A Sower Went out to Sow - Part 4

A Sower Went out to Sow

-That on the Good Ground-

“And when much people were gathered together, and were come to him out of every city, he spake by a parable: 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. And some fell upon a rock; and as soon as it was sprung up, it withered away, because it lacked moisture. And some fell among thorns; and the thorns sprang up with it, and choked it. 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. And his disciples asked him, saying, What might this parable be? 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. Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God. 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. 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. 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. 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.”

Luke 8:9-15

In the previous three lessons we looked at the first three types of ground where the seed is sown. The seed represents God’s word and the ground represents three types of people and the condition of their hearts. Those “by the way side” are those who do not receive God’s word. Those “upon a rock” are those who receive the word, but only in a shallow way, and therefore eventually fall away. Those “among thorns” are they that let the things of this world prevent the word from producing anything worthy of God’s use and praise. This is all very tragic. But now we come to the fourth group:

“That on the Good Ground”

This is the only ground that Jesus calls “good”. You see it is important not only that we hear God’s word, but that we hear God’s word with a good heart:

“Take heed therefore how ye hear: for whosoever hath, to him shall be given; and whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken even that which he seemeth to have.”

Luke 8:18

What are the characteristics of this “good ground”?

• An honest heart

“For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.”

Hebrews 4:12

God has a way of revealing that which is in our very hearts through his word and we have a choice to make when he does so. We can be honest and draw near to him for his help or we can be dishonest, close our ears to the truth, and walk away from him.

• A keeping heart

“Thy testimonies are wonderful: therefore doth my soul keep them.”

Psalm 119:129

God reveals to his children how wonderful his word really is, and those who love him cherish it and keep it close.

• A patient heart

“Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain.”

James 5:7

Growing a crop takes a lot of patience but it grows tall and strong through God’s grace and care. It is worth the wait for it will produce fruit abundantly for the glory of God and the blessing of others.

• The good heart is not fooled by those who tread upon God’s word.

• The good heart is not shallow. It takes God’s word seriously.

• The Good heart won’t let worldliness interfere with God’s word.

God loves you and wants you to bear much fruit.

What kind of heart do you have?