Sowing the Seed! #
Mark 4:1-13 (1-20)
Introduction
We are in a passage that I know I have preached before. However, we don’t come for something new every week, we come to be reminded of things we already know, and need reminded of. The Sowing of the Seed is a recurring theme throughout the NT in various illustrations. It is given over and over, as food, water, light, seed, all good things that help others. We must remember Jesus came that people would be saved, and he has entrusted that message with us!
I. The Sower (3-4) #
A. Sowing requires going out #
1. Seed is not spread at church #
Psa. 126:5 They that sow in tears shall reap in joy. 6 He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him.
2. Seed in the packet never grows! #
2Cor. 4:3 But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: 4 In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.
B. Sowing requires seed #
1. The Seed is the Word of God (Gospel!) #
2. We don’t preach opinions #
3. Gospel tracts without the Word of God is worthless #
C. Sowing requires work of spreading #
1. Seed doesn’t move on it’s own! #
2. God has entrusted us with the Gospel! #
3. Witness, pass out Gospel tracts, speak to people! #
II. The Soil #
A. Way side (4, 15) #
1. Closed heart #
B. Stony Ground (5-6, 16-17) #
1. Semi-interested #
C. Thorny ground (7, 18-19) #
1. Semi-interested #
2. They may show up at church #
- The cares of this world choke out the seed of the Word!
D. Good ground (8, 20) #
1. Those who trust Jesus as Savior “sprang up” #
2. Come to church – start to grow! “and increased” #
3. Start to bring forth seed! “brought forth” #
III. The Secrecy (11-12) #
Matt. 13:14 And in them is fulfilled the prophecy of Esaias, which saith, By hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and shall not perceive: 15 For this people’s heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them.
A. Israel’s hard soil #
- Israel had rejected God, over and over!
- Israel had killed the prophets
- Israel had disobeyed God’s Word!