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Mark 4:1-20

Listen to Mark 4:1-20
1 Once again Jesus began teaching by the lakeshore. A very large crowd soon gathered around him, so he got into a boat. Then he sat in the boat while all the people remained on the shore.
2 He taught them by telling many stories in the form of parables, such as this one:
3 “Listen! A farmer went out to plant some seed.
4 As he scattered it across his field, some of the seed fell on a footpath, and the birds came and ate it.
5 Other seed fell on shallow soil with underlying rock. The seed sprouted quickly because the soil was shallow.
6 But the plant soon wilted under the hot sun, and since it didn’t have deep roots, it died.
7 Other seed fell among thorns that grew up and choked out the tender plants so they produced no grain.
8 Still other seeds fell on fertile soil, and they sprouted, grew, and produced a crop that was thirty, sixty, and even a hundred times as much as had been planted!”
9 Then he said, “Anyone with ears to hear should listen and understand.”
10 Later, when Jesus was alone with the twelve disciples and with the others who were gathered around, they asked him what the parables meant.
11 He replied, “You are permitted to understand the secret of the Kingdom of God. But I use parables for everything I say to outsiders,
12 so that the Scriptures might be fulfilled: ‘When they see what I do, they will learn nothing. When they hear what I say, they will not understand. Otherwise, they will turn to me and be forgiven.’ ”
13 Then Jesus said to them, “If you can’t understand the meaning of this parable, how will you understand all the other parables?
14 The farmer plants seed by taking God’s word to others.
15 The seed that fell on the footpath represents those who hear the message, only to have Satan come at once and take it away.
16 The seed on the rocky soil represents those who hear the message and immediately receive it with joy.
17 But since they don’t have deep roots, they don’t last long. They fall away as soon as they have problems or are persecuted for believing God’s word.
18 The seed that fell among the thorns represents others who hear God’s word,
19 but all too quickly the message is crowded out by the worries of this life, the lure of wealth, and the desire for other things, so no fruit is produced.
20 And the seed that fell on good soil represents those who hear and accept God’s word and produce a harvest of thirty, sixty, or even a hundred times as much as had been planted!”

Mark 4:1-20 Study Resources

Sermons

The Law of the Seed
The Law of the Seed
Candace Long

(Note: This week I feature the early episodes that began this series in early 2021 when we were still in the throes of the Pandemic. Though in places, they may appear dated, they present foundational principles that I have built upon in subsequent episodes.)When I lost almost everything in the events surrounding 9/11, I withdrew into seclusion for three years seeking God on what I was put on earth to do – since "apparently," I missed it.God has such a sense of humor. I missed nothing…and gained everything. What He taught me was a universal Law He set in place thousands of years ago for all the world to learn from.Understanding this Law will speak to your personal calling – which is never too late to find. Moses was 80 when he received his.God is restoring foundational truths we have foolishly misplaced. This is a critical season for personal and societal reformation.**********************NOTE: For the resources mentioned in this episode: Go to my PODCAST PAGE, locate this title and click on it. All the resources are listed in the description notes.**********************

Combating Crows, the Enemy of the Harvest
Combating Crows, the Enemy of the Harvest
Jill Briscoe

Have you ever witnessed someone growing in their faith and then suddenly there is a horrible spiritual attack? Jesus warned there is an enemy of the harvest—crows that are bent on snatching the seeds scattered in the fields before strong roots can take hold.We may not like to think about it, but Satan is eager to discourage and snatch away believers. In this message, Jill Briscoe encourages all the saints to get in the fight, disciple those around them, and help people grow strong roots in their faith.

Combating Crows, the Enemy of the Harvest
Combating Crows, the Enemy of the Harvest
Stuart and Jill Briscoe

Jill Briscoe Have you ever witnessed someone growing in their faith and then suddenly there is a horrible spiritual attack? Jesus warned there is an enemy of the harvest—crows that are bent on snatching the seeds scattered in the fields before strong roots can take hold. We may not like to think about it, but Satan is eager to discourage and snatch away believers. In this message, Jill Briscoe encourages all the saints to get in the fight, disciple those around them, and help people grow strong roots in their faith.

Footnotes 2

  • [a] Greek mystery.
  • [b] Isa 6:9-10 (Greek version).
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright© 1996, 2004, 2007, 2013 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

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