The Sower and the Soils - Nathan Rages

Luke 8:1-15 contains one of Jesus' greatest parables in which He uses the imagery of a farmer sowing seed to picture different categories of people who hear God's Word.  The four kinds of soil:

1. Beside the Road.  Like those who hear the Word but never believe it because the Devil immediately takes it from their hearts (v12).

2. Rocky Soil.  Like those who joyfully receive the Word, believe it briefly, but then fall away during temptation and persecution (v13).

3. Weedy Soil. Like those who receive the Word but have it eventually choked out by the worries, riches and pleasures of life (v14).

4. Good Soil. Like those who hear the Word with an honest and good heart, hold it fast, and bear fruit with perseverance (v15).

Lessons from the parable:

1. Keep spreading God’s Word. 

2. Don’t let the Devil steal truth from you.  

3. Realize that false conversions are common.

4. Don’t trust emotions to prove one’s salvation.

5. Beware of soul-choking things in this life.

6. All genuine Christians will fruitfully persevere.