Study in Mark’s Gospel

Study in Mark’s Gospel Presentation 11

The Parable Of The Sower Chap 4v1-20 Presentation 11

Introduction Parables are more than commonplace stories used to teach spiritual truths. They force the hearer to ask questions. And in particular questions relating to the kingdom of God. They acted like magnifying mirrors causing the hearer to examine significant spiritual truths and the state of their own heart. Parables held the attention of ordinary men and women providing them with teaching that were easily remembered. Those who came to Jesus hungering and thirsting after righteousness, wanting to get to know God better, would find these stories spiritually enriching. Presentation 11

Introduction Jesus taught in parables for two reasons, not only to instruct one set of listeners in the truths associated with the kingdom of God but also in order to obscure those truths from another group of listeners v11-12 ... Some were listening to Jesus because they wanted to learn but others because they wanted to find fault, undermine and criticise his ministry. Such folk, while hearing exactly the same as everyone else, failed to hear God's voice speaking directly to their hearts. They would go home with nothing more than an interesting little story. And so the parable did a work of judgement in men, it separated the hungry heart from the critical heart. Presentation 11

Introduction In one sense the parable of the sower, provides a key to help our understanding of all of Jesus’ parables. Whenever Jesus spoke a variety of responses were created in men’s hearts. Wherever God's word is preached, then are four soil conditions, four responses are to be found. Jesus explains the significance of this parable to his disciples for a very important reason. They would soon stand on the front-line proclaiming Gospel truths. It was vital that they approach their task with biblical realism thus expecting a variety of response. Failure to do so can discourage the Christian worker. When some who seemed to listen with interest, then cool in their interest, the deficiency lies not the good seed of the gospel but in the hearts of the hearers. Presentation 11

The Hard Ground Let’s consider the heart conditions. First, there are those whose hearts are as hard as the hard path mentioned in the parable. There are no cracks in the texture of this soil to receive the seed and so the birds of the air quickly remove it. Jesus is describing the unresponsive heart. Hard as concrete! The Word of God finds nowhere to lodge. By a deliberate act of the will, God's Word is neglected and left untouched. Preachers talk about seeing the shutters come down over men’s minds just as the sermon is about to begin. The strain can be seen on people's faces as the run garden roller over their hearts to prevent God's Word from sinking in. Presentation 11

The Hard Ground This hard crust of insensibility is also something that can be produced through carelessness. We can allow our minds to be distracted when God's Word is preached. We start thinking, of some difficulty at home, or think about what we want to plant in the garden, or what we will wear to the wedding. Or, perhaps we allow ourselves to be distracted by the strange dress sense of the person sitting in front. Ask? Who is behind these distracting thoughts? Jesus makes it quite clear that Satan's objective is to rub a duster across the black-board of our minds so that we have nothing to take home, chew over or digest. Satan is a kind of mental graffiti artist intent upon spoiling all that might do us good. Presentation 11

The Rocky Ground The second response of the human heart is illustrated by the rocky soil. In parts of the Mediterranean there is a thin dressing of soil on top of a stratum of rock. It gives the illusion of being fertile soil. Seed sown grows rapidly under the hot sun but, because the hard rock prevents the development of a root system, after its meteoric and promising growth the plant soon withers and dies. It is possible to respond positively, emotionally yet superficially to the claims of Jesus. Such a person can appear committed to Christ they are full of euphoria and enthusiasm and they share their excitement with others. But there is a difference between being charmed by the gospel and being changed by it. Presentation 11

The Rocky Ground The superficiality of their response becomes apparent when the cost of discipleship begins to sink in v17.... Did they become objects of ridicule in their workplace or neighbourhood. Were they exposed to the blasting scorn of family members of their. Christian convictions pilloried became convictions discarded. A young girl confessed allegiance to Jesus. She was full of bubbly enthusiasm. Then her mother began to scoff every time she saw her reading her Bible. Her mother found all sorts of reasons to prevent her from attending the prayer meeting. The girl’s enthusiasm began visibly to wilt. She felt the hassle of persecution and hardship just wasn't worth it. There seemed so much potential but there was no root. Presentation 11

The Rocky Ground It is possible for our commitment to Christ to have more to do with feelings and sentiment than with a definite act of the will. Conscience may be awakened by God's Word. We may be persuaded of our sin and need of a Saviour but where there is no real submission to Christ's lordship we will not persevere. Religious allegiance based on sentiment does not root deeply enough to deal with life's trials and temptations. At the first major set back we thrown in the towel. If we still attend church it is a token presence. Our lives remain unfruitful and our response to God and his Word is met with a growing sense of cynicism. Presentation 11

