Podcasts about sower mark

Courtney Markley is the co-founder of The Center for Financial Discipleship, an organization that trains pastors and financial advisors on how to engage in heartfelt conversations about money. She also hosts The Heart of Money Podcast, where she interviews a diverse range of guests on this important topic.   Courtney's path into the realm of stewardship began with her own stewardship journey. After working as a fashion designer for several years, she sought help to heal her relationship with money at a deeper level. This transformative experience led her to become a financial counselor, and she has since developed a thriving ministry that helps others align their financial decisions with God's values.   Major Topics Include: Courtney's background and stewardship story Gaining a heart perspective on money Helping people explore the emotional and spiritual side of money  Verses that have influences Courtney's view of wealth Encouraging local pastors and church leaders in financial discipleship  Common misconceptions about stewardship and wealth Navigating risk as a good steward Steps to living like Jesus with your finances Impactful stories from her podcast Tips for making generosity personal QUOTES TO REMEMBER “I find that as people journey with Jesus, they eventually find themselves back to how He initially designed them.” “Maybe all my money problems don't have anything to do with my income and have everything to do with me.” “You don't have to have millions to be generous, you just need something in your hand to give away.” “It's easy to have a gospel conversation if someone is willing to have a money conversation.” “Generosity is not a math equation.”  “Lord, I'm willing to be made willing.” “Is more money your end goal?” “Learning how to live like Jesus with your money takes a lifetime of living.” “We have to do the heart work to prepare us for the mission work.” “If you didn't make decisions based on money and only made decisions based on obedience to God, what would your life look like?” LINKS FROM THE SHOW The Center for Financial Discipleship The Heart of Money Podcast The Finish Line Community Facebook Group The Finish Line Community LinkedIn Group BIBLE REFERENCES FROM THE SHOW Psalm 24:1 | The Earth Is the Lord's   The earth is the Lord‘s and the fullness thereof, the world and those who dwell therein,    Matthew 13:1-23 | Parable of the Sower   Mark 12:41-44 | The Widow's Offering   John 6:1-14 | The Feeding of the 5000   Luke 3:1-14 | “What Then Shall We Do?”    Matt 6:24 | God and Money   “No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money. WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU! If you have a thought about something you heard, or a story to share, please reach out! You can find us on Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn. You can also contact us directly from our contact page. If you want to engage with the Finish Line Community, check out our groups on Facebookand LinkedIn.

In this message, Pastor Thomas-Steele Carr unpacks a powerful truth: hurry is the enemy of hearing—especially when it comes to listening to Jesus. We live in a world that rushes everything—conversations, content, even our spiritual lives. But devotion to Jesus requires our attention on Jesus.Through hilarious parenting stories and deep biblical insights from Luke 6 and the Parable of the Sower (Mark 4), we'll see how different kinds of "hearers" respond to God's Word—and why only consistent, intentional listening leads to real transformation.Are you rushing through your faith like a podcast on 2x speed? It's time to slow down, listen, and live out what Jesus says.

Sermon by Davy Lee on February 9, 2025. 

In the Parable of the Sower (Mark 4:1-20), Jesus describes different types of soil. What type of “soil” best describes your heart right now? How can you make your heart more ready to receive what God wants to plant? God provides the “seeds” in our lives, like opportunities, relationships, and blessings. How can we recognize […]

The kingdom of God comes into the world through the word of God, and bears fruit in those who receive it. Life in the kingdom begins with hearing. Does God's word stay on the surface of your life or does it take hold of you and change you?

