The Parable of the Four Soils (a.k.a. The Sower) 四種土壤的比喻

By George Huang

Initially given as a sermon at Chinatown Church of Christ

This sermon explains the Parable of the Four Soils (Matthew 13:3–23) and how the Kingdom of God grows in human hearts. It explores why people respond differently to the Gospel and how God transforms lives through different life circumstances.

This is part of the Thy Kingdom Come series based on the seven parables of Matthew 13:

Powerpoint Presentation – in English and Chinese

The following texts are from the PPTs and are designed for the search engine to read.

English sermon text:

Thy Kingdom Come, Part 1: The Parable of the Four Soils

Scripture: Matthew 13:3–8, 18–23

In the Lord’s Prayer, we say, “Your Kingdom come.”
But what is or where is the “Kingdom of God”?

The Kingdom of God is not a place we go — it is God’s rule taking root in human hearts and transforming how we live.

The word “Kingdom” = “King” + “dom” (from the word “dominion”) → the King’s rule or authority

So the “Kingdom of God” means “where God rules.”

Where God’s will is welcomed, there His kingdom is present.

So when we pray, “Your Kingdom come,” we are really praying, “God, please come and rule here.”

Jesus used parables to show how God’s Kingdom grows — quietly, mysteriously, and within people.
Matthew 13 contains 7 such parables.

When Jesus first started preaching, he taught with simple, direct, and clear messages.

Halfway through the ministry, He started using parables for some messages.

Why did He use parables?
• Simple stories
• Yet deep meanings
• Revealed to those who seek at the right time

Parables are a way to send messages to people at different levels and at the proper times.

These parables show us how the Kingdom of God can grow in us.

The Parable of the Four Soils shows us that the Kingdom of God grows depending on the condition of our hearts.

Why do two people hear the same message about God — and one changes forever while the other walks away unchanged?

This parable shows why people respond to God differently.

The Parable of the Soils is one where Jesus gave some explanations.

This parable is the first parable recorded in the Gospels. It may be the first parable ever given by Jesus.

I believe Jesus gave us the explanation to show us how to interpret the parables.

In most Bibles, this one is called the “Parable of the Sower.” I think it should be the “Parable of the Soils.”

One sower.
Same kind of seed.
Four different soils led to four different results.

Sower = spreader of the Gospel: God & Christians
Seed = the Gospel
The 4 soils = 4 kinds of hearts or characteristics

In normal soil:

  • Humus – decomposed dead plants
  • Small minerals such as sand, silt, and clay

Humus symbolizes our past life experiences, including pain and losses, some of which taught us about God.

Minerals symbolize our current interaction with people, including non-Christians.

Inside the washing machine, the rubbing of clothes helps remove dirt and stains.

Proverbs 27:17 – As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.

Soil helps plants grow by:

  • Securing roots
  • Holding nutrients
  • Providing protection

These are what Christians must do to grow in Christ.

  1. Allow the seed to take hold in our hearts and secure it so it can grow.
  2. Hold nutrients from God and life, and let the plant absorb the nutrients.
  3. Help protect the plant from predators and weather. The plant needs to withstand wind and rain.

When we hold onto, protect, and nurture the plant, it will grow and bear fruit.

God’s Kingdom can grow in the hearts that are willing and ready.

The other three soils and why they failed:

  1. The path – the exposed seeds are eaten by birds immediately

The problem here is the lack of protection of the message before the devil takes it away.

The composition of the soil may actually be good, but the surface of the soil is too hard.

Some people have been hurt many times, and their hearts have turned hard.

Sometimes it’s the Christians’ fault. Our imperfections or sins cause others to reject God and the Gospel.

Solutions:
a. Christians fight off the devil for them
Prayer for unbelievers – don’t give up! Sometimes this takes a long time.

b. God can break the hard surfaces through weathering
When we see a person going through hard times, maybe God is at work.

