Soil Test – The Parable of the Soils October 9, 2016 Dan Raymond Hearing God, Heart, Word of God Luke Parables: Stories that Changed the World Audio Sermon Save Audio Save PDF This week we continue our exploration of Jesus’ parables with the parable of the Sower found in Luke 8:4-15. Even though it is known as the parable of the sower, this story isn’t about the sower. It’s all about the soil. It’s about how the seed will grow and bear fruit in some soil, but not others. Teresa and I enjoy gardening even though we are still newbies. We started five years ago in Oklahoma. Our first garden didn’t grow too many things very well, but one thing we did grow was green beans. We had green beans everywhere even though we only had two small plots. We’ve now got two gardens under our belt here in Missouri, but one thing I’ve not been able to grow very well here is green beans. I planted twice as many this year over last, and still got just a few. You wouldn’t think moving just three hours up the road on I-44 would make that much difference. However, the soil here simply has a different nutrient makeup, and we will have to amend and work the soil for green beans to grow. Jesus compares a farmer planting seed in various kinds of soil to the readiness of our own hearts to receive the good news of the kingdom. Even the best seed sown by the best farmer will not grow in poor soil. I don’t think Jesus told this story simply to explain why some responded to the gospel while others did not. He was calling us to prepare the soil of our hearts so we would be ready to listen. “Whoever has ears to hear, let them hear,” Jesus said. Is the soil of your heart ready to receive the truth of God’s word?
