The Parable of the Sower: The Rocky Soil Base text: Matthew 13:3-9, 18-23 I. The Parable A. Parable: "true-to-life" story expressing spiritual truths B. An extended metaphor C. Discussion of sower and seed and soil (Matthew 13:3-9) 1. Sower refers to one preaching 2. Seed is the Word, the Gospel 3. Soils represent different persons hearing the Gospel D. Interpretation is sure-- Jesus Himself explains it (Matthew 13:18-23) E. We saw general truths regarding the parable 1. Expectation that Christians go out and sow the seed 2. Seed sown everywhere-- not prejudging people's receptiveness 3. We just cast the seed F. Previously looked at the seed cast on the road (vv. 4, 19) 1. Those who do not believe 2. Do not believe for different reasons 3. May respond in different, mostly negative ways to hearing the Gospel 4. It should not discourage us G. Let us now consider the rocky soil (vv. 5-6, 20-21) II. The Rocky Soil A. Rocky soil, as is described, has little depth; little room for roots (v. 5) 1. To compensate, the roots must disperse widely 2. Regardless, plant is temporary and can easily be dried up B. Compared to a particular type of believer (vv. 20-21) 1. Notice that this person does convert 2. In fact, he receives the word with joy (v. 20)! C. Difficulty: not well founded in the faith 1. He endures for awhile... 2. ...but if he endures resistance, he stumbles and falls away (v. 21)! D. Let us consider this further III. Causes of Stumbling A. What are types of stumbling blocks that can lead to one so stumbling? B. As Jesus mentions, "tribulation or persecution" (v. 21) 1. If one is not fully converted at baptism, making a great sacrifice for God would be difficult indeed! 2. One has to be extremely committed to Christ to suffer greatly and even die for Him (1 John 3:16)! 3. Historically, when great persecutions have arisen, many have apostatized to save their skins! 4. Furthermore, when we suffer various trials in our lives, it is tempting to question God and His goodness and thus apostatize 5. We must not be as Job's wife (Job 2:9), but more as Job (Job 2:10)! C. Other Forms of Resistance 1. We today have little to fear in terms of major persecutions, but such does not mean that we should not expect resistance! 2. Family and friends may tempt you to return to your former life (Matthew 10:21-22, 34-38; 1 Peter 4:3-4) 3. Even if it is not temptation, it may be difficult to put Christ above all these others! 4. There is also general resistance from the world (1 John 2:15-17) D. All Christians are in danger from these attacks; how much more, then, one not well rooted in the faith! IV. Importance of Good Foundations in the Faith A. Jesus' illustration of the seed in the rocky soil presents many truths 1. First of all, it explains why some fall away-- they were not well founded 2. It also serves as a warning, however, that we should take care to not be as the rocky soil! B. Remember, those who are the "rocky soil" do convert-- "they" could be us! C. How can we make sure that we are well-rooted in the faith? D. Well-Rooted in the Word 1. 2 Timothy 2:15 2. Being grounded in God's Word will help us weather the storm 3. Jesus says as much in Matthew 7:24-27 E. Well-Rooted in Righteousness 1. As Jesus says in Matthew 7:24-27, it is not just hearing Christ's words, but also doing them that leads to stability 2. Hebrews 5:14: maturity defined by having powers of discernment trained through constant practice to distinguish good and evil 3. By constantly living according to Christ's will, we will root ourselves in Him F. Well-Rooted in Your Own Faith 1. It is necessary for us to have faith (Hebrews 11:1, 6) 2. The faith, however, must be our own (cf. Romans 1:16-17; Habakkuk 2:4) 3. No one will be saved because of their father's faith or son's faith! 4. If you do not own your faith as your own, you cannot be as deeply rooted as will be necessary for it to survive! G. Full Commitment 1. Perhaps one of the often-neglected aspects of the faith is the level of commitment required 2. While we take people where they are and help encourage and strengthen them to become what they should be in Christ (Galatians 2:20)... 3. ...commitment to Christ must not be lukewarm or mediocre! 4. Jesus establishes strong statements in Matthew 10:37-38: one must be committed to Him above all others! 5. We must seek the Kingdom and His righteousness first, and He will add to us (Matthew 6:33) 6. Would you die for it (1 John 3:16)? 7. If these statements do not reflect your current commitment level to Christ, be warned-- you may turn out like the rocky soil! 8. God forbid it! H. While there can never be guarantees, we can reasonably establish that the better grounded you are in your faith, the less likely you will be to fall away! V. Conclusion A. We have looked at the image of the rocky soil B. As plants in rocky soil have no root and can easily dry up, so some Christians have little foundation and can be easily caused to stumble C. We have seen that there are many occasions for stumbling D. We have seen ways that we can be rooted in the faith to be less liable to stumble E. Let us strive to be well-founded in our faith in Christ Jesus and our salvation! F. Invitation/songbook Scripture, Meditation, and Application: 1. "And he that was sown upon the rocky places, this is he that heareth the word, and straightway with joy receiveth it; yet hath he not root in himself, but endureth for a while; and when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word, straightway he stumbleth" (Matthew 13:20-21). Those who prove to be "rocky soil" are not "they" who are "out there," but people who convert and are even enthusiastic about the Gospel. If we do not root ourselves deeply in the faith, we might prove to be "rocky soil"! 2. "...yet hath he not root in himself, but endureth for a while; and when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word, straightway he stumbleth" (Matthew 13:21). The more deeply rooted we are in Christ Jesus, the less likely we will be to fall away in the midst of persecution or suffering. Thus we should heed the words of the Apostle Paul: As therefore ye received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, rooted and builded up in him, and established in your faith, even as ye were taught, abounding in thanksgiving (Colossians 2:6-7). 3. "...this is he that heareth the word, and straightway with joy receiveth it; yet hath he not root in himself..." (Matthew 13:20b-21a). We cannot be fully rooted in Christ if we are not fully rooted in the Scriptures. How can we endure in the faith if we do not know the truth of God in Christ Jesus? Let us hear the word of Christ and seek to understand it (Matthew 7:24-27)! 4. "...this is he that heareth the word, and straightway with joy receiveth it; yet hath he not root in himself..." (Matthew 13:20b-21a). We must know the Word of Christ to be rooted in Him, but simple mental cognition is not enough: we must allow the Gospel to inform our thinking, feeling, and acting, mind, body, and soul. We must have a building of faith upon the rock of Christ; let us get busy in building it (Matthew 7:24-27)!