Again he began to teach beside the sea. And a very large crowd gathered about him, so that he got into a boat and sat in it on the sea, and the whole crowd was beside the sea on the land. 2 And he was teaching them many things in parables, and in his teaching he said to them: 3 “Listen! Behold, a sower went out to sow. 4 And as he sowed, some seed fell along the path, and the birds came and devoured it. 5 Other seed fell on rocky ground, where it did not have much soil, and immediately it sprang up, since it had no depth of soil. 6 And when the sun rose, it was scorched, and since it had no root, it withered away. 7 Other seed fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked it, and it yielded no grain. 8 And other seeds fell into good soil and produced grain, growing up and increasing and yielding thirtyfold and sixtyfold and a hundredfold.” 9 And he said, “He who has ears to hear, let him hear.”The Purpose of the Parables10 And when he was alone, those around him with the twelve asked him about the parables. 11 And he said to them, “To you has been given the secret of the kingdom of God, but for those outside everything is in parables, 12 so that“‘they may indeed see but not perceive,    and may indeed hear but not understand,lest they should turn and be forgiven.'”13 And he said to them, “Do you not understand this parable? How then will you understand all the parables? 14 The sower sows the word. 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. 16 And these are the ones sown on rocky ground: the ones who, when they hear the word, immediately receive it with joy. 17 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.[a] 18 And others are the ones sown among thorns. They are those who hear the word, 19 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. 20 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.”

Mark 4. The Parable of the Sower. 1. This is the key to all the parables - Mark 4:132. The seed by the wayside - Mark 4:153. The seed sown on stony ground - Mark 4:16-174. The seed among the thorns - Mark 4:18-195 the seed on good ground - Mark 4:206. The responsibility for the soil - Mark 4:23-25Mrk 4:1  And he began again to teach by the sea side: and there was gathered unto him a great multitude, so that he entered into a ship, and sat in the sea; and the whole multitude was by the sea on the land. Mrk 4:2  And he taught them many things by parables, and said unto them in his doctrine, Mrk 4:3  Hearken; Behold, there went out a sower to sow: Mrk 4:4  And it came to pass, as he sowed, some fell by the way side, and the fowls of the air came and devoured it up. Mrk 4:5  And some fell on stony ground, where it had not much earth; and immediately it sprang up, because it had no depth of earth: Mrk 4:6  But when the sun was up, it was scorched; and because it had no root, it withered away. Mrk 4:7  And some fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up, and choked it, and it yielded no fruit. Mrk 4:8  And other fell on good ground, and did yield fruit that sprang up and increased; and brought forth, some thirty, and some sixty, and some an hundred. Mrk 4:9  And he said unto them, He that hath ears to hear, let him hear. The Purpose of the Parables Mrk 4:10  And when he was alone, they that were about him with the twelve asked of him the parable. Mrk 4:11  And he said unto them, Unto you it is given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God: but unto them that are without, all these things are done in parables: Mrk 4:12  That seeing they may see, and not perceive; and hearing they may hear, and not understand; lest at any time they should be converted, and their sins should be forgiven them. Mrk 4:13  And he said unto them, Know ye not this parable? and how then will ye know all parables? Mrk 4:14  The sower soweth the word. Mrk 4:15  And these are they by the way side, where the word is sown; but when they have heard, Satan cometh immediately, and taketh away the word that was sown in their hearts. Mrk 4:16  And these are they likewise which are sown on stony ground; who, when they have heard the word, immediately receive it with gladness; Mrk 4:17  And have no root in themselves, and so endure but for a time: afterward, when affliction or persecution ariseth for the word's sake, immediately they are offended. Mrk 4:18  And these are they which are sown among thorns; such as hear the word, Mrk 4:19  And the cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things entering in, choke the word, and it becometh unfruitful. Mrk 4:20  And these are they which are sown on good ground; such as hear the word, and receive it, and bring forth fruit, some thirtyfold, some sixty, and some an hundred. Mrk 4:21-25 And he said unto them, Is a candle brought to be put under a bushel, or under a bed? and not to be set on a candlestick? 22 For there is nothing hid, which shall not be manifested; neither was any thing kept secret, but that it should come abroad. 23 If any man have ears to hear, let him hear. 24And he said unto them, Take heed what ye hear: with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you: and unto you that hear shall more be given. 25 For he that hath, to him shall be given: and he that hath not, from him shall be taken even that which he hath.