The Thorny Ground The third response is illustrated by the seed which fell on thorny ground. The thorns would not be immediately apparent but their root system was there under the ground. Again this ground gives the appearance of being fruitful for the plant begins to make progress. But all the time something is happening under the surface. The root system of the thorns is slowly drawing all the goodness out of the soil and at the same time strangling the seed which has been sown and preventing it from becoming established. Presentation 11

The Thorny Ground The thorn patch hearer receives God's word and responds positively to it. There seems to be evidences of growth but there are other competitors in his heart claiming the allegiance which belongs to Jesus. If these competitors are not dealt with, uprooted then their presence eventually strangles and effect the God’s Word. These competitor thorns are identified in v19… Note, it is not the grosser forms of sinful indulgence that Jesus highlights but things that are legitimate and good in themselves; a concern to make ends meet and get on top of all our domestic chores . These can become a major distraction and preoccupation in our lives. Presentation 11

The Thorny Ground A woman once unashamedly acknowledged that she was more concerned about her pile of ironing than with her relationship with God! For others it is a determination to build up a healthy bank balance. Jesus speaks of the deceitfulness of wealth for in his day, as in our own, people thought that wealthier a man was the more satisfied he would be. Indeed, wealth is able to breed in a person a sense of self-sufficiency and persuade them that money can solve all their problems. They might even be drawn to a prosperity gospel that promises to make them rich. But in end their wealth displaces God. That is a great deception Presentation 11

The Thorny Ground The ‘desire for other things’ which Jesus mentions is described by Luke as the ‘pleasures of this life’. Jesus of course is not against pleasure but even legitimate pleasure can smother our spiritual life. Passion for amusement, entertainment and hobbies can so easily displace a person’s passion for God. Their heart-love for God begins to cool and disintegrate! How many people have been side-tracked by their desire for a more comfortable home or, a more successful business career, resulting in the influence of God and his Word has been squeezed out of their lives. Presentation 11

The Thorny Ground The effect of these thorns is not necessarily to uproot a man’s religious profession but to render it useless. This person may continue to call himself a Christian but the fruit of God's Spirit and the transforming effect of his Word is not found in his life. No man can serve two masters. Competitors need to be uprooted. Do you allow the gospel to uproot sin from your heart. The N.T. speaks of the necessity of rooting out those things which are harmful to our spiritual lives. Yet some people replace weed-killer with fertiliser. They feed the appetites they should be starving. And in the end their priorities are completely confused the destructive thorns have won, draining away any semblance of spiritual life. Presentation 11

The Good Soil Finally, Jesus describes the good soil pointing to the heart which is responsive and well prepared. This heart compensates the sower for his labour for the hearer 'accepts' the Word of God. A term that carries the idea of 'receiving favourably', and, 'acknowledging to be correct’. This person is prepared to study and apply God's Word to his life no matter the cost. He refuses to be distracted by other things. He constantly uproots all that begins to compete for his heart loyalty that rightly belongs to God. Whether God's Word cuts or comforts, challenges or assures it is equally welcome. He does not lose the sense of the wonder as God transforms his life through his Word. This person will produce a rich harvest to the glory of God. Presentation 11

Conclusion How would you describe the condition of your heart? Which of these four soils most clearly resembles your heart condition? That is the question this parable is designed to make us ask. As you look at your heart and using this parable as a mirror, what do you see? “Most people are bothered by the passages of scripture which they cannot understand; but as for me, I always noticed that the passages in Scripture which trouble me most are those that I do understand”. Mark Twain This is surely no where more true than in this passage of scripture. It is designed to challenge the religiously complacent and as we look in the mirror give us a jolt. Presentation 11

Conclusion As the meaning of this parable becomes clear to you are you troubled by what you understand? You may say, 'I know that at present my heart is not like the good soil but what can I do? Is there a way to change the soil type? Yes, with God’s help! The hard hearted can ask God to plough up the hard soil of their hearts creating openings for his Word. The shallow listener can ask God to deal with the rocky substratum of their lives so that the gospel will reach down laying hold of their wills and bringing them to submit to his Lordship. And those whose lives are choked by other things need God's grace to apply the weed-killer which will starve off all his competitors. In this way your life will become fruitful enabling you to offer a rich harvest to the glory of God. Presentation 11

Study in Mark’s Gospel