Survey of the Soils

Text: Matthew 13:

Survey means to examine, inspect, or investigate.

Surveys are not just an online tool that helps you jot down a list of questions. It helps to gain insights into what your audience thinks, feels, and most importantly what it wants.

Natural-Farmers are notorious for taking surveys of the soil because they are seed sowers. It is inarguably their most important asset because to grow good yielding crops/pastures they need good soil. It’s possible to farm on poor soil, but costs will always be greater and yields lower. First thing a good farmer want to know, “How good is the soil? (Soil Fertility) structure, texture, and color are visible to the eye. They can’t see chemical composition of the soil. So there’s a need for soil diagnosis. Soil testing and sampling is critical. That’s the first step in soil management.

This will tell the farmer the soil nutrient level and PH content. Armed with this information, a farmer can define the quality of fertilizer and exact type that’s needed for application to improve the soil. This is essential because fertile soils are necessary to grow healthy crops. Healthy soil can produce yields that will feed the world’s ever growing population. It’s the same in spirituality.

Note: There are seven parables here in chapter 13: (1) The Sower: (2) The kingdom of heaven like unto a grain of mustard seed: (3) The kingdom of heaven like unto leaven: (4) The Tares: (5) The kingdom of heaven like unto a treasure hidden in a field: (6) The kingdom of heaven like unto a merchant man seeking goodly pearls: (7) The kingdom of heaven like unto a net.

  The first four were spoken by the sea and the last three were spoken privately to the disciples.

Parable: (Greek) Parable (Para-“beside” bala “to throw” meaning, to throw or place things along side of each other for comparison). They illustrate truth and make it clear for the purpose of comparison with something that is already familiar. They create interest and hunger for further information.

Why did Jesus speak in parables? Chapter 12 holds the explanation. The Book of Matthews follow immediately after Malachi (OT) and stand at the beginning of the New Testament connecting the link between them—400 years of silence, no angelic manifestation, no prophet spoke for Jehovah though chosen people were solely pressed, they were shut out to God’s Word.

  Matthew portrays Jesus as King, Fulfiller of Promises to Israel. In chapter 12, the Messiah, the one whom the Jews had waited to deliver them from Roman oppression has come. He identified Himself as Son of David (Matthew 12:3). He proved it with signs and wonders (Matthew 12:13-healing the man with the withered hand).

Tragically, Jews didn’t recognize Him because His Kingship wasn’t what they expected. They called Him a devil (Matthew 12:24). Jews held the Bible as their highest authority and believed it pointed to the coming Messiah. They didn’t believe Jesus was the one. When they rejected Him, He severed His ties with earthly flesh. He announced His break with Israel in the last part of Matthew 12:45-50 with clear description of His true family. “For whosoever shall do the will of My Father, which is in heaven (not beyond the blue, but the higher ethers of the air, higher realms of spirituality) the same is my brother, my sister, my mother”.

Up to this point in His ministry, He had not used parables. Now, He is using this teaching method to communicate truth, frankly, because of the condition of man’s mind, which was the unwillingness on the part of the people to receive Jesus’ message of the Kingdom. The truths of the Kingdom of God were heard by them, but not understood. It wasn’t that God was hiding the truth from them—it was because they didn’t want to hear.

Remember what the Apostle Paul said:

• 2 Corinthians 4:3: If our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost.
• Vs 4: In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.

Paul did not say, “hid FROM them”, had he said that, it would have indicated a deliberate hiding, but he said “hid TO them”.

Verse 4 explains: Because the enemy has “blinded their minds”. [This word “mind” is from the root word no’ema, meaning perception in relation to purpose, or the intellect (one’s ability to not only understand knowledge, but also to accept it), and disposition (the attitude of the mind)].

• Romans 8:6: To be carnally minded is death: but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.

We must understand that the ones “lost” in 2 Corinthians 4:3 that Paul spoke of are not those that haven’t accepted Jesus as Savior, but “the lost” are those that are sitting on church pews “lost in philosophy, vain deceit, traditions of men, rudiments of the world , and not after Christ" (Colossians 2:8). Those “lost” in darkness, defined in scripture is “a twist away from the light”, which is TRUTH, and LIFE! What truth?  The truth that we don’t have to die and go via the grave to go and live with God, because He has made Himself available to us through Jesus the Christ! What truth?

• Matthew 1 (the birth of Jesus):
•  vs 21: And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.
• Vs 23: Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, “GOD WITH US”!
• St. John 1:1: In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
• Vs 14: And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us.

And that same Word never left us. He is still here with us and “in us” by His Spirit!

• 1 John 4:4: Greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.
• Hebrews 13:5: I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.

What life:

• John 10:10: The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.