In this episode of 'Extraordinary Living with Bill and Roger,' we delve into the profound implications of living a prosperous, uncompromised life according to the word of God. Through practical applications we discuss the importance of recognizing absolute truth, the dangers of deception, and the power of faith. Key topics include understanding prosperity beyond material wealth, maintaining spiritual integrity, and the crucial role of scripture in preventing spiritual compromise. We discuss the importance of constantly renewing your mind with God's word to experience true spiritual fulfillment and victory. EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS: 00:43 Understanding Deception 01:27 The Absolute Truth 02:03 Legal Issues in the Kingdom of God 06:42 The Parable of the Sower: Mark 4 15:47 Compromise in Society 20:40 Guarding Your Heart 21:37 Renewing Your Mind: Romans 12:2 24:01 Promises of God: 2 Peter 2:8-9   Connect with Bill & Roger Ministries: www.billandroger.com Email: roger@billandroger.com

What does it mean to be fully alive and at peace with ourselves and our neighbors in the anxiety and fear of contemporary life?Joining Evan Rosa in this episode is Elizabeth Oldfield—a journalist, communicator, and podcast host of The Sacred. She's author of Fully Alive: Tending to the Soul in Turbulent Times.Together they discuss life in her micro-monastery in south London; the meaning of liturgical and sacramental life embedded in a fast-paced, technological, capitalistic, obsessively popular society; the concept of personal encounter and Martin Buber's idea that “all living is meeting”; the fundamentally disconnecting power of sin that works against the fully aliveness of truly meeting the other; including discussions of wrath or contempt that drives us toward violence; greed or avarice and the incessant insatiable accumulation of wealth; the attention-training benefits of gratitude and the identify forming power of our attention; throughout it all, working through the spiritual psychology of sin and topography of the soul—and the fact that we are, all of us, in Elizabeth's words, “unutterably beloved.”About Elizabeth OldfieldElizabeth Oldfield is a journalist, communicator, and author. She hosts a beautiful podcast called The Sacred. And she's author of Fully Alive: Tending to the Soul in Turbulent Times. Follow her @esoldfield, and visit her website elizabetholdfield.comShow NotesIntentional living community; pulling on monastic lifestyle and framework; read more about Elizabeth Oldfield's micro-monastery here.People passing through the micro-monastery and the sharing of a meal and sitting in silence with othersCeltic prayer book - The Aidan Compline (https://www.northumbriacommunity.org/offices/monday-the-aidan-compline/)Fully Alive: Tending to the Soul in Turbulent Times by Elizabeth Oldfield (http://bakerpublishinggroup.com/books/fully-alive/421701)How you see your liturgical life, the rhythms of your life however else you might describe you spirituality as providing the soil of this book?A personal writing experience - communicating something of her tradition with the outside worldWhat it means to be fully alive to you?Everything is about relationships and connection; to be fully alive is to be fully connected with the soulBetween Man and Man (https://www.routledge.com/Between-Man-and-Man/Buber/p/book/9780415278270) and I and Thou by Martin Buber - “all living is meeting” (https://www.maximusveritas.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/iandthou.pdf)If all living is meeting, how are we failing in that regard?Unapologetic: Why, Despite Everything, Christianity Can Still Make Surprising Emotional Sense by Francis Spufford (https://www.harpercollins.com/products/unapologetic-francis-spufford?variant=32207439626274)Sin is disconnection; a turning inward“Elegy on the Lady Markham” by John Donne (https://www.poetrynook.com/poem/elegy-lady-markham-0)“As I Walked Out One Evening” by W.H. Auden (https://poets.org/poem/i-walked-out-one-evening)The Sacred podcast (https://www.theosthinktank.co.uk/comment/2017/12/06/introducing-the-sacred-podcast)Polarization, division, and the splitting of people - homophily and fight or flight responseJesus going to the margins, ignoring tribal boundaries and turning the other cheekSin and ReconciliationThe Givenness of Things: Essays by Marilynne Robinson, “I find the soul a valuable concept, a statement of the dignity of human life” (https://www.brethrenpress.com/product_p/9781250097316.htm)The soul is interesting and difficult to name but is so valuableRoom for uncertainty and poetry—we beat up our souls, keep ourselves distractedContemporary life is angry and greedyContempt is a poison for our souls and relationships and humanityStress and anxiety as a constantChristian non-violence traditionWe must feel our emotions - process them through the shared rituals of our communitiesDesire by Micheal O'Siadhail (https://www.baylorpress.com/9781481320061/desire/)Would you like to introduce your take on greed?Phyllis Tickle, dogged commitment of the scripture - the love of money is the root of all evilThe Parable of the Sower - Mark 4:19 (https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mark 4%3A19&version=NIV)Made gods of wealth, greed, comfort, and connivenceGratitude is a medicine for greedOf Gratitude by Thomas Traherne? (https://www.cambridge.org/core/books/abs/works-of-thomas-traherne-vii/of-gratitude/161CCCE8293EE4034F65AB436AB4D3F9)“These are the Days We Prayed For” by Guvna B (https://genius.com/Guvna-b-these-are-the-days-lyrics)Notice and give thanks; misplaced desireAcadia, spiritual apathy, and heavy distractionAttention and discipline are formationThe Anxious Generation: How the Great Rewiring of Childhood is Causing an Epidemic of Mental Illness by Jonathan Haidt (https://www.anxiousgeneration.com/book)Community as accountability and rituals and set rhythms of lifeDivine Love, ultimate loveBaptism as a reminder of our death - love remainsQuiet space shared with others; honesty, vulnerability, emotional processingProduction NotesThis podcast featured Elizabeth OldfieldEdited and Produced by Evan RosaHosted by Evan RosaProduction Assistance by Kacie Barrett and Alexa RollowA Production of the Yale Center for Faith & Culture at Yale Divinity School https://faith.yale.edu/aboutSupport For the Life of the World podcast by giving to the Yale Center for Faith & Culture: https://faith.yale.edu/give

