MATTHEW 13:1-9
3
(13:4-7) Unbelief—Rejection: a large number did not allow the Word to take permanent root. But note: these did hear
the Word of God. They were in church—regularly. The Word did fall upon them, but they did not allow the Word to pe-
netrate—not permanently.
Note that the number of persons who rejected the Word was far greater than the one’s who received it. They did not all
obey the gospel...

“Lord, who hath believed our report” (Ro.10:16).
“Many are called, but few are chosen” (Mt.22:14).

Thought 1. A person is held accountable for the kind of heart he has: hard, emotional, superficial, thorny, or soft
an

d tender.

DEEPER STUDY # 1
(13:4, 19) Wayside—Gospel, Hardened to: some dwelt by the wayside. In the day of Christ there were no fences to separate
property lines. Instead, long narrow foot paths were used for the travelling public. These paths were trodden down as hard as
pavement by the constant use of the travelling public. This is the hard wayside ground referred to by Christ.
Note: these hear the Word but they do not understand it (v.19). They are in the church regularly, and the Word falls upon
them. Some have made public decisions, and some have not; but no matter, they are all still off to the side, paying little atten-
tion to what is going on. Even those who have made decisions are not genuine. They are hard, very hard, with closed minds
and concrete hearts; therefore, they pay no attention and give no heed to the Word. Their minds are elsewhere. They have no
interest and are indifferent, failing to realize how important the Word is to life. They just feel they can get along without the
Word of God, that it is not needed in life.
Christ said “the wicked one” comes and snatches away whatever Word is sown. People whose hearts are not open and soft
are easy prey for the devil. The Word always remains on the surface of the heart, thereby exposing it to whatever the devil
may wish to grab.

There are at least four reasons why people become hardened to the gospel.
1. They rebel and rebel. They react because of some tragedy or some circumstance, and they blame God.
2. They do not stay awake or alert; they do not pay attention. They do not consider the gospel important enough to me-
rit their attention. In their minds, other things need their attention more than the gospel.
3. They are careless in handling the gospel. They treat the gospel as an item, an additive, a part of life instead of life it-
self. When needed and when time is available, the gospel is acceptable. Their attitude is that the gospel has its place, but it is
not the permeating factor of life that so many make it.
4. They are deceived. What matters to them is attendance, being present in worship services and associating with other
Christians. A change of heart and life is meaningless. Religion to them is a matter of form and ceremony, not life.

“For the heart of this people is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes
have they closed; lest they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with
their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them” (Acts 28:27).
“Who [the hard-hearted] being past feeling have given themselves over unto lasciviousness, to
work all uncleanness with greediness” (Eph.4:19).
“But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the
deceitfulness of sin” (Heb.3:13).
“Happy is the man that feareth always: but he that hardeneth his heart shall fall into mischief”
(Pr.28:14).
“He, that being often reproved hardeneth his neck, shall suddenly be destroyed, and that without
remedy” (Pr.29:1).
“But after thy hardness and impenitent heart treasurest up unto thyself wrath against the day of
wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God” (Ro.2:5).

Thought 1. Scripture gives a clear warning: “We ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have
heard, lest at any time we should let them slip” (Heb.2:1f).


DEEPER STUDY # 2
(13:5-6, 20-21) Stony Places—Backsliding—False Profession: some received the Word in stony places. In some parts of
Palestine lying right beneath the ground is a layer of limestone. When seed falls upon this ground, something dramatic hap-
pens. The limestone holds the rain and heat from the sunlight right under the surface; therefore, the fallen seed sprouts quick-
ly and dramatically. But it has no root.
The application is clear: this person has what appears to be a dramatic conversion. He makes a decision for Christ, and he
stands out as an example of a changed life and quick growth. However, the change lasts only for a season, perhaps an ex-
tended season, but in the end it fails.
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