Playlist:

playlist Go to the Parable of the Sower and the Seed (topic) playlist

God's Kingdom in the Parables (Part One): Sower and Seed

'Prophecy Watch' by David C. Grabbe

The 'kingdom of heaven' is commonly interpreted to describe the church, but in the first four parables of Matthew 13, it has a clearer application: Israel.


Parables of Matthew 13 (Part Two): The Parable of the Sower

Bible Study by Martin G. Collins

In the first parable of the sower, the quality of the various soils upon which the seed of the gospel falls determines whether or not there is growth.


Parable of the Sower

Bible Study by Martin G. Collins

When the gospel of the coming Kingdom of God is preached in all the world, the ears that hear it are not always receptive of this priceless knowledge.


Parables of Matthew 13 (Part 1): The Mustard Seed

Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

The Bible, in both parables and prophecies, interprets itself and remains consistent in its use of symbols. We cannot arbitrarily attach meaning to symbols.


Parables of Matthew 13 (Part Four): The Parable of the Mustard Seed

Bible Study by Martin G. Collins

The Mustard Seed parable is commonly interpreted as an illustration of church growth. However, rightly dividing the word of truth shows a sobering reality.


Like a Growing Seed (Part Two)

CGG Weekly by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

Like its physical counterpart, spiritual growth happens slowly. A newly baptized Christian will not produce the fruit of the spirit as easily as a mature one.


Seedtime and Harvest

Sermonette by Martin G. Collins

Like the farmer waiting patiently for the rains, we must wait patiently for the yield of the implanted seed, the fruit God will harvest from us.


Parables of Matthew 13 (Part One): Introduction

Bible Study by Martin G. Collins

Matthew 13 contains more parables than any other chapter in the Gospels. They are related in theme and organized to teach Christians specific lessons.


Parables of Matthew 13 (Part Three): The Parable of the Wheat and the Tares

Bible Study by Martin G. Collins

Bible students do not often consider Christ's parables to contain intrigue, but His Parable of the Wheat and the Tares has its share!


The Parables of Matthew 13 (Part Five): The Parable of the Leaven

Bible Study by Martin G. Collins

Most commentators see this parable as a positive message of the growth of the church. However, deeper study shows that they have it exactly backward!


The Parable of the Wheat and Tares

Sermon by Martin G. Collins

For every pure thing God has created, Satan has manufactured a counterfeit, even passing himself off as an angel of light. He is the master imitator.


God's Kingdom in the Parables (Part Three): Hidden Treasure

'Prophecy Watch' by David C. Grabbe

In Matthew 13, the hidden treasure the man finds provides the spiritual solution to the leaven - corruption - the woman hides in the three measures of meal.


Without a Parable

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)

Christ's judgments are made according to what each person has been given. We need to internalize this practice of evaluating, especially regarding a brother.


Weeds!

Article by Mike Ford

We must weed out detrimental habits that choke our lives. If we want to produce quality fruit, we must weed our garden.


Amending the Soil

Sermonette by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

In the Parable of the Sower, Christ describes different qualities of soil. We must respond properly to the implantation of the seed—the word of God.


Hear the Word

Sermonette by Mark Schindler

We must invest as much energy into understanding the messages as went into preparing them, regardless of the idiosyncrasies of those delivering them.


Listen Carefully (Part Two)

CGG Weekly by Clyde Finklea

It is vital for Christians to establish an attitude and habit of hearing. Of particular importance is our responsibility to listen to Jesus Christ.


Aim for Productivity

Sermonette by John W. Ritenbaugh

We must strive to bear spiritual fruit efficiently and productively. Material well-being is not as good a measure of fruitfulness as is the use of God's gifts.


Of Living Dogs and Dead Lions

Sermonette by Austin Del Castillo

Guilt from failure to overcome is a dangerous distraction. When we consider God's profound pity, we realize that He is able to cleanse us, too.


Many Are Called, But Few Are Chosen (Part Seven)

Sermon by Martin G. Collins

The letters to the seven churches of Revelation warn of losing our first love, heeding false teachers, compromising God's Truth, and forgetting right doctrine.


Is Your Eye Single?

Sermonette by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

If our goal is wrong, our entire being will be off. Our first priority is to be loyal to God, casting aside all distractions and other interests.


Matthew (Part Eighteen)

Sermon/Bible Study by John W. Ritenbaugh

If we ask God for protection from demonic influence, we cannot sit back passively; Satan always counterattacks. Evil must be displaced with good.


Responding to God's Pruning Is Not Passive (Part Two)

Sermon by David F. Maas

Briars, thistles, thorns, and weeds are visible emblems of sin or its consequences, which we must pull up by the roots for the balance of our physical life.


Many Are Called, Few Are Chosen

'Ready Answer' by John O. Reid

God's calling and predestination can be confusing, especially the verse that 'many are called, but few are chosen'. Why does God not just choose everyone?


Spiritual Maturity

Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

The Kingdom parables allude to the process of spiritual maturity, depicting a planted and cultivated seed becoming a sprout, eventually bearing fruit.


Simplify Your Life!

'Personal' from John W. Ritenbaugh

We waste a lot of time on foolish pursuits, procrastination, and distractions. Getting control of our time is foundational for seeking God's Kingdom.


Lessons From Roots (Part One)

CGG Weekly by David C. Grabbe

Fruit is not produced immediately; it is produced only when a plant is both mature and stable enough that mere survival is no longer its top priority.


Ears to Hear

Sermonette by Ronny H. Graham

As we hear instructions, we must apply those principles to our lives immediately. We are responsible for what we hear, and consequently, we must take heed.


Ecclesiastes and Christian Living (Part Six): Listening

'Personal' from John W. Ritenbaugh

When Solomon visits the Temple, he comes away with a sense that too many treat religion far too casually, forgetting that they are coming before God.


Listening

Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

Biblical listening is not just hearing, but active understanding and responding, leading to changed behavior. Not hearing is tantamount to rebellion.


The Christian and the World (Part Eight)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

Having anxiety, foreboding and fretting about food, clothing, and shelter, or being distressed about the future, demonstrates a gross lack of faith.


Patience

Sermonette by James Beaubelle

Because none of us know when Christ will return, we must ask God for patience for the changes that work to build our future in the Kingdom of God.


Ecclesiastes Resumed (Part Eleven)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)

Ecclesiastes deals with quality of life issues for those who have been called, emphasizing responsibility and choice, continually fearing God.


Intimacy with Christ (Part Three)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

We must fight against the world's pulls (including advertising), simplifying our lives, seeking quiet to meditate and build a relationship with God.


The Endurance of the Firstfruits (Part Two)

CGG Weekly by David C. Grabbe

The Parable of the Sower and the Seed exemplifies a number things that can happen to prevent us from having a place in God's spiritual harvest.


Dominion and Leaven (Part One)

Sermonette by David C. Grabbe

Dominion theology holds that the church's responsibility is to spread God's Kingdom around the world, but it misunderstands the Parable of Leaven.


Magic Doesn't Work (Part Three)

Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

Magic is always used as some kind of weapon, but not to build or develop moral strength or character. God chooses a life-long process of sanctification.