As we begin our series on the Parables of Jesus, the Parable of the Sower (Mark 4) introduces us to the fact that parables are not cute stories, meant to simplify complex spiritual ideas, but they perplex. They subvert. They get behind our defences and gives us a new imagination for seeing the realities of God's kingdom. In this parable, we see how Jesus is deeply concerned about our commitment to hearing what he has to say – which is, in the end, a function of our hearts' openness to Jesus.

Preached by Pastor Eric Mingle, on June 16, 2024.

Preached by Pastor Eric Mingle, on June 16, 2024.

God's sovereign rule has broken into human history. Christ's authoritative rule is taking root, growing, and shall eventually envelope all the world. This podcast is also a blog post at https://timehrhardt.com/

Join Pastor James Crawford as he explores Mark 4 in his powerful message, "The Parable Of The Sower." Discover how Jesus' teaching on the heart posture of those receiving the Word is crucial for our spiritual growth. Learn the importance of acknowledging the state of your heart and positioning it as good soil for the truth to take root and flourish. Avoid the pitfalls of having the message snatched away or choked by worldly cares, and grow deeper in your faith with this enlightening sermon.Verse References: Mark 4 verses 1-20Make sure you subscribe to this channel and follow us on all our platforms to always stay up to date with our latest content!And you can always head over to our website for any general information!https://godspeak.comPrayer/NeedsIf you have any needs, or have a willingness to be used to meet various need in the body, please email info@godspeak.com. Also, let us know if you need prayer for anything.Giving is part of our worship time, and in this season, the easiest way to do that is online. If you go to our website, godspeak.com, you will see the "Give" tab in the top right corner. Or you can simply click this link https://pushpay.com/g/godspeakAny questions?Please feel free to email us, comment here, or DM us on Instagram any questions that you may have.Please Subscribe to this channel and turn on your notifications to be notified when our Livestreams start so you don't miss out! We hope you are blessed by the service!-The Godspeak Team

Jesus was a Master Storyteller. He told fictional stories to drive home powerful spiritual lessons. Let's sit at his feet and ask, “What spiritual ‘next step' is Jesus asking me to take?”  #MoStoryteller

(Mandarin) Lianbo Zhang - Narwee Baptist Church

Reading Mark 4:1-12 where Jesus presents the parable of the sower, also known as the parable of the soils, which is a story that conveys a mystery about the kingdom of God. Visit wwutt.com for all our videos!

A month ago, Keith Pond preached about the certainty that saints can have about their salvation (1 John 5:13). This week, he looks into the Parable of the Sower (Mark 4:1-20) to highlight that there are many who will hear the word, think that they have a relationship with Christ but hear the awful words when they meet the Savior, "Depart from me for I never knew you." What are the warnings Christ highlights in the Parable of the Sower? Keith Pond explains.