In relation to “life”, it’s from the root word “Zoe”, which is life undiminished in any way, complete, as God Himself is. This is the “life” He gave to His Son Jesus the Christ and this is the “life” Jesus has given to us! God is eternal and He made us eternal people. Plants and animals have life, but when it’s used in scripture in relation to “man” the word “eternal or everlasting” is used with it:

• John 3:15: Whosoever believes in Him should not perish, but have eternal life.
• Vs 16: God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. [Everlasting life deals with "unending" life]!
• John 17:2: As thou hast given him (Jesus) power over all flesh that he should give eternal life to as many as thou hast given him.
• Vs 3: And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent. [Eternal life deals with “quality” of life]!

Matthew 13:1, states, the same day Jesus went out of the house, and sat by the sea side. In other words, He moved from a place of ordered relationships and natural ties and withdrew from the synagogues and took His place by the sea (those apart from God and the Gentiles). Great multitudes gathered unto Him. Jesus was the greatest teacher of all times and He attracted people like a magnet because they saw in Him great wisdom and power.

The crowd was so large he stepped into a boat for sake of space and pushed off shore a few feet. What a beautiful setting to issue instructions on the mysteries of the Kingdom. This was hardly a formal church as we know. No building with a steeple, stained glass windows, no pulpit, no choir, no singing, no ushers, and no collection. There was power in Christ and the people sensed it.

There was no need for a microphone because the waters of the sea acted as a sounding board. Jesus, being wise, knew the acoustical qualities of the waters and took advantage of it to speak to vast crowds.

Now back to the parable.

The Sower represents the Son of God, the seed represents the Word of God and soil is the human heart—not that muscle that pumps the blood through the body Scripturally, it’s the subconscious mind (cave) that holds memory, our habits, the storehouse of our past thoughts, experiences. The action was that the sower went forth to sow the seed. He identifies the fate of the sown seed because when the seed is sown and hit the ground that’s not the end of the story. A variety of things can happen that will affect the growth of that seed. He describes the resulting effects meaning, ways the heart of man responds/react to the Word of God. Take note, all four types of soil is essentially the same dirt but are in different conditions and respond in different ways to the plow.

Pathway/Wayside hard packed soil: This is one who is totally unreceptive to truth. Unfortunately, this applies to the masses today. Many are not aware of the true teaching of Jesus even though they may claim to be Christians. These are they who have allowed people, things, and situations to make their heart hard and won’t let the Word enter their heart. They may hear the word of truth but they do not understand it. As Jesus said, “they have ears to hear but cannot hear.” When God sends a voice to tell them about truth they are confused, often defensive, and rejecting. Guess what else, they will get their purse or whatever gear and walk out of service. Why, because they’re so wrapped up in their religious theories that God cannot even inspire them with the truth. It doesn’t matter whether they are good people, if they hold fast to what is false they are in this type of soil consciousness.

Dangerous surface: Dangerous because you’re exposed to the birds of the air and the stomping of feet passing by. Doesn’t matter how amazing the seed this is a heart that will not let it come in. The Word is heard, but the devil is allowed to come and steal it away and prevent the person from believing and being saved.

Hopeless place: The word of God can’t find a place to stay and grow. It’s on the path but it doesn’t enter and life is never given. It’s still the word, but the one hearing it doesn’t profit from it. [Remember, the rich young ruler turned away (Matthew 19:16-26)].

Rocky/Stony ground: This is where the plow didn’t cut deeply enough to break up the hard ground just below the surface. This soil is emotionally touched by the word, but produces only plants with weak, shallow roots. They hear the word of truth and are happy to receive it. The seed finds a hole to dwell in for a while, but it does not go down deep enough to get a root system. They’re like an Alka-Seltzer, fizzle for a while then it’s over. The word quickly wastes away because—no roots. This person is emotional but below the emotions is a stubborn will that does not have room for God and demand life be lived in the Spirit. They believe for a while, but let the hot winds of testing come and they wilt and die. The word has been planted and starts a growth spurt, but when problems or persecutions come it wilts and dies from a lack of being rooted. It dies from lack of moisture beneath the ground. They like the “feel-good” of Christianity but do not want any more problems in life.

Writer’s testimony: He wanted to quit, quit his job, his relationship, his spirituality, and quit life. He went to the woods to have one last talk with God, “God”, he said, “Can you give me one good reason not to quit?” Surprisingly, God said, “Look around, do you see the fern and the bamboo? He said, yes. God said, when I planted the fern and the bamboo seed, I took very good care of them. I gave them light and water. The fern quickly grew from the earth and its brilliant green covered the floor. Yet the first year nothing came from the bamboo seed, but I did not quit on the bamboo. Second year, the fern grew more vibrant and plentiful. Again nothing from the bamboo seed, but, I didn’t quit on the bamboo. The third year, still nothing from the bamboo seed but, I would not quit. The fourth year, again nothing from the bamboo seed and I still would not quit. But then, the fifth year (number of grace) a tiny sprout emerged from the earth. Compared to the fern it was seemingly small and insignificant, but just 6 months later the bamboo rose to over 100 feet tall. It had spent the five years growing roots. Those roots made it strong and gave it what it needed to survive. I would not give any of my creations a challenge it could not handle. God said, “Did you know that all this time you have been struggling you have actually been growing roots”. “If I would not quit on the bamboo, I will never quit on you”. Don’t compare yourself to others. The bamboo had a different purpose than the fern. Yet, they both make the forest beautiful. Your time will come. You will rise high! He asked God, How high should I rise? God answered. How high will the bamboo rise? Give me glory by rising as high as you can.

