SEED SOWN IN VAIN

Now here is the explanation of the story I told about the farmer sowing grain: The seed that fell on the hard path represents those who hear the Good News about the Kingdom and don’t understand it. Then the evil one comes and snatches the seed away from their hearts. The rocky soil represents those who hear the message and receive it with joy. But like young plants in such soil, their roots don’t go very deep. At first they get along fine, but they wilt as soon as they have problems or are persecuted because they believe the word. The thorny ground represents those who hear and accept the Good News, but all too quickly the message is crowded out by the cares of this life and the lure of wealth, so no crop is produced.
 
Matthew 13:18-22
 
What you and I do with the Good News of Jesus Christ makes a difference. We are commanded to share the gospel (The Great Commission – Matthew 28:19-20). Let us combine that command with the parable of the sower to avoid the seed we sow being sown in vain.
 
Seed sown on the hard path can be thought of as sharing the Good News with someone who is trapped in hard circumstances. Those who have had the opportunity to work in the mission field learn early that meeting the needs opens the door for the gospel. Deal with the hard circumstance first (hunger, health, homelessness, bitterness, etc.) and then sow your seed of the gospel.
 
A seed sown in rocky soil speaks to the need to help a person who has received the gospel message in their heart to go deeper. The new believer needs to be discipled so they can grow in their faith. Every new believer needs an environment where they can learn more and more about their new faith and God’s Word. Then they will bloom where they are planted.
 
Dealing with the thorns of the world may be the most difficult area of sowing seed. God’s Word tells us we cannot serve two masters (Matthew 6:24). If the thorny ground (addictions, lusts, attachment to material things) of the world is not dealt with in the life of the new believer, they will be in danger of falling back under the control of their old master when pricked by his thorns.
 
Evaluate the soil and don’t let your good seed be sown in vain.