The Abundant Sower - Mark Buchanan | The Gospel According to Mark | (Mark 4:1-20) April 21, 2024 Some have called The Gospel According to Mark a passion narrative with a long introduction, acknowledging that Mark gives a disproportionate amount of time to the final week of Jesus' life. This focus will allow us to emphasize the cross and the fact that Jesus came to seek and save the lost. All in all, Mark acts as a very comprehensive discipleship manual that exalts the servant King, Jesus and invites us to follow him. The Way Church is a church in Vancouver joining Jesus in the restoration of all things. For more information, visit our website at http://thewaychurch.ca LINKS Connect Form: http://connect.thewaychurch.ca Kids: http://thewaychurch.ca/kids Youth: http://thewaychurch.ca/youth Alpha: http://thewaychurch.ca/alpha

The seventh in a series of sermons on Mark. Speaker: Mike Jones

Guest speaker Benjamin Sweeney speaks on the parable of the Sower (Mark 4)Support the show

Parable of the Sower | Mark 4 | Pastor Will Cover

This sermon was recorded on October 22, 2023 and delivered by Winston Bosch at Blessings Christian Church located in Hamilton, Ontario.

Toshi JamangMark Series 4:1-20July 30, 2023

We will never grow in the grace and knowledge of Jesus if our hearts are not prepared to receive the seed of the Word.

We will never grow in the grace and knowledge of Jesus if our hearts are not prepared to receive the seed of the Word.

Why did Jesus teach in parables? To challenge the hearer to reflect on the kingdom and decide about participation in it. It was an invitation for believers and an obstacle for unbelievers. The good news is that God offers participation in his kingdom to everyone through the gospel!

We're starting a new series for the next 3 weeks called Parables.  In the Gospels, Jesus used parables as a means to teach His discipes and followers a deeper spiritual truth.  The stories He used were not always for the greater audience, but rather for those who would genuinely follow and obey His words.  This first episode takes us to a well-known passage in Mark 4 called The Parable Of The Sower.  There are 4 different types of soil or ground that the seed (the word of God) can be sown into.  The Sower is Christ.  Our hearts are the individual soil conditions.  Join Derek this week as we dive into this passage which is as relevant today as it was when it was written!  

If you appreciate this work, consider supporting it - https://www.patreon.com/seekgodtogether Today we will read Mark 4:4-9. This is the Parable of the Sower and it says, “As he sowed, this occurred: Some seed fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up. Other seed fell on rocky ground where it didn't have much soil, and it sprang up right away, since it didn't have deep soil. When the sun came up, it was scorched, and since it didn't have a root it withered. Other seed fell among thorns, and the thorns came up and choked it, and it didn't produce a crop. Still others fell on good ground and produced a crop that increased 30, 60, and 100 times what was sown.” Then He said, “Anyone who has ears to hear should listen!” Jesus taught in parables or stories. They memorable and easy to share. But what do they mean? Fortunately for us, Jesus explains the meaning of this parable just a few verses later. The soil is the human heart and the seed is the word of God. What is the word? The word is whatever God communicates culminating in the God-man Jesus Himself. But unfortunately not everyone receives the communication of God as readily. Jesus categorizes the hearers into four groups. The first hear the word but it is of no affect. The birds quickly come and eat the seed. Or rather, Satan removes it. The result is simple, the word does nothing. It's as if it was never there at all and the listeners go on their merry way oblivious. The second group hears the word and are even excited. There's an explosive and enthusiastic growth that is obvious and visible, but with just a little pressure and adversity, it withers and is no more. This group is a bright flame that extinguishes quickly. The third group hears the word, and it even takes root! There's growth. Everything looks great. Except there's something else - thorns. The word is not alone. These thorns represent worries, the seduction of wealth, and the desire for things. They begin to crowd and choke the word. Slowly over time the thorns suck the nutrients and energy. There just isn't enough resources to go around. Just not enough room to breath. Apparently the word needs space, freedom, and energy to be productive. Lastly, some of the seed makes its way to fertile soil. Here the word is welcomed, allowed to grow, and produce a crop. Incredibly the production isn't double or triple what is sown. It's not even 10 times what is sown. Nope. It's 30, 60, or even 100 times what is sown! The rate of return is exponential! I suppose the takeaway, if I'm honest, is that I see all these groups active in my life. How about you? Do you fall into one category or several? If you're listening, and if you care, it's all but guaranteed that you're not in the first group. But let's ask God to spare us from groups two and three, and to help us produce an exponential return on what He sows in us. God, multiply, exponentially multiply Your word in us. God, help us to eliminate anything, literally anything, that would choke out your word.

