Sermon Tone Analysis

Sowing the Word

INTRO

Johhny Apple Seed

Jesus uses this Parable, which is a made up story that hides or reveals truth depending on the hearer.

He uses this story as it relates very well to the people and culture that He was talking to.

But there is a message in this story that goes beyond culture and is relevant for us today.

It seems to me that Jesus uses this opportunity to teach the Apostles about the crowd that is following Him and the effect that His Word is having on them.

The Apostles don’t understand what the meaning behind the Parable is.

I want us to look at Matt for the response, Mark does a great job at capturing the essence of what was said but Matthew has a little more detail that I think is important.

So when they ask him about it He says...

A couple things to note in these verses.

One is they were “given to know the mystery” they were chosen and given the mystery of the kingdom of God.

Most of the crowd was not going to be able to get it because this was about prophecy being fulfilled.

The Apostles had a front row seat yet again to the fulfillment of another prophecy by Jesus.

And this mystery that is being revealed to them was something the prophets had longed to know.

Isaiah was talking about these Jews at this time, but the meaning goes much deeper than just an application to the people of that day.

By Jesus unlocking this parable for them they would be able to know the meaning of the rest of the parables.

But it’s bigger than that, Jesus is revealing to them how the human heart works in a sense.

As they grow in their knowledge of the Word they would then spread that word all over the world.

In fact we have been given that knowledge as well and we plants those seeds in the soil of children’s hearts and to those around us.

As disciples ourselves we need to be planting the word wherever we go but this parable is less about the planter and more about the dirt.

SEED

The three things plants need to grow are light, food and water.

Light, whether from the Sun or an artificial light source (like a light bulb), gives the small plant the energy it needs to begin photosynthesis.

Photosynthesis is the process the plant uses to convert light energy into food.

Like all living things, plants need water.

Once a seed sends out roots, these roots will deliver water from the soil to the plant.

As the plant grows and needs more water, roots will grow longer and stretch farther to find the necessary water in the soil.

When you get dry seeds at a gardening store, the seeds are dormant, which means they're inactive.

All it usually takes to wake them up, though, is just to add water.

Whether you plant them in moist soil or simply wrap them in a moist paper towel, they will begin to come to life.

Amazingly, scientists still don't fully understand what all happens inside of a seed as it comes to life.

(finish the story later)

http://wonderopolis.org/wonder/how-do-seeds-sprout

https://vimeo.com/7608720

The Path or The Hard Heart

This is a more direct attack from Satan, the danger for us and for anyone that hears the word will be under attack from Satan, He does not want the words of life to get a hold of someone.

This hardness can come form a lot of sources, friends, family, media there can be a hardness of heart that happens just by being in the world.

This is not an impossible condition to return from but it’s gonna hurt.

The Rocky Ground or the Shallow Heart

This is the type of person that maybe has been overcome by an emotional experience of some sort, a counterfeit religious feeling and accepts the Word of God but without knowledge or understanding of what it means to be a Christian.

The enthusiasm may continue for several weeks but since there is no depth to their faith rooted in the truth of God’s word and when the first sign of opposition comes they cave.

This shows the importance of any Christian to be in the word often in order to allow it to grow an renew our mind.

Among Thorns or The Crowded Heart

This is like someone that has not fully repented in their heart.

They have lots of plants growing in their hearts its like a flower bed that has been neglected for a year or so.

The weeds have grown up and have chocked out the flowers.

You can’t walk both the narrow way and the broad way at the same time.

The Good Soil or The Fruitful Heart

The evidence of true Christian will be seen by the fruit that they bear.

They are active, they remain vigilant during tuff times.

Secret vs 11

(story continued) As the seed soaks up water, its food stored inside begins to be converted into energy in the form of enzymes.

These enzymes start the process of sending out roots and sprouting the first parts of the plant.

Exactly how all this works is still a bit of a mystery, but it is fascinating to watch whether you're a child or an adult!

I believe that the mystery of the heart is answered with Holy Spirit.

Al the prep work the softening, the tilling and preppingI believe is done by the Holy Spirit.

HARVEST

This parable looks to the coming kingdom and we look to it as truth about the human heart but also just as a seed is sown and bears fruit that fruit is harvested one day.

Read the Word

Be Repentant

Be Fruitful