Isaiah 55:1013

For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven
and do not return there but water the earth,
making it bring forth and sprout,
r
giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater,
11
so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth;
it shall not return to me empty,
but
s
it shall accomplish that which I purpose,
and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it.
12

t
For you shall go out in joy
and be led forth in peace;
u
the mountains and the hills before you
shall break forth into singing,
and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands.
13

v
Instead of the thorn shall come up the cypress;
instead of the brier shall come up the myrtle;
and it shall make a name for the Lord,
an everlasting sign that shall not be cut off.


Romans 8:1217

Heirs with Christ

12 So then, brothers,5 we are debtors, cnot to the flesh,
to live according to the flesh. 13 For if you live
according to the flesh you will die, but if by the Spirit
you dput to death the deeds of the body, you will live. 14
For all who are eled by the Spirit of God are fsons6 of
God. 15 For gyou did not receive hthe spirit of slavery to
fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of
iadoption as sons, by whom we cry, jAbba! Father! 16
kThe Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we
are children of God, 17 and if children, then lheirs
heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, mprovided we
suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified
with him.

Matthew 13:19; 18-23

The Parable of the Sower

13 That same day Jesus went out of the house oand sat
beside the sea. 2 And great crowds gathered about him,
pso that he got into a boat and sat down. And the whole
crowd stood on the beach. 3 And qhe told them many
things in parables, saying: rA sower went out to sow. 4
And as he sowed, some seeds fell along the path, and the
birds came and devoured them. 5 Other seeds fell on
rocky ground, where they did not have much soil, and
immediately they sprang up, since they had no depth of
soil, 6 but swhen the sun rose they were scorched. And
since they had no root, tthey withered away. 7 Other
seeds fell among uthorns, and the thorns grew up and
choked them. 8 Other seeds fell on good soil and
produced grain, some va hundredfold, some sixty, some
thirty. 9 wHe who has ears,1 let him hear.

The Parable of the Sower Explained

18 kHear then the parable of the sower: 19 When
anyone hears the word of lthe kingdom and mdoes not
understand it, nthe evil one comes and snatches away
what has been sown in his heart. This is what was sown
along the path. 20 As for what was sown on rocky
ground, this is the one who hears the word and
immediately oreceives it with joy, 21 yet he has no root
in himself, but pendures for a while, and when
tribulation or persecution arises on account of the word,
immediately qhe falls away.2 22 As for what was sown
among thorns, this is the one who hears the word, but
rthe cares of sthe world and tthe deceitfulness of riches
choke the word, and it proves unfruitful. 23 As for what
was sown on good soil, this is the one who hears the
word and munderstands it. He indeed ubears fruit and
yields, in one case va hundredfold, in another sixty, and
in another thirty.

Telling the Story Connecting to Jesus

There is just something about a great story. A great plot
line, deep characters, hidden meanings, something that
peeks our interest and keeps us captivated.

In a world full of darkness, lacking in hope, where
sinners wander in the fear of their own condemnation
the story of Jesus becomes a beacon of light. The Gospel
of Jesus Christ becomes the very connection people are
hungry for yet do we preach this life saving good news.
Are we afraid of what they say? Are we confident in our
witness?

We can preach the message of Christ in many ways I
love how hymns can be a vessel of proclamation:

I love to tell the story
Of unseen things above,
Of Jesus and His glory,
Of Jesus and his love.
I love to tell the story,
Because I know its true;
It satisfies my longings
As nothing else would do.
I love to tell the story,
'Twill be my theme in glory
To tell the old, old story
Of Jesus and His love.

Just as I am, without one plea,
but that thy blood was shed for me,
and that thou bidd'st me come to thee,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come

We know in the Gospels Jesus communicated with the
crowds well. He loved them, had mercy on them, and
gave them the riches of Gods Word in parables? Why
did Jesus use parables? It has been said that a
parable is an earthly story with a heavenly meaning.
The Lord Jesus frequently used parables as a means
of illustrating profound, divine truths. Stories such
as these are easily remembered, the characters bold,
and the symbolism rich in meaning.

To our neighbor struggling with sin or addiction tell
them the story of Jesus and His love. To the family
facing the hardships of this challenging economy tell
them the story of Jesus and guide them to a place of
belonging. To the young adults who find themselves lost
by the ways of this world lead them to a place where the
Word of God is preached and the Sacraments tangible
signs of the Kingdom presence of God is revealed. Tell
them your story of grace, how you have met the Savior
in font, table, and Word. Here in this place lives are
restored, sins are forgiven, and new life is experienced.
By God this is not a place of death, a dwelling place of
God does not lack hope but is BUILT on hope. Tell that
story!

TELLING THE STORY

1. Gods Word will always accomplish its purpose
a. For as the rain and the snow come down from
heaven and do not return there but water the
earth, making it bring forth and sprout,
r
giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater,
11
so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth;
it shall not return to me empty,
but
s
it shall accomplish that which I purpose,
and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it.
b. Word of God indeed Word of life.
c. Regardless of our sinful condition Gods Word
will triumph over our failures, our sins, and
the evils of this word.
d. Let us preach the promises of God and reject
the works of the devil, all his empty promises.
2. Cry out with true conviction today Lamb of God
have mercy on me your child.
a. For gyou did not receive hthe spirit of slavery
to fall back into fear, but you have received the
Spirit of iadoption as sons, by whom we cry,
jAbba! Father!
3. Listen, embrace, and take heed to Jesus words
today!
a. Hear then the parable of the sower: 19 When
anyone hears the word of lthe kingdom and
mdoes not understand it, nthe evil one comes
and snatches away what has been sown in his
heart. This is what was sown along the path.
20 As for what was sown on rocky ground, this
is the one who hears the word and
immediately oreceives it with joy, 21 yet he
has no root in himself, but pendures for a
while, and when tribulation or persecution
arises on account of the word, immediately qhe
falls away.2 22 As for what was sown among
thorns, this is the one who hears the word, but
rthe cares of sthe world and tthe deceitfulness
of riches choke the word, and it proves
unfruitful. 23 As for what was sown on good
soil, this is the one who hears the word and
munderstands it. He indeed ubears fruit and
yields, in one case va hundredfold, in
another sixty, and in another thirty.

Hear the truth of this hymn: (487)

Let us ever walk with Jesus,
Follow His example pure,
Flee the world, which would deceive us
And to sin our souls allure.
Ever in His footsteps treading,
Body here, yet soul above,
Full of faith and hope and love,
Let us do the Father's bidding.
Faithful Lord, abide with me;
Savior, lead, I follow Thee.