Be Fruitful
Matthew 13:1-9,
13:1 That same day Jesus went out of the house and sat by the lake.2 Such large crowds gathered around him that he got into a boat and sat in it, while all the people stood on the shore. 3 Then he told them many things in parables, saying: “A farmer went out to sow his seed. 4 As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up. 5 Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow. 6 But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root. 7 Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants. 8 Still other seed fell on good soil, where it produced a crop—a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown. 9 Whoever has ears, let them hear.”
19 When anyone hears the message about the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in their heart. This is the seed sown along the path. 20 The seed falling on rocky ground refers to someone who hears the word and at once receives it with joy. 21 But since they have no root, they last only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, they quickly fall away. 22 The seed falling among the thorns refers to someone who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the word, making it unfruitful. 23 But the seed falling on good soil refers to someone who hears the word and understands it. This is the one who produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown.”
Matthew chapter 13 is a collection of the teachings of Jesus over a two year period at around AD28. These parables were given to those who believed and repented so that they would see what awaited them in Heaven. Through shared these parables with those who hungered for the gospel of the kingdom of heaven but also stated that only a few were aware of the word and fruitful.
Heaven is under the domain of God. As man fell victim to the temptation of the serpent in the garden of Eden that God created, they lost the righteousness and joy but through Jesus Christ, for those that repented, they regained the righteousness, joy and eternal life and were granted the right to live in peace in this kingdom of heaven.
Jesus’ first coming brought heaven on earth in a spiritual manner but in his second coming, we will gain physical manifestation of that kingdom of heaven as we ascend to heaven. This is why we say that heaven is already here but not yet complete.
Today, in chapter 13:1-23, Jesus and his disciples are delivering the same gospel of heaven but how it is received will differ.
As you spread the seed,
1) some will fall on the road and the birds will eat it
2) some will fall where the soil is not deep and although the seed will sprout fast because the roots are not deep, it will wither under the
hot sun
3) some will fall in thorny areas and will be choked of nutrients and die
4) but some will fall on good soil and will multiply 100, 60, 30 fold..
But from verse Matthew 13:18 We are told the meaning of this parable.
1) No matter how much you hear about the kingdom of heaven, if you do not understand, then a false prophet will come and erase the
word from your memory. This is like the see that fell on the road.
2) For those that receive the word and are quick to be joyful about it without deep learning about the word are like the seed that fell on
shallow rocky soil and quickly sprouted but with the hot sun, withered as it did not have deep roots.
3) The thorny field describes those that receive the word but because of the worries and temptations of the world, they are unable to hold
on to the word and allow it to mature and grow in their hearts.
4) For those that hear and believe and receive the word fully are those that will multiply 100, 60, 30 fold.
Through this parable we can see four( (4) distrinct type of people. Which one of these people are you at the current moment?
1. A heart like the road
The road is used by many. Not only people use the road but animals use it too as well as cars Because the road is
hardened, no matter how many seeds are spread on it, none will grow.
1) This is a stalwart heart
2) This is a heart that cannot discern or realize the truth.
2. A heart like the rocky shallow field
1) This represents a shallow heart.
2) This is a heart that just will not allow the word to take root.
3. A heart like a thorny field
1) This is a heart filled with worry and concern.T
2) his is a heart that easily falls prey to temptation.
4. A heart like a good field
1) This is a heart that has been reborn through the holy spirit
2) This is heart that is willing to make a commitment and bring it to fruition.
* You must spread the seed
* You must spread good seeds
* You must spread the seed onto good fields
Application
1. For those that hear the word but is unable to bring the word to fruitfulness are those that usually are filled with regrets and end up
falling away from the grace of God.
2. In order to bear good fruit and bear a lot of fruit, you must pay attention to the seed. Good seed comes from the gospel. Plant those good seeds from the gospel upon good soil so that you can multiply 100, 60, 30 fold and be in the good grace of our Father God;
complemented as a good and obedient servant.
3 When Jesus comes again, all will stand in judgment. Those that have been fruitful will receive the eternal life in heaven.
4. Let’s bear a lot of fruit so that we can glorify God and be proud disciples of Jesus Christ. (John 15:8)
