worry, angsts, about things that are not eternal. You would find doubt, stress, about all the things they can’t control. You would find a desire to control all things.
Sadly, these are the people who often say that Jesus is their savior, but their lives suggest he is not also their LORD.
Their lord may be money. Their lord may be their reputation. Their lord may be power. But their lord is not the LORD.
Exodus 20:3 “You shall have no other Gods before me.”
Theological Reason: Their hearts and natures have not been changed. (If they had, Christ would reign supreme in their lives.)
Practical Reason: NOT letting the world be your lord is difficult.
What can we do to help these people?
- Teach them the supremacy of Christ in all things.
- Hold them accountable to divided loyalties.
- Teach them to focus on the eternal.
- Others?
- Good Ground (v23)
Finally, some encouraging news for us this morning. There is fourth group of people that receive the seed. And they have some unique features:
- Because of the “good ground” they understand the word, and the wicked one cannot snatch away what was sown in their heart.
- Because of the “good ground” they are not in stony places they can grow roots and thrive.
- Because of the “good ground” they are not amongst the choking thorns of the world and are able to live with Christ as both their savior and LORD.
- Because of the “good ground” they bear fruit (of the spirit) and produce that which is pleasing to God.
Note: Some fruit produce more than others.
Theological Reason: God chooses the ground.
Practical Reason: Once our natures have been changed, we are only truly going to find joy in doing what we’ve been designed to do. (A Dump truck finds no joy at the bottom of the ocean.)
What can we do to help these people?
- Teach them the gift of salvation is from the hands of a Sovereign God. (This will reinforce humility over their state.)
- Remind them of their design and purpose.
- Hold them accountable to their natures.
- Others?