Example: Apostle Paul
The fiercest persecutor became the greatest apostle for Jesus (Acts 9)

c. If our sins are the barriers, then we need to ask for forgiveness.

The softening process can take years of praying and waiting.
God spent 40 years softening Moses’s heart!

  1. Rocky soil – the seeds sprout quickly, but there are no soil for the roots so the plants die out quickly

Plant can’t grow because:

  • Can’t secure itself
  • Can’t get nutrients from soil

Christians need to support these people by being their initial soil – by sharing the Word and testimonies with them.

Our past experiences and testimonies can help them grow until they have their own soil.

Church and small groups should be the places where Christians support each other.

This is why Christians should go to churches closer to home and really get involved.

  1. Thorny places – The seeds get choked by earthly things so they do not touch the soil and sprout.

The soil might be good, but got the wrong plants there already.

God can turn the thorns in our lives into nourishment for spiritual growth.

God needs to come in and destroy the thorns so they can decompose and become humus and good soil.

What can kill thorns: Sun, fire, water, and farmers.

Once the thorns are dead and decomposed, they may become very good soil. Gospel can grow there instead.

This is why we often see major changes in people after their thorns are destroyed.

Example: Moses – He was trying to save the Israelis with his own power. God had to let him lose it all. (Exo. 2–4)

So when you see an unbeliever going through hard times, pray that they turn into good soil.

Acts 26:18 – I am sending you to them to open their eyes and turn them from darkness to light,
and from the power of Satan to God, so that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.

Sadly, some people reject God even after their thorns are burned.

Do you still have thorns that God is trying to break down?

God is trying to make you a better soil & plant. How can you help?

Maybe the less you resist, the easier it would be…

  1. The good soil – seeds are protected, roots can grow and get nutrients, and then the plants grow and bear fruit.

God’s Kingdom can grow in the hearts that are willing and ready.

What’s also in the good soil?
A noble and good heart that perseveres.

God wants you to grow and bear more fruit.

Recap of the soils:

  1. The path – the hard surface allowed the exposed seeds to be eaten immediately
    Is your heart so hardened that you can’t let your Christian life grow?
  2. The rocky soil – no real soil so does not allow the roots to take hold, and so the plants die from lack of nutrients
    Do you have a bit of soil for the root to take hold?
    Christians, can you help others get some soil?
  3. Thorny places – seeds get choked by earthly things so they do not touch the soil and sprout
    God needs to destroy the thorns so the seeds can grow. The dead thorns will become nutrients for the plants
    Are your thorns being destroyed right now? It’s painful but good for you in the end
  4. The good soil – seeds are protected, roots could grow and get nutrients, and then the plant grows and bears fruit

What kind of soil is your heart today?

God’s Kingdom grows where hearts are willing and ready to receive Him.

You also need to have a noble and good heart that perseveres.
Good soil is not perfect — it is a heart willing to receive and endure.

The true Christian life is the life God designed for us, and it continues into eternity.

This parable shows us how to allow God to help us live that life so we can receive its blessings.

If you are not yet a Christian, then think about what kind of soil you are.

Are you still undecided because you are a hard road, rocky soil, or one full of thorns?

If we find ourselves in difficult situations, maybe God is trying to break our rocks or burn our thorns.

God wants you to be the good soil so the seed of the Gospel can grow.

Let our past life and sin die and become humus, and then become the good soil where our Christian life can grow.

Absorb nutrients from God & other Christians to help the plant to grow.
The plant = your new, blessed Christian life.

May this sermon grow in your heart because you are or you can be a good soil.

