MATTHEW 13:1-9
Note four things about this person (v.20-21):
⇒ He hears the Word.
⇒ He receives the Word immediately.
⇒ He receives the Word with joy.
⇒ He endures for a while.

Note why this person fails.
1. He has no root in himself (v.21). He has not rooted and grounded himself in the Word and in prayer. He has not
learned the doctrines and principles of Christianity. He began in the emotional joy of the Word and in his decision to
reform his life, but he has continued to live in the emotions of his experience and his new-found Christian friends. He does
little about the hard demands of Christ that come only through diligent study and disciplined prayer. He knows little about
sacrificial obedience: “Study to show thyself approved” (2 Tim.2:15).
2. He has little spiritual strength to withstand the trials and persecutions of life. Pressure from circumstances or former
friends of the world—mockery, abuse or whatever—causes him to cave in.

“And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold” (Mt.24:12).
“But he that heareth, and doeth not, is like a man that without a foundation built an house upon
the earth; against which the stream did beat vehemently, and immediately it fell; and the ruin of that
house was great” (Lk.6:49).
“And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for
the kingdom of God” (Lk.9:62).
“But now, after that ye have known God, or rather are known of God, how turn ye again to the
weak and beggarly elements [the world], whereunto ye desire again to be in bondage?” (Gal.4:9).
“Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in
him” (Heb.10:38).
“For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord
and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse
with them than the beginning. For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righ-
teousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them.
But it is happened unto them according to the true proverb, The dog is turned to his own vomit
again; and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire” (2 Pt.2:20-22).
“Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hath left thy first love. Remember
therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto
thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent” (Rev.2:4-5).

Thought 1. Hearing the Word preached and taught will not get a person into heaven. A person has to receive the
Word.

Thought 2. A great mistake is sometimes made with persons experiencing dramatic conversions. They are pushed
forward as a strong testimony long before they have proven the genuineness of their conversion
(1 Tim.3:10).

Thought 3. A sobering fact: “He that endureth to the end shall be saved” (Mt.10:22).


DEEPER STUDY # 3
(13:7, 22) Thorns—Worldliness—Wealth: some received the Word among thorns. The thorny ground is deceptive ground.
It looks good and clean, appearing to be clear of weeds and thorns, but it is not. Right under the surface of the soil is a chain
of roots ready to spring up. The fact that the roots are already there means that the thorns will be stronger and grow faster
than the good seed. They will choke the life out of the good seed.
Thorns represent those who receive the Word as an addition to their life. The Word is merely added on, not allowed to re-
place the world and the things of it. These do not truly repent; they just try to take God and add Him to their collection in life.
They make Him only a small part of their affairs; consequently, the Word is always choked to death.
(1 Jn.2:15-16).
Note what the thorns are (also see outline and notes—Mt.6:19-24 for a thorough study on wealth).
1. Thorns are “the cares of this world” (v.22). They prick and prick away at the Word. They entangle a person in the
world and the things of the world (2 Tim.2:3-4). They irritate, aggravate, trouble, and hinder a person from pursuing his task.
When a person’s mind is on the cares of the world, his mind is not on God and the things of the Word or Spirit. He is carnal-
minded, not spiritual-minded (Ro.8:5-8; 2 Cor.10:3-5).
2. Thorns are “the deceitfulness of riches” (v.22). Note: it is not wealth itself that is worldly (thorny); it is the deceit of
wealth. Wealth deceives in several ways.
a. Wealth tends to make a person self-confident and self-dependent. It makes him feel comfortable and secure
in this world. Such tends to keep him from trusting and calling upon God.
b. Wealth tends to make a person overly comfortable, extravagent, and indulgent. It makes him live sumptu-
ously, beyond what is needed. He sometimes feels that he can spend to get a little more and a little better
than is necessary. This feeling arises especially if he has already given to meet the needs of the world.
c. Wealth tends to consume a person’s mind. It arouses the urge and passion to keep and protect all that a
person has and to make more and more. A wealthy person often finds himself more and more centered
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