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The Sower and the Seed

Text: Matthew 13
3 May 2015

THE PAST CONTEXT OF THE WORK OF EVANGELISM DURING THE TIMES OF JESUS

1. Facing opposition from the religious leaders – The traditionalist   (Matthew 13:14,24)

2. The great multitude   (Matthew 13:15) – The self-absorbed

3. His own family members   (Matthew 13:46) – The familiar

4.The bigger picture – The whole generation

a) An evil and adulterous generation   (Matthew 12:39)
b) A wicked generation   (Matthew 12:45)

THE PROPHETIC CONTEXT OF THE SINFUL STATE OF THE PEOPLE OF ISRAEL

1. The people – Fallow and thorny ground   (Jeremiah 4:3)

2. Foolish people without understanding   (Jeremiah 5:21)

a) Having eyes but do not see
b) Having ears but do not hear

THE PRESENT CONTEXT WITH REFERENCE TO HEARTS SEEN AS FALLOW GROUND

1. The hardened heart   (Matthew 13:19)

2. The shallow heart   (Matthew 13:20-21)

3. The distracted heart (Matthew 13:22)

THE CHALLENGE TO HAVE A GOOD AND NOBLE HEART

1. It receives the word well   (Matthew 13:23, Luke 8:15)

2. It hears the word with high regard

a) Receives it
b) Understands it with the heart
c) Keeps it with patience

3. It bears good fruit – Faith, hope and love

a) 100 fold
b) 60 fold
c) 30 fold

4. Examples of having a good and noble heart

a) The twelve disciples who followed Jesus   (Luke 8:1)
b) A group of ladies who provided for Jesus   (Luke 8:23)
c) The centurion with great faith   (Luke 7:1-10)