2025.01.26 | The Sower, the Seed, and the Soil

As we enter the third week of our sermon series on the Gospel of Matthew, I find myself continually amazed at how God’s Word speaks so powerfully to our lives. This week, Josh Fitch took us through Matthew 13, focusing on the Parable of the Sower. It’s a passage I’ve read many times before, but each time, God reveals something new and convicting. I want to share some of my reflections and encourage you to watch the sermon on YouTube if you missed it- it’s a message you won’t want to miss!

The Simplicity and Depth of the Parable
The Parable of the Sower is one of Jesus’ most well-known teachings, and for good reason. It’s simple yet profound, using the imagery of a farmer sowing seeds to illustrate how people respond to the Gospel. Josh highlighted how the sower’s job was straightforward: to sow the seed. The sower didn’t control the soil or the outcome... he simply scattered the seed faithfully.

This reminded me of our role as believers. We’re called to share the Gospel, not to control how people respond. As Josh said, “God doesn’t need us to accomplish His purposes, but He graciously chooses to use us to spread the seed of His Kingdom.” What a privilege it is to be part of God’s work!

Examining the Soil of Our Hearts
One of the most challenging parts of the sermon was when Josh asked us to reflect on the condition of our own hearts. In the parable, Jesus describes four types of soil:

• The Path – Hardened hearts where the seed is snatched away.
• The Rocky Ground – Superficial faith that withers under trials.
• The Thorns – Hearts choked by the cares of the world.
• The Good Soil – Receptive hearts that bear fruit.

I had to ask myself: What kind of soil is my heart?...
Am I allowing distractions, worries, or sin to choke out God’s Word?...
Or am I cultivating good soil, where the Gospel can take root and produce fruit?
It’s a question worth pondering, and I encourage you to take time this week to reflect on it too.

The Power of the Gospel
What stood out to me most was the reminder that the Gospel is powerful enough to transform any heart. Even when it feels like the seeds we sow aren’t taking root, we can trust that God is at work. As Josh shared, “God sovereignly uses the Gospel to produce fruit in those with receptive hearts.” Our job is to faithfully sow; God’s job is to bring the harvest.
This message was especially encouraging to me as I think about friends and family who haven’t yet responded to the Gospel. It’s easy to feel discouraged, but this parable reminds me to keep sharing, praying, and trusting God with the results.

Time to Sow the Seed
Josh ended the sermon with a powerful challenge: “Are you looking for opportunities to have Gospel conversations with those around you?” This week, I’m asking God to open doors for me to share His Word with someone in my life. Whether it’s a coworker, a neighbor, or a family member, I want to be a faithful sower of the seed.
If you haven’t watched the sermon yet, I highly recommend taking the time to do so. Josh’s insights into this parable are both convicting and encouraging, and I know you’ll be blessed by it. Here's the full sermon on our YouTube channel:

A Heart Ready for the Harvest
This series on Matthew has been such a blessing to me, and I’m excited to see what God continues to teach us through His Word. The Parable of the Sower is a timeless reminder of the importance of having a receptive heart and faithfully sharing the Gospel. Let’s pray for one another as we strive to be good soil and sow seeds of God’s Kingdom in the world around us.

If this message resonated with you, I’d love to hear your thoughts! Leave a comment below - I’d love to connect and encourage one another in our faith journeys.
Blessings!