The preparation of the sower

C. The preparation of the sower

1. Must have good seed

Matt. 13:24
Notice the sower was sowing good seed. If we are to know anything about what type of seed is good we must know how to tell its quality.

2. Must know his seed

Matt. 13:37
Here we see and recognized seal of approval, the Son of man.

3. Must prepare his seed.

Matt. 17:21
Preparation of the seed many times comes by prayer and fasting.

Acts 27:33
The results of a good seed many times come with much trouble and strife.


Ill. Prayer is the bow, the promise is the arrow: faith is the hand which draws the bow, and sends the arrow with the heart’s message to heaven. The bow without the arrow is of no use; and the arrow without the bow is of little worth; and both, without the strength of the hand, to no purpose. Neither the promise without prayer, nor prayer without the promise, nor both without faith, avail the Christian any thing. What was said of the Israelites, “They could not enter in, because of unbelief,” the same may be said of many of our prayers: they cannot enter heaven, because they are not put up in faith. (6000 Sermon Illustrations pg. 512)


4. Must prepare the ground.

Prov. 18:24
Show yourself friendly; you will be surprised by what you may receive.

Luke 10:33-34
Have compassion on those around you. Some may be hurting on the inside and not showing on the outside. Only God knows the heart of a person.


Luke 15:20
Have compassion on those we love, no matter what failures were committed in their lives.

I Peter 3:8
We should have compassion on our brothers and sisters in the Lord. This will generate blessings from God.


Ill. A pious man of rank was in the habit of associating intimately with pious poor people. A worldly friend of his rallied him on the subject of his associates, and expressed his surprise. The noble Christian man replied, that, as he could hardly hope to enjoy so elevated a rank as they in a future world, he knew not why he should despise them in the present. (6000 Sermon Illustrations pg. 70)