The Path, Part 1

Take a drive through farm country over the next few weeks and you will see a remarkable sight, the image of combines rolling through fields gathering the crop, the result of a year's hard work. In the Spring, these farmers started spreading seed with the hopes that the grain would find good soil, develop deep roots, and produce a good crop. Jesus told a parable, which is a story with a deeper meaning, about a farmer spreading seed, and that seed found four types of soil. This story is ultimately about you and me and our journey toward faith. Just like a farmer plants his seeds, God has sent the seed of the Gospel. Whether it takes root and grows depends on the type of soil the seed will find in our ears and in our hearts. Over the next four weeks, we will look at the four types of soil found in this parable. Every person in this room this morning fits into one of these soils, and the challenge for us is that we should be careful how we hear. This morning we will find out what happens to seed that falls on the path, and learn about two enemies of the Gospel.