# 193
Introduction: This parable is about good ground, not hard, rocky ground. This ground is the kind that will produce fruit and a bountiful harvest. In good ground, growth is sure, because the Gospel has taken root in one�s heart.
I. Jesus describes the kingdom of God. Vs 26
A. What happens to fruitful seed? They go about growing.
1. The Kingdom and its citizens will add and grow.
2. The Kingdom is looked at in its present state.
3. As they are reached, God wills them to grow.
II. The Gospel, the seeds, is sown by man. Vs 26
A. It is the man that has to sow the seed.
1. It is man, the person God has chosen to sow the seed of the Gospel.
2. God has no other instrument on earth. You are it.
3. 3. It is the earth where seed are to be sown.
4. It is the earth that God wants to reach to hear His Good News.
5. God has sent His followers to sow the Gospel Seed.
III. The Gospel is the Spiritual growth in believers. Vs 27
A. Growth is not of man. He has nothing to do with how it comes up.
1. The farmer plants the seed, then goes about his daily tasks.
2. Note this, the seeds grow by its own virtue.
3. The seed uses the sun, air, water and the earth to grow.
B. But, the power to germinate, to break forth and grow is of the seed itself.
1. It is not man that makes it grow.
2. Man doesn�t know the mystery of life within that seed
a. Seed found in the pyramids of Egypt were planted and came up.
3. Man can discover, rearrange, develop, but he cannot create.
a. Creation (from the Greek) = ni-hi-lo, out of nothing == God said, Let there be ----
C. The same is with the Kingdom of God.
1. Growth is not of man, growth is of God.
2. It is the Spirit of God that re-creates a man spiritually that causes a man to be born again and grow in grace.
3. It is the Spirit of God that takes the Gospel and changes a mans heart and causes him to grow.
4. John 1:12-13, John 3:3-5, Ephesians 2:8-9
5. Remember the seed [Word] or ground [heart] can hinder growth.
IV. Spiritual growth is sure and constant, but gradual.
A. The words about the earth bearing fruit of itself means:
1. Automatically, spontaneously, of necessity, self moving.
2. The idea is that the earth brings forth fruit automatically, its own nature.
B. The genuine believer can rest assured. Determines what kind of seed you are.
1. He is truly a Child of God.
2. God will complete the work of grace in his life.
3. This is an un-stoppable process.
4. The believers confidence is in God, not self.
5. Therefore, there is no reason to be down and discouraged.
a. Philippians 2:13, 2 Timothy 1:12
C. Remember that the growth is constant, it is gradual.
1. The seed is sown, when one is born again.
2. Day by day, night after night passes before the blades spring up.
3. More time before the ear.
4. Weeks before the full ear of corn appear.
5. Spiritual growth and maturity in God takes time, much time.
6. The true believer is to trust and wait on God.
D. A great abuse to the glorious truth.
1. I am secure; I can live like I want too. Romans 6:16, 23
2. I don�t have to sacrifice anything; God has enough.
3. I don�t need to go to church or to support it. It will grow without me.
4. 1 Peter 2:2-3, 2Peter 3:18
V. Spiritual growth is consummated and harvested.
A. Fruit does ripen, become fully-grown, ready for harvest.
1. The believers sowing does bear fruit, some 30, some 60, some a 100.
2. Jesus honors His word. Galatians 6:8-9
B. Someday we will be harvested, taken to heaven.
1. Our personal goal is to have done all that God required.
2. The words �Well done thy good and faithful servant� are what we desire.
3. Revelation 14:13
Conclusion: Restoration. Time for Christians to pull out the weeds that are separating us from God�s divine presence. Begin to seek God�s presence as never before. Time is short, harvest is great, and workers are few.