Hope Presbyterian Church is a new church in New Braunfels, TX, seeking to take the good news of Jesus Christ to this historic and growing city. We meet every Sunday at 10 at New Braunfels Christian Academy, 995 Mission Hills Drive, New Braunfels 78130. Come join us!

Preacher: Jerry Fernandes Gracenet Community Church

Andy Hines - Parable of the Sower Mark 1

If you appreciate this work, consider supporting it - https://www.patreon.com/seekgodtogether Today we will read Mark 4:4-9. This is the Parable of the Sower and it says, “As he sowed, this occurred: Some seed fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up. Other seed fell on rocky ground where it didn't have much soil, and it sprang up right away, since it didn't have deep soil. When the sun came up, it was scorched, and since it didn't have a root it withered. Other seed fell among thorns, and the thorns came up and choked it, and it didn't produce a crop. Still others fell on good ground and produced a crop that increased 30, 60, and 100 times what was sown.” Then He said, “Anyone who has ears to hear should listen!” Jesus taught in parables or stories. They memorable and easy to share. But what do they mean? Fortunately for us, Jesus explains the meaning of this parable just a few verses later. The soil is the human heart and the seed is the word of God. What is the word? The word is whatever God communicates culminating in the God-man Jesus Himself. But unfortunately not everyone receives the communication of God as readily. Jesus categorizes the hearers into four groups. The first hear the word but it is of no affect. The birds quickly come and eat the seed. Or rather, Satan removes it. The result is simple, the word does nothing. It's as if it was never there at all and the listeners go on their merry way oblivious. The second group hears the word and are even excited. There's an explosive and enthusiastic growth that is obvious and visible, but with just a little pressure and adversity, it withers and is no more. This group is a bright flame that extinguishes quickly. The third group hears the word, and it even takes root! There's growth. Everything looks great. Except there's something else - thorns. The word is not alone. These thorns represent worries, the seduction of wealth, and the desire for things. They begin to crowd and choke the word. Slowly over time the thorns suck the nutrients and energy. There just isn't enough resources to go around. Just not enough room to breath. Apparently the word needs space, freedom, and energy to be productive. Lastly, some of the seed makes its way to fertile soil. Here the word is welcomed, allowed to grow, and produce a crop. Incredibly the production isn't double or triple what is sown. It's not even 10 times what is sown. Nope. It's 30, 60, or even 100 times what is sown! The rate of return is exponential! I suppose the takeaway, if I'm honest, is that I see all these groups active in my life. How about you? Do you fall into one category or several? If you're listening, and if you care, it's all but guaranteed that you're not in the first group. But let's ask God to spare us from groups two and three, and to help us produce an exponential return on what He sows in us. God, multiply, exponentially multiply Your word in us. God, help us to eliminate anything, literally anything, that would choke out your word.

The Parable Of The Sower (Mark 4:1 - 20) Daniel Nealon November 13, 2022 by Deer Creek Church

Pastor Adin Yoon

Adin Yoon

Contact: cameron@jonesvillebaptist.com Regular uploads to continue in two weeks, August 3, 2022.

