Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church-Friedheim
Celebrating our 167th Year

A 21st Century Parish with a 1st Century Faith
Acts 2:42

Pentecost 8
July 10, 2005
 Matthew 13:23
Good Soil Produces Good Fruit

But he that received seed into good ground is he that heareth the word and understands it; which also beareth fruit, and bringeth forth some hundred fold, some sixty and some thirty. (V.23)

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INTRODUCTION: Mary, Mary quite contrary how does your garden grow? Well, it all depends on a number of things not the least of which is the soil. So it’s for the Christian. The condition and attitude of the soil (that is to say the condition of the heart) are critical to spiritual responsiveness and fruitfulness.

The point that the Savior is driving at is this – good soil produces good fruit. How is this so?

I.        Good soil hears the Word – “He hears the Word”

II.     Good soil understands the Word – “and understands it”

III.   Good soil lives the Word – “which also bears fruit”

I.        Good soil – a receptive heart – hears the Word.

A.      This explains what sort of Sower He is.

1.      He uses His Word to create and sustain faith.

2.      We listen to this Word, for it is the word of life. When asked it His disciples too would abandon Him Peter responds to the Savior, “Lord, to whom shall we go, You have the words of eternal life.”  [John 6:68]

B.      This is why He sows.

1.      That we may heart it. The word, which is preached, taught, read and shared, has a timeless message. It is the message of the cross. It is the message of a changeless Christ for a changing world.

2.      That we may come to understand His message of salvation. It’s such a simple message, yet one, which has impacted our lives.

a.       That we are sinners.

b.       That we are sinners saved by grace.

Transition: The Sower sows the Word into good earth. His desire is for us to know and understand Him deeply.

II.     Good soil – receptive hearts - understands the Word.

A.      This is how He uses the good seed.

1.      We know Him – we have a relationship with Him. Jesus said, “I have come that they might have life and have it abundantly.” [John 20]

2.      We understand His message – “I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except by Me.” [John 14:6]

a.       It is a message of the cross – “I determined to know nothing among you save Jesus Christ and Him crucified.” [1 Corinthians 2:2]

b.      It is given to us in our baptism. The blessings that belong to baptism are three; forgiveness, life, salvation.

B.      Having heard His Word we respond.

1.      With thankful hearts.

2.      With acts of love and service.

3.      As witnesses of His mercy and grace.

Transition: We also live our lives in this world.

III.   Good soil – receptive hearts – lives the Word.

A.      This is how we can expect good seed to be productive – to bear fruit.

1.      Sharing His story with others – we all know the Gospel hymn, “I love to tell the story” – question – do we even tell the story? Or, are we embarrassed, or fearful to share the message of Christ with family, neighbors, co-workers? The world was literally turned upside down by twelve men who had a simple yet powerful message – we have seen Jesus alive from the dead. That message has not changed in over 2,000 years. People still need to hear that message – and the only person to tell that message is you!   

2.      Serving Him in everlasting righteousness, innocence and blessedness. The 2nd way in which the world was literally turned upside down was by the changed lives of these 12 men.  You might be the only Bible another person will ever read! Our church and school will grow only by people being drawn to the Savior – yet He chooses to work through means – Your efforts will not be in vein.

B.      As He has sown good seed – so we should also demonstrate with our lives His works.

1.       By means of vocation. Mike Davis, the basketball coach at IU - at the beginning of a post – game interview will begin with the words “I’d like to give God the credit for giving me this opportunity…” Sadly he only says this when his team wins! J. S. Bach would sign every work with three Latin words. “Soli Deo Gloria.”, which translates, “To God Alone Be the Glory.”   This leads us to ask the question, do we give God the credit only when we are successful?  In everything we do – to God be the glory – may He alone get the credit. 

2.       By means of serving others – our neighbor – with the talents, abilities, and gifts the Lord has given to each of you.

CONCLUSION: How true it is. God soil – receptive hearts – produces good fruit as it is connected to the Word. May we be a people who hears the Word, understands the Word, and then with thankful hearts live the Word in our daily lives.

 + Soli Deo Gloria +