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Sunday, September 17, 2023

The Parable of the Four Souls

Clay Smith JFBC
Parables: 4 Soils
Matthew 13:1-23

Book: The Great De-Churching: Why people quit going to church…40 million have stopped going. Jesus is less concerned about crowds than about people following him.

The parable v 1-9. A popular part of Jesus' teaching. Even non Christians use terms from Jesus parables. Sometimes people take something away from the story that wasn't the point, or glean an incorrect lesson.

Parable means to cast alongside. God shared a story to convict David's heart. Many parables have a harsh lesson. 

Parable: An expanded analogy used to cause hearing, enable seeing, and provoke responding to the kingdom of God. Why Jesus spoke in parables Matt 13:10-17

Jesus distinguished between people in his kingdom and those who weren't. Matt 12:50 Jesus where is your mother and brothers? Obedience impresses Jesus - whoever does my will is my brother.

We live in a broken world. But Jesus came in this world and took on humanity in order to save us.

Isaiah 6 need to read the whole story, a story of judgement. V 16-17 blessed are your eyes. You know more than the prophets. We respond in different ways. Jesus looks for those who bear fruit.

Matt 13:18-25 Jesus interprets the parable, something he rarely did. People knew what he was talking about, the different types of soil.

He's really talking about people's hearts. Which one is you?

1. A hardened heart v 19. It's going in one ear out the other. 2 Cor 4 The God of this world has blinded people's eyes.

Means: Pray for seeing and hearing. Each testimony is great.

2. A superficial heart. Seems to be doing good at first. But counterfeit. In the US we forget that in most of history being a Christian means there will be persecution. Receiving doesn't mean anything. Are you bearing fruit?

3. A religious heart. Double minded. Lukewarm. A divided heart. Fruit has been choked out due to their love of this present world. The failure of parents to pass along their relationship with God. Parents reinforce those worldly habits.

4. A reproducing heart - the goal. Allowing the Holy Spirit to work in and through you. Trust and obedience. Bearing fruit. Psalm 14:3.

Where do you stand today? Are you receptive or not?

This parable fills Clay with 2 emotions: first hope. The Gospel always works. But also horror - people think they're in, but they aren't. These seeds are a free gift if we will only receive them.

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