Sunday,
July 12, 2020
Sixth Sunday
after Pentecost
Sermon
title: “Let’s EAT”
Gospel Reading Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23 NRSV
The Parable of the Sower
13 That same
day Jesus went out of the house and sat beside the sea. 2 Such
great crowds gathered around him that he got into a boat and sat there, while
the whole crowd stood on the beach. 3 And he told
them many things in parables, saying: “Listen! A sower went out to sow. 4 And
as he sowed, some seeds fell on the path, and the birds came and ate them
up. 5 Other seeds fell on rocky ground, where they
did not have much soil, and they sprang up quickly, since they had no depth of
soil. 6 But when the sun rose, they were scorched;
and since they had no root, they withered away. 7 Other
seeds fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked them. 8 Other
seeds fell on good soil and brought forth grain, some a hundredfold, some
sixty, some thirty. 9 Let anyone with
ears listen!”
The Parable of the Sower Explained
18 “Hear then the parable of
the sower. 19 When anyone hears the word of the
kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what
is sown in the heart; this is what was sown on the path. 20 As
for what was sown on rocky ground, this is the one who hears the word and
immediately receives it with joy; 21 yet such a
person has no root, but endures only for a while, and when trouble or
persecution arises on account of the word, that person immediately falls
away. 22 As for what was sown among thorns, this is
the one who hears the word, but the cares of the world and the lure of wealth
choke the word, and it yields nothing. 23 But as for
what was sown on good soil, this is the one who hears the word and understands
it, who indeed bears fruit and yields, in one case a hundredfold, in another
sixty, and in another thirty.” ò
The
Word of God for the people of God, thanks be to God.
Sermon:
Let’s EAT
This sermon outline was used for the worship service at each church.
Each church’s worship service was live cast on Facebook:
This sermon outline was used for the worship service at each church.
Each church’s worship service was live cast on Facebook:
Lakeview
UMC: https://www.facebook.com/LUMCWV/videos/270156794289195/?t=334
Humphrey’s
Memorial UMC: https://www.facebook.com/humphreysmemorialunitedmethodistchurch/videos/937021026725310/
• The parable
of the sower is a familiar parable.
I need to caution against the natural question
“What’s the meaning of this parable?”
I need to caution against the natural question
“What’s the meaning of this parable?”
Parables are not so cut-and-dried.
Often something unexpected or disturbing.
Not simply a moral tale.
Often something unexpected or disturbing.
Not simply a moral tale.
Understanding a parable requires three things: gift, effort,
humility...
And the result of wrestling with Jesus' parables:
you're drawn into relationship with God.
you're drawn into relationship with God.
• Nevertheless, let me tell you a few things that the parable
of the Sower is “about”
• This is a parable about God. God who wants a harvest
and who goes about it the old-fashioned way: scattering seeds. (familiar)
(today might be planting a garden or growing a lawn) (not the kind of effort as
in Creation when God spoke and it happened)
By the way, in scattering seeds, God is taking risks. God does not
carefully choose where to plant... and remembering that the seed is the word,
this word is going OUT... on the path, among the rocks, among the weeds, in the
good soil... I might be picky about where to plant seeds, I might decide not to
scatter seed in a place I don’t think will produce… God is generous.
God is also willing to get God's feet dirty. (different effort
than Creation). Which leads to:
• This is a parable about Christ. Literally about the
incarnation, God not only sowing the seed but BEING the seed... the seed is the
word, and Jesus the Christ is the Word. Interacting with the world in its
settings, again, not just the good soil, but a message IN the world to ALL the
world.
• This is also a parable about the Evil One. Jesus
speaks of The Evil One in the world, and this isn't the only place. We learn a
few things about TEO, the one opposed to the sower and the harvest. And
knowledge of TEO is vital for those who wish to stand against TEO.
1. TEO seeks to snatch the word.
He doesn't want people to receive Jesus.
(path/birds/lack of understanding)
He doesn't want people to receive Jesus.
(path/birds/lack of understanding)
2. TEO seeks to frighten or sap those who do receive the word.
He doesn't want people to be disciples.
(rocky soil, no roots, no strength)
He doesn't want people to be disciples.
(rocky soil, no roots, no strength)
3. TEO seeks to mislead those who receive the word, to distract
them, to nurture a false word. (worries and false appeal of wealth)
• When we gain knowledge of TEO, we can learn about resisting
and countering TEO, and this is a parable about people. btw, our baptismal vows include resist
evil and injustice in whatever forms they present themselves, and I daresay in
these times that includes taking a public stand on current issues. Also, you
know who likes it when Christians fight with each other? TEO.
Be doers of the word, and not hearers only (James 1:22)
• So the seed on the path with the birds, snatched away?
Let us accompany the hearer.
Let us accompany the hearer.
• The seed on the rocky soil, with no strength?
Let us encourage the hearer.
Let us encourage the hearer.
• The seed among the weeds, choked out by other things?
Let us teach the hearer.
Let us teach the hearer.
• Remember it by “Let's EAT” (encourage, accompany,
teach)...
because God has a harvest
• How great is God who chooses all of this, who chooses us...
• Hymn 140 Great Is Thy Faithfulness
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