Mark 4:1-20 Parable Of The Sower (2)

Receptivity to the Gospel

Attention Getter: ___1___ Minutes

Opening prayer

Thought provoking question: Have you ever wondered why some people’s lives are dramatically changed by the gospel, yet some seem unfazed to it all?

The answer to this question comes down to one word which is Receptivity.

Today we are going to take a look at Mark 4:1-20

Prepare the context. In this passage we see Jesus teaching a crowd of people using a parable

Jesus used parables a lot in his ministry a parable is a short story that Jesus uses to illustrate deeper theological concepts.

What parable will we be studying – parable of the farmer scattering seed

Read Mark 4:1–20

Purpose of the passage Jesus invites us to analyze and see the condition of our hearts and level of commitment to Jesus.

encourages to strive towards receptive hearts and discipleship.

it also is a warning of things that can hinder our faith.

The farmer represents the delivery of the message, and the seed is the gospel the different paths and soils are our hearts.

The parable of the sower evaluates the various responses to his sowing of the word and portends the misunderstanding that accompanies his word and deeds as well as the harvest that will occur among those who do understand and respond.

David E. Garland

The plan- How are you responding to the gospel?

Goal what do the soils mean?

What is the condition of our hearts?

The authenticity of our acceptance to the gospel is reflected by our daily actions.

Examples – Are we truly disciples walking with Christ through all seasons.

Or are we convenient Christians? When it looks good? Only

Christians on Sundays? When we need to something?

Questions to Provoke thought

Are you receptive to the Gospel?

Would other know that you a devoted disciple by your actions.

OBJECTIVE: Receptivity shapes the journey of discipleship and cultivates genuine faith

Being receptive to a message is demonstrated by how it was hearing it but also about how we respond to it…..

illustration

Think back to Rosa Parks during the Civil Rights Movement. When Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. delivered his 'I Have a Dream' speech, some merely listened, while others, like Rosa Parks, embraced it with open hearts. Rosa didn't just hear the words; she acted. By refusing to give up her seat on a segregated bus, she embodied the spirit of Dr. King's message, sparking change and inspiring countless others. Like Rosa Parks, let's not just hear God's word; let's embrace it with receptive hearts and let it transform our lives."

RESPONSE: Because avoidance of the gospel messages leads to weak faith being truly receptive to the gospel cultivates genuine faith.

1 (____5__ MINUTES): The footpath is complete Harding of the heart

Mark 4:15 “And these are the ones along the path, where the word is sown: when they hear, Satan immediately comes and takes away the word that is sown in them.”

The footpath is when our hearts are completely closed off to the gospel message Satan is able to easily remove God’s word many of these hearts unrepentant and consumed by selfishness and sin.

The goals of Satan

John 8:44 “You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies.”

Refuse to consider the message of God completely in the world- Pursuit of destructive behaviors in bondage to sin.

Is your heart complete closed off from the gospel?

2 (____5__ MINUTES):

Jesus explanation The Seed that falls on rocky soil is joyful yet short lived

Mark 4:16–17 “And these are the ones sown on rocky ground: the ones who, when they hear the word, immediately receive it with joy. And they have no root in themselves, but endure for a while; then, when tribulation or persecution arises on account of the word, immediately they fall away.”

This is reflected in the hearts that say they believe only when it is comfortable as soon as it is uncomfortable they are gone.

Do you only seek God when it benefits you but in others reject him to meet to be accepted socially?

3 (__5____ MINUTES): The seed that falls among thorns is destroyed out by distractions

What does Jesus say?

Mark 4:18–19 “And others are the ones sown among thorns. They are those who hear the word, but the cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches and the desires for other things enter in and choke the word, and it proves unfruitful.”

One of the most common soils in todays culture (distraction)

This heart receives the message but does not prioritize God and has an agenda for other things (Thorns) that overtake our hearts.

Asking convicting questions

What are my biggest commitments? Hobbies, work, money?

What gets the most from me Receptive followers put God first

Receptive followers make sacrifices for God not from God.

Matthew 16:24 “Then Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.”

CLOSING

__9____ MINUTES

REVIEW OBJECTIVE & RATIONALE: ____5__ MINUTES(S)

The seed that falls on good soil produces fruit.

What does Jesus say

Mark 4:19–20 “but the cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches and the desires for other things enter in and choke the word, and it proves unfruitful. But those that were sown on the good soil are the ones who hear the word and accept it and bear fruit, thirtyfold and sixtyfold and a hundredfold.””

Everyone has to say yes or no to Jesus.

True Relationships require action

illustration of how vague promises are meaningless without it being followed by actions-

Imagine you have a neglected garden in your backyard. It's full of weeds, overgrown bushes, and wilted flowers. You put up a sign that says, "Future Garden of Beauty." You tell your friends about your plans to transform it into a beautiful oasis.

But weeks pass, and nothing changes. The garden remains neglected, the weeds grow taller, and the flowers wilt even more. Your friends start to wonder if your promises of a beautiful garden were just empty words.

In Matthew 7:19–23 “Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus you will recognize them by their fruits. “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’” ,

explain verse

tie in with explanation

Just like the neglected garden, our lives can be like promises unfulfilled if we don't back up our words with actions. It's not enough to say we're followers of Christ; we must live it out in our daily lives. Otherwise, our faith becomes like a neglected garden, full of empty promises and lacking in fruitfulness.

So let's tend to the garden of our hearts, nurturing it with faith, love, and good deeds. Let's be known not just by what we say but by the fruit we bear in our lives, as true disciples of Christ.

APPLICATION: ___3___ MINUTE(S)

Being receptive to Gods word is the only way to produce genuine faith.

Ways to discipleship

Cultivate the heart by seeking him and learning who Christ is in his word and through prayer.

Remove the thorns Examine your distractions and remove them make sacrifices for God.

Be fruitful step into what God is calling you to do- Evangelism

Discipleship is not a passive acceptance of Christ but is life changing intentional pursuit of his will.

PRAYER: ___1___ MINUTE(S)

Closing prayer …….

Father, we thank you for your word in the parable of the sewer that we have studied today. We pray that you allow us to the next steps and help us examine our hearts honestly and show us if we are being receptive to your word or if we are straying away from it. Allow us to remove any thorns in our life that has distracted us from you and your call on our lives. We pray that you continue to walk alongside us as we continue to grow wow your spirit to be evident in us and that we can reflect your goodness throughout the world to others. Father we thank you for your love despite our short comings in your name we pray amen