Chinese sermon text:

願你的國降臨, 第一講: 四種土壤的比喻

經文: 馬太13:3-8, 18-23

在主禱文中，我們說「願祢的國降臨」。但「神的國」究竟是什麼或是在哪裡呢？

神的國度不是一個要我們去的地方，而是神的統治在人心中紮根，改變我們生活方式。

“Kingdom” 「王國」這字來自於 “King” 「王」和 “dominion” 「統治權」或「領土」。

所以 「神的國」就是 「神統治的地方」。

哪裡有人歡迎神的旨意，哪裡就有神的國。

所以當我們祈禱「願你的國降臨」時，我們實際上是在祈禱「神啊，請來統治這裡」。

耶穌用比喻來闡明神的國是如何擴展的 ── 悄無聲息地、神祕地在人們心中擴展。馬太福音13章包含了7個這樣的比喻。

耶穌剛開始講道時，祂講的是非常簡單、直接、又清楚的教導。

在祂傳道的中途時，祂開始使用比喻來教導某些真理。

祂為何使用比喻呢？
• 故事簡單易懂
• 卻寓意深刻
• 在適當的時機啟示給那些尋求真理的人

比喻的使用是向不同層次的人在適當的時間傳達信息的一種方式。

這些比喻向我們展示了神的國如何在我們裡面成長。

四種土壤的比喻告訴我們，神的國度的發展取決於我們內心的狀況。

為什麼兩個人聽到關於神的同樣信息後，一個徹底改變了，而另一個人卻毫無改變？

這個比喻解釋了為什麼人們對神的反應各不相同。

耶穌對土壤的比喻作了一些解釋。

這個比喻是福音書中記載的第一個比喻，也可能是耶穌講的第一個比喻。

我相信耶穌給了我們解釋，告訴我們如何解讀這些比喻。

大部分的聖經稱它為「撒種的比喻」。 我覺得它應該被稱為 「土壤的比喻」。

同一位播種者。
同一種種子。
四種不同的土壤，帶來四種不同的結果。

播種者 = 福音傳播者: 神與基督徒
種子 = 福音
4種土壤 = 4種的人心或特徵

在普通土壤中：
腐殖質 (humus) – 腐爛的死植物
小礦物質，例如沙子，淤泥和粘土

腐殖質意表我們在世上的經歷，包括痛苦和損失。這些教訓讓我們更認識神。

礦物質意表我們當前與人（包括非基督徒）的互動。

在洗衣機裡，衣服的摩擦有助於去除污垢。

箴言27:17 – 鐵磨鐵，磨出刃來，朋友相感也是如此。

土壤透過以下方式幫助植物生長：

  • 固定根部
  • 留住水及養分
  • 提供保護

基督徒必須這樣做才能在基督裡成長。

  1. 讓福音在我們心中站穩腳跟，穩固它，使其成長。
  2. 讓植物吸收來自神和生活中的養分，讓植物成長。
  3. 幫忙保護植物免受天敵和天氣的影響。植物需要能夠承受風雨。