Thorny soil or double-minded hearer: Most likely found in the corners of the field where the plow couldn’t reach and weeds overtook what was planted. Notice that this is abundant soil. The seed can grow and flourish. This soil represents those who hear the word of truth, but use it selfishly to get things of the world. They are so materialist that their greed chokes out the truth. Most people still believe that money brings happiness. Money, “the love of it is the root of all evil” 1Timothy 6:10, and the things of this world can’t make us totally happy. There’s nothing wrong with having wealth, but we can’t allow it to deceive us. Rich people craving greater riches can be caught in an endless cycle that only ends in ruin and destruction. Jesus refers to this as the “deceitfulness of riches.”

This soil is preoccupied. Every heart has sin from the nature of Adam. We have to make a choice to change our sinning state of life. Some have many briars and thorns in their hearts when they first hear the Word of God. The natural man cannot understand the Word of God and will not serve God. This person has to get the weeds out of their life. It is the weeds that choke out the life that might have begun. The weeds are the cares of life, the lure of the wealth and pleasures of this world. These are the temptations that are always before us as we live in this world. It makes the soil unfruitful. No fruit comes from this soil because the weed are not destroyed, but fed.

The word of truth can’t grow in this consciousness. We may go to God with a list of things that we want God to do for us. When the Spirit speaks to us telling us that our personal plans will only lead to disaster, what do we do, refuse to give them up. The Spirit seeks to reveal to us another plan, but the good seed down within us given by the Sower “God” is to no avail. So, the seed of selfishness and greed chokes out the true seed of truth.

Good Ground. This represents those who hear the word of truth, accept it unselfishly and begin to bear fruit. There are variations in the good ground, thirtyfold, sixtyfold, and a hundredfold. This means that the good ground can be further developed through a daily regimen of study and prayer. This is a prepared heart. This is a person who takes in the Word of God and cares for it as precious to life. This is a hearer that has allowed the Word of God and the Holy Spirit to plow and dig out the bad to be replaced by good. The seed is put in for a deep planting. It is given what it needs to grow. This heart understands the Word and it has full liberty to grow. As this person understands the word it grows and grows. The more this heart receive the word of God the more we will be fruitful and produce a harvest.

How can we have fertile soil?

First, Plowing: (Turns up the earth) -- Repent (turns the heart) of any sin and pursue righteousness (right living), and it changes your life style.

Ask God to break up the hard, rocky surface of your heart and turn over the bitterness, the unforgiveness that has made you unproductive and useless in the past. Ask God to create in you a clean heart and renew a right spirit within you (Psalms 51:10).

Secondly, Preparation: We need to fertilize the soil. Spending time in God’s Word so that the life-giving truth of scripture can soak deep into our heart. Meditate on what we read. Meditate day and night so that the truth will saturate past your mind and flow into your heart. Allow the Bible to fill your heart and mind so that is saturates your thoughts, and conversations. As you do this, you are literally washing away the negative, deadly elements that result in doubt, fear, and defeat. They are replaced with faith, confidence and victory. It’s just like washing soap from a milk jug. The only way to get all the soap out is to allow fresh water to run continuously into the top until the soap is gone. Meditate on the scripture like that.

Thirdly Planting time: Take time to sow God’s Word into the situations of your life. We are commanded to not be hearers only, but doers of God’s Word (James 1:22-25). If we want a harvest to take place, we must apply the truth of the Bible into our lives and do what it says. Remember, we will receive that which we have sown. Apply God’s Word to the things you face every day, because faith without works is dead (James 2:17-20).

Last, Protect your spiritual life: Meaning, weed the garden of your heart. Guard your heart from the thorns of anxiety, worry and the cares of the world. “Seek first, His Kingdom and His righteousness and all other things will be added unto you” (Matthew 6:33).

Don’t allow weeds of evil to grow, but remove them from your heart and life. Be careful what you watch, listen to and read. Protect your heart and your relationship with God. Keep the standard of Holiness and purity always before you. With your eyes on God and your trust in Him, live to please and “love Him with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength” (Mark 12:30).

 If we will plow, prepare, plant and protect our hearts, we will be real soil that is good for God to use. And with good soil that is daily cultivated and ready to receive His Word, a harvest will be produced.

Evangelist Brenda Hansley