INTRODUCTION: What’s a sure sign of Spring? The arrival of the much anticipated seed catalogue! Although we are still in the throws of winter we know that Spring will be upon us when the precious sees will be sown into the ground with the promise of a bountiful harvest.

Jesus uses the illustration of spring planting to explain to us how the kingdom grows. Consider the sower and his work. Jesus tells us the see is the Word of God. How will it be received?  For all do hear it!

I.        The seed that fell along the path are those who hear –

A.     But the Devil comes and takes the message away from their hearts.

1.      By making humans believe they can come to God on their own terms. Believing not as bad as others or better then most smugly concluding there’s “no problem here!”

2.      He condemns us with charges of not living up to God’s expectations. A condemned conscience can end up in despair – defeated we die despairing.

B.     The devil does this to keep them from being saved.

1.      Both attitudes can wind us in hell. Self-righteousness can leave to a life lived separately from grace. Consider the Pharisees – they believed they could make it without Christ.

2.      The despairing soul believes that not even Christ can save him. For example, Judas – he despaired – he could not believe that Christ would save Him. Our cry? “Kyrie Elision” Lord, have mercy!

II.     The seed that fell on the rocky ground – they hear

A.     They receive it gladly.

1.      Their lives are truly changed. At last they understand the Gospel! They believe and are brought into the household of faith.

2.      They have joy but it is only for a season. They have joy but not a joy, which lasts.

B.     It does not sink down into them.

1.      They believe only for a while. Until a crisis is over and trouble is diverted. As in the seed sown on the path – they come to a false belief that they can live without Christ.

2.      They fall way when the time of testing comes. Again like those sown along the path – these are the ones the devil steels away with testing which leads to despair. They have no roots so they are overwhelmed by tragedy.

III.   The seed that fell among thorns – they hear.

A.     Riches and worries and pleasures of this life crowd in and choke the Word.

1.      Riches – not bad in and of themselves – but the love of money is the root of all evil. It is easier for a camel to walk through the eye of a needle then for a rich man to enter into the Kingdom of God. Humility is necessary for we must submit to God.

2.      Pleasures of this life – easy to be conformed to this world when the world is so comfortable. These live for the moment instead of investing in things, which last.

3.      Worries - They become overwhelmed as in rocky ground and the path the Devil has his way with them.

B.     Their fruit never ripens.

1.      Again they hear and believe but their fruit does not last they walk away before the fruit can bear and mature.

2.      They die in unbelief.

IV.  The seed that falls on good soil – They too hear the message.

A.     They retain it.

1.       The Holy Spirit working through His Word brings them to faith.

2.       But unlike the others – this seed takes root it works and retains faith – the Hymn, “Lord help us to retain…”

B.     In a good and obedient heart.

1.      A good heart – This is what the Savior sees through the prism of the cross only that which is just, right and good.

2.      An obedient heart –one who trusts obeys the commands and precepts of the Lord.

C.     They persist.

1.      They remain faithful. They don’t give up the faith. They cling to Christ and the promises, which come from His Word.

2.      This does not suggest that Christians are exempt from pain, temptation and suffering. It does come yet the miracle remains that they don’t give in to the Devils cunning.

D.     Until they bear fruit.

1.      These bear the fruit of righteousness in this life living the gospel being as witness being salt and light a sermon in shoes.

2.      They bear fruit in glory “Blessed are they who die in the Lord…good works.

CONCLUSION: To bear fruit is the purpose of the seed. As the Word has been planted into your heart make it take root, spring up and bear much fruit.