Seed Theology: Lessons from Farming

Seed Theology: Lessons from Farming Mark 4:26-34

Text Outline The Growing Seed (v. 26-29) The Grain of Mustard Seed (v. 30-32) Mark’s Summary (v. 33-34)

v. 26-29 This parable is found exclusively in Mark.

Mark 4:26 • And he said, So is the kingdom of God, as if a man should cast seed into the ground;

What is the “kingdom” now? The universal rule of God in the lives of people who are born again and all of creation.

What is the “seed?” The Seed is the “Logos” (See v. 14)

Logos = Word Logos became flesh and dwelt among us; full of grace and truth (John 1).

Our Apostolic Example Acts 5:42 • And daily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ.

2 Timothy 4:2 Paul told Timothy to: • Preach the word[logos]

What is the “ground?” It is the hearts and minds of humans (see v. 15)

Throwing the Seed is what we call soul winning, witnessing, or sharing or preaching the Word [gospel].

Planting Seed 2 Corinthians 4:5 • For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord;

Notice what the farmer does after he throws some seed on the soil

Mark 4:27 After a day of planting seeds the farmer goes to bed—he knows he has done what he can do. • And should sleep, and rise night and day,

Once the seed has been planted there is nothing the farmer can do to manipulate germination.

Mark 4:27 • And should sleep, and rise night and day, and the seed should spring and grow up, • he knoweth not how.

Our Lord is Preparing Our Lord is preparing the disciples for the rejection of the kingdom message by 1000s upon 1000s

Mark 4:28 Let’s look deeper into this Word • For the earth bringeth forth fruit of herself; • first the blade, then the ear, after that the full corn in the ear.

As a Side Note Let me show you the value in studying the Greek behind the English www.blueletterbible.org

Herself pronoun • 1 : that identical female one — compare she — used reflexively, for emphasis, in absolute construct • 2 : her normal, healthy, or sane condition or self

Have you ever heard the expression “drawing the net” when it comes to evangelism?

In spite of the fact that soul-winners are described as “fishers of men,” “Drawing the net” is never used in a lesson for soul-winning in the NT.

1 Corinthians 3:7 • So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; • but God that giveth the increase.

Planting the Seed Is an authoritative commandment (suggestion) to repent and believe the truth about Jesus Christ, the gospel, heaven, hell, and one’s self as a sinner.

We can’t manipulate the seed’s germination God may use someone else to fertilize, water, and hoe— but in the end, God brings the increase.

But the farmer (discipler) Can’t Make the Crop Grow!

This is why We can’t overemphasize the importance of prayer.

My dear baby Christian Don’t blame anyone for your lack of personal growth!

Let’s look at v. 29 and Turn over to Mark 6:11

Mark 6:11 • And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear you, when ye depart thence, shake off the dust under your feet for a testimony against them. Verily I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for Sodom and Gomorrha in the day of judgment, than for that city.

Look at what the disciples say: To a city that rejects Christ and His Gospel

Luke 10:11 • Even the very dust of your city, which cleaveth on us, we do wipe off against you: • notwithstanding be ye sure of this, • that the kingdom of God is come nigh unto you.

Mark 4:29 • But when the fruit is brought forth, immediately he putteth in the sickle, because the harvest is come.

Commentary v. 29 • The end emphasis and perhaps primary focus of the parable is the assurance of the harvest. • The harvest almost certainly represents the judgment at the end of the age. • James A. Brooks

Turn back to Matthew Matthew 13:25-30

But while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat, and went his way. But when the blade was sprung up, and brought forth fruit, then appeared the tares also. So the servants of the householder came and said unto him, Sir, didst not thou sow good seed in thy field? from whence then hath it tares? He said unto them, An enemy hath done this. The servants said unto him, Wilt thou then that we go and gather them up? But he said, Nay; lest while ye gather up the tares, ye root up also the wheat with them. Let both grow together until the harvest: and in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat into my barn.

Parable Two: v. 30-32 A 2d Lesson from a Seed

Mark 4:30 • And he said, • Whereunto shall we liken the kingdom of God? or with what comparison shall we compare it?

Mark 4:31 • It is like a grain of mustard seed, which, when it is sown in the earth, is less than all the seeds that be in the earth:

Mark 4:32 • But when it is sown, it groweth up, and becometh greater than all herbs, and shooteth out great branches; • so that the fowls of the air may lodge under the shadow of it.

Jesus Said John 12:24 • Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit.

The Blessing of the Kingdom Mark 4:32b • So that the fowls of the air may lodge under the shadow of it.

This is a Promise The contrast between the seed and the end result is a picture of the beginning of the Kingdom 2000 years ago and what the end state will be when Christ comes again.

God Guarantees the Growth We are co-laborers serving our Master, but He will give the increase—that has already been predetermined from eternity past.

Paul Said 2 Timothy 2:10 • Therefore I endure all things for the elect’s sakes, that they may also obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.

Mark 4:33-34 • And with many such parables spake he the word unto them, as they were able to hear it. • But without a parable spake he not unto them: and when they were alone, he expounded all things to his disciples.

Seed Theology: Lessons from Farming