This online worship service was led by Rev. Joan Pell. Scripture: Matthew 13:3-9, 18-23. Hymns are from Singing the Faith, numbers 65, 124 and 167. Video and audio available and the written text for the sermon. This is the first sermon in the three-week series Parables: Truths Thrown Alongside.

The word parabola literally translates as “to throw beside”. A closely related word is parable, a story that is not true, but true-like, or “thrown beside” the truth. Jesus taught in parables, and they are full of wisdom that is masterfully woven in story form. In this sermon series from Matthew 13, we will examine three parables about planting seeds to see what truths we can uncover on the wayside about faith, life, and the Kingdom of God.

Jesus calls today’s story the parable of the sower. It is not so surprising that the seeds in the good soil grew. The surprise is that the sower threw his valuable seed everywhere. Our extravagantly wasteful sower God never gives up on us calls us to take risks and be equally generous in mission.

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