“Listen to this! Behold, the sower went out to sow;  Mark 4:3

Today we are taking a look at the “Parable of the Sower” The nice thing about this parable is Jesus actually explains what the symbolism means later on in the Chapter. This parable shows us how different people respond differently to the gospel

as he was sowing, some seed fell beside the road, and the birds came and ate it up. Mark 4:4

The sower sows the word. These are the ones who are beside the road where the word is sown; and when they hear, immediately Satan comes and takes away the word which has been sown in them. Mark 4:14-15

Ok so here Jesus explains that the sower(farmer) is us and the seed is the Word of God. When we share the gospel with others, we are sowing seeds. Whether or not people received that seed (Word of God) is up to them. But its our job to plant that seed, crops wont grow without seed. Just like disciples wont be made without a preacher

This first group of people, the birds are symbolic for Satan. As soon as people here the Word of God, Satan quickly tries to influence them to reject the Word of God. We see this a lot today with Atheism, Agnostics, ect. Satans goal is to take away the authority and validity of the Word of God

Other seed fell on the rocky ground where it did not have much soil; and immediately it sprang up because it had no depth of soil. And after the sun had risen, it was scorched; and because it had no root, it withered away. Mark 4:5-6

In a similar way these are the ones on whom seed was sown on the rocky places, who, when they hear the word, immediately receive it with joy; and they have no firm root in themselves, but are only temporary; then, when affliction or persecution arises because of the word, immediately they fall away. Mark 4:16-17

This next group of people actually receive the Word of God however the suffer persecution and fall away from their faith. This group is most likely the persecuted Christians of the world.

Jesus never said we would have an easy life, he did promise us eternal life. As a Christian there will be persecution and trials, however if your faith is deeply rooted in Christ, you wont fall away from your faith. Jesus is our Rock, the Chief Cornerstone

Other seed fell among the thorns, and the thorns came up and choked it, and it yielded no crop. Mark 4:7

“And others are the ones on whom seed was sown among the thorns; these are the ones who have heard the word, but the worries of the world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the desires for other things enter in and choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful. Mark 4:18-19

This group also receives the Word of God however are deceived with a False Gospel. This is the problem with false doctrines like “Prosperity Gospel” people believe in God for the wrong reasons.

This group are “Worldly Christians” they live for money and prosperity rather than living for Christ. When they realize the Gospel that they believe in is false, they usually fall away from the faith because they really never had any to begin with. Jesus calls this group “Lukewarm Christians”

Other seeds fell into the good soil, and as they grew up and increased, they yielded a crop and produced thirty, sixty, and a hundredfold.” Mark 4:8

And those are the ones on whom seed was sown on the good soil; and they hear the word and accept it and bear fruit, thirty, sixty, and a hundredfold.” Mark 4:20

The good news is there is still a group, that does accept the true Word of God, they stay strong in their faith and actually produce good fruit. When we are faithful to God we will see the fruits of our labor. We must learn to keep the faith, even during trials and tribulations, because God is faithful!

The question is what group do you belong to? Hopefully you belong to that last group, without true faith or hearing of Gods Word, you are not truly saved.