Sowing of Seeds
Jesus taught the people using parables. He told short stories using terms that the people were familiar with. These short stories also caused the people to think and to try to reason what Jesus was telling them. Just like today some people were too lazy or too busy to stop and reason out what Jesus was telling them. Others were too stubborn or too prejudiced to hear what Jesus was teaching.
The parable of the farmer sowing the seeds:
Mark 4:2-9
2 He taught them many things by parables, and in his teaching said:
3 "Listen! A farmer went out to sow his seed.
4 As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up.
5 Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow.
6 But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root.
7 Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants, so that they did not bear grain.
8 Still other seed fell on good soil. It came up, grew and produced a crop, multiplying thirty, sixty, or even a hundred times."
9 Then Jesus said, "He who has ears to hear, let him hear."
(NIV)
Let’s look at the last verse first. “He who has ears to hear let him hear.” This is a warning that Jesus is giving us. Have you ever told your child to do something and they just sit there ignoring you? You probably then said in a very stern voice, “Did you hear what I said?” You just gave your child a warning, that they better get up and do what you told them to do. Well, Jesus used this phrase many times in his parables. He is saying, “You had better listen to what I am saying before it is too late.”
During the times of Jesus, they didn’t have the tractors that planted in straight neat rows. The farmer would walk through his fields carrying a bag of seeds. He would grab a hand full and throw the seeds, scattering them where they may fall.
Explanation of the parable:
Mark 4:14-20
14 The farmer sows the word.
The farmer represents the person that sows or spreads the Word of God. He may be an evangelist, a preacher, a Sunday teacher or anyone witnessing to others. We all should be farmers sowing the Word everyday.
From the time of Christ until today we are living during the planting season. The harvest comes when Christ comes back for His Church. The harvest is near. Are you ready for it? Are you ready to meet the Lord Jesus Christ? You will meet Jesus one day and that day may be sooner than you expect.
15 Some people are like seed along the path, where the word is sown. As soon as they hear it, Satan comes and takes away the word that was sown in them.
Verse 15 tells us that some people are like the soil along the path. Today we have sidewalks made of cement, but during the time of Christ they didn’t have cement, so they walked on the soil. With many people walking along the same path day after day, the soil will become packed and very hard, just like concrete. The seeds fall upon the hard soil, but cannot take root because the soil is too hard.
Many people today hear the Word of God, but their hearts are harden, just like the soil of the path. They hear the Good News of Jesus Christ, but Satan comes and takes the Word from them because they don’t want to change their way of living. They agree that the Word sounds great, but they are not ready to give up the sins in their lives. Satan tells them the lie that they have plenty of time to accept the word later.
We live in a society today where we procrastinate. We go around and put off until tomorrow what we should do today. Have you every said that the grass need to be cut, but I will do it tomorrow? Tomorrow comes and it is raining. By the time to get around to cutting the grass it is about 3 feet tall and it takes you twice as long it cut than if you had cut it when you could have.
Many people treat the Word of God the same way. They say “I will accept Christ tomorrow, because I want to go see this “X-rated” movie tonight”. We don’t know what tomorrow will bring. Christ may come back bright and early tomorrow. Then it will be to late.
16 Others, like seed sown on rocky places, hear the word and at once receive it with joy.
17 But since they have no root, they last only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, they quickly fall away.
Many people are like the plants that spout up from the rocky places. They hear the Gospel and reason in their minds that it sounds great. They become joyful of the Good News that they hear. They hear the Word and accept it in their minds, but they never repent nor do they truly accept Christ into their hearts. These are the people who believe that they are saved, but never truly opened up their hearts to Christ to trust Him as their Lord.
When the Word begins to convict them of their sins, they fall away. They would rather live their lives of sin than to live in the peace and joy of Jesus Christ. When their friends began to make fun of them because of their changed lives, they return to their old ways.
We see great evangelists during a crusade give an invitation at the end of their sermon and hundreds or even thousands will come forward to supposedly accept Christ as their Savior. If the crusade lasts for several nights, the same people will come forward each night. Because these people don’t get involved in a local church, they do not mature.
18 Still others, like seed sown among thorns, hear the word;
19 but the worries of this life, the deceitfulness of wealth and the desires for other things come in and choke the word, making it unfruitful.
Many people will hear the word but when worries and the desire for riches come into their life, they become stale in their walk with Christ. They do not let the light of Christ shine through them. They do not live the life that Christ intended for them. They do nothing to lead others to Christ. I call them stale Christians. They are like a loaf of bread that has been sitting around for a long time and as become molded and good for nothing.
These are the people that have a desire for riches and will do anything to get rich. We have a Casino that will be opening in Hobbs in just a few months. You will see many Christians there, because of their desire to get rich fast. I doubt that they will be there witnessing for Christ.
Paul had something to say about this in:
1 Tim 6:7-11
7 For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it.
8 But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that.
9 People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction.
10 For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.
11 But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness.
(NIV)
We will see many families hurt because of the gambling that this casino will encourage. We will see families losing their rent money, their car payment and their food money. We will see people turn to crime to try to replace the money that they lost. The very few people that will win at the casino won the money that hundreds of people have lost.
Be content with what God has blessed you with. God has given you the greatest gift of all. He gave His one and only Son, so that we will live for eternality with Him in Heaven.
20 Others, like seed sown on good soil, hear the word, accept it, and produce a crop-- thirty, sixty or even a hundred times what was sown."
(NIV)
Verse 20 tell us that people that hears the true and total Word of God will accept it and will go out and tell others of the “Good News”. By doing this many will be lead to the saving grace of Jesus Christ. The Kingdom of God will be increased by 30, 60 or even a 100 times. This is what “storing up your treasures in Heaven” really means.
John 3:3
3 In reply Jesus declared, "I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again."
(NIV)
A true saved Christian is one that has been born again. He is one that has died to his old life of sin. He is one that lives a new life in Jesus Christ, telling others of the Gift of Salvation. A true Christian is one that puts his trust in the Lord and does not worry about things of this world. As Christian we are to the salt and light of the world. We are to adhere to God’s Word and to show others the Light of Jesus Christ by our daily actions and how we live our lives.
We are engage in a spiritual war.
Eph 6:10-12
10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.
11 Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.
12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.
(NIV)
These verses are truer today than any other time in history. Satan knows his future and he is trying to take as many with him as he can. We must make a choice. Will we follow Christ and have victory or will we believe the lies of Satan and follow him to hell and the lake of fire? It is a choice that each person must make. Don’t worry about the war in Iraq. Worry about the war that satan is waging against the people of the world.
Invitation:
Matt 11:28-30
28 "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.
29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."
(NIV)
Are you here today struggling with the troubles of the world? Do you fell like you can’t go on for another day? Are you burden down with worries? Has sin in your life got you down in the dumps?
There is Good News. Christ is calling you. He wants to carry all of your burdens. Following Christ is easier than trying to live a life that your lost friends and family expects you to live. There is no peace or joy living in the world, but there is a great joy and peace in accepting Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord.
Maybe you are like the seeds sown with the thorns and weeds. Get out of the rut and return to your first love, Jesus Christ.
I will be at the front waiting. If you are backslidden come now and renew your commitment to Christ and let Him be the Lord of your life.
If you need someone to pray with you come now.
If you need to accept Christ as your Savior today this is the time. Come during the playing of the music. We will pray together and you can accept Christ has your Savior today. This Church will be there to help you during your walk with the Lord.
Jesus said to come just as you are. You don’t have to change first. He will change you.
Come now!
