Sermon 12th July 2026 – 7th Sunday after Pentecost
Text:
Matthew 13:1-9,18-23 – Keep sowing
In
this parable, a sower goes out to sow seeds. Some seeds fall along the path, some on rocky
ground, some among thorns, and others on good soil. It’s interesting that the sower doesn’t go
looking for the good soil to plant the seed but plants seed wherever he goes. Some
might call this irresponsible – a waste of seed. Some might call this ambition
and sowing seed with faith knowing that the seed’s growth does not depend on
him. As Paul says in 1 Corinthians: I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but
God has been making it grow. Most see this text as self reflection asking what
sort of soil are you – but Jesus doesn’t say that. Jesus is preparing his
disciples for mission. And he has been preparing them for different types of
soil – different types of reception including towns that would welcome them and
those that would reject them.
In
this parable there are 4 types of reception they can expect and likewise the
message is for us also. The first seeds fall along the path and are quickly
eaten by the birds. There is no soil but
that doesn’t stop the sower. Likewise we are sometimes challenged to do mission
work in hostile areas. Where there is a hardness of hearts.. Think of some of
the missionaries that have gone into hostile countries or countries that follow
other religions. Jesus explains that this first path is still a place he wants
his seed sown even though to us it might seem barren soil. But remember what St
Paul says in Romans 10: How, then, can they call on the one they have not
believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard?
And how can they hear without someone telling them? How can they hear without
someone sowing a seed? Even though they hear the word of the Kingdom they do
not understand it.
Which
reminds me of Philip and the Ethiopian in Acts: Philip ran to him and heard him
reading Isaiah the prophet and asked, “Do you understand what you are reading?”
And he said, “How can I, unless someone
guides me?” We need to be there for them before the evil one comes and snatches
away what has been sown in their hearts. The problem is not the soil or lack
thereof but the presence of Satan who follows our path to snatch away the work
we do. So we should always embrace what we do in prayer. To make sure there is
no room for Satan to act. Asking God to protect those who receive us because
Satan will be working even harder to undo the work we do.
The
good news is that the Holy Spirit can soften hearts through prayer, humility,
especially where there is sincere desire to know Him. Knowing there was no soil
didn’t stop the sower and we also should not be put off because the audience
looks hostile or unaccepting.
Next,
we see the seeds that fall on rocky ground. There’s seemingly something to plant the seed
in as they spring up quickly. But it’s shallow; They wither away when the sun
comes out because they have no root. Jesus
says this speaks about those who receive the Word with joy but have no depth in
their faith. When you think about it, what is the real value of faith? Faith is
to take us through those difficult times. Like it did for Jesus in the Garden
of Gethsemane. There he was in anguish – he sweat blood and begged for his
Heavenly Father to remove the cup of suffering from him. But then, through
faith, prays – Not my will be done but yours.
The
rocky ground doesn’t provide that depth. And it’s easy, when difficult times
come, to go into self-preservation mode.
To
find your strongholds to get you through rather than your faith.When hardships
and persecution arise, these young sprigs fall away. When we see that happen in
the church we can become quite despondent. Where’s “such and such” – they used
to be such regular members. They used to teach Sunday School – they used to
serve on committees – they used to be here every week. What we need to do in
those situations, like when we see a plant struggling – is to nurture them. To
care for them. To water and feed them. To add fresh soil through God’s Word and
encouragement.
Sometimes
we put a lot of work into making people feel welcome. We go over and above and
then suddenly we don’t see them again. And then WE become in danger of becoming
the rocky ground where OUR faith is impacted by their response to the seeds we
sow. We harden our hearts like the hard rocky ground. And it can be easy to
stop sowing seeds and just think of ourselves.
So
mission work is hard work. We need God’s help so we don’t become like the cold
hard rocky places. Let us strive to root ourselves in Scripture, community,
worship and prayer, allowing the Lord to nourish our faith as we sow his seed.
The
third category is the seed that falls among thorns. It’s similar to the rocky places as it does
grow. The rocky places were ones who grew cold in their faith. Here it’s more
worldly. The thorns choke it, preventing it from bearing fruit. Jesus explains
that these thorns symbolize the worries of the world and the temptations of
riches. It can be hard to spread the gospel when materialism is the soil. That’s
why Jesus speaks about the cost of discipleship. Sometimes there can be a
financial cost to faith. Putting God ahead of career. Putting God ahead of
possessions. And this can affect us too. How often do we let the distractions
of life—work, entertainment, and the pursuit of wealth—disagreemets in the
church – these choke out our spiritual lives?
We
live in a world filled with competing voices, and it is easy to become consumed
by our worries and desires. But Jesus
invites us to cast our burdens upon Him and to seek first the Kingdom of God. As we prioritize our relationship with Him
over earthly pursuits, we can begin to experience the abundant life He
promises. That’s why Jesus as our Good Shepherd makes a comparison between
himself and temptations of the world: The thief comes only to steal and kill
and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.
Finally,
here is what we are are all looking for. We arrive at the good soil. Those who hear the Word and understand it, who
then go on to bear fruit—some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty. This is the heart that is ready and willing to
receive God's Word, to be transformed, and to live out the Gospel in everyday
life. Jesus once said, the harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. There
is a world out there ready to hear what Jesus has to say. But we can’t always
see where that harvest is ready. That’s why the sower threw seed wherever he
went. He didn’t know where that seed was needed. He couldn’t determine the
heart that was just waiting to hear the good news. This needs the Holy Spirit
to work in us so we do not give up. That is why the Scriptures say, “How
beautiful are the feet of messengers who bring good news!
We
don’t know when a word we bring -an action we initiate will fall on a heart
ready for the good news. That’s why we don’t determine where and when but
simply go out being the light of the world. And as our Old Testament assures
us: My word that goes out from my mouth shall not return to me empty, but it
shall accomplish that which I purpose, and succeed in the thing for which I
sent it. For you shall go out in joy, and be led back in peace; So may God give
you joy as you go from here spreading God’s good news wherever he may send you.
