The Parable of the Sower - Bible Story
Lisa Loraine Baker
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That same day Jesus went out of the house and sat beside the sea.
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And great crowds gathered about him, so that he got into a boat and sat there; and the whole crowd stood on the beach.
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And he told them many things in parables, saying: "A sower went out to sow.
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And as he sowed, some seeds fell along the path, and the birds came and devoured them.
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Other seeds fell on rocky ground, where they had not much soil, and immediately they sprang up, since they had no depth of soil,
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but when the sun rose they were scorched; and since they had no root they withered away.
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Other seeds fell upon thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked them.
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Other seeds fell on good soil and brought forth grain, some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.
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He who has ears, let him hear."
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Then the disciples came and said to him, "Why do you speak to them in parables?"
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And he answered them, "To you it has been given to know the secrets of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been given.
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For to him who has will more be given, and he will have abundance; but from him who has not, even what he has will be taken away.
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This is why I speak to them in parables, because seeing they do not see, and hearing they do not hear, nor do they understand.
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With them indeed is fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah which says: 'You shall indeed hear but never understand, and you shall indeed see but never perceive.
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For this people's heart has grown dull, and their ears are heavy of hearing, and their eyes they have closed, lest they should perceive with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and turn for me to heal them.'
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But blessed are your eyes, for they see, and your ears, for they hear.
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Truly, I say to you, many prophets and righteous men longed to see what you see, and did not see it, and to hear what you hear, and did not hear it.
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"Hear then the parable of the sower.
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When any one hears the word of the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what is sown in his heart; this is what was sown along the path.
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As for what was sown on rocky ground, this is he who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy;
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yet he has no root in himself, but endures for a while, and when tribulation or persecution arises on account of the word, immediately he falls away.
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As for what was sown among thorns, this is he who hears the word, but the cares of the world and the delight in riches choke the word, and it proves unfruitful.
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As for what was sown on good soil, this is he who hears the word and understands it; he indeed bears fruit, and yields, in one case a hundredfold, in another sixty, and in another thirty."
Matthew 13:1-23 Study Resources
Sermons
Sharing Your Faith
Jill Briscoe
What happens when you come to know the King? You will want everyone else to know Him, too. Jill Briscoe describes Him as a hidden treasure that needs to be shared. Listen as she shares the excitement of telling the Good News!
Combating Crows, the Enemy of the Harvest
Jill Briscoe
Have you ever witnessed someone growing in their faith and then suddenly there is a horrible spiritual attack? Jesus warned there is an enemy of the harvest—crows that are bent on snatching the seeds scattered in the fields before strong roots can take hold.We may not like to think about it, but Satan is eager to discourage and snatch away believers. In this message, Jill Briscoe encourages all the saints to get in the fight, disciple those around them, and help people grow strong roots in their faith.
Tending the Kingdom's Garden
Jill Briscoe
It’s easy to see when a garden needs watering. The plant leaves begin to wilt, the ground becomes dry, and cracks appear. And if the plants aren’t tended to, they’re at risk of withering and dying.It’s the same with people who need Jesus. In this message, Jill Briscoe helps us understand what’s at risk and asks us to dedicate ourselves to impacting people in our sphere of influence.
The Power of the Seed
Jill Briscoe
Can an orchid grow in a putrid and smoldering garbage pile? Yes, and it has. That’s the power of life within the seed. And so it is with the Good News. Are you all out for Jesus, scattering news of Him wherever you go, no matter how dirty or unwelcoming the circumstance might be?In this message, Jill Briscoe encourages us to believe that God’s Word will always find good soil. It’s up to us to take advantage of every opportunity so that the fields will be ready for someone to come along and harvest to the glory of God.
Sharing Your Faith
Jill Briscoe
What happens when you come to know the King? You will want everyone else to know Him, too. Jill Briscoe describes Him as a hidden treasure that needs to be shared. Listen as she shares the excitement of telling the Good News!
Teaching in Parables Part 2
John Randall
The Parable of the Sower -- by far, one of the more familiar parables taught by Jesus during His earthly ministry. It’s a timeless story with a heavenly meaning that contains truths that apply to both believers and unbelievers alike. Would you like to have a heart that is producing something fruitful? If so listen to a Daily Walk.
Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright 1952 [2nd edition, 1971] by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
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