Good Fruit?

Scripture:

Matthew 13:3-8 “Listen! A farmer went out to plant some seeds. As he scattered them across his field, some seeds fell on a footpath, and the birds came and ate them. Other seeds fell on shallow soil with underlying rock. The seeds sprouted quickly because the soil was shallow. But the plants soon wilted under the hot sun, and since they didn’t have deep roots, they died. Other seeds fell among thorns that grew up and choked out the tender plants. Still other seeds fell on fertile soil, and they produced a crop that was thirty, sixty, and even a hundred times as much as had been planted!

Then Jesus explains the Parable for us:

Matthew 13:18-23 “Now listen to the explanation of the parable about the farmer planting seeds: The seed that fell on the footpath represents those who hear the message about the Kingdom and don’t understand it. Then the evil one comes and snatches away the seed that was planted in their hearts. The seed on the rocky soil represents those who hear the message and immediately receive it with joy. But since they don’t have deep roots, they don’t last long. They fall away as soon as they have problems or are persecuted for believing God’s word. The seed that fell among the thorns represents those who hear God’s word, but all too quickly the message is crowded out by the worries of this life and the lure of wealth, so no fruit is produced. The seed that fell on good soil represents those who truly hear and understand God’s word and produce a harvest of thirty, sixty, or even a hundred times as much as had been planted!”

Observation:

Jesus is giving us 4 different ways that people receive the Gospel message. If we are going to be effective preachers of the Good News we need to understand this passage of scripture. The first thing I observed is that only the seed that fell on good soil describes someone who is saved, Born Again. The second thing that God has revealed to me is that our job is to share the Good News with people the way Jesus did and leave the rest up to God. We can't try to pressure someone or manipulate them into making a decision for Christ, it has to be The Holy Spirit.

Application:

Let's break down the 4 different types of soil, see if you can tell what type of soil describes you.

1. The seed that fell on the footpath represents those who hear the message about the Kingdom and don’t understand it. Then the evil one comes and snatches away the seed that was planted in their hearts. (These are the people who reject the Gospel right from the beginning.)

2. The seed on the rocky soil represents those who hear the message and immediately receive it with joy. But since they don’t have deep roots, they don’t last long. They fall away as soon as they have problems or are persecuted for believing God’s word. (These people make an emotional superficial commitment to salvation in Christ but it only lasts till there is a price to pay then they abandon Christ.)

3. The seed that fell among the thorns represents those who hear God’s word, but all too quickly the message is crowded out by the worries of this life and the lure of wealth, so no fruit is produced. (These people make superficial commitments without true repentance)

4. The seed that fell on good soil represents those who truly hear and understand God’s word and produce a harvest of thirty, sixty, or even a hundred times as much as had been planted! (These are the believers who all bear different amounts of fruit, but they all bear fruit.)

Prayer:

Dear Lord, thank you for your grace and your mercy! Thank you for saving me, I know it was not because of any good thing that I did, it was because you love me. I am trying to comprehend that you are a loving Father to me, and you don't love me based on my performance or my good works. Thank you for sending my Lord Jesus Christ. Save my family members, and my friends and co-workers Lord. in Jesus name, Amen!