Mark 4:1-32

Parables. Earthly stories with spiritual application. Parables lead those who are seeking the truth. They are a story line to the heart. Jesus spoke in parables because some hearers were not interested in changing their lives. Those who heard and were moved to seek God, asked questions, sought interpretation, and were glad to receive the truth behind the parable. Parables lure people to the truth.

In Mark 4, Jesus is speaking agricultural language. He is relating his parable of the Sower to the gardener, the farmer, and the agricultural entrepreneur. He is relating to us who have a very limited understanding of planting things or to those who ride big tractors and reap massive harvests.

Jesus is talking about the Word of God and its effect on people.

Listen! James 1:19, 26; Proverbs 30:32; 21:23. A Sower went out and was sowing his seed. Throwing seeds of the same kind from side to side. This seed would germinate to some degree.

Seed Referencing the Word, Mark 4:4-8; 4:15-20.

Seed on the road and snatched away, Mark 4:4, 15.
Like a bird snatching a seed, so Satan snatches away the Word of God.
People hear the Word, but Satan blinds their eyes to the truth of the Word, 2 Corinthians 4:3-4.
What is the Word, John 1:1, 14; 1 Corinthians 15:2-4.

Seed on rocky ground without root, Mark 4:5, 16-17.
The word initially appears to be welcoming.
However, when difficulties come, people move away from the God and not toward Him, Romans 8:28.
Seed enveloped by weeds and choked, Mark 4:7, 18-19.

Routines of life override a spiritual life.
Worries that appear in this life.
Being deceived by material things.
Desiring other things rather than a spiritual walk.
These people don’t argue with the message, but they don’t get around to doing the message, James 1:22.

Seed on good ground and fruitful, Mark 4:8, 20.
The evidence of their salvation is in their fruit, Galatians 5:22-23.
The evidence of their salvation is in their maturing, 2 Peter 1:5-8.
The evidence of their salvation is in their message, 1 Corinthians 3:6.

Seed Referencing Sanctification, Mark 4:26-29.

The seed is planted, and someone is saved.
Germination, sprouting, and growing take place and people begin to grow.
We are taught (Hebrews 5:13-14), face trials (James 1:2-4), learn faith (Hebrews 11:6, and get stronger (1 Peter 2:1-10).
There is a harvest, Philippians 1:6.


Seed Referencing Reaping, Mark 4:30-32.

A small beginning that grows great results (Mustard shrub would grow 10-12 feet in a few weeks). Disciples, 120 people in a room, 3000 during the first sermon, and now, world-wide saturation, Acts 1:8. OFFERING CHRISTMAS EVE
Going into all the world is not a mission trip. It is everyday life, Matthew 28:19-20.

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