The Exposition of the Parable

• The thorny ground hearer
• Spoken of in each gospel
• Jesus interprets this as well
• No mistaking the interpretation

The Exposition of the Parable

• The characteristics are shown in the Gospels
• They heard the word - Luke 8:14; Heb 6:8
• They also received the word
• Then they allowed the word to be choked out
• Thorns entered their heart and sprang up there

The Exposition of the Parable

• The symbolism of thorns is very clear
• The Gospels mention various thorns
• Let's take a look at these references
• We'll be able to see how the word was choked
• Mat 13:22; Mark 4:19; Luke 8:14

The Exposition of the Parable

Lust speaks of unlawful desires, desires contrary to the word of God.

The Exposition of the Parable

The pleasures of sin, the pleasures of this world, and other lusts and pleasures take the place of those pleasures which are at the right hand of God.
- Psalm 16:11; 36:8 -

The Exposition of the Parable

• The thorny ground becomes unfruitful
• They yield no fruit
• They are unfruitful believers
• Jesus wants us to be fruitful

The Exposition of the Parable

• Thorny ground is like the Stony ground
• They receive the word of God
• But the thorns (worldly cares, deceitful riches)
• (life's pleasure, and the lust of other things)
• All enter in and choke the word

The Exposition of the Parable

• The result of thorns
• The persons life is unfruitful
• Or at most the fruit isn't mature
• They become slothful
• Thorns destroy them

The Exposition of the Parable

• The good ground hearer
• Each of the Synoptics speak of it
• Jesus interprets this for us
• The Gospels provide characteristics

The Exposition of the Parable

• They hear the word
• They understand the word
• They receive the word
• They accept the word
• They keep the word

The Exposition of the Parable

• They have good honest hearts
• The ground of their heart is broken up
• It's ready to receive the seed of the word
• Hosea 10:12
• We have to guard our heart Prov 4:23

The Exposition of the Parable

• They bring fruit
• In their Christian life
• There are degrees in fruitfulness
• Isaac reaped 100 fold Gen 26:12
• Sixty-fold, thirty-fold

The Exposition of the Parable

• To bring forth fruit takes patience
• Enduring - Matthew 10:22
• Fruit needs all the seasons to be produced
• The sun, the rain, the wind
• Fruit would be like wheat grain

The Exposition of the Parable

• The fruit would be the fruits of the Spirit
• Gal 5:22-23
• The fruit of righteousness(Eph 5:9; Jam 3:18)
• Fruit reveals the inner nature/character

The Application

The Application

• In each case
• They heard the word
• They received the seed
• There were different responses

The Application

• We must have ears to hear
• Eyes to see
• A heart to perceive/understand
• Jesus said over and over
• "he that hath ears to hear, let him hear"

The Application

• The Bible speaks of
• Dull ears(Acts 28:27, Heb 5:11)
• Itching ears(2 Tim 4:3-4)
• Forgetful ears(Jam 1:22-25)

The Application

• Hearing ears(Prov 20:12)
• Opened ears(Psalms 40:5-9)
• Obedient ears(Prov 25:12)
• No wonder Jesus said "take heed"
• "what ye hear", "how ye hear"

The Application

• The Bible also speaks of 
• A rebellious/revolting heart(Jer 5:23)
• A deceitful, wicked heart(Jer 17:9-10)
• A broken, contrite heart(Psalm 51:17)
• A new heart(Eze 36:26)

The Application

• A heart that knows God(Jer 24:7)
• Also Mat 12:35; 15:18-19; 
• God wants to write His law on our heart
• Jer 31:33-34
• We have to guard our heart(Prov 4:23)

Conclusion

• Primary lesson - varying response to the word
• Also shows that we have to keep our heart
• Be diligent if you're going to be fruitful
• "He that hath ears to hear, let him hear."