This study, taught by pastor Barry Forder, was recorded at our Sunday morning family service on 3rd June 2018.
In this study we see Jesus draw his biggest crowd yet, so He gets in a larger boat than last time and again teaches the people as they line the shore of Capernaum.
Possibly looking into the distance and seeing a farmer sowing some seed, Jesus uses the picture of a sower sowing as an object lesson to teach about the Kingdom of God, and more specifically, about the kingdom from Heaven. The kingdom of God is a broad title that encompasses all that is in God’s control – the universe, time, space and matter, the angelic realm, and of course all that happens on earth. We are indebted to Matthew for helping us to distinguish between this general term ‘kingdom of God’ and the specific part of the kingdom of God concerning Christ’s rule and eventual reign on the earth ‘The kingdom of Heaven’.
The kingdom of God cannot be seen, it transcends the natural. “The kingdom of God cometh not with observation: Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you”. Luke 17:20-21
The kingdom from heaven can now be seen in and through Christ’s body on earth – the church. It will eventually be manifest through Christ’s millennial reign on the earth when He will rule and reign from Jerusalem for 1000 years.
As Jesus reveals His doctrine, He chooses to uses parables, so that the truths He is conveying can be understood by His own, but hidden from the spiritually blinded (See 1 Cor 1:27).
Jesus highlights that the parable of the sower is a key to understanding all parables. The dividing line is always the Word!
The four soils speak of 4 different ‘heart conditions’ common to man. We each have a choice as to how we live and whether or not our hearts will be receptive to God’s Word. Hearing is not enough, we must receive it into our lives.
May you be blessed and encouraged by this study.
The Powerpoint slides used in this study are also available for free download from our web site, and the audio can be streamed or downloaded for future use.
