As we look at these parables of the Lord telling of this sowing and this
growth of seeds, they bring it home to us very forcibly that the only
true test of life in Christ is growth in Christian graces. And this
brings us to a consideration of grave practical importance. It bids us
be very careful to distinguish between seeds of life taking root in the
heart and springing up into new activities, and mere waves of impression.
The seed springs up and grows in you, the wave merely flows over you,
lifting and moving you for a moment, and then leaving you as before.
Thus, and it is a warning which is not unneeded in our day, a day of much
emotional religion, there is all the difference in the world between a
religion of moods and a religion of growth. The one is the plaything of
the winds, the other is rooted in Christ.

Thus I am brought to two reflections, one on the function and aim of the
preacher, the other the duty of the hearer of God's word. The
preacher--and the same might be said of every master in such a society as
this--the preacher has to think of himself primarily and chiefly as a
servant of Christ charged with the duty of sowing the seeds of spiritual
life in your hearts. And the thought that the Saviour has revealed to us
seeds of life which have this regenerating power in them, and that in Him
we see what possibilities of growth there are in these seeds--this is our
constant encouragement.

The sower's hand may be feeble, and his sowing may be awkward, or
halting, or uncertain, but there is a Divine force or possibility in all
seeds of truth, or purity, or right feeling which he scatters among you,
independent of his sowing, and he never knows in what soul some seed may
lodge and germinate and grow up and bear fruit here and hereafter, even
to the endless life.