Matthew 13:3 And he spoke many things to them in parables, saying, Behold, a sower went forth to sow; I. THE SOWER. Jesus Christ Himself; through all the dispensations of dreams, angels, prophets: at last He came Himself with the seed of the kingdom. II. THE SEED. 1. Ordinary seed is covered with an outward coat. The life principle is hidden away from observation. So we find Christ in appearance like a man. The words you hear are but the outward covering; there is an inward life. There are those who split hairs about Christianity; they know the outward form, but not the vital principle. Others ignore the outward form, and say Christianity is wholly spiritual. Both necessary. 2. The life-giving property is not in the soil, but in the seed. You may enrich the soil as you will, but without seed you can have no life. Scientists have given up the idea of spontaneous generation. There is no salvation apart from the indwelling Christ. 3. Where life is there is power. Sow pebbles, but they have no power to reach a harvest. The Word powerful because living. 4. Every seed brings forth after its kind. You cannot sow wickedness and reap religion. III. THE SOIL. 1. The wayside hearer. 2. The stony-ground hearer. The emotional hearer. 3. Among the thorns — the double-minded hearer. 4. Good soil — the man who hears aright. (G. F. Pentecost.) Parallel Verses KJV: And he spake many things unto them in parables, saying, Behold, a sower went forth to sow;WEB: He spoke to them many things in parables, saying, "Behold, a farmer went out to sow. |
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