If you appreciate this work, consider supporting it - https://www.patreon.com/seekgodtogether Today we will read Mark 4:4-9. This is the Parable of the Sower and it says, “As he sowed, this occurred: Some seed fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up. Other seed fell on rocky ground where it didn't have much soil, and it sprang up right away, since it didn't have deep soil. When the sun came up, it was scorched, and since it didn't have a root it withered. Other seed fell among thorns, and the thorns came up and choked it, and it didn't produce a crop. Still others fell on good ground and produced a crop that increased 30, 60, and 100 times what was sown.” Then He said, “Anyone who has ears to hear should listen!” Jesus taught in parables or stories. They memorable and easy to share. But what do they mean? Fortunately for us, Jesus explains the meaning of this parable just a few verses later. The soil is the human heart and the seed is the word of God. What is the word? The word is whatever God communicates culminating in the God-man Jesus Himself. But unfortunately not everyone receives the communication of God as readily. Jesus categorizes the hearers into four groups. The first hear the word but it is of no affect. The birds quickly come and eat the seed. Or rather, Satan removes it. The result is simple, the word does nothing. It's as if it was never there at all and the listeners go on their merry way oblivious. The second group hears the word and are even excited. There's an explosive and enthusiastic growth that is obvious and visible, but with just a little pressure and adversity, it withers and is no more. This group is a bright flame that extinguishes quickly. The third group hears the word, and it even takes root! There's growth. Everything looks great. Except there's something else - thorns. The word is not alone. These thorns represent worries, the seduction of wealth, and the desire for things. They begin to crowd and choke the word. Slowly over time the thorns suck the nutrients and energy. There just isn't enough resources to go around. Just not enough room to breath. Apparently the word needs space, freedom, and energy to be productive. Lastly, some of the seed makes its way to fertile soil. Here the word is welcomed, allowed to grow, and produce a crop. Incredibly the production isn't double or triple what is sown. It's not even 10 times what is sown. Nope. It's 30, 60, or even 100 times what is sown! The rate of return is exponential! I suppose the takeaway, if I'm honest, is that I see all these groups active in my life. How about you? Do you fall into one category or several? If you're listening, and if you care, it's all but guaranteed that you're not in the first group. But let's ask God to spare us from groups two and three, and to help us produce an exponential return on what He sows in us. God, multiply, exponentially multiply Your word in us. God, help us to eliminate anything, literally anything, that would choke out your word. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

The Parable of the Sower - Mark 4:1-9, 13-20 What is the church?  It's a basic question, but one that can be hard to define.  Jesus tells a story that scares how the people of God share God's good news.

the reMARKable life of Christ: The Parable of the Sower - Mark 4:1-20 the reMARKable life of Christ Pastor Alex Kennedy, Senior Pastor May 1, 2022

Parable of the Sower (Mark 4:1-20) - Evening Sermon

We have not posted audio only versions of the sermons since we have been live streaming on our YouTube Channel and on Facebook. However, last week we were unable to live stream, so we are presenting the audio only of the message.

SCRIPTURE: Mark 4:3-20“The Parable of the Sower makes us wrestle, but we are richer for that wrestling. We grow. Which, in the end, is exactly how the parable says things work: when we are planted in a place that is deep, when we reach down into the difficulty of things, we begin to flourish. Shallow understandings wither, or are snatched away. Emotionalism and sensationalism don't endure. The Kingdom of God is a place where seeds scattered in dark places, even ones far from the path, can take root and be nourished.” REFLECTION/DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:Have you ever experienced a change in the meaning of something? What was it? What meanings did it have? Do you know why the change happened?Why do you think Jesus spoke in parables? Do you ever find this frustrating? Why?Read the Parable of the Sower (Mark 4:3-9): what is your initial sense of what the parable means? What might another interpretation of it be? Now, read Jesus's explanation of the parable to His disciples (Mark 4:13-20). What does this clarify? What new questions does it present? The “first rule” of reading a parable is to have “ears to hear,” which Kenny defined as a willingness to shift our perspective from what the parable teaches us to what the parable reveals about God and His Kingdom. Try to apply this rule to the Parable of the Sower. What do you see? The “second rule” of reading a parable is to “look for more, not less,” which Kenny defined as a willingness to see how a story changes over time and from different perspectives (he compared this to the changing view from a window). Try to apply this rule to the Parable of the Sower: what do you see? This week, our challenge was introspective: when it comes to your faith, are you hoping to know a thing more or to know more things? What's the difference? In reference to the Parable of the Sower, what kind of “soil” is your heart? Are you content with the answer?

Jesus teaches a parable that describes what happens when the seed encounters four different types of soil.

Parable of the Sower | Mark 4 | Be good seed! Jake Zauche fcclewistown.org