MATTHEW: FOUR SOILS

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FOUR SOILS

MATTHEW 13:1-9; 18-23 (NLT)
Later that same day Jesus left the house and sat beside the lake. 2 A large crowd soon gathered around him, so he got into a boat. Then he sat there and taught as the people stood on the shore. 3 He told many stories in the form of parables, such as this one: 

“Listen! A farmer went out to plant some seeds. 4 As he scattered them across his field, some seeds fell on a footpath, and the birds came and ate them. 

5 Other seeds fell on shallow soil with underlying rock. The seeds sprouted quickly because the soil was shallow. 6 But the plants soon wilted under the hot sun, and since they didn’t have deep roots, they died. 

 7 Other seeds fell among thorns that grew up and choked out the tender plants. 

 8 Still other seeds fell on fertile soil, and they produced a crop that was thirty, sixty, and even a hundred times as much as had been planted! 9 Anyone with ears to hear should listen and understand…” 

18 “Now listen to the explanation of the parable about the farmer planting seeds:
19 The seed that fell on the footpath represents those who hear the message about the Kingdom and don’t understand it. Then the evil one comes and snatches away the seed that was planted in their hearts. 

20 The seed on the rocky soil represents those who hear the message and immediately receive it with joy. 21 But since they don’t have deep roots, they don’t last long. They fall away as soon as they have problems or are persecuted for believing God’s word. 

22 The seed that fell among the thorns represents those who hear God’s word, but all too quickly the message is crowded out by the worries of this life and the lure of wealth, so no fruit is produced. 

23 The seed that fell on good soil represents those who truly hear and understand God’s word and produce a harvest of thirty, sixty, or even a hundred times as much as had been planted!”

SOIL #1

Some unbelievers hear the Gospel, and nothing happens!
(Satan shuts down their minds to the Truth and there’s zero growth.) 

SOIL #2

Some unbelievers hear the Gospel, and something short-term happens!
(But problems and persecution snuff out their growth.) 

SOIL #3

Some unbelievers hear the Gospel, and something unfruitful happens! 
(The worries of life and the lure of wealth stunts their growth.) 

SOIL #4

Some unbelievers hear the Gospel, it takes root and they grow and bear fruit!
(The soil of their heart and mind is ready for Truth.) 

SOIL #1
If you want to grow in your relationship with God, you’ve got to be open to the fact that God wants to talk to you!

Verses 3-4
“Listen! A farmer went out to plant some seeds. 4 As he scattered them across his field, some seeds fell on a footpath, and the birds came and ate them.”

Verses 18-19
“Now listen to the explanation of the parable about the farmer planting seeds:
19 The seed that fell on the footpath represents those who hear the message about the Kingdom and don’t understand it. Then the evil one comes and snatches away the seed that was planted in their hearts.”

James 1:21 (NLT)
So get rid of all the filth and evil in your lives, and humbly accept the word God has planted in your hearts, for it has the power to save your souls.

SOIL #2
If you want to grow in your relationship with God, you’ve got to set aside dedicated time to listen for God’s voice!

Verses 5-6
Other seeds fell on shallow soil with underlying rock. The seeds sprouted quickly because the soil was shallow. 6 But the plants soon wilted under the hot sun, and since they didn’t have deep roots, they died. 

Verses 20-21
The seed on the rocky soil represents those who hear the message and immediately receive it with joy. 21 But since they don’t have deep roots, they don’t last long. They fall away as soon as they have problems or are persecuted for believing God’s word. 

1. Dedicate some time every day to read your Bible!
2. Dedicate some time every day to talk with God!
3. Dedicate some time to go to church every week.

SOIL #3
If you want to grow in your relationship with God, you’ve got to keep yourself free from things that distract you from hearing God’s voice!

Verse 7
Other seeds fell among thorns that grew up and choked out the tender plants. 

Verse 22
The seed that fell among the thorns represents those who hear God’s word, but all too quickly the message is crowded out by the worries of this life and the lure of wealth, so no fruit is produced. 

Galatians 5:22-23 (NLT)
But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. 

Luke 10:38-42 (NLT)
…Martha welcomed Jesus into her home. 39 Her sister, Mary, sat at the Lord’s feet, listening to what He taught.  40 But Martha was distracted by the big dinner she was preparing. She came to Jesus and said, “Lord, doesn’t it seem unfair to you that my sister just sits here while I do all the work? Tell her to come and help me.”  41 But the Lord said to her, “My dear Martha, you’re worried and upset over all these details! 42 There is only one thing worth being concerned about. Mary has discovered it, and it will not be taken away from her.”

SOIL #4
If you want to grow in your relationship with God, you’ve got to make a commitment to actually do what God tells you to do!

Verse 8 
Still other seeds fell on fertile soil, and they produced a crop that was thirty, sixty, and even a hundred times as much as had been planted!

Matthew 4:4 (NIV)
“Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.”

James 1:22-23 (NLT)
But don’t just listen to God’s word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you’re only fooling yourselves. 23 For if you listen to the word and don’t obey, it’s like glancing at your face in a mirror.