John 15:8 - “By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples.”
Spiritual fruit: Any godly deposit or quality that makes it into the age to come. John 15:16 - “fruit should remain”
Some examples of eternal fruit:
Friendship with Jesus
Christlike character
Edifying the body of Christ
Winning souls (Proverbs 11:30)
Wise financial stewardship (Luke 16:9).
Obedience to Jesus
Providing for your household.
Raising children in the instruction of the Lord
Enduring persecution for Christ’s name (Matthew 5:12)
Glorifying God (John 15:8)
The parable’s imagery:
Sower = Jesus Seed = Word of God Soil = Hearts of the hearers
Why are not all believers 100-fold fruitful? Because of three hindrances:
Birds
Stones
Weeds
1. Birds: The Trampled Heart
“Break up your fallow ground” (Jeremiah 4:3; Hosea 10:12).
Foot traffic we can’t control: People.
Luke 17:3, If your brother sins against you, rebuke him; and if he repents, forgive him.
Foot traffic we can control: Beasts.
Ways to use our hoe: Repent, weep, forgive, fast, pray scripture, erect guardrails, Holy Spirit rain.
2. Stones: The Shallow Heart
The stones represent pockets of sin and compromise.
A response to the Gospel that is only emotional is shallow.
Stones often surface during change of seasons.
Examples of stones: Unforgiveness, anger, hatred, addictions, sexual sin, fear, lying, porn.
3. Weeds: The Neglected Heart.
Proverbs 24:30-31, “I went by the field of the lazy man, and by the vineyard of the man devoid of understanding; and there it was, all overgrown with thorns; its surface was covered with nettles.”
Cares: The hard side of life
Pleasures: The soft side of life
We cut back the weeds of money with generosity and almsgiving, Luke 11:41