我們若好好保護和培育植物，它會生長並結出果實。

神的國度能在那些願意並預備好的心中成長。

其他三種土壤以及種子無法成長的原因：

  1. 路徑 – 鳥類立即吃掉曝露的種子

這裡的問題在於魔鬼奪走福音之前沒有任何保護。

土壤成分實際上可能很好，但土壤表面太硬。

有些人受了太多次傷，他們的心就變硬了。

有時是有些基督徒的錯。我們的不完美或罪惡使別人拒絕神的福音。

解決辦法:
a. 基督徒為他們與魔鬼爭戰

要為不信者禱告，不要放棄。有時候這需要很長的時間。

b. 神可以通過風化來破壞堅硬路的表面

當我們看到一個人正處在艱難時期時，也許是神在工作。

例如：使徒保羅 – 最兇殘的逼迫者成了耶穌最有影響力的使徒（使徒行傳9）

c. 如果我們的罪是阻饒，那我們需要尋求赦免。

軟化人心的過程可能需要數年的祈禱和等待。神花了40年時間來軟化摩西的心！

  1. 很多石頭的土壤 –
    很快就發芽，但沒有可生根的土壤，因此會很快就死了。

植物不能成長的原因：

  • 無法固定自己
  • 無法從土壤中獲取營養

基督徒需要支持這些人：成為他們起初的土壤 – 分享真理和見證…

我們過去的經驗和見證可以幫助他們成長，直等到他們擁有自己的土壤。

教會及小組應該是基督徒互相扶持的地方。

這就是為什麼基督們應該去離家比較近的教堂並真正的投入及參與。

  1. 荊棘多的地方 – 聽到福音的人被世上的誘惑包圍，害的種子沒辦法接觸到土壤而發芽。

土壤可能很好，但已在那裡的植物是錯的。

神能將我們生活中的荊棘轉化為靈性成長的養分。

神需要來摧毀荊棘，使它們分解及腐化，然後變成腐殖質。

什麼能摧毀荊棘：陽光、火、水、及農民。

一旦荊棘死了並且腐化了，這可成為很好的土壤。福音就可以在那裡成長。

這就是為什麼我們經常看到人們的荊棘被破壞後會發生重大的改變。

例如：摩西 – 他試圖用自己的力量拯救以色列人。神不得不讓他失去一切。（出埃及記2-4）

因此，當您看到一個非基督徒經歷艱難的時刻時，請祈禱他們能變成好土壤。

使徒行傳26:18 – [神告訴保羅說:] 我差你到他們那裡去，要叫他們的眼睛得開，從黑暗中歸向光明，從撒旦權下歸向神；又因信我，得蒙赦罪，和一切成聖的人同得基業。

可悲的是，有些人在荊棘被焚毀後仍拒絕神。

你是否還充滿著荊棘，而神正在試圖摧毀？

神正在努力使你成為更好的土壤和植物。你能提供什麼幫助？

也許若你越少抵抗，越容易達成目標…

  1. 良好的土壤 – 種子得到保護，可以生根並吸取養分，然後植物成長並結出果實。

神的國度能在那些願意並預備好的心中成長。

這好的土壤還有什麼呢？一個誠實善良並且忍耐謹守的心。

神希望你成長並結出更多的果實。

回顧四種土壤：

  1. 路徑 – 僵硬的土壤讓曝露的種子被吃掉了

你的心是否僵硬，以至於不能讓基督徒的生命成長嗎？

  1. 很多石頭的土壤 – 很快就發芽，但沒有真正可生根的土壤，因此會很快就死了。

你有一些土壤可以讓種子紮根嗎？

基督徒，你能幫別人得到一些土壤嗎？

  1. 荊棘多的地方 – 被世上的誘惑包圍，種子沒辦法接觸到土壤而發芽。

神需要毀掉荊棘才能使種子生長。死掉的荊棘將成為植物的養分。

你的荊棘正在被摧毀嗎？這很痛苦，但最終對你有好處。

  1. 良好的土壤 – 種子得到保護，可以生根並吸取養分，然後植物成長並結出果實。

你今天的內心是什麼樣的土壤？

神的國度在人們願意及準備好接受祂的地方擴展。

你還需要有一顆高貴善良、堅韌不拔的心。好的土壤並非完美無瑕 — 它需要一顆願意接受和忍耐的心。

真正的基督徒生活是神為我們設計的充實的生活方式。這種生活方式將延續到永恆。

這個比喻告訴我們如何讓神幫助我們過那樣的生活，以便體驗那樣的生活所帶來的祝福。

如果您不是基督徒，那麼請考慮一下您的土壤類型。

你是否仍是猶豫不決，是因為你是一條路，石頭多的土壤，還是一個裝滿荊棘的地方？

如果我們發現自己處境艱難，也許是神在試圖打破我們的石頭或燒掉我們的荊棘。

神希望您成為好土壤，以便福音的種子可以在您裡面發芽及成長。

讓我們的過去與罪惡死去，成為腐殖質，從而成為我們的基督徒生命可成長的好土壤。

吸收神和其他基督徒的營養以幫助植物生長。
植物 = 你新的、得祝福的基督徒生命

願這篇道在您的心中成長，因為您是好的或可以成為好的土壤。

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