SEMESTER 5
176 – The Parable of the Sower
BIBLE INSTITUTE OF CORRESPONDENCE
COURSE: THEOLOGY V LESSON # 76
ESCHATOLOGY – THE KINGDOM OF GOD – THE PARABLE OF THE SOWER
Read: Mat. 13:1-23
INTRODUCTION:
1. Every parable of the kingdom deals with a particular reality.
2. The purpose of a parable is to use a familiar principle to teach, by illustration, a mystery.
3. Many unperceivable aspects of the kingdom are seen clearly and explained by these parables.
4. Know also that these parables were spoken to people with 2,000 years less history than we.
5. This parable (of the sower) deals particularly with the result of the Gospel (word) of the kingdom.
I. THE WORD OF THE KINGDOM (MAT. 13:19
)
1. This is the same thing, as far as I can tell, as the Gospel of the kingdom.
2. Though the kingdom is now seen from a different prospective than in Jesus’ days on earth, the King is the same, and thus the message is essentially the same.
3. Viewed politically or prophetically, the real issue is the King. (Will you have “this man?”)
4. The response to this great, life-giving message has great variation.
5. The issue here is the result of the sower’s effort in preaching the Gospel of the kingdom.
6. What is true of this time, is true of gospel preaching today.
II. FOUR APPARENT KINDS OF RESULT
1. Seed by the wayside – all the speculators, dissenters, commentators, etc.
i. It is not really directed to them and Satan will catch it away.
2. The seed on stony ground – the most ready, but the most quickly offended false professors.
3. The seed among thorns – the character of these is stronger, but is fixed on worldly interests.
4. The good ground – only this produces at all; has any real fruit; may be known.
5. Notice, it is not the skill of the sower which determines; but the ground on which it falls.
6. The sower here has two responsibilities. (1) Sow good seed. (2) Sow everywhere.
7. Only God can produce the “good ground.” (Rom. 10:17)
III. APPLICATION OF THIS PARABLE TODAY
1. Then there was much preoccupation with the kingdom, but the real message and issue was the King.
2. We preach not only a Savior, but Lord of lords and King of kings. (Acts 2:36, Rev. 19:16)
3. What is our seed today? The same Word.
i. The gospel of vicarious death, burial and resurrection.
ii. The Lord of glory seated at God’s right hand.
iii. The King of kings coming again to rule.
4. This message will fall by the wayside, among rocks and thorns, but by grace, some on good ground.
5. We must sow the seed everywhere and pray that God will prepare the soil. (I Cor. 3:6 – 7)
6. The result of this is God bearing men into His kingdom. (Jn. 3:3 compared to Jn. 3:14.)
7. Has this Word of the kingdom taken root in you, or are you in the first category of hearers?