Mark 4: 1-4; 13-15
1. Introduction
a. Jesus had been mainly teaching in ___________, now he was teaching the _______.
b. Our Jesus is a _________ Solver.
c. A parable:
i. A parable is an _______ story with a __________ meaning
ii. A parable is a _________ Picture
d. If the disciples had understood every word that Jesus said, we would miss all of these ____________that Jesus gives.
e. Parable of the Sower is a Primer, or __________ in parables for the disciples.
2. Explanation
a. The ultimate sower is __________.
b. We continue Jesus’ _________ ministry when we act as his ______ here on earth.
3. The Natural Soil of the Heart
a. The Bible Talks about the heart as the __________ of your being, what makes you, _______.
b. Jerimiah 17:9 says that “The heart is more __________ than all else, and is desperately ______; Who can understand it?”
c. God looks at us and says “what is the condition of your ______?”
4. Soils Harden by:
a. Drought—refusal to cooperate with the Holy Spirit
i. In the Christian life, refusing to ____________ with the Holy Spirit can harden our hearts.
b. Compaction/tromping down/tribulation
i. Romans 5:3 And not only this, but we also ______ in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about ______________;
c. Lack of care when sowing the Word
i. The Word must be delivered with care, by hand, in ________.
5. Conclusion
a. Allow God to soften our hearts
b. Psalm 51: 17: The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; A _______ and a _________ heart, O God, You will not despise.
c. Cooperate with God in preparing the hearts of others.
i. Remember, that sowing has __________ consequences (c.f. Galatians 6:8-9).