Parable of the Sower

Mark 4:1-9

Introduction

1.      1 Tim 2:5

2.      Heb 4:15-16

3.      In Jesus we have a perfect high priest who understands us and continues to love and accept us into his kingdom  

Discussion

1.      Some fell beside the road – some people have no interest in spiritual things

a.       Some assume that they know everything about religion that they need to know

b.      Some assume that religion is for “kooks” and “crazy” people

c.       Some assume that all religion is like the religion they knew as a child

d.      Some assume that all religions are just like business, after your money

e.       Some typical responses that these people make to “Straight Bible Talk”

f.       Often these people have “their own religion” – perhaps as many as 90% of Americans fall into this category  

2.      Some fell on rocky ground

a.       These are people who “fall” for every sales pitch

b.      These are like the people Luke describes in Acts 17:21

c.       These are people who are concerned about “rocking the boat”

d.      They only want to “travel with the popular”  

3.      Some fell among the thorns

a.       These people become sincere followers of Jesus

b.      The “worries of the world” overwhelm them

c.       The “deceitfulness of riches” seduces them

d.      They are lost again  

4.      Some fell on good soil

a.       These are people like those whom Luke describes in Berea – Acts 17:11

b.      For these people there is no expectation that following Jesus will bring immediate solutions to all of their problems – “Trophimus I left sick at Miletus”  (2 Tim 4:20) – Often the healing of someone by Jesus left them with the problem of working to support themselves, the lame man (John 5), the blind man (John 9)

c.       The dilemma of the apostles – Matt 19:27 (see Acts 4:34-35)

d.      These are people who have counted the cost and decided that following Jesus is worth everything to their soul – Matt 16:26  

Conclusion

1.       There is no study more needed than a study of God’s word

2.      There is no message more needed than the message preached by the apostles in the first century

3.      There is no action more vital than to turn from your sins and be baptized in Christ