The Parable of the Sower
In most cases, the preacher is critiqued by the audience. However, in this parable, Jesus critiques His audience instead. The focus isn't on how well He preaches, but on how well they listen. In Pastor DaVon's message, you'll discover the enemy's three tactics to hinder the Word from bearing fruit and preventing you from experiencing true life.
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Notes
Mark 4:13-20
Usually, the audience critiques the preacher. In this parable, Jesus critiques His audience. The issue is how well they will hear, not how well He will preach.
Verse 13:
Grand-Daddy parable of them all
Understanding this parable helps you understand all parables
Verse 14:
The sower sows the Word like a farmer sows seed
Broadcast
The Word of God provides sustenance, guidance, and comfort for our lives.
Verse 15: Wayside (First Group) (Offense)
Satan steals the Word
Don’t understand it
Think it’s for someone else
Hearers only
Get easily offended
Verse 16-17: Stony Ground (Second Group) (Quit)
Excited about the Word
Don't continue in the Word
Tribulation - test and trials
Persecution - harassment through people
Life gets hard - problems
Attacks come to separate you from the Word
The greatest pressure is the pressure to quit
Verse 18-19: Thorns (Third Group) (Distracted)
Your focus shifts
Cares of this world; distractions; worries
Deceitfulness of riches - the lure of wealth, working too much
Desire for other things - extracurricular activities, such as children’s schedules, vacations, hobbies, etc.
Enter into your heart; takes the life out of the Word
The stress strangles the Word
The things of this world take your time and attention away from the Word, and you end up having no time for the Word.
Verse 20: Good Ground (Fourth Group)
Hear it, receive it, produce
Avoids offense, opportunities to quit, and distractions
30 - 60 - 100
Mark 4:24
Then He said to them, “Take heed what you hear. With the same measure you use, it will be measured to you; and to you who hear, more will be given.”