THE PARABLE OF THE SOWER

                                                     Luke 8:4-8,11-15 (758)

  Introduction

      A.  Some of the best known stories are the stories told by Jesus.

            1.  He often used stories called parables to teach some part of God’s truth.

      B.  A parable has been defined as “an earthly story with a heavenly meaning.”

      C.  Let’s look at the first parable presented by our Lord which is The Parable of the

            Sower.  Luke 8:4-8

  I.  Jesus mentioned four kinds of ground.

     A.  Wayward ground:

     B.  Rocky ground:

     C.  Thorny ground:

     D.  Good ground:

II.  These four kinds of ground represent the different conditions of the hearts of people.

     A.  The wayward ground represents the closed mind.  Luke 8:11-12 

           Examples:

     B.  The rocky ground represents those with a shallow faith.  V13

           Examples (Luke 14:25-33) :

     C.  The thorny ground stands for people so crowded with other interests that their

           interest in Christ is crowded out.  V14

           Examples:

     D.  The good ground represents people who have honest hearts and listen to the word

           of God and obey.  V15

           Examples:

Conclusion:  Ecclesiastes 11:4.  If we wait for the _____________  _________________

                     to became a Christian, we will never act.