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11. Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God.Luke 8:11. This story, told by Jesus, is about a farmer who is planting seeds. Some seeds fell by the wayside, where people walked; nothing could grow there. Here the devil steals the word of God; no salvation. Some fell on rocky ground where the soil was thin. The seeds sprouted but could not take root because of the rocks. Here the word of God is received, but in times of temptation, people fall away, refusing salvation. Some fell among thorns. The ground is good, but the thorns choke out the grain, and the crop is not productive. Here the word is received but is choked out by riches and pleasures of the world. Salvation is lost by the competition of unspiritual things. Some seeds fell on good, fertile, weed-free soil and produced a crop that increased more than was planted. Here the word is received into the heart, transforming the individual into a child of God. Salvation is received and passed on to others. We are responsible for passing the word of God